Home Automation

Say No to WiFi Home Automation

The best option is to use something that communicates over RF such as:

• Zigbee
• Z-Wave
• Insteon
• X10
• etc

I recommend these because they only send data when it is required and is not always communicating with the base station. Unlike the following, which I do not recommend:

• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• Bluetooth LE

 WiFi and Bluetooth will clutter your home with radio waves, slow down bandwidth and waste energy. Not to mention I still believe that too much radio waves is not healthy. At the very least do not get any WiFi home automation products such as Wall Sockets, Light Switches, etc. They are made by manufacturers because they are easier to setup, however the cost both financially, health wise and bandwidth wise, is not worth it.

Vera Controller is an example of a simple setup Z-Wave system, easier than WiFi. I have tried this system and while they advertise you do not need the cloud, you actually do. Without the cloud the Vera system is severely limited, you can barely make any configuration changes and most of the feature are in the cloud. Without the cloud you have basic control.

In the end I used HomeAssistant with a USB Z-Wave controller and I absolutely love it. I even have my Hikvision NVR and standalone IP cameras displayed in the same interface as my Z-Wave devices.

Password Manager

While there are many password manager applications out there, some I have tried such as KeePass and LastPass. Others, that I have not tried include and cannot comment on:

• 1Password
• Bitser
• Dashlane
• Enpass
• Intuitive Password
• Keeper
• Mitto

However I wanted a hardware password manager, so I found Mooltipass Mini.

https://www.themooltipass.com/

Mooltipass is a great little piece of hardware that encrypts your credentials with AES256 and requires two factor authentication (PIN + Smart Card). This device supports Windows, Linux, Mac and even Apple and Android devices (most). It only requires the APP and or Web Plugin to load your passwords, once that is completed you can use it in manual mode and not require any additional software/plugin. Best of all its OpenSource and fairly cheap!!!