For creating the IVR and extension for the IVR I’m using FreePBX; if you’re using bare asterisk, check the Asterisk documentation on how to setup a basic IVR.

Log into your FreePBX administration page and add two nessicary extension under Tools -> Module Admin named IVR and Misc Applications.

Next, switch to the Setup tab and open IVR, and lets create a basic IVR. Give it a name, and leave all the other options at their defaults.

Finally, switch to Misc Applications and Add Misc Application, give it a description and a Feature Code (an extension) and set the destination to the IVR you created in the previous step.

Next, we’ll need to log into your Asterisk box over SSH to edit some config files.

Open a terminal or Putty and ssh into your asterisk box, ssh root@asterisk.

We need to search for the name of the IVR that we created in FreePBX, run

cat /etc/asterisk/extensions_additional.conf | grep '\[ivr'

In my case, the IVR is named [ivr-2]

Next, we need to add our own commands,

nano /etc/asterisk/extensions_custom.conf

Copy and paste the below, be sure to change [ivr-2] to the IVR name you discovered earlier.

[ivr-2]
 
exten => 2,1,Macro(blkvm-clr,)
exten => 2,n,TrySystem(wget -b -O /dev/null -o /dev/null  "http://10.10.0.6:49451/data_request?id=lu_action&output_format=xml&serviceId=urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:HomeAutomationGateway1&action=RunScene&SceneNum=2")
 
exten => 3,1,Macro(blkvm-clr,)
exten => 3,n,TrySystem(wget -b -O /dev/null -o /dev/null  "http://10.10.0.6:49451/data_request?id=lu_action&output_format=xml&serviceId=urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:HomeAutomationGateway1&action=RunScene&SceneNum=4")
 
exten => 4,1,Macro(blkvm-clr,)
exten => 4,n,TrySystem(wget -b -O /dev/null -o /dev/null  "http://10.10.0.6:49451/data_request?id=lu_action&output_format=xml&serviceId=urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:HomeAutomationGateway1&action=RunScene&SceneNum=10")
 
exten => 5,1,Macro(blkvm-clr,)
exten => 5,n,TrySystem(wget -b -O /dev/null -o /dev/null  "http://10.10.0.6:49451/data_request?id=lu_action&output_format=xml&serviceId=urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:HomeAutomationGateway1&action=RunScene&SceneNum=11")
 
exten => 0,1,Macro(blkvm-clr,)
exten => 0,n,TrySystem(wget -b -O /dev/null -o /dev/null  "http://10.10.0.6:49451/data_request?id=lu_action&output_format=xml&serviceId=urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:HomeAutomationGateway1&action=RunScene&SceneNum=12")
 
; end of [ivr-2]

The above uses wget to launch URLs when you hit 2, 3, 4, 5, or 0 after calling the IVR extension, change the URL to match what you're trying to do. You could, for instance, have it pause your torrent or SABnzbd downloads, set a status on Twitter or Facebook, or set your Google Voice account to Do Not Disturb.

The first script watches XBMC for the state of the video player and launches actions when it changes. It doesn’t do anything if you’re playing music or watching a slide show. Feel free to modify it to cover both Videos and Music by removing if xbmc.Player().isPlayingVideo():

import xbmc,xbmcgui
import subprocess,os
 
class MyPlayer(xbmc.Player) :
 
        def __init__ (self):
            xbmc.Player.__init__(self)
 
        def onPlayBackStarted(self):
            if xbmc.Player().isPlayingVideo():
                os.system("wget --spider 'http://10.10.0.6:49451/data_request?id=lu_action&output_format=xml&serviceId=urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:HomeAutomationGateway1&action=RunScene&SceneNum=19'")
 
        def onPlayBackEnded(self):
            if (VIDEO == 1):
                os.system("wget --spider 'http://10.10.0.6:49451/data_request?id=lu_action&output_format=xml&serviceId=urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:HomeAutomationGateway1&action=RunScene&SceneNum=2'")
 
        def onPlayBackStopped(self):
            if (VIDEO == 1):
                os.system("wget --spider 'http://10.10.0.6:49451/data_request?id=lu_action&output_format=xml&serviceId=urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:HomeAutomationGateway1&action=RunScene&SceneNum=2'")
 
        def onPlayBackPaused(self):
            if xbmc.Player().isPlayingVideo():
                os.system("wget --spider 'http://10.10.0.6:49451/data_request?id=lu_action&output_format=xml&serviceId=urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:HomeAutomationGateway1&action=RunScene&SceneNum=18'")
 
        def onPlayBackResumed(self):
            if xbmc.Player().isPlayingVideo():
                os.system("wget --spider 'http://10.10.0.6:49451/data_request?id=lu_action&output_format=xml&serviceId=urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:HomeAutomationGateway1&action=RunScene&SceneNum=19'")
player=MyPlayer()
 
