betsy-button

buddy-guide.md

  1---
  2title: Betsy Button Buddy Guide
  3author:
  4  - Google Gemini
  5  - Neale Pickett
  6---
  7
  8Welcome, Betsy Button Buddy! You're taking on an incredibly important role in ensuring the well-being of someone you care about. This guide is designed to help you confidently introduce the Betsy Button to its user, understand its signals, and know exactly what steps to take based on what the button tells you. You'll be the expert, so let's get you prepared!
  9
 10# Part 1: Introducing the Betsy Button to the User
 11
 12Your first step is to gently and clearly introduce the Betsy Button to the person who will be pressing it. The goal is to make them feel comfortable and empowered, not monitored or stressed.
 13
 14## 1\. Explain the "Why" (Simply and Positively)
 15
 16Start by focusing on the benefit to them and the connection it provides.
 17
 18Positive Framing
 19: "This little button is a simple way for us to stay connected and for me to know you're doing okay without bothering you with calls all the time."
 20
 21Focus on Them
 22: "It's a way for *you* to let me know you've checked in for the day, easily and quickly."
 23
 24Avoid "Monitoring" Language
 25: Instead of "I'll be monitoring you," say "It helps *us* stay in sync" or "It gives me peace of mind."
 26
 27## 2\. Show Them How to Use It (Hands-On!)
 28
 29Make it as easy as possible. Let them try it themselves.
 30
 31Plug it in
 32: Show them where to plug in the USB-C cable. "It just needs power, like a phone charger."
 33
 34Demonstrate a Press
 35: Press the button yourself first. "See? When I press it, it sends a little signal, and the light changes."
 36
 37Let Them Try
 38: "Now you try! Just give it a gentle press." Confirm with them that the light changed.
 39
 40Regular Use
 41: "The idea is to press it once a day, maybe when you wake up, or after breakfast, or when you get home. Whatever time works best for you!" Suggest placing it in a high-traffic area, like by the coffee maker or refrigerator.
 42
 43## 3\. Explain the Lights (The Basics Only)
 44
 45Keep it focused on the main two states they'll see most often.
 46
 47"Green means Go!"
 48: "When you press it, the light will turn green and gently pulse. That means your check-in worked perfectly! It'll stay green for 24 hours."
 49
 50"Red means Time to Press!"
 51: "If the light turns red and blinks, it just means it's been more than 24 hours since the last press. No worries! It's just a friendly reminder for you (or anyone else in the group) to press the button."
 52
 53Avoid Overwhelming
 54: Don't get into all the other technical lights (cyan, yellow, dim white) initially. Save those for troubleshooting *you* might do.
 55
 56## 4\. Reassure Them
 57
 58No Pressure
 59: "There's no 'wrong' way to press it. You can press it as many times as you like. If you forget, it's totally fine – it's just a signal, not a judgment!"
 60
 61Privacy
 62: "It doesn't track where you are or what you're doing. It just tells me if the button itself has been pressed."
 63
 64# Part 2: Understanding the LED Colors (For *You*, the Buddy)
 65
 66As the buddy, you need to understand all the potential states of the Betsy Button, as these are your primary indicators of its status and the user's check-in.
 67
 68Pulsing Green
 69: Excellent! A recent check-in has been recorded within the last 24 hours. The button is online and communicating.
 70
 71Flashing Red (with short black breaks)
 72: Action May Be Needed. No check-in has occurred for over 24 hours. This is your primary alert that it's time to check in on the user.
 73
 74Flashing Cyan (light blue, with short black breaks)
 75: Connectivity Issue. The button is trying to connect to its Wi-Fi network. This can happen on power-up or if the connection is lost. If it stays this way, the button isn't communicating check-ins.
 76
 77Quick Green flashes followed by Cyan (after a press)
 78: Check-in Attempt. The button user just pressed it, and it's trying to send the check-in signal to the server. This is normal.
 79
 80Flashing Yellow and Black (when first plugged in)
 81: Starting Up. The button is booting and loading its configuration. This is normal during startup. If it stays this way, it has lost its configuration.
 82
 83Cycling through Red, Yellow, Cyan, and Blue
 84: Communication Error. The button is experiencing an issue communicating with the server. This could be a Wi-Fi problem that isn't just "connecting," or a server issue.
 85
 86Dim White (very subtle light)
 87: System Offline/Programming Mode. The button's main program has stopped running, and it's in a low-level state (MicroPython REPL). It's not communicating check-ins. This usually requires a restart or reprogramming.
