Home Automation Books

I'm a SW developer and I just got this book because I was curious about Home Automation, I had no idea about it and this book really cleared my mind easy reading and amazingly easy to implement If you're a beginner I totally recommend it!

I am very into the X-10 gadgets and have been for several years. This book was intended for the average homeowner interested in inexpensive home security. The only thing it lacks is diagrams and layouts for the systems it covered.

"Smart Home Hacks" provides a basic introduction to X10-based home automation, a technology that's been around since the 1970s. For the most part, the book just scratches the surface of the subject and often goes off on unrelated tangents, such as an example of how to build a robot lawnmower. What's missing is a more comprehensive overview of X10-compatible modules and the different ways they might be used to solve home automation problems. For example, irrigation is a very practical application that's ideal for a computer, and there are X10-based models, such as the Rain8 made by WGL designs. But the author chooses to ignore irrigation because of a perceived flooding hazard, even though the Rain8 has an internal limiter that shuts off the water even if no X10 "off" signal is received. Many pages are devoted to computer automation systems sending text-base messages, but no mention is made of voice-based solutions which are much more practical and cost-effective. The newer software applications that are available are impressive but it's amazing how primitive the available hardware is. The book fails to mention one of the biggest obstacles to X10 deployment: the need for a "neutral" (white) wire in household wiring. Since most light switches are wired with a simple 2-wire loop-back for economic reasons, it would require expensive re-wiring to use X10 switches. And, unless I missed it, it fails to discuss the problem of X10 signals not being passed to the "other side" of typical 2-phase house wiring. Only a passing mention is made to the new INSTEON technology that improves upon the old X10 protocol. So, although the book appears to be "current" it reads like it was written five years ago. "Smart Home Hacks" works best as sort of an idea cookbook. You'll find yourself bouncing around from one "recipe" to another but often finding most cool ideas can't be cooked up because of various obstacles (cost, permits, electronic expertise, obscure hardware, and so on).

SMART HOME HACKS: Tips & Tools for Automating Your House
Gordon Meyer
O'Reilly Media Inc.
ISBN: 0-596-00722-1

For years we have heard of how computers can provide benefits around the house. Television news programs show research labs using computers in conjunction with special equipment for recording or controlling test. I have often wondered, "How is this accomplished?"

Smart Home Hacks introduces you to previously hidden benefits our computers can provide. With software available for Macintosh and other operating systems we learn to control many items in and around our home from our computer's CPU.

How is this done... using the existing 120 VAC wiring in our walls to transmit and receive signals via X10 transmitter and receivers around your house. Whether controlling 12 volt landscaping lights, the timing cycles for your pool pump, or simply turning lights and sound on and off for security reasons, from the ground up Gordon Meyer's Smart Home Hacks explains the process.

Your computer can send messages to your cell phone, pager, or e-mail account. Driveway lights can be set to come on and remain on for a given period of time, and sprinkler systems can be controlled by your home computer. Meyer takes readers from the basics of X10 codes to starting your hot tub and having it ready when you get home.

For those wanting a computer to work for them this book even shows you how to monitor and plot heating oil fuel consumption. With broadband Internet service you can monitor Fido's actions when you are away from the house by adding video camera(s) and a link to the Internet.

To add cost effectiveness to a home, SMART HOME HACKS: Tips & Tools for Automating Your House is a great addition to a home library. Additionally, it should be considered as an ideal gift.

This book presents a great variety of ideas for using the X10 protocol. I'm sure every reader will find several ideas or projects interesting enough to try.

Although I've been using X10 products for over five years, I have found this book to be a very useful reference. What I like about it is that it starts off with the very basics and move through to the esoteric ... something for everyone.

I recommend this book to the beginner or to the experienced. I'm glad I bought it: I refer to it all the time.

This book is a necessary addition to your library if you are studying for certifications such as MCSE, MCSA, MCDBA, ORACLE, SUN JAVA 2, CIW, MCAD, MCSD, and so on. These certifications generally test your ability operate (writing programs, installing OS, creating and managing Websites and databases, etc) in a corporate environment with Server machines and Server software such as Windows 2003 Server or Linux. Use this book to build a small but cheap test network to approximate a real corporate network - the principles are the same. Then purchase the Microsoft certification books from amazon - MS PRESS books usually have trial editions of the enterprise level software that would be quite expensive for a poor student. Then study your heart out and be free to experiment as you wish. And yes, I did get my MCSA this way. Good luck!

