Well here are some quick things off the top of my head.
- First there is something about the interface that just fits better with me. That is completely a personal preference that I'm sure some others wouldn't agree with.
- It didn't start life out as an X-10 only system so its devices don't have the legacy issues HS does. For instance I'm creating a RCS thermostat device that has properties for things like mode, fan, setback, etc... I know HS has a thermostat device but it is a hack. You can also create say a weather station device and have properties for wind speed, direction, temp, etc... without having to use multiple devices like in HS.
- It has better events (which it calls tasks). They are easier to setup and for me (being a programmer) much easier to read.
- I'm not a big fan of web interfaces and HouseBot has the notion of software remotes. You create themes that can be used remotely on another PC or a pocket PC and you can have different themes used on different machine.
I'm not doing it justice. You should go to
HouseBot and check it out for yourself.
There are a few downsides too.
- I don't like the way it handles IR when it comes to using a SECU16IR for zoned IR. It applies the zone when you learn the command so it you have the same piece of equipment in multiple zones you would have to learn the commands multiple times.
- No support for 1-wire yet.
- Does not have the depth of support for devices that HS has and does not have nearly as large a user community.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to bash HomeSeer. It has a great community around it and has many many features but for me it is starting to look a bit hacked together in places and there has always been something just not quite right (to me) about it.
Hope that helps.
Eric
