charlie crackle
14-01-2005, 02:49 AM
Thaught this should go in the thinkboxx forum too.
most definitely correct.
minder really did have some good features to it. It will be interesting to see
what happens to it now. From what i have seen the version 405 still suffers some limitations inflicted mainly by the software designers and how they implement basics of the software, help documentation, etc...
the new clipsal logic engine will not be so forgiving, and yet it will be alot more versatile. It will also support alot of the stuff you used to do with minder but had to have a better knowledge of how minder worked to implement it. ie turning things on/off at a specified time after sunset, classes.....
I agree with you on the documentation etc. Not good for non programming minded electricians. Not easy to program till you get your head around it. (But once you do you can do some very cleaver things easily) Thinkboxx can do so much more that minder could do. The "BIG" thing Thinkboxx has going for it is COST.
Cbus Relays for outputs (The cost of a 9 station hunter irrigation controller compared to 10(9+master) CBus relay channels + logic engine ! Who would do irrigation via CBUS {the Rich !} )
Cbus General input modules
Cbus Phone Interface
Cbus IR Interface
Cbus interface to security (Via PC interface)
Cbus Logic Engine
Etc etc. The cost goes through the roof.
Thinkboxx has cheap inputs and outputs. Has IR covered. Has a great interface to keyless entry. If your heater/aircon talks RCS or StatNet easy to interface to. Can Talk to centeral monitoring. send voice messages. send SMS messages. 2way voice. Reporting. History. Handy X10 interface for the christmas lights and lamps. Keypads.
Do do what Thinkboxx can do in cbus would cost 10 times as much.
I really hope Thinkboxx does not die. I have no idea about the politics between Clipsal and Smart, but from a technical and Engineering viewpoint I hope the product continues and that Clipsal keep bringing new products out to enhance what they lost when they discontinued minder. Healthy Competition and development for the benefit of the industry.
my 20c !!
Charles
P.S. I think 4.06 is great. I have a Fully optioned Minder (now converted to thinkboxx). Phone Interface, 3 IO boards(Case needed modification), 5 LCD keypads, X10, Cbus(via Simm), IR interface, 7 temp sensors, 2 Way voice. (Hoping now to add keyless entry) currently at 1100 Scenario Lines.
Controls Irrigation (via Mains & Water Tank pump.) monitors tank level. Controls grey water system. Interfaces into Alarm panel. Controls Aircon and heating. Monitors FLows in plumbing to turn on Lights and fans in showers. vehicle sensor in driveway (for welcome home), Lighting "specials" (turns on lights at night at 15 % when son goes sleep walking...)
Waiting for version 5 (Lots of goodies (I hope) )
most definitely correct.
minder really did have some good features to it. It will be interesting to see
what happens to it now. From what i have seen the version 405 still suffers some limitations inflicted mainly by the software designers and how they implement basics of the software, help documentation, etc...
the new clipsal logic engine will not be so forgiving, and yet it will be alot more versatile. It will also support alot of the stuff you used to do with minder but had to have a better knowledge of how minder worked to implement it. ie turning things on/off at a specified time after sunset, classes.....
I agree with you on the documentation etc. Not good for non programming minded electricians. Not easy to program till you get your head around it. (But once you do you can do some very cleaver things easily) Thinkboxx can do so much more that minder could do. The "BIG" thing Thinkboxx has going for it is COST.
Cbus Relays for outputs (The cost of a 9 station hunter irrigation controller compared to 10(9+master) CBus relay channels + logic engine ! Who would do irrigation via CBUS {the Rich !} )
Cbus General input modules
Cbus Phone Interface
Cbus IR Interface
Cbus interface to security (Via PC interface)
Cbus Logic Engine
Etc etc. The cost goes through the roof.
Thinkboxx has cheap inputs and outputs. Has IR covered. Has a great interface to keyless entry. If your heater/aircon talks RCS or StatNet easy to interface to. Can Talk to centeral monitoring. send voice messages. send SMS messages. 2way voice. Reporting. History. Handy X10 interface for the christmas lights and lamps. Keypads.
Do do what Thinkboxx can do in cbus would cost 10 times as much.
I really hope Thinkboxx does not die. I have no idea about the politics between Clipsal and Smart, but from a technical and Engineering viewpoint I hope the product continues and that Clipsal keep bringing new products out to enhance what they lost when they discontinued minder. Healthy Competition and development for the benefit of the industry.
my 20c !!
Charles
P.S. I think 4.06 is great. I have a Fully optioned Minder (now converted to thinkboxx). Phone Interface, 3 IO boards(Case needed modification), 5 LCD keypads, X10, Cbus(via Simm), IR interface, 7 temp sensors, 2 Way voice. (Hoping now to add keyless entry) currently at 1100 Scenario Lines.
Controls Irrigation (via Mains & Water Tank pump.) monitors tank level. Controls grey water system. Interfaces into Alarm panel. Controls Aircon and heating. Monitors FLows in plumbing to turn on Lights and fans in showers. vehicle sensor in driveway (for welcome home), Lighting "specials" (turns on lights at night at 15 % when son goes sleep walking...)
Waiting for version 5 (Lots of goodies (I hope) )