• Oddly I find myself without plans for the game tomorrow. Who's doing something that they want us to attend? #
• Here is a preview image from the class @northerndiver1, @hopelark, & I are teaching on Saturday. It's gonna be awesome. http://t.co/Mi8rYfGZ #
• It is great when stuff works the first time you set it up. Feeling good – needed a win today. #
• If I could pick my own title at work it would be Chief Skunk-works Architect. I would rock at that and probably make the company more money. #
• The best part of Raising Hope tonight is the My Name is Earl crossover. #
• Open source is like Improve – Say "Yes and…" http://t.co/oGRJUeZe I need to remember to think this way more often. #
• I want to curl up in a ball and lie on the floor rocking back and forth. Someday I'll have a job I like. #

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All work on ModbusDroid, the modbus scanner/polling client app I wrote for android, will now take place using the GitHub.

The last released version – 1.0 – will remain available on launchpad.net, but will not be maintained there anymore. When I have a minute I’ll update the blog posts and pages with this info. But there are probably like 2 or 3 people in the world who care that I’m starting to hack away on a tablet/Android 3.0/4.0+ version that uses fragments and the action bar APIs, and I thought you precious few, my beloved audience, might be interested in this change.

Again, just as before – PLEASE – do not post questions on my blog about the app, post them on github so I can better answer them for all people who might be interested in the answers.

• Sometimes my Roku and internet provider pretend they are going to give me netflix in HD. But unfortunately the cake is a lie. #
• Way to keep it nerd-classy #Chuck Even at the end. I will miss your nerdyness, & your naruto/goku-underdog who changes ppl archetype. #
• Now taking suggestions for a 'Push Mix' – The funnier the suggestion, the more likely I am to use it #
• http://t.co/dHaAPiW3 I'm so guilty of this, and I so want to get better at it (especially at work). All constructive advice on that welcome. #
• I've not been in a meeting for about an hour today – I started one before I left the house, and continued all the way to work #
• Rocking some Crown Royal and before bed while discovering my purpose. I do loves me the Whiskey. Maybe that is my purpose. #

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• So now that we beat the SOPA/PIPA bills isn't about time we as the tech community put forth our proposed solution for online piracy? #
• I can't tell if it is AT&T or my new phone, but as of a few hours ago I can't get 3G, and sometimes any data connection at all? #
• So far the Galaxy Nexus is a pretty great phone. I'm surprised how thin it is even compared to my Nexus S. #
• Today is new phone day! Excited for the Galaxy Nexus when I get home. #
• There is a voice in my head that occasionally just screams into the swirling abyss of frustrated thoughts. It's sorta annoying. #
• I can haz ICS on my zoom tablet? Oh hai ICS! You look good on my tablet, and will look even better on my new phone tomorrow! #
• Calling all BSG fans – Hilariously True. I once went to 5 blockbusters to find the next disc of season 2.5 http://t.co/jwosozDg via @youtube #
• I love Scotch! Scotchy-Scotch-Scotch. #
• Every season I have two hopes for the NFL. 1) Da Bears win the superbowl, and 2) The Packers don't. If I can't have 1, at least I got 2. #
• After 1 trip to microcenter, 2 mutilated cables, and a bunch of used crazy glue – I have caved and purchased the correct cable from amazon. #

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• Sweet, a shipping label has been created for my new phone. I'm super pumped for my Galaxy Nexus to arrive! #
• Just got an email telling me that my phone order got delayed till next well. Bummer! #
• And when I said "This" in my last post – like a true nerd, I forgot the link. Fixed – http://t.co/Sld72a1k #
• This is the best way to set up Gmail/cal/contacts on an iphone. If you have an iOS device and did it differently, it is probably wrong #
• Is it me, or is it super-mega-lame that Asus released Android 4.0 on a tablet before the google experience device got it? #ReallyMotorola #
• 2 episodes in and "United States of Tara" has me hooked. It is a seriously funny show IMO. #
• Want! http://t.co/celeiQjM I wonder if I could justify this somehow? #
• Happy Birthday @kimhayman! I'm glad you were born and eventually moved to Minnesota and became friends with us! #
• Chicago – I hope you are watching this game on both sides, because that is how you adjust your offense to compensate for the other team. #
• Now that was a crazy end to that game! The Steelers got T-bowed in OT. Can't ask for a better game to watch when I don't care who wins. #
• I don't like when Jerry Pournelle on TWiT. He talks over everyone w/ drawn out boring stories. He was probably awesome 30 years ago. #
• Rather than say anything about NFL playoffs, I'll just wonder aloud: Why hasn't my AT&T Nexus S been updated to Android 4.0.3 yet? #Google #

