Re: fingerprint door looks

[Larry Moss <moss@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 2011-04-29, Josepi <J.R.M> wrote:
> The X10 system was about the best I had but there are so many better ways of
> doing it, probably, now. Other guys use newer and improved systems that
> support X10 and I will upgrade one day when I get more time. I have anoisy
> electrical system so the X10 doesn't work well but....

I used X10 pretty extensively in the old house. I never liked it. I had all
the problems you discuss and was always working on amplifying X10 signals
or filtering noise whenever any new device got added anywhere. But at
least, with constant and careful tweaking, I kept it working. Now that I'm
moving, I want to start over with something better since there are other
options now. It's been a while since I really followed this group, so I
need to get up to speed on my options again.

Since my immediate need is the door lock, I thought I'd use that as a starting
place. If I can find a decent lockset that integrates with another home
system, that might be the push I need toward a particular platform. I'm not
afraid of homebrew stuff for non-mission critical elements either. That
would actually make the whole process more fun. (I want to learn about
arduino or similar platforms and thought using them for a home automation
project might be a way to do it.)

You went quite a bit into motion detection for lighting. While that might
be nice, I'm actually more interested in knowing who entered the house, and
not that there's a person there. I have small kids that are just now
getting big enough to start allowing them a little more freedom. I don't
necessarily need to be there the moment the bus arrives, but it would be
nice to know that they made it home. The low tech solution is they walk in
the door and call me to say they're home, but there has to be an easy
approach to this since I'm going to be changing the locks anyway. (Keys are
not a good solution for these kids. One of them loses his glasses on the
way to the bathroom. :-) )

--
Larry Moss, http://www.airigami.com
PO Box 23523, Rochester, NY 14692, (585) 359-8695
Airigami: The fine art of folding air.