Re: Re: RFXCOM to HomeSeer and other HA apps via xAP - and other GUI's ..

[Chris Hunter <cjhunter@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 >clutter ...

depends how it's done, I guess ... of course on aircraft, the number
of switches & dials had grown to be rather a lot, and with more &
more systems being added, 'was becoming impossible ... so multi-
functioning made some sense ... with buttons all around a limited
number of LCD displays being used context-sensitively, their function
at any moment indicated on the screen ... and the whole being
operable in gloves ... it all works well, but takes a lot of time &
effort to get it that way ...

I agree, though ... no sense in automating & using 'screens, etc,
just for the sake of it ... and often what seemed a good idea, turns-
out to have been the opposite ... KISS, of course, as Kevin said !

one of the reasons we've gone with Idratek is it's easy to write
macro's to adjust what switches do, so they can be used context-
sensitively ... so, for example, the switch on the wall, could be a
normal light-switch in one context, and a smart light-switch in
another, and something else in another ... and all quite easy to set-
up, too, via their 'screens (David has some good examples of those,
'though I don't think he's gone as far as macros & context-
sensitivity, in this regard, yet - IIRC) ... to test this out, before
we committed, I explored what was possible with their eight-button
multi-function panels, using macros, for context-sensitivity, and it
was quite a lot, and quite easy to do, with good flexibility, to
evolve & expand & go-back ... ditto their four- & two- &
one- button
modules ... 'thought of having clicks & double-clicks, for increased
capabilities, though it couldn't distinguish the latter (yet,
anyway) ...

Chris



On 13 Apr 2007, at 11:55, Mal Lansell wrote:

> --- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, Chris Hunter <cjhunter@...> wrote:
>>
>> ... also, dynamically labeled
>> switches are used to de-clutter the instrument panel - so long as
> the
>> context sensitivity & menu structure is well thought-through,
it
> can
>> work well
>
> In HA, dynamically labelled things seem to be designed to clutter,
> not de-clutter the controls.  A screen in a jet replaces a large
> number of other controls (it also has to be large, easy to read, and
> easy to switch views).  Replacing a simple lightswitch with a little
> screen that you have to read, just so that it can do all sorts of
> other guff is going in the opposite direction, IMO.
>
>>
>> on the HA front, we're trying to think this through ... one
> example
>> is with taps ... at the moment, it's necessary either to turn two
>> knobs separately & adjust them, and re-adjust them, to get the
>> desired result or, as with a lever / mixer tap, move the leaver in
> a
>> combination of two directions to set rate & temperature, again
>> adjusting the settings as things happens to get the desired
> result,
>> whereas (IMHOP) it would be much better to have the HA do all that
> &
>> have (say) two switches (or sensors) on the wall (or floor), one
> for
>> I-want-to-wash-my-hands, and the other for I-want-to-fill-a-
> kettle ...
>
> Now that is something I would not automate.  You have to be standing
> at the sink to fill the kettle or wash your hands, so what's so hard
> about turning on a tap?  However, a bath may be worth doing since
> you can run it unattended, and still get the perfect temperature
>
>>
>> ditto with lighting ... one for mood, one for task, one for
>> housework, plus two more for up & down ...
>>
>
> How many scenes do you need?  On, Off and a couple of moods?  A 4 or
> 6 button switch could do that.  Brightest (all on) at the top,
> darkest (all off) at the bottom.  What could be easier?  Anything
> more can be done via a remote control or an HA computer responding
> to events.  No need to clutter the simple manual interface with all
> that.
>
>> ditto with brewing tea ... a timer-function available through
> four
>> buttons, on the wall by the teapot - one for China, one for
> Ceylon,
>> one for .... because the optimum brewing times are so different,
> and
>> I'm fed-up with getting it wrong because I'm deep into e-mails or
>> cooking or reading the 'paper, or whatever ...
>>
>
> Wow - are you some kind of tea-nut?  A bag of PG and a quick mash
> with a spoon is all I need ;-)
>
>
>> ditto an alarm-clock function, by the bed ...
>>
>
> Plenty of options here - from a nomal alarm clock (well, it's
> already automated if you think about it), to hooking something into
> the HA system with gradually brightening lights, music etc.
>
>> ditto ... cooking controls ... etc !
>
> Cookers already come with timers for ovens.  I don't think
> automating the hob is a good idea just from a safety point of view.
>
> Mal



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