Housekeeping

SpaceNut · 2021-02-06 20:49:08

GW the subaru engine is the boxer engine with opposed pistons simular to the VW's in the day.

Close enough round up of the two vehicle issues and at least this time the repairs have been in a building and not outside as in the past has happened in the winter's snow and ice or rain.

Yes the escape issues are normal wear and tear which have been getting louder with each passing day trying to work and keep it running until funds were in hand to get it done. Made use of the stimuli's funds to pay for all of the parts required.

tahanson43206 · 2021-02-07 12:03:08

For SpaceNut re topic ... thanks for taking care of yesterday's batch ...

edit spacenut
Today's batch is in progress, with 1849- correcting 1870 not 1559 in the Bans table.
end

For O'Reilly Press: Here is a link to the process data per email inquiry: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 14#p176314

***
As reported earlier in this topic, I have multiple lines of inquiry open for automation of the ID Recovery process.

The 232key module was successfully installed on a Dell laptop today. The program appears to be what it claims. The mystery of why a useful program would be offered in a free version is resolved ... there are a number of highly desirable features that are unlocked by paying a license fee.

I am planning to investigate to see if the free trial version is capable of performing the modest tasks needed for the Not Verified ID's. The documentation is not clear on how the program behaves ... there is a hint that program may be optimized for numeric input, such as from a weighing scale. The ID Recovery ID project requires transmission of control signals, such as the Tab character, and sequences such as Ctrl/L to access the address line of a browser.

If this little utility ** does ** provide a way of delivering the needed signals to a browser window, then the entire processing sequence can be implemented on the laptop, since it has no (significant) limitations in RAM or disk storage, and in any case, the entire script is (probably) under 1000 bytes.

***
For SpaceNut ... FYI ... Patriotior logged in today. There is no IP information that I could see. The user record indicates Indonesia.

If this is a real person, it would be terrific to have a correspondent from Indonesia. Elsewhere in the forum we've noted the intention of Indonesia to build a space program from scratch. As the world's largest Muslim Democracy, it would certainly be good to see their sizable Nation engaged in space exploraiton.
****
Today's batch are in the Bans table. I made a mistake on one of them but ** think ** I corrected it.
***
Later today, after local chores, I'll test the 232key program on the Dell laptop. I have a microcomputer set up to deliver input via a Virtual Com port.

The output would be Notepad, just to see if the program works at all. The output of the microcomputer is all ASCII text.

***
I'm not sure if I mentioned this, but the keylogger device arrived from a country in Europe. It included warnings about paying attention to laws in the nation where the keylogger is to be run. It can be (and probably ** is **) used for law enforcement. Our purpose is more benign of course.

If it works as I'm hoping, it will capture all the control sequences from a USB keyboard that feed into a browser window.

It ** should ** be possible to examine the resulting capture file with a hex display program, to determine what data is actually flowing at each point in the process.

(th)

Last edited by tahanson43206 (2021-02-07 13:15:39)

GW Johnson · 2021-02-07 16:22:51

TH: I just sent another email with another spreadsheet. -- GW

SpaceNut · 2021-02-07 19:17:30

Fixed unban 1849 through 1870 found id 1869 was missing the I in the username have moved all accounts to the user list.

Admin created users TestID02070 - TestID02080 did the unban and checked for user list for these new account names.

tahanson43206 · 2021-02-07 22:23:16

For SpaceNut re #779 and 1869 ...

That is the ID I tried to correct ... I couldn't find it after I noticed it was wrong in the Bans table.

I'll try and schedule a test of the 232key program tomorrow. The hardware is ready for the test. All I need to do is to allocate some time.

***
I trust (and presume) you are following developments with GW Johnson's collection of material on several aerospace related subjects.

There doesn't appear to be anyone else picking up on the idea of constructing a course of learning, so there may be a period of time when the three of us have to try to puzzle out how to turn this collection of software and documentation into a resource for folks who would be able to use it in their careers on Earth, in Space, and on Mars.

(th)

tahanson43206 · 2021-02-08 08:01:05

This post is reserved for today's batch of Not Verified ID's to be recovered: 1870-1892

If all goes well results of an experiment with the 232key program will be available for review.

Edit#1: The results of the experiment with 232key are in. They are both encouraging and disappointing.

