Limitations

There are too many options in home automation. So, I imposed some limitations to allow me to narrow my focus:

• • Wi-Fi

  • For DIY projects, use latest Raspberry Pi running latest raspbian

    • python3

    • Apache2

    • bash

    • html, css

    • sqlite3

  • no monthly fees

  • minimize dependence on servers outside my home

  • no special purpose protocols and hubs (wink, zigbee, Lutron Caseta)

  • no closed systems

  • must work with Alexa

If I can buy a commercial product that is much better than anything I can build or it's just much cheaper, than I will buy instead of make. Examples of buy are: Echo, Nest and Ring.

Also, my preference is to use Apple products, such as, iPhone and MacBook. But, you can use a PC. The primary difference between a Mac and Windows is the use of a terminal window and SSH on a Mac, versus Putty and SSH on Windows. Putty will open a terminal window on Windows. Sometimes I use scp to transfer files between a Mac and a Raspberry Pi. I am not sure of the equivalent command on Windows.