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-   -   A Flash stop-watch and timer (https://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=26652)

RogerS 2009-02-05 17:55
A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Quote:
Keeping track of how much time you have left to talk in a presentation or a meeting presents special difficulties. As evidence that no good solution exists for the problem, I point to the universal practice of appointing a single individual to keep track of the time who is delegated to convey the impending end of the allotted time to the speaker. Any time a simple task is done by a human, you know it's not all that simple. But we all know that watch displays are too small, the laptop is occupied presenting slides, a one-minute alert is fine but the speaker has no way to know how close am I to the one-minute mark?

I ran across a big countdown timer at online-stopwatch.com, written in Flash. Running on a Nokia Internet Tablet, the numbers are large enough to read from ten feet away or further. It's a perfect use of the NIT's 4.3-inch screen.

http://www.internettablettalk.com/wp...down-clock.jpg

Different versions of the program display a stop-watch (counting up), splits, or a circle clockface with a single hand sweeping once around the face whatever time you have entered.

You can run this useful app from the website if you want. Me, I simply downloaded the .swf file, put it into a /tools folder, opened it in tablet's browser and bookmarked that local copy. Easy to grab. And of course the graphics resize nicely as I switch between standard and full-screen display. Hey, thanks, online-stopwatch person!
Read the full article.

pelago 2009-02-05 22:35
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Quite cool, I guess. Has anyone seen anything like this, only as an app for Maemo rather than Flash? I just fancy something with, you know, a proper menu and setting dialogue etc.

endorphinum 2009-02-05 23:24
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
I once had such a timer but more beautifuly designed as Mojo for www.mojocafe.net - but as the Mojocafe is not "interactive" anymore, i removed it, like so many other things.

frethop 2009-02-06 02:14
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Maemochron is an "old" app -- written for the 770 -- but it works great in Diablo on a N810. Same concept: clock functions in big numbers. Stopwatch, regular time, timer.

See it in garage: https://garage.maemo.org/projects/maemochron/

YoDude 2009-02-07 23:23
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
1 Attachment(s)
Wow, it's been awhile but... You never know what you can find in the ITT archives. :)

>> http://www.internettablettalk.com/fo...ad.php?t=18907

I agree RogerS, having these small swf files stored on your tablet is the way to go.

I have attached some more you might find useful. Some have been posted before, some I've ripped shamelessly from websites, and others are my own works in progress. Credit is given some of the time. :)

dfinch 2009-02-08 03:42
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by frethop (Post 262432)
Maemochron is an "old" app -- written for the 770 -- but it works great in Diablo on a N810. Same concept: clock functions in big numbers. Stopwatch, regular time, timer.

See it in garage: https://garage.maemo.org/projects/maemochron/
I tried to install this but got an error that the following apps were missing:
python2.4
python2.4-hildon
python2.4-gtk2

I see a lot of python2.5's that I can get on installer but didn't go further in case it was a waste of time and space. Anyone know if what IS avaialble will suffice and if so which python versions do I need? Thanks.

RogerS 2009-02-08 04:48
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by YoDude (Post 262865)
Wow, it's been awhile but... You never know what you can find in the ITT archives. :)

>> http://www.internettablettalk.com/fo...ad.php?t=18907
No kidding. (What's the emoticon for 'You got me, pardner'?)

I like Hildonized programs, but Flash apps can travel across the Windows-Linux divide in a way most tablet users don't appreciate, I think.

YoDude 2009-02-08 14:14
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RogerS (Post 262904)
No kidding. (What's the emoticon for 'You got me, pardner'?) ...
The emoticon was pro'ly thrown in to show no malice... sort of "Please don't shoot me. I'm just the piano player." :) < like this one :p

Quote:
Originally Posted by RogerS (Post 262904)
...I like Hildonized programs, but Flash apps can travel across the Windows-Linux divide in a way most tablet users don't appreciate, I think.
That and HTML stored locally...

Using any of the many Windows-Linux web page creators/editors or even a simple text editor, we can create locally stored web pages formatted for the tablets screen. With just a little more advanced HTML editing (image maps), you can create a whole touch screen GUI out of locally stored content.

