As my mind continues to mull the future of my home automation set up, I'll undoubidly make more of these kinds of posts. Today it's Homebridge. What is it? How can it help me? Do I need iPhone? Any insights are greatly appreciated.
Oh, I previously asked about node red and MQTT, I'm still seeking insights and suggestions for those as well!
It's a way to expose your Hubitat devices to Apple's Homekit (iPhone, iOS, Mac) and control the devices from there. I use it to be able to control my devices instead of Hubitat Dashboards.
Yes (or another Apple device) if you want to control your devices. You also need a Homekit Hub (Apple TV, HomePod, iPad) and a device to run the Homebridge software (Raspberry Pi, Mac, PC.....)
The homebridge github page is very well documented.
So you don't need an iPhone or any iDevice... but that kind of defeats the purpose especially if you are running HE as is.
Before I bought my Macbook Pro and iPad last December I was using Homebridge + Ring integration for my doorbell events. Still works great - although I am using Node-RED for my automations and to pull in those HB device events. Note: This is something the HE integration cannot do..
If you have Apple products then going with HB is a nice addition. I would also recommend if you do not have a newer Apple TV that the HomePod Mini is an excellent "hub" for HomeKit. Just make sure you have an iPad or iPhone so you can configure it - I learned that the hard way.
Not to be negative, but all of this (homebridge, homekit, node-red, mqtt) is easily found on google.
There is really no need to wait for someone else to explain it to you when you can just go read a few overviews and get the gist.
Yeah that's a good point - I guess the better "lounge" questions would be "why use Homebridge with HE?" and maybe "What are people's experiences running Homebridge?"..
That would be a whole different question/discussion than "what is it". 
Agreed. IMO it’s far more productive (for everyone) to ask more specific questions after doing a bit of research for oneself on the absolute basics for something like this.
For me, the real value to implementing Homebridge is integration of devices that use HomeKit as their primary home automation connection. Homebridge has enabled me to connect my Chamberlain garage door opener, Level Bolt door locks, and Eufy cameras. We also have iPhones so I use it for presence detection.
My point is, have a reason for implementing Homebridge or any other peripheral systems. They can be a big help, or a constant bane.
And lest anyone get my intentions wrong - I'm not trying to be mean to the OP.
I truly think he will learn what he needs faster if he just reads a few overview articles.
Just a free suggestion, take it for what it is worth. 
100%. More is unfortunately MORE when it comes to lifecycle cost, maintenance, troubleshooting, etc.
If there is a defined use - great. If not, let it pass.
Again, free advice that is likely worth what you paid for it.
@JasonJoel, @erktrek, and @marktheknife
I think the real question @lcw731 was asking was “Why would I use it?” Some of the articles on the support systems are overwhelming to someone who is relatively new to home automation.
Let’s help redirect the questions that on the surface appear to be easily answered by reading a treatise on the subject. Sometimes the OP is just needing a bit of help deciding if they really need to dive in without having to make a significant time investment just to find out why they would or wouldn’t use it.
Remember, we are ambassadors for the community.
While I am generally not interested in HomeKit automations a lot of my residential clients are. They seem to be much more comfortable with the Apple way of doing things so are more likely to set up rules etc using the Apple Home app vs HE rule manager. HB and the Homebridge Community apps provide a great way to do this.
Exactly @JasonJoel. That is great guidance for @lcw731
Apple generally creates nice looking easy to use and understand UIs.
Yep and it seems less daunting to folks who want "control" and maybe some simple rules etc but don't have the time/inclination to get into the details.. For me it's been a great way to empower those clients.
Yeah - technically, no need for any Apple device, but..... 
Great guidance @JasonJoel Every time we add something to our home automation system to expand the functionality, it also expands the complexity of supporting the system. Part of the decision to add or not add something (even types of devices) needs to be a consideration of the support effort that goes with it.
I use Homebridge primarily for this purpose. Much simpler for other family members to use when they want to manually control something.
I've been doing that . Seeking real world experience and perception is part of the research, not just what google finds on a website. The problem is most of these websites are geared towards people that already know what it is going in, not those with no understanding looking for an introduction. It makes it unnecessarily difficult to grasp what it is or what devices or systems are required to use it. Information isn't presented in a way that makes it clear what you need or what you can do with it. My intention with these posts is to get real experiences and ideas for whether or not its even something I want to consider
This is precisely what I am looking into. What is it? Do I even have a reason to use it? Can I use it? Is the benefit enough to justify the time and expence that will be necessary to learn about, implement, and support it? Most of these are questions that google can't answer, but discussing with others what their experience has been can prove invaluable.
This is EXACTLY what I am exploring.
You have hit the nail on the head! I really wish I knew and understood more in technical terms, and I'm
sure it will come in time, but right now I need plain English.
Thank you! That sums it up perfectly!
In the end I don't have any apple products, and really don't plan on getting any, so It seems this probably wouldn't be an option for me. Thank you all for your insights.
Thank you @wayne.pirtle for having an uncanny ability to get in my head and understand exactly what I was trying to do! You made some very astute observation which we can all benefit from.
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