ControlThink Forums

I want to upgrade to Pro, but I read

"NOTE: Requires ThinkStick or other compatible Z-Wave adapter with installer firmware (not included) for advanced features."

I have the Thinkstick but what is meant by "installer firmware"?

If I don't have this "installer firmware" does that mean that I have to order the Professional Edition for $99, not the Upgrade?

Thanks,

Alan

If you have a ThinkStick, you're fine.  Be sure to upgrade to the latest firmware, and you're good to go with the Upgrade.

ThinkStick Update:
http://www.controlthink.com/downloads/thinkstick/update/setup.exe

Chris

Thanks I downloaded the update, ran it with no problems.

 I ordered ThinkEssentials Pro.  Look forward to getting it.

 

Chris,

thanks for sending the download for PRO, until the 2.1 cd's are available.  I appreciate it.  ONLY, I'm having trouble.

 Whenever I start ThinkEssentials now it stops about 3/4 of the way throught the 'info' bar and causes Windows(vista) to proclaim:  "ThinkEssentials has stopped.  Windows is searching for an answer..."

 I've deleted all the other versions of TE off the computer and I've re-run the update for the ThinkStick.

 Any suggestions?

AFTerry

 

AFTerry,

I'd recommend re-installing 2.0, and then installing the official 2.1 downloader next week.

Chris

Thanks Chris, I did that, and then i thought some more and tried something bold. (You might not think so). I renamed the backup file for the Network Settings. Then I reinstalled 2.0, 2.1.0.3, and the Pro Update. Each one worked perfectly, as I installed them. And, Pro is still working. I had to re-do my network, but I've gotten good at that anyway. So, I thiink it was a corrupt backup file. No need to respond. I know your glad I got it up and running, that's just the kind of guy you are.

I have the SDK, ThinkStick and ThinkEssentials that comes with the SDK. I'm wondering about a couple of things. First, the path to upgrade from where I am with my ThinkEssentials is a consideration and after this post, I'm wondering if you have this problem nailed. Can I order an "upgrade" to Pro, from where I am and is there a procedural path (that works) to get me to the Pro version?

Also, when I add a device like the Hawking HRDS1 to my current install of ThinkEssentials, I get a positive indication of the add, but nothing more. Does the Pro version offer more info than that on devices it acknowledges as having added to the network, but not showing ANY info about? Maybe there's a Properties context menu item on the device icon (which oughta be there) and at least the device essentials are shown...? Or, they appear on the mouseover for those of us used to being exposed to device info by mousing over...?

And, from a developer's perspective, what is the advantage of upgrading to the Professional version of ThinkEssentials (vs. having the availability of the existing, limited version in the SDK?

Last (well...I know there are more questions lurking as I explore further), since you have such a fine SDK (lacking documentation you cannot give us because of its proprietary nature), and since you also offer ThinkEssentials, for the developer, do you have the ability for us to write nice, transparent, "plugins" for ThinkEssentials. We're not all going to compete with you and write our own versions of the best Home Control system. Some of us are interested in enhancing existing systems...like ThinkEssentials. It seems like a natural bridge here, since your organization has authored both the SDK and ThinkEssentials.

Chris, in another post I leaned pretty hard on the subject of documentation for the protocol and its behavior being readily available to the non-rich and, I wanted to say, I know I can speak for other developers who KNOW the hard work it takes to develop and expose both a new protocol and SDKs to work with it: Thank You, Sir, for all the obvious hard work and also for all the hard work taking place behind the scenes to which we all are oblivious. Thanks...

marvm,

I will pass your notes onto the team; thank you for your candor.

We do have a preliminary "plug-in" architecture built into ThinkEssentials.  Actually, the timer functionality is a plug-in; if you change the license key to a "no timer" license key it will disable the plug-in.  We're working on ways to expose the interfaces to our customers.  If you'd like to be involved in that, PM me offline.  No this-month promises, though.

You can upgrade from the Standard Edition of ThinkEssentials that came with your SDK order to the Professional Edition--no problem.  We're out of the upgrade CDs (due to the upcoming 2.1 launch and a run on 2.0 CDs), but we will e-mail you upgrade instructions and an upgrade license key--and then send you a v2.1 upgrade CD in the mail in a few weeks.

Finally--version 2.1 has a right-click "properties" dialog on devices and shows some of what would otherwise be "hidden" devices in the network.

Thank you for your business,

Chris

Chris, Thanks for the speedy reply…  I’m moving to update to TE Pro, and when I click on the ‘Buy Now’ button, instead of the $49.95 price advertised, I see $54.90, with a tag below it:’ Shipping and Tax calculated on next page’. I didn’t proceed with the upgrade because I had a couple questions. Will I be offered the opportunity to download the Pro version update, and which version is it?....V2.0, or V2.1? Finally, does the $54.90 include S&H? As I SLOWLY read all the forum posts, I’m discovering a ton of “Chris Walker Jewels”…valuable pieces of info…and I’m thinking a FAQ is in order. I assume you already are in process…at least thinking wise…on a FAQ. It sure seems like an open participation by forum members…sorta Wiki style…for gleaning the jewels and throwing them into a respository…maybe with a preliminary chunk of keywords to begin the organizational effort of the info, is in order. I say that, because as individuals, we do not always get the “jewel connections” the same way, if at all. So, joint participation would be grand, and, it's my experience that as the info starts sorting out in the FAQ, more insight comes to the surface from its relatedness. An example, I'm over in the SDK mashing my head against the infamous Hawking Door/Window Sensor, and the needed piece of info was hiding over in the ThinkEssentials forum...ya gotta do an association in Groups, and setup a "target" device pointer. That particular "jewel" did not come from Chris, it seems. I don't think it matters who it comes from...everyone benefits.  FAQ on!

 

Oops...I won't casually paste a piece of multi-paragraphed text into a message again without fixing the paragraph codes. I apologize for the mess I left.

marvm,

When you upgrade, we ship you a CD of the latest version and an upgrade license key.  If you already have the software installed, go to the Settings tab, click on "About ThinkEssentials" and then press the "Enter License Key" button.  This will let you "upgrade" the software in-place.  We actually install all the features with every edition, just waiting to be unlocked.

Chris