VIDEO = 0
 
while(1):
    if xbmc.Player().isPlaying():
      if xbmc.Player().isPlayingVideo():
        VIDEO = 1
 
      else:
        VIDEO = 0
 
    xbmc.sleep(1000)

Save it as playeraction.py in the scripts folder mentioned above. You might be asking why I’m using os.system("wget")? I wanted to test the commands on my shell to make sure they were the right URLs, and I didn’t want to clutter up the script with using urllib2 and implementing error handling if someone was going to use the script with local shell commands.

The next script launches actions when XBMC is idle for more than 15 minutes. I have it set to turn off my TV and Receiver to save power – it immediately powers them back on if I touch any button on the remote.

import xbmc,xbmcgui
import subprocess,os
 
ILT = 0
IDLE_TIME_MIN = 15
s = 0
 
while(1):
  it = xbmc.getGlobalIdleTime()
  s = ((IDLE_TIME_MIN * 60) - it )
  if (s > 0):
    if (ILT == 1):
      if xbmc.Player().isPlayingVideo():
        pass
      else:
        os.system("wget --spider 'http://10.10.0.6:49451/data_request?id=lu_action&output_format=xml&serviceId=urn:upnp-org:serviceId:SwitchPower1&action=SetTarget&newTargetValue=1&DeviceNum=10'")
        ILT = 0
 
  elif (s < 0):
    if (ILT == 0 and xbmc.Player().isPlayingVideo() == False):
      os.system("wget --spider 'http://10.10.0.6:49451/data_request?id=lu_action&output_format=xml&serviceId=urn:upnp-org:serviceId:SwitchPower1&action=SetTarget&newTargetValue=0&DeviceNum=10'")
      ILT = 1
xbmc.sleep(5000)

Change IDLE_TIME_MIN if you want more or less idle time. Save this script as idletime.py in the scripts directory.

Finally, the scripts will need to be launched by XBMC by including them in autoexec.py which is under ~/.xbmc/userdata on Mac or Linux, Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\[user]\Application Data\XBMC\userdata and on Windows Vista or 7, C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Roaming\XBMC\userdata. You probably already have an autoexec.py but if you don’t, create one.

import os
import xbmc
 
xbmc.executescript('special://home/scripts/playeractions.py')
xbmc.executescript('special://home/scripts/idletime.py')

What this does is launch the two scripts from the default home directory of your master profile. If you’re using multiple profiles you’ll have to modify the special:// directory to match the other profile.

If you find the above scripts useful, leave a comment with how you’re using them, it might inspire someone!

<img style="float:right" src="example.jpg" />

You can markup the style element to do anything CSS supports, such as adding margins or setting the width/height.

Since Markdown is intended to speed up writing by simplifying syntax, you could save time by adding the img tag to TextExpander. Have the contents of your clipboard automatically inserted into the src= tag for even more time saving.

Batteries

As with any smartphone, the iPhone’s battery drains quickly since we don’t only use these devices as phones, we use them as GPS units, cameras, music players, web browsers, and countless other uses. By the end of a long day, the iPhone’s battery will probably be drained. There are a few ways to keep your iPhone’s battery juiced up throughout the day. First, small external batteries that plug into the dock connector can revive an iPhone from completely dead to fully charged. Second, consider keeping a cigarette lighter charger in your vehicle.

For external batteries, I’d recommend the Kensington Mini Battery Extender. It’s slim enough to keep in your pocket all day, and the included cover can be used as a stand.

A bulkier but significantly cheaper alternative to the Kensington Mini Battery Extender is the Stitchway UltraPower. The build quality and bulkiness is reflected in its cheap price, but at about $7 each you can probably afford to buy several and keep them in different places. In your car, your bag, etc. I wouldn’t suggest carrying one in your pocket all day as it’s rather bulky.

