Standalone Home Automation

One of the barriers to home automation is the belief that you must have a computer that is dedicated to the task of running your home, and that you must leave it turned on all of the time. Well, to be blunt, that is what I consider the best approach because it allows you to do so much more. If you have an unused Mac, it's a great way to put it to use (See Turn Your Old Mac Into a Home-Automation System from Macworld for more info about this.)

However, this isn't the only approach. There are plenty of situations where a standalone controller is handy. Basically, a standalone controller is a plugged-in box that you program with your computer, after which it runs by itself and controls your home according to the schedule you set. It's a good way to get started, and if you want to automate a vacation home or that of a parent, it can be the most inexpensive and simple approach.

For Mac users, the program Indigo is your best choice for working with standalone home automation controllers. The author of Indigo, Matt Bendiksen, wrote about this for Smart Home Hacks, and his article is available at the Perceptive Automation website: Automation Choices.

The latest standalone controller is the PowerLink V2 (2414U) and Indigo's latest beta adds support for it. There's a lot to like about this controller, it supports INSTEON and X10 systems, and it works in both tethered (computer controlled) and standalone modes.

If you're using a standalone home automation controller, feel free to add a comment about your experience and approach.