DualBandAid

As in, to not just run the program and be beholden to the IF statement...but starting it at say, the THEN (or ELSE) statements?

Thank you again! I think I got a good handle on it all now. One thing for clarification. Regarding the question I quoted as being skipped... There was a reference early that I "would want to use the native Smart Home skill" -- but that doesn't really explain why. As in, do I want the native smart home skill because of the way I am using my system? Or would everyone want it because the prior version is outdated for all users?

Thank you Teken! I quick three follow-ups to the follow-up... 1) So then I should be able to access my ISY remotely outside my local network WITHOUT the network module? Just via the proper configuration? Is that correct? Likewise... 2) So then, even without the network module, I can still find a way for my ISY to talk to my Echo, just with the proper local configuration? Is that correct? 3) When you so "go out to the internet" are you referring to, for example, going to the "https://my.isy.io" website? As it stands now, it seems like both methods described her require going to that website. Is there not a way I could have my ISY talk to my Echo locally on the network (even though the Echo itself may go out to the open internet on occasion)? In other words, if my internet goes down...but my local network is intact...a system where I can still talk to my ISY via my Echo? And also...you skipped one question...

So I have an account with the MobiLinc cloud solution installed. And I want to switch to the ISY portal. What is the process?

Teken, Thank you for the detailed response. I have edu-mac-ated myself a bit and now grok things a little better. I have a few follow-ups. Can you tell me if these things are correct? 1) The ISY portal (among other things I'm sure) also allows for two separate functions. One, it allows me to control my ISY remotely - with a minimum of set-up hassle. Two, it provides an "interface" (so to speak) that allows my Amazon Echo to talk to my ISY. Correct? 2) That ISY portal/Echo interface is managed by going to https://my.isy.io and plugging in my portal information and my ISY. I then add my ISY devices to this interface. Then I have Echo "Discover Devices" and I'm good to go. 3) This requires that I have the native Smart Home skill -- and I do not want the original "ISY skill" -- which is legacy software no new user would use. Correct? (as in, is there any reason I would want the access the original ISY skill provided?) 4) The https://my.isy.io is also the website where I could get remote access to my ISY (independent of the Echo issue). Correct? And now...the network module. 5) The network module is required to have the ISY communicate outside your local network. Correct? 5) Without an ISY portal account - but just the "network module" - I can still go to the website https://my.isy.io and do a version of #2 to get my ISY to talk to my Echo, however, it would require more manual configuration on my part (port-forwarding at home, etc). Correct? 6) I can also use the network module (and the website https://my.isy.io)to get remote access to my ISY - independent of the Echo issue (again just requiring more manual configuration). Correct? 7) What if I don't want to go over the internet at all to get my Echo to talk to my ISY? What if I want local access? You had mentioned local control in your post: "If you have the time and knowledge you can always use the network module and follow one of several *Roll your own* middle ware (RPi) methods where it allows you to have local Amazon Echo control via the native network module. There are at least two methods in this forum which lists out the steps and procedures." I assume we are talking about the same thing. But I can't seem to find the links in the forum. Can you point me in the right direction? Thank you again as always!

Alex, is it as simple as "one is the old way and don't use that if you are starting from scratch...use the new way"? Or are there pro's and con's to doing one over the other?

Can I answer my own question? One of the above ("ISY Optimized for Smart Home") is to access the ISY from the "connected home" section. The other is sort of a general skill - which I guess lets you do other things? In other words, what does one do that the other doesn't do? Am I crazy or is this a crazy set up with some weird redundancy?

I actually took the plunge and got the ISY portal. However, there are conflicting installing instructions: This video says to enable "ISY skills": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiAaGuXaFTI But this instruction set says to enable the "ISY Optimized for Smart Home" skill http://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY_Portal_Amazon_Echo_Integration Any thoughts?

Thank you for the response! However, I still am unclear what the network module actually does in the first place. In other words, what does it do? What is it for? A roll my own version of what exactly? It sounds like it predated the echo - so what did it do before the echo was around?

I found this Teken, where you posted earlier. So that answers the hardware questions. Also, I see that the ISY portal module is $49 for two years where the network module is $49...which I presume is a one-time purchase. But the network module purchase page doesn't say anything about Echo integration... ...whereas the ISY portal purchase section is all about that... Which also brings me to QUESTION 5: It sill deactivate MobilLinc Connect? Currently, I use that at my ex-wife's house. So if I buy this ISY portal for my new place...I won't be able to help manage from afar her house with MobiLinc Connect? I actually don't recall even purchasing a MobilLinc Connect Module via the ISY. I thought I did it totally via the MobiLinc iPhone app...and that it completely resided there. Am I mistaken in that memory?

Thanks FallenAngel and Teken. I guess I should jump in with the ISY solo first -- though... QUESTION 1: I suspect without a Hub I will need to use more words to turn on, say, a kitchen light, right? Instead of "Alexa, turn on the kitchen lights" I'm going to have to say something like "Alexa, tell Izzy to turn on the kitchen lights". Is that correct? It's not that I'm lazy but...well, aren't all of us on this journey willing to work a little harder so we can by a little lazy? QUESTION 2: ISY Portal Service...network module? I'm trying to read about them, but having a little trouble getting my brain around it. Are these both software things? Is the network module hardware? Are they subscription? QUESTION 3: The ISY Portal Service...seems to be a competitor to MobilLinc Connect (something I have used extensively in my old house). Is ISY Portal Service basically the same but different? QUESTION 4: So where does this network module fit in? Thanks for the all the help guys. And on behalf of a few friends who are following in my footsteps. We are eagerly awaiting the replies.