A third option for an external battery would be a case. The BOOST Case would be a great choice for that, since a case doesn’t hang off the dock connector, a battery case is the most compact option for keeping your iPhone in your pocket while charging. If you frequently run down your iPhone’s battery, you could keep the case on at the beginning of the day, until the case’s battery is dead, then remove the case and use the iPhone for the rest of the day. That would effectively double the runtime on your iPhone.

Chargers

The best option for keeping your iPhone charged in the car is the Scosche reVIVE II which has two USB outputs, a 1A output for iPhones and a 2.1A output for iPads. Don’t worry, you can plug any device into that 2.1A output, they’ll only take as much current as they need. Since the reVIVE has two outputs, you can charge multiple devices at a time. You could keep a Stitchway UltraPower. plugged into to the reVIVE so it’s ready to go when you need it. Whatever car charger you decide to go with, don’t skimp on a Chinese made knockoff, I’ve used a few that would barely put out enough current to keep an old iPod charged, and today’s smart phones demand a lot more current.

Headphones

The headphones that come with your iPhone have a built in microphone and volume controls, but the sound quality is significantly lacking. Upgrading to the Shure SE115′s will give you amazing sound quality. I’ve owned the older Shure E2C’s for 4 years now, and I can attest to the build quality of any Shure product. My E2C’s get used nearly every day and still look and sound like the day I bought them. Sound isolating headphones, like the Shure SE115′s act like ear plugs – they come with a few different inserts so you can use which one fits your ears best, and they completely block any outside sound. Since the ear canal is sealed, the bass response is significantly better, and the overall sound quality is vastly improved.

If you’re a physically active, cords are a hinderance. That’s where bluetooth headphones come in. The Motorola S305 Bluetooth Headphones are a great choice if you’re a runner or biker. They’re cheap enough that you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged by sweat or being dropped, but my pair has been very robust and sweat haven’t damaged them at all. They’re also very comfortable to wear, I have no problems wearing them on long runs. The sound quality is on par or slightly better than the headphones included with your iPhone. They also include a microphone, so you can use them to make phone calls. For the money, the S305 Headphones simply can’t be beat.

Armbands

Speaking of running and biking, putting your iPhone in an arm band is the best option for keeping the iPhone secure to your body. I’ve been very happy with the Tuneband since I purchased it. It’s easy to slip your iPhone into the silicon case, and the elastic armband keeps it in place without feeling uncomfortable.

Cases

I usually don’t bother with a case for my iPhone, but I can definitely recommend any case made by Speck. The Speck CandyShell is a great inexpensive case that comes in a few different color schemes.

If you really want to go stylish, Grove makes some really awesome bamboo cases that you can get custom engraved, and as a bonus they’re made locally in Oregon, where I live.

Back Cover

If the back cover glass on your iPhone 4 is cracked, or the camera lens is scratched up, a new back cover is really cheap and takes less than a minute to install. I ordered this back cover since my camera lens was scratched up and unusable, and the installation is as easy as it gets. Simply unscrew the two screws on either side of the dock, slide the back cover up and it’ll pull right off. Put the new case on the same way it went off, and you’re done.

If you have any suggestions for more essential iPhone accessories, please leave a comment!

This is my prompt:

As you can see, it has the current time, the username, the computer name, and the current working directory. If you’d like to use this prompt, you can download my bash_profile here and start using it by renaming it .bash_profile and putting it in your home directory. Running mv bash_profile ~/.bash_profile will do it.

1. Charge your Roomba up all the way
2. Run a ‘max’ cycle instead of ‘clean’
3. When the Roomba thinks the battery is dead, pull the battery out
4. Hold down the power button on the Roomba for ten seconds, this will discharge all of the capacitors which will reset the charging controller
5. Put the battery back in the Roomba
6. Plug the Roomba into the charger, don’t use the home base for this initial charge. Let it charge for 24 hours and see if you’ve regained any battery life.

In some cases this will help, but my Roomba Discovery’s stock APS battery was too far gone and would only hold charge for six minutes.

If your battery is due for a replacement you could either replace it with the stock battery or crack open the battery case and replace the cells, saving you money and getting you a higher capacity battery.