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[randy]

And off in another corner of the room is a typical example of something that should not be an issue. There are too many posts like this that expose the somewhat amateurish nature of HS at times... as great as it is at other times.

https://forums.homeseer.com/forum/ho...ks#post1618490

I don’t understand how a user choosing to avoid a new version of a plugin shows HST to be amateurish. Is it because the older version is still available or that rumors about the V4 are convincing a user to avoid it? The V4 plug-in is just fine.

This is not to say that HS4 doesn’t have issues.

[TC1]

And off in another corner of the room is a typical example of something that should not be an issue. There are too many posts like this that expose the somewhat amateurish nature of HS at times... as great as it is at other times.

https://forums.homeseer.com/forum/ho...ks#post1618490

I agree with randy , and I'm the one that made the statement to stay on a previous version. It's called a risk management decision, based on my particular needs and disposition. For me, I understand that there is no further new device support for the 3.x series plugin, but since I have not added any new devices in a long time, there is no compelling reason to update/upgrade. Just like there are some people still on HS3, it's the devil they know and are perfectly happy with it.

Now, if HST was to add improvements to the Z-wave v4 plugin that the v3 version didn't have, and then some customer was to complain about lack of support for the v3 version, then that would be amateurish on the customer's part.

What is disappointing on HST's part is that they've stated for at least 2 years now that a rewrite of the Z-wave plugin was "close" to being released. And here we are, still waiting.

[racerfern]

I tried the 4.x version twice and returned to the HS3 version. Locks are a known issue with HS4 and I consider it amateurish that HS hasn't fixed some really important things like locks. To this day, v4 of the PI is iffy and as TC1 says, we're still waiting.

Of course, this being a closed system, only HS can effect changes and improvements to the PI, versus a more open type system such as deCONZ or even SmartThings with their handlers.

[randy]

What is disappointing on HST's part is that they've stated for at least 2 years now that a rewrite of the Z-wave plugin was "close" to being released. And here we are, still waiting.

Lack of communication and follow up are my primary complaints. I like the progress with HS4 and can deal with the slow pace, I just wish we were kept up to date with an overview of what’s In the near term plans. What to expect in the next 6 months and what has been delayed or moved since the last update.

[TC1]

Lack of communication and follow up are my primary complaints. I like the progress with HS4 and can deal with the slow pace, I just wish we were kept up to date with an overview of what’s In the near term plans. What to expect in the next 6 months and what has been delayed or moved since the last update.

Could you imagine if we told people in our lives, whether they were business colleagues, our bosses, friends, whomever, that we were going to do something... then don't do it... then say once again we were going to do something... then don't do it... ad nauseam

I'd suspect, depending on the relationship, we'd be fired, divorced, unfriended, etc.

[Dweber85rc]

I would happily pay a yearly fee for homeseer if that would get some of the issues fixed. The lack of thourough documentation, communications, and frustration dealing with 3rd party plugin authors who are not responsive are my biggest gripes. Inactivate plugin authors should be forced to take down their plugins. For example HS kept selling the blue iris plugin for a very long time after the PI author left unannounced so people were paying for something they would never get support on. That being said my hs4 system is stable and rarely has issues but I also am not adding new devices much anymore so new features are not really important to me at the moment.

[rjh]

We would gladly hire more support staff if a subscription fee paid for it, it's a chicken and egg situation. But we are looking at it. We just changed our MyHS tiers and they include some extra support features. We did not announce these yet as we are working on a totally new interface to MyHS (sorely needed), but the new tiers are available now.

As for using HS without a license, the license server is not needed after you install HS. So just keep a backup of your system and you will never need to license it.

Note that when we discontinued HS2 we offered a version that did not require a license, and I would do the same if HS4 was discontinued.

Note also, HS was started in 1998 and we are still here. How many other SH companies are still around from that time? I know that means nothing and HS could disappear without any warning, but I don't have any plans to do that. HS is owned by me, no one else, so I don't answer to any investor, etc. Just wanted to make that clear. If I was to quit this business I would just opensource it. I understand that this does not mean anything to the consumer, you want to make sure your system stays running, I get that, so just keep a back up just in case I lose my mind!

