Re: Building a Smart Home

From: Homer Welch (hjwxxx_at_comcast.net)
Date: 10/27/03 

Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2003 19:47:13 -0500

Terence Parker wrote:
> This isn't strictly linux related, but alt.home.automation only has three
> posts in it!!
>
> I will be moving house in the not-too-distant future, and while i'm at it
> will want to integrate as many things as possible with a computer... yet
> without paying too much (i.e. getting one of those "smart home providers" in
> to redo everything for thousands). I am thinking, to begin with, a linux
> server tucked away nicely in the corner running some software that will
> control various devices. As part of the decoration for the house, I will be
> ensuring that nearly every corner of the house has access to the LAN. The
> thing I have in mind at the moment is not a one-off replacement of
> everything, but I want to be sure the house is sufficiently wired so that I
> can gradually introduce things in the future (well... I could even use
> wireless).
>
> Basically - does anyone have any pointers towards cheap solutions? I know
> you can buy fancy coffee makers, microwaves etc.. that have built in web
> servers in them - but anything else? At the most basic level, I suppose I
> can control any power driven device by getting a smart power adaptor that
> can be plugged into a computer and controlled (turned on / off). Do such
> things exist? How about alarm systems - can those be interfaced with a
> computer?
>
> And of course there's surveillance systems. Unfortunately, most of these
> things are all individual separate proprietary products - is there a nice
> way I can get everything / nearly everything in the house to work through a
> central linux server and some good 'ol open source software?
>
> I've tried searching the net, but with so many keywords possible on this
> topic, I didn't really know what to look for - and haven't found much of
> use.
>
> Any pointers would be much appreciated!
>

The Circuit Cellar Magazine has had articles on home control
systems for many years. They can be reached at

   http://www.circuitcellar.com/

They provide a discussion group called HCS at

   http://bbs.circuitcellar.com/phpBB2/

Good luck,

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