s2 (Document in progress)

Cross-platform command line interface for Spooky2.

Overview

s2 is a command-line utility for controlling the Spooky2, and is designed as a simple replacement for the standard Spooky2 software. This is useful in scenarios where you don't have access to a Windows PC, and can be used for example on a Mac or Linux device such as a Raspberry Pi. A Raspberry Pi is a very cheap and low power device and is a great solution for people who don't want to buy a Windows PC or leave a PC switched on permanently.

Features in common with the Spooky2:

Run presents from the Spooky2 collection.
Run saved Spooky2 programs.
Biofeedback scan

Additional features (over Spooky2):

Run 2 different programs at the same time on the same generator.
Perform biofeedback scans using a new algorithm, and exports the results to Spooky2.
Biofeedback scans can be interrupted and resumed.
Low level control, setting specific generator parameters
Pulse rate function
Keeps a proper diary of all activities.
Compress program to a given time period.

Missing features:

Reverse lookup. This is because the Spooky2 database is encrypted, which I fully respect.
Some advanced options.
Convenient installer and a graphical user interface.

Note that this software is not officially supported by Spooky2.

Getting started

Installation

There are two ways to get the software. Pre-build binaries are available, which can be copied to your computer. Otherwise follow the build instructions for your platform below. s2 consists of a single file, so installation should not be too difficult.

Next, connect your generators and pulse and switch them on. On Windows, you may need to run the device driver setup program, located in C:\Spooky2\CP210x_VCP_Windows, and on MacOS, ... The drivers should automatically install on Linux.

https://www.silabs.com/products/development-tools/software/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers

To see the attached devices, run

$ s2 status

This should list your attached hardware.

Running a program

Copy the program from the Spooky2 software installation. Maybe use a memory stick. For example,

cd C:\Spooky2\Preset Collections\Detox\Contact
s2 run generator=3 preset="Intestinal Parasites (C) - BY.txt"

Scanning

Scanning is performed using the s2 scan command as follows.

s2 scan

The generator can be specified using the generator=N argument. The scan command is designed to be simple to use and can be interrupted at any time by pressing Ctrl+C. Running s2 scan will resume from where the scan left off.

Building

Building and installing on Linux

You can tailor these steps to suit your environment. For example, you may already have the prerequisites installed (git, cmake, g++), in which case you can simply skip that step. Most people prefer to build outside the source tree, so adapt as appropriate.

$ sudo apt-get install git cmake g++
$ git clone https://github.com/calum74/s2.git
$ cd s2
$ cmake -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release
$ make
$ sudo make install
$ s2 status

To upgrade, go to the s2 directory containing the source code, and run git pull && make && sudo make install to install the latest version.

Building and installing on MacOS

Install xcode command line tools and cmake. https://cmake.org/download/ xcode-select --install

$ git clone https://github.com/calum74/s2.git
$ cd s2
$ cmake -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release -GXcode
$ xcodebuild

Building and installing on Windows

Get the source code. This could be via ZIP file from github, using Git for Windows, or "Github Desktop". Install cmake (https://cmake.org/download/). Generate a Visual Studio solution file, and build the project in Visual Studio.

> git clone ...
> cd s2
> cmake -D ...
> msbuild /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform=x64

Quick start guide

Commands

Variables

General comments

Variables control the behaviour of the current program. Variables are stored in %AppData%/.s2/ folder on Windows, or the ~/.s2 folder on Linux and MacOS. The s2 set command can view or change the default values.

Most commands are configurable. Variables can also be written on the command line following the command, and are the form A=B with no spaces. For example

s2 run generator=5 preset="My scan.txt" duration=1h

Commands that have a unit are required to specify it. For example

$ s2 control amplitude=5V     # Good
$ s2 control frequency=500kHz # Good
$ s2 control amplitude = 5V   # Bad: spaces
$ s2 control amplitude=5      # Bad: no unit

Additional variables can be stored in files, and passed to the s2 command using the @ symbol, e.g.

s2 scan @my_settings.config

List of variables

Variable name	Commands	Units	Values	Default value	Description
amplitude	control, run	V, mV	0-20/40V		Sets the peak-peak voltage. When both generators are used, the value gives the combined amplitide.
channel	scan, run, control	0	Specifies which channel of the generator to use. Options are `0`, `1` or `2`. Channel `0` means "invert and sync" using both channels.	channel=1
duration	control, run	s,m,h			Alter the total duration of the program or preset.
frequency	control	uHz, mHz, Hz, kHz, MHz	Change the frequency on the generator.	frequency=123.45kHz
generator	scan, run, control	0	Specify which generator to use. By default, generator 0 uses the next available generator.	`generator=3`
pulse	pulse, scan			0	Specifies which pulse unit to use. `0` means use the first available pulse unit. Usually there is only one attached.
simulation	scan, run, control	off	Specifies whether to use simulated hardware.	`simulation=on`
waveform	run, scan		square	Sets the waveform
compress	run	disabled	Compress or extend a program
loop	run, pulse	off	Whether to run the program in a loop
iterations	run, pulse	1	Number of times to run the given command

robrecord/s2