The experiment included:

Laptop with USB port
Project device able to generate strings of alpha and numeric data over serial line at 4800 baud using CR terminator
232key.exe program

Procedure:
Start Notepad
Start 232key and connect to the Project Device port (Com4:)
Set focus on Notepad
Start input from project device
Result: The 232key program sees all input as shown in the Event Log, but it delivers only numbers if finds in the input stream.

It is encouraging to see that the basic mechanism works. It is disappointing that only numbers are delivered.
However, it is understandable, considering that the options for input included every scale manufacturer I've ever heard of and plenty more besides.

The option I chose was "generic measuring device", so numbers is what were delivered.

5405510055100552005520055100518051005520052205200521052005540055200552005520052205200555
Above is filtered output to Com4:
Below is the Event Log:
10:33:29 Port opened: COM4 Bitrate: 4800 Data bits: 8 Stop bits: 1 Parity: NONE
10:33:29 RTS: off, DTR: on. DSR: off, CTS: off.
10:33:29 Device: Generic measuring instrument
10:33:29 Keyboard output started, type: US (QWERTY)
10:33:34 A00005<13>
10:33:38 <10>A00405<13>
10:33:38 <10>A00005<13>
10:33:42 <10>A01005<13>
10:33:43 <10>A00005<13>
10:33:44 <10>A01005<13>
10:33:44 <10>A00005<13>
10:33:56 <10>A02005<13>
10:33:57 <10>A00005<13>
10:33:58 <10>A02005<13>
10:33:59 <10>A00005<13>
10:34:00 <10>A01005<13>
10:34:02 <10>A01805<13>
10:34:02 <10>A01005<13>
10:34:02 <10>A00005<13>
10:34:03 <10>A02005<13>
10:34:04 <10>A02205<13>
10:34:04 <10>A02005<13>
10:34:06 <10>A02105<13>
10:34:06 <10>A02005<13>
10:34:07 <10>A00005<13>
10:34:09 <10>A04005<13>
10:34:10 <10>A00005<13>
10:34:29 <10>A02005<13>
10:34:29 <10>A00005<13>
10:34:30 <10>A02005<13>
10:34:30 <10>A00005<13>
10:34:30 <10>A02005<13>
10:34:34 <10>A02205<13>
10:34:34 <10>A02005<13>
10:34:35 <10>A00005<13>
10:34:40 <10>KbNG 05 Power Off Delay: 7000<13>
10:42:05 Stopped.
10:42:05 Unsent data: <10>

The project device is KbNG#05 ... Keybox Next Generation #05
The value <10> shown in the Event Log is line feed
The value <13> shown in the Event Log is carriage return

***
Update#1: I submitted an inquiry at a Disqus web site that apparently serves as a Customer Support site for 232key.com.

There is a "text" version of operation that may transmit alpha characters ... I'll try that tomorrow, if it is available in the free version.

The Paid (Plus) version apparently allows for some customization of the behavior of the program.

That version is $30 for a license, which would be worth the expense (taking my limited budget into account), if the program can provide the services needed. Time is the trade here. It is possible to spend many hours learning how to use the multitude of tools that are available for web browser automation.
***
Here is a link to tables of keycodes.. they will be helpful in designing a flow of control characters for web browser automation.
https://www.freepascal.org/docs-html/cu … ncode.html

SearchTerm:Pascal
SearchTerm:Keycode
SearchTerm:AltKey
SearchTerm:CtrlKey
***
The first half of today's batch are in the Bans table.
***
A draft of a minimal byte count command file for automation of the ID Recovery of Not Verified ID's is complete.

The draft depends upon the ability of the interface simulating a keyboard to be able to generate control bytes, including:

Left-Arrow
Ctrl/L
Tab
Backspace
Enter
Ctrl/F5

If these bytes can be transmitted through the interface, then the only text needed is:

TestID#####
and
TestID#####@test.com

Everything else would be accomplished with one-byte control commands.

This would be useful if the solution ends up on the Arduino Nano, because only 2 Kb of Ram is available. Of that, I would expect the USB keyboard (HID) interface to consume most of the available space.
***
The remainder of today's batch are in the Ban's table ... hopefully there are no errors this time.

(th)

Last edited by tahanson43206 (2021-02-08 14:45:29)

SpaceNut · 2021-02-08 18:27:45

Sounds like you could use this

http://ascii-table.com/ansi-codes.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascii_table

http://ascii-table.com/html-table.php

tahanson43206 · 2021-02-08 18:43:30

For SpaceNut re #782

Thanks for that very nice collection of useful references for dealing with data at the bit level!

SearchTerm:ASCII several references collected by SpaceNut in #782 above.

***
To your point ... the bit values of the bytes to be transmitted are good to know ** if ** the interface will transmit them.

The "free" version of 232key does NOT !!! It filters the data and only sends numbers (in default mode).

There ** is ** an option in the free version to send Alphabetic characters, and there is another to send Alphameric (ie, letters and numbers). Special characters (ie, control characters) are NOT forwarded by the free version.

I've submitted a question to the help desk of the vendor of 232key to see if their paid version supports transmission of control characters.

It if does, then it would be worth $30, as a way of saving precious time that would otherwise be needed to study and experiment with any of the multiple web browser automation language options that are available.

Thanks again for your helpful references!

(th)

tahanson43206 · 2021-02-08 18:51:10

For SpaceNut ...

Let's have a discussion about what we (you and I and GW Johnson) want to do with his collection of knowledge.

I'd like to see this forum develop a formal tutorial, suitable for consideration for ** real ** education by a ** real ** educational organization.

Here is a list of the files GW Johnson has forwarded in recent days, and which I have collected (at this point) on two different local computers plus the Google Gmail repository, where they are stored as part of the NewMarsMember * gmail.com archive.

Files provided by GW Johnson for Orbital Mechanics Tutorial
20200208 GW Johnson more articles
20210208 GW Johnson entry
20210208 GW Johnson orbits
Mars lander stuff
rocket vehicle performance
User Manual 3 for BOE Entry Trajectory Spreadsheet
User Manual for Excel Spreadsheet Orbits
Assembled and stored in repository by tahanson43206 2021/02/08
(th)

I don't want this material to sit around .... I'd like to see us begin a project to develop it.

In recent posts (I'm not longer sure which topics contain the posts) I've inquired about creating two new topics.

One would be an Orbital Mechanics Tutorial.

The one next to it would be a discussion topic ... Orbital Mechanics Tutorial Peanut Gallery (or whatever name you prefer)

The idea I have in mind is to build up what could become a book in the primary topic. That topic would be supervised by GW Johnson, and it would consist of his contributions and those additional contributions that he wants added.

We can (and I hope will) recruit students of aerospace engineering and science who will want to master the knowledge and skills needed to fly a space craft from Earth Leo to Mars LMO and back.

(th)

SpaceNut · 2021-02-08 19:08:44

We have not means to post the material other than the text which accompanies the excel sheets. The spread sheet equations can be represented on a page that one might write up. I think that they should be also sent to the marspedia site and maybe it can hold the files.

Much of it is here but maybe it can supplement what is not...

https://marspedia.org/Category:Orbital_Mechanics

https://marspedia.org/Escape_velocity

https://marspedia.org/Orbit

https://marspedia.org/Specific_energy

https://marspedia.org/Hohmann_transfer

tahanson43206 · 2021-02-08 19:47:12

For SpaceNut re #785

Thanks very much for thinking about how this might be done!

A course of instruction is generally laid out by someone who anticipates the learning events that need to occur for the student to arrive at the destination capability.

The Internet is (as I see it anyway) an incredibly rich self-learning environment.

Included in the wide range of offerings on the Internet are entire courses of instruction, and many of these are available for free.

I agree that there needs to be a repository that is publically available, and Dropbox could serve as a starting point.

Let us suppose that we have a public file storage facility.

How could the forum structure be adapted to provide a step-by-step learning experience for a student?

Could the structure of posts, starting with the opening of a topic, correspond to the step-by-step progress we remember making as we follow a text book?

An advantage of the forum format is the immediate (or at least "reasonably" immediate feedback we might hope for, if we tackle a bit of subject matter in a post, and try the exercise that goes with it, and need help!

It seems to me that the citations you found could be (and perhaps ** should ** be) included in a step-by-step progression.

(th)

Last edited by tahanson43206 (2021-02-08 19:47:55)

SpaceNut · 2021-02-08 21:00:59

Group 1871 through to 1892 have been unbanned and converted to the user list

tahanson43206 · 2021-02-09 08:01:24

For SpaceNut re #787

Thank you for taking care of the batch from yesterday!

