Comments on: Violet Mir:ror Review http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:08:32 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Rob E. http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-40180 Rob E. Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:12:06 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-40180 @Pedro @John I just got my mir:rors and spent some time playing with them last night. The applescript thing was driving me crazy, but I finally figured it out. You save your script as text, which gives it the extension ".applescript", then you put the whole file name, with extension, in the Path window. If it's on the desktop, you can just use the file name, otherwise you need the whole path (i.e. /Users/Pedro/Documents/Scripts/file.applescript). I did not experiment to see I could use other extensions. You can also save the applescript as an application and then use the "Open file" application on your object, pointing at your application. I prefer the script option because the "Run script" application allows you specify where the scripts are run. By having one mir:ror at home, and one at work, I can run scripts on my home computer by showing my work mir:ror a zstamped object. There are a couple of things I used to routinely do via remote log in, that I expect I will now do with the aid of brightly colored rabbits. @Pedro @John
I just got my mir:rors and spent some time playing with them last night. The applescript thing was driving me crazy, but I finally figured it out. You save your script as text, which gives it the extension “.applescript”, then you put the whole file name, with extension, in the Path window. If it’s on the desktop, you can just use the file name, otherwise you need the whole path (i.e. /Users/Pedro/Documents/Scripts/file.applescript). I did not experiment to see I could use other extensions. You can also save the applescript as an application and then use the “Open file” application on your object, pointing at your application. I prefer the script option because the “Run script” application allows you specify where the scripts are run. By having one mir:ror at home, and one at work, I can run scripts on my home computer by showing my work mir:ror a zstamped object. There are a couple of things I used to routinely do via remote log in, that I expect I will now do with the aid of brightly colored rabbits.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-39561 Julie Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:05:36 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-39561 @John Darn, wish I could help, but I didn't try creating applescripts for the mir:ror. Unfortunately, a quick google didn't turn up any info either... :( @John Darn, wish I could help, but I didn’t try creating applescripts for the mir:ror. Unfortunately, a quick google didn’t turn up any info either… :(

]]> By: John http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-39557 John Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:25:12 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-39557 @Julie - I've recently purchased a Mac Mini (yay!) and am trying to re-create some of the scripts I wrote for when I was using windows. Have you discovered the format for applying an applescript as an action? If I recall, a .bat file was inserted WITHOUT the .bat extension, just the file name...does it work the same way with the mir:ror? @Julie – I’ve recently purchased a Mac Mini (yay!) and am trying to re-create some of the scripts I wrote for when I was using windows. Have you discovered the format for applying an applescript as an action? If I recall, a .bat file was inserted WITHOUT the .bat extension, just the file name…does it work the same way with the mir:ror?

]]> By: Pedro http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-39116 Pedro Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:30:36 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-39116 Has anyone experienced problems trying to run either applescript or batch scripts with the mirror? I can't seem to run them on Leopard :( Has anyone experienced problems trying to run either applescript or batch scripts with the mirror? I can’t seem to run them on Leopard :(

]]> By: Luke http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-38349 Luke Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:19:06 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-38349 Hi, I'm going to but an RFID reader (Mir:ror or Touchatag). What rfid reader do you suggest me? Is Mir:ror software still buggy for Windows Vista? @John: How can you start/stop pandora and itunes respectively when placed on the mir:ror? Thanks! Hi,
I’m going to but an RFID reader (Mir:ror or Touchatag).
What rfid reader do you suggest me?
Is Mir:ror software still buggy for Windows Vista?

@John: How can you start/stop pandora and itunes respectively when placed on the mir:ror?
Thanks!

]]> By: Kyla http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-36456 Kyla Fri, 29 May 2009 14:18:25 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-36456 Oh, and installing and registering was very unintuitive and problematic for me. Told me I wasn't in, but then that my user ID was already used, etc. Took me too long. Oh, and installing and registering was very unintuitive and problematic for me. Told me I wasn’t in, but then that my user ID was already used, etc. Took me too long.

]]> By: Kyla http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-36455 Kyla Fri, 29 May 2009 14:15:30 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-36455 My PC version is definitely buggy, with loops etc. Fails at startup. A tech at Violet said uses Vista, too, and it's fine for him. What I really want to do is write some scripts. Can anyone direct me to info for a beginner? I work with computers a lot, but not scripts. Thanks! My PC version is definitely buggy, with loops etc. Fails at startup. A tech at Violet said uses Vista, too, and it’s fine for him.
What I really want to do is write some scripts. Can anyone direct me to info for a beginner? I work with computers a lot, but not scripts.
Thanks!

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-36442 Julie Fri, 29 May 2009 11:31:15 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-36442 @John I'm glad to hear that even the PC version of the software has bug issues. I hope that Violet continues to work on the software and features. @John I’m glad to hear that even the PC version of the software has bug issues. I hope that Violet continues to work on the software and features.

]]> By: John http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-36418 John Fri, 29 May 2009 02:48:20 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-36418 @Julie - yeah I have a TON of problems with the software/hardware - nothing super terrible - but for example: If I have my PC off but the Mir:ror is still lit up (my USB ports stay powered up) - and I wave a ztamp over it a couple times - it might get frozen and stop reading the rfid chips. The software hiccups occasionally or just fails at startup too sometimes. When it's working I like it enough that I can look past it's shortcomings. One of my few wishes for the software would be to simply choose the colors it pulses - when you plug it in there's clearly multiple colored LEDs inside, but all I ever see is blue/purple and green - why can't I change that? @Julie – yeah I have a TON of problems with the software/hardware – nothing super terrible – but for example: If I have my PC off but the Mir:ror is still lit up (my USB ports stay powered up) – and I wave a ztamp over it a couple times – it might get frozen and stop reading the rfid chips. The software hiccups occasionally or just fails at startup too sometimes.