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• Way to suck #Lions I love watching NFC north teams fail in the playoffs (other than Da Bears of course). #
• "Put on the Banana Hammock and quit whining!" Best line from Chuck in quite some time. #
• Mike Tice was named our offensive coordinator – well that is certainly offensive, but seriously!?!?!? How is that an improvement? WTF #Bears #
• Every once in a while I think my head may have started out-thinking my heart. And then I get sad. That usually fixes it. #
• Bought it… I'm such a phone addict. Anyone want to buy a 4 month old Nexus S for AT&T? #
• To buy, or not to buy… that is my question for today. http://t.co/D9cuEAYy #
• What a crazy day! Having a hard time buckling down and focusing on my tasks – time for headphones and a rocking playlist. #
• Should not have started installing this software so close to quitting time… #
• A little background – the previous revision is tagged (not sticky-tagged tho). Also, if I do a checkout w/ the wrong case spelling it works. #
• Need CVS help. We have just committed some files, but when we check them back out we get the prior revision. Any CVS gurus have advice? #
• I'm so spoiled w/ this vacation (plant shut-down) to the point of having a bit of cabin fever, but I still hate to see it end tomorrow. #
• I have an emulator image and a nexus S image built based on the master android branch… To flash to phone, or not to flash to phone? #
• Bears! Nice garbage win boys. #
• Go Bears! Watching the game in the dome from some kickass seats. http://t.co/GkQo3qGR #

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• Anyone doing anything tonight? We have nowhere to be #
• I think half my interest in this is that they haven't pushed the update to my phone yet for ICS. Maybe I should learn to wait patiently… #
• Bummer! Compiler quit during AOSP build because Ubuntu 11.10 isn't supported in the 4.0.3_r1 release – only master branch. #
• Currently have my old Athlon 1800XP in the basement compiling Android 4.0.3 from source for my phone. We'll see how this goes! #NerdHappy #
• Lauren is so out of sorts at the moment, that she agreed to watch the pilot for Lost finally. This amuses and terrifies me. #
• Kinda bummed that the AT&T Nexus S hasn't seen an update to #ICS yet. Come-on big G, let's see an update for the i9020a soon! Plz? #
• I'm working on a spec for our servo motor controllers in my spare time (only time I can find for it) – and we do some weird stuff at my job. #
• Just rewatched Star Trek, the Motion Picture. It still isn't good. Tomorrow night, we'll see how the Wrath of Kahn transferred to bluray. #
• Sorta fixed my volume down button on my remote w/ some crazy glue and a cut-up old rewards zone card from best buy. #CheapAssDIY #
• Yep… Zelda it is I think. #
• Kahelil Bell! I think this guy needs to be our number 2 back next year, I like what he is doing in the last couple games. #
• Another shitty, ill-advised screen play, poorly blocked and for a loss of course. But that play is a good play, right? #FireMartz #
• I think the Packers have scored 3 tds w/ the same play this game. #
• To turn off the game and play Zelda, or to keep watching and increase my Bears pain tolerance? #FireMartz http://t.co/I9X8th0P #
• If this game wasn't over already, it definitely is now. Take note on how to coach a team Chicago coaches, even with injuries. #FireMartz #
• I'm hoping they cut Bowman next season. He won't be missed by me anyway if they do. #
• Also, great buy that Williams guy – I wonder who decided he was a good idea… I mean he only has cost us 3 games #FireMartz #FireAngelo #
• And this is the part of the game where Aaron Rodgers reminds us that he is going to be MVP, and we aren't going to the playoffs. #
• Well, that sucked – why does the D-fense get beat like that deep in the cover-2? I thought it was "Bend, but don't break." #ChicagoBears #
• Got Paralles 7 for the Mac for Xmas from my in-laws. Rocking Quicken now w/o the need to reboot! #ExcitedForAwesome #
• Fat guy touchdown dance! #
• The muppet commercial for Google+ Hangouts is freaking awesome! #
• McCown almost threw a big-boy pass – guess he might actually remember how to play in the NFL. But to follow it up w/ a penalty = #FireMartz #
• I was having a great Christmas, and I'm determined to not let this get me down. The worse this gets, the more likely we #FireMartz #
• BTW, this evenings tweets will be brought to you entirely by the hashtag #FireMartz #
• Really! REALLY! A timeout on the first series. Martz your offense is too 'smart' for it's own good. #FireMartz #
• I've always wondered how the second team would play in a real game, but in reality I'm not sure I actually wanted to know. #FireMartz #
• The volume down key on my old harmony remote broke. Not sure if I should buy a new one, or adjust my comfortable listening volume range. #