This post is reserved for 1893-1914

I will go out to shovel snow, and then head to the local computer store to buy a Female-Female Null Modem adapter (if they still have them).

I have all sorts of RS232 cables and adapters buried in boxes never unpacked after the most recent move, which was 25+ years ago.

It is a ** whole ** lot faster to just drive to the store and pick one up (if they still have one). There isn't much demand for RS232 these days.

***
Mini-milestone ... Crossed 1900 in today's batch ... your 2000 series is just a few days away - we may be there by Friday

I'll try to have an early version of automation going by then.
***
This batch of ID's are in a date range that is recent enough so there might be some interest in particular dates:

From Smithsonian:

The year 1908 began at midnight when a 700-pound "electric ball" fell from the flagpole atop the New York Times building—the first-ever ball-drop in Times Square. It ended 366 days later (1908 was a leap year) with a nearly two-and-a-half-hour flight by Wilbur Wright, the longest ever made in an airplane.

1908 | History | Smithsonian Magazine
www.smithsonianmag.com › history › 1908-7683115

***
Again from Smithsonian:

February 3 – The 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, authorizing the Federal government to impose and collect income taxes. ... Woodrow Wilson is sworn in as the 28th President of the United States, and Thomas R. Marshall is sworn in as Vice President of the United States.
1913 in the United States - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › 1913_in_the_United_States
About Featured Snippets

****
Americans have been complaining about Income Taxes ever since!
***
Today's batch are in the Bans file, ready for finishing touches.
***
Off to the computer store, to see if they still have a Female Female Null Modem hanging on a lonely hook in the dusty recesses of the ancient hardware department.
***
Edit after store trip: There was ** one ** null modem on the shelf of ancient RS232 items! Now to find out if it can connect the laptop to the USB serial cable.

(th)

Last edited by tahanson43206 (2021-02-09 18:09:02)

SpaceNut · 2021-02-09 18:18:49

No drip, runs or errors in tonight's group 1893-1914 to unban and move to the user list as complete....

tahanson43206 · 2021-02-09 19:39:06

for SpaceNut re #789

Thank you for the 599 report! A computer can do this job much better! It isn't distracted by the curious names the spammers came up with, for one thing.

My near term plan is to test a loop between the Com1 port built into the Dell Laptop, and a USB port, using the USB Serial Cable as a pathway. Everything is now wired for a test tomorrow, using the new Null Modem joiner.

My (tentative) plan is so try to send text from Hyperterminal out the Com1 port and around the loop to the USB Com4 port, where (I'm hoping) 232key will pick it up and deliver it to Notepad.

I'm planning to try the Barcode device option (with alphameric character set).

Meanwhile, a request for assistance is pending with the maker of 232key, so see if their paid version supports control characters.

Edit#1 ... it turns out there is a "Pro" version of the 232key program, above and beyond the "paid" version.

The "Pro" version appears to include the capability of generating scripts including special characters, such as tab, left-arrow and even function keys.

I've printed the documentation and will compare the capabilities to what is needed.

(th)

Last edited by tahanson43206 (2021-02-09 20:12:16)

tahanson43206 · 2021-02-10 08:32:32

For RobertDyck re Poker Ads Fellow

Thanks for quick action on that!

For SpaceNut or kbd512 ...

http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 52#p176652

This post may have value to someone, but I don't think it is a good fit for Space Advocacy organizations.

(th)

tahanson43206 · 2021-02-10 08:40:16

For SpaceNut re ID Recovery project...

I got up early (by my schedule) to attempt a loop test on the Dell Laptop, but ran into a problem that is a "feature" of the 232key program design.

The hardware was set up to send data from a Com port (RS232) on the Dell to the USB-Serial Cable and from there on to a USB port on the Dell.

Everything looked good for a test. Hyperterminal was ready to send data to the port, and 232key was set up to receive the data.

Nothing happened! After pondering the situation for a while, I realized I can't use one PC for this test. 232key depends upon having focus on the receiving window on the screen. The instant I click on Hyperterminal to send data, the focus is removed from Notepad.

Since the focus is now on Hyperterminal, the 232key program tries to send data there, but Hyperterminal is NOT set up to receive data via the display window, so nothing happens.

On to the next test, later today.

Meanwhile, documentation on the capabilities of the 232key "Pro" edition awaits study. Apparently it is possible to create event handlers that can do such things as generating ctrl/l ("el") which is needed to move the focus within a web form to the address line.

This post is reserved for today's batch 1915-1936 (those numbers correspond to dates covering World War I, the Roaring 20's, and the start of the Depression.

Edit#1: SmartLux sent a reply to my inquiry about 232key ... They refer to 232key Pro, and since I have already studied the documentation, I have increased confidence that it can perform as needed. I sent a follow up inquiry asking for sample scripts.

10:58 a.m., Wednesday Feb. 10
Smartlux wrote:
Hi, 232key Plus does currently not translate any control characters into key events as the idea of this application is to capture measuring values.
You could achieve this using 232key Pro (a separate application) and GIDEI: https://www.smartlux.com/23...

Today's batch is in the Bans table. I bobbled one of them, but ** think ** I caught it before you see it.

(th)

Last edited by tahanson43206 (2021-02-10 12:56:35)

NewMarsMember · 2021-02-10 11:01:00

For SpaceNut .... there were two messages in the queue this morning ..

The important one is from GW Johnson and I will look at it shortly.

A reply came in from O'Reilly, stating that they are unaware of any books on Web Browser Automation. Here is my reply:

Thanks very much for your reply! I am unsure of the potential market for web browser automation. All I can do is to offer a summary of what I am seeing locally, and hope you can extrapolate from that.
I've been a member of a non-profit web site forum for a couple of years, and the Administrator decided to promote me to Moderator. I am one of two who are active at present.
The administrator decided to cut off registrations, because many thousands of spam registrations have accumulated.
I proposed to the Administrator that we convert the spam id's to useful sockets for future legitimate members.
The Administrator accepted the proposal and allowed me to pursue it.
I have developed a multi-step procedure involving three web pages, several queries, and a side-by-side spreadsheet.
I have succeeded in converting 720 spam ID's to intermediate state, at the rate of 22 per day.
The Administrator has been taking my output, adding finishing touches, and the recovered ID's show up in the valid User list.
We have 2600 ID's in the primary category of ID's to recover, and many thousands more beyond the low hanging fruit.
I estimate it will take three years to complete the recovery, at the rate of 22 per day.
It is for that reason I'm investigating automation.
The news that the Chrome Apps offering is being discontinued is disappointing but not surprising. I would imagine competing technologies have come online to pull customer/developer attention away from Chrome Apps.
From the standpoint of an author, there would appear (to my eye at least) to be a market for a book about the many options available for browser automation...
Just to provide a running start:
1) Selenium and something that incorporates it with "leap" in the name2) Arduino Nano - this device is reported to be able to emulate a keyboard (HID device) 3) 232key ... this is a software suite that was developed to assist the measuring marketplace
I looked at Selenium but am holding back because of potential learning curve requirements
I did buy the Arduino Nano, and set up an Arduino IDE to program it, but again, am concerned about the learning curve
232key has a free offering, a paid offering, and a Pro version.
The Pro version is advertised as able to create control characters that would be needed for Web Browser automation.
The Pro version costs S42, and if it works, I'd be willing to make the investment.
I have a follow up question pending at SmartLux.
To use the 232key Pro, here is the configuration I have in mind:
Source machine: Dell Laptop with a communications (RS232) portTranslation to USB: Radio Shack USB-Serial Cable Target machine: Desktop running Win 7 on a 64 bit processor
Scenario imagined:
Write Microsoft Visual Studio program to run on laptop ...
Set 232key Pro running on Windows 7
Start browser (doesn't matter which one) on Win 7
With all set up steps complete, transmit a sequence of control characters and text from laptop to browser.
Pause to allow operator to visually confirm update
Operator pushes Step button to update another ID
If all is well, operator pushes Run button to launch loop to update ID's until (a) queue is exhausted or (b) Operator pushes Stop button.
On Tue, Feb 9, 2021 at 4:57 PM OReilly Customer Support <support@oreilly.com> wrote:
Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out. I have forwarded the feedback to Mr. Rochkind, but we have no other titles ourselves in that domain at this time, nor any titles I can suggest at this time.
Tye L. | Customer Service
O'Reilly Media, Inc. | 707-827-7019 or 800-889-8969 | oreilly.com
--------------- Original Message ---------------
From: [newmarsmember@gmail.com]
Sent: 2/6/2021 10:12 AM
To: support@oreilly.com
Subject: 20210206 Inquiry Marc Rochkind Programming Chrome Apps follow up POST
Please let Mr. Rochkind know that I ordered his book on Programming Chrome Apps because a non-profit I'm supporting has a need for web automation. Web automation we are thinking about would include POST commands to deliver data to a web page, and GET commands to confirm the desired end state is achieved before proceeding to the next phase of a multiple step process. The Chrome app site indicates it is discontinuing support for Chrome apps but has not yet done so (as of February 2021). Is there another book that would assist with developing a browser automation procedure? I am aware of Selenium, but was intrigued by the potential of a capability built right into the Chrome browser. The situation to be dealt with is described in detail in the Housekeeping topic at NewMars.com/forums. I am posting there as tahanson43206. Thanks!(th)
ref:_00D412j7Ek._5002M1DoYUx:ref

