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3 Advanced Open Source Projects for Home Security
Do open source security systems work?
By Dave Rankin Dave Rankin Writer Dave Rankin is a former Lifewire writer and a senior software developer who co-owns a digital creative agency and creates and distributes open source software. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 17, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Around the Web Browsers Cloud Services Error Messages Family Tech Home Networking 5G Antivirus Around the Web If you're a hardware hero or a soldering soldier, you may be looking for new ways to use your electronics knowledge. But is home security an option? Before entrusting your home's safety to an open-source security system and a single-board computer, there are a few things to consider. DIY Has Advantages
By building your security system from scratch, you'll know every detail of how it works, both the strengths and the weaknesses. Additionally, you won't have to worry about letting strangers into your home to set everything up. Still, you need to be extra cautious with these types of endeavors. A mistake in your home security system can be more costly than a bug in a more whimsical project. Emma Gibbs / Getty Images The Pato Surveillance System
This project was designed by Jorge Rancé to monitor Pato the bird from afar. It teaches you how to build a sophisticated surveillance system for your home. Detailed in The MagPi, Issue 16, the Pato Surveillance System includes instructions for connecting a Raspberry Pi to a webcam, thermometer, and PiFace board for internet-accessible monitoring of your home's environment. And whether you plan to use this system to keep track of your whole house or just your bird's cage, there's a lot of useful information here that you can use as the foundation for more complex systems. HomeAlarmPlus Pi
If you're comfortable with technology such as NPN transistors, variable resistors, and shift registers, and you want to monitor your home and arm it with an alarm, then this is the project for you. While not for inexperienced hardware hackers, Gilberto Garcia's instructions for building the HomeAlarmPlus Pi are well-documented, thorough, and easy-to-follow. Complete with a parts list, photos, and a code repository with documentation, this project shows you how to create a multi-zone alarm system for your home. The HomeAlarmPlus Pi instructions are available on Garcia's blog, and the code repository is accessible on the project's GitHub page. LinuxMCE
If you are the type of person who says, "Secure my home? I want to automate it completely," then it's time to meet LinuxMCE. On its website, this well-established open-source project calls itself the digital glue between your media and your electrical appliances. Lighting and media? Check! Climate control and telecom? Check! Home security? Check! Unlike the Pato Surveillance system and HomeAlarmPlus Pi, LinuxMCE isn't a single project. It's a complete system for automating and securing your entire home. You're only limited by your imagination, skill set, and effort. There's a lot of information online about this project, but the best place to get started is the LinuxMCE wiki. From there, you'll get an overview of what's possible, and you'll be able to access the latest source code, detailed instructions, and the community portal. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Raspberry Pi 400 Review: A Mini PC in a Keyboard The 6 Best Security Camera Apps for iPhone (2022) How to Connect Steam Deck to a TV How to Schedule a Text Message on an iPhone 5 Things You Can Do with an Old Computer Monitor The 9 Best Smart Home Security Systems of 2022 What is Open Source Software? The 7 Best Smart Home DIY Hacks of 2022 What Is a Raspberry Pi? ADT vs. Ring: Which Smart Security System Is Best for You? The 7 Best Home Security Cameras of 2022 SimpliSafe vs Ring: Which Smart Security System Is Best for You? The 7 Best Smart Locks of 2022 What Is Amazon’s 'Alexa Guard' and How Does It Work? STL Viewers: Free and Open Source Programs to Download The 6 Best Android ROMs of 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies