Plugin List > SuperDateTime

SuperDateTime

Description:
SuperDateTime is a screensaver for use with open source SqueezeCenter software from Slim Devices. The screensaver graphically displays current weather conditions and forecasts and will also optionally display stock quotes and upcoming/active game information for MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL, and college football and basketball, and hockey teams.  The information is conveniently displayed on a Squeezebox/Transporter hardware player anywhere in your home.

The following screenshots were created using SoftSqueeze, a software-based Squeezebox/Transporter emulator that is compatible with the plugin.

Installation:

1. Unzip downloaded zip file appropriate directory.  Folder names are case sensitive.
   Windows: Squeezebox\server\Plugins\  NOT SqueezeCenter\server\Slim\Plugin
   Linux: /var/lib/squeezebox/Plugins/       Soft Link:  /usr/share/squeezebox/Plugins/ 
   OS X Single User: ~/Users/yourusername/Library/PreferencePanes/SqueezeCenter.prefpane/Contents/server/Plugins
   OS X Multi User: ~/Library/PreferencePanes/SqueezeCenter.prefpane/Contents/server/Plugins
2. Restart SlimServer.
3. Ensure the plugin is enabled from Server Settings / Plugins web page.
4. Configure custom plugin settings (city, teams, etc.) from Server Setttings / Plugins web page.
5. Enable screensaver for when a player is turned off from Player Settings web page. 

[OPTIONAL] SqueezeServer can be configured to temporarily display SuperDateTime when powered on by holding the size button for a couple seconds. The display is returned to it's previous state by holding the size button again for a couple seconds. This is useful to view sports/weather/etc information while listening to music.

(This needs updating, any volunteers?)

1. Open up \SlimServer\Server\IR\Default.map in your favorite raw text editor.
2. Scroll down to # textsize modes
3. Edit the text in that section to mirror:    (Make sure to include the leading "#" where shown below.)
   size = dead
   size.single = textsize_toggle
   size.hold = modefunction_PLUGIN.SuperDateTime::Plugin->showme
   #size = textsize_toggle
   textsize_small = textsize_small
   textsize_medium = textsize_medium
   textsize_large = textsize_large
4. Restart SqueezeCenter

Remote Control Usage:

• Pressing up or down cycles the information shown on line one during time display. It will also immediately display the time if it is not currently being shown.
• Pressing right or left cycles through the available games/stocks/etc. that normally cycle automatically.
• Pressing FWD or REW cycles through the long weather forecasts.
• Pressing '+' will force an immediate data refresh.

Feedback/Support:

Please direct all feedback and support questions to GoCubs on the SlimDevices public forums at forums.slimdevices.com.

Customization:

Is there something viewable online (lottery numbers, traffic times, soccer scores, etc.) that you wish you could view via SuperDateTime?  Custom plugins that make use of SuperDateTime's external API are now available.  Please contact GoCubs via the SlimDevices forums for more information on getting your own custom plugin enhancement for SuperDateTime.

Examples: PGA Scores and College Hockey, CTA Bus Tracker, Ocean Tide

Known Issues:

• Plugin loses track of a player's state after a Firmware upgrade and may stop automatically refreshing data or cycling screen info.  Power cycling (power button) or pressing the '+' remote control button will force the player to begin refreshing data.
• In some situations not all display defaults are auto set for a new player.  If this occurs, shut down Squeezebox Server and locate and delete superdatetime.prefs.  Then restart Squeezebox Server.  The file should automatically be recreated.
  
  On Windows this file it typically in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Squeezebox\prefs\plugin.  You may need to enable viewing of hidden files/directories in order to locate this file.

Copyright ©2005 Greg Brown
All rights reserved.