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• Just finished a great dinner with great friends and their miracle baby who is finally home with them. #Appleseed #ChristmasWithFriends #
• Listening to Christmas music, doing year-end money stuff. Trying hard not be sad, & get in the holiday spirit while I'm stuck at home. #
• Putting the down time to good use – I replaced the fan in the fridge and we are back to relative quiet in the house and we have cold food. #
• I love these things – Someday maybe I too will participate in this madness. http://t.co/Aya2PB87 #lightDisplay #
• I totally could have flown today. I can walk almost pain free! #BummedToBeGrounded #
• Discharged! A very late lunch at Five Guys, and now True Blood. It is good to be home! #
• Going home sometime today. Got a PIC line again, so I can do IV antibiotics at home, but home is better than hospital IMO. #
• Today I feel really stupid. I'm glad I'm getting better – I just wish it was faster. #
• In the ER. Messed with my toes again, and I think I have the same type of infection as 2 yrs ago. Yes I'm am addict, yes I know it's stupid. #
• I gave up and turned that game off – pathetic Hanie, pathetic. Playoff aspirations over thanks to O-Line, O-cord, and QB. #
• It is disgusting how bad our O-Line is, and our backup/current starting QB is also not good. #
• Hey, the second team offense can score points! #BearDown #

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• #NVIDIA and @AndroidPolice are giving away a Galaxy Tab 10.1 And More http://t.co/SmiXIRUo. I hope I win, I love shiny gadgets at Christmas. #

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• U know who is great at announcing & then releasing phones? Apple. U know who is great at announcing phones & then not releasing? #VZW #FAIL #
• Dear Facebook, Yes I wanted to go to that site and read that 'unsecure' content. It is called The INTERNET. You may have heard of it. #
• My C++ skills are super rusty. I used to think it was just about the best programing language ever – not so sure anymore. #
• Just installed visual studio 2010 on my work computer – I feel a little more like a developer now, and a little less like an electrical guy. #
• You know I'm not hip cuz I just discovered this from Glee tonight. http://t.co/asnuTIdJ via @youtube #GleeExpandsMyPopMusicAwareness #ImLame #
• I found a decent git repository manager for windows, now I need recommendations on the best GUI for our non-CLI guys? Suggestions #LazyWeb #
• Rocking some great worship at Hillside Church in Duluth this Sunday. A great end to a great weekend get-away. http://t.co/PtDA1Ce3 #

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• http://t.co/SnpxjYNr This is maybe the 5th reminder lately that my dreams don't have to die from 'growing up.' #
• Anyone interested in dog-sitting for us this weekend? Our dog is kinda awesome – she can give you high-five – how cool is that? #
• I apprently forgot to make the 1.0 release of my android app "active" in the market after I uploaded the file… oops! Fixed now! #
• is it me, or is the Skype app on windows really annoying and just generally kinda sucks. "No I don't want you always on and in my taskbar!" #
• http://t.co/7ZKUo7rm I too am really good at the "christian or secular on the radio" game. I would estimate 4 seconds w/ 90% accuracy. #
• TechCrunch Giveaway: Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Android 4.0) #TechCrunch http://t.co/74labLw9 #
• http://t.co/eP66FLPe "I'm a Christian – unless you are gay." Thoughtful take on our own latent bigotry (of anyone different from us). #

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After working on another app for a start-up and some half-written project ideas, I decided to return to my original app ModbusDroid and finally clean up some stuff that was obnoxious about my first go at it.

