I have accidentally made this window much bigger, with no idea how I did it, maybe Richard could explain if there is a way
2) To many tabs; having to switch back and forth (to see what you named what) to get the simplest things created.+1
3) The highlight bug (when you highlight a condition name to copy, it replaces it with a url link) was very frustrating.+1
5) It does work very well on a tablet (UI Issues)+1
[quote=“S-F”]@ ServiceXp
Could you elaborate on Vera having more plugins? Granted I haven’t been using Vera for a year but it is my opinion that HS3 has many more plugins and they all do WAY more than Vera plugins. Maybe you just haven’t seen them all because most of the free HS3 plugins aren’t listed on the website and need to be found in the forum… Like the network monitor and remote PC control plugin I turned you on to the other day.[/quote]
I personally don’t know if there are more or less, but the equivalent plugins seem to be a lot more functional.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk
[quote=“SirMeili, post:262, topic:179989”]I personally don’t know if there are more or less, but the equivalent plugins seem to be a lot more functional.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk[/quote]
To put it mildly.
Here is a brief description of what the plugin I mention above can do:
[code]Remote Computer Functions:
? Shutdown computer
? Restart computer
? Hibernate computer
? Standby computer
? Log off computer
? Lock Computer
? Turn the screensaver on
? Turn the screensaver off
? Turn the monitor off
? Turn the monitor on
? Turn monitor to low brightness
? Toggle the master audio mute
? Mute the master volume
? Unmute the master volume
? Set and change the master volume level
? Set and change the volume of applications (Vista upwards)
? Mute the volume of applications (Vista upwards)
? Stop a process (with optional window title)
? Kill a process (with optional window title)
? Run a process/program (with parameters)
? Retrieve information from command line applications
? Check if a process/program is running
? Send text to the clipboard
? Retrieve text from the clipboard
? Set the focus on a defined window
? Send keyboard presses
? Set application Windows (Minimize, Maximize, restore etc)
? Position the mouse cursor and simulate mouse clicks
? Send text to a popup message application on the screen
? Send text as a tray balloon (with optional Date/time stamp)
? Send data (in Hex, Dec or String) to any serial port
? Speech functionality (no speaker client required)
? Virtual devices can be configured to show data
? Remote macro facility (20+1 macros available)
? Check the total/used/free size of a specific hard drive
? Remote Client monitoring
? Remote Client status logging
? Quick setup functionality via web interface.
Network Monitor functions:
? Allows you to monitor the status of devices connected to your local network or the Internet via ICMP ping.
? Allows you to monitor the status of individual TCP ports (by device) on your local network or via the Internet.
? Allows you to monitor Web sites, web pages (with optional content check) to see if they are being served correctly either locally or via the Internet.
? Multiple pings can be sent to confirm connection status.
? Use of optional ARP detection for non-pingable devices on your local network.
? Optional UPNP detection for non-pingable devices or to check media servers etc.
? Allows you to trigger Homeseer events depending on status (online, offline or troubled).
? Allows you to monitor the entire subnet to detect unknown/unauthorised devices joining the network with various triggers.
? User definable icon sets provided to match the monitored device.
? Wake up on LAN (WOL) facility.
? Automatic MAC Address collection from defined IP addresses.
? Automatic reallocation of devices IP Address if using on DHCP server.
? Quick setup functionality via web interface…[/code]
This is just ONE PLUGIN. And it’s not available in the HomeSeer store because it’s free.
[quote=“S-F, post:260, topic:179989”]@ ServiceXp
Could you elaborate on Vera having more plugins? Granted I haven’t been using Vera for a year but it is my opinion that HS3 has many more plugins and they all do WAY more than Vera plugins. Maybe you just haven’t seen them all because most of the free HS3 plugins aren’t listed on the website and need to be found in the forum… Like the network monitor and remote PC control plugin I turned you on to the other day.
