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PH Guy
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| Posted: July 10 2006 at 21:53 | IP Logged
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I'm currently evaluating PowerHome and HouseBot. Both products provide similar functions at approximately the same price. Naturally, each offers something the other does not (example: HouseBot supports Software Remotes; Powerhouse supports WAP).
If you've recently selected PowerHome over another product, such as HouseBot, please let me know what factors guided your decision. Thank you.
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dhoward
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| Posted: July 11 2006 at 00:38 | IP Logged
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PH Guy,
Correct me if Im wrong, but isnt Housebot now a part of Meedio which was recently sold to Yahoo?
I never actually loaded Housebot, so am not sure what it's capabilities are. Can you give me an example of what a HouseBot "Software Remote" is? It may be something that is already done within PowerHome (albeit a different term) or something that may be implemented easily enough.
Dave.
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TonyNo
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| Posted: July 11 2006 at 01:02 | IP Logged
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HouseBot was part of Medio but was split off when Yahoo bought it.
A Software Remote is simply MS .net remoting. Think NetRemote, Main Lobby, or CQC (but not really the latter, as it has scheduling and such now).
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PH Guy
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| Posted: July 11 2006 at 07:41 | IP Logged
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Thank you for the quick reply!
HouseBot is no longer part of Meedio and has returned to its originator.
From HouseBot:
"A Software Remote is an application that connects to HouseBot to provide Remote Control of the system. A Software Remote uses a Theme to control and view the status of the HouseBot server."
In a nutshell, it is a control panel you build and run as an application on a remote computer. So your networked Windows, Windows CE, or PocketPC-based computer can operate as a 'software remote-control'.
HouseBot can also be controlled via a web browser. However, Software Remote use Themes (user-defined collection of buttons, sliders, popups, panels, etc) that are created via a wizard-driven, drag 'n drop utility; no web-page-building experience required.
So you can easily build a very slick graphical application to run on your small-screened IPaq and use it as a remote-control (with HouseBot). You can have a software-remote for each networked computer in your home. If desired, each computer can run a different Theme thereby reflecting its unique purpose (i.e. your IPaq is in the Family Room and runs a Theme that offers more detailed control of your Home Theater system).
Edited by PH Guy - July 11 2006 at 07:44
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PH Guy
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| Posted: July 13 2006 at 09:47 | IP Logged
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Did I inadvertently squelch everyone's enthusiasm to reply to this post? 
Let me rephrase my question:
What was the primary factor that swayed you to choose PowerHome over its competitors?
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TonyNo
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| Posted: July 13 2006 at 13:39 | IP Logged
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My silence is based on never investigating HouseBot.  Their site is also lacking any real "features" info.
I can answer your latest version of the question, though.
At the time, the only apps I really considered were HomeSeer and PH. I chose PH strictly on cost and have not had any reasons to switch. Everything I want/need to do can be done in PH. On top of that, Dave's support has been second-to-none. Also, from what I have seen out there, I think only CQC comes close to this level of support.
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Manny
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| Posted: July 13 2006 at 13:53 | IP Logged
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Hi PH Guy,
I figured I'd wait for the gifted to reply to you.
In a nutshell: Price/Performance/Features/Forum/and Price.
I started out with ActiveHome and wanted better. Everything I had looked at at the time (I don't think I looked at Housebot) was too rich for my blood.
Checking around other forums for other products, there's just no comaparison at the support you get from the developer. (This is subjective.) This pretty much led me to buy the product. It says a lot about him that he lets discussions of competing products take place on his forum. I hope you asked the same question on the Housebot forum…
Also on other forums, it looks like PH is the leader when it comes to Insteon functionality, if that interests you.
On the other hand, and no knock against PH; PowerHome is currently geared for people with a knack for formula writing and for those web-coding inclined (smart people). If you search my posts, I get crazy exited when I accomplish in hours what some with the same program can do in seconds.
Mr. Howard has promised a remote "control center" for the future for dummies like me.
As far as front-end interfaces go, check my other posts, I combined XLobby with PH, for the drag and drop, gui creation capabilities you are talking about. XLobby has a ton of "skins" vs. what I could find at the Housebot site/forum, (which does look pretty cool).
