Homeowner Forum / Home Automation / November 2003

I just installed a new CM11a to replace my old CP290.  The CP290
would not run with my present computer and I wanted to take
advantage of some of the CM11 features.  I started by putting in
a real nice program with a macro, etc. using the ActiveHome

I just ordered stuff to build a home theater/automation computer. I
would like to know what hardware i need to connect to the pc to
operate x10 switches (the like) and what IR hardware to work my stereo
stuff. I'm sure there are different choices for each of those two

Hi all,
Just finished upgrading the wiring in the house, running 2 CAT6 and 2
RG6QS to multiple drops in just about every room.  While putting on
the faceplates, especially ones in the exterior walls, I found that

I want to measure the room temperature using a computer. I'd like to
connect a thermometer via USB (prefer no RS232/USB converter) to my
Linux (Fedora 1) box and log the temperature.
I'll write the software, I just need some cheap hardware. Ideally

 We am thinking about putting in AMX into our new house for all of our Home
Automation needs/wants/desires.  Between AMX, LiteTouch and Europlex - it is
all pretty much covered.  However, I want to know if there is a way to make
a website that is mirror image of a touchpanel so ...

I am looking for a good source of magnetic contacts for my DSC security
system.  The contacts in my doors and windows are 3/4" in diameter.  Typical
contacts appear to be 1/4" and 3/8".
TIA,

I am somewhat pleased to announce my tclx10 library.
http://tclx10.scheffers.net/
I wrote it because I needed/wanted a Pure Tcl solution for using my
CM11 interface module. The result is a work in progress that lets you

I'd like to add a thermometer to my (just getting started) home
automation.  My initial need would be to have a "freeze alert" that
would turn on a warmer for the sprinkler manifold, disable watering,
and turn on an alert indicator.  However, I might find more uses as

I would like to be able to turn on and off lights in garage using the
remote control for the garage door. Is it possible? How would I do it?

Hi Group,
I read earlier postings on this, but I'm not seeing what I was looking for.
I'm looking for a home automation system where actual wires carry control
signals to/from lights and outlets in my home.

DOes anyone now where I can find a flow chart diagram of how a
sprinkler system works.  I'm thinking of using a microcontroller or
STAMP to create a sprinkler controller for my sprinkler system and
dirp irrigation.  I've searched the web the best I can and I was

Thanks to the manual from Scott Hiles' wsh project and Jan Axelson's
sample code for communicating with an HID device under Windows, and
whoever posted copies of the SDK headers where Google could find them,
I got my code to communicate with the device.

I want to locate an electric shower heater in a space above my
bathroom such that it is controlled remotely from a wall panel.
It is difficult for me to install gas so I have been considering
plumbing 3 shower units together and powering them from a 3-phase

A few years ago I had one of those Microsoft Wireless Phones that
connected to the PC.  One of the features that I really liked was its
ability to capture the phone numbers for both incoming and outgoing
phone calls.  Having a PC made it much easier to look up phone

Just a quick question - Is there any way of automatically detecting when
a new X10 device/module is added in the home? Also, can X10 modules be
polled to check their status, eg, check that lamp module say at A1 is
currently 'on'?