Teken, I probably should have provided more context to the quote I provided. The user Mike was referring to using the ISY and Echo together. That is my ultimate goal. I actually have another house -- well, my ex has it...but that's another story... -- where I had a full Insteon system that I was controlling with just an ISY. I then moved -- and started from scratch...but had an Echo. So I started adding Insteon devices and, in order to control it with the Echo, I had to get the Insteon Hub. There was no ISY support for the Echo at the time. Now that there is...I was under the impression that, even though there is ISY integration with the Echo, I still needed to have a Hub in the equation. Is that wrong? More precisely, if I am looking for a way to control my Insteon devices with an Echo -- and have an ISY in the loop with all the extra functionality the ISY provides...do I need to bother with the Hub?

Another question. I'm reading the link you provided Teken and came across this: Wait - so do I not even need to bother with the Hub? Can I just use the ISY directly? If that's the case, why would I want to use the Hub at all?

Thank you Teken and Paulbates! I've been waiting for some time to get into this. The time has come. I'll report back. One question, I currently have all my devices connected to an Insteon Hub. Should I factory reset them? Or just do the "delete all links" in the ISY. Factory reset is probably the better option, huh? It would just be a lot more work...

I have a follow-up question about simultaneous ISY and Hub usage... I underlined the part in question. Let's say that I would like to use both. Can you shed some light on the "tricky" part? I am not talking about using some devices with an ISY (like Device A, B, and C) and some with a Hub (Device D, E, and F) - I am talking about adding the same device to BOTH the Hub and ISY controllers. We can get into reasons later. But this is my understanding. Please tell me if you think I am mistaken. It is fine to simply add devices to both a Hub and ISY Both controllers can independently control said devices... ...but those controllers may not be aware of a state-change that the other controller caused That is not the end of the world (though it may cause problems with programs that require an awareness of state-change) It is probably not a good idea to create "scenes" on both controllers -- pick one (in my case, I would just use the ISY to create scenes) A true/false commentary would be very helpful! Thanks, Steve

Thank you. I was just going off this... ...and assumed the 5 second number for a factory reset was accurate info. Oops.

1) Just to confirm...a factory reset is 5 seconds...but just a password reset is 10 seconds? I ask because that seems a little backwards to me. I would have thought the "less-destructive" reset was the shorter duration. 2) Also, to confuse matters even more, the link you provided for a password reset mentions 5 seconds, not 10 (for a 99i). I have forgotten my password (which is amazing to me, considering how many times I've logged in...but oh well) and don't want to inadvertently reset my ISY.

Thank you, everyone. And thank you apnar. But I will have to wait for either the baby itself to be asleep to get enough head space to see if that will help things. EDIT: One follow-up question, apnar. Wouldn't I need to have a disable program command at the end the "then" and "else" sections of the baby toggle, or else it will loop?

Hi there, I've found in several instances I like to create an "alt" functionality in a SwitchLinc using a down-press when the light is already off. I'll give you one example. My baby's room. The light switch turns the light off (duh). But once it is off, I programmed it so that a down-click WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS OFF will turn on or off the baby noise machine (that is connected to an ApplianceLinc). The alt functioning only works if the light-switch is off -- which is fine because that's the only time I ever need this "alt" function. So here's how it works. I turn the light off. Then I off-click the light again - and the noise machine turns on. This is the program I use: If Status 'MASTER - Fan Light' is Off And Control 'MASTER - Fan Light' is switched Off And Status 'BABY - White Noise' is Off Then Set 'BABY - White Noise' On Else - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action') Then if I want to turn the noise machine off, I use a SECOND program that looks like this: If Status 'MASTER - Fan Light' is Off And Control 'MASTER - Fan Light' is switched Off And Status 'BABY - White Noise' is On Then Set 'BABY - White Noise' Off Else - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action') It works like a charm. The thing is, I would LOVE to able to do all this in one single program, but I can't seem to figure it out. Using the ELSE function doesn't seem like it would work. What would work maybe is a "then" function that "toggles" the switch... Toggle 'BABY - White Noise' ...except there isn't any function like that. The problem here is, I have about a dozen of these alt functions in my house (and love them) but they require twice as many programs. I have program-bloat. And also, if I make a change, I have to make it twice. It's just one more thing... Any ideas?

Problem resolved. Not sure if this is what did it, but I emptied the Java cache a second time -- but this time, checked all three possible caches to delete. Two were checked by default -- and that is what I did the first time. Second, all three. Hope that helps anyone who encounters the same problem....

Hello, I just automatically updated my ISY. A window came up and told me to restart my browser. So I quit everything and restarted everything. Now, when the ISY interface loads...it's pretty much blank. All it shows under menu options is FILE. I emptied the Java cache. Did something go wrong or am I only halfway done? Thanks

Though it is almost self-evident, Brian, just to be sure...then I'm pretty much safe even doing 100 cycles a day? That's 30 years right there...? arw01, if I understand you correctly, you are saying that I should purchase a second module - and have that module's on button trigger a program that adjusts the level the light is turned on? I actually foresee a number of problems with that: 1) I'd like to do this for every light -- which would mean purchasing and installing a second switch on a wall for every light. 2) Even if that is okay, I've noticed there is a delay when using a button push to trigger a program. Have I correctly pointed out some negatives with that plan...or did I not understand it? Thanks!

Do you know what that specification is? I'd like to adjust the brightness levels to a SwitchLinc several times a day. Basically so at 8 am, if you hit on, you get 70%. But then adjust it so that, say, at 12 pm, if you hit on, you get 100%. And so on. That could be 5-6 writes a day...

Does this apply to "writes" to a dimmer switch as well?