SNIP[/quote]
Perhaps that is the case…; but for the ones that I searched for ( such as "Romba, Honeywell Comfort Connect, Wink) there doesn’t seem to be an equivalent in HS at this point. We agree that HS plug-in are more powerfull (as I stated).
There’s a Roomba plugin. Don’t know about the others.
[quote=“S-F, post:263, topic:179989”][quote=“SirMeili, post:262, topic:179989”]I personally don’t know if there are more or less, but the equivalent plugins seem to be a lot more functional.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk[/quote]
To put it mildly.
Here is a brief description of what the plugin I mention above can do:
Remote Computer Functions:
This is just ONE PLUGIN. And it’s not available in the HomeSeer store because it’s free.[/quote]
I know right, that plug-in is just freaking impressive, and to think it’s free… I’m SO glad you turned me on to it…
In the Plug-In manager or somewhere else?
In the plugin manager, or whatever it’s called, there is one and there is also a script posted on the board somewhere.
For those who want an overview of HS, http://www.homeseer.com/guides/HomeSeer-QuickStart-Guide.pdf
Homeseer and phone apps… May as well not have any.
HS3Touch Designer Software, in the forum there is a resize tool which is great to change the scale to use on different screen layout. They haven’t change the interface in 10 years, it was stated before HS3 it would receive a significant overhaul but giving HS3 3-4 years to get to beta and about 2 to final release, that might have drawn down their resources.
If you are going to buy
HS3Touch Designer Software, you are better off buying the HS3 Pro but wait for the two yearly special as this is a significant cost saving in the Base Costs.
Remote Access
myHomeSeer Remote Cloud-based Remote Access Service
Includes myHomeSeer Remote Basic (FREE since last year) and they Premium Service as well.
Z-wave tools
There is also two z-wave support tool that are very good, one free and the other licensed separately. Worth a look if you have problems
[quote=“Brientim, post:269, topic:179989”]For those who want an overview of HS, http://www.homeseer.com/guides/HomeSeer-QuickStart-Guide.pdf
[/quote]
As I recall you were once a HomeSeer user… Correct?
What are your thoughts on this? Why did you move to Vera and what has kept you with Vera? I’m very curious.
Yes, I still have HS3 Pro but not operational. Before that Control4. Which just become too costly as some firmware upgrades required new hardware or freeze your baseline completely. They did simple the last to version 2.xx a number of controller and product became unsupported and there was a break away group that would crack and patch to bypass planned redundancy.
Change in my employment and life.
There very slow development away from HS2 platform.
At that point I closing down my business as a result of family (new) and did not want to away about 300 days a year and hence resulting switch off server that was running HS…
HS2 at that point was extremely old platform and was in need of a well overdue technical overhaul. The support to HS2 was limited as in the background they were of course focusing on the next products… This was a problem because of their support was extremely good before that and still was but with induced delays.
HS3 was delayed about 3 years to get to beta and there was no end date of that delay, it was coming but when they could not say.
So it was look at a light weight reliable alternative which lead to Vera.
At this point Vera is solid in our use; especially for z-wave but being in Australia we do not have the wider range or choice and therefore, we do not experience the same issues or potential frustrations. Noting Gen5 z-wave has not made it here yet but I am only one of a smaller number that so have a AU Gen5 z-wave in another system which is useful as with any new devices hitting this market in the near future. Hence Fibaro HC2 problem no support for z-wave plus Gen5
As to home automation, I do not have high desires currently; especially with three young children (5,4, and 2) as they are automatically turning on everything. Computers, lights sprinklers, iPads and whatever takes their interests at that 5 second interval in time.
So all logic is either based on when we out or night routine and managing power to turn things off after they’ve lost interest 5 minutes.
Why I stayed:
Vera other than a few regression with firmware has been a solid z-wave gateway. Even most firmware issues could be addressed by rolling back, however that does not afford it self to new users.
The community… Forum… Without going into details. At the point I migrated, I had a medical issue which to say I had to prepare my family for the worst, you do come out looking at thing a little different.
