Re: Open Source

[Karl Denninger <karl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Robert L Bass wrote:
> "Karl Denninger" wrote:
>
> It gives Intermatic a cometitive advantage among the small fraction of
> HA users who implement Home Daemon.  It's nice they co-operated with you
> and I'm glad to hear your software works with it.  Had I an interest in
> running a Unix HA server, I'd probably be using your app myself.  But
> like the vast majority of HA users (and dealers) I don't.
>
>> It is also why Zensys' position is economically bankrupt...
>
> Do you think so?  They have among their clients most of the largest
> players in the industry.  Here's a partial list:
>
> Cooper Wiring Devices, Danfoss, Intel, Intermatic, Leviton, Monster
> Cable, Universal Electronics, Wayne Dalton, 4HomeMedia,
> A-1 Components, Actiontec, Advanced Control Technologies, Aspalis,
> Betronic, Boca Devices, BuLogics, ControlThink, Crayon Interface,
> CyberTAN Technology, Digeo, Digital Gardener, Digital Media Research,
> ELDAT, Electronic Solutions, Embedded Automation, Embedit, Everspring
> Industry Co., Exceptional Innovation, Goggin Research & Engineering,
> Hawking Technology,
> HIGH-DEF Technology, HomeSeer, Horstmann Controls, Hunter Douglas,
> Hunter Fan Co., ICOM Technology, iControl Networks, Impact Holding,
> Inlon, Ingersoll Rand, Innovus, Jasco Products, Jet Home Automation, KTC
> Tech, Lagotek, Lantic Systems, Logitech, Merten, Navicom Technologies,
> Panasonic, Pelham Sloane, Portable Innovation Technology, Prevas,
> Reitz, Scientronic, Seluxit, Semilink, SMK Corporation, Superna, Synergy
> Consult, Techniku, Tell It Online, Tridium, uControl,
> ViewSonic, Visualize, Westell, Winegard, Xanboo, Z-Wave Tecnologia,
> Zykronix, Allion Computer, Capitol Sales, CasaWorks,
> C & S Electronics, DEL Motorized Solutions, DPC Distributors, Draper,
> Inc., ELK Products, Emergency Power & Automation Specialists, Empower
> Consultants, Express Controls, Home Director, Prodea Systems, PSI
> Contact Center, RCS,
> SmartHome-Products, Twisthink, Vero DUCO, Window Modes
>

Oh I certainly understand that Robert.

But let's look at history, shall we?

What is the ONLY HA protocol that has ever managed to get any sort of
real following and penetration?

The ONLY one, despite multiple contenders?

X10.

The worst of all from a technical perspective.

WHY?

Because they didn't have their head up their asshole.

That's all.

Crestron, Compose, etc - all very nice, all very proprietary, all niche
products with no material market share.  Zensys is just another
pretender in a long line that includes these, UPB and others.

None have gone anywhere, and a big part of the "why" is attitude.

The "Microsoft" model (we fuck everybody) simply doesn't work when
you're not first and can't build enough of a base to effectively lock
everyone else out.

But heh, what works works.  I don't give a shit if Zensys likes me or
thinks I'm the anti-christ.  I write this code because I enjoy it.  If
others find it useful, that's great.  If not, well, I still have my own
home and my own uses for it, so there you go.

--
Karl Denninger (karl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx)
http://www.denninger.net