PlugWise

Post by **Reinder** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:42 pm

I am sorry to hear that you didn't hear from us after your email. Thats not right, apologize.
About testers, it's always difficult to say how many testers you need, but right now I think the amount of field testers we have will do.

Of course we are developing micro modules switches etc.
Have you got any idea how many Homeseer users there are in NL, Europe, rest? I have the idea that it is a niche market, and we are developing more for the total business to business and consumers market more for measuring and saving electricity. The domotica is an extra (very important) future, but not the main reason to buy our products.
What is the reason you think they will not contact us for writing a plug-in?

Post by **TANE** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:24 pm

@Reinder
If you talk about home automation software...Homeseer is the number 1 in the world.
Most of the plugins at homeseer are developed by the hardware maker or third party's.
Like RFXCOM plugin is developed by ACRF
It make no sense to buy something for only seeing what the power usage is...controlling is more important than power usage
And for controlling you need to be part of the existing systems.
I will never buy an second system in my house..and plugwise has no answer for all the other parts of domotica.
Simple example.

When I'm leaving from home...I just push on the "Arm" of my alarm system on the keyfob.

All the devices will turned off including TV (via IR)
Front door will be locked alarm will armed.
also very easy to turn down the heating.
Then we are talking about power saving.

Post by **Reinder** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:50 pm

Thanks for your information. I will keep you informed.
I'll mail you my mobile number, maybe we can arrange a meeting.

Post by **RdP** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:47 pm

I would be interested too, if there was a HomeSeer interface/plug-in.

/RdP

Post by **TANE** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:45 pm

With the latest firmware update plugwise is running fine..

After few months of testing I think it's almost not possible to write a Homeseer plugin for the total functionality of Plugwise.

But for the basic function's Homeseer plugin will make the product complete.

Post by **Bwired** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:17 pm

Why? Can elaborate on that.

Post by **TANE** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:32 pm

You can do lot in Homeseer but for some functions is the Homeseer framework difficult to use.
like online data collection (power usage), setting up a network, firmware upgrade.

Post by **Digit** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:48 pm

You can upgrade your RFXCOM firmware without Homeseer too, or not? We don't know Plugwise, so please, tell us more...[:)]

Post by **TANE** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:57 pm

I agree you can do that...and there are possibilities for the other problems.
Homeseer is like a batch system..for online processing of data there are also some possibilities
You can do this in a external application
I will be happy if I can just control the devices in Homeseer

Post by **Bwired** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:08 am

If there is a possibility to interface with the plugwise controller there is always an option to make a Homeseer plugin.
This can be done in different way's
Directly connect to the PlugWise controller without running pluswise software. This is best way but you have to know the protocol! This is what we all do with RFXcom, Oregon and Xanura CTX35.
Other option is to interface the Homeseer plugin with the Plugwise software. For example, I believe the plugwise software uses a MS-access database. This way will give you probably less information.

Post by **Digit** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:11 am

Well, beforehand, i must say i have virtually no knowledge about neither Homeseer nor Plugwise, so if this question is rather stupid then you know why, but still i would really like to know what makes a "Plug" so different from a X10-controllable switch (actor-wise) or different from a RFX Powermeter (interface-wise)? I still don't see the difference. Just because you can't communicate with a Plug directly, cause the protocol is not open or what?

Post by **TANE** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:23 am

The basic function's are 100% comparable to the x10 devices.

In every device there is logic for controlling and collecting
There is build in clock in the devices
You can see online what the power usage of every device is.

Other things
Standby killer
Time based on/off

Post by **Digit** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:32 am

Ok, thanks for the info. Starting to understand how it works.
So, what you are basically telling us, is that Plugwise is a great product, has lots of great features, but it has totally isolated itself from the rest of the world. Am i right?
Man, when do these people who make this stuff start to understand this is not the way to go? Communication is everything...

Post by **TANE** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:57 am

Digit you are right.
If you want to make chance you need to be open.

Post by **Bwired** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:45 pm

Agree fully, All those company's are creating there own product and protocol. Mostly the protocol is a variant on an existing protocol and almost always kept secret. Or the device has no interface like RS232, USB or Ethernet. This way all the company's think they are gonna make lot's of money but the opposite is true! The device they are carrying can be a good device with good functions but can not be extend with other new or existing devices. We think the best way is to make some transparant interface gateway like Ethernet together with a standard connection protocol.
Lets keep on dreaming because it will never happen, for example the new X10 buildingblock product.

Check my weblog also: http://www.bwired.nl/weblog.asp?id=141