Making things more complex would not work if I wasn’t around and my wife would need to either support or destroy. Hence light weight and the forum was a key here. In that decision.
When HS3 beta was released it was extremely buggy and after such a long wait, it was extremely disappointing…
They were quick to address Problems, but every release introduced others, so confidence in HS was not great and a few communications with the Beta team directly were not well received or responded too.
Lastly the change to work which was done to provide more time for family, just hasn’t completely panned out that way. It takes up way too much times and mind space currently and time to focus on other things just does not exist.
So in conclusion. Keeping family happy, work and changes to the other systems would not have provided and real leap in capability.
Integration between HS and Vera for z-wave works fine and for apps not supported in HS, you can always use a http call which maintains a Vera presence with its plugins if desired.
Thank you for your input.
@Brientim, first, I totally understand where you are coming from. While I don’t have health issues, my home was wiped out due to Super Storm Sandy, family displaced for over a year, and we’re still dealing with ongoing financial and emotional issues. My sincere thoughts that your situation is better or will get better over time.
We are similar in that I simply don’t have the time to debug and troubleshoot my HA setup once it’s adjusted. Automation is extremely important to me, I pay some of the highest electricity and utility costs in the USA due to where I live. For that reason, it would be insane for me to stick with Vera. As Service XP and S-F previously said, I just need it to work reliably. I also choose/install my HA devices to work if the controller was to go dead or I am not available to service it.
I bought a VeraLite at the time because it was cheap enough and I knew I could throw it away and not feel bad about it if things didn’t work out. I did in fact research/read the forums before I pulled the trigger and knew more or less what I was getting into. In about the 1 1/2 years I’ve owned it, MCV has not changed their ways significantly enough. Their so-called presence on the forums was short lived. Several plug-in developers have abandoned their plug-ins or pulled them. Some of the long-time and more brilliant users here are migrating to OpenHAB (or other platforms) so they don’t have to deal with Vera’s automation shortcomings. I’m surprised no one other than myself has noticed that many of the long-time regulars here are no longer posting. I’ve noticed the pattern.
Will MCV die? Probably not, we already know they make most of their money from OEM arrangements, us retail customers are an afterthought. But I have had enough of their penny-wise and pound-foolish attitude. I also get a little tired of a certain class of users here that whine about how other products cost more than Vera and the plug-ins cost money or too much. Guess what? People should be compensated for their time and efforts. If some folks are willing to give away their work, great.
I’m either going to pull the trigger on HS3 Pro today (even though I don’t have the time to set it up yet) just to get the discount or I’ll wait till their Fall sale. We all know that MCV is more than a year away from having their so-called next generation controller, I can’t put my HA goals on hold that long.
[quote=“TC1, post:273, topic:179989”]@Brientim, first, I totally understand where you are coming from. While I don’t have health issues, my home was wiped out due to Super Storm Sandy, family displaced for over a year, and we’re still dealing with ongoing financial and emotional issues. My sincere thoughts that your situation is better or will get better over time.
We are similar in that I simply don’t have the time to debug and troubleshoot my HA setup once it’s adjusted. Automation is extremely important to me, I pay some of the highest electricity and utility costs in the USA due to where I live. For that reason, it would be insane for me to stick with Vera. As Service XP and S-F previously said, I just need it to work reliably. I also choose/install my HA devices to work if the controller was to go dead or I am not available to service it.
I bought a VeraLite at the time because it was cheap enough and I knew I could throw it away and not feel bad about it if things didn’t work out. I did in fact research/read the forums before I pulled the trigger and knew more or less what I was getting into. In about the 1 1/2 years I’ve owned it, MCV has not changed their ways significantly enough. Their so-called presence on the forums was short lived. Several plug-in developers have abandoned their plug-ins or pulled them. Some of the long-time and more brilliant users here are migrating to OpenHAB (or other platforms) so they don’t have to deal with Vera’s automation shortcomings. I’m surprised no one other than myself has noticed that many of the long-time regulars here are no longer posting. I’ve noticed the pattern.
