Subject: From: Date:

RE: [ECS] Potential ECS Newbie with lots of questions Kevin Keast Thu, 28 Jan 1999 22:11:49 -0500

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Hi Mitch, here is my two cents:


1.  Phone system:  I do not yet have much experience with this and ECS,
hopefully one of the other guys on the list can help.

2.  HomeVision is my vote.  I have looked far and wide for the perfect
controller and HomeVision is it.  X10, IR, Digital I/O and Analog(if you get
the multiport expansion board) plus video on any TV!  I purchased the
HomeVision-PC (requires to be connected to the PC at all times but cheaper.
Also you cannot use the multiport expansion board with the HV-PC) but I will
get a separate card for Analog I/O if I ever really need it.
HomeVision-PC also requires software, and that is why I have the
HomeVision-PC ECS combo.  It is turning out to be an awsome setup.

3.  I have a web interface that is semi working right now.  It is based on
some small PERL scripts and ECS.  It is not active at the moment because I
am swapping my HA PC out right now but you can check my site at:
http://www.ele.uri.edu/~keastk/auto.htm

for a home network, I don't think anything compares to Dan Hoehnen's ACE
software.  I am testing it right now on my two computer network.

Good Luck

Kevin Keast

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mitch Schwenk [mailto:mitch@warmy.com]
> Sent: Thursday, January 28, 1999 10:02 PM
> To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
> Subject: [ECS] Potential ECS Newbie with lots of questions
>
>
> I am looking to use ECS as my `brains' for apartment currently matched
> with a CM11a to interface to X10.
>
> I have 3 major questions:
>
> 1) From what I understand is that ECS can act like an answering machine.
>
>  However:
>     Can you have mulitple mailboxes?
>     Can you check each box remotly?  How secure is this?
>     At home?
>     Sometime we like to call screen.  Can it play all audio via
> soundblaster if we let ECS answer? (Including voice prompt and what the
> other person is recording?)
>     I don't see a list of supported modems anywhere?  One know of a good
> cheap modem?  I don't have any modems, just ISDN and ADSL stuff (soon).
> <smile>
>     Can ECS `multi-task' in that it can be answering the phone while
> performing other events?
>
>
> 2) I am also looking to extend the capabilities for digital I/O, analog
> I/O, and IR.
>     Which equipment would you suggest for this?  I will be first using
> IR to control stero, TV, VCR, etc.  The I/O won't be until later.
>
> 3) Also, I want to be able to control X10 or set off ECS events via web
> page interface from either Intranet or Internet.  I know about the
> security risks going over internet.  I like the idea of having the
> `brains' in one room and I can just load up netscape to perform certain
> functions from another room or from the internet.
>
> I was wondering if there is some sort of interface for perl or PHP3 to
> talk directly or indirectly to ECS <as long as it gets the job done and
> is reliable>.
>
> Just FYI:
>   I will be using a lowly 486 for all of this.  I think it should be
> able to handle the requirements of these tasks.  It will be running ECS
> and all needed web server goop as well.
>
> I just want to try to grasp where ECS's limits are.  These are the main
> concerns that I have right now.
>
> If anyone can offer suggestions, FAQ's, howto's, mail lists, whatever,
> please advise.  Thanks.
>
> -Mitch
>

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