After watching Simeon get his OpenHAB server up and running, I was inspired.
Then I spent a couple hours working on the command line in Linux, and I was less than inspired.
In fact, I was incapable of proceeding. So, I trashed the original idea of running OpenHAB on Linux on an old netbook. I'll use the Windows desktop hooked up to the TV as the server. Before I could do that, though, I had to figure out which software name corresponds to each physical Z-wave device (and then alias them to something I could remember). So I got OpenHAB running on a Windows laptop and started trying to get everything working. This did include a tech support call to Simeon, and he was able to help me out over the phone!
It took a good chunk of the evening (Brianna was very patient with me) but I eventually got all of my in-use Z-wave devices connected to the controller and included in OpenHAB with names I could understand.
So at the moment, as long as my laptop is turned on and booted to Windows, I can kinda/sorta control eight light circuits (three of which are physical 3-way switches) from my phone.
Plenty of work to do on the software, but that will be easier to do now that I know I can avoid turning on all the lights in the master bedroom when Brianna is asleep. All the customization (icons, names, groupings, etc) is stored in text files, which will be extremely easy to transfer from the laptop to the desktop.
And now that I have a working control server, I can continue installing more devices. I have an energy monitor, temperature and motion sensor, and a couple of plugs on hand, waiting to be installed.
I'm excited!
Then I spent a couple hours working on the command line in Linux, and I was less than inspired.
In fact, I was incapable of proceeding. So, I trashed the original idea of running OpenHAB on Linux on an old netbook. I'll use the Windows desktop hooked up to the TV as the server. Before I could do that, though, I had to figure out which software name corresponds to each physical Z-wave device (and then alias them to something I could remember). So I got OpenHAB running on a Windows laptop and started trying to get everything working. This did include a tech support call to Simeon, and he was able to help me out over the phone!
It took a good chunk of the evening (Brianna was very patient with me) but I eventually got all of my in-use Z-wave devices connected to the controller and included in OpenHAB with names I could understand.
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| (I couldn't sleep, ok???) |
Plenty of work to do on the software, but that will be easier to do now that I know I can avoid turning on all the lights in the master bedroom when Brianna is asleep. All the customization (icons, names, groupings, etc) is stored in text files, which will be extremely easy to transfer from the laptop to the desktop.
And now that I have a working control server, I can continue installing more devices. I have an energy monitor, temperature and motion sensor, and a couple of plugs on hand, waiting to be installed.
I'm excited!
Life was much simpler in the 50s & 60s. We used the switches. I do enjoy reading about the fun you have in the process of connecting it - I'm sure if I were 50 years younger I would be doing it right along with you.
ReplyDeleteJim
I bet you would be ahead of me!
DeleteThanks for the comment! I'm glad you enjoy reading here :-)