We as geeks and enthusiasts tend to place a lot of value on our geeky possessions. And with all of the money we spend making sure that we are using the very latest PC hardware, how much money are we spending in making sure that when we come home of an evening, we are not met by an unexpected surprise just waiting on the other side of our front door?

As a society, we dilute ourselves in believing that if we can deadbolt it, keep windows locked and maintain home owners/renter’s insurance, life will go along just fine. Well guess what kids, that is simply not the case. Obviously, there are some instances where owning a security system is not going to help you out all that much. However when you live in a home where there is garage access to the house and you own a decent alarm system, a wireless alarm keychain could go a long way if some stranger people begin approaching your car as you are pulling out of the garage. It would mean that you can alert others that someone is trying to harm you. And that is a pretty good start.

So what brought all of this on you ask? Yesterday my brother’s home was broken into and he lost roughly $1,000 worth of goods. The good news is that no one was home, it appears to have been kids that broke in and it is doubtful it will happen again based on the police attention that it brought forth.

This brings me to my own home and the security within its walls. Now I work from home myself, but what is to say that someones doesn’t decide to break-in while my wife and I are out? Say we come home, find some wack-job drugged up on who knows what, looking for a few fast bucks for a quick fix. Considering that we have a fairly good house layout from a “break-in perspective”, I am considering the technology behind various alarm systems, the companies that support them and what would best meet my needs.

I have found that all of them are looking for 2-3 year commitments, which is fine. However expecting me to use a landline telephone is about as high-tech as the rotary dial telephone - not going to happen. This turned me off to ADT and Brinks fairly quickly, despite expensive cellular alternative hardware they can provide. My life is on my mobile phone. I have ZERO interest in POTS service or any of that VoIP nonsense. I’ve had plenty of that in the past, do not care to repeat it.

After a few recommendations from some trusted friends on the least of the alarm company-evils, I am leaning in the direction of Protect America. I have a few big reasons why:

1) Self install. I do not need some high pressure idiot coming in and selling me stuff I do not need or want.

2) Live Chat via their Website. This goes a long way for me as this is how I would rather do business.

3) No phone use whatsoever if I choose. I can use their broadband unit and run the whole thing through my router via HomePulse monitoring.

Of course, I can only assume that the hardware provided and the response of the system itself is as good as I have been told. After doing some research, I have found plenty of over-hyped horror stories about all the alarm companies, mostly from those who are unable to read a TOS (terms of service) agreement completely.

What do you think? Is ADT still a better value, despite their ‘upsell’ practices and other add-ons? Maybe Brinks is the way to go? Hit the comments, let’s talk about it.

As for my brother and his family, I have decided to start a Fundable.org drive for him as he is not in a position to replace much of what was stolen from his kids. His family lost items that meant a lot to each of them personally. I would encourage anyone who wishes to chip in to make their lives a little less frazzled to join me at the link above in doing so. Every little bit helps. If you have any questions, please send them to this address. Thanks.

Tags: theft, home invasion, burglary