Crowsnest
Infrastructure
iot device api
SHOW HN2014
61points
38comments
#522of 2,272 in 2014
Top 23%of 2014 by points
How HN took it
DebatedReal support and real criticism
6 positive, 5 neutral or asking, 0 mixed, 7 critical, out of 18 comments about the project. Thread score -0.01.
Idea: 5 for, 5 againstPricing: 0 for, 2 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Useful abstraction for many device types
From 2 comments
Projects like this will be important going forward. Making a robust API that can interface in a simple manner with all of the new types of fancy household gadgets (philips hue,…
vorsgald on HNPerhaps this is just rephrasing ianawilson's reply, but it seems that if Crowsnest eventually supports fifty different cameras (or switches or thermostats or what have you), then…
chch on HN
Good idea with real use case
From 1 comment
Really brilliant idea and I can definitely see this taking off. We built something like this at Cisco for physical security purposes so there's definitely a use case but I can…
tixocloud on HN
Objections
Cloud service is closed source and creates lock-in
From 2 comments
Not meant as anything but constructive observation - but not open sourcing the core means it could be seen as another closed platform play, with open source plugins being used as…
dreamfactory2 on HNThat way, I could swap out devices or distribute my code to others, without having to worry so much about hardware integration. That sounds valuable from my personal perspective.…
jamesbritt on HN
Per-device pricing is expensive, especially for hobbyists
From 2 comments
So, if I built out 10 RPi based thermometers, that would be $40/month just to get a quick API? If I added a humidity sensor, that would add another $50/month? That's pretty…
greendot on HNare they charging $5 per device connected to the RPi, or per RPi? Is it monthly? Website is not clear at all.
viggity on HN
Proxy adds unnecessary intermediary; direct device exposure preferred
From 2 comments
I don't get it. API (i.e. standardization; XKCD #927 issues aside) part is understandable - except it's not really a standard at this point. But… why would one need an…
drdaeman on HNSure, but wouldn't it be better to reduce those when possible, rather than adding another one, especially yet another under the control of a third party?
jamesbritt on HN
Requests
Open source the core service
From 2 comments
Not meant as anything but constructive observation - but not open sourcing the core means it could be seen as another closed platform play, with open source plugins being used as…
dreamfactory2 on HNIs it fully open source e.g. can I run my own crowsnest server for free, fork etc? And is there anything around federation and discovery?
dreamfactory2 on HN
Free or community pricing tier for hobbyists
From 1 comment
So, if I built out 10 RPi based thermometers, that would be $40/month just to get a quick API? If I added a humidity sensor, that would add another $50/month? That's pretty…
greendot on HN
Support more protocols such as Modbus, BACnet, ZigBee
From 1 comment
What protocols do you support? BACnet? Modbus? ZigBee? LON? X10? Does it integrate with SCADA systems? Home automation is a messy area with a dozen "standards".
rmah on HN
Questions
What is the actual value-add over device HTTP interfaces?
From 2 comments
Can someone clarify the value-add? Is it a polyfill for APIs? If the device already has an HTTP interface over the network, I don't know if it makes sense to pay per device for…
hardwaresofton on HNI don't get it. API (i.e. standardization; XKCD #927 issues aside) part is understandable - except it's not really a standard at this point. But… why would one need an…
drdaeman on HN
How does pricing work per device or per RPi?
From 1 comment
are they charging $5 per device connected to the RPi, or per RPi? Is it monthly? Website is not clear at all.
viggity on HN
Alternatives named
Skynet.IM
From 1 comment
These seems very much like Skynet.IM, except Skynet is opensource and you can host it yourself. https://github.com/skynetim
jamesbritt on HN
Webmote
From 1 comment
or you can use an open project with more support https://github.com/dandroid88/webmote could use some api help though i suppose
dmritard96 on HN
IFTTT
From 1 comment
Not meant as anything but constructive observation - but not open sourcing the core means it could be seen as another closed platform play, with open source plugins being used as…
dreamfactory2 on HN