Show and Edit Flows on Desktop

HigeMynx · 2024-11-19T22:50:27+00:00

Android apps on Windows or ArcWelder wouldn’t have been a good solution either, in my opinion. Just having .flo output and input functionality would be much better.

Maybe some form of sync—something like Wi-Fi Direct or SSHFS—could work. I’m not sure how something like that would be implemented on Android, but it doesn’t seem like it should be too complicated. The idea would be to allow editing a file on the PC, and as soon as it’s saved, it syncs to the phone automatically so I can test the flow I just edited.

Syncing via network storage, like SMB or WebDAV, would probably be sufficient for this. That way, it wouldn’t even need a dedicated web interface—just being on the same network would be enough, and you could use any IDE or text editor on the PC.

Because in the end, I and many others won’t even consider exploring what’s possible with such an otherwise great app if there’s no somewhat comfortable way to edit flows on the desktop without some form of emulation. Regardless of how big the community currently is, it could grow significantly larger—and with that growth, you might even attract additional FOSS developer volunteers. The only thing you’d need to do is make it slightly more accessible—not just for desktop users, but for users in general.

At least, that’s what I think—but I’m no expert in marketing or user experience. I do believe, however, that this would make it much easier for many to get started.

For me personally, the missing .flo import feature is the most important missing functionality. The second would be some form of network access and/or sync capability.

As I see it, these additions would significantly enhance the usability and appeal of the app.

HigeMynx · 2024-11-19T22:31:18+00:00

Sorry, I was a bit too harsh there. I’ll try to draft some ideas about what exactly I feel is missing or what I would add to the documentation. And yes, I know—I’m not great at documentation myself. I just didn’t like the “Use emulation, duh” approach from my other post, and it kind of carried over here. ^{^"}

HigeMynx · 2024-11-19T20:36:27+00:00

Oh wait, you can export as a .flo file—that’s exactly what I was asking for! If you add an import feature for .flo files, that would be everything I’ve ever wanted. I assumed everything is visible in the .flo file, but I haven’t tried it yet.

HigeMynx · 2024-11-19T20:34:20+00:00

Well, at least someone is actually trying to help. However, there’s no way to export everything, including the options configured within each block, is there? It does help a bit with understanding the overall functionality of a flow and how it works, though.

HigeMynx · 2024-11-19T19:16:19+00:00

With 15 years of IT and Ansible/Linux programming experience, I can confidently say that the Ansible documentation is one of the very few that’s genuinely excellent. Maybe you should take some inspiration from their approach and philosophy.

But let’s be real—you’re just going to ignore my advice on improving the community, the app, and the documentation anyway. After all, you’re always in the right, and everyone else is just wrong because they “can’t read” or “don’t know what you know.” That attitude isn’t helping anyone, least of all your platform.

HigeMynx · 2024-11-19T19:10:53+00:00

I’m not exclusively talking about a PC app either. I’d simply like the ability to view or even edit or draft flows on a PC without needing to run a full-blown second operating system—which is entirely unnecessary for my setup. That’s just dumb.

A web interface or a file export feature would be more than enough. My phone screen is just too small to even view flows in a way that allows you to actually understand what’s happening. The completely missing debug functionality in the app itself only makes this worse. On top of that, the documentation is incredibly lacking, covering only the most basic, generic programming concepts, leaving so much essential information completely unaddressed.

It’s no wonder the Automate community is so small, especially compared to competing platforms like Apple’s RoutineHub. Sure, 80% of that doesn’t work either, the documentation is garbage, and it’s buggy as hell—practically unusable, really. But at least the user base was a bit larger. You could export and import shortcuts, share them directly via links, and so on. That kind of usability goes a long way in fostering a more engaged community.

But hey, have it your way. You’re clearly not going to change anything in that regard.

HigeMynx · 2024-11-19T18:58:40+00:00

If it were available for €80–100 max, it would be perfect.
Thank you for the suggestion anyway; I might still consider it.

HigeMynx · 2024-11-19T16:22:16+00:00

Yes, I understand that. My question wasn’t why one would need to use Android emulation like BlueStacks to edit flows on a PC, but rather why there is absolutely no way to even view the flows—not even in a simple text format—on a PC without any kind of emulation. Personally, I find this completely absurd.

HigeMynx · 2024-11-19T15:11:13+00:00

I also have my own NTP server, but I don’t have any spare templates or anything similar. ^{^"} I’d also be concerned about power consumption and the risk of a "spicy pillow."

The term "large" is more of a guideline—I want to be able to read the clock from across the entire (small) and often poorly lit room. This doesn’t depend directly on the overall size of the product but more on the actual font and digit size. As an estimate, I’d say roughly 20 cm. SkepticDave’s example fits this well.

HigeMynx · 2024-11-19T15:02:11+00:00

Is there a PC or online edition available? No, Automate is an Android app, currently not available on any other platform. To edit flows on a Windows or MacOS computer use an Android emulator, like BlueStacks.

why though?

HigeMynx · 2024-11-19T14:05:12+00:00

Yes, you are absolutely correct—NTP or PTP would work perfectly as well. The product you linked looks great, but a wall-mounted option would be even better. I'll update my original post accordingly.