BrentDC 2009-02-08 16:06
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dfinch (Post 262898)
I tried to install this but got an error that the following apps were missing:
python2.4
python2.4-hildon
python2.4-gtk2

I see a lot of python2.5's that I can get on installer but didn't go further in case it was a waste of time and space. Anyone know if what IS avaialble will suffice and if so which python versions do I need? Thanks.
This should work:

As root,
Code:
apt-get install python2.5 python2.5-hildon python2.5-gtk2
Then download the Maemochron .deb file and cd to the directory you downloaded it, then:

Code:
dpkg -i --force-depends <name of file>
Then, also as root, use your favorite text-editor to open /usr/bin/maemochron and change the first line to:

Code:
#!/usr/bin/python2.5
Note that while the Maemochron timer is activity running, CPU usage is pegged at 100%...also the Change Color dialog doesn't work. Python traceback says hildon.ColorSelector doesn't exist, and it is true. print dir(hildon) at the python prompt shows ColorChooser...

frethop 2009-02-09 16:25
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
1 Attachment(s)
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrentDC (Post 262992)
Note that while the Maemochron timer is activity running, CPU usage is pegged at 100%...also the Change Color dialog doesn't work. Python traceback says hildon.ColorSelector doesn't exist, and it is true. print dir(hildon) at the python prompt shows ColorChooser...
Thanks, BrentDC. I told you the code was old! :)

I installed maemochron with no changes. I think the version of maemochron on garage must be old; mine is more updated (uses python 2.5, for instance).

I have attached my version below.

BrentDC 2009-02-09 18:04
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by frethop (Post 263180)
Thanks, BrentDC. I told you the code was old! :)

I installed maemochron with no changes. I think the version of maemochron on garage must be old; mine is more updated (uses python 2.5, for instance).

I have attached my version below.
Ah, yes. The deb description on that one says "Patched by Benoit HERVIER to support pymaemo2.5". It seems like Mr. HERVIER just repackaged it up w/ newer dependencies because the Color Chooser Menu item still doesn't work.

I wonder if there is something that could be done to make it use less cpu%? I could probably patch it to work with the (apparently) new hildon color chooser api, but optimizing is beyond my ability...

Python gurus?

Jaffa 2009-02-10 13:54
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
On the CPU usage front, see some of the hints for Flip Clock on minimising battery & CPU usage:

http://www.internettablettalk.com/fo...ad.php?t=25582

Faz 2009-02-17 22:54
Flip Clock
 
Very nice, but no flip clock! :D

Ciroip has been developing a great looking Flip Clock at the following ITT thread: http://www.internettablettalk.com/fo...ad.php?t=25582

The "moods" version makes the best use of the N810's LED that I've seen! I never knew it could generate so many colours!! :cool:

Ciroip is very open to feedback and improvements.

Definitely worth a look!

YoDude 2009-02-18 00:56
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
So what is wrong with developing flash apps on the tablet?


I ask this because this thread appears to have veered off the original topic. :) :)

BrentDC 2009-02-18 03:21
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by YoDude (Post 265248)
So what is wrong with developing flash apps on the tablet?


I ask this because this thread appears to have veered off the original topic. :) :)
Flash apps need to have an additional application open (usually the browser) and tend to suck an unholy amount of cpu cycles. Then again, an inefficiently coded Python program can to, but...

Snoshrk 2009-02-18 05:26
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Ok after searching the forum I am still banging my head against a wall...:o

How do I launch a .swf so that it does not generate a browser page of garbage?

Xterm / Personal Menu / Dbl click from file manager... all result in same page of garbage.

Any and all help is appreciated :D

Ok I just noticed that I do not have any browser components installed....where do I get the flash player/component?


Thanks

Matt

YoDude 2009-02-18 23:25
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrentDC (Post 265270)
Flash apps need to have an additional application open (usually the browser) and tend to suck an unholy amount of cpu cycles. Then again, an inefficiently coded Python program can to, but...
I'm not seeing it so much... With no connection and a few screen applets running Hildon -Desktop accounts for about a 3% load. I also see Xomap @ about 1% and nothing else is active.

