- Joined
- Apr 3, 2015
- Location
- Planet Earth
Greetings Modders!
I hope to keep this as much too the initial point as possible.
The "point" being a preliminary inquiry into any interest into this possibility. I ask because, if I proceed with my plans, it would be great to have at least input/feedback from my fellows.
So, if even vaguely interested read on! If not, well then go on about what ever else you should be doing, counting zeros possibly...
I reintroduced myself to CrystalFontz during my BruceLee proj, I had previously worked with them in the past.
http://www.overclockers.com/forums/...ee-and-my-mutation-into-a-Pin-head-(Prologue)
CrystalFontz(CF) as you may know has been around forever. Check them out:
https://www.crystalfontz.com/
There current stuff is getting more and more capable just autonomously, let alone its serial integration. Plus you can integrate SCAB boards for extreme control. All their system monitoring software is integrated into the panel already, and out of the Box you can actually do quite a bit using their software.
https://www.crystalfontz.com/products/lcd-software-drivers.html
You can set up screens to read just about any OS and Hardware setting/status, using many different providers. The main one being Microsoft's WMI.
Here is the one I got already (character display)
here is the one I am waiting on (Graphic display)
https://www.crystalfontz.com/product/cfa835tml-244x68-graphical-lcd-module
You can use their Build Drive Bay Kit, or better, pick a display you like and then go through the customize process. If available it will offer overlay choices. Be advised that the metal and beige overlays are discontinued. You can only get black plastic overlays via their mounting service (90%+ of their business is Commercial/Industrial/Field).
So finally! What? Huh?
So any Programmers here or anyone want to learn a bit?
The whole thing boils down to programming. I don't think any firmware is programmable, but it does hold a micro SD?! not sure what that is for yet, local storage?
Its all basically C/C++. Just like an Arduino. In fact there are examples/libs for running a CF
You can access and control the Panel yourself and do just about anything via the serial interface. My plan is also to actually be able "Execute" from the panel.
But using an Arduino would be redundant here as we can utilize the same code base from C/C++ in MS VisualStudio, or any other C/C++ IDE. I gravitate towards VisualStudio, especially the upcoming 2015 release, and C#. I tend to shy away from those "real" programming languages when possible
And, there couldn't be more C# code/lib samples out there. Especially on the CF forum. That being said,what I currently have come up with I hope is a pretty basic and straight forward design of an initial Class library (.dll), using some basic XML do define the custom menus and status/message displays. Also define menuitem actions that execute commands. The XML can be modified/customized to represent "Your" specific panel display/control functionality. Sounds cool, huh!?
I am currently developing with latest VS20015 Community RC. Anybody can download and run Community. It does more than anything I'll ever need or want to do, plus it's super cool. You can supposedly develop in native Android and iOS. I downloaded the SDK's and they chunked hard, so I am waiting a bit to reevaluate. Hopefully MS is going to stick to their guns and offer VS2015 Community for free after release.
https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/downloads/visual-studio-2015-downloads-vs.aspx
You pretty much have to get into the MSDN Online, including VisualStudio Online to get into this. So, you will need to have or create some sort of msn account. If this rubs you the wrong way, well then go back to your vi editor, freeware libraries, Corba kernel configs and keep counting those zeros and ones
no, but seriously. I had an msn account already and was able to easily signup. I believe it created a separate MSDN account. I think any MS account should work, like hotmail.com. But I cant be certain. Anyway, just take the pill, drink the punch and buy the damn T-Shirt already... And you really need it as they are pushing RC version updates often.
ah, enough already, I said I would be brief. This should be enough info to entice the interested and ward off the feeble interlopers.
And, BTW- this is definitely a backburner project for me, as I am mostly distracted by my new Benching career. I am uncertain of the pay still. I created this thread as it had been on my plate to get this out there, plus I need the posts!
So hit me up on PM or this thread if you are interested, comments, questions.... or have any problems with VS2015 Community RC, or questions about buying a CF display.
and BTW- I do have a VisualStudio online site going. This is MS new integrated Project Management and Source Control. It is actually quite cool. Having used VS since the VB days, it seems MS may have nailed this one finally. You too will be able to set up your own site when you sign up if you so desire. I think you can have 5 members for free. I am not sure what is happening after release. I have my initial project hosted there. check it out:
https://swarthack.visualstudio.com/
Basta Entonces
I hope to keep this as much too the initial point as possible.
