Blog Archives

Insteon Door Lock Sensor

I wish Insteon would give us a tiny, wireless, DIY module (like Arduino) to allow us to build our own input/output devices for an Insteon network that are more compact and modular than the IOLinc. Until then, we’ve got to

Posted by Matt Chiste
February 14

Set up a personal VPN server with DD-WRT

A Virtual Private Network “extends a private network over a public network, such as the Internet”. You may already use one for work to connect to your company’s network, but you can also set one up to easily connect to

Posted by Matt Chiste
February 11

Provide indirect lighting anywhere with an LED light strip and Insteon

I’m a huge fan of LED lights, whether the application is to save electricity, run Christmas lights, or provide indirect pathway lighting. Today’s project is along the same vein as the pathway lighting, but with LEDwholesalers‘ color-changing LED strip. This

Posted by Matt Chiste
February 7

Create a personal domain name to access home systems

Your ISY-994i is set up, and now you want to be able to access it remotely over the internet with MobiLinc. By far the easiest and most cost-effective way to do this is via MobiLinc Connect, a $30/year remote access

Posted by Matt Chiste
February 3

Insteon Hidden Door Sensor

We’ve covered the Insteon TriggerLinc to detect when doors and windows are opened, but some people may find even the relatively small devices obtrusive on door and window frames. A relatively new device in the Insteon arsenal is the Insteon

Posted by Matt Chiste
January 31

Automate home systems while on the road

While at CES earlier this month, I was faced with a challenge when I had housekeepers scheduled to come while I was on the road. Normally if I wasn’t going to be home I’d leave a key in the mailbox,

Posted by Matt Chiste
January 28

Tales from CES: Emerging Home Automation Technologies

CES had its share of neat Home Automation gadgets, but there was also a fair share of emerging home automation technologies on display as well. Here’s a quick round-up of some of those technologies that peaked my interest: First off,

Posted by Matt Chiste
January 24
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