Someone mentioned roadmaps, and I agree it would be nice to know the direction a company is moving in, but users get all over you when you miss the deadlines you promised, and you run the risk of tipping your hat to a competitor. I can tell you that we do have HS4 releases planned regularly, and we are asking our users to help define new features. We are also working on some new hardware products, devices and hubs. We will release more information when we get closer to release (soon!).

I know at one point I planned on posting the future release features. The issue I have with that is that I constantly move features/issues between releases so whatever I post would be changing constantly. I would love for the users to help define what they want to see.

[mulu]

<snip>
As for using HS without a license, the license server is not needed after you install HS. So just keep a backup of your system and you will never need to license it.
<snip>

That's they key part for me.

And while your comment about open-sourcing is good to hear, you are right, at least I don't want to bet on this. What if you get run over by a truck tomorrow and then someone else makes decisions about HS that are contrary to your intentions.

While it is nice to see a roadmap, I totally get your point about the negative aspects of doing so. Priorities change, timelines change, etc. and if you did put a feature roadmap out there you won't here the end of it if it is delayed or worse cancelled.

Finally, I say it again, I very much dislike the subscription model. I think I paid $300 for HS3Pro when it was 50% off (so $600 regular price). Now when HS4Pro is on sale you can get it for $99. Sure, you probably can get a few more people that say "let me try it for $99". But in my opinion HST's market are the enthusiasts and even some pros (I consider HS as the best alternative to Control4) and these people understand that the cost of the software is the smallest part. So maybe keep the cost to purchase the software a bit more constant so you don't need to try getting money from a subscription model. I gladly pay an early-bird $50 upgrade fee to HSx every 2 years or so. Anyways, just my 2 cents.

[randy]

I tried the 4.x version twice and returned to the HS3 version. Locks are a known issue with HS4 and I consider it amateurish that HS hasn't fixed some really important things like locks. To this day, v4 of the PI is iffy and as TC1 says, we're still waiting.

Of course, this being a closed system, only HS can effect changes and improvements to the PI, versus a more open type system such as deCONZ or even SmartThings with their handlers.

Just curious what the issue is with locks on the V4 plug-in. I have 5 Schlage locks all working perfectly with 4.1.1.0. I realize it is a beta version, but it has been out there enough to be comfortable with it. I recall some discussions about the cost of Z-Wave Alliance compliance to make it a production release. I have mo idea if that is true, but it is believable. I have yet to find anything “iffy” with it. I currently have about 170 Z-Wave devices spread across a number of controllers with a mix of 500 and 700 series controllers. My system is responsive and reliable. I know there were some missing features in earlier versions, but I don’t recall any problems. I also know that some features we counted on in the V3 plug-ins have been deprecated by the alliance, but that has nothing to do with HST.

[racerfern]

randy Honesly. I don't remember what was lacking if it was battery info, lock codes or what. But it definitely was an issue. There were also issues with a Qubino relay or an Aeotec energy meter. I really don't recall. I'm not so sure that I'm ready to re-install just to find out. I do recall being advised to go back to 3.x by HS support.

I also realize that some day I will have to install it but till then...

[randy]

randy Honesly. I don't remember what was lacking if it was battery info, lock codes or what. But it definitely was an issue. There were also issues with a Qubino relay or an Aeotec energy meter. I really don't recall. I'm not so sure that I'm ready to re-install just to find out. I do recall being advised to go back to 3.x by HS support.

I also realize that some day I will have to install it but till then...

3.0.11 (also beta) is good and stable and there is no necessity to change - yet. I prefer the V3 interface, because it was the same as HS3, not requiring as many steps and as much screen real estate. Most of my interaction with Z-Wave maintenance is through Z-Tool+ making the interface immaterial. It is also true that 4.1.1.0 is good and stable, so there’s no problem running it either.