E-Paper-Calendar/README.md

# Important news:
## Please be aware that the software is being updated as you read this line. It's (highly) possible that something isn't working as expected or may damage your system. Please wait until this message has disappeared. Thank you!


# Raspberry-Pi-Google-Calendar-with-E-Paper-display

This is a software written in python3 that allows you to transform an E-Paper display (like the kindle) into an information display. It fetches live data from Openweathermap (a weather info provider) and your Online Calendar (Google/Yahoo Calendar) and displays them on a large, beautiful and ultra-low power E-Paper display. It's ideal for staying organised and keeping track of important details without having to check them up online. 

This software fully supports the 3-Colour **and** 2-Colour version of the 7.5" E-Paper display from waveshare/gooddisplay and works with Raspberry Pi 2, 3 and 0 (Zero, Zero W, Zero WH). 

**To get started, follow the instructions below.**

## News:
* **Version 1.4 released (Late December 2018) with new features and more improvements**
* **Version 1.3 released (Mid October 2018) for better user expierence**
* **Added Support for the 2-Colour E-Paper Display as well!** (End of September)
* **Added Support for Raspbian Stretch lite.** (End of September)

<img src="https://github.com/aceisace/E-Paper-Calendar-with-iCal-sync-and-live-weather/blob/master/Gallery/7.5inch-E-Paper-software-v1.4.gif" width="500"> 

## Main features
* Display the date and a full monthly calendar
* Syncronise events from any online calendar (like google, yahoo etc.)
* Get live weather data (including temperature, humidity, etc.) using openweathermap api

## Hardware required
* 7.5" 3-Colour E-Paper Display (Black, White, Red/Yellow) with driver hat from [waveshare](https://www.waveshare.com/product/7.5inch-e-paper-hat-b.htm)
**or**
* 7.5" 2-Colour E-Paper Display (Black, White) with driver hat from [waveshare](https://www.waveshare.com/product/7.5inch-e-paper-hat.htm)
* Raspberry Pi Zero WH (with headers) (no soldering iron required)
* Or: Raspberry Pi Zero W. In this case, you'll need to solder 2x20 pin GPIO headers yourself
* MicroSD card (min. 4GB)
* MicroUSB cable (for power)
* Something to be used as a case (e.g. a (RIBBA) picture frame or a 3D-printed case)

# Setup

## Getting the Raspberry Pi Zero W ready
1. After [flashing Raspbian Stretch (Lite or Desktop)](https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/), set up Wifi on the Raspberry Pi Zero W by copying the file **wpa_supplicant.conf** (from above) to the /boot directory and adding your Wifi details in that file.
2. Create a simple text document named **ssh** in the boot directory to enable ssh.
3. Expand the filesystem in the Terminal with **`sudo raspi-config --expand-rootfs`**
4. Enable SPI by entering **`sudo sed -i s/#dtparam=spi=on/dtparam=spi=on/ /boot/config.txt`** in the Terminal
5. Set the correct timezone with **`sudo dpkg-reconfigure tzdata`**, selecting the correct continent and then the capital of your country.
6. Reboot to apply changes
7. Optional: If you want to disable the on-board leds of the Raspberry, follow these instructions: 
**[Disable on-board-led](https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blogs/jeff-geerling/controlling-pwr-act-leds-raspberry-pi)**

## Installing required packages for python 3.5 
Execute the following command in the Terminal to install all required packages. This will work on both, Raspbian Stretch with Desktop and Raspbian Stretch lite. 

**`bash -c "$(curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/aceisace/E-Paper-Calendar-with-iCal-sync-and-live-weather/master/Installer-without-debug)"`**

Should you encounter any problems during the install, try using the Installer with output, like this:

`bash -c "$(curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/aceisace/E-Paper-Calendar-with-iCal-sync-and-live-weather/master/Installer-with-debug)"`

If the Installer should fail for any reason, kindly open an issue and paste the error. Thanks.

This is how the installer will run:

<img src="https://github.com/aceisace/E-Paper-Calendar-with-iCal-sync-and-live-weather/blob/master/Gallery/Installer-v1.2-screenshot.png" width="700">

## Adding details to the programm
Once the packages are installed, navigate to the home directory, open 'E-Paper-Master' and open the file 'settings.py' inside the Calendar folder.

3 Main Details are needed to get running:
1. A valid ical URL. Use the export funtion in google calendar to create a ical url link and paste it in the url section
2. A valid openweathermap API-Key is required. This key can be optained for free with an account on openweathermap
3. Your city's name and your country code (so the correct weather can be displayed) (e.g. `New York, US`)

## Demo
Once you have setup everything, the E-Paper Calendar will refresh the screen in the following way:
<img src="https://github.com/aceisace/E-Paper-Calendar-with-iCal-sync-and-live-weather/blob/master/Gallery/E-Paper-v1.4-front.JPG" width="500">

## Updating
If you were using a previous version and want to update, do the following:

* Save your personal details from the settings file, located in `/home/pi/E-Paper-Master/Calendar/settings.py` in a different location.
For example you can copy the settings.py file which contains your configuration information and settings to the home directory. 
* Remove the E-Paper-Master folder from the home directory with `sudo rm -r /home/pi/E-Paper-Master/`

* Re-run the (updated) installer and after the install has finshed, copy the contents of the settings.py file to the new settings.py file, located in /home/pi/E-Paper-Master/Calendar/. 

## Don't forget to check out the Wiki. It contains all the information to understanding and customising the script.

P.S: Don't forget to star and watch the repo. For those who have done so already, thank you very much!

### Contact
* email: aceisace63@yahoo.com
* website: aceinnolab.com (coming soon)