HouseBot

I am trying to create a very simple and basic HA solution to use. I have evaluted Net Remote (too cumbersome) and HouseBot (shows promise) and may test drive MainLobby2. Here is what I want to do and would appreciate any feedback.



Run HA software (and server software if needed) on same touchscreen PC. I would be using a USB UIRT to transmit codes to devices. Typically I would probably only program to use with a TV, DVD player, Sat/Cable box and X-10. I don't won't anything connected to the touchscreen outside of the USB UIRT, thus am looking to use the IR-543 X-10 controller for light automation. This is a IR to RF/X10 controller.



The questions are:



-Do I have to load server sotware on the same device (seems like all 3 programs listed above run the same way...client/server)



-If I have potentially two of these programs running, will this tax my system resources? 1ghz proc and 512 Ram. The reason I ask this is I probably will have a couple of other programs running as well.



-Is there an easy way to learn IR codes and program devices into the software? I am not a programmer.



-Is there a better X-10, Z-Wave, Insteon solution? I am leaning on the X-10 because I don't see any interfaces for the other solutions that will receive IR commands like the X-10 IR-543.



Thank You for your input.

I'm not the expert on HB, but on the surface I don't see anything wrong with what you're proposing: Running the HB thin client (front-end themes) and the back-end server on the same box. I have the functions split here but occasionally launch the HB remote on the server for testing, convenience, etc.

Regarding teaching the IR codes to HB, that is not a problem provided you have the factory remotes or a universal that serves that purpose. I've taught HB many of my IR codes from a Phillips Pronto I was using. The interface is straightforward once you've done all the prep work in the HB server.

I can't speak to the IR-to-X10 functions as I am not using IR to transmit X10 but instead sending native X10 through a ADICON Leopard.

Regarding machine load, dunno. I suspect it will depend on what other programs are running and how much HB work you're doing. My HB server software uses no appreciable CPU when idle, but it does eat up some memory. If you factor in adding the HB remote client as well as any other program(s) you're running, I think you'll want to add more memory.