Rating: 
Summary: Smart Homes for Dummies Second Edition
Review: ....of many systems and choices, but NOT for the person who wants to know (as I did) how to actually wire things up. Use this as a guide to getting your mind into the topic and what it involves, not as a how-to.There is one area that makes me nervous about how much of the book derived from having actually done what it recommends. About the DirecWay satellite system: I have used that system, and what's not stated in the book are its numerous glaring flaws. It is slow. It doesn't interface well with a wireless network. It is notorious (I found out after the fact) for having a problem accessing Hotmail. Customer support is almost useless; the email address and Web site that come with the installation are wrong, and the person who answers the phone very often doesn't know a satellite from a sabersaw. Any networking you do requiring an Ethernet port won't happen, because there is none. You can't download a file larger than 170 Mg in any four-hour period (and no, it's not in the product documentation because there's none of that either--all you get is a small online help file). And the speed is about the same as the 56K modem I once used over a phone line. Why isn't any of that discussed? It made me wonder how much of what the author(s) talked about actually came from a hands-on perspective.
Rating: 
Summary: an overview.....
Review: ....of many systems and choices, but NOT for the person who wants to know (as I did) how to actually wire things up. Use this as a guide to getting your mind into the topic and what it involves, not as a how-to. There is one area that makes me nervous about how much of the book derived from having actually done what it recommends. About the DirecWay satellite system: I have used that system, and what's not stated in the book are its numerous glaring flaws. It is slow. It doesn't interface well with a wireless network. It is notorious (I found out after the fact) for having a problem accessing Hotmail. Customer support is almost useless; the email address and Web site that come with the installation are wrong, and the person who answers the phone very often doesn't know a satellite from a sabersaw. Any networking you do requiring an Ethernet port won't happen, because there is none. You can't download a file larger than 170 Mg in any four-hour period (and no, it's not in the product documentation because there's none of that either--all you get is a small online help file). And the speed is about the same as the 56K modem I once used over a phone line. Why isn't any of that discussed? It made me wonder how much of what the author(s) talked about actually came from a hands-on perspective.
Rating: 
Summary: If you are seeking DIY instructions- pass on this one
Review: As the title implies, this book is intended for people seeking an overview of what home automation, networking, X10, security, a/v distibution. It is very comprehensive so kudos there. However, if you are after more detailed instructions on how to hook something up, really plan & design your systems or prewire you new construction this book does not get that deep. I suppose was hoping for more real examples, diagrams and do it yourself instruction. I'm trying to learn in order to avoid paying someone $2000 to install $200 worth of wire and outlets in my house (especially regarding X10 which is really cool). So I returned this book and am consdiering one called "Automated Home Control" by Bucceri. Haven't found it on Amazon yet, but it's on homcontrols.com and smarthomeusa.com
Rating:
Summary: Lively and knowing
Review: Danny Briere, a friend, is a top industry consultant who built Telechoice into an industry leader. I also write about technology, so I know his professionial work. The book shows another side to him - playful and joyous. This stuff is fun - and it ain't worth a darn if you can't make it work. Briere and Hurley help you choose, plan, and solve the inevitable problems with a sense of humor. Very well done.
Rating:
Summary: Lively and knowing
Review: Danny Briere, a friend, is a top industry consultant who built Telechoice into an industry leader. I also write about technology, so I know his professionial work. The book shows another side to him - playful and joyous. This stuff is fun - and it ain't worth a darn if you can't make it work. Briere and Hurley help you choose, plan, and solve the inevitable problems with a sense of humor. Very well done.
Rating:
Summary: Easily read, important to know
Review: How far should you go in programming your home for "smartness"? The authors present a very reasonable overview of what is available, what works, and what may soon become available. I found it to be a great resource of information and opinion in planning my next home. It is not a "how to", but a "how much" and "why" kind of book. Well done!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent reference
Review: I actually only got the Dummies book because it happened to be bundled with Home Automation and Wiring. I returned HA&W and kept this one. Dummies gives you enough information that you can really do some of these projects on your own. HA&W is only useful if you're planning on contracting out all of the work and you only want a high-level overview of the concepts.
Rating: 
Summary: Easy, Fun and Informative Read
Review: I almost wore out this book as it touches on almost everything. It may not drill down in exact detail for each topic but it gives more than an overview and leaves you with enough information to do further research. I highly recommend this book to beginners and intermediate HA enthusiasts.
Rating:
Summary: This is an excellent book for anyone trying to wire a home.
Review: I am a contactor who builds in desks and offices and home extensions for people. The MOST common question I get is what sort of wiring should people put in and how to hook it up so they can do work at the kitchen table, in the bedroom, and in the kids rooms. Running wiring to take advantage of Internet access is also a big question, plus figuring out how to distribute DSS throughout the house. Now, I'm getting questions about cable modems, CAT-5 cabling, RG-6 cabling, video distribution, speaker extensions, and even rudimentary home automation. I got this book to try to make some sense out of all of this and to get the 'big picture'. I got that in spades. I have to tell you, you can never stop learning, and this book gives you a great balance of where the future resides, and what you need to do today to prepare for that future -- whenever you care to implement it. I have to say I took some of the advice and smartened up my house, and I'm far better prepared for customers too. If you are a contractor, buy this, it beats the pants off of dry literature out there (the authors actually have a sense of humor). If you are a homeowner, buy two, one for yourself and one for your contractor. You'll both learn something.
Rating:
Summary: Great book with lots of valuable information
Review: I am in the process of building a house and wanted to put some smart home features in. I read this book and it gave me the information I needed to run all the wire in my house. It is very good at explaining how to run the wires to provide the most benefit. I went from knowing very little about smart homes to putting 2,500 feet of wire throughout the home. Each room is wired with cat 5, coax and speaker wire. I did this for a fraction of the cost it would have been to hire someone else to do it.
| 
