Re: What is Home Automation?

["Andy Laurence" <andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

From: "solentelectricalservices" <paul@xxxxxxx>
> This is something I often get asked and to be really honest I never
> seem to be able to answer. The very definition of automation is
> automatic, so why do I need a GUI, why do I need a button? why do I
> need touch panels and so on........

Simple answer?  You don't.

> We seem to jump at every new idea and every new piece of software
> and load our houses with more and more Cat5 but I don't think any of
> us really know what the hell we are doing, or do we?

Perhaps some of us don't care?  In the main, people here are gadget freaks.
We like things because we perceive them as interesting, and not because
they
make our lives easier or are useful.  Bear in mind that 'interesting' can
be
done at the same time as 'useful'.

> I think everyone is missing the point here. Has anyone really done
> anything that has "the wow factor"? I have never seen,
talked too,
> read about anyone who has really got there house working anywhere
> near what I would call "automated" We seem to have thousands
of
> products to choose from and still none of us have it right. I so
> often see this petty "SWMBO" crap appear often as the
controller of
> money or how small and discrete things should be but has anyone ever
> stopped and thought maybe she is right? Maybe it should be EASY!
> maybe we dont need that many buttons?why does the pc have to stay
> running? why dont the lights work when I press the button you told
> me too? why cant I switch on the TV?

Perhaps this is because things are still in development?  HA is still a
niche market.  As such, the price of polished working products is out of
the
budget of most people here.  This means that we all have to tinker with
things to make them do what we want.  Some tinker more than others.
Inherent in tinkering is things not working correctly.  The end result is
achieved when the bugs are no longer present.  That often takes a long time
to happen.

You say you're unaware of any working automation scenarios?  I can reel off
a few that really work well, and have been implemented by members of this
group:

1. Lighting: Lights that turn on at a sensible level without the user
requesting.
2. Curtains: They close at dusk, and open at dawn.
3. Tivo: It knows what you like watching, and records it automatically.
4. Heating: It keeps an eye on temperature to ensure your home is heated as
you require.

That's just a quick few off the top of my head.  It's a start, not a list,
and certainly not comprehensive.

> Why not rather than looking at all these new devices dont we all
> DIFINE home automation and what it really is, write the instruction
> book, then decide how to do it. Maybe that's standardisation but
> lets face it, it works! no matter how flash your car is its still
> pistons after all doing the same thing in every car, ok lots of
> other shit happens but its still pistons and it works.

Try comparing a Ford Cortina to a current BMW 7 Series.  They are both
cars,
and will both get you from A to B.  The Cortina has no gadgets, not even a
stereo as standard.  The current 7 Series has automatic lights, windscreen
wipers, sat nav, parking sensors, ABS, traction control, stability control,
and a host of other things the Cortina does not.  Apply this to houses.  A
standard non-automated house is a Cortina.  An automated home is a 7
Series.
Which would you rather drive?  Which is easier to drive?  What do some of
us
drive?

> So guys my point? What are we trying to do? What is home automation?
> And what group do you belong too? Please add to my groups if I have
> missed any. Maybe this is the next pole?

What is home automation?  I'd say it's using technology to make your home
an
easier and more exciting place to live in.

Cheers,
Andy
--
http://www.andylaurence.co.uk