(th)

NewMarsMember · 2021-02-10 11:08:39

For SpaceNut ...

and ** here ** is the ** important ** message:

I did run worksheets in the rocket vehicle performance spreadsheet to cover max payload on Hohman and faster, and min propellant at 150 ton payload, on Hohmann and faster. That updated spreadsheet file is attached, and, I wrote up an "exrocketman" article about it. That article is dated today (Tues 2-9-21) and titled "Rocket Vehicle Performance Spreadsheet". All the calculations are explicitly defined, one way or another.

SpaceNut ... knowing you have a lot of things to think about and to keep track of ..

Please think about how we (forum) might able to provide a way for students to benefit from all the work GW Johnson has done over many years to develop what could become valuable learning materials for future space vehicle navigators.

I will investigate to see if I can set up a Dropbox account for NewMarsMember.

If that is practical, I would suggest we make it available for updates by NewMars Administrators, Moderators, and (above all) Author/Members such as GW Johnson.

I can imagine a book (perhaps eFormat) that incorporates many elements of the folksy wisdom of GW Johnson (from his blog) with the hard nosed technical foundation that a future spacecraft navigator will need.

There is need for test-as-you-go capability. This is one of the key concepts I retain from the series by GW Johnson ...

Search for: "EducationDoneRight" with Author: GW Johnson

(th)

tahanson43206 · 2021-02-10 14:27:17

Here is follow up information on Dropbox ...

There is a bottom tier business plan, and that might be suitable at some point.

However, the 2 Gb Basic plan might be perfect to get started with an initiative to try to develop the lifetime of work by GW Johnson into a formal education curriculum for persons seeking to become spacecraft navigators. One option that may have appeal to some students, is to develop skills and knowledge using the work of GW Johnson in preparation for tests to qualify for enrollment in traditional educational institutions.

Standard
$12.50
/ user / month, starting with 3 users
5 TB of space for secure storage
Easy-to-use sharing and collaboration tools
Basic Plan:
Is there a free Dropbox plan?
A Dropbox Basic account is free and includes 2 GB of space. You can download free apps to access Dropbox from your computer and mobile device. You can also earn more space on your Dropbox Basic account.Mar 2, 2017
Solved: Is Dropbox free to use? | Dropbox Communityhttps://www.dropboxforum.com › td-p

(th)

SpaceNut · 2021-02-10 19:04:45

tahanson43206 wrote:

For RobertDyck re Poker Ads Fellow
Thanks for quick action on that!
For SpaceNut or kbd512 ...
http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 52#p176652
This post may have value to someone, but I don't think it is a good fit for Space Advocacy organizations.
(th)

Not so much as its now in the reports and deleted for spamming....

SpaceNut · 2021-02-10 22:52:00

Completed this evenings group TestID01915 - TestID01936 unban and move to user list.

tahanson43206 · 2021-02-11 07:41:13

For SpaceNut re #797

Thanks for taking care of the latest batch, and for sequestering the Poker Ad guy!

The local 3D Printer group met online again last night, and one of the members suggested Python Mechanize for the web automation project. I took a quick look, and since the project is free, it is definitely worth further study, primarily because (a) it runs on Linux and (b) it (apparently) works inside the work station where the browser is running. Or perhaps it takes the place of a browser. That is certainly possible.

Meanwhile, I've queued up the test of the hardware to feed serial data from a laptop into a desktop using a Serial-to-USB converter and a null modem. If the hardware works the pathway would be opened for 232key, if the Pro version lives up to it's advertising.