Will MCV die? Probably not, we already know they make most of their money from OEM arrangements, us retail customers are an afterthought. But I have had enough of their penny-wise and pound-foolish attitude. I also get a little tired of a certain class of users here that whine about how other products cost more than Vera and the plug-ins cost money or too much. Guess what? People should be compensated for their time and efforts. If some folks are willing to give away their work, great.
I’m either going to pull the trigger on HS3 Pro today (even though I don’t have the time to set it up yet) just to get the discount or I’ll wait till their Fall sale. We all know that MCV is more than a year away from having their so-called next generation controller, I can’t put my HA goals on hold that long.[/quote]
My $.02? Pull. The. Trigger!
(not that it means much…LOL)
My biggest surprise with HS are my locks. I like that I can now determine if my lock (Schlage BE469) was locked from inside OR outside via the schlage button (without resorting to having to enter a pin to lock from outside). I’m also not sure if the Vera will do this, but I love getting notifications when the lock gets jammed or fails to completely lock. That right there is worth the price of admission to me.
The little gems? How about just being able to tell if someone is tampering with my sensors via the tamper switches in them? Yup…HS does that too. Gotta love it.
Vera was a good first step, and I am SURE I will find fault in HS, but for now, it offers me more bang for the buck (yes, even though it costs more). Like you said, with some of the Plugin devs here leaving, there is little keeping me around. Add to that the missing things like the tamper notifications and there is nothing keeping me here.
My biggest surprise with HS are my locks. I like that I can now determine if my lock (Schlage BE469) was locked from inside OR outside via the schlage button (without resorting to having to enter a pin to lock from outside). I'm also not sure if the Vera will do this, but I love getting notifications when the lock gets jammed or fails to completely lock. That right there is worth the price of admission to me.The little gems? How about just being able to tell if someone is tampering with my sensors via the tamper switches in them? Yup…HS does that too. Gotta love it.
Wow. Did not know that. And I have 2 BE469s.
See, the fact those things can be done and Vera doesn’t bother to support those parameters just pisses me off even more. I bet the new First Alert Z-wave Smoke/CO2 sensors even work in HS3.
Thanks for the info, very much appreciated.
I feel the need to say something about this whole topic, but I’m really not too sure where I stand at this point. I’m very much on the fence.
I pulled the trigger a week or so ago and purchased the HS3 Pro bundle. I personally have no need for any of the HS apps, but I suppose that if the day comes that I need them, I don’t have to pay a cent for them.
From the day I decided to pursue HA, there has always been a thought that I would make this into a business. I have been using VERA for over a year, and the thought of taking that device into others homes with the intention of if being a reliable controller is frankly frightening. There is no way that I would ever get a good night’s sleep knowing I have installed a VERA device in a customer’s home. The whole UI situation exacerbates that feeling, knowing that in order to place the most reliable platform into a customer’s home, it would have to be running an unsupported UI5, which won’t support newer devices, which means a UI upgrade at some point, undoubtedly causing an automation sh!t storm in someone’s home which will tax me as a resource unnecessarily when I could have just used a more robust system in the first place.
Hardware and ‘OS’ is a hands-down win for HS3
On the flip side of that coin, the HS forum’s pale in comparison to VERA. I am proud to say that the vast majority of what I have achieved in HA has been done by asking the minimum of questions and on the premise that the answer can be found somewhere in these forums. It’s true. On the ‘other side’ I’m having a great deal of difficulty finding stuff with the search engine and it is driving me nuts. I refuse to be ‘that guy’ that posts stuff like ‘can someone tell me where the power switch is?’ on the forums. @ServiceXP said it best when he commented that VERA would have probably been buried long ago if they didn’t have the forum presence that they do. I personally believe that the forums and the developers MADE VERA as popular as it is. I have also seen that some of the good ones are slowly migrating elsewhere.
