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If you're having "routine router crashes" and are having to reboot, the reboots are basically doing nothing other clearing out logs and other diagnostic information. Regular rebooting is a symptom of an underlying problem.
Agreed. Once I went the Untangle route I have NEVER had to reboot my router. Periodically it will reboot itself to do upgrades if needed, but it’s 100% solid.
I doubt it and I also don't need anyone or anything "listening". As a matter of fact, I need more exercise not less.
Nobody “needs” any of this.
The things I use Alexa for most are for the time, the weather, to set an alarm, as a timer, and to drop in to another one to call my kids for dinner. In the past that would have been fulfilled by a clock, an hour glass, a look outside and an intercom or the ringing of a bell.
I do like the Broadcast feature on my system.
Driving home I can say "Ok Google: Broadcast Son, you best have your homework done when I get home." and it will Broadcast to the 3 Google devices I have in the house.
Certainly not must have... just neat.
And Google just added the feature that people can reply to the Broadcast on any device.
Sorry, Hound: Google > Amazon
That's a topic for another thread though.
The things I use Alexa for most are for the time, the weather, to set an alarm, as a timer, and to drop in to another one to call my kids for dinner. In the past that would have been fulfilled by a clock, an hour glass, a look outside and an intercom or the ringing of a bell.
I wasn't being literal when I said "need", I know I don't need it. It's the "listening" part that I don't like. As for the timer and weather my cell phone will suffice and I also have a weather station at my house which has a display right next to my TV. My stove has a timer as well. Echo or Alexa or whatever offer convenience but at what price? It's like google giving everything away for free, it's not really free, is it? Don't get me wrong, I like technology but some of it offers no real benefit, it's just more crap to sell you.
I do like the Broadcast feature on my system.
Driving home I can say "Ok Google: Broadcast Son, you best have your homework done when I get home." and it will Broadcast to the 3 Google devices I have in the house.
Certainly not must have... just neat.
And Google just added the feature that people can reply to the Broadcast on any device.
Sorry, Hound: Google > Amazon
That's a topic for another thread though.
No problem for me.
Alexa has a similar voice (and even video) "drop in" intercom system, which can also be set up to work with friends/relatives at different houses.
For those who are concerned, I'm pretty the keyword "Alexa" response is localized, before any streaming audio at all is sent to the mother ship. All the customers all the time, there isn't enough bandwidth for that!
Quote:
Originally Posted by gguerra
I wasn't being literal when I said "need", I know I don't need it. It's the "listening" part that I don't like. As for the timer and weather my cell phone will suffice and I also have a weather station at my house which has a display right next to my TV. My stove has a timer as well. Echo or Alexa or whatever offer convenience but at what price? It's like google giving everything away for free, it's not really free, is it? Don't get me wrong, I like technology but some of it offers no real benefit, it's just more crap to sell you.
It is all very handy when I can just say stuff no matter where I'm located in my house, and stuff happens. It's not needing to find devices.
I wasn't being literal when I said "need", I know I don't need it. It's the "listening" part that I don't like. As for the timer and weather my cell phone will suffice and I also have a weather station at my house which has a display right next to my TV. My stove has a timer as well. Echo or Alexa or whatever offer convenience but at what price? It's like google giving everything away for free, it's not really free, is it? Don't get me wrong, I like technology but some of it offers no real benefit, it's just more crap to sell you.
We have Sonos with Alexa and use it mainly for music. Having Amazon Prime gives us access to around 1 million titles, and for the oddball stuff I listen to that Amazon doesn't have I figured out how to access the music on my server. A feature not built in to Alexa.
Using it to turn on lights? I've considered it for nights when I'd like to have them on before I get out of bed and wander around the house. I'm very good at stubbing toes and I have neuropathy. Stubbing toes is not a fun thing.
Weather? I have windows, a phone, and a weather station.
If we had children or I talked to anyone in my family? Maybe the call feature.
We have Sonos with Alexa and use it mainly for music. Having Amazon Prime gives us access to around 1 million titles, and for the oddball stuff I listen to that Amazon doesn't have I figured out how to access the music on my server. A feature not built in to Alexa.
I have that whole setup too, x3 for den, living room, and bedroom. I have a copy of my entire local music mirrored with NAS on my local network. It's great to say, "Alexa, Play Animal Canibal by Kesha on Den" and have my album playing! I can also call it up via phone/tablet/pc from my collection. I love the Music Unlimited!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tek_Freek
Using it to turn on lights? I've considered it for nights when I'd like to have them on before I get out of bed and wander around the house. I'm very good at stubbing toes and I have neuropathy. Stubbing toes is not a fun thing.
Rule #1 is to have at least one light in each room that the robot doesn't have. Like not giving HAL the only key to the Pod Bay Door! I have one lamp or set of lamps in each room (Living Room, Den, Bedroom) that Alexa has. It works fine 99% of the time. I have the fluorescent lights on a hobby room on the system too. I have one cute feature I've had in various forms way before Alexa, red a night light underneath my bed that lights just enough of the furniture in my bedroom that I don't need "big toe radar." It's so near the floor and such a low wattage that I could leave it on 24/7.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tek_Freek
Weather? I have windows, a phone, and a weather station.
With the Alexa I find it easy to ask for the weather before I open my eyes. I often also ask what time, and if the time is right "turn on coffee."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tek_Freek
If we had children or I talked to anyone in my family? Maybe the call feature.
I'm getting a dog.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tek_Freek
Mainly just music.
The skill for running Sonos is well worth adding, and allows voice control of a whole house music system like I have. This is particularly nice for techies!
OP, here...haven't been able to post, because while my relative was out of town, his kids, had to reset the router and my device was bumped off all together. And they didn't know how add my device back on as one using the Wifi.
Soooo, now that he's back, I'll soon get him to add me back on. The cable provider says my device is "on pause or in 'bedtime mode" -- whatever that means.
ARRGH! I've been going to MdDonald's and the public library just to check my email! I'm on a friend's Wifi now.
Who knows, maybe the signal will be back to as strong as it was before I started getting bumped off. From my lips to God's ears!
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I have one lamp or set of lamps in each room (Living Room, Den, Bedroom) that Alexa has. It works fine 99% of the time. I have the fluorescent lights on a hobby room on the system too. I have one cute feature I've had in various forms way before Alexa, red a night light underneath my bed that lights just enough of the furniture in my bedroom that I don't need "big toe radar." It's so near the floor and such a low wattage that I could leave it on 24/7.