When it’s working I like it enough that I can look past it’s shortcomings. One of my few wishes for the software would be to simply choose the colors it pulses – when you plug it in there’s clearly multiple colored LEDs inside, but all I ever see is blue/purple and green – why can’t I change that?

]]> By: Linux News from Linux Loop » Blog Archive » In The Future, Will Our Computers Interact With Our Stuff? http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-36311 Linux News from Linux Loop » Blog Archive » In The Future, Will Our Computers Interact With Our Stuff? Thu, 28 May 2009 03:59:13 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-36311 [...] technology is nothing new, so a product that senses when a special tag is put on it and launches an application is not a particularly impressive technological [...] [...] technology is nothing new, so a product that senses when a special tag is put on it and launches an application is not a particularly impressive technological [...]

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-36305 Julie Thu, 28 May 2009 01:27:55 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-36305 @Mark I love the idea of the Mir:ror, but it's just not there yet. Good proof of concept though. I'd like to think of a way to do the same things, but with gear that I already have. Hmmmmm @Mark I love the idea of the Mir:ror, but it’s just not there yet. Good proof of concept though. I’d like to think of a way to do the same things, but with gear that I already have. Hmmmmm

]]> By: Mark Adkins http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-36301 Mark Adkins Wed, 27 May 2009 23:59:51 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-36301 This reminds me a little of the 'cat' scanner device Radio Shack had a few years back- use it to scan codes and auto-link ot sites, events, etc. on the computer. Cool, but not really a 'mature' technology. A more stable wireless system would be cool, though, huh? I can foresee scattering little RFID readers around the house and attaching tags (Ztamps, whatever) to trigger events remotely. Wave your keys at the front door reader to get a weather and traffic. Wave another tag at it to turn on the lights, etc. A reader in the kitchen autolaunches a recipe or shopping utility. Of course, as I am writing this, I can think of a dozen other ways to accomplish the same jobs, some cheaper and easier and others using existing technology. I DO like the evolution of how we collect and use information,though! This reminds me a little of the ‘cat’ scanner device Radio Shack had a few years back- use it to scan codes and auto-link ot sites, events, etc. on the computer. Cool, but not really a ‘mature’ technology.

A more stable wireless system would be cool, though, huh? I can foresee scattering little RFID readers around the house and attaching tags (Ztamps, whatever) to trigger events remotely. Wave your keys at the front door reader to get a weather and traffic. Wave another tag at it to turn on the lights, etc. A reader in the kitchen autolaunches a recipe or shopping utility.

Of course, as I am writing this, I can think of a dozen other ways to accomplish the same jobs, some cheaper and easier and others using existing technology.

I DO like the evolution of how we collect and use information,though!

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-36286 Julie Wed, 27 May 2009 20:05:40 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-36286 @John Do you also have problems with the software being buggy? I should go back and edit the review to specify that I'm using the Mac version of the software. @John Do you also have problems with the software being buggy? I should go back and edit the review to specify that I’m using the Mac version of the software.

]]> By: John http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-36282 John Wed, 27 May 2009 19:32:32 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-36282 I like what it can do in terms of activating windows scripts (I got mine a few weeks ago) - it's convenient for starting/stopping apps without having to turn on my monitor. I use my nano:ztags to start/stop pandora and itunes respectively when placed on the mir:ror I like what it can do in terms of activating windows scripts (I got mine a few weeks ago) – it’s convenient for starting/stopping apps without having to turn on my monitor. I use my nano:ztags to start/stop pandora and itunes respectively when placed on the mir:ror

]]> By: DStaal http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-36281 DStaal Wed, 27 May 2009 19:02:16 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-36281 Yes, but it brings in the main con: My computer isn't anywhere near my front door. Otherwise, it'd be easy to do most of them. ;) Yes, but it brings in the main con: My computer isn’t anywhere near my front door. Otherwise, it’d be easy to do most of them. ;)

]]> By: jake http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-36280 jake Wed, 27 May 2009 18:37:01 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-36280 it would be useful if you had your computer on auto start so when you get home and drop your keys on it it can open say... your e-mail or the gadgeteer in your favourite web browser it would be useful if you had your computer on auto start so when you get home and drop your keys on it it can open say… your e-mail or the gadgeteer in your favourite web browser

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-36267 Julie Wed, 27 May 2009 15:11:28 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-36267 @DStaal if you can already do these tasks from your computer, you should be able to do them via the Mir:ror. :) @DStaal if you can already do these tasks from your computer, you should be able to do them via the Mir:ror. :)

]]> By: DStaal http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-36263 DStaal Wed, 27 May 2009 14:46:14 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-36263 Yeah, I'd love to put one of these by the front door where I drop off my keys, and have it automatically turn on/off lights, change the temp settings on the AC, and change my voicemail mode whenever I left or returned. Yeah, I’d love to put one of these by the front door where I drop off my keys, and have it automatically turn on/off lights, change the temp settings on the AC, and change my voicemail mode whenever I left or returned.

]]> By: Violet Mir:ror RFID gizmo reviewed: fun, moderately functional - SlashGear http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/27/violet-mirror-review/comment-page-1/#comment-36257 Violet Mir:ror RFID gizmo reviewed: fun, moderately functional - SlashGear Wed, 27 May 2009 14:19:53 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15720#comment-36257 [...] but the RFID coaster is now on the market and getting its first reviews.  The Gadgeteer have been playing with the wireless gizmo, which allows you to tag objects with self-adhesive “ztamps” and [...] [...] but the RFID coaster is now on the market and getting its first reviews.  The Gadgeteer have been playing with the wireless gizmo, which allows you to tag objects with self-adhesive “ztamps” and [...]

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