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I am glad that my posting on embedded Linux an OSS in the growing, and current, world of Home Automation and �Smart Devices� has generated at least some discussion. I had hoped that the premise of �Home Automation� and �Smart Devices� would have been taken as a given and that we could debate how/why Linux and OSS does, and must out of necessity, play a significant role. However, it appears that many people are under the impression that Home Automation is either not here, or is rife with problems and thus unlikely to progress or be of any use. I certainly don�t want to offend or insult anyone, and I certainly do respect everyone�s opinion, but for the sake of clarity and avoiding misunderstanding, I feel obliged to point out that some of you may not have an accurate view of this industry. And hopefully everyone is interested in having an accurate perspective on any topic. I also hope that I can avoid evoking any attacks or judgments against my character or that I may be some sort of arrogant, over-educated opinionated asshole. A great deal of my background is in scientific research as well as statistics, so gathering reliable and valid information to formulate an argument or to support or disprove a hypothesis, is ingrained into the core of my being. So I cant (and wont) apologize for my attention to detail. I too wish only to have the highest probability that the views and opinions I hold are indeed true. Therefore, I will try to provide a bit of info and background to convince some of you of the true state of affairs in this industry. I am also hoping that we can discuss the role of Linux and OSS in this industry. From my own perspective, and to demonstrate the strength of my own convictions (ok maybe they are delusions), I gave up on 15 or more years of education, training and lucrative career opportunities to move to Calgary and make a living with OSS and Linux with the conviction that the areas we are talking about here will play at least some role. And I do admit to being a techno-geek and enjoy playing with, learning about, and using all sorts of gear and so I certainly have a strong and personal passion towards these topics. However, EVERY piece of gear, electronic device or gadget is appealing not for the simple sake of being a new gadget (the pursuit of technology for technologies sake), but for what it adds to my life in the way of comfort, convenience, security or pleasure. Prior to moving to Calgary I also began a partnership with a CEDIA Certified Multimedia, Home Automation and Control company in Vancouver. A big one, and they are doing all the control, home automation, internet, wireless, boardroom, telephone, lighting and home theatre systems in the new Shaw (residential) Tower in Vancouver which will not only be the largest building in Vancouver, but the most technologically advanced (everyone gets 4mbit bandwidth, which I believe is synchronous). They also recently did Jean Claude Van Dam�s 2 million dollar apt in Vancouver. The home automation, home theatre and control systems were around 200k I think. I have also followed and enjoyed the high-end Audiophile and Home Theatre market for around a decade or more. In other words, I have better than average first hand experience and knowledge of the Home Automation, Home Theatre and Home Control industry. My main argument is basically: Home Automation, Home Control, �Smart� Devices and other related, �conveniences� are either here NOW in a BIG way, are here in a lesser way, or are in the pipe (what I like to call a "logically necessary next step" in the growth and convergence of various trends, be they technological, social/cultural or psychological). Now I must also admit that the world of Home Automation and Home Control has been reserved, for the most part, for those with deep pockets. And, the companies, hardware and solutions have been proprietary�for the most part. So for many people the existence of this industry has been somewhat invisible, or at least unattainable. Also, if you don�t own a house, how or why would you be interested in such things? However, it is my belief that all of the above is rapidly changing as a result of at least the following: 1: Powerful, inexpensive computing devices. 2: Smaller and �smarter� embedded devices. 3: Dissatisfaction with proprietary, single-vendor solutions. 4: Growth, popularity and stability of Embedded Linux and other OSS. 5: Social/user demand for better integration/control between multimedia, communication, security and other devices along with improved convenience. 6: ALL the major hardware vendors, both in the computing industry and home control industry, SEE changes happening and are announcing/developing/producing new devices. What follows now is a partial list of places to obtain more information and evidence on what I am claiming, basically that Home Automation, Home Control, Embedded Linux and other OSS is indeed here already in a big way (fact) and that Linux/OSS is/will/must play a significant role for this to become a reality for everyone (opinion). Home Automation (Definition): Control and monitoring of the many systems in the common home. Things such as lighting, heating, alarms, entry systems, home theatre, telephones, power etc. This has been around on a large scale for a decade or more, albeit catering to the higher end consumer and filled with proprietary products (Celestron, Panja, AMX etc) Wired/Connected Homes: Actually, the ducks have been lining up for some time now and a recent report, which I cant find right now, estimates that 50% of all new homes constructed in the US will contain some form of wired or wireless connectivity as standard hardware by 2005 (or maybe it was 2006). Also, check out my web site, and read up on some of the �Wireless� news topics from the past year or so. Did you know that the entire town of Aspen Colorado is a wireless access zone�.even on the slopes!!!! Over 200 square miles. And I beleive England has the highest concentration of wireless internet access in the world (no positive on this but they are in the running) IBM: �IBM Says It's Time for 'Smart Homes'� http://www.atnewyork.com/news/article.php/1489021 Sun: http://java.sun.com/pr/2000/10/pr001018-01.html Microsoft: http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml;jsessionid=FPOP4NXQFF2AKCRBAEZSFEY?type=technologynews&StoryID=1652102 http://content.techweb.com/tech/networking/20020419_networking Honeywell: http://content.honeywell.com/yourhome/iha/iha.asp 3com: http://ca.3com.com/news/releases/pr00/oct1800a.html A couple of examples of the growing market around the connected/automated home: http://www.hometoys.com/news.htm (EHX Fall 2002 Features Leading Industry Visionaries as Connected Home Conference Faculty) "Electronic House Expo is the fastest growing tradeshow and conference of the $15 billion connected home industry. Held twice annually, the EHX tradeshow floor provides an invaluable forum for information exchange and new product demonstrations from leading manufacturers and service providers across the entire connected home spectrum of home networking, automation, entertainment, and security. The EHX cutting-edge conference program educates thousands of connected home professionals - from beginners to seasoned pros - in seminars, full-day boot camps and keynote sessions given by the industry's top insiders." Links that indicate current, or future �smart�, �wired� or �automated� homes, wireless and some �smart appliances�: http://bohf27vfy23rk.ab.hsia.telus.net/modules.php?name=News&new_topic=59 http://bohf27vfy23rk.ab.hsia.telus.net/modules.php?name=News&new_topic=57 One example of what can be done with very inexpensive gear and a bit of perl: http://misterhouse.net Various Links: http://www.internethomealliance.com/ Some members of the Internet Home Alliance include IBM, ADT Security Services, Best Buy, Cisco Systems, CompUSA, General Motors, Hewlett-Packard, Invensys, Panasonic, Sears, Roebuck and Co., Sun Microsystems and Whirlpool Corp. http://www.symbol.com http://www.lutron.com http://home-automation.org/ http://www.premisesystems.com http://www.samsungelectronics.com http://www.hometoys.com/htinews/oct01/articles/currid/currid.htm http://hometoys.com/htinews/dec01/articles/stasinski/xbot.htm http://www.homeautomationmag.com/ http://www.cedia.net/homeowners/electronic_lifestyle.php http://www.homeautomationforum.com/ ________________________________________ Johnny Stork Calgary, AB Canada Open Solutions Open Source & Linux Solutions for Business http://www.open-solutions.ca Academic Computers http://www.academic-computers.com |
- Re: (clug-talk) More Embedded Linux HA Stuff Johnny Stork
- Re: (clug-talk) More Embedded Linux HA Stuff Aaron J. Seigo
