Documentation, How-Tos, Overly Complicated Interface

Questions
#1

Hi

So I have been struggling with getting started with The Home Remote. What I have found is just to get to the point where you can drop controls on the page requires so many complicated non-clear steps that using this application is impossible. I watched as many videos as I could and found that they go on and on and on - literally for over an hour. Video documentation shouldn’t be the only resource - and if it is then it should be to the point and concise. I used The Home Remote several years ago - I seem to remember it being easier to use. I am really looking for some concise documentation on getting started. So currently, I have a page called LoftMain.xaml. I click “Menu Item” to add something to the page - because all of the controls are grayed out and for some reason it wants to add another page. I don’t want to add another page. I just want to add controls to the page I am on. I tried setting up the remote on my iPhone, exporting the page, and loading it in the designer. What I found is that the remote is now built with little tiles - I don’t want tiles. I want a page of buttons. Why is this application so complicated? I understand with flexibility comes complication - however, if the first hump of using an application is so complicated and you can’t figure out how to get started then there is a major problem. So this post is a bit of venting and also a call for help.

#2

If you want to keep it simple try setting up a canvas on a page and drop a few buttons and image buttons on it to just get a feel for it. That sounds more in line with what you are looking for. Watch the trigger tutorials to see how to link the buttons to commands. Also a good way to figure out things is to reverse engineer an existing progect which some may have shared in the showcase category.

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#3

I’m in the same boat, trying to figure things out. However, the reverse engineering idea is exactly what I am now doing on a showcase project by @Martyn_Barnett . His project is amazingly simple to operate but hugely complex behind the scenes. I’m taking baby steps & replacing some of his devices with my own. I also use Hubitat which I’ll add in later for lighting controls

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#4

Theron… I am happy to give you some help. I started with THR I suppose about under a year ago, but I had a huge advantage of having been using OpenRemote and iRule for many years previously. For my sins, I also build Vera Plugins, so I am used to the flow and the terminologies being used and so from that perspective I need to (politely) disagree with you strongly… I find THR SO easy to use and VERY intuitive, and when I started with it under a year ago it only took me about 30 minutes to have some buttons on my tablet that “did stuff”.

What I will say that might give you some encouragement is that when the penny drops (and it will drop) it will all look so clear and easy.

Franky I think the guys have done an amazing job of building something that for most users will require absolutely no coding or scripting at all… yet it has the ability to allow advanced users to go further and create new devices, plugins and scripts… honestly its VERY well packaged… (IMHO).

Anyway, none of the above will be much comfort to you until the penny drops… so… how can I help? Attach your HRP here and explain what you are trying to do… or PM me… either way.

thanks

#5

Hi All - Thank you for your reply. I understand and agree that the designers of this software have done a wonderful job. I just think it can be improved. I believe I shouldn’t have to watch videos on how to get to a point where there is a canvas that I can drop buttons on. Also - I shouldn’t have to reverse engineer other’s .thr files to be able to take what should be simple steps to get started on a project. I think it would be good to have a getting started wizard for a project or have the application directly open to a page that can be immediately used. That being said, I would be willing to help fund an initiative to get these changes and a few others made. Is it possible to somehow influence the roadmap of this application?

#6

+1 for what Martyn says, the penny will drop - and things will become much clearer to you. Regarding documentation, while it would be nice, what I have witnessed is that THR is moving at a very rapid pace with regards to development. Bill is always making improvements - and he provides the “best” support. Your best bet is to use this forum and rely on the many experts that contribute to it. You will get there.