format readme

This commit is contained in:
Ace 2023-11-22 16:49:55 +01:00
parent 03fa62cdc2
commit b441771302

144
README.md
View File

@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
# Welcome to inkycal v2.0.3!
<p align="center">
<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/aceisace/Inkycal/assets/Repo/logo.png" width="900" alt="aceinnolab logo">
</p>
@ -15,14 +16,25 @@
<a href="https://github.com/aceinnolab/Inkycal"><img alt="python" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/python-3.11-lightorange"></a>
</p>
Inkycal is a software written in python for selected E-Paper displays. It converts these displays into useful information dashboards. It's open-source, free for personal use, fully modular and user-friendly. Despite all this, Inkycal can run well even on the Raspberry Pi Zero. Oh, and it's open for third-party modules! Hooray!
Inkycal is a software written in python for selected E-Paper displays. It converts these displays into useful
information dashboards. It's open-source, free for personal use, fully modular and user-friendly. Despite all this,
Inkycal can run well even on the Raspberry Pi Zero. Oh, and it's open for third-party modules! Hooray!
## ⚠️ Warning: long installation time expected!
Starting october 2023, Raspberry Pi OS is now based on Debian bookworm and uses python 3.11 instead of 3.9 as the default version. Inkycal has been updated to work with python3.11, but the installation of numpy can take a very long time, in some cases even hours. If you do not want to wait this long to install Inkycal, you can also get a ready-to-flash version of Inkycal called InkycalOS-Lite with everything pre-installed for you by sponsoring via [Github Sponsors](https://github.com/sponsors/aceisace). This helps keep up maintenance costs, implement new features and fixing bugs. Please choose the one-time sponsor option and select the one with the plug-and-play version of Inkycal. Then, send your email-address to which InkycalOS-Lite should be sent.
Starting october 2023, Raspberry Pi OS is now based on Debian bookworm and uses python 3.11 instead of 3.9 as the
default version. Inkycal has been updated to work with python3.11, but the installation of numpy can take a very long
time, in some cases even hours. If you do not want to wait this long to install Inkycal, you can also get a
ready-to-flash version of Inkycal called InkycalOS-Lite with everything pre-installed for you by sponsoring
via [Github Sponsors](https://github.com/sponsors/aceisace). This helps keep up maintenance costs, implement new
features and fixing bugs. Please choose the one-time sponsor option and select the one with the plug-and-play version of
Inkycal. Then, send your email-address to which InkycalOS-Lite should be sent.
## Main features
Inkycal is fully modular, you can mix and match any modules you like and configure them on the web-ui. For now, these following built-in modules are supported:
Inkycal is fully modular, you can mix and match any modules you like and configure them on the web-ui. For now, these
following built-in modules are supported:
* Calendar - Monthly Calendar with option to sync events from iCalendars, e.g. Google.
* Agenda - Agenda showing upcoming events from given iCalendar URLs.
* Image - Display an Image from URL or local file path.
@ -33,20 +45,32 @@ Inkycal is fully modular, you can mix and match any modules you like and configu
* Todoist - Synchronise with Todoist app or website to show todos.
* iCanHazDad - Display a random joke from [iCanHazDad.com](iCanhazdad.com).
## Quickstart
Watch the one-minute video on getting started with Inkycal:
[![Inkycal quickstart](https://img.youtube.com/vi/IiIv_nWE5KI/0.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiIv_nWE5KI)
## Hardware guide
Before you can start, please ensure you have one of the supported displays and of the supported Raspberry Pi: `|4|3A|3B|3B+|2B|0W|0WH|02W|`. We personally recommend the Raspberry Pi Zero W as this is relatively cheaper, uses less power and is perfect to fit in a small photo frame once you have assembled everything.
**Serial** displays are usually cheaper, but slower. Their main advantage is ease of use, like being able to communicate via SPI. A single update will cause flickering (fully normal on e-paper displays) ranging from a few seconds to half an minute. We recommend these for users who want to get started quickly and for more compact setups, e.g. fitting inside a photo frame. The resolution of these displays ranges from low to medium. Usually, these displays support 2-3 colours, but no colours in between, e.g. fully black, fully red/yellow and fully-white.