In the end, take advantage of the free trials, as you're the one who should decide as to what is a better fit to your interests, and what investment you'd like to put into learning each program’s methodology.
What I did was: Write down what I wanted to accomplish, with what equipment and went from there. Then I looked at my empty wallet and found that I had to get my hands dirty myself.
Either way you are going to have a ball.
Edited by Manny - July 13 2006 at 13:55
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PH Guy
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| Posted: July 14 2006 at 12:54 | IP Logged
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TonyNo, Manny:
Thank you for your replies.
I too am trying to accompish a great deal with a limited budget. Support from the designer and, the user community, is an important deciding factor.
Thank you for info on Xlobby and I will definitely experiment with it.
FWIW:
From what I've seen, PowerHome and HouseBot have similar capabilities but very different architectures. HouseBot uses a quasi object-oriented model where anything controllable becomes a device with properties. For example, to announce an incoming call you'd create a Task with something like the following code:
if('Phone.Caller ID' is Equal 'Yes') then
Change 'Talker.Text To Say' to "Incoming call from %%Phone.Last Caller%% at %%System Time.Time Without Seconds%%)
It uses the pre-defined properties of three Devices: Phone, Talker, and System Time (yes, System Time is a Device featuring properties that display the current date, time, month, and many other useful things). You can also add your own properties to a Device.
It is easy to create conditional logic because you simply test the properties of devices (i.e. if Device1.Property > 10 then Device2.Property = 'On'). If you need more programming power you use VBscript and the language extensions SetPropertyValue() and GetPropertyValue() to interact with HouseBot's devices.
PowerHome has a powerful macro language that handles the challenge in the traditional manner of assigning a unique function to handle each action (i.e. ph_getcolor, ph_get_size, ph_get_shape).
Without a doubt PowerHome's support is excellent and it has a loyal following who appear to contribute freely. HouseBot's acquisition by Meedio (over a year ago, if not more) put it's development into limbo. Its recent re-acquisition by its originator ("ScottBot") will hopefully breathe new life into the product and its user community.
Edited by PH Guy - July 14 2006 at 12:58
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dhoward
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| Posted: July 14 2006 at 22:24 | IP Logged
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PH Guy,
It's good that Housebot has gone back to it's originator. I know that when it was acquired by Meedio, it basically started going nowhere.
PowerHome has something similar (I believe) to the software remotes in its "Control Center", but in it's current state is probably not quite what you're looking for. You can design Control Center pages using a drag and drop type interface but it doesnt currently allow for graphic other than a background and buttons (the next beta will provide much more in this area including graphics and other objects). Once a Control Center is designed, these are automatically available via the web (no programming necessary) so can be accessed via remote computers and devices such as Pocket PC's.
I'll be the first to admit that PowerHome has a learning curve and currently appeals to a slightly more technical crowd. I do plan on improving this area though through the use of wizards to help with common automation tasks. This hasnt received top priority though due to the addition of new interfaces and functionality.
In any event, I hope your testing of both products go well and if you have any questions or problems, just let me know and I'll be happy to help.
Dave.
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PH Guy
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| Posted: July 15 2006 at 07:57 | IP Logged
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Dave:
Thank you for elaborating on PowerHome's future direction. It is a superb application and I'm certain that, in your capable hands, it will become a major player in the Home Automation market.
Cheers!
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ginigma
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| Posted: July 15 2006 at 14:55 | IP Logged
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Dave,
I keep reading ...that will be in the next beta... From what I've read, it looks like a lot of great features, especially on the insteon side, are in there. Howabout giving us a timeframe? July? August? Year end?
Thanks
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mustangcoupe
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| Posted: July 16 2006 at 09:48 | IP Logged
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ginigma,
SORRY DAVE....
Dave is bad with estimating timeframe as he gets close to release a new beta he adds additional features.... sometimes I think he needs to release more/smaller updates. BUT I think Dave does an excellent job addressing us users needs/wants. I can't wait for the client/server version..... hint hint hint (LOL)
I beleive I read a post recntly that said about a month for the new insteon support and elk support
__________________
Todd Hannemann
HA newbie
 PowerHome - UPB - ELK
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Topic: PowerHome vs HouseBot: Comments?
