Problem with device selector in all ControlsPlus devices

[mikeasfaw]

The device selector used in all the ControlsPlus devices does an excellent job of displaying a searchable sorted list of devices. But it has a major flaw that is a show-stopper for me.

The device location 2 (floor) and location 1 (room) are not included in the list. This makes finding devices very difficult for me. For example, I have dozens of devices named "ceiling lights," and they only make sense if you see the floor and room names with the device name. The only way I could test your plugin is by writing down the device refnum and using it to search in your device lookup list. That is very tedious and time-consuming.

Please add location 2 and location 1 to the device selection list. Also, display this info with the selected device names when added to the main ControlsPlus page. If you think some users don't want to see device location info, make it a user-selectable option.

I am testing ControlsPlus v1.3.2.0 with HS4 v4.2.18.5.

Thank you.

[pseudocode]

That makes sense, I did consider several options but I only have my way of setting names to test with, and I'm not sure about getting the UI layout to work with more text.

I'll add a few options for the device part, always keeping the feature:

<device>
<location 1> <device>
<location 2> <device>
<location 2> <location 1> <device>

(also honouring the "display location 1 first" HS setting)

Does that cover everything?

[mikeasfaw]

The options you suggested are perfect for me and, I believe for most users. The width of location fields can be as wide as possible to fit the page. What would also help is to display a tooltip with the full name in case it is wider than the field textbox.

[mikeasfaw]

pseudocode You may have thought of this, but here are some suggestions for a screen layout with location and device displayed. Display the <location x> <location y> <device> in small font separated by a pipe symbol above the feature textbox. Alternatively, the <device> and <feature> would be displayed on the same line with standard font size, and the <location x> <location y> would be displayed above the device name (left justified) in small font separated by the pipe symbol.

[pseudocode]

Fixed in BETA 1.3.4.0, you can now choose the name format from the plugin settings page.

It may be the longer names affect the layout of the config pages - there may not be much I can do about that, but if there are particularly bad examples please send a screenshot.

[mikeasfaw]

This is fantastic! My ControlPlus trial had expired, but now with this update, I purchased a license. The device selector works very well and displays the information we need. The layout with longer names looks good to me. Thank you for addressing this issue.

The option for users to select the format of device names displayed in ControlPlus settings is great. However, I think there is a bug or oversight in the fourth format "Room Floor - Device Name". This is not ideal because it does not follow HS4 settings for the order of locations (see attachment). At least hard code this format to "Floor Room - Device Name" which is the default HS4 setting. I believe most users use the default HS4 settings.

[pseudocode]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll take a look. TBH I've always found it really confusing that the default is to show Location 2 first, it doesn't really make sense in my logical view, so I probably mixed the two. Or simply missed a conditional check to get the ordering right somewhere.

[mikeasfaw]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll take a look. TBH I've always found it really confusing that the default is to show Location 2 first, it doesn't really make sense in my logical view, so I probably mixed the two. Or simply missed a conditional check to get the ordering right somewhere.

I agree, but I think HomeSeer had to maintain location 2 first for backward compatibility with HS3 (and maybe HS2) for users that did direct upgrades from older versions.

[pseudocode]

Fixed in beta 1.3.4.1