Howard Winter wrote:

> These people:  http://www.laser.com/  do quite a bit of stuff here in
> the UK.  (Incidentlly, X10 was invented in Scotland, so "European
> equivalent" is based on a false assumption!  :-)

nice to know :)

> I have some X10 controls in the house, but I'd say that Rule 1 is:
> Never use X10 for anything critical.  It just isn't reliable enough -
> sometimes it works, occasionally a command has no effect.  I've found

I see...

> that having a particular switch mode 12V PSU powered from a nearby
> socket will effectively block signals from a controller, but that's
> not the only thing - randomly things just don't work!

...this is a problem of using the mains as data network, and I guess 
poor ACK method (I did take a look at X10 protocol long ago, and it 
seemed so "simple" and poor, though  working indeed). Still, lots of 
people seem to be using it with success.

With RS485 CAT.5 wire, I have no problems :)


> So I use it for things like turning the hall light on according to
> sunset and off at about the time I go to bed, with a "security"
> jitter to make it look non-automated.  I leave this running all the[...]

The fancy things you can do in your Logic Control Program (i.e. the main 
software) are only lmited by imagination :)
Switching off lights at sunrise is just a basic option, no Home 
automation is needed for that. I have some 5 scenarios (Manual lights - 
i.e. Off by default but can be switched on manually, with either 
wall-switches, PC, remote control; Auto-Lights - light is on in each 
room were a person is detected, this mode triggers t sunset and 
de-triggers at sunrise; night/night with Intruder Alert - lights only 
manual, most of wall-sockets decativated, doorbell silent, phone silent, 
drapes closing etc.; holiday, auto-activated when no one is detected in 
house for 25 hours - almost anything switched off, plus new messages at 
the doorbell)

> Overall I've found the X10 products to be very "bitty", with no real
> clever thinking in the design.  For example, pretty much all the

I guess I agree, but, again, they're kind of old and "proven" 
technology, with their pros and contras.

> I've been to several "Self Build" exhibitions, and there are Home
> Automation firms that exhibit regularly, but they are turnkey
> operations which don't suit the tinkerers like us... they cost a[...]

Yeah, as I said "market is not ready" or firms are not selling 
interesting things :)

> They almost all assume you're going with the current fashion of using
> low voltage halogen lights everywhere - those of us wanting to use
> CFLs are out of luck!

This is true, sadly. Though CFLs with Analog input for dimmering should 
be available now. Or, go with Leds !

-- 
Ciao, Dario
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