I am so excited to finally get into this group! Spammers have apparently made it really difficult for new members.
I have read a great deal on this site and others (and I apologize if I missed a similar thread) but I'm in need of this groups expertise.
Just a little background - lots of X-10 experience since way back in the early 80s (great fun to see some of you still use X-10 as I do in certain spots). Some Ademco and Vista programming experience. Discovered UPB a little over a year ago - wow - haven't had a single failure in over 6 months with 20 or so switches (and bought a bunch of extra switches from an E-Bay auction that I hope to use in the future). I'm now designing a retirement home to be built in a year or so and I want to really take the plunge and automate it as well as my budget will allow. I'm pretty facile around the computer and programming world, but there are some posts here that are way above my current understanding (that doesn't mean that I won't eventually figure them out ;-).
I want to invest in a rock solid system that allows for expansion and adoption of new technologies without spending a large fortune.
My question to the experts here: If you were to start over, knowing what you know today, what system(s) would you first invest in? Most of you have evolved as this field has grown and have extremely complicated systems that you have grown up with because you enjoy the challenges and the joys that come with overcoming obstacles. I'm looking for a solid base to build from starting in 2017/2018 that I can grow with without starting first with a PhD in HA.
Some observations: HAI Onipro 2 seems to be recommended as a good base - especially with regards to the security parts of HA. PC Access seems to be a real challenge for new users and I can't find many posts in the last 5 years. Is it still supported? (HAI Programming 101 by cornutt looks to be invaluable but is from 2011.)
Homeseer products and software seem to be a good addition to Omnipro and support recent advances but there are a scary number of posts about difficulties with the bridge between HAI and Homeseer, and issues with UPB functionality when shared between the two.
Your thoughtful replies will be much appreciated by myself and (I'm guessing) others that follow this site but aren't blessed with an in-depth programming back-ground.
Thanks!!!
Ps. As a newbie to this site I'm only allowed one or two posts a day at the beginning, so if I don't immediately respond please don't think I'm ignoring you.
I have read a great deal on this site and others (and I apologize if I missed a similar thread) but I'm in need of this groups expertise.
Just a little background - lots of X-10 experience since way back in the early 80s (great fun to see some of you still use X-10 as I do in certain spots). Some Ademco and Vista programming experience. Discovered UPB a little over a year ago - wow - haven't had a single failure in over 6 months with 20 or so switches (and bought a bunch of extra switches from an E-Bay auction that I hope to use in the future). I'm now designing a retirement home to be built in a year or so and I want to really take the plunge and automate it as well as my budget will allow. I'm pretty facile around the computer and programming world, but there are some posts here that are way above my current understanding (that doesn't mean that I won't eventually figure them out ;-).
I want to invest in a rock solid system that allows for expansion and adoption of new technologies without spending a large fortune.
My question to the experts here: If you were to start over, knowing what you know today, what system(s) would you first invest in? Most of you have evolved as this field has grown and have extremely complicated systems that you have grown up with because you enjoy the challenges and the joys that come with overcoming obstacles. I'm looking for a solid base to build from starting in 2017/2018 that I can grow with without starting first with a PhD in HA.
Some observations: HAI Onipro 2 seems to be recommended as a good base - especially with regards to the security parts of HA. PC Access seems to be a real challenge for new users and I can't find many posts in the last 5 years. Is it still supported? (HAI Programming 101 by cornutt looks to be invaluable but is from 2011.)
Homeseer products and software seem to be a good addition to Omnipro and support recent advances but there are a scary number of posts about difficulties with the bridge between HAI and Homeseer, and issues with UPB functionality when shared between the two.
Your thoughtful replies will be much appreciated by myself and (I'm guessing) others that follow this site but aren't blessed with an in-depth programming back-ground.
Thanks!!!
Ps. As a newbie to this site I'm only allowed one or two posts a day at the beginning, so if I don't immediately respond please don't think I'm ignoring you.