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Home Automation

I used X10 automation, but wouldn't have minded a wired home-automation system to control other things, or plan in advance to have outlets where I needed them.

I got single-station voice recognition working decently, enough to consider multiple ceiling-hanging microphones with a gate-limiter. But wiring that later would've been messy/ugly.

Would definitely automate the bathtub to the phone line like I did last time. Very useful.

Neil

Keep it simple, it all adds up really fast cost-wise. But do go overboard
with outlets and lighting. Four years ago I was buying rolls of 12–2 wire
for $17, those same rolls today are over $70.
Bob

Maybe a bit “Geeky”..

I always thought that Home automation would benefit greatly from two-beam IR detectors across each doorway at about waist-height.

If you can detect direction of passage, you may be able to estimate room occupancy, and then apply smarter controls to lighting and HVAC zones..

But installing these after the fact, and wiring each doorjamb, makes it much more difficult to do.

In any case, have fun. That's a beautiful part of the country. I understand they're building a water theme park in Dundee.
Lyle H

The X-10 devices perform poorly in more than a few installed. Each one drops the signal level a bit.
High maintenance!
John Ferrell

Have a look at Mister House:
http://misterhouse.sourceforge.net/
http://misterhouse.sourceforge.net/features.html
Alex H

It's been my experience that the performance of X-10 systems is has an inverse relationship with the number of switchmode power supplies in use. And that is a LOT more than it was when X-10 was first released to the public.
Lyle H

More Wiring

Convenience Idea