Actually, no. The FAA position is that if you fly a drone for a 'purpose', then it is no longer a hobby. Want to check out your own gutters to see their condition? Sorry, that is not a hobby flight and is subject to a fine. Now, if you happen to check out your gutters and that of your neighbor while flying, more power to you! The difference is intent...if you plan to do something, they are going to hammer you. If they can't prove that you planned it and was just having fun, then they don't want to risk you running off to your congressman to complain.

You can't find cheap AND simple in the home automation world...do you want cheap or do you want simple?

What you really want to do is look at the base software that will talk to all devices. Preferably something that can talk to several different protocols like Insteon and Z-Wave. This way you can mix and match devices based on price and functionality.

Two software packages come to mind (because I have used both)...MisterHouse and HomeSeer. MisterHouse is cheap (free and open source) and HomeSeer is simple.

Not trying to be mean, but you should have already had a plan in place...this late in the game without a plan means you just have to go with asses and elbows (just get what you can while you can and forget trying to install a plan to do it!)

The good news is you can become an example for other IT people! Everyone should look at their disaster plans and make sure you have accounted/planned for all emergencies that may happen in your area.

Before you turn red in the face, and your blood pressure raises to unsafe levels, please take note of the date of the article.

This is Slashdot...there has not been a true news story on April 1st for over a decade! (and some will claim it is not limited to just April Fools' day!!)

The switch IS the right place. I want to be able to control the light (and fixture) from my phone, but what happens when I have guest in the house? If the control is in the fixture/light, then I must either give the guest access to my automation or turn it on/off for them. When the control is in the switch, I can control it either at the switch or through my phone!

I'm blessed to live in San Antonio Texas where we don't have the deregulation! After watching what Enron did to the Californians, I was really worried when there was talk of deregulating the Texas market...but exemptions were put in place for a couple of markets!

Everybody stop deleting your accounts! I'm trying to delete mine right now but it won't let me...I'm guessing the servers are melting and I want you to stop until I get mine deleted!