Before you can start, please ensure you have one of the supported displays and of the supported Raspberry
Pi: `|4|3A|3B|3B+|2B|0W|0WH|02W|`. We personally recommend the Raspberry Pi Zero W as this is relatively cheaper, uses
less power and is perfect to fit in a small photo frame once you have assembled everything.
**Parallel** displays on the other hand do not understand SPI and require their own dedicated driver boards individually configured for these displays. Flickering also takes place here, but an update only takes about one to a few seconds. The resolution is much better than serial e-paper displays, but the cost is also higher. These also have 16 different grayscale levels, which does not compare to the 256 grayscales of LCDs, but far better than serial displays.
**Serial** displays are usually cheaper, but slower. Their main advantage is ease of use, like being able to communicate
via SPI. A single update will cause flickering (fully normal on e-paper displays) ranging from a few seconds to half an
minute. We recommend these for users who want to get started quickly and for more compact setups, e.g. fitting inside a
photo frame. The resolution of these displays ranges from low to medium. Usually, these displays support 2-3 colours,
but no colours in between, e.g. fully black, fully red/yellow and fully-white.
**❗Important note: e-paper displays cannot be simply connected to the Raspberry Pi, but require a driver board. The links below may or may not contain the required driver board. Please ensure you get the correct driver board for the display!**
**Parallel** displays on the other hand do not understand SPI and require their own dedicated driver boards individually
configured for these displays. Flickering also takes place here, but an update only takes about one to a few seconds.
The resolution is much better than serial e-paper displays, but the cost is also higher. These also have 16 different
grayscale levels, which does not compare to the 256 grayscales of LCDs, but far better than serial displays.
**❗Important note: e-paper displays cannot be simply connected to the Raspberry Pi, but require a driver board. The
links below may or may not contain the required driver board. Please ensure you get the correct driver board for the
display!**
| type | vendor | affiliate links to product |
|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
@ -64,28 +88,36 @@ Before you can start, please ensure you have one of the supported displays and o
| Raspberry Pi Zero W | Raspberry Pi |  <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/search?ie=UTF8&tag=aceisace-21&linkCode=ur2&linkId=8f9c223197e1ab91b0372b1fe56ed508&camp=1638&creative=6742&index=computers&keywords=Raspberry Pi Zero W">Raspberry Pi Zero W</a> |
| MicroSD card | Sandisk |  <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/search?ie=UTF8&tag=aceisace-21&linkCode=ur2&linkId=530a2b371c40bfeca48e875fb735a4a1&camp=1638&creative=6742&index=computers&keywords=Sandisk microSD 16GB U1 A1">MicroSD card (8GB)</a> |
## Configuring the Raspberry Pi
Flash Raspberry Pi OS on your microSD card (min. 4GB) with [Raspberry Pi Imager](https://rptl.io/imager). Use the following settings:
| option |  value |
|:---------------------------|:----------------------------:|
|  hostname |  inkycal |
|  enable ssh |  yes |
|  set username and password |  yes |
|  username |  a username you like |
|  password |  a password you can remember |
|  set Wi-Fi |  yes |
|  Wi-Fi SSID |  your Wi-Fi name |
|  Wi-Fi password |  your Wi-Fi password |
Flash Raspberry Pi OS on your microSD card (min. 4GB) with [Raspberry Pi Imager](https://rptl.io/imager). Use the
following settings:
| option | value |
|:--------------------------|:---------------------------:|
| hostname | inkycal |
| enable ssh | yes |
| set username and password | yes |
| username | a username you like |
| password | a password you can remember |
| set Wi-Fi | yes |
| Wi-Fi SSID | your Wi-Fi name |
| Wi-Fi password | your Wi-Fi password |
| set timezone | your local timezone |
1. Create and download `settings.json` file for Inkycal from the [WEB-UI](https://aceisace.eu.pythonanywhere.com/inkycal-config-v2-0-0). Add the modules you want with the add module button.
2. Copy the `settings.json` to the flashed microSD card in the `/boot` folder of microSD card. On Windows, this is the only visible directory on the SD card. On Linux, copy these files to `/boot` of the microSD card.
1. Create and download `settings.json` file for Inkycal from
the [WEB-UI](https://aceisace.eu.pythonanywhere.com/inkycal-config-v2-0-0). Add the modules you want with the add
module button.
2. Copy the `settings.json` to the flashed microSD card in the `/boot` folder of microSD card. On Windows, this is the
only visible directory on the SD card. On Linux, copy these files to `/boot` of the microSD card.
