Re: Is X10 still the way to go?

["Karam Karam" <kzkaram@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Possibly missing the point ...

Whether Windows, Linux or another OS is used I think its true that
people do have reservations about using a 'PC' to drive their HA
system. But the comparisons with X10, 1-wire, EIB, CBUS, Z-wave etc.
are probably missing the point. To get 'intelligent' HA as opposed to
what we often refer to as simple remote/scheduling/macro type control
takes a lot of computing power. Decision making that we take for
granted as human beings takes quite a lot of computing power to
implement and even then the computer doesn't always get it right.

In the IDRATEK system the IDRANet infra-structure already provides a
powerful sensory/actuation network and can likely do much more than
any of the other sytems mentioned above on its own. However the aim
of IDRATEK is to go beyond what we may perhaps classify as generation
1 HA (simple remote/scheduled/macro control) and move into the realms
of HA generation 2. In this realm it is important that you have rich
sensory information, that you can integrate it in some useful way,
and that the user does not have to see all the underlying complexity
or even have to interact with system parameters - we don't even like
the idea of people having to adjust their HVAC (but we're realistic :-
) ). Let me explain that some of our modest installations easily have
upwards of several 100 'objects' connected to their system (an object
being something like a temperature, light level, PIR etc. sensor or
an output such as a light, fan. blind etc.). Can you imagine trying
to handle all of this using X10 as the hardware base? And even if
using something more substantial, without some hefty computing power
to integrate it all?

So I guess what I'm saying is it just depends what type of HA someone
would like as to what type of hardware they might have to entrust it
to. Not saying that HAGen2 is for everyone since some people may find
the features provided by HAGen1 entirely suiteable and adequate.
There are also many other factors which affect the HA system choice
such as style, integration with audio/video/telephony, easeof
installation, ease of programming, etc, etc, ..

IMHO the wider public are still being introduced to the concepts of
HAGen1 let alone HAGen2. A wireless doorbell can be classified as HA
in some circles :-)

Karam
IDRATEK LTD


--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "dermot_bradley" <bradley@...>
wrote:
>
> --- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Chris Hunter" <cjhunter@>
wrote:
> >
> > aye ... I had huge reservations about the Windows angle, server-
wise
> > ... took me a long time to be OK with the idea ... but the
evidence of
> > David's  (& now Paul's too)experience was reassuring ...
>
> I work in the telecoms world (mobile stuff mainly) and was always
> amazed to see some product vendors using Windows - a mobile operator
> really doesn't want to use a Windows box for mission critical
services
> - Unix/Linux/Solaris/etc are far more reliable, manageable, resource
> efficient, easier to upgrade, etc.
>
> For my own home server(s) running Linux means that better use is
made
> of the hardware in terms of efficiency, Linux is easier to strip
down
> reducing the OS size so using less RAM, being (in theory) more
secure,
> and so one. Plus Linux is easier to script with so it gets a lot
more
> flexibility which is useful in a HA situation.
>
> > BTW, if Windows worries, are you sure you'll happy with X-10 ...
> > system reliability-wise?
>
> That's a good question indeed - it is what prompted my original
> question of what technology to use for HA that wouldn't break the
> bank. I know in the past X10 had issues but with the patents passing
> and so 3rd party vendors free to work on their own X10 hardware
> directly I wondered whether many of the reliability problems had
been
> addressed.
>