The result turned out nice, I think. I like the look and feel of this app considerably better than other apps I prototyped, and it is much more cost effective (free).
If anyone wants to build such an app like this, please just let me know (post back in this thread) and I will show you how to build this, step-by-step. If you want to you my MQTT server / service, I can make that happen for you as well.
So, in nutshell, you can have this "Wuhan Coronavirus" public service status app working for free, 100% and I assure you, 100% your usage data will be private and never shared with any third party, never under any circumstances. This is public app to help others, not to make money (as many companies seem to forget in times of crisis and look to profit from the misfortunes of others. Not here at unix.com! This app I created has one purpose - to help those who might need this information during a humanitarian crisis. This is how IT should really be used, to help others in times of need and crisis. If one person benefits, I am more than happy enough. I don't need money, fame or fortune from IT.
For the next part of this project, I think I will build a Node-RED dashboard app for macOS. I installed Node-RED yesterday when searching for dashboard app, but I need to import the dashboard widgets and set it up to display a dashboard with MQTT data,
I see folks on FB are starting to show interest in this app, so here are the steps to get started, for those who do not want login:
(1) Download and install the IoT-OnOff app. Basic use is free and that is all you need. Note, I am not the creator of this app and have no relationship with the creator at all.
(3) Then go to MQTT Broker and add the IP address of the MQTT server / service (and make sure all the other settings are the exact same as in the photo):
Please note that the IoT OnOff app is a bit confusing Each time you edit a configuration in the settings, you must push "Ready" in the upper right hand corner to "save" otherwise it does not save.
As a side note, for those who don't have the time or inclination to configure the dashboard widgets in the IoT OnOff app (described above) you can use the MQTTool (also in the app store for free).
Use the same server and user info as above, and subscribe to topic:
Hi can you please give instruction for graph setting?
Here is my setup for the graph in the Wuhan application:
Below is the main edit page for the graph. Note, in particular the scale (max and min) of the graph. After you have it "as you like it", the bottom has more settings for the graph under "Graph Settings" the bottom image (the one after the next one) and also a screenshot of the "Subscribe" configuration. SO, these images show my graph configuration:
Have noticed that getting the IoT OnOff app (on IOS, I don't have an Android phone) is very difficult for most people, who are not hardish core IT geeks, to connect to an MQTT server.
To set this, I set up another MQTT server without authentication, and could not get IoT OnOff to connect on both server after many tries.
This means that, although I build this app as a public service, it is so difficult for users to get it to work, I did not really accomplish my objective, because of the problems with IoT OnOff, which I have no control over since I am not the developer and I have not found any contact information for the developer except his name (on FB, LinkedIn, email on web site, etc).
To confirm that my MQTT servers are working, I set up Node-RED today, and it connects very easily with both my MQTT servers.
Wuhan Coronavirus Stats for China (from "official" source) using Node-RED:
I like the IoT OnOff app, but most people would consider me in the "uber-IT-guy" or "super-geek" category.
So in the future, unless the connection bugs are worked out in the IoT OnOff app for the iPhone, I will have to find another platform for a rapid-prototype public service app dashboard.
Node-RED might be a candidate (more on Node-Red later), but I will check out some other MQTT visualization dashboard for the web beforehand.
Since the IoT OnOff app developer is unavailable, I have shifted gears and have created a web-based Wuhan Coronavirus stats page from an official Chinese data source. with near-real time updates.
Information technology, can and should be used to help others, not only for big corporations make huge profits with their surveillance capitalism business models and the morass of fake news and conspiracy theories which are making the global Internet an increasing dark place.
I am currently doing a lot with Node-RED and MQTT, mostly in the area of (1) command and control of remote servers and applications, (2) testing ESP devices (ESP32, ESP8266, (3) testing the Arduino UNO, and (4) monitoring a number of remote linux servers.
Will probably take a break from "making and coding" a put together a few Node-RED / MQTT videos soon.