3. Eject the microSD card from your computer now, insert it in the Raspberry Pi and power the Raspberry Pi.
4. Once the green LED has stopped blinking after ~3 minutes, you can connect to your Raspberry Pi via SSH using a SSH Client. We suggest [Termius](https://termius.com/download/windows)
on your smartphone. Use the address: `inkycal.local` with the username and password you set earlier. For more detailed instructions, check out the page from the [Raspberry Pi website](https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/remote-access/ssh/)
4. Once the green LED has stopped blinking after ~3 minutes, you can connect to your Raspberry Pi via SSH using a SSH
Client. We suggest [Termius](https://termius.com/download/windows)
on your smartphone. Use the address: `inkycal.local` with the username and password you set earlier. For more
detailed instructions, check out the page from
the [Raspberry Pi website](https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/remote-access/ssh/)
5. After connecting via SSH, run the following commands, line by line:
```bash
sudo raspi-config --expand-rootfs
sudo sed -i s/#dtparam=spi=on/dtparam=spi=on/ /boot/config.txt
@ -105,17 +137,32 @@ sudo sed -i -E '/^CONF_SWAPSIZE=/s/=.*/=256/' /etc/dphys-swapfile
sudo dphys-swapfile setup
sudo dphys-swapfile swapon
```
These commands expand the filesystem, enable SPI and set up the correct timezone on the Raspberry Pi. When running the last command, please select the continent you live in, press enter and then select the capital of the country you live in. Lastly, press enter.
These commands expand the filesystem, enable SPI and set up the correct timezone on the Raspberry Pi. When running the
last command, please select the continent you live in, press enter and then select the capital of the country you live
in. Lastly, press enter.
7. Follow the steps in `Installation` (see below) on how to install Inkycal.
## Installing Inkycal
⚠️ Please note that although the developers try to keep the installation as simple as possible, the full installation can sometimes take hours on the Raspberry Pi Zero W and is not guaranteed to go smoothly each time. This is because installing dependencies on the zero w takes a long time and is prone to copy-paste-, permission- and configuration errors.
**Looking for a shortcut to safe a few hours?** We know about this problem and have spent a signifcant amount of time to prepare a pre-configured image with the latest version of Inkycal for the Raspberry Pi Zero. It comes with the latest version of Inkycal, is fully tested and uses the Raspberry Pi OS Lite as it's base image. You only need to copy your settings.json file, we already took care of the rest, including auto-start at boot, enabling spi and installing all dependencies in advance. Pretty neat right? Check the [sponsor button](https://github.com/sponsors/aceisace) at the very top of the repo to get access to Inkycal-OS-Lite. This will help keep this project growing and cover the ongoing expenses too! Win-win for everyone! 🎊
⚠️ Please note that although the developers try to keep the installation as simple as possible, the full installation
can sometimes take hours on the Raspberry Pi Zero W and is not guaranteed to go smoothly each time. This is because
installing dependencies on the zero w takes a long time and is prone to copy-paste-, permission- and configuration
errors.
**Looking for a shortcut to safe a few hours?** We know about this problem and have spent a signifcant amount of time
to prepare a pre-configured image with the latest version of Inkycal for the Raspberry Pi Zero. It comes with the latest
version of Inkycal, is fully tested and uses the Raspberry Pi OS Lite as it's base image. You only need to copy your
settings.json file, we already took care of the rest, including auto-start at boot, enabling spi and installing all
dependencies in advance. Pretty neat right? Check the [sponsor button](https://github.com/sponsors/aceisace) at the very
top of the repo to get access to Inkycal-OS-Lite. This will help keep this project growing and cover the ongoing
expenses too! Win-win for everyone! 🎊
### Manual installation
Run the following steps to install Inkycal. Do **not** use sudo for this, except where explicitly specified.
