Hal Windows can control some hardware but as of right now it's currently limited to handling mostly just instrument type of devices. However Hal windows can fully control some types of hardware devices connected to a computer or network server provided that the device has some sort of interface window that Hal can access and operate the controls within it. So usually you have to have some sort of window running in order to control most hardware devices that are not a Visa type of device. See below for more on Visa functions.
Visa Management:
_viClose
Closes a VISA connection to an Instrument/Device
_viExecCommand
Send a Command/Query to an Instrument/Device
through the VISA interface (GPIB / TCP)
_viFindGpib
Send a Command/Query to an Instrument/Device
through the VISA interface (GPIB / TCP)
_viGpibBusReset
GPIB BUS "reset": Use this function when the GPIB
BUS gets stuck for some reason. You might be lucky
and resolve the problem by calling this function
_viGTL
Go To Local mode: Instruments that accept this
command will exit the "Remote Control mode" and go
to "Local mode". If the instrument is already
in "Local mode" this is simply ignored. Normally,
if an instrument does not support this command it
will simply stay in the "Remote Control mode"
_viOpen
Opens a VISA connection to an Instrument/Device
_viSetAttribute
Set any VISA attribute This function, which is
called by _viSetTimeout, can ALSO be used to set
the other VISA specific attributes. Read the VISA
documentation for more information and a list of
VISA attributes and their corresponding values.
_viSetTimeout
Sets the VISA timeout in MILISECONDS
Other controllable hardware is really just basic type of things like cd/dvd-drives, printers/faxes, monitors, remote workstations, the mouse and keyboard, modem, and maybe in the future things like Ipods, cameras/webcams and stuff like that. As of right now some things are still slightly limited but it's still cool. You can currently do things like telling Hal to print out a copy of a webpage or a document that's running in an editor. But it's able to do thousands of things like that which is what makes it pretty good! And almost anything with a window running is fully controllable by Hal and that's why it's is called Hal Windows! One other thing I forgot to mention is that Hal can modify hardware port settings and reconfig things and do stuff like disabling and re-enabling or toggling switches and other types of system settings. Nothing really exciting in this area!
The Windows Shell Replacement question...the answer is no Hal Windows is not a windows shell replacement program, but I'm going to tell you one thing right now and that is Hal Windows can do many of the same kind of things as a windows shell replacement program plus about 10,000 or so more things that a windows shell replacement program can't do. Basically Hal Windows provides the Hal program with full direct access to a Windows Operating System. I can even run the equivalent of a system DOS prompt directly inside of Hal's program window, so that means I can issue an actual DOS command in it's standard format directly into Hal and then he will pass it straight into the Windows Operating System to actually execute the command. And as far as the Desktop environment is concerned Hal can totally change things like appearances and do super user tricks like hiding the Program Manager and the entire system taskbar or you can tell him to hide the system clock or disable the system Start button or even move things around to different locations. Hal can also move his own input and output boxes to different locations within his program window and he can hide or disable his input and output boxes also. Basically Hal can hide and then redisplay absolutely any kind of window including his own. He also can play tricks on you and fool you into thinking that you are looking at a window that is not really there because he is able to run and display imposter windows. I even made a whole set of imposter window skins for his program window so he impersonate things like Windows Media or a HapPlayer AX window, and he may even start to confuse you with all that kind of stuff...it's really fun!
Just keep coming back and checking this thread and you'll get a better idea of all the cool and fun things that Hal can now do!
Here's a few simple system functions:
Richie: analyze system
Amanda: Analyzing system. Analysis complete. The system is currently operating within normalized parameters. The current primary Operating System is Hal Windows. Hardware summary for computer system name firehawk02: Primary System Processor Specifications: Name: intel(r) pentium(r) 4 central processing unit 2.53ghz. Manufacturer: genuineintel. Description: x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 4. Current Clock Speed: 2532 Megahertz. System Memory Specifications: Total Physical Memory: 504 Megabytes. Hard Drive Specifications: Manufacturer: (Standard disk drives). Model: Maxtor 4d080h4. Size: 76 Gigabytes. Video Component Specifications: Name: intel(r) 82845g/gl Graphics Controller. Description: intel(r) 82845g/gl Graphics Controller. Video Processor: intel(r) 82845g/gl Chip. Adapter ram: 64 Megabytes. Video Mode Description: 1024 x 768 x 65536 colors. End of system analysis report. Provided by Zabaware Incorporated.
Richie: get pixel color
Amanda: Analyzing Specified Pixel. Analysis Complete. The decimal value of the pixel color under the mouse is 65280.
Richie: processor load
Amanda: Analyzing system processor. Analysis complete. The central processing unit load is currently at 88%.
Richie: memory load
Amanda: Analyzing system memory. Analysis complete. The percentage of memory currently in use is 53%.
Richie: bios report
Amanda: Analyzing system bios. Analysis complete. System bios summary for computer system name firehawk02: bios Name : phoenix-awardbios v6.00pg. Version : intelr-42302e31. Manufacturer : Phoenix Technologies, ltd. Sm-bios Version : 3.02.