So here you have it, I added a landscape layout that moves the Modbus controls to the left in their own column, and the data has its own column to the right. And I fixed the issue that disconnected from the server when rotated from portrait to landscape (or vice-versa), but it still disconnects if you exit the app to avoid doing any unnecessary draining of your battery. A few other nagging bugs – there seemed to be a few exceptions from bad inputs in the settings or register offset or lengths. So I set all the text-boxes to be numeric-only keyboards and inputs. Please report a bug on launchpad if you are able to enter any alpha characters into any of those boxes with any keyboards I don’t have installed (like swiftkey – I only have the stock keyboard and swype installed, and I don’t have a physical keyboard). I also fixed some annoying bug reports that came in from the market – for the record on those, if you put “crash” in the description that is not helpful at all – if you put what you were doing, that helps WAAAYYY more, and I’ll fix it as soon as I see it and can reproduce it.

Unfortunately I didn’t clean up everything I would like to (still have the stupid “JAVA: Socket Exception, timeout while trying to make a connection” error messages instead of a more friendly message). But maybe as time allows I’ll circle back to that.

All that being said, let me know what you think about the final 1.0 release, and I hope you find the minor tweaks I made an improvement.

Going beyond 1.0

I learned a lot about android, and real application development during this project as well as when I was working on Whooznear (the prototype App I put together w/ my friend Alec for the startup now named Primmo Apps). And in all that learning, as well as everything I’ve read and learned since then I’ve realized I could do a lot better at making this app a little more friendly, and easier to maintain and extend w/ new features.

Also, since then android 3.0 came out and brought w/ it the new fragment and action bar APIs, and just a few weeks ago android 4.0 brought those features to phones. And I got to thinking there were some usability improvements that could be had on this app if I leveraged those.

So I’m thinking re-write w/ new APIs when I can find the time (who knows when that will be – I’m having a kid early next year – but here’s to hoping anyway!). Something to expand a little nicer to a tablet layout – especially in layout mode. I’m thinking something more like a grid layout, where each column would have a register number and the value in it, and the number of columns would be screen size dependent (i.e. portrait on a phone would be 1 column, portrait on a tablet would be 2, layout on a tablet would be 2 or 3 – depending on the font). And maybe I’ll cook up some other niceties – if you have suggestions feel free to post them here, or to put them into launchpad (or github – read on for more info on that).

Besides that, I’ve gotten some requests for these features (or dreamed them up after some request made me think of them):

• Data recording to a file
• Real tested Slave support – for some TCP to RTU bridge devices you can have multiple slave IDs, so that might be useful for some people
• RTU support for devices that can connect to your phone or tablet that have a COM port
• RTU over TCP – this is a use-case for some people. Might be worth looking into
• Modbus4J library changes to be posted separately – not a feature per-se, but still a request I think is worth doing
• The ability to put ‘names’ at certain register locations instead of the register number

Now, I’m probably not going to be able to tackle all of these requests, but I’m hoping to re-architect how I did the app (again, if I can find time) for android 3.0+ devices to include some of these. And I definitely want to separate out my changes to the Modbus4J library so that I can more easily contribute back to the community that developed it originally, and so I can more easily track upstream changes as well. Right now when people ask me about it I’m forced to say “uhhhh…yeah, I just dumped the source code into my project folder for ModbusDroid and started hacking – I couldn’t tell you what I changed.” Since then I’ve gotten a lot better about knowing how to keep projects separated and yet connected, and use these new fan-dangled DVCS features like ‘branches’ to keep my changes separate from the upstream changes.

Switching source-code management and hosting
Finally – I keep pushing everyone to launchpad.net for the hosting of the project, and there are a lot of awesome things about Bzr and launchpad, but to be honest, since then I’ve kinda fallen in love w/ Git. And GitHub seems to have a better community and UX vibe going on (“Fork This” is a great banner). And, bazaar apparently messes w/ some of my work software (ePDM from Solidworks), and crashes that when I right-click on stuff inside of our company vault, so I had to uninstall it for now – making it a pain every time I want to upload changes in my source code to launchpad. So as soon as I commit the 1.0 release branch to launchpad (after I finish this blog post and upload the APK to the market), I’m going to switch the project to Git – the first commit will be the 1.0 branch – and then upload to github for my hosting. Look for an announcement about that sometime later this week, and I hope for a lot of you this will make it simpler to follow the project as I think Git (and to a lesser degree Mercurial) is gaining more and more traction all the time, and I hear less and less about Bazaar outside of Ubuntu.

Thanks for your feedback so far, and keep it coming so we can make this a great piece of software for the other android faithful out there in the controls industry.

Ben

• Seriously? This is outside of best buy today. http://t.co/KyJyAkli #
• Check out this Bears article:
  http://t.co/LpkQFbsr That is a very Chicago billboard. I love it! #

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