Subject: From: Date:

Re: [ECS] NAPCO Support Mark Gilmore Fri, 04 Feb 2000 18:13:17 -0500

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Randy,
To my knowledge, there are no problems related to the
monitor/control of the NAPCO. The problem is interpreting
the NUMEROUS/obscure status messages it sends (and the fact
that these are not sufficiently documented). With time, these
mysteries will be resolved by those using the system (who
hopefully will share their knowledge :-)).
-- 
Mark Gilmore
Omnipotence (ECS home automation software)
http://www.usit.com/omnip
423-745-0026


Randy E. Bowman wrote:
> 
> I am getting ready to add alarm to my system soon, and had decided on the
> DSC with the X-10 interface board, but from what I hear, should I consider
> the NAPCO and what exactly can I do with it?  (admittedly have not studied
> the ECS docs)
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Scott Danks [mailto:sdanks@ci.tulsa.ok.us]
> Sent: Friday, February 04, 2000 4:30 PM
> To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
> Subject: Re: [ECS] NAPCO Support
> 
> Well, all I've got to say is that this convinced me to replace my unit with
> one of these.  And I need to say thank You, Mark,  for coding this.  I know
> you put in lots of hours fixing things that we users *wish* to see, and I
> dont use all of the whiz bang things, but some mean more to me than others.
> Our local TV channel 6 in Tulsa, Ok,  did a segment on smart homes, and
> showed what one did.  ECS is so far above that!  It was a turnkey all in one
> system that just did lighting and security and hvac.  The voice was
> pre-recorded and hard to understand.  I would invite them to my house, but I
> really don't have more than the phone messaging, and the lights and x10
> stuff setup.  When I get the external sensors going I may reconsider.  I
> would like to have remote capabilities and a few other sensors working
> first.  My suburb of Broken Arrow, Ok has no adsl, no cable modems, and the
> callerid doesn't pass the names on, just the phone numbers, for which I pay
> $7.00/ mo extra.  This just takes lots of money.  I will be replacing my DSC
> alarm system with the Napco model.  I wish there was a repository of ideas
> for home automation.  I have been gathering ideas for some time, from
> different sites and systems.  But I'm always looking for new and different
> approaches to HA.  Thanks again for all you do Mark.
> 
> >>> Mark Gilmore <omnip@usit.net> 02/04 2:07 PM >>>
> How long did it take me to integrate the NAPCO ?: >40 hours
> How much was I paid for this effort: $120
> How much did I charge ECS customers for this support ?: $0
> How many additional sales has this support generated ?: 0
> That comes to about $3/hour.
> Perhaps I should spend another week researching/documenting
> the intimate details of every NAPCO status message.
> --
> Mark Gilmore
> Omnipotence (ECS home automation software)
> http://www.usit.com/omnip
> 423-745-0026
> 
> Bill Walters wrote:
> >
> > I just spoke with the security dealer where I got my Gemini 3200 panel.
> He
> > said that the HA kid has no documentation as to protocal, etc of the
> panels.
> > That NAPCO does not provide any documentation to end-users on their Home
> > Automation interface.  They do (did?) provide a Home Automation
> "Developers"
> > information package for software developers.  Their (NAPCO's) logic is
> that
> > if they provide such documentation to developers, who integrate support
> into
> > their package, then the end user doesn't have to worry about anything.
> Not
> > so for us ECS users.
> >
> > At any rate, he has already contacted NAPCO and requested this "Developers
> > information package" (whatever that is).  He said that when he got it,
> he'd
> > copy it and send me a copy.....  however long that takes.
> >
> > I'm off on a 3 day trip and will return Sunday PM.
> >
> > Bill

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