Get the home of tomorrow, today! Absolute Beginner's Guide to Home Automation will help you turn your ordinary home into a high-tech haven. Want to schedule your lights to turn on while you're on vacation? Stuck late at work and want to start the roast you put in the crock pot this morning? You can make it all happen with the help of existing 110V electrical wiring in your home and this step-by-step tutorial. Through simple, do-it-yourself instructions, you will walk through the process of outfitting every room in your home with a network connection that you can control with a few clicks on your computer keyboard. Complete with illustrations and photographs, Absolute Beginner's Guide to Home Automation will have you riding the wave of the future in no time.
Autorentext
Absolute Beginner's Guide to Home AutomationAbout the Author
Mark Edward Soper is president of Select Systems and Associates, Inc., a technical writing and training organization.
Mark is a 22-year veteran of the technology industry. His previous experience in photography, creative writing, and journalism has helped him make high technology useful to everyone.
Mark has taught computer troubleshooting and other technical subjects to thousands of students from Maine to Hawaii since 1992. He is an A+ Certified hardware technician and a Microsoft Certified Professional. Mark's previous books on home technology subjects for Que include The Complete Idiot's Guide to High-Speed Internet Connections, Absolute Beginner's Guide to Cable Internet Connections, Easy Digital Cameras, and Absolute Beginner's Guide to Home Networking. Mark is also the author of TechTV's Upgrading Your PC, Second Edition, published by another Pearson Technology imprint, Peachpit Press.
Mark coauthored both the first and second editions of Upgrading and Repairing PCs, Technician's Portable Reference, Upgrading and Repairing PCs Field Guide (which has been translated into several languages) and Upgrading and Repairing PCs: A+ Study Certification Guide, Second Edition with Scott Mueller, one of the world's leading PC hardware experts. Mark also co-authored the original edition of TechTV's Upgrading Your PC with Patrick Norton. Mark has been writing technical documents since the mid-1980s and has contributed to many other Que books, including Upgrading and Repairing PCs (starting with the 11th edition through the current 16th edition); Upgrading and Repairing Laptops; Upgrading and Repairing Networks, Second Edition; Special Edition Using Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition; Special Edition Using Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (all editions); Special Edition Using Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition (all editions); Platinum Edition Using Microsoft Windows XP. Mark has also contributed to MaximumPC Ultimate PC Performance Guide and MaximumPC Guide to Building a Dream PC.
Mark has been writing for major computer magazines since 1990, with more than 140 articles in publications such as SmartComputing, PCNovice, PCNovice Guides, the PCNovice Learning Series, and MaximumPC. His early work was published in WordPerfect Magazine, The WordPerfectionist, and PCToday. Many of Mark's articles are available in back issues or electronically via the World Wide Web at http://www.smartcomputing.com. Mark welcomes comments at mesoper@selectsystems.com.
© Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.
Klappentext
Get the home of tomorrow, today! Absolute Beginner's Guide to Home Automation will help you turn your ordinary home into a high-tech haven. Want to schedule your lights to turn on while you're on vacation? Stuck late at work and want to start the roast you put in the crock pot this morning? You can make it all happen with the help of existing 110V electrical wiring in your home and this step-by-step tutorial. Through simple, do-it-yourself instructions, you will walk through the process of outfitting every room in your home with a network connection that you can control with a few clicks on your computer keyboard. Complete with illustrations and photographs, Absolute Beginner's Guide to Home Automation will have you riding the wave of the future in no time.
Inhalt
Introduction.
Smart Homes for Everyone
How This Book Is Organized
How to Use This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
I. HOME TECHNOLOGY BASICS.
1. Understanding Home Technologies.
Ways to Automate Your Home
Lighting Systems
Appliance Control
Alarm and Security Systems
HVAC Systems
Window Control Systems
Remote Access
Major Home Automation Standards
X10
Universal Powerline Bus
Z-Wave
Ethernet/Wi-Fi Home Automation Systems
Proprietary Home Automation Products
Methods for Controlling Your Home
Interactive Home Control
All Lights On/All Units Off Controllers
Timer-Based Control
Photocell-Based Lighting Control
Sensor-Based Controls
Programmable Devices and Remote Controls
Remote Control by Telephone
Computer Control
Home Network Control
Remote Control via the Internet
Home Technology Glossary
2. Getting Started with X10 Home Automation.
What X10 Can Control
Why Use X10 for Home Control?
How X10 Systems Work
A Technical Look at What Makes X10 Work
Setting Up a Simple X10 System
Equipment You'll Need
Selecting House and Unit Codes
Configuring the Components
Testing the System
Troubleshooting Your First X10 Installation
3. Strategies for Adding Home Technology Features.
Determining Your Home Automation Budget
Selecting Where to Start
Automating on a Room-by-Room Basis
Automating on a Task-by-Task Basis
Evaluating Products and Price Ranges
Deciding on a Control Method
Choosing the Most Important Features
How to Select Versatile Components
Vital and Useful Accessories
Selecting Your Next Goal
Budgeting Your Time
Skills Checklist
Plug-in and Wireless Modules
Electrical Outlets and Switches
HVAC Controls
Specialized Tasks
Computer and Internet
Deciding When to Call in the Pros
Selecting a Contractor
Just Do It!
Controlling Seasonal Lighting
Turning On Porch Lights at Night
Creating a Lived-In Look When You're Away
Keeping an Eye on Your Home
II. USING X10 FOR BASIC HOME AUTOMATION.
4. Using X10 to Control Home Lighting.
Understanding X10 Lamp and Appliance Control Modules
Selecting the Correct Module for Your Lighting Type
Higher Wattage Rating
Adjustable Dimming Rate
Adjustable Brightness Level
Support for Resuming Dim Level (Memory Dim)
Pass-Through AC Connector
Three-Prong Plug Support
Status Light
Burnt Bulb Detection
Support for Preset Dimming
Support for Scenes
Two-Way X10 Support
Programming an X10 Remote to Control Lighting
Controlling Multiple Lamps with X10
Black & Decker freewire Lighting Control
Elements of the freewire System
Controlling Groups of Lights with the Mood Button
Dimming Lamps Controlled by freewire Modules
Using X10 with Built-in Light Fixtures
Installing and Using Screw-in X10 Lamp Modules
Installing and Using X10 Light Switches
Using X10 with Fluorescent Lighting
Using X10 with Halogen Lighting
Using X10 with Aquarium Lighting
Choosing the Best…