Re: New to this

["Bill Kearney" <wkearney99@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Well I'm going to be moving into a bigger home the main things are the
> sprinklers, lights, and mabye some motion sensors and security cameras
> (which that might be a different setup.) Later on I would like to try
> figuring out the pool filter and air conditioning later on down the
> road.

Also ask yourself how much torment you and (perhaps more importantly) your
spouse are willing to put up with.  Home Automation is a pain in the ass.
The old rule applies "good, fast cheap... pick two".  The higher-end systems
are expensive but can be configured to practically wipe your ass for you by
voice control.  You'll pay for that privilege, both in device costs and
programming costs.  Try and cheap out and go with lower end devices and
you'll shift the burden of support and programming onto yourself.  Your time
isn't free, especially when it means the wife is getting really annoyed at
not being able to just 'simply turn the lights on'.  So be careful about
just how 'cheaply' you think this can be accomplished.

You may also find automating things independently to be less expensive and
more reliable.  Sure, a sprinkler system that's integrated with a PC and can
be controlled via the internet is a nifty idea.  But then again, a $60
standalone setup running off a couple of AA batteries will keep cranking
right along, unlike a crashed PC.  I know, I've tried both.  Look at it this
way, thousands of dollars in dead landscaping is what to worry about, not
some fancy PC interface.

Same deal with alarm and security setups.  Yes, you can integrate it with a
PC or other home automation system.  But if you NEED it to do what it does,
tying it up to an automation system 'just for kicks' isn't always such a
great idea.

So go into this adventure with eyes open.

-Bill Kearney