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

[Chris Hunter <cjhunter@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 >not something I would want to automate ...

maybe the common thread in some of my ideas is automating what is
done routinely & often ... washing hands needs the same settings of
the taps everytime, for example, ditto a timer for tea brewing or a
favourite meal, ditto setting a hob ring for cooking porridge or some
vegetables, ditto checking things are off when going to-bed or out,
and so-on ...

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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