Now when I open the flash I linked to earlier (>> Clicky <<), Xomap jumps to 3% and Browserd opens @ 2-5% load. Shortly there after Xomap settles back down to 1% for a net increase of about 2 to 8%.

Not so much as to forsake a whole class of ready made apps... We do call it an Internet Tablet after all. :)


***


To Snoshrk.
... on a Tablet running MicroB on Diablo (default browser and current OS) a file with the SWF (flash) extension should open in the Web Browser when you tap on it from the tablets File Manager...

If the file has the right extension, I believe Diablo will give it a round 'f' icon in File Manager.

BrentDC 2009-02-18 23:56
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by YoDude (Post 265505)
I'm not seeing it so much... With no connection and a few screen applets running Hildon -Desktop accounts for about a 3% load. I also see Xomap @ about 1% and nothing else is active.

Now when I open the flash I linked to earlier (>> Clicky <<), Xomap jumps to 3% and Browserd opens @ 2-5% load. Shortly there after Xomap settles back down to 1% for a net increase of about 2 to 8%.

Not so much as to forsake a whole class of ready made apps... We do call it an Internet Tablet after all. :)
How are you testing? Via "Top"? I say this because my load-applet shows between 2-3 (out of 4) bars of cpu usage while that specific Flash app is open. Once you switch away from it, to another application (say, X-Term w/ Top running?), the cpu usage goes way down. But that isn't a valid indication for obvious reasons.

To get a *real* reading, try ssh'ing into your tablet and see the cpu usage while the flash app is the toplevel window :)

YoDude 2009-02-19 01:21
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
1 Attachment(s)
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrentDC (Post 265509)
How are you testing? Via "Top"? I say this because my load-applet shows between 2-3 (out of 4) bars of cpu usage while that specific Flash app is open. Once you switch away from it, to another application (say, X-Term w/ Top running?), the cpu usage goes way down. But that isn't a valid indication for obvious reasons.

To get a *real* reading, try ssh'ing into your tablet and see the cpu usage while the flash app is the toplevel window :)

Nope, my "real" reading is open the flash app from file manager, minimize it, use the tablet like I normally do including web browsing, e-mail, maemo-mapper, music, etc. and resizing the minimized flash window and in this case, check the time... every now and then.

I see no slow downs what so ever and never had using flash this way. This is what prompted my question. I have experienced major slow downs, crashes, and forced re-flashes when using early versions of various, purpose built, tablet apps though. :eek:

... and the crazy thing is, these other apps are usually an attempt to do what the flash app does better anyway.

I will attempt to attach a calculator flash app to this post. It, IMHO does a much better job as a simple touch screen calculator than the program that ships with Maemo. (Change the .ZIP extention to .SWF to run as flash.)



For the Load percentages I quoted earlier, I use load-applet v. 0.8.3 running full time in the status bar.

BTW, where are these "bars" you speak of?

YoDude 2009-02-19 01:29
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Also... I will concede that start-up times take a hit when running flash for all the reasons you listed earlier. But once the thing is up and running, I have never noticed any CPU clock "drag" or slow down.

BrentDC 2009-02-19 01:43
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by YoDude (Post 265528)
Nope, my "real" reading is open the flash app from file manager, minimize it, use the tablet like I normally do including web browsing, e-mail, maemo-mapper, music, etc. and resizing the minimized flash window and in this case, check the time... every now and then.
I don't think I worded my previous post properly: I'm saying that flash apps use more cpu when active, not minimized, than a properly optimized C (or maybe even Python) application would.

Quote:
I see no slow downs what so ever and never had using flash this way. This is what prompted my question. I have experienced major slow downs, crashes, and forced re-flashes when using early versions of various, purpose built, tablet apps though. :eek:

... and the crazy thing is, these other apps are usually an attempt to do what the flash app does better anyway.

I will attempt to attach a calculator flash app to this post. It, IMHO does a much better job as a simple touch screen calculator than the program that ships with Maemo. (Change the .ZIP extention to .SWF to run as flash.)



For the Load percentages I quoted earlier, I use load-applet v. 0.8.3 running full time in the status bar.

