Homeowner Forum / Home Automation / May 2008

I used to post here on, but have not visited in a while.  Pardon me if
this is a frequent topic.  I searched, but could not find any
references.
My cable TV operator (Verizon FIOS) is going all digital.  This means

This may have once been asked and answered but a google search yielded
little.  I have an X10 remote system   :appliance modules, light
switches, transceiver, palm pad and those stick on RF switches that look
exactly like an electrical wall plate, and they all work well.

Hey Bruce!
Did you got my last email?

I just bought an X10 starterkit containing a CM11F controller, 2 on/off
swithches, an RF receiver and a remote control.
I would like to experiment a bit with my PC.
I googled around a bit, and found 2 linux applications:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280229902769
Thanks for looking.
Eric

They are available on eBay now for a fraction of their price a few
years ago.  I was just wondering if they have any drawbacks -- e.g.,
do they handle extended codes correctly?  Thanks.

So I want to get whole house audio, or more precisely, whole condo audio.  I
can't run extra wiring in the place.   I tried a wireless speaker extender,
but reception was sketchy between opposite sides of the condo and through
walls.

I saw one of these on geeks for $64 but it is the 9258T model designed
for US/TW/JP according to the manual. The 'S' model is designed for AU/
EU/UK. The local stores that stock these kinds of gizmos in Australia
charge at least several hundred for this same unit! Would it be

Hi David,
I just wanted to say thanks, I now have the macros functioning in my X-10
Active Home.  My problem was dragging them into the macro without the on/off
state in the proper mode.  Your explanation was right on the money.

I've got a Smartlinc brand Houselinc 1101B X10 controller and I'm looking
for a copy of the old Plato software for it. I've had the unit since it was
new and the PC I had the software installed on crashed. I have a backup of
the installed version (so I should be able to get the ...

Still somewhat of a newbie... I am using ActiveHome 1.42 with my CM11A.
My computer is connected to the CM11A and the communications routines
are running. But I when a macro I have downloaded into the CM11A goes
off, I do not see anything in the communications log. I do, however, ...

I'm completely new to this home automation thing but I'm quite excited
and I was wondering if you can give some pointers on where to start.
All I got now is a copy of "Smart Homes for Dummies" and some
descriptions of the X-10 protocol. Maybe you can suggest a little

I have a Windows XP laptop with SP2 on it.  It has a pretty standard
modem built into it.  I'd like to write a batch program that picks up
the line, dials a series of numbers, #'s. and *'s, waits a while, and
then hangs up.  Can someone help or point me in the right direction?

I'm using Active Home for my X-10 interface and can't stand it.  Is there
better software for controlling my modules?  My biggest complaints are that
using 10 modules and the sunrise/sunset commands suck up all the resources
and my resolution is such that I can only adjust the ...

Hello. I recently purchased and installed 2 XPS-3 switches I got off
EBay. One has a WS-14A/XPSS companion switch.
Almost as soon as I installed these, I have noticed that the one with
the companion switch will sometimes turn itself off. But in the last