```bash
# the next line is for the Raspberry Pi only
sudo apt-get install zlib1g libjpeg-dev libatlas-base-dev rustc libopenjp2-7 python3-dev scons libssl-dev python3-venv python3-pip git libfreetype6-dev wkhtmltopdf
@ -133,7 +180,9 @@ pip install RPi.GPIO==0.7.1 spidev==3.5
```
## Running Inkycal
To run Inkycal, type in the following command in the terminal:
```bash
cd $HOME/Inkycal
source venv/bin/activate
@ -141,18 +190,23 @@ python3 inky_run.py
```
## Running on each boot
To make inkycal run on each boot automatically, you can use crontab. Do not use sudo for this
```bash
(crontab -l ; echo "@reboot sleep 60 && cd $HOME/Inkycal && venv/bin/python inky_run.py &")| crontab -
```
## Updating Inkycal
To update Inkycal to the latest version, navigate to the Inkycal folder, then run:
```bash
git pull
```
Yep. It's actually that simple!
But, if you have made changes to Inkycal, those will be overwritten.
But, if you have made changes to Inkycal, those will be overwritten.
If that is the case, backup your modified files somewhere else if you need them. Then run:
```bash
@ -161,51 +215,69 @@ git pull
```
## Uninstalling Inkycal
We'll miss you, but we don't want to make it hard for you to leave.
Just delete the Inkycal folder, and you're good to go!
Additionally, if you want to reset your crontab file, which runs inkycal at boot, run:
```bash
crontab -r
```
## Modifying Inkycal
Inkycal now runs in a virtual environment to support more devices than just the Raspberry Pi. Therefore, to make changes to Inkycal, navigate to Inkycal, then run:
Inkycal now runs in a virtual environment to support more devices than just the Raspberry Pi. Therefore, to make changes
to Inkycal, navigate to Inkycal, then run:
```bash
cd $HOME/Inkycal && source venv/bin/activate
```
Then modify the files as needed and experiment with Inkycal.
To deactivate the virtual environment, simply run:
```bash
deactivate
```
## 3D printed frames
With your setup being complete at this stage, you may want to 3d-print a case. The following files were shared by our friendly community:
With your setup being complete at this stage, you may want to 3d-print a case. The following files were shared by our
friendly community:
[3D-printable case](https://github.com/aceinnolab/Inkycal/wiki/3D-printable-files)
## Contributing
All sorts of contributions are most welcome and appreciated. To start contributing, please follow the [Contribution Guidelines](https://github.com/aceisace/Inkycal/blob/main/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md)
The average response time for issues, PRs and emails is usually 24 hours. In some cases, it might be longer. If you want to have some faster responses, please use Discord (link below)
All sorts of contributions are most welcome and appreciated. To start contributing, please follow
the [Contribution Guidelines](https://github.com/aceisace/Inkycal/blob/main/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md)
The average response time for issues, PRs and emails is usually 24 hours. In some cases, it might be longer. If you want
to have some faster responses, please use Discord (link below)
**P.S:** Don't forget to star and/or watch the repo. For those who have done so already, thank you very much!
## Join us on Discord!
We're happy to help, to beginners and developers alike. In fact, you are more likely to get faster support on Discord than on Github.
We're happy to help, to beginners and developers alike. In fact, you are more likely to get faster support on Discord
than on Github.
<a href="https://discord.gg/sHYKeSM">
<img src="https://github.com/aceisace/Inkycal/blob/assets/Repo/discord-logo.png?raw=true" alt="Inkycal chatroom Discord" width=200>
</a>
## Sponsoring
Inkycal relies on sponsors to keep up maintainance, development and bug-fixing. Please consider sponsoring Inkycal via the sponsor button if you are happy with Inkycal.
We now offer perks depending on the amount contributed for sponsoring, ranging from pre-configured OS images for plug-and-play to development of user-suggested modules. Check out the sponsor page to find out more.
If you have been a previous sponsor, please let us know on our Dicord server or by sending an email. We'll send you the perks after confirming 💯
Inkycal relies on sponsors to keep up maintainance, development and bug-fixing. Please consider sponsoring Inkycal via
the sponsor button if you are happy with Inkycal.
We now offer perks depending on the amount contributed for sponsoring, ranging from pre-configured OS images for
plug-and-play to development of user-suggested modules. Check out the sponsor page to find out more.
If you have been a previous sponsor, please let us know on our Dicord server or by sending an email. We'll send you the
perks after confirming 💯
## As featured on
* [makeuseof - fantastic projects using an eink display](http://makeuseof.com/fantastic-projects-using-an-e-ink-display/)
* [magpi.de](https://www.magpi.de/news/maginkcal-ein-kalender-mit-epaper-display-und-raspberry-pi)
* [reddit - Inkycal](https://www.reddit.com/r/InkyCal/)