X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => Plug-ins => Smart Macros => Topic started by: capt nemo on December 04, 2004, 10:40:08 AM
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I bought Active home pro in Nov. I don't
have any link to smart macros except for the
page that tries to sell me them. Why aren't
they included in the activehome pro software
download?
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Because they want you to buy them! I want to
spend my money on hardware, but right now I
am holding off on doing that because of the
smart macro costs.
Without the conditional logic (smart macros)
AHP is to limiting for me. I cannot do half
of the things that I want to do. I was very
disappointed that it wasn't included as
standard. I'm not sure what to do now; I
already have an RMA number for my CM15A.
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I really disappointed about this feature
being an extra cost item. I could buy
HomeSeer or something from HCA for the price
of the unit plus the real software! I guess
now they will charge for "plugins" for
hardware made by Smarthome so you can take
full advantage of the hardware features of
those modules. This is total B.S.
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Capt Nemo: Hang on in there. I have read in
this forum that Smart Macros has been given
away free to forum participants.
X10: Is the offer of the free Smart Marcos
plug-in still open to forum participants, or
volunteer Beta tester?
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I have been involved in forums since i
purchased cm15a and sadly I have not received
the offer for free smart macros.
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It may take more than "being involved with
the forum" to get the "Smartmacro" offered
free. Some people have received free
smartmacros because of their help in
diagnosing software problems, or making
usable suggestions for product enhancement.
Because most have paid for the plug-in, I
doubt X10 will give it away willy nilly just
because it is asked for. When I purchased
the CM15 in September it was clear there
would be "optional" and "additional"
enhancements to AHP. I don't remember the
exact wording, but it was clear in my mind I
would be paying extra. I admit I was
surprised at the price for Smartmacro, but
X10 included "free" hardware. Compared to
the cost of alternatives the CM15, AHP,
Smartmacro" is a great deal.
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X10: Is the offer of the free Smart Marcos
plug-in still open to forum participants, or
volunteer Beta tester?
I would be very happy to actively test and
report on smartmacro issues.
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Another vote that this is a load of stink!
Features as advertised dont work unless you
buy addittional software.. and no the
implication that plugins would cost more is
not there in the ads. Most major software
has free plugins or upgrades after a
initial purchase, also x-10 products should
deliver with a cd of the base software or
current rev. ands a link for updates.
I will NEVER BUY SOFTWARE RELATED PRODUCTS
FROM x-10 UNTIL THIS IS RESOLVED!!
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Well said, Russ. The nonsense excuse X-10
states for not providing core software on a
CD has always been the "need" to provide
economical (and frequent) access to upgrade
versions. The real explanation, of course,
is their unwillingness to incur that initial
$1.00 disk expense. How else could they
afford to create the elaborate animated
website pages designed to convince potential
customers they are dealing with a really
swift outfit? The concept of core software
on disk with upgrades via download has never
really caught on. Except for the occasional
Mom-and-Pop operations like...Microsoft,
Intuit, McAfee, Norton, etc.
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I disagree, Therck, with the $1 idea.
The entire notion of AHP--the Order buttons
on modules, the plug-in scheme, the automatic
update checks, the links to other X10
pages--is designed to establish and maintain
an ongoing stream of web solicitations to AHP
customers.
AHP's main purpose is installing an
advertising vehicle on X10 customers'
computers. If you don't trust AHP to
regularly connect to the net, it cannot serve
this primary purpose.
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I have been an X-10 user for a number of
years and when I read the Pro data and about
the USB interface, I decided to purchase the
package. The ad said "Build you own macros
to control your X 10 modules". What a joke.
To do anything of value, you have to buy
ANOTHER "SMART MACRO" package. What a rip
off. NO THANKS X10--I AM CUTTING MY LOSSES.
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noticed that they are currently offering
the smart macros as "free" - not in the
actual sense, but if you buy it for $49.99
then you get a $50 coupon to use for other
stuff... like the $49.99 rca special - and
they're throwing in 2 active eye sensors
with the macros -
if you're looking to get more modules, this
has you basically "buying the modules and
getting smart macros free" though they
don't position it like that...
decent deal imho
morelater
the show doctor
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Free if you want or need more stuff! I have
various modules, sensors, etc that I am not
using currently. I don't need more stuff. I
already have the now useless CM11a that the
activehome thing replaced. I just want the
software that was supposed to come with it in
the first place.
Plugins are we going to see plugins for other
manufacturers modules? Are those going to
cost extra also? If so I should have saved my
money and purchased the HCA module and
software and be done with it.
