Life Hack 3 of 5

Ok – let’s move this along a bit, and see if we can personalise and automate the message itself using variables.

What are Variables?

Variables are little bits of code that will automatically insert some text into your Trigger or Action when the algorithm is triggered.

Variables start and end with two curly brackets: {{variable name}}

When the system sees the two opening curly brackets, it knows that the next part of the Trigger or Action will have to be inserted by the programme. This is done whilst the programme is running i.e. it is dynamically generated. The things within the curly brackets are called variables because they can vary every time the programme runs. When the system reaches the closing curly brackets, it knows that the sentence will continue as normal after this.

Drag and drop the variables next to what will be dynamically generated when the algorithm is triggered.

Definitions

The Current Time

A link to my Location

A map image of my Location

Missed call number

Variables

{{CurrentLocation}}

{{CurrentLocationImg}}

{{OccurredAt}}

{{NumberMissedCall}}

That's right!

So let's use a variable in a real life scenario: When my phone battery gets to 1%, I’d like to automatically send my parents a map image of where I am, so they know I'm ok.

What technology should trigger the Life Hack?

(The Channel for the Trigger)

How should you use the technology?

(The Channel for the Action)

What should the technology do?

(The Action)

  • Drop the correct variable into your text below.

    {{CurrentLocation}}

    {{NumberMissedCall}}

    {{OccurredAt}}

    {{CurrentLocationImg}}

    Just to let you know that my phone is just about to run out of battery - I'm currently here:

That's right!

Very good! You have variables worked out!

Let's move on to 'daisy chaining' your algorithms.

On to the next task

That's wrong!

Let's have a look at where you went wrong;

  You chose Correct Answer
The Trigger Channel Battery When my phone battery gets to 1%, I’d like to automatically send my parents a map image of where I am, so they know I'm ok.
The Trigger When battery drops to 1% When my phone battery gets to 1%, I’d like to automatically send my parents a map image of where I am, so they know I'm ok.
The Action Channel SMS When my phone battery gets to 1%, I’d like to automatically send my parents a map image of where I am, so they know I'm ok.
The Action Send a text When my phone battery gets to 1%, I’d like to automatically send my parents a map image of where I am, so they know I'm ok.

Give it another go to get this right before we move on.

Try again

Task: When my phone battery gets to 1%, I’d like to automatically send my parents a map image of where I am, so they know I'm ok.