@ocdtrekkie
I like the idea of home automation where it might simplify or enhance my activities etc. But I'm wondering how folk choose smart / #IoT devices that can't fuck you over, as almost every commercial offering is determined to do. So I have zero smart devices other than my phone and laptop.
Any comments #HomeAssistant fans?
@teleclimber
@happyborg @ocdtrekkie @teleclimber The sure-fire way is to select a local networking technology that is "non-routable" (can't be sent over the internet.) Zigbee is one, Z-wave is another. No device using those technologies can phone home by itself.
If you install a Zigbee hub that can talk on the internet (like a Philips Hue hub) then they can send messages on behalf of their devices. But if you run a HA hub you can control that by not installing a cloud-facing integration unless you want to.
@happyborg
I share your aversion against commercial greed and enshittification.
My rules are:
* Must work when stuff fails. A light switch must still toggle the light even if there's no connection.
* Local only. For WiFi I use devices on esp base and install esphome.io firmware. Or use local protocols like ZigBee.
* No critical functionality. I've seen software fail too many times, so everything I do is a nice to have. No smart locks. Nothing that i can't live without until I have time to fix it
@happyborg @ocdtrekkie @teleclimber i use zigbee devices with HA running on a rasperry pi with a zigbee dongle. nothing CAN phone home.
@happyborg Home Assistant user here, with Zigbee devices (predominately Ikea, and Aquara, some Philips Hue) for 5yrs.
Happy with HA and Zigbee - gives me solid local control, and limited/zero chance of a company bricking devices/stealing data. Also was easy to move my Hue devices off their hub onto my Zigbee coordinator (Sonoff Dongle-E).
Big barrier is that HA, and Zigbee are a learning curve for someone just getting started on that journey, especially non techs.
@ocdtrekkie @teleclimber
@happyborg
All my smart devices are ZigBee only. Theres no method for them to export information outside my home.
If I were to add WiFi enabled devices they'd go on a VLAN that would have no internet access (router firewall disallowing outbound connections from the VLAN). If it doesn't work in that config it doesn't get purchased.
@ocdtrekkie @teleclimber
I'm about to start a multi year home renovation and in the past would have thought, let's use my knowledge and love of tech to enhance this period home while preserving its character.
Now that #privacy is something I have to fight to retain and smart / #IoT devices are being used to attack everyone's privacy and autonomy, the idea of #HomeAssistant etc turns me off.
Change my mind!
@happyborg @ocdtrekkie For me it's the exact opposite. In this age where everything is tied to a service run by some faceless corporate entity conglomerate, running HA and playing with home automation in a completely independent way feels empowering. It's exactly the kind of thing someone who is concerned about privacy, etc.. in tech would enjoy. It's on the level of "I use Linux for work" type of FU to the megacorps.
HA works really well, it's solid (my exp.) You can buy small ZWave or Zigbee devices from small resellers, connect them via a local protocol, and bask in the glory of useful functional tech as it should be.
@happyborg I’m genuinely curious - what about Home Assistant is a turn off for you? @ocdtrekkie @teleclimber
@happyborg Use a local protocol to automate your lights, switches etc. For instance #knx. No network or internet needed to run it. Already exists 30 years. If you want it integrates great with Home Assistant, but you can also use it without any network connection...