This post is reserved for today's batch: 1937-1958 There are a lot of memorable years in ** that ** series.
***
For SpaceNut re web automation initiative ... one (to me moderately amusing) comment made by a member of the 3D Printer group (not the one who suggested Python Mechanize) is that what we are trying to do sounds (to him) like the kind of web automation companies pay tens of thousands of dollars to achieve, for heavy duty testing of web sites by simulation of thousands of users randomly beating on the servers. We're (obviously) not in that league, but the comparison is not one I would have made on my own.

However, looking ahead, if the current initiative to solve Not Verified ID's succeeds, then we might be able to extend the technology (such as it will be, ie, limited) to other categories of tasks you might be interested in. I thought of this while reading the top of the Water on Mars topic ... there are some code fragments that are (probably?) left over from a previous web site package.

I can imagine that the method of automating a web browser to work on one ID at a time might be extended to handle some (a few?) of the situations you're trying to handle manually right now.

Please consider taking notes on the procedures you are following. You can see examples of what the notes might look like in my earlier drafts of procedures for the Not Verified accounts. Anything that can be done entirely from a keyboard is a candidate for processing using the primitive web automation I am attempting.

Update: A program to generate a script to update one Not Verified ID is in development. The GUI is in pretty good shape at this point. I'm waiting now for feedback from SmartLux as to whether their 232key Pro version can handle the requirements of the Not Verified process. My reading of their documentation is definitely encouraging.
***
1942 came up in today's batch ... I remember 1942 because it is the year Erico Fermi and his team "lit" the first atomic pile under the Stadium at the University of Chicago in the United States.

However, Google came up with World War II events as the highest priority for recollection, and that certainly makes sense.

The Soviets encircled 220,000 German soldiers at Stalingrad that year, and the Americans launched the Doolittle raid against the mainland of Japan.

Enrico Fermi and his team of physicists secretly conducted the Chicago Pile 1 experiment on a squash court under the stands of a football stadium on Dec. 2, 1942.

75 Years Ago, Scientists Conducted An Unprecedented Nuclear Experiment
November 28, 2017 3:15 PM ET
SAMANTHA RAPHELSON

***
With 1947, the first 11 of today's batch are in the Ban's table
***
With 1958, the full set of today's batch are in the Ban's table
***
Edit after attempt to connect laptop (with serial port) to Windows 7 with USB port.

The attempt failed, because the drivers written for a 32 bit Windows XP were not accepted by Windows 7 on a 64 bit board.

The installation CD said it had installed the drivers, but they were not present in the target system. I checked the Internet chatter on this situation, and learned that the company is still in business, and that there are newer devices with newer drivers. I ordered one of each type ... one with a female DB9 that could plug into a laptop, and another with a male connector that could plug into a device with a female DB9 installed (eg, a modem or similar device).

Meanwhile, the question remains ... will the Pro version of the 232key software provide a pathway for control characters into the selected window? The documentation implies YES, but I'm hoping the vendor will provide sample files showing what a script would look like.

(th)

Last edited by tahanson43206 (2021-02-11 15:41:27)

SpaceNut · 2021-02-11 19:16:59

I am sure that once you find the right hardware to software match that it will work in the end run.

Now off to do some homework for account creation....

Homework complete with finding just one error in username TestID01942@test which is now fixed for the group 1936 - 1958 for the unban and move to the user list.

tahanson43206 · 2021-02-12 06:05:01

For SpaceNut re #799 ... thanks for fixing 1942 ...

***
While cables are on order for the automation project, there is another option I'll pursue today. The 64 bit system board where Windows 7 is running has a COMM port. I wasn't even aware of it, but it showed up while I was trying to install the USB-Serial cable drivers. The connector and cable for this port ** may ** be for sale at the local computer store, but the hardware is so obsolete it is unlikely to be hanging on a hook, but more likely to be in a bin of unsalable merchandise.

Still, it's worth taking a look, so I've planned a trip for today.
***
This post is reserved for today's batch 1959-1980. We're within shouting range of your 2000 series!
***
Today (February 12th) on Earth is Lunar New Year. A large part of the population of Earth follows the Lunar Calendar.
***
A Google search for books on How to Design a Curriculum yielded a number of citations: book on design of curriculum for college course

The top five citations all appeared (at first glance) to be priced in an affordable range
***

(th)

Last edited by tahanson43206 (2021-02-12 06:43:47)

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