There is an app interface with HS3, but I’m finding out that this is just a fraction of the apps that are actually available for the system. Unfortunately HS doesn’t have an App Store like VERA does, and trudging thru the user-unfriendly forums to find other apps is driving me batty.
I haven’t had a ton of time to get right into my HS3, but I’m slowly getting there. I suppose that a portion of my frustration is just learning all over again. I would have had to do it with UI7 anyways, but this is a different animal entirely. I think there is light at the end of the tunnel, but I’m not heartily waving the HS3 flag yet. I would say the learning curve with PLEG took a sharp jump in the last few months and I’ve really switched on my controller’s full potential because of that, which is making it hard to start all over again, but in the same breath my controller is beginning to feel the stress of what I am trying to get it to do, so maybe pulling the pin now is best before I smash it with a hammer as its resources are beginning to wear thin.
I guess I feel that I made the right choice, I’m just having a hard time accepting what needs to happen to get HS3 to the same place VERA is now. Pairing devices is going to be a nightmare, with multiple micro-switches in my 16ft ceilings and more stuffed into other ceiling fixtures. This better be the last time I do this!!!
Just a thought about the HS forum comments: Know why they aren’t as active as the Vera forums? Because for the most part, the folks over there have systems THAT JUST WORK. Sure there are quirks, bugs, and learning curves, and those are the type of questions you mostly see. Once folks get their systems up and running, you pretty much don’t hear from them, unless it’s to answer a newbie’s questions. HS is one of the largest selling HA systems out there, as much if not more than Vera (no, I don’t have the actual numbers to prove it).
@Vodden, they do in fact have an app store, it’s just that many folks choose not to publish there. I suspect it’s to keep their plug-ins free? S-F would know.
I’m also considering doing HA as a “retirement career” and there is no way in hell I’d put a Vera in someone else’s house. That’s an easy way to go bankrupt real quick. It’s nice that HS has a formal dealer and tradesperson program in place.
[quote=“TC1, post:275, topic:179989”]
My biggest surprise with HS are my locks. I like that I can now determine if my lock (Schlage BE469) was locked from inside OR outside via the schlage button (without resorting to having to enter a pin to lock from outside). I’m also not sure if the Vera will do this, but I love getting notifications when the lock gets jammed or fails to completely lock. That right there is worth the price of admission to me.The little gems? How about just being able to tell if someone is tampering with my sensors via the tamper switches in them? Yup…HS does that too. Gotta love it.
Wow. Did not know that. And I have 2 BE469s.
See, the fact those things can be done and Vera doesn’t bother to support those parameters just pisses me off even more. I bet the new First Alert Z-wave Smoke/CO2 sensors even work in HS3.
Thanks for the info, very much appreciated.[/quote]
When you go to do that locked from outside thing, look up my thread over there (same username) or PM me. I had to add something to get it to work (add status text). It’s not like it was all that hard to do though, and I’ve already done the searching in the logs to get it to work.
Vodden,
Excellent points and concerns. Unfortunately I’m having to be that guy :-\ , because I just can’t seem to find good results in my searches over there. Not sure if its the search system or me but I find it MUCH easy to find information here…
Randy’s (rprade) tutorials and personal help (posts) have been such a huge blessing to me. He seems to knows HS event engine like Richard knows PLEG. I would highly recommend reading through his tutorials, they are fantastic.
In your case (Vera is currently working correctly) I recommend is starting very slowly. Start with your easiest automation logic and devices.
Just Purchased HS3 Pro befor the sales deadline tonight. Having that extra lock info was the clincher, plus there are other parameters on other devices they support that Vera simply does not. Tired of waiting on MCV, life is too short just to save a few bucks on an underpowered piece of hardware.
Looking into buying a fanless hardware platform now, I’ll more than likely get the street version of the one HS brands as theirs. Or I might run it as a virtual machine. Still deciding.
It feels good to actually have CHOICES 
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