New and confused.

mickyas

Hi, i’m new to all of this and as a builder, so far removed from this kind of thing i’m almost coming back on it.
I have started a magic mirror project and have the following items;
Raspberry pi 3 (with 32gb noobs card - loaded and running)
Raspberry pi camera V2
Usb mic
various connectors/extenders etc ( to sit in the frame of the mirror
two-way mirror (using 2-way film and 2mm picture glass -works good).
Samsung LH40DMEPLGC Public display monitor.
Now…i have managed to get the frame built etc (as a builder this is my bread and butter :-)) and have the pi camera and mic set up. i’ve managed to get Alexa up and running on it (but that was a step by step simplistic tutorial) BUT, i
closed the terminals (i didn’t know what else i was supposed to do, thought it would jsut run in the background and come back on when i switched the Pi back on…it didn’t :-(
Anyhoo, i have so many questions and i’d love to complete this little project in time for my wifes return from her jollies in a couple of weeks time. However, the coding etc is baffling me…

I’m assuming a module is just a name for software/programme.
I thought Magic Mirror was the generic name given to the concept of a screen behind a mirror with info on display
What is the Magic Mirror module, what does it do and how do i install it (does it go after the green text in the terminal screen? Can i copy and paste it to there?
What is … VNC (allows access from another laptop on same network???), SSH (secure shell - services over secure network),API (a set of functions for apps), am i close???
How do i ‘clone a repository’???
What is custom CSS
What is config.js and where do i find it, what do i then do with it ??? :-)))
When i paste some code (as i did when installing Alexa), how do i save it so when i switch off the Pi, everything i’ve just done, isn’t lost?
The gist of it is that i’d like to have a mirror showing the date, weather and linked to google calendar or the like (to show up coming birthdays etc), but i’d like this to ‘float’ to prevent screen burn.
I’d also like to be able to play music from the net or tell Alexa to search and play a particular tune etc and be able to put the monitor to sleep and wake up using a voice command ('ive seen a video with a description, but it was like quantum physics to me, as it was mentioning the acronyms above and config files etc etc etc and assuming that the person watching would have at least a basic grasp of coding …I DON’T :-)))))))))…did i mention, i’m a builder :-))
Sorry for the ‘novel’ but i’d love to try and get my lastest ‘TOY’ up and running properly. Thank you.
Mick

Mykle1

@mickyas said in New and confused.:

Sorry for the ‘novel’ but i’d love to try and get my lastest ‘TOY’ up and running properly. Thank you.

No worries, Mick.

So, you haven’t installed the MagicMirror software yet? Is that correct?

Most of the things that you are asking about will become evident as you go through the process of installation and setting up your mirror. Try not to get ahead of yourself. It does become easier and your understanding will come along with each step that you take. If you reach a hurdle that you cannot pass, post a question and you’ll usually get answers pretty quickly.

Enjoy the process

mickyas

Thanks for the quick response Mykle 1. No i have not installed Magic Mirror ( i didn’t know it was software, just thought it was a generic term for all mirrors with a screen behind them :-)))). I’ve tried but no idea what, where or how to. :-(((

Mykle1

@mickyas

Ok, Mick. All is well. You do have some work ahead of you but this complete setup guide will get you on your way. Again, if you get stuck, don’t hesitate to ask a question.

https://forum.magicmirror.builders/topic/236/complete-setup-tutorial

mickyas

Thanks Mykle 1,
I’d already done most of that (trial and error), up to Section 4 (cleaning and updating…) although the screenshots were completely different to what i was seeing on my TV when i had the Pi3 hooked up.
In the MM install do i need to reconfigure the pi software to display in portrait (as the samsung monitor i’m using has a built in function to be viewed in landscape or portrait)?
As stated in my original post, i’ve managed to work out how to get Alexa operational but how do i ‘save’ this so that it starts again when i switch on the pi instead of losing it altogether when i switch off? Thanks for your help, really is appreciated by this aged learner :-))))))
Mick

Mykle1

@mickyas said in New and confused.:

In the MM install do i need to reconfigure the pi software to display in portrait (as the samsung monitor i’m using has a built in function to be viewed in landscape or portrait)?

No, you don’t have to do that at all. Some people have made their mirrors in landscape view. It’s a matter of preference.

