What kind of actuators are you using?

I'm now working on a maintenance ("Undead") release for Servomaster, which was originally created to provide the driver layer for register or damper actuators (as shown here).

A lot has changed since last modification was made to Servomaster - the code turned out to be rock stable and low maintenance. I could accept that as a sign of the fact that the code is perfect - but I'd rather go the other way and ask if it is so off the mark that you guys are speechless and simply walked away from it because you can't use it.

It would be really nice if you looked at the poll (scheduled to close on December 5 2007) and gave me a hint on what to concentrate on.

So what is a heat load calculation?

The answer is here (part of the homeowner's FAQ).

Jukebox 5.0p0 is out

After 2 years of countless changes, I've finally found time to package and release the "Undead" release of Jukebox - a precondition to "Undead" release of DZ (along with pending "Undead" release of Servomaster).

A platform independent RPM, source RPM and source tarball are available at SourceForge download location.

Code repository has been migrated to Subversion

SVN repository (including all historical commits, tags and branches) is now active.
CVS repository will no longer be used - but still available for archival purposes.

Who Needs A Thermostat?

I've been pondering about this question for a long, long time - starting in about 2001 when the only way to control DZ available was a debug panel, and last time in an essay about SWMBO Compliance Certification (Squeezebox is still a good candidate), but it seems that there's been a new development that might if not put an end to the fruitless search, then significantly widen the options available.

I'm talking about Android.

It remains to be seen how viable the platform is and how many hardware manufactures will jump on the bandwagon. But for now - having worked on different Google APIs (Checkout and Calendar in particular) I can say that it's sure going to be a hell of a fun ride, and I'm about to get busy installing the Android SDK and tinkering with it to see how well can a user interface for a HVAC system work on a cell phone.

Now, who needs a thermostat on the wall, really?

SketchUp + HVAC-CALC, part 3

(part 1)
(part 2)

Now, Official Google SketchUp blog reports that the beta version is available for download.

Hurry before they change their mind.

So what is a rack?

The answer is: it is a short name for a 19-inch rack.

An extremely useful thing for a computer geek with lots of equipment spread around the house.

Also, an extremely useful thing for any modern house - people don't usually think about how much equipment that needs connecting they already have, and what will change in the nearest future. Just think: VoIP, IPTV, Squeezebox, NAS (one meaning), NAS (another meaning).

In other words, if you've read all the articles above, know what the rack is and still think you won't need it in a couple of years... I don't even know what to say :)

Now, *can you* have it in your house is a completely different story for a different time. I'm currently midway into a pretty heavy remodeling involving 24U rack installation - hope to finish it in a few weeks and publish the report.