Installation, setting up IoBroker - still "configurable" at an old age?

Hello everyone,

first of all: I grew up with computers (C64) and I think I have good to very good knowledge in this area (for example, I program as a hobby). But apparently building a house has made me so stupid that I currently have trouble setting up my "Smart Home."

I installed ioBroker last week. The installation alone on my Windows system initially ended with an error message. I couldn't find any solutions online either. The ioBroker forum seems to have problems with a) threads that are too long or b) dead threads or c) threads whose content no longer corresponds to the current state. In the end, I found out that a Visual Studio I installed had to be uninstalled first...

Well, then I installed ioBroker and it was accessible under localhost. Now I wanted to integrate my Ikea lamps. But first, connect the ConbeeII stick. Plugged into the computer and - nothing! No software included. You’re supposed to use some app. But where the hell is it? Only after trying did I realize that the gateway is reachable via my "localhost" port XY! Okay, logged in there and first assigned a name and password. Then I had to install an adapter "deconz" in ioBroker. To figure out what to enter there, I first had to research again online... Meanwhile, I dealt with the visualization. The DemoView cannot be deleted. It is always "Default." That means I always have to load this view first and then can switch to my project. Reaching the Vis in the network works well so far. However, the tablet is not particularly suitable! After research, I had to find out that my Amazon Fire Tablet needs a "Fully Kiosk Browser" (or something like that). But I cannot install it because I don’t have the Google tools (PlayStore). Great, now I somehow have to transfer such a package to the tablet via USB, which I first have to "research"... After back and forth, I can now turn the lamps on and off. I can even display the values of the heat pump and have already built a diagram with the FlotDiagram.

Finally, I wanted to integrate Alexa. After further research! I am supposed to build something in "node-red"! I first had to check what that was again. Ah, install an adapter. And it was again found on my "localhost." But following the "instructions" online somehow didn’t work... That’s currently the last status - I’ve lost interest for now :(

My goal actually is: creating scenes (lights, shading), presence detection, securing the house or detecting open windows etc. For that, I inevitably have to "link" the devices to each other and control them in a higher-level way.

I’m just asking myself: what am I actually doing right now?? Everything I am setting up, configuring, installing is so fragile! If somewhere an address changes or some update alters something - then the whole DIY thing doesn’t work anymore!! Should I put my older self through this? I’m almost 40 now and can no longer afford to sit at the computer for hours (even if it’s mostly fun) (house, family, work).

Is this the price for such a Smart Home? Or are there simply easier systems than ioBroker?

Hello everyone,
first of all: I grew up with computers (C64) ...

Sorry, I can't resist but I grew up with the C64 and I am 53!

And yes, that is the price (or +/- 50K to the right expert if you can find him)

Is that the price for such a smart home? Or are there simply easier systems than ioBroker?

1) If you don't enjoy it, I would stop.
2) Once it's set up and you don't change anything anymore, it runs.
3) The first 40 hours are the hardest :-)

Otherwise, I would do it step by step and not tackle all issues at once.

I'm using Openhab, but I don't believe that's easier than ioBroker.

--> easier way: let Alexa play music via voice a bit and tell her that you love her :-)

Is that the price for such a smart home? Or are there simpler systems than ioBroker?

Yes, that is the price for "such a smart home." For those who do not want to deal with such fragile constructions, there is KNX. Usually, everything is nicely packaged there, and you just click together what you need. That also works at an advanced age.

Sorry, I can't resist, but I grew up with the C64 and I am 53! And yes, that's the price (or plus/minus 50K for the right experts if you can find them)

Okay, age-wise I was definitely too young then, but I could already start games by watching my older brother, but that's not the point. I just wanted to express that I experienced the era of computers. But when I face a problem today and look for solutions, I mostly find that some "online service" is required. In YouTube tutorials, for example, it says "then we create an account at XY...". For me, that is the reason not to continue here.

Yes, that is the price for "such a smart home"; for those who don't want to deal with such fragile setups, there's KNX. Usually everything is ready-made there and you just click together what you need. That also works at an advanced age.

I knew that was coming. Yes, I would have liked to have KNX as well. And I still have to integrate the switching actuators behind the light switches and roller shutters (enocean). I will try to integrate light on/off, roller shutters up/down in a "robust" way. The other "gimmicks" like Alexa or visualizations etc., I'm currently debating whether they are worth it. For example, you can display current fuel prices – is the effort worth it? I'm looking for the "cut" between a "solid smart home base" and "nice gimmicks." Put differently: How much should I bloat the ioBroker system... By the way, one more question: How do I document everything for posterity? Do I store my "working folder" on DVD and hang it in the switch cabinet? I mean, for example, passwords for certain services and the like.

It is difficult to answer whether it is worth it. It really depends on what you want to do with it. I find talking to the house somehow strange. Of course, you can allow for that possibility, but in our case, for example, even after years, I don't really know how to use it more or less sensibly.

Do you need the current fuel prices? If yes, then go for it. The requirements and needs are always very individual. I know someone who has the stock prices displayed via the lighting in the footwells.

In my experience, the gimmicks only come after you have already finished the rest and worked through the usual suspects. So I would first automate as many recurring processes as possible that make life nicer, and the gimmicks come along the way.

Documentation is also more or less difficult. But yes, go ahead, even just for yourself. If you don’t deal with it constantly, you always have to get back into it.