The "point" being a preliminary inquiry into any interest into this possibility. I ask because, if I proceed with my plans, it would be great to have at least input/feedback from my fellows.
So, if even vaguely interested read on! If not, well then go on about what ever else you should be doing, counting zeros possibly...
I reintroduced myself to CrystalFontz during my BruceLee proj, I had previously worked with them in the past.
http://www.overclockers.com/forums/...ee-and-my-mutation-into-a-Pin-head-(Prologue)
CrystalFontz(CF) as you may know has been around forever. Check them out:
https://www.crystalfontz.com/
There current stuff is getting more and more capable just autonomously, let alone its serial integration. Plus you can integrate SCAB boards for extreme control. All their system monitoring software is integrated into the panel already, and out of the Box you can actually do quite a bit using their software.
https://www.crystalfontz.com/products/lcd-software-drivers.html
You can set up screens to read just about any OS and Hardware setting/status, using many different providers. The main one being Microsoft's WMI.
Here is the one I got already (character display)
here is the one I am waiting on (Graphic display)
https://www.crystalfontz.com/product/cfa835tml-244x68-graphical-lcd-module
You can use their Build Drive Bay Kit, or better, pick a display you like and then go through the customize process. If available it will offer overlay choices. Be advised that the metal and beige overlays are discontinued. You can only get black plastic overlays via their mounting service (90%+ of their business is Commercial/Industrial/Field).
So finally! What? Huh?
So any Programmers here or anyone want to learn a bit?
The whole thing boils down to programming. I don't think any firmware is programmable, but it does hold a micro SD?! not sure what that is for yet, local storage?
Its all basically C/C++. Just like an Arduino. In fact there are examples/libs for running a CF
You can access and control the Panel yourself and do just about anything via the serial interface. My plan is also to actually be able "Execute" from the panel.
But using an Arduino would be redundant here as we can utilize the same code base from C/C++ in MS VisualStudio, or any other C/C++ IDE. I gravitate towards VisualStudio, especially the upcoming 2015 release, and C#. I tend to shy away from those "real" programming languages when possible
And, there couldn't be more C# code/lib samples out there. Especially on the CF forum. That being said,what I currently have come up with I hope is a pretty basic and straight forward design of an initial Class library (.dll), using some basic XML do define the custom menus and status/message displays. Also define menuitem actions that execute commands. The XML can be modified/customized to represent "Your" specific panel display/control functionality. Sounds cool, huh!?
I am currently developing with latest VS20015 Community RC. Anybody can download and run Community. It does more than anything I'll ever need or want to do, plus it's super cool. You can supposedly develop in native Android and iOS. I downloaded the SDK's and they chunked hard, so I am waiting a bit to reevaluate. Hopefully MS is going to stick to their guns and offer VS2015 Community for free after release.
https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/downloads/visual-studio-2015-downloads-vs.aspx
You pretty much have to get into the MSDN Online, including VisualStudio Online to get into this. So, you will need to have or create some sort of msn account. If this rubs you the wrong way, well then go back to your vi editor, freeware libraries, Corba kernel configs and keep counting those zeros and ones
no, but seriously. I had an msn account already and was able to easily signup. I believe it created a separate MSDN account. I think any MS account should work, like hotmail.com. But I cant be certain. Anyway, just take the pill, drink the punch and buy the damn T-Shirt already... And you really need it as they are pushing RC version updates often.
ah, enough already, I said I would be brief. This should be enough info to entice the interested and ward off the feeble interlopers.
And, BTW- this is definitely a backburner project for me, as I am mostly distracted by my new Benching career. I am uncertain of the pay still. I created this thread as it had been on my plate to get this out there, plus I need the posts!
So hit me up on PM or this thread if you are interested, comments, questions.... or have any problems with VS2015 Community RC, or questions about buying a CF display.
and BTW- I do have a VisualStudio online site going. This is MS new integrated Project Management and Source Control. It is actually quite cool. Having used VS since the VB days, it seems MS may have nailed this one finally. You too will be able to set up your own site when you sign up if you so desire. I think you can have 5 members for free. I am not sure what is happening after release. I have my initial project hosted there. check it out:
https://swarthack.visualstudio.com/
Basta Entonces