Inquiries

[Directive]

How is everyone holding up during all of "this"?

[palmboy5]

I'm not particularly extroverted so it's been chill just staying at home all day

Also still employed since working from home is doable for software engineering.

No one I know has caught the the virus yet, fortunately.

How are you guys?

[Directive]

I have not stopped working yet. I am considered construction. No one I know has caught anything thus far. We do as much staying at home as possible. Taking precautions along the way.

[palmboy5]

Oh interesting, in CA there are no construction projects allowed, so all the new buildings are paused in whatever skeleton state they are in. No remodeling of houses or anything either.

However, things like installing/fixing internet and other utilities are considered essential and still allowed. I imagine you'd fit into this category as well so you'd be safe in whichever state

I've only heard of one coworker who has had it, but they weren't even on my team lols..

[Directive]

I fix security and fire alarms. Also work on CCTV systems. Important still especially with the special needs group.

[palmboy5]

Speaking of CCTV, I intend to start to wire up the house myself with ethernet cables to run PoE cameras at some point

What kind of cabling do your CCTV systems use?

[2005]

I've been mostly "the same".

My software engineering gig has been work remote since day one back in 2014, so nothing new there. My part time job that I've had since 2012 did get somewhat affected. Even though they were considered essential, they depended on a business for supplies that was not considered essential.... so the part time job got put on hold a few months. No biggie, small beans in terms of income.

My wife and I welcomed our second daugther at the end of June. Of all things in this pandemic, that one worried me the most... between my wife being in a hospital at a time like this where other paitents could have it and the possibility of not being able to be there when our child was born.... very scary. But, we made it through just fine, baby is happy and healthy and we have been doing great the past nearly 2 months now. I used a full months worth of vacation time to fully support my wife and new baby while the wife recovered. You might think working from home would have made that not necessary, but it's not really like that. I do have freedom enough that I can sort of "sneak off" for bits of time here and there, but still have to get the work done, still have scheduled meetings, still have standups that last a stinking hour some days ( T_T ).

[palmboy5]

Congrats on the baby! Didn't know you had a first either!

I've bought a house and moved, now working from home here instead. Was so sure the whole moving process and having contractors come fix stuff up would result in me getting the virus, but I guess it worked out. Fortunately, masks are more ubiquitous here.

[Directive]

Speaking of CCTV, I intend to start to wire up the house myself with ethernet cables to run PoE cameras at some point

What kind of cabling do your CCTV systems use?

I have used CAT5e and CAT6 wire for all PoE cabling so far. Even CAT5e DB wire, which is a bit challenging getting an end on DB wire. All general riser and plenum wire used.
Used Interlogix (out of business), Digital Watchdog, and Alarmnet Camera systems to date. Another type of PoE camera I have installed is Alarm.com hardwired and WiFi cameras with and without respective NVR. Obviously the WiFi Cameras need power.

[palmboy5]

Ah I hadn't heard of DB wire before but that makes sense. I also ended up learning about plenum while shopping for CAT 6A cables earlier this year.. opted to not bother with them despite planning to run them in my attic and crawl space (we don't have basements here..).

Which brand do you personally think is best for a wired setup? I was looking at UniFi Protect

[Directive]

You shouldn't need Plenum wire unless air returns are not hard piped. Plenum is mainly for open-air returns. Riser wire is good enough and I would use CAT6. DB obviously uses where the wire will be buried or otherwise exposed to the elements and sunlight. The cameras I put in are mainly for general coverage, no motorized lenses so only digital zoom. I have use cams with motorized lenses but not very often. Another specialty camera I have installed is license plate recognition cameras. Only one place I installed cameras that use a mic. Audio recording is a different set of laws in NYS than just video. The 4in1 and PTZ cams run expensive so we haven't installed too many of them.
https://digital-watchdog.com/