House of Horrors - NY Times Article

[Oldtimer]

Critical/humerous article about "us" in the Sunday, 11/7/2010, NY Times special supplement.  Check it out.

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/04/house-of-horrors/?scp=1&sq=house%20of%20horrors&st=cse

[Dan Lawrence]

Who is the "US"?  I read the article and the blog posts and saw nothing about X10.

[Oldtimer]

Who is the "US"?  I read the article and the blog posts and saw nothing about X10.

That's why I put US in quotes.  Nowhere in the article do they reference a specific technology but I'm sure we've all been guilty of automation overkill on occasion.  I know I have and my family and friends have been quick to take me to task for it.  And what's more important the final result was better when I took into account their criticisms.  No need for us X-10ers to take this personally, the article's points are technology independent.

[HA Dave]

.... saw nothing about X10.

In the "General Discussion" area of the forum... this is an extremely suitable post. Thanks for sharing Oldtimer.

I try very hard to keep my home very "user" (read WIFE) friendly. In my theater (once the movie is put in the DVD player) just pushing the "watch a movie" button on the remote control gets everything (the sound system on, projector on, turn off the lights) running. Pushing the off button after the movie... turns everything off... and turns on some indirect lighting. My wife still makes me start the theater.

We do sometimes have to tell guests... just walk... the lights turn themselves on. And of course BVC (AKA Kate) only responds to my voice. And I have seen the puzzled looks when BVC announces the time or other event. But for the most part... everything also works as... normal (whatever normal is).

[dave w]

..... but I'm sure we've all been guilty of automation overkill on occasion. 

WHAT?! I feel wounded, insulted. Are you saying my using X10 to turn on a "Glade Fan Plug-In" when the cat gets in the litter box, might be overkill?  

[hawk1]

 

[HA Dave]

..... but I'm sure we've all been guilty of automation overkill on occasion. 

..... using X10 to turn on a "Glade Fan Plug-In" when the cat gets in the litter box, might be overkill?  

Thank God if thats what he meant. I thought he meant when I was using an X10 motion sensor, to cause a trigger of a computer sound wav of a "Clap.. Clap".... which actived my Clapper and turned on a light.

[Knightrider]

A little birdie once told me that OldTimer has a manual to run his house.  I sort of have one.  If anything ever happens to me, I'm sure the wife will contact this forum to have it all ripped out.

Hello, my name is Brian and I'm addicted to home automation.

[dave w]

Hello, my name is Brian and I'm addicted to home automation.

That was a Depends moment.

[HA Dave]

If anything ever happens to me, I'm sure the wife will contact this forum to have it all ripped out.

My plan is... my son will remove the automation for my wife in the event that something was to suddenly happen me.... [and she isn't charged with anything].

I read a thread over at CocoonTech the other day. Users were wondering how much automation increased the value (as in sale price) of their homes. With a few exceptions... I don't see many setups increasing actual value (or attraction). But admittedly.... I know near nothing of realistate.

[dave w]

I don't see many setups increasing actual value (or attraction). But admittedly.... I know near nothing of realistate.

I agree. We have sold two automated homes. Even put macro switch next to front door so real estate agent could activate, opening drapes, lighting all room lights, activating fans, etc. Prior to signing contract, both buyers asked that the house to be put back in a condition "usable by normal people". 

[HA Dave]

..... buyers asked that the house to be put back in a condition "usable by normal people". 

That is what I would have guessed. As much as I do love Home Automation... I also except that it is a niche market. But I also have to admit that I really don't understand those so-called "normal people".