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williammanda
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| Posted: December 04 2008 at 22:01 | IP Logged
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I have been researching which software to use and I came upon Powerhome on the Smarthome website. I'm wanting to know the pro's and con's of Powerhome vs all the other competing software packages? I like what I'm seeing here with Powerhome but I want to make the right decision. Please advise with your experience.
Thanks
Edited by williammanda - December 05 2008 at 10:53
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TonyNo
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| Posted: December 05 2008 at 07:55 | IP Logged
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Unfortunately, you have a lot of work to do.  Choosing an automation package depends upon your needs, budget, and technical ability. Also, keep in mind that we are a bit biased here. 
First, there are no packages that let you create a fully-functioning system via point-and-click. There will be varying degrees of coding required.
This HA System Comparison Spreadsheet has a lot of info on the software sheet.
The best thing for you to do is download the demos of each product that you are interested in and play around. You will likely need to spend several weeks with each to get a feel for them.
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jeffw_00
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| Posted: December 05 2008 at 12:57 | IP Logged
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I assume you're using INSTEON? Your choices are
InHomeFre - low-end but can do a lot. cost $0, easy to learn.
Houselinc2 - mid-range, reasonably ergonomic, functionality somewhat limited to more simple tasks. Expen$ive, and just out of beta (so still buggy, and SH is slow to address issues. Good peer user support (check the SH INSTEON forum), and SH provides phone support, but releases come slowly.
Powerhome - the most flexible, configurable, programmable solution out there, but you need a little of the soul of a coder to be comfortable using it. PH1 is available and rock-solid PH2 is recently released and 2 maintenance releases have occurred, but it hasn't passed the test of time yet for stability. Support is very good via this forum, docs are lacking, but HL2 has wizards.
Homeseer - a higher end solution, I've seen comments both ways about their insteon support.
there are also Mac programs but I can't comment on them
Edited by jeffw_00 - December 05 2008 at 12:58
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TonyNo
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| Posted: December 05 2008 at 14:19 | IP Logged
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Quote:
| Homeseer - a higher end solution |
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I would accept this statement it if your only criteria is ease-of-use, but not based on features.
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williammanda
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| Posted: December 05 2008 at 15:00 | IP Logged
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Thanks for the replies.
I am wanting to use a combination of insteon and x10.
Thanks
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GadgetGuy
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| Posted: December 05 2008 at 22:07 | IP Logged
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William - I was a beta tester for the initial HouseLinc
release and a faithful user for many years. My 5000 ft
sq home has been "automated" with X10 and now Insteon
for about 20 years now (God. Time flies when you're
having fun!).
That said, PowerHome has been the absolutely best home
automation application I have ever discovered, but, note
the above comments. . . it does require a coding
mentality. While you can accomplish a lot "out of the
box" to really grab control of your environment you are
going to want to create some macros, and timed events
and even triggers. These will take basic coding skills
but for the most part fairly simple one-liners. The
challenge is that there is not a lot of documentation
BUT this forum is awesome in the support offered by its
many members (kudos to y'all).
So, my advice. . . if you really want to achieve some
good automation, PowerHome is the hands down choice.
Good luck and hopefully "Welcome Aboard!"
__________________
Ken B - Live every day like it's your last. Eventually, you'll get it right!
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gatchel
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| Posted: December 21 2008 at 23:33 | IP Logged
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I don't believe Houselinc Has a free trial, do they?
I use powerhome, happily.
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PowerHome Messageboard : PowerHome General
Topic: Powerhome vs Houselinc or others