As stated in my original post, i’ve managed to work out how to get Alexa operational but how do i ‘save’ this so that it starts again when i switch on the pi instead of losing it altogether when i switch off? Thanks for your help, really is appreciated by this aged learner :-))))))

I’m not really sure what you are asking me. Do you want the mirror software to load automatically upon booting? Are you losing your Alexa setup? I’m not familiar with Alexa at all but we can surely find out.

mickyas

@Mykle1 Yes, once i’ve entered all of the code etc and have Alexa up and running (with the 3 terminal screens open as instructed), it’s all good until i switched off, unplug or close the terminals, then i lose everything and i have to start all over again. I’d like Alexa to remain on the PI 3 so that when i make my mirror fully operational (frame, monitor, wiring harness etc), and i put it all into ‘standyby’, i don’t lose it all.
Mick

mickyas

OOPS…having a play around and managed to get the Magic Mirror up and running :-)))) BUT i changed the screen configuration/layout and changed it to portrait…how do i undo it??? :-))))))))))) Also is there a way to change the 'compliments and to have the weather widget etc 'floating around the screen instead of being static??? Thanks
Mick

SexyTrogg

I don’t believe that it is possible to have the compliments floating around. If you take a peek here:
https://forum.magicmirror.builders/topic/286/regions

You can see color coded regions for where the modules are allowed to be displayed. You (or someone else) could always change the code to possibly rotate which region the module is displayed but I think that may lead to other problems.

Also, check out here for how to rotate the screen orientation:
https://github.com/MichMich/MagicMirror/wiki/Configuring-the-Raspberry-Pi

I used that guide to change mine to landscape and to disable the screensaver (which i recommend).

Cheers!

Mykle1

@mickyas said in New and confused.:

I’d like Alexa to remain on the PI 3 so that when i make my mirror fully operational (frame, monitor, wiring harness etc), and i put it all into ‘standyby’, i don’t lose it all.

There must be a way to save your Alexa state so that it reloads on reboot/restart. However, I’ve never used Alexa. It would be best if you created a new topic in “Troubleshooting”, naming it, “How to save the state of Alexa?” and describe your problem there. This way the question will be seen by everyone instead of being lost in this topic

Mykle1

@mickyas said in New and confused.:

BUT i changed the screen configuration/layout and changed it to portrait…how do i undo it??? :-))))))))))) Also is there a way to change the 'compliments and to have the weather widget etc 'floating around the screen instead of being static???

All the info you need for changing the compliments is here:
https://github.com/MichMich/MagicMirror/tree/develop/modules/default/compliments

@SexyTrogg has given you good advice. The links he gave you are very informative. You can change the screen orientation by reversing the directions in the 2nd link that he gave you.

In lieu of disabling the screensaver directions on that page, I would do this instead. It’s just easier and it works like a charm.

My solution was to install xscreensaver and use the desktop control panel to disable the screensaver.
In your terminal:

sudo apt-get install xscreensaver
sudo reboot
On reboot open the desktop start menu (via the GUI, not the terminal) Preferences/Screensaver/Mode:/Disable Screen Saver.

mickyas

@SexyTrogg Thank you :-))) Only problem is the first link you posted doesn’t have any instruction as to what to do, or is it just an example of the only options available? If so, is there a link showing how to change the colours etc?
Mick

mickyas

@Mykle1 Thank you (again) mykle, but that link is as clear as mud to me :-)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) I have NO knowledge or experience of coding, terminology or anything even closely resembling this (ask anything you want about building work or fibre optic production facility set-ups and i’m your man, but this !!!..) :-))))

SexyTrogg

@mickyas Its an example of what options are available. Every module has to be placed into the Magic Mirror config file and inside of that file will be the settings for each module. For example:

modules: [
 {
	module: "compliments",
	position: "lower_third",	// This can be any of the regions.
								// Best results in one of the middle regions like: lower_third
	config: {
		// The config property is optional.
		// If no config is set, the default compliments are shown.
		// See 'Configuration options' for more information.
	}
}
]

Above is taken from the compliments module. As you can see there is the position:“lower_third” option. The link I gave you gives you all of the other options for where you can place your module.
As for colors, the link only used colors to help make each region stand out. Modules set their colors through their .css files so you can always go into that and change it to your needs.

