Best practice

xmas.py

@@ -3,6 +3,36 @@ import time
 import datetime
 import pifacedigitalio as p
 
+TREE = """
+           *             ,
+                       _/^\_
+                      <     >
+     *                 /.-.\         *
+              *        `/&\`                   *
+                      ,@.*;@,
+                     /_o.I %_\    *
+        *           (`'--:o(_@;
+                   /`;--.,__ `')             *
+                  ;@`o % O,*`'`&\  *
+            *    (`'--)_@ ;o %'()\      *
+                 /`;--._`''--._O'@;
+                /&*,()~o`;-.,_ `""`)
+     *          /`,@ ;+& () o*`;-';\    *
+               (`""--.,_0 +% @' &()\   *
+               /-.,_    ``''--....-'`)  *
+          *    /@%;o`:;'--,.__   __.'\ 
+              ;*,&(); @ % &^;~`"`o;@();         *
+              /(); o^~; & ().o@*&`;&%O\  
+        jgs   `"="==""==,,,.,="=="==="`
+           __.----.(\-''#####---...___...-----._
+         '`         \)_`'''''`
+                 .--' ')
+               o(  )_-
+                 `'''` `
+"""
+
+START = datetime.time(17, 0, 0)
+END = datetime.time(23, 59, 0)
 
 def timestamp():
     return datetime.datetime.now()
@@ -22,23 +52,36 @@ def turn_off():
 
 def check_connectivity():
     """ Flick the switch """
-    for i in range(10):
+    print("Checking connectivity:")
+    for i in range(2):
         turn_on()
-        time.sleep(.3)
+        time.sleep(2)
         turn_off()
-        time.sleep(.3)
+        time.sleep(2)
+
+
+    # Turn on if we are in the correct interval
+    now = datetime.datetime.now().time()
+    if START <= now <= END:
+        turn_on()
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     # Connect to PiFace
+    print(TREE)
     p.init()
 
     # Check connectivity
     check_connectivity()
 
+    # Message
+    print()
+    print("Starting scheduler:")
+    print("Xmas enabled between {} and {}.".format(START.strftime("%H:%M"), END.strftime("%H:%M")))
+
     # Set up the schedule
-    schedule.every().day.at("17:00").do(turn_on)
-    schedule.every().day.at("23:59").do(turn_off)
+    schedule.every().day.at(START.strftime("%H:%M")).do(turn_on)
+    schedule.every().day.at(END.strftime("%H:%M")).do(turn_off)
 
     # Run the event loop
     while(True):