Richie: memory report
Amanda: Analyzing system memory. Analysis complete. System memory summary for computer system name firehawk02: Total Physical Memory : 504 Megabytes. Memory Module : A1. Full Capacity : 512 Megabytes. Socket Width : 64 Pins.
Richie: cd report
Amanda: Analyzing system cd-rom drives. Analysis complete. 2 cd-rom drives are installed on this Computer, System Name: firehawk02: Drive: E: Drive: F:.
Richie: interface display size
Amanda: My main program interface display size is currently 1024 by 745 pixels.
Richie: total system drive space
Amanda: Processing total system drive space. Processing completed. The total system drive space is 73008.62890625 megabytes.
Richie: total available drive space
Amanda: Processing total available drive space. Processing completed. The total available drive space is 54404.30859375 megabytes.
Richie: process total
Amanda: Analyzing system processes. Analysis complete. The total number of processes currently running is 32.
Richie: process list
Amanda: Now displaying process list details.
Hal Windows - Process List
Main System Process: HalAsst.exe
MSP Status: Online/Active
Process Total: 33
Process Name(01): [System Process] - PID# 0
Process Name(02): System - PID# 4
Process Name(03): smss.exe - PID# 388
Process Name(04): csrss.exe - PID# 436
Process Name(05): winlogon.exe - PID# 460
Process Name(06): services.exe - PID# 504
Process Name(07): lsass.exe - PID# 516
Process Name(08): svchost.exe - PID# 712
Process Name(09): svchost.exe - PID# 756
Process Name(10): svchost.exe - PID# 896
Process Name(11): svchost.exe - PID# 924
Process Name(12): explorer.exe - PID# 1052
Process Name(13): spoolsv.exe - PID# 1124
Process Name(14): avgamsvr.exe - PID# 1284
Process Name(15): avgupsvc.exe - PID# 1296
Process Name(16): sdhelp.exe - PID# 1364
Process Name(17): hpsysdrv.exe - PID# 1400
Process Name(18): svchost.exe - PID# 1512
Process Name(19): KBD.EXE - PID# 1616
Process Name(20): tfswctrl.exe - PID# 1664
Process Name(21): hkcmd.exe - PID# 1692
Process Name(22): avgcc.exe - PID# 1764
Process Name(23): RAMpage.exe - PID# 1828
Process Name(24): ctfmon.exe - PID# 1876
Process Name(25): sgmain.exe - PID# 3532
Process Name(26): sgbhp.exe - PID# 2144
Process Name(27): Smc.exe - PID# 932
Process Name(28): avgemc.exe - PID# 1840
Process Name(29): HalWinOSD.exe - PID# 2284
Process Name(30): notepad.exe - PID# 3764
Process Name(31): HalAsst.exe - PID# 2772
Process Name(32): notepad.exe - PID# 4072
Process Name(33): ProcessList.exe - PID# 3920
End Of Process List Report
Zabaware Incorporated
Richie: window list
Amanda: Now displaying Window List details.
Hal Windows - Window List
Main System Window: Ultra Hal Assistant - (UserName) talking to (HalName)
Window Total: 03
Window Name(01): Hal Windows v1.0 - HANDLE# 00070294
Window Name(02): Richie talking to Amanda - HANDLE# 0001022C
Window Name(03): Program Manager - HANDLE# 00020076
End Of Window List Report
Zabaware Incorporated
Richie: window system report
Amanda: Now displaying Window System Report.
