I have been a Home Automation fan (hobbyist?) for over thirty years, starting with the X-10 stuff back in the late '80s.
Practically everything in my house is tied in with Echo, Ring, Insteon, etc.
Well, I woke up this morning and told Alexa good morning, and she ignored me, almost as if we were married.
I have said before that technology is great... when it works, but don't count on it. Echo (Alexa) and Ring both belong to Amazon and Amazon is currently having widespread system outages. Can I blame the Leftists or China or somebody? I actually had to push buttons to turn on my lights and turn on the radio to listen to Clay and Buck.
I think I am going to paint some protest signs, maybe loot a liquor store or something. Anybody got a good recipe for Molotov Cocktails?
I look at Alexa and the other home automation cameras and listening devices items tied to the web as too much of a direct invasion of privacy, and I also don't really like being part of what helps AI learn.
Yes I'm aware much of this cannot be avoided.
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 12-07-2021).]
I look at Alexa and the other home automation cameras and listening devices items tied to the web as too much of a direct invasion of privacy, and I also don't really like being part of what helps AI learn.
Yes I'm aware much of this cannot be avoided.
I resisted for years, but one day I realized that if I am carrying an Android phone, they already have the ability to track and listen if they want. I have no cameras inside other than my phone, tablet and laptop; but I have three watching my front yard, front door and driveway. I have a sensor on my mailbox which starts a camera and announces when the mail arrives and have twice captured video and thwarted would-be mail thieves. I also have a lot of video of stray cats wandering through my yard.
I have a sensor on my mailbox which starts a camera and announces when the mail arrives and have twice captured video and thwarted would-be mail thieves.
One, in broad daylight, pulled up to the mailbox in an SUV. As soon as he opened the door, he saw the device and smoked the tires. The next, a woman walking down the street about 3 am, was hit with the floodlights as soon as she opened the door and made a hasty retreat.
Without the mailbox sensor, I would have never known about the attempts until I found that the mailbox door was left open, which I did find occasionally. In addition, Alexa announces when mail is delivered, so I can go right out and grab it. Even with the system down today, I still got the announcement. I just can't view video right now or run voice command routines that span between systems. It's like living in the horse and buggy days.
[This message has been edited by williegoat (edited 12-07-2021).]
One, in broad daylight, pulled up to the mailbox in an SUV. As soon as he opened the door, he saw the device and smoked the tires. The next, a woman walking down the street about 3 am, was hit with the floodlights as soon as she opened the door and made a hasty retreat.
Kinda like those "smile, you're on camera" signs.
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 12-08-2021).]
I like that idea of the camera and sensor inside the mailbox.
Edit: Did you run power or ethernet cable to the mailbox?
Everything is wireless. The mailbox sensor is a PIR motion sensor that mounts to the inside of the mailbox door and is powered by three AAA batteries that last about six months. When the door is opened, the motion triggers cameras and floodlights. The mailbox is clearly visible from my front yard and driveway cameras. I set up a routine that announces "You've got mail!" on my Echo devices and a notification pops up on my phone and tablet that says "Check your mail."
Jeez, the keys are in our vehicles, the house is unlocked, my mailbox is 350' down the driveway, and the biggest problem is a fill in driver leaving a package at the neighbors. But, I guess anything I have ain't worth stealing.
Jeez, the keys are in our vehicles, the house is unlocked, my mailbox is 350' down the driveway, and the biggest problem is a fill in driver leaving a package at the neighbors. But, I guess anything I have ain't worth stealing.
My house has been broken into, twice. And cars have been stolen from in front of my house, twice. About ten years ago, my next door neighbor's son was found murdered, just a couple of miles from here. I live in the big city.
