WhatsApp or Telegram?

[Ritmeester]

WhatsApp or Telegram?

For my new Raspberry Pi install I want a message system such as WhatsApp or Telegram.

I use om my smartphone WhatsApp but I can also use Telegram if necessary.

So, what is on this moment the best to install and use? WhatsApp or Telegram?

[sincze]

Hi, good question.

I started with Telegram as it is widely documented and relatively easy to use with Domoticz.

As my girlfriend does not have Telegram I uses WhatsApp as well.
Keep in mind WhatsApp does not really like this (no official API) and the number you use to send out the messages can be blocked.

To go for safe use Telegram. To have some fun try WhatsApp.

[Ritmeester]

Thanks.

I’m now trying WhatsApp but it seems that Telegram is more stable and has its own API .

I’m looking to Wiki pages but for me it is not exactly clear what I have to install for just receiving messages from my Domoticz system.

Can you help me with the correct link?

[Egregius]

Create a telegram bot and then just call the api using curl or whatever, quite simple. Don't need anything installed.

Code: Select all

https://api.telegram.org/bot111592135:AAEZ-xCShO-RBfUrICiJs8q9A_3YIr9irxI/sendMessage?chat_id=123456&text=this is a test

[jvdz]

As stated, just create the Bot as described here: https://www.domoticz.com/wiki/Telegram_Bot

Jos

[sincze]

Try the bot first indeed without any installation at all.
It is official so future proof I would say.

My system is still using the 'old' style telegram-cli
https://www.domoticz.com/wiki/Installin ... ion_System

Also rock solid. However does take some time to setup. But when it's up... it's up.

[Varazir]

Another option is to use http://joaoapps.com/join/
Add it to the Custom HTTP/action

#FIELD1= the key you get from the webpage

https://joinjoaomgcd.appspot.com/_ah/ap ... Id=#FIELD4

But this works only on android/Chrome(browser plugin)/win10(nativ app)
It has support for Tasker if you use that that.

[Egregius]

The great advantage of Telegram is that you don't need to install anything on/in your domoticz AND that it has apps for all platforms.
I use Telegram for all kinds of notifications from several systems, couldn't think that I need to view my phone for each message.
Another great option is silent delivery, great for some logging messages.

[Derik]

i mis both options here,,,:

ScreenShot054.jpg (30.58 KiB) Viewed 3876 times

Can i send to different persons with Telegram?

[jvdz]

Just use the HTTP option which you define in "Custom HTTP/Action:" for sending messages via the Telegram bot.
To send it to multiple devices you can use a chat_id of a GroupChat containing all person you want to send the text to.

Jos

[Ritmeester]

I have stopped with WhatsApp integration because of the install problems in this topic

I did try Telegram and managed to make a bot according to this Wiki page and enter the Telegram data into Domoticz. I’m really impressed !!

It is working fine and I receive messages on my Android phone from a PIR sensor in my test setup. It is really fast, when I put my finger by the sensor the message is already on my phone.

Now I must figure out how to get an image from one of my camera’s into Telegram message.

Thanks for helping me to put me on the right way.

(My test setup on the table. The new Pi will be the new system. The hardware I made by myself.)

[jvdz]

This is the bash script I use from the DTGBOT setup. It gets the Image from the camera and sends it via telegram:

Code: Select all

#!/bin/sh
SendMsgTo=$1
#################################################################
SnapFile="/var/tmp/camsnapshot.jpg"
wget -O $SnapFile "192.168.0.30:8080/camsnapshot.jpg?idx=1"
#sleep 1
curl -s -X POST "https://api.telegram.org/bot"$TelegramBotToken"/sendPhoto" -F chat_id=$SendMsgTo -F photo="@$SnapFile"
/bin/rm $SnapFile

Should get you started.

Jos

[Derik]

This is the bash script I use from the DTGBOT setup. It gets the Image from the camera and sends it via telegram:

Code: Select all

#!/bin/sh
SendMsgTo=$1
#################################################################
SnapFile="/var/tmp/camsnapshot.jpg"
wget -O $SnapFile "192.168.0.30:8080/camsnapshot.jpg?idx=1"
#sleep 1
curl -s -X POST "https://api.telegram.org/bot"$TelegramBotToken"/sendPhoto" -F chat_id=$SendMsgTo -F photo="@$SnapFile"
/bin/rm $SnapFile

Should get you started.

Jos

Can i send with this option the image to different persons/contacts?

[Derik]

Just use the HTTP option which you define in "Custom HTTP/Action:" for sending messages via the Telegram bot.
To send it to multiple devices you can use a chat_id of a GroupChat containing all person you want to send the text to.

Jos

Sorry i am a dombo with this coolstuff...
Please explane some more things with a picture...

[Ritmeester]

I take a look to the above script. Do I have to install the DTGBOT libraries to get this script to work?

[jvdz]

Do I have to install the DTGBOT libraries to get this script to work?

No need for that. Just referenced the source of te script. '
DTGBOT install is only needed when you want to be able to Domoticz actions from your Telegram client.

Jos

[Ritmeester]

No need for that. Just referenced the source of te script. '
DTGBOT install is only needed when you want to be able to Domoticz actions from your Telegram client.

Jos

Thanks Jos,

It’s getting clear to me now how thing are working with Telegram. I will try this script tomorrow.

[Egregius]

You don't need the script if you only want notifications.
You only need the script if you want to switch stuff on/off from within Telegram.