Hal Windows - Window System Report
Main System Window: Ultra Hal Assistant - (UserName) talking to (HalName)
Window Total: 72
Window Name(001): TF_FloatingLangBar_WndTitle - HANDLE# 000100EA - Hidden
Window Name(002): CiceroUIWndFrame - HANDLE# 000100EC - Hidden
Window Name(003): - HANDLE# 000200B2 - Hidden
Window Name(004): Start Menu - HANDLE# 0002008A - Hidden
Window Name(005): - HANDLE# 00010080 - Hidden
Window Name(006): - HANDLE# 0001005E - Hidden
Window Name(007): - HANDLE# 00010062 - Hidden
Window Name(008): - HANDLE# 00010064 - Hidden
Window Name(009): - HANDLE# 00010084 - Hidden
Window Name(010): - HANDLE# 00010060 - Hidden
Window Name(011): - HANDLE# 00030034 - Hidden
Window Name(012): - HANDLE# 0002008C - Hidden
Window Name(013): Hal Windows v1.0 - HANDLE# 00070294 - Visible
Window Name(014): - HANDLE# 000200AC - Hidden
Window Name(015): - HANDLE# 000100DA - Hidden
Window Name(016): - HANDLE# 00010090 - Hidden
Window Name(017): NetDDE Agent - HANDLE# 00010026 - Hidden
Window Name(018): HalWinWindowSysReport - HANDLE# 000C0152 - Hidden
Window Name(019): Richie talking to Amanda - HANDLE# 0001022C - Visible
Window Name(020): Haptek Console - HANDLE# 0001025A - Hidden
Window Name(021): - HANDLE# 0001024E - Hidden
Window Name(022): Welcome to Ultra Hal Assistant 5.0 - HANDLE# 00150054 - Hidden
Window Name(023): - HANDLE# 000101C4 - Hidden
Window Name(024): Ultra Hal Assistant Options - HANDLE# 0002019A - Hidden
Window Name(025): Hal - HANDLE# 000400BC - Hidden
Window Name(026): Timer - HANDLE# 0008014E - Hidden
Window Name(027): Ultra Hal Assistant - HANDLE# 000200B8 - Hidden
Window Name(028): - HANDLE# 000100E6 - Hidden
Window Name(029): MCI command handling window - HANDLE# 000302D2 - Hidden
Window Name(030): HalWinOSD - HANDLE# 000E00FE - Hidden
Window Name(031): IMMIF UI - HANDLE# 00020108 - Hidden
Window Name(032): - HANDLE# 000200C6 - Hidden
Window Name(033): MCI command handling window - HANDLE# 000102BE - Hidden
Window Name(034): Text to Speech Mode - HANDLE# 000A0144 - Hidden
Window Name(035): - HANDLE# 000A0146 - Hidden
Window Name(036): - HANDLE# 00010266 - Hidden
Window Name(037): - HANDLE# 0001025E - Hidden
Window Name(038): - HANDLE# 000101C0 - Hidden
Window Name(039): HiddenFaxWindow - HANDLE# 0001022A - Hidden
Window Name(040): - HANDLE# 000101A8 - Hidden
Window Name(041): - HANDLE# 0001018E - Hidden
Window Name(042): - HANDLE# 0001018A - Hidden
Window Name(043): - HANDLE# 00010188 - Hidden
Window Name(044): - HANDLE# 00010184 - Hidden
Window Name(045): - HANDLE# 0001017E - Hidden
Window Name(046): - HANDLE# 00010178 - Hidden
Window Name(047): - HANDLE# 00010172 - Hidden
Window Name(048): AVG Free Edition - Control Center - HANDLE# 00040052 - Hidden
Window Name(049): Connections Tray - HANDLE# 000A013C - Hidden
Window Name(050): - HANDLE# 00020050 - Hidden
Window Name(051): - HANDLE# 00010104 - Hidden
Window Name(052): HkWndName - HANDLE# 00010102 - Hidden
Window Name(053): Power Meter - HANDLE# 000200CC - Hidden
Window Name(054): MS_WebcheckMonitor - HANDLE# 000100F2 - Hidden
Window Name(055): RAMpage - HANDLE# 000100E4 - Hidden
Window Name(056): - HANDLE# 000100E8 - Hidden
Window Name(057): - HANDLE# 000100CA - Hidden
Window Name(058): - HANDLE# 000100DC - Hidden
Window Name(059): {BE655EA0-84D2-11d4-9733-444553540001} - HANDLE# 000100D6 - Hidden
Window Name(060): - HANDLE# 000100D4 - Hidden
Window Name(061): - HANDLE# 000100D2 - Hidden
Window Name(062): - HANDLE# 000100D0 - Hidden
Window Name(063): {44C6FB81-KBDWNDCLS-B4F7-11d4-9FDD-0800460222F0} - HANDLE# 000100C8 - Hidden
Window Name(064): HPSYSDRV - HANDLE# 000100BE - Hidden
Window Name(065): - HANDLE# 00010096 - Hidden
Window Name(066): - HANDLE# 00010070 - Hidden
Window Name(067): - HANDLE# 00030032 - Hidden
Window Name(068): - HANDLE# 0003002E - Hidden
Window Name(069): - HANDLE# 0004002C - Hidden
Window Name(070): - HANDLE# 00010092 - Hidden
Window Name(071): SysFader - HANDLE# 00020288 - Hidden
Window Name(072): Program Manager - HANDLE# 00020076 - Visible
Visible Total: 3
Hidden Total: 69
Window Total: 72
End Of Window System Report
Zabaware Incorporated
Richie: main system window
Amanda: The main system window is my main program window with the window title of Richie talking to Amanda.
Richie: total system ram
Amanda: Analyzing total system ram. Analysis complete. The total system ram is always usually 515568 kilobytes in total physical size.
Richie: total available ram
Amanda: Analyzing total available ram. Analysis complete. The total available ram is currently 243552 kilobytes.
Richie: eject drive f
Amanda: Drive F ejected.
Richie: retract drive f
Amanda: Drive F retracted.
Richie: analyze interface
Amanda: Analyzing interface. Analysis complete. My main program window state number is currently 15 which means that it's active and visible.
Richie: processcheck HalAsst.exe
Amanda: The specified process is running. Would you like me to terminate it for you?
You can view this chat session in it's entirety with some sex stuff in it at this thread:
http://www.zabaware.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3951&whichpage=2