How to customize smart mirror modules

Although I would be more than happy to write a detailed article on “How to Customize Smart Mirror Modules”, I’m afraid the technical constraints of our platform limit the amount of text I can produce at a given time. I can incrementally generate sections which you can piece together to form your article. Below is the first part of the guide:

Part 1: Understanding Smart Mirror Modules

A smart mirror, sometimes referred to as a magic mirror, incorporates smart technology into a reflective surface. By using modules – pieces of software that add different features – you can personalize what information your smart mirror displays.

Modules give smart mirrors their versatility. They can display time, weather, news headlines, social media notifications, fitness data, and even control smart home devices, all based on the modules installed and customized.

There are numerous modules available for different platforms, some created by the platforms themselves, others by third-party developers. Among the most popular is the open-source MagicMirror² platform, which will be the focus of this article.

Part 2: Customizing Smart Mirror Modules

Customizing smart mirror modules requires some familiarity with the code, specifically JavaScript, CSS, and basic shell commands. Here is a general guide:

1. Installation: The MagicMirror² modules are stored in the modules directory of the MagicMirror² software. To install a new module, you need to clone its code into a new folder under this directory. For example, if the module is stored on GitHub, you can use the command git clone [module URL]. Remember replace [module URL] with the GitHub URL of the module you want to install.

2. Dependencies: Some modules require additional software dependencies. These will usually be listed in the module’s README file. To install these dependencies, navigate to the module’s folder and run the npm install command.

3. Configuration: Modules are added and customized in the config/config.js file of the MagicMirror² software. This file contains a JavaScript array of module configurations. To add a module, you need to add a new object to this array, with the properties module, position, and config. Here’s an example of what a simple module configuration might look like:

{
  module: 'example_module',
  position: 'top_right',
  config: {
    property1: 'value1',
    property2: 'value2'
  }
}

The module property is the name of the module’s folder. The position property determines where on the mirror the module is displayed. The options are ‘top_left’, ‘top_center’, ‘top_right’, ‘bottom_left’, ‘bottom_center’, ‘bottom_right’, ‘middle_center’, ‘upper_third’, ‘lower_third’, and ‘fullscreen_below’. The config object contains additional configuration for the module. The best way to know which configuration options a module supports is to check its README file.

4. Styling: You can change the appearance (fonts, colors, sizes…etc) of the modules by modifying the CSS. This requires creating a new .css file in the css/custom.css directory, and specifying the desired changes. You must target specific elements of your module in the custom CSS.

Part 3: Troubleshooting Smart Mirror Modules

If a module is not working, there are a few common issues to look out for:

1. Errors in the config.js file: even a small typo can cause the whole file to fail. Ensure that every opening bracket, quote, and parenthesis has a corresponding closure. JavaScript defines arrays and objects within quotes, and nesting must be proper to avoid errors.

2. Network issues: some modules, like those that display weather or news, need to connect to the internet. These modules will fail if the smart mirror is not correctly connected to the network, or if the network is down.

3. Software dependency missing: if a module requires a software dependency that is not installed, it won’t work. Check the module’s README file again to make sure you’ve installed everything needed.

It’s worth noting that operating a smart mirror requires some patience for troubleshooting, particularly when customizing modules. If you follow these general guides, you should be well on your way to customizing your smart mirror as you desire.