Australian LMCE users.....

[colinjones]

Darren Mason and I have been chatting about an Australian LMCE Users Group. Perhaps just a simple mailing list to toss ideas around for some monthly telecon meetings? I know there are quite a few AU users out there, and given that there are a number of specific challenges to using LMCE in an Australian context, it might be useful for us to share our knowledge and research...

In any case, can any Australian users please post here so we can get a feel for how many there are around? If we get some interest in this then we will follow up with some details on the hows and whats...

Col.

[Crawtech]

well i am here
and a Australian group sounds good to me 

[darrenmason]

What a good idea  

The main reason for an Australian user group would be to address some of the following;

* Hardware availability - what is here, where to get it (cheap), how to get stuff effectively that is not available locally (eg: fiire remotes)
* Home automation - there is not many options so what works, getting Australian distributors onboard etc
* Other aspects - getting asterisk working, australian voip providers, working with foxtel,

The other reason to form a user group is (for me) to have a scheduled time to talk linuxMCE to others and share setups etc. This can be somewhat achieved on the forums as well of course but there is also the opportunity of actually physically helping each other out with setup etc and showing off your kit I guess.

Anyway,
If we get enough feedback then we will look at the options for setting this up and the logistics around meeting (ie; physical/virtual etc)

Regards
Darren

[wombiroller]

Hey All,

I'm in Melbourne 

[indulis]

Perth calling...

[Zaerc]

What a good idea 

The main reason for an Australian user group would be to address some of the following;

* Hardware availability - what is here, where to get it (cheap), how to get stuff effectively that is not available locally (eg: fiire remotes)
...

You could just get started by adding them here: http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Where_to_Buy#Australia

[Crawtech]

Hi indulis
Nice to meet some one else in Perth

[justdeb]

Hi From Brisbane,

I think this would be a great idea.

Regards

Justin

[davewantsmoore]

Potential user in Tassie.

(Currently MythTV / XBMC)

[justdeb]

Hi All,

I have added in an entry already - i never knew this existed.

To all the aussies - lets get this up and running. I don't currently use x10 or any other products, but have started to read up alot about it  - it would be good if someone out there who has it and found the supplier to be easy to deal with could post some updates.

Similarly with the cameras - if anyone has a good supplier pls add it as i would be most interested.

Regards

Justin

[indulis]

X10 stuff is now at your local Bunnings.  You can get a CM-11A (USB interface) off the shelf.  I can also recommend the wireless wall switches (4xrockers, RF, put RF to X10 receiver into power point).

[darrenmason]

I noticed it a few weeks back as well (at bunnings that is).

indulis - how reliable are they? They still seem too expensive.

I think that PLCBUS would work out about the same price and according to them is far more reliable.

[colinjones]

Darren - you are using PLCBUS already aren't you? How do you find their wall switches for lights? Do they fit standard AU profiles? I am curious because I am renting at the moment, so making modifications to walls to accommodate larger profile or deeper wall switches isn't really an option!

[darrenmason]

I am using PLCBUS, but only in my back room at the moment.

The short answer is no they don't fit a normal switch profile. They are smaller (and hard to mount). That is the crystal switches anyway. I have had to patch and paint the previous hole and this is obviously not what you wanted to hear. That said I didn't get any mounting kit with it and I believe they make one - but the physical switch is still a fair bit smaller than a large normal switch .

The other option is to use a regularly momentary switch and the modules - which can be mounted behind the switch or in the ceiling. I am looking into this for further rooms as I think this is neater (and cheaper)

[richardcau74]

Hey
Im from Melbourne nice to meet you all