I looked at many networking books when trying to setup my home network. The books aimed at home networking were all too simple, but the corporate networking books were a bit over my head. SOHO Networking addressed everything I needed, including how to use a server on my home network -- most home networking books only consider peer-to-peer networking. I now have a mixed wired and wireless home network running a file server and 5 computers, plus a Tivo Series 2. This book explains everything well in an easy-to-understand style that does not oversimplify.

This text is a must for anyone who wants to understand, plan or build a SOHO [small office home office] LAN [local area netword] with Broadband Internet access. It will save the reader many times the cost of the book in obtaining the system the first time around, whether he/she builds it him(her)self or contracts a vendor to do the work. The reader will not longer be force to rely solely on salespersons.
Text explains Client/Server LANS and Peer-to-Peer LANS. Various means to interconnecting PCs, hardwired Ethernet Cat 5/Cat 6 cabling to be the connectivity of choice where one can make holes in walls.
Separate and distinct in the Broadband/DSL Connection. And the security issues resulting from 24 & 7 connection to the Internet Provider.
Finally, the text gives a flash view of where all this technology is going.

A decent enough book if you're a beginner Windows user looking to set up a LAN. Otherwise too superficial and Windows-oriented.

I accidentally purchased this book on an Amazon review, and was sorely duped.

This is not the book for a beginner or intermidiate looking to set up his home network with step by step practical instructions. This book is better suited for the IT guy in training for a company with about 250-500 employees.

If you have formal computer training, don't mind being inundated with terms like WINS, DHCP, PSTN, CCITT, LSA, NVRAM, NWLINK, and enjoy reading dictionaries in your spare time just for fun, I highly recommend this book.

I guess my strong negative reaction came because I thought I was purchasing a "guide to installing a small office / home office network."

Instead of practical and sensible solutions, I got the extremes in spectrum: Simple explanations like this: "Sometimes the NIC drivers are out of date or they perform poorly, causing windows errors. In this case the most current upgraded drivers for the NIC should be installed." (Wow! Upgrade drivers? Who knew?! Thanks for telling me! I never would have known that!) while the majority of the time I felt like this author couldn't get out of "professor" mode, and is talking to a class that already has months of his lectures already under the belt. ( I'm just glad I'm not the woman married to the man.)

For those that need practical and sensible solutions to building a home network, I found Windows XP home networking by Paul Thurrott much more concrete and even sensually pleasurable to read by comparison. AND GET THIS: I was actually able to build a home / small office network with the Thurrott book.

For those of you on the LQT and don't mind a little PROVO while working your NICNT, I wish you a big UNATKO, and hope you find a little YCORLL on your Xray 818 Charlie Foxtrot.

That's a Roger big 10-4 over and out- cuz' he's got you covered.

Peace - Out

Truly the bible for novice and advanced home networkers. Takes a complex subject and breaks it down in a logical and orderly fashion for ease of understanding and implementation.

I have so many pages earmarked with paper clips for current and future reference, I am afraid to take it through airport security!

Cheap at twice the price!

Mastering Home Networking, by Mark Henricks, is an informative and entertaining way to learn about how you can network your computers together. I must admit that I am not a big fan of technology books. But this one is a bit different. The author does not treat the reader like an idiot. But at the same time, the author does not treat the reader like a technological genius. The subject matter is treated in a way that both a beginner and a expert can enjoy. If you want to learn how to network your computers together, to enhance your business, make home life simpler, or just for entertainment, this is a great book that will take you through the necessary steps.

I looked through this and about 5-10 other books on home networking at a bookstore. This book was my second choice, but I ultimately went for "Networking by Example" by Barry Press (which was especially helpful for people making networks with Linux and Windows in the same network).

The Henricks book was easy to follow, clearly explained, and had fairly good diagrams. But once again, I thought the Networking by Example was better.

Falls short if you are looking for a step by step guide on how to implement a Home Network. Very little discussion about statis IP connections, using routers or printservers.

Primarily includes descriptions of various technologies as well as advantages and disavantages.

Troubleshooting section consists of recommendations to contact someone who knows networking and references to websites to go to for assistance.

