TheHarbinger

THANK YOU everyone for your excellent input and advice! This helps me to frame my thinking on how to proceed. For now I'll need to decide how to initiate and cancel the away/vacation mode (probably via an Insteon hard switch). Eventually I'd like to announce to Alexa that I'm leaving on vacation and have the proper mode set. That may be a bit down the road but it certainly sounds doable.

I used a Circuit Cellar HCS2 system for over 20 years, until it began misbehaving with X10 control. Besides not having modern connectivity it was quickly becoming a pain to repair and manage. So a few months ago I bought an ISY994/i and, for the most part, upgraded my controls to Insteon devices. I've been reading the forums before starting to program and am having a little trouble conceptualizing how things should work. I'd read that the ISY is unlike a computer, but more like a process controller. I get that; the HCS2 was much the same. However, a user would write a "program" using the XPRESS language, then compile it into an executable that was then loaded onto the HCS2. In this manner I had a master program that had several versions: one for 'everyday' functions like controlling porch lights and an inside light. When I needed to go away fro a few days I had a 'vacation' program that had the everyday functions but also controlled lights in a random fashion for a lived-in look. When I arrived back home I'd re-load the everyday program and go about my life. I was also used to controlling my lights one-to-one with wireless and table top remotes. Want a light on? Address it directly.The ISY / Insteon paradigm seems totally different. And so I'm asking for advice. I understand that I can write a 'program' utilizing 'scenes' (which could be simply all the lights in a single room). I could write a program that incorporates the everyday actions with the away actions. But if I wanted to trigger the away part of the program, how would that be done? I've been to the hospital a lot lately, and may need to quickly shift modes, then reverse them when I return. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated, and thanks in advance.