User: GreyLinux

I really wouldn’t have Home Automation up and running in my Home if it wasn’t for Openhab. I’ve tried other mainstream home automation developers and found them to be too tied in to how they feel home automation should be and obviously flaunt their own and only their own products.

What I mean by this is that Openhab is vendor neutral, open source software. Lets break this down, it’s vendor neutral which means that it will work with a multitude of products from different companies so you can setup your own home with technology the way you like it and the list of products is ever expanding, they already support hundreds of products already . Open source means it open for any one to look through the code and develop it to create enhancements, better security or simply to check that no little nasty bugs or malicious code is part of it . Usually this means that should someone create an enhancement or security feature they give this back to the developer of the original source and thus a community is created where every one benefits from everyone’s input .

Now Openhab isn’t for everyone as it does require a certain amount of technical knowledge to begin with , however if your willing to learn new things and are interested in home automation, that is continually being developed by a community of people who are passionate about home automation, then Openhab is definitely for you.

I started off with Openhab with only a relatively small knowledge about home automation, software , hardware and computers in general. Now I consider myself someone who is reasonably good and I can achieve most of the what I want to create in Home automation. Should I find myself needing help with a project, Documentation is no shortfall with Openhab. But the largest benefit is the support provided on the Forum without which I wouldn’t have managed to develop anything.

Openhab is the complete package it supports a large number of products from different companies , it’s getting more user friendly by each passing day and the support for people needing help is exceptional.

Honestly I don’t really need to review this, as word of mouth seems to be spreading this with out help, but here is my assistance to the cause so to speak .

Ok so in the modern age of Cloud storage, security and privacy of ones personal information, having a cloud storage that you control and only you can access seems to be impossible. Its either firmly in the hands of the tech Giants or pretty hard to create and maintain for the average person with very little if any technical know how.

Nextcloud is a brilliant solution for people seeking a personal cloud storage that they own and control and that’s not controlled and stored by a tech giant your forced to trust with your data. The solution is to self host your own cloud , but its not so easy to get going if your not so tech savvy…

Step in NextcloudPi.

NextcloudPi was developed as a solution for the non technically minded people to create a personal self hosted cloud storage and it be secure and as user friendly as possible. A full set of instruction found here on how to self host using nothing more than a Raspberry Pi or other Single board computers ( Link here for what this is here ), are available on the site. This of course is still a work in progress and will become even more user friendly and easier to implement as time goes by.

So far NextcloudPi has helped thousands of people self host a secure and easy to use cloud service and is something I personally use myself with great success I might add.

I would like to give enormous credit to the developer whose alias is Nacho Parker and would recommend that you donate should you find that with the Help of NextcloudPi you created a personal cloud storage solution .

I feel I shouldn’t tell too many people about this little gem, as I want it to be my secret retreat. I’ve been twice to Elounda Garden suites and never does it disappoint. In fact I aim to go many more times if it’s not completely booked.

Let me start by saying that the suites are all fresh, clean and modern, they even have a little kitchenette for self catering should that take your fancy. The pool isn’t large but plans are in motion for a second larger pool to be built and possibly even a gym.

The reason I love this place so much is the manager and the other staff make it a home away from home, I always miss them when I leave and can’t wait to see them again as I plan my next return. The breakfast is perfect with little Cretan elements that inspire you to explore the Creatan cuisine further and enjoy countless meals at the many restaurants and bars that are only a short walk away at the centre on Elounda. Don’t get me wrong this is a quieter side of Crete and is mainly aimed at a more mature adult however it is enjoyed by many a young person and at times can become reasonably busy.

I use Elounda Garden suites as a base to explore the island from, each time travelling further to discover more. But as I’ve said it’s like returning home after a long day exploring and this is why I can’t keep this gem of a place to myself.

Elounda Garden suites is a perfect place to begin your discovery of Crete.