[Released] Rule Machine 3.0

[JasonJoel]

That's why I wait a week after release before installing on my production hub. Wait for the first few hot fixes to come out.

I update my development hub immediately, though, to try and find any bugs that would be specific to MY use cases.

[csteele]

I'm certain there are other fixes in the 2.0.9 release BUT for RM 3.0, that's an easy one, as Bruce pointed out. Just don't create new Rules.

In other words, there's seems like there would be no reason to avoid the release if RMv3.0 was all.

But yes, I love our ability to delay upgrades til we each, personally, believe it's ready.

[bravenel]

@csteele

I think by exposing the magnitude of the change to RM v3.0, we might all get the idea of how much testing, then Beta testing it needs.

The inherent problem with testing Rule Machine is that there are an infinite set of possible rules/actions. Beta testing was preceded by extensive testing, but "extensive" is by no means exhaustive. Then beta testing shakes the tree and other bugs show up. Rinse, repeat...

[csteele]

I totally agree but the video shows there's a lot of UI changes too and I bet THAT portion isn't infinite. If ONLY the UI bugs get ironed out in Beta that would be a giant step forward.

[CAL.hub]

Thus is all so reminiscent of CoRE's evolution. (As I recall history....) CoRE used asynchronous execution but it was hard for users to wrap their heads around all actions going at once when they were presented visually in a certain order. WebCoRE changed that to synchronous execution, then quickly made it user-selectable. I like the way the GOM (Grumpy Old Man - said lovingly as an original ST RM user) has implemented this.

[wxmiked]

I don’t see “random” delay seconds mins hours..

Is this a feature in 3.0?

[bravenel]

It's available with Delay These Actions in Rule 2.5, and its equivalent in Rule 3.0.

[CAL.hub]

@bravenel

New Custom Actions

In addition to Custom Commands as have been available in prior versions, Rule 3.0 introduces Custom Actions. A Custom Action allows you to select a device, and send any of the commands that device supports along with parameters it may take. While Custom Commands are pre-defined and available to all rules, a Custom Action is created within your actions and is specific to the rule where it is created.

I think this is an under-appreciated new feature. Thanks @bravenel.

[wxmiked]

Thanks, bravenel !

[Rich]

@bravenel

Now, whenever you have such power you gain the power to totally screw it up also.

I do love blowing it up trying to be fancy. That's the best kind of mess ups. It frustrates my wife when the house scream red Alert and strobe red in an every room but I forget to get it out of the loop and she just wants it to stop and go back to the nice automatic mood lighting.

[mike]

Edit: never mind. User error.

[bobbles]

I thought I would have a play with the 'while loop'.
I have defined a test rule that, in my mind anyway, should turn on a light, wait 1 minute, turn off light and repeat this sequence every 5 minutes.
When I hit the run rule button the light turns on and no other action happens. It just stays on. I've obviously misunderstood your instructions and any guidance would be much appreciated.

Any thoughts @bravenel

[bravenel]

You didn't create a "while loop". It has the form of a simple condition on the repeat

IF (front-door-open) REPEAT every 0:05:00

[bobbles]

I'm obviously missing something very simple here.
Haven't I got
IF mode is day
Repeat every 5 minutes
-Wait 1 min.
-Turn on
-Wait 1 min
-Turn off
End.

[bravenel]

Yes, you are missing Conditional Action. It's at the bottom of the list of Action types, and you want Simple conditional action.

[mkig45]

How exactly does the random delay work. For instance if I put in a 20 second delay and then click the random delay will it randomly delay between 1-20 seconds?

[bobbles]

Is this what you mean because this doesn't work either.

[bravenel]

NO.

IF (Mode is Day) Repeat every 0:00:05.