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actually, after looking through the ads a
little more carefully, you get the software
and EITHER a $50 coupon OR the two
sensors... but not both...
agree with everyone else, smart macros
should be STANDARD with the PRO version...
and i myself wrote them a long email
complaining about that back when i first got
my pro version, but have yet to get any
response...
just thought i'd point out this $50 thing
seeming to be a way they're trying to
appease us by throwing their "such a deal"
spin on it with the additional modules...
a really SMART company would have the SM's
standard to place them more in competition
with other home auto companies... :)
morelater
the show doctor
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Just wondering since you get a $50 coupon,
couldnt one purchase the smart macro, get
the coupon and then use it to buy AtiveHome
pro (for those of us still debating to buy
the whole set up)?
Therby getting ActiveHome + Smart macros for
$50 (as it should have been to start with)
Any thoughts? Will the coupon work for this?
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Nope, not allowed to use the 50 dollar
smartmacro coupon on the AHP/CM15A, as it is
a "red" labeled order number or some such
stipulation. Red must mean special sale item
or something.
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Guys, I have decided that until the company
(x10) starts providing what they advertise,
I am not buying anything from them and
advising others to do like wise yep
BOYCOTT!! This means full functional
software available for download
including "smart macros" as no where did it
state I had to spend an add. 50 dollars to
get the unit to work and do all they said it
could, They made sure smart macro package
was not listed in the software section also.
So I say BOYCOTT until this cost them
something they will continue this errant
behavior. BOYCOTT BOYCOTT BOYCOTT!!!!!!!!!!!
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I agree with a lot of what I am hearing. No
doubt home automation is an exciting concept,
but a $50.00 purchase should not lead to
$500.00 worth of crap from X10. Between the
pop ups, the junk emails, terrible warranty
service, short longevity of a lot of their
products and the constant hook they try to
get in you to buy more of the same or make
add on purchases, this company is a cash cow
that doesn't give milk. I'm glad they don't
sell cars. I'm afraid I would still be
looking for the seat covers.
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Humm, I would gladly pay the additional
cost for the conditional macros. However, I
do learn from past experiences. I finally
had to abandon Pro for my old, somewhat
reliable CM11A, which I’ve had in my house
for about 5 years now. After doing a
tremendous amount of troubleshooting and e-
mail notification to X-10(with only one
reply “upgrade”) about the Pro, I finally
came to the conclusion that they must
operate like the controls company I work for
(note name exclusion) and farm the code out
to Canada or India. I troubleshoot that
krap, I mean code to make it work, or
abandon it completely and re-write it. I
then come home and have to troubleshoot Pro
for X-10 and just get further frustration.
So for the time being, my CM11A works fine
and when the major bugs are worked out of
the base Pro version, and I see minimal
complaints about the Smart Macros, I will
cough up the $50 to X-10 for the additional
features so I will be able to do in
software what I’m currently doing in
hardware and give it a chance. But for now,
the Pro is sitting on my floor and my cat
plays with on rare occasions. Be nice
Kitty :o)
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Hey ROBOT !
Don't let the cat get too wild with the CM15A..
I'll send you a brand new $20.00 bill for
it... It will be perfect when I get the
antenna mod done... I'll use it way out in
the Mother-in-Law house... now that will be
fun ! I can just see her now, just stepping
in the shower when CLICK..hehe
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Hey SteveRF,
How’s your mother in laws heart? I could
stuff my CM15A into the body of one of
those “realistic” babies(Mickey shutters)
you see in the Sunday papers. We could make
it all bloody and put tons of cat nip into
it and while my cat gets stoned and is
hacking up the CM15A along with the baby,
we could send an RF signal and turn on a
sound player with a baby crying. Your
mother in law would hear the baby crying
and her motherly instincts would take over
and she would have to walk in to assist the
crying baby. When see sees my cat hacking
at the Baby(CM15A), she’ll have a heart
attack and, well, SteveRF is free from her
horror…4Ever… Don’t even think the boyz &
gals on CSI could ever figure out that a
visual horror causing a heart attack :o)
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Hey ROBOTMAKERMICKEY - I resent that
comment we Canadians do have a lot of GOOD
programmers and people. Alot of your people
have come from Canada - There are quite a
few excellant games that your companies
have supplied to the public. Other
industries have prominent Canadians
involved in them as well.
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Hey Donald McMow,
I do apologize for my open-ended statement
to both Canada and India. However, I do
stick with my original view which I
attribute exclusively(in my case) to lack
of experience especially field experience.