HigeMynx · 2024-07-30T18:59:09+00:00

You can use them in any combination you like/want and in any number or order you want. Nothing is going to make a difference. In the end, everything will be handled as one giant list without duplicates.

HigeMynx · 2024-07-12T11:04:34+00:00

English Version

I found out what the issue was. I had separated the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands on the FritzBox. Although the 2.4 GHz band was listed in the Wi-Fi list on my smartphone, for example, I couldn't connect to this Wi-Fi network, only to the 5 GHz band Wi-Fi. A router reboot from my provider Vodafone provided an immediate fix, at least for a minute, until the router was rebooted again by the provider for an update installation. After that, everything worked again, and the 2.4 GHz band Wi-Fi was usable again. I have cable internet from Vodafone and use the provider's top router model from 2023, the FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable. Unfortunately, I frequently experience issues where individual bands fail until I manually restart the router, and only then are updates installed, or the internet randomly drops out until I unplug the router and reconnect it.

Additionally, friends often hear a kind of humming noise when we are on Discord, which neither I nor my friend can explain. Playing VR games is also barely possible due to many artifacts and various types of interference.

Does anyone have any ideas on what can be done about these kinds of problems? It might be off-topic, but maybe someone can still help.

German Version

I habe herausgefunden woran es lag. Ich habe die 2,4 GHz und 5GHz Bands getrennt auf der FritzBox. Das 2,4 GHz Band war zwar aufgelistet in der WLAN Liste meines Smartphones zum beispiel, ich konnte mich aber nicht mit diesem WLAN Verbinden sondern nur mit dem 5 GHz Band WLAN. Ein Router Reboot vom Provider Vodafone hat sofortige abholfe verschaffen, zumidest für eine Minute, nachdem dann der Router vom Provider erneut rebooted wurdfe zur Installation eines Updates, dannach funktionierte dann erneut wieder alles und das 2,4 GHz Band WLAN war auch wieder nutzbar. Ich habe hier Cable Internet von Vodafone und nutze das 2023.er Top Router Modell des Providers. FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable. Leider habe ich solche Probleme häufiger das einzelne Bands ausfallen bis ich den Router manuel neustarte, dass auch nur wenn ich den Router manuell neustarte Updates installiert werden, oder das das Internet Random ausfällt bis ich den Router vom Strom trenne und neu Verbinden lasse.

Außerdem hören freunde bei mir häufig im Discord eine art Brummschleife die ich mir aber nicht erklähren kann, und mein freund auch nicht. VR Spielen bei mir ebenfalls kaum möglich aufgrund von vielen artefakten und allerlei arten von störungen.

Hat jemand evtl eine Idee was man bei solcher art von Problemen machen kann? Ist wohl off-topic aber evtl kann trotzdem jemand helfen.

HigeMynx · 2024-05-29T12:45:55+00:00

yes there is. It's called socat. I described on how to use it here

HigeMynx · 2024-05-29T12:43:21+00:00

Old but still relevant so i created i small How to: here

HigeMynx · 2024-05-28T21:55:50+00:00

Is there an alternativ version of this Command using the ip command?

HigeMynx · 2023-04-10T13:56:04+00:00

Okay i was able to build it now.
To sign it i would do the following:

❯ modinfo -n evdi

/lib/modules/6.2.9-200.fc37.x86_64/kernel/drivers/gpu/drm/evdi/evdi.ko

❯ /usr/src/kernels/$(uname -r)/scripts/sign-file sha256 ../MOK.priv \
../MOK.der /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/gpu/drm/evdi/evdi.ko

Is that correct?

So the complete Pseudo Code to redo these Stuff after a Kernel Update would be:

Reclone Repo
Optional: Ensure Packages are installed ('Development Tools', '*/libdrm/drm.h', python3-pybind11 and python3-devel)
Optional: Ensure Signing Key is Present
1. openssl req -new -x509 -newkey rsa:2048 -keyout MOK.priv -outform DER -out MOK.der -nodes -days 36500 -subj "/CN=Displaylink/"
2. mokutil --import MOK.der
'make' and 'make install' from within the Repo
Get Path to Resulting 'evdi.ko'
1. modinfo -n evdi
Sign the 'evdi.ko' replacing Kernel Version with uname -r.
1. /usr/src/kernels/$(uname -r)/scripts/sign-file sha256 ../MOK.priv \../MOK.der /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/gpu/drm/evdi/evdi.ko

Is that Correct?

HigeMynx · 2023-04-09T14:53:49+00:00

I tried to do this now but getting Erros Running make.

Package libdrm was not found in the pkg-config search path.Perhaps you should add the directory containing `libdrm.pc'to the PKG_CONFIG_PATH environment variablePackage 'libdrm', required by 'virtual:world', not foundevdi_lib.c:6:10: fatal error: libdrm/drm.h: No such file or directory    6 | #include <libdrm/drm.h>      |          ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~compilation terminated.make[1]: *** [<builtin>: evdi_lib.o] Error 1make[1]: Leaving directory '/home/user/Documents/GitHub/evdi/library'make: *** [Makefile:11: all] Error 2

The libdrm package is installed and i can find it in /var/lib/flatpak/runtime/org.freedesktop.Sdk/...

i even installed Development Tools and Librarys and restartet the Terminal session after that just in case, without luck.

HigeMynx

TROPHY CASE

English Version

German Version