mickyas

@SexyTrogg Just tried from the link you sent me…didn’t work.
I opened a terminal put in … sudo nano /boot/config.txt (pressed enter)
then added …display_rotate=1
avoid_warnings=1 (it already had the display_rotate=1 as the first line)
then i pressed ctrl x and saved, then rebooted, No difference still wrong orientation. :-((( I even tried changing the text ‘vertical’ to horizontal’ and still nothing. I’d already altered the screen orientation (playing around) from horizontal to vertical but i’d like to change it back but nowt happening :-(

Mick

SexyTrogg

@mickyas Id use the advice that @Mykle1 gave. The Xscreensaver is really easy to use and is much easier than editing a file through the terminal

mickyas

@SexyTrogg Just to clarify…every time i’d like to add a module i have to first open a terminal then enter … sudo nano /boot/config.txt … then (copy and paste?) enter the text/code (copy and paste?) for the module…where?..anywhere? Then ctrl x and save then reboot???
Mick

SexyTrogg

@mickyas That’s the hard way (in my opinion).
I use Filezilla to connect to my PI though FTP. That lets me easily click and drag new modules into the /modules folder. I also use FTP to download the config file to my PC and make edits there before I upload it back. But yes, every module needs for you to manually add it to the config. All modules on github follow a similar format where the Readme will give an example of the lines of code you need to put into the config.

Mykle1

@mickyas said in New and confused.:

I opened a terminal put in … sudo nano /boot/config.txt (pressed enter)
then added …display_rotate=1
avoid_warnings=1 (it already had the display_rotate=1 as the first line)
then i pressed ctrl x and saved, then rebooted, No difference still wrong orientation. :-((( I even tried changing the text ‘vertical’ to horizontal’ and still nothing. I’d already altered the screen orientation (playing around) from horizontal to vertical but i’d like to change it back but nowt

When I said “reverse the directions” I guess I wasn’t clear enough. The directions are telling to you to “add” display_rotate=1. You want to “remove” that line of code because that is telling your system to rotate the screen. If that line of code is there twice then you need to remove both instances for your screen to go back to landscape mode.

Mykle1

@mickyas said in New and confused.:

Just to clarify…every time i’d like to add a module i have to first open a terminal then enter … sudo nano /boot/config.txt … then (copy and paste?) enter the text/code (copy and paste?) for the module…where?..anywhere? Then ctrl x and save then reboot???

Mick, here’s an easier way to add a module and you only have to use the terminal once. Lets use my MMM-JEOPARDY module as test. Go to this page of modules https://github.com/MichMich/MagicMirror/wiki/MagicMirror²-Modules#3rd-party-modules and scroll down until you see MMM-JEOPARDY by Mykle1 . Click on it.
Now you’re at my repo for that module. Click on the green Clone or download button on the right. That shows you the url to get the module. Copy that url.

Now open a terminal and type cd MagicMirror/modules. Now you’re in the MagicMirror/modules directory. Now type git clone and one space and paste the url that you copied from my repo for the module. It should look like this:
git clone https://github.com/mykle1/MMM-JEOPARDY.git and press your Enter key. This will download the module into the modules folder where it belongs.

You’re now done with the terminal! (for now)

From your Pi desktop, click the File Manager folder. Double click the MagicMirror folder. Double click the config folder. Double click the config.js file. Your config.js file is now open in a text editor. You have to add an entry for the module you just downloaded so that MM knows to load it. Lets put MMM-JEOPARDY under your calendar module entry so that it appears under the calendar on your mirror. Modules that occupy the same postition load in the order they appear in the config.js file. Scroll down to the calendar entry in the config.js file. The entry “ends” at the last }, before the next module entry that begins with a single {.

Copy and paste this “between” the ending of the calendar module entry and the beginning of the next module. (It’s probably compliments)

             {
		disabled: false,
		module: "MMM-JEOPARDY",
		position: "top_left",
		config: {
			rotateInterval: 25 * 1000,         // New Clue Appears             
			useHeader: false,                  // true if you want a header
			header: "This is Jeopardy!",
			maxWidth: "250px",
			animationSpeed: 3000,              // Fades to next clue
		}
		},

SAVE!

Go back to your terminal, or open a new one, and type npm start in the MagicMirror directory.

From now on, you’ll find the entry you need to make in the README file of each module that you download. You now have a guide on how to do that.