Home Automation Domotica Forum Europe, Bwired Forum

I would like to jump into an activity to help guys turning their HA plans into reality and try to figure what are the most encountered common and biggest obstacles.

<u><b>About Home Automation, where in your opinion lies the biggest challenge?
</b></u>
<ul><li>Choosing the "right system" for my home.</li>
<li>Finding someone who sets it up.</li>
<li>Finding some easy DIY guides.</li>
<li>Adopting certain hardware to my system.</li>
<li>Troubleshoot software.</li>
<li>Control more aspects than just turning things on and off.</li></ul>

(I couldn't find a poll option - so perhaps you can just reply with your views.)[:)]


rgds, devplan

Welcome Devlan to the forum.

I think (for me) the biggest challenge was to look arround in my home and ask myself what is it that i can automate ? And that was not turning on/off lights by itself. But more like: switching of the garden lights when it's raining (you never sit in the garden with rain) or open the window sunscreens when the wind speed is more then 50 Kmh or send yourself a SMS when the postman has delivered the mail, etc, etc. Ofcourse the aspect of energie saving is also a big one.

Wil

even the genious ask questions

My idea is: what shall be automated will be better too? so automation must always be a plus in every situation and the automated device must work 100% alone plus automation. when your sw , server , xdsl etc. are down , your devices should work manually otherwise domotica would be a vanity .
many people think domotica will make things more difficult and reject it. this means the need for: easy guidelines , low prices (i try that, if it doesn't work , i spent a few bucks), pratical advantages and saving resources (light , energy etc . = money)
Lorenzo

I do agree, automation is nothing more than simplify your usual patern.

So... I also can use my lights/heating/audio/video etc. the 'old fashion'-way.

So... I choose the right system for the right solution.

So... I use DIY or find the specialist needed.

So... I use stable generally accepted and supported hardware.

So... in the end I don't need troubleshoot software. [:D]

Thanks for the replies sofar!
jvs: I didn't quite realize that I wrote my questions even in the sequence one usually progresses.[:)]

drmacchi: Yes, and there can always be some failing component and then the operator needs to have a plan b.

wima: Thanks! I think that's where most of the fun is, figuring out how it <u>can</u> be done! (As I think of it - it would be perhaps a good idea to open a new thread of users commenting what extra-ordinary automation has been put in place and how.)

I place here an external link for the survey questions as I am quite curious of the result:
Click HERE to fill in the survey.

rgds, devplan