These are the basics of my Asterisk PBX setup on Debian. I added an X10 interface so that motion sensors in the house could trigger Asterisk to make calls. It has the ability to automatically notify me when I walk in the door if there is new voicemail waiting. But, the reason I went down this road to begin with is that I can use my broadband Internet connection to make long distance phone calls anywhere in the continental US for 1.3 cents per minute.
You have probably already noticed that I am now storing all of my digital photos on a website called flickr.com. As announced two weeks ago on the flickr blog, you can now order prints of photos from flickr. That means if there is one of my photos that you want a 4×6 print of you can get it either sent to you or for pick up at a Target store. The only catch is that you have to be a flickr user (requires a Yahoo! ID), and that’s not really a catch because you should be a flickr user anyway! I tried out the service and was real happy with the quality of the prints. There was not a Target near me available to pick-up so I did the mail order option.
So go sign up and enjoy flickr.
At work we got new Nextel i930 phones. They are Windows Smartphones with GPS support. You can get a java application from mologogo.com that will post your location to their server so others can see where you are. I have been running it on my phone.
You can see my batch of most recent locations on mologogo. In addition, the mologogo service allows you to add “friends” that you can see their location right on your phone running the app.
Two applications I would like to pursue are “smart” buildings and renewable energy.
I feel that many buildings could benefit from the addition of computer control for security and fire protection as well as the control of existing HVAC and lighting systems. The automation can be used to offer improvements in the comfort and convenience of the inhabitants. One example of this is a project I completed for one of my classes. It is an automated pet door that offers the convenience of a conventional pet door, but with added security and weather protection made possibile by using a microprocessor and motorized door actuation.
For another class I worked with a group to develop a fuzzy logic temperature control system. This is basically a computer driven heater and fan with optomization for energy savings and comfort level. Both of these systems could be integrated into a complete home automation system very easily.
I am also interested in the use of renewable energy, such as solar and wind, to power homes and businesses. I have not been able to get hands-on experience in this area yet. I would like to build a portable solar-charged power source with battery storage. It would be capable of supplying power to lights and small appliances independently of power companies and gasoline engines.
