Anyone out there that can compare Charmed Quark to Girder?
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Posted by Robert Green on May 16, 2007, 9:11 am
Please log in for more thread options both Charmed Quark and Girder. There's an enormous price difference. Is there a correspondingly enormous quality or value difference? -- Bobby G. | |||||||||||||
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Posted by Bill Kearney on May 16, 2007, 2:58 pm
Please log in for more thread options Girder automates PC apps and has some pretty handy integration features for devices. CQC is a whole suite of automation apps designed for client/server operation. They're entirely different things. > I'd like to web-enable certain aspect of my system and have been looking
at
> both Charmed Quark and Girder. There's an enormous price difference. Is
> there a correspondingly enormous quality or value difference? > > -- > Bobby G. > > > | |||||||||||||
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Posted by Robert Green on June 16, 2007, 11:01 am
Please log in for more thread options >
for
> Girder automates PC apps and has some pretty handy integration features > devices. CQC is a whole suite of automation apps designed for
client/server
> operation. They're entirely different things.
I just bought an IRTrans USB Translator device, capable of receiving one IR code and outputting another code or series of codes from its internal database. I got it so that when I got new gear for the AV room, I wouldn't have to reprogram all the learning remotes around the house. One session of learning and translating codes and the new device can be operated from the same old remotes via the Powermids. More on that later in a separate thread. One of the pieces of SW that's cross-supported by the IRTrans device is Girder Pro. When I first began researching the IRTrans USB Translator I saw a lot of references to Girder Pro. From what I can tell, I think the souped up "pro" version is much more than just an "app" automator and integrator. The plain version appears to work as you describe, but the "pro" version: http://www.smarthome.com/1433.html sells for $149 and Smarthome claims: <<30-day trial plug-in support for INSTEON available free from Promixis.com Control your home automation system using your PC on site or over the Web Supports a wide range of hardware -- including infrared audio/video devices Control every aspect of your home's lighting, security, climate settings and even entertainment components, even if you're not at home. The INSTEON-Compatible Girder Pro Software provides an automation and integration tool that sits in your computer notification area and watches for specific events, such as the pressing of a light switch or a remote button or even simply sundown. When it recognizes an event, this inclusive, expandable software triggers one or more actions, such as turning on a light or adjusting the thermostat. Smarthome does not accept returns on any opened software. Whether you want to manage your video and audio hardware, adjust your home theater lighting, or program your security system, you can control and automate it all with Girder. Plus, Girder's library contains hundreds of plug-ins, pre-configured actions, and support for leading third party hardware devices and software applications. In addition to a PC running this software, all lights and appliances to be controlled will need to be connected to X10-compatible, Z-Wave-compatible, or INSTEON-compatible switches or plug-in modules; a $40 INSTEON plug-in is required to control INSTEON-compatible devices, but a 30-day trial of this plug-in is available free through Promixis.com. In order to communicate your commands to these automation devices, you'll need a powerline interface. The INSTEON-Compatible Girder Pro Software supports the PowerLinc Controller V2 USB or PowerLinc Controller V2 Serial, as well as the All Housecode RF Transceiver for RF interfacing. Easy to Use Access and control your home automation system remotely from any Internet-connected computer. The INSTEON-Compatible Girder Pro Software features Web-based system control, so you'll be able to turn the heat on before you head home from work, check your security system status, and schedule lights to turn on at sundown. You'll appreciate the highly customizable on-screen display for user notification, status reports and menus. Weather Application Check the local weather remotely or the forecast for the next few days through your system or remotely from any Internet-connected computer. The INSTEON-Compatible Girder Pro Software has a weather application that retrieves weather information and graphics for your current location from the Internet and displays it on your screen. Caller ID Application If you have your telephone connected to your home automation system, you can use the INSTEON-Compatible Girder Pro Software to show Caller ID information on your monitor display when a new call is received. You can even have the software announce your caller verbally using the software's voice application. Girder can convert text messages into speech >>
************************************************************* That sounds like something I'd be interested in. I'm not sure I like the idea of each resident needing a license to use the software, but if the fees are reasonable, it's not too big an issue because the base price is low. But I'd really like to hear from someone actually using the Girder Pro software before I plunk down $150 for the non-returnable package. It sounds like I could design a screen that I could pipe throughout the house on a modulator that could show weather, time, alarm status and maybe even a window with live front door CCTV feeds. The things that CQ users were doing with their systems was very impressive but the price would have made it the most expensive piece of SW I own, except, ironically, another product with a sub-atomic twist, Quark Express, the DTP package. $150 is more my speed. -- Bobby G. | |||||||||||||
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Posted by Dave Houston on June 18, 2007, 7:26 am
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>That sounds like something I'd be interested in. I'm not sure I like the
>idea of each resident needing a license to use the software, but if the fees >are reasonable, it's not too big an issue because the base price is low. >But I'd really like to hear from someone actually using the Girder Pro >software before I plunk down $150 for the non-returnable package. They have a whole house licesnse for $200. >It sounds like I could design a screen that I could pipe throughout the
>house on a modulator that could show weather, time, alarm status and maybe >even a window with live front door CCTV feeds. The things that CQ users >were doing with their systems was very impressive but the price would have >made it the most expensive piece of SW I own, except, ironically, another >product with a sub-atomic twist, Quark Express, the DTP package. $150 is >more my speed. Promixis has a forum at... http://www.promixis.com/forums/index.php It will probably give you some idea of how others are using Girder Pro. | |||||||||||||
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