Smart Home Hacks: Tips & Tools for Automating Your House

by Gordon Meyer

So much of what is commonplace today was once considered impossible, or at least wishful thinking. Laser beams in the operating room, cars with built-in guidance systems, cell phones with email access. There's just no getting around the fact that technology always has, and always will be, very cool. But technology isn't only cool; it's also very smart. That's why one of the hottest technological trends nowadays is the creation of smart homes. At an increasing rate, people are turning their homes into state-of-the-art machines, complete with more switches, sensors, and actuators than you can shake a stick at. Whether you want to equip your home with motion detectors for added security, install computer-controlled lights for optimum convenience, or even mount an in-home web cam or two purely for entertainment, the world is now your oyster. Ah, but like anything highly technical, creating a smart home is typically easier said than done. Thankfully, Smart Home Hacks takes the guesswork out of the process. Through a seemingly unending array of valuable tips, tools, and techniques, Smart Home Hacks explains in clear detail how to use Mac, Windows, or Linux to achieve the automated home of your dreams. In no time, you'll learn how to turn a loose collection of sensors and switches into a well-automated and well-functioning home no matter what your technical level may be. Smart Home Hacks covers a litany of stand-alone and integrated smart home solutions designed to enhance safety, comfort, and convenience in new and existing homes. Kitchens, bedrooms, home offices, living rooms, and even bathrooms are all candidates for smart automation and therefore are all addressed in Smart Home Hacks . Intelligently written by engineering guru and George Jetson wannabe, Gordon Meyer, Smart Home Hacks leaves no stone unturned. From what to purchase to how to use your remote control, it's the ultimate guide to understanding and implementing complete or partial home automation.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2004

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you seen 'The Demon Seed' featuring the gorgeous Julie Christie? Its a film from 1977 (IMDB reference) which tells the story of a computer controlled house wanting to ensure itself a legacy by creating a hybrid offspring...

If you like the idea of a techno-haven and the above strikes you as ridiculous, then maybe this book is for you! It features loads of projects and guidance on how you can create the tech house of your dreams.

This can be anything from turning the lights on so that you don't have to stumble around in the dark when you arrive home, to texting you to let you know that you've had visitors (when you weren't around to receive them).

While most of the discussions center on using either Macs or Windows to create the controller, Linux does get a mention, and there are useful pointers as to where to get lots of information on line. Its also clear from the examples that the author has many of these features enabled in his own home, which is the best advert I can think of for the whole idea.

I haven't yet felt inspired enough to try any of these projects, but I have a feeling I will some time in the future.

[Douglas Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitive reference on the "X-10" home automation devices. These are units such as driveway fllodlights that come on from motion, to light swiches that trun things on and off that otherwise would be too expensive or difficult to hard wire.

They basically plug in, so are a quick method of remotely controlling lights and just about everything else electrical, through motion, switches, weather, computer, etc. It gives me an uncomplicated way of customizing and refining the operation of our solar hot water system.

[Jon · Rating 2 out of 5]

A "neat stuff you can do with X10" book, with a few unrelated bits (like the old self-mowing lawn.) Pretty Mac-specific and a touch dated by now. A collection of neat ideas, but the whole home automation thing hardly seems worth the effort and substantial money if you aren't doing it for fun.