Originally, I worked with in-house
engineers who have experience from the
field. Now, I work with engineers who are
pretty wet behind the ears and have no
field experience and virtually all
communication is via E-mail. Lost is the
face-to-face contact and as I’m sure most
of us are all aware, face-to-face
communication best presents the issues
because you can immediately interact.
I’ve dealt with X-10 for years on issues
and short e-mails(because we all know that
if it’s lengthy, it probably won’t be read
completelymay not convey detailed
information accurately.
I’ll keep my comments to the forum subject
and intent and keep my soapbox in the
closet…
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Someone wanna tell me the filename for the
Smart Macros?
Thanks
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Here is a secret X10 doesn't want you to
know about. Its called Consumer Protection.
Type- consumer complaints -in search box
and you'll find several areas to voice your
complaints. Including the F.T.C. and here is
there web site-
http://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?
Z_ORG_CODE=PUO1
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Actually, X10 advertisements (once one as
found out that Smart Macros Software is
needed to do anything involving simple
decision making steps) say it all:
ActiveHome Pro: “Macros are powerful mini-
routines that you customize to do *powerful
tasks*”
Smart Macros: “For example, lets say you
want to automatically turn a room's lights
on when you enter but only if it's dark
outside. Makes sense doesn't it? Well,
*believe it or not, that simple decision-
making step was not possible - Until Now*!”
So X10 publicly admits that even a *simple
decision-making step is not possible with
ActiveHome Pro* the way it is sold (without
the extra $ Smart Macros Package!
Basically it's like downloading a FREE
crippled shareware program and having to
buy a code to get it uncrippled, except
that X10 make you pay to download the
crippled software in the first place!!!
This is totally unacceptable to me and I am
asking for an RMA, unless I can get a free
download of SmartMacros! Then, I am going
to put the box full of X10 modules I have
on eBay.
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In case anyone is interested in what was
said in P.C. Magazine about CM15A on
11/02/04:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1675067,
00.asp
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Re: Do I have to buy smartmacros?
Tony 2/27/2005 04:48 PM
In case anyone is interested in what was
said in P.C. Magazine about CM15A on
11/02/04:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1675067,
00.asp
P_DuBois: For the record the X10 eagle-eye
sensor (MS14A) has a capability to send
On/Off commands only when it is dark so
without any software for approximately the
last 3 years that function has been working
in my basement.
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Tony, I totally agree with you about the
MS14 light/dark function. I have used it as
well for several years. My point though is
that X10 advertises a macro editor which
allows to write macros for *powerful tasks*
and the name "Pro" implies a better product
than the basic ActiveHome used to be. The
macro editor in the Pro edition does not
really allow to build *powerful* macros,
only basic ones similar to the regular non
Pro version, as there is no conditional
language available without the plug-in.
It's only with the Smart Macros plug-in
that one can really make *powerful*
macros...
It is that lack of macro power in the "Pro"
program that I find deceiving and
misleading! Reading this thread, it seems I
am not the only one...
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The CM15A was going to be my third-
generation controller. (I started with the
computer-interfaced mini controller.) I
really don't care about the interface, I
tend to modify up my config once a year.
It was the macros (what-ifs) that I was
interested in. But if I have to spend
$49.99 (save $50) for the box and then hand
over the $50 I (supposedly) saved it just
isn't worth it.
So what does everyone say to the idea of
writing an open-source replacement for the
X-10 software to be distributed as
freeware? I shouldn't be all that tough.
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anyone fine a way to download smart macros
without the added cost? I too bought pro to
get 'smart macros' and found them too dumb
still. anyone know a website with this add
in as it is definitely not right to pay for
it after buying all the other stuff.
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I just pruchased the CM15A, however I did a
little research before doing so. Here were
my conclusions. The cost of $50.00 for the
CM15A and the Active Home Pro software was
a good deal by it self. With the addition
of the Smart Macros package ($50.00) birngs
the priced up to $100.00. Then I looked at
the Smarthome 1132 CUP. the price is
$100.00. With the CM15A you get a whole
house transcevier, this dosen't exist in
the 1132 CUP, you would have to plunk down
another $75.00 for this ability.
What I don't like is the lack of customer
service and support. Granted, the CM15A
has a few problems to over come which I am
sure will be fixed soon.
Just my 2 cents.
thanks,
T.
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I really thought I was an intelligent person
capable of making prudent business decisions,
but X10 proved how gullible I am. I’ve used
the CM11 for awhile, after reading their
propaganda, decided to step up to AHP. With
that I got I-witness and MyHouse (MH) but,
after talking to a sales rep, opted to just
use the macros in AHP. Well, that didn’t
work so I went back for the Smart Macros
(SM). Of course, I had to pay full price but
they said I had a voucