The speaker, Bruce Mamjan, has been using home automation for 20 years and shares his practical experience and insights during his talk at the FOSDEM conference. He explains the differences between non-programmatic and programmatic automation, highlighting the advantages of the latter. He then evaluates different technologies and networks for home automation, such as X10, ZigBee, and Matter. Bruce discusses the challenges and considerations of choosing a network and shares examples of his own home automation setup. He emphasizes the importance of starting slow and considering the impact on the family's home environment and control. Bruce also provides examples of how he uses home automation for activities such as controlling the coffee maker, monitoring the pool pump, and even receiving caller ID notifications on laptops. He concludes by discussing the challenges and successes of home automation and the importance of balancing technology with family needs.