[wish-info] Question about Insteon PLM

[WSH]

This looks like an interesting little box, and one worth looking at. I will
download the developers guide and see what it looks like. After my little
spat with SmartHome over the licensing for the PowerLinc v2 controllers, I
have had little motivation to do anything with the SmartHome products.

I just read through the license and it looks like I can do the development
without getting into trouble. The exception is that it appears that I can
never reference it as a SmartHome compatible device without their approval.


I'll order one and see what I can get going.

Scott




_____

From: Adam Kupsta [mailto:***@kupsta.com]
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2007 10:48 AM
To: ***@sprintmail.com; ***@linuxha.com
Subject: Question about Insteon PLM



Hi,



I'm relatively new to Linux based home automation, however would like to
code a high-level application that interfaces with (preferably Wish) to
control and monitor HA devices around a home.



In researching various technologies, I see more availability of products and
documentation from X10 and Insteon (smarthome). Recently in my quest for
the holy grail (finding an easy interface to develop for) I came across this
that seems to come close to what many in the Linux HA space are looking for:



http://www.smarthome.com/2412s.html



It's relatively inexpensive and looks pretty simple to program (all serial
commands). When I went through the developer's manual (just scroll down
the page and you can get the developers PDF manual, with everything
documented) there's even interfaces (I read this as planned addons) to this
device that allow it to be controlled via ethernet and RF as well. This
version is RS232 only.



This got me thinking.. I'm not sure if any of you had plans to integrate /
support this in your products. I'd be happy to assist where I can. From
what I read about WiSH, it's exactly what would be needed to allow other DYI
selfers to integrate both X10 and Insteon.



Best regards,



Adam Kupsta

[Neil Cherry]

Post by WSH
This looks like an interesting little box, and one worth looking at. I
will download the developers guide and see what it looks like. After my
little spat with SmartHome over the licensing for the PowerLinc v2
controllers, I have had little motivation to do anything with the
SmartHome products.

I know the feeling but won't comment any further here.

Post by WSH
I just read through the license and it looks like I can do the
development without getting into trouble. The exception is that it
appears that I can never reference it as a SmartHome compatible device
without their approval.

What you can't do is use Insteon in the name of your software.
Their protecting their trademark. I don't think this is too
uncommon. Bruce Perens uses Ion, which I like and I've used also.

I've had trouble programming these beasts. Smart Home keeps
changing little details about how you talk to it (grrr) but
doesn't provide those details any where (except on their dev
forums). I tried to get them to open up their docs to the
Open Source community but they would have none of that. Add to
that the increase in the price of the Dev Docs (covers the
Windows software) and I got a bit miffed with them.

Currently I'm buried in school work, I'm taking two online
courses to get another degree. I have another project that
I hope I'll get done soon and then, maybe I'll have some
free time to attack the Insteon code. I'd really like to
get my MH working with it.