 88
 89Button doesn't light up at all
 90: No Power/Major Issue. The button is either not receiving power or has a significant internal fault. It cannot communicate.
 91
 92# Part 3: What to Do When the Button is Red (or Other Alert States)
 93
 94This is where your role as a buddy becomes active. Your goal is to ascertain the well-being of the user.
 95
 96## When the Button is Flashing Red:
 97
 98This is the most common scenario where you'll need to take action.
 99
1001. Give it a Little Time (Optional, but recommended): If you've just noticed it's red, wait an hour or two (if your routine allows) to see if the user or another buddy presses it. Life happens, and they might just be busy.
1012. Make a Phone Call:
102   * Keep it Casual: When you call, don't immediately lead with "Why didn't you press the button?" Instead, start with a friendly "Hey, just checking in!" or "Was thinking of you, how's your day going?"
103   * Gently Inquire (if needed): If the conversation doesn't naturally lead to it, you can lightly prompt: "Oh, by the way, did you get a chance to press the Betsy Button today? Just wanted to make sure it's working for you."
104   * Troubleshoot Remotely (if applicable): If they say they forgot, or the light isn't green, gently remind them to press it and confirm if the light turns green.
1053. Conduct a Well Check (If Phone Call Unsuccessful or Concerns Remain):
106   * If you can't reach them by phone, or if something in the conversation raises concerns, it's time for a personal visit or to activate your pre-arranged emergency contact plan.
107   * Always Prioritize Safety: This button is a *tool* to prompt action, not a definitive safety guarantee. Trust your instincts.
108
109## When the Button is Flashing Cyan, Flashing Yellow/Black, Cycling Colors, Dim White, or Off:
110
111These indicate a technical issue with the button itself. The check-in system is not operational.
112
1131. Phone Call First: Call the user. Explain that the button seems to be having a technical hiccup.
1142. Remote Troubleshooting (if possible with user's comfort/ability):
115   * For "Dim White" or "Off": Suggest they unplug the button from power, wait 5 seconds, and plug it back in. Ask them what color it turns on.
116   * For "Flashing Cyan" or "Cycling Colors": Explain that it's having trouble connecting to the internet. Reassure them it's not their fault.
1173. Arrange for Physical Inspection/Reprogramming: If remote troubleshooting doesn't work, you'll likely need to physically access the button to diagnose and potentially reprogram it using the Betsy Button Programmer web application. This usually involves:
118   * Verifying power and cable.
119   * Checking Wi-Fi network settings.
120   * Re-uploading the firmware or configuration.
121
122# Part 4: Answering Common Questions
123
124Be prepared for these questions from the user:
125
126"What if I forget to press it?"
127: "No problem at all! The light will just turn red, which is *our* signal to give you a quick call to say hi and make sure everything's okay. It's just a gentle reminder, nothing more."
128
129"What if the light is off?"
130: "That usually means it's not plugged in. Can you check the cable? If it's plugged in and still off, then it might need a quick restart by unplugging it for 5 seconds and plugging it back in." (If this doesn't work, explain you'll need to check it.)
131
132"Is this tracking me?"
133: "Absolutely not. This button has no idea where you are. It only knows if *it* has been pressed. It's just a simple digital signal, like turning on a light switch."
134
135"What if I press it too much?"
136: "You can't! Press it as many times as you like. It will just keep the light green for another 24 hours each time."
137
138"What if my power goes out?"
139: "If there's no power, the button can't work. The light will be off. As soon as power comes back, it should reconnect automatically. If the light is still off after power returns, give it a quick restart by unplugging and re-plugging."
140
141# Part 5: Important Note for Buddys
142
143Remember, the Betsy Button is a valuable tool for maintaining connection and providing a simple check-in system. However, it is not a substitute for regular human interaction, personal visits, or emergency services.
144
145Trust Your Gut
146: If you have any concerns about the user's well-being, regardless of the button's status, always act on those concerns.
147
148Maintain Communication
149: Continue to talk with and visit the user regularly. The button complements, rather than replaces, your relationship.
150
151Emergency Plan
152: Ensure you have a clear emergency contact plan in place that is understood by all relevant parties.
153
154By using the Betsy Button thoughtfully and staying prepared, you can enhance the sense of security and connection for everyone involved. Thank you for taking on this important role!