BTW, where are these "bars" you speak of?
There are 2 types of load applets for the tablets, one has time with a smooth curve graph and one uses "bars". You must be using #1, me #2 ;)

Snoshrk 2009-02-19 02:57
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by YoDude (Post 265505)

To Snoshrk.
... on a Tablet running MicroB on Diablo (default browser and current OS) a file with the SWF (flash) extension should open in the Web Browser when you tap on it from the tablets File Manager...

If the file has the right extension, I believe Diablo will give it a round 'f' icon in File Manager.
YoDude

Yep, OS 43-7, fresh install only a month old....

No dice... the files have the correct icon (Circle F) but when dbl clicked => garbage in the browser.

To make matters worse / more confusing: I just went to www.online-stopwatch.com => it works just fine :confused:

Thanks for the help!

YoDude 2009-02-19 03:05
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrentDC (Post 265535)
I don't think I worded my previous post properly: I'm saying that flash apps use more cpu when active, not minimized, than a properly optimized C (or maybe even Python) application would.



There are 2 types of load applets for the tablets, one has time with a smooth curve graph and one uses "bars". You must be using #1, me #2 ;)
Cool. :cool:

YoDude 2009-02-19 03:25
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snoshrk (Post 265545)
YoDude

Yep, OS 43-7, fresh install only a month old....

No dice... the files have the correct icon (Circle F) but when dbl clicked => garbage in the browser.

To make matters worse / more confusing: I just went to www.online-stopwatch.com => it works just fine :confused:

Thanks for the help!

Gee! I don't remember doing anything special but maybe I did, I'll have to think on that a bit.

... in the mean time; open a browser page on the tablet and hit menu. Go to Tools, then to Components.

An Installed Components window should open up. See if "Shockwave Flash" is listed and stated as Enabled.

Snoshrk 2009-02-19 04:22
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by YoDude (Post 265554)
... in the mean time; open a browser page on the tablet and hit menu. Go to Tools, then to Components.

An Installed Components window should open up. See if "Shockwave Flash" is listed and stated as Enabled.
btdt ;) I have no components installed, thus my request for where to get said Shockwave Flash component :confused:

BrentDC 2009-02-19 15:27
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snoshrk (Post 265567)
btdt ;) I have no components installed, thus my request for where to get said Shockwave Flash component :confused:
It comes preinstalled in the operating system; it, as far as I know, cannot be reinstalled. A reflash may be in order?

nilchak 2009-02-19 15:27
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
Did you update to the latest Maemo ROM ? I thought the flash support was always there on the browser - even I cant recall installing anything seperately for that.

You may want to check if your ROM is updated or a old one by chance ?
And I also assume you are using the default MicroB browser - not some other installed browser (like Fennec).

Snoshrk 2009-02-20 05:25
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
:) First off: Many Thanks to all who have offered help :)

:o Mea Culpa :o Mea Maxima Culpa :o

I found the solution today...

It seems that I forgot to switch the browser engine back to microb after the last time I played with webkit...(the xx/100 while loading gave it away)

I don't know why the SWF files would launch and run fine under webkit when connected, but not when run locally from a file....:confused: but, at least the SWF's now work offline.

Thanks again

....please excuse me while I go and get a large "DOH!" stamped on my forehead...:eek:


Matt

Bonny 2009-03-29 02:42
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
I have been trying different online timers. If I set them for 30 minutes I find that the expiration signal is not given because something in the browser or the device has timed out I think. If I touch the screen it wakes up and the expiration signal is released even though the 30 minutes has expired some time ago. I cannot find anything in the browser menus or in the device control panel that suggests this functionality. I know this must be something simple.
Any ideas?
N800; OS2008 version 5.2008.43-7

svrkprabhakar 2009-12-10 03:41
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
This is an excellent application and idea, it helps me a lot in managing my presentations and other stuff.

mooninite 2009-12-10 05:48
Re: A Flash stop-watch and timer
 
If you want a C-based stopwatch, I've released the first version of mine for Fremantle.

https://garage.maemo.org/frs/downloa....9.0_armel.deb

It will be going into extras-devel as soon as I am accepted.


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