Objective
A couple of months in the past, I used to be in search of a risk to set off some automation from my desk. The principle automation will likely be achieved by autonomous scripts and purposes. Subsequently, the listing of necessities wasn’t so lengthy:
- sending HTTP requests
- beginning purposes
- triggering a number of of those in a row
I did not wish to use my keyboard for it, it ought to be an exterior machine, not too large and with {hardware} keys.
I discovered the Elgato Stream Deck and the mini model with the 6 LCD keys appears promising. I’d say this product is major for streamers, players and never for builders, though there’s a SDK for creating personal plugins with Javascript, C++ or Goal-C.
So I gave it a attempt to right here is my small evaluate.
Utilization
Initially, I plugged within the USB and put in the Stream Deck configuration software program with just a few instructions:
$ curl https://developer.elgato.com/documentation/stream-deck/distributiontool/DistributionToolMac.zip
--output DistributionToolMac.zip
$ unzip DistributionToolMac.zip
$ mv DistributionTool /usr/native/bin/DistributionTool
$ chmod 755 /usr/native/bin/DistributionTool
The configuration of the keys works through drag and drop, easy-peasy.
I had configured all the necessities in minutes, all out of the field. Extra to that, I detected a pleasant timer plugin for the pomodoro technique.
So as a result of all my use circumstances works and not using a self-developed plugin, the event of an personal one wasn’t mandatory. The assortment and high quality of third-party plugins is sweet, the variety of developer plugins grows. I solely constructed a scaffold, in case I have to growth on, every little thing is nicely documented in there developer documentation.
The {hardware} is top quality, the machine is comparatively heavy for the dimensions. That is good in my view.
Sadly the Stream Deck takes a very long time for the beginning, spherical about 60 – 90 seconds after the OS sign-in, too lengthy for that high-priced {hardware}.
Conclusion
In abstract I can say the next good and unhealthy issues about this machine.
Good
- straightforward dealing with
- wide selection of plugins
- prime quality workmanship
Dangerous
- begins actually sluggish
- a bit too costly
All in all, I’ve no regrets and would advocate it.