My wife and I are planning on installing some home automation features in our 4 year old home (whole house audio, security cameras, LAN, etc.), so I thought this book might be helpful. While it did have some interesting information, it was a very simple book. The font was very large so that a "short book" with limited information could be made to look bigger. There were several typos in the book and there weren't even page numbers! I finished the book in about 2 hours. There were lots of black and white photos, but their quality was so poor that I had a hard time discerning the details the author was attempting to point out. Also because the photos were of low resolution and B&W, you have no reference when the author says things like, "the blue wire in the photo." Save your money on this one unless you need some scripts for the JDS Stargate system (which you can get online free in the forums anyway.)

I was looking for a way of getting some things done at my home without spending a ton of cash, & this book helped me exceed my goals. If you're looking to spend 20 grand, you probably want to go another route (like hire someone), but I wanted to do stuff myself. True the pics are black & white, but I didn't find it a problem. Book starts with basic info in case you don't know much, and follows a complete install that controls A/V, Heating & A/C, security, cameras & webcams, computer networking & other. Uses the JDS Stargate. By the way, I personally enjoyed the writing style. A bit of humor doesn't hurt in a technical book.

A lot of these books only cover X10. This one took a good look at a lot of home automation products and brought them all together in a really easy to understand way. The illustrations of the installation made things even easier to understand.

lego manuals without Colors are like the ocean without water.
The book is nice but I am not going to buy another B & W lego book.

Great mix of robots in this book--some "standard" variations on familiar prototypes (using UBS parts) and some pretty out there ones as well that I would have never thought of. Excellent book. I've seen the RIS one that came before this but didn't buy it--I'm going to go back and get it now.

This book is missing info about the control and equipment. How to cable the home is one thing, to make it all work is another, it's better to spend money on a contractor.

This is a fascinating book which gave me a lot of ideas for home improvement now and for my next home. Building a smart home is actually a pretty easy process, especially with a lot of the equipment which is currently available. The whole point of having a smart home is being able to control every aspect of your house regardless of where you are-be it in the next room or across the world.

Several sections are dedicated to designing, installing, and programming a home security system. This not only includes installing motion detectors, but also configuring your heating and cooling system to be remotely programmed, as well as your lights. Additional chapters cover projects for your garage and outside, kitchen and bathroom (how about a stove that shuts itself automatically when you forget or a toilet that is smart enough not to overflow), and even audio/visual systems and distribution mechanisms.

While smart homes may not be for everyone, there are a lot of cool ideas in this book. If you know (or are) someone who is interested in the idea of a smart home, you should definitely pick up a copy of this book. You'll find a lot of cool ideas as well as good advice for making your first smart home enhancements.

This book was once very good but because it was written in 1999 and published in 2000. I would look elsewhere for home networking info. Many changes have taken place since this book was published -- wireless networking standards have changed, cabling requirements have changed, and operating systems have improved. My recommendation is SOHO NETWORKING, an excellent book published in 2003.

After reading this book for about 2 hours and sitting with my PCs and parts for about another hour and a half, I had a fully functional peer to peer network up and running, sharing resources (and my cable modem!). At this price, you can't afford not to have this book. I even got an email back from the author within 24 hours (I had to thank him).

Helpful book for someone considering working at home--offering services of: resumes, letters, mail service, bookkeeping and accounting, answering service, or translating. The book offers advice from getting a business license to keeping the money coming in. It also discusses customers habits (good and bad) and how to avoid or refuse to work for certain problem customers without offending anyone. The chapter on learning how to price your services was extremely helpful. A stay at home parent might find this a great opportunity to work at home part-time.

Helpful book for someone considering working at home--offering services of: resumes, letters, mail service, bookkeeping and accounting, answering service, or translating. The book offers advice from getting a business license to keeping the money coming in. It also discusses customers habits (good and bad) and how to avoid or refuse to work for certain problem customers without offending anyone. The chapter on learning how to price your services was extremely helpful. A stay at home parent might find this a great opportunity to work at home part-time.

This is a set of three somewhat aged Lego Mindstorms (not NXT) books. Each has a section on basic building techniques as well as a few robot designs you can build. There are lots of good ideas here and the authors are all Lego experts and worth reading.

This book by Mark Soper delivers the essential information about home networking. I have recommended the book to several friends after using it myself for building a home network. If you are a novice and need help getting started or want to plan and deploy your first home network - this will be a great guide. Soper uses personal experience and humor to help you overcome any fear of technology. I found the book to be practical and a useful step-by-step map for setting up home networks. Bravo!