diff --git a/desktop_software/ubuntu/desk_attendant.py b/desktop_software/ubuntu/desk_attendant.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..83fa2e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop_software/ubuntu/desk_attendant.py
@@ -0,0 +1,148 @@
+# Copyright 2012,2014,2015 Robert W Igo
+#
+# bob@igo.name
+# http://bob.igo.name
+# http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=22294307
+#
+# This file is part of DeskAttendant.
+# 
+# DeskAttendant is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+# 
+# DeskAttendant is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+# 
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with DeskAttendant.  If not, see <http:#www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+import sys, os, datetime
+import subprocess
+from subprocess import call
+
+# NOTE: These must all match the Arduino sketch.
+unknown_status=0
+walker_absent=1
+walker_present=2
+last_status=unknown_status
+
+#
+# Check arguments.
+#
+port = "none"
+
+def print_usage():
+    print("USAGE: See desk_attendant.sh")
+    sys.exit
+
+if len(sys.argv) < 1:
+    print('missing parameter')
+    print_usage()
+else:
+    port = sys.argv[1]
+
+#
+# get a human-readable name for the numeric state code
+#
+def get_name_for_state(x):
+    return {
+        1: 'pause',
+        2: 'unpause',
+    }[x]
+
+#
+# put these apps into the right mode
+#
+def take_action(mode):
+    # First, make sure the desktop is unlocked by looking for the "power" icon.
+
+    app2 = []
+    for app in ["amarok", "pithos", "hamster"]:
+        cmd1 = "pgrep " + app
+        p = subprocess.Popen(cmd1, shell=True, executable="/bin/bash", stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
+        out,err = p.communicate()
+        if out != "":
+            #print app + " is running"
+            app2.append(app)
+
+    for app in app2:
+        print "putting " + app + " into " + mode + " mode"
+        # put 'app' in state 'mode'
+        if app == "amarok":
+            cmd1 = "pgrep amarok"
+            p = subprocess.Popen(cmd1, shell=True, executable="/bin/bash", stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
+            out,err = p.communicate()
+            if out != "":
+                if mode == "pause":
+                    cmd = "amarok --pause"
+                else:
+                    cmd = "amarok --play"
+        elif app == "hamster":
+            if mode == "pause":
+                cmd = "hamster-cli stop"
+
+                cmd2 = "notify-send \"pausing tasks\""
+                p = subprocess.Popen(cmd2, shell=True, executable="/bin/bash", stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
+                out,err = p.communicate()
+
+            else:
+                # get the last-used task
+                cmd1 = "hamster-cli list | tail -1 | awk -F '|' '{print $2}' | awk -F '@' '{print $1}'"
+                p = subprocess.Popen(cmd1, shell=True, executable="/bin/bash", stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
+                out,err = p.communicate()
+                task = out.strip()
+                
+                cmd2 = "notify-send \"resuming task: " + task + "\""
+                p = subprocess.Popen(cmd2, shell=True, executable="/bin/bash", stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
+                out,err = p.communicate()
+
+                # start the last-used task
+                cmd = "hamster-cli start " + task
+                subprocess.Popen(cmd, shell=True, executable="/bin/bash")
+
+        elif app == "pithos":
+            # figure out what pithos is doing
+            cmd1 = "dbus-send --print-reply --dest=net.kevinmehall.Pithos /net/kevinmehall/Pithos net.kevinmehall.Pithos.IsPlaying | grep boolean | sed 's/boolean//'"
+            p = subprocess.Popen(cmd1, shell=True, executable="/bin/bash", stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
+            out,err = p.communicate()
+            playing = out.strip()
+            if (playing == "true" and mode == "pause") or (playing == "false" and mode == "unpause"):
+                cmd = "dbus-send --print-reply --dest=net.kevinmehall.Pithos /net/kevinmehall/Pithos net.kevinmehall.Pithos.PlayPause"
+
+        #print "   INVOKING: " + cmd
+        # set the state
+        p = subprocess.Popen(cmd, shell=True, executable="/bin/bash", stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
+        out,err = p.communicate()
+
+    print "----"
+
+#
+# Open 'port'.
+#
+try:
+    ser=os.open(port, os.O_RDONLY)
+except:
+    print("unable to read from serial port " + port)
+
+print("Desk Attendant is ready on serial port " + port)
+
+#
+# Read from 'port' as long as it exists.
+#
+while os.path.exists(port):
+    for line in os.read(ser,1):
+        try:
+            this_status = int(line)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass # sometimes, crap comes through on the serial port
+        if this_status != last_status:
+            this_status_name=get_name_for_state(this_status)
+            print(unicode(datetime.datetime.now()) + ": " + this_status_name)
+            if this_status != unknown_status:
+                take_action(this_status_name)
+            last_status=this_status
+
+print("exited")
diff --git a/desktop_software/ubuntu/desk_attendant.sh b/desktop_software/ubuntu/desk_attendant.sh
index 46b5e67..5cb73f5 100755
--- a/desktop_software/ubuntu/desk_attendant.sh
+++ b/desktop_software/ubuntu/desk_attendant.sh
@@ -56,4 +56,5 @@ stty -F $port raw ispeed $baud ospeed $baud time 3 min 1 -hupcl
 
 # NOTE: The paths used (or omitted) here must be compatible with your Sikuli installation and
 # with the location where you installed the deskattendant.sikuli directory.
-sikuli-ide -r /repos/DeskAttendant/desktop_software/sikuli/deskattendant.sikuli -args $port
+#sikuli-ide -r /repos/DeskAttendant/desktop_software/sikuli/deskattendant.sikuli -args $port
+python /repos/DeskAttendant/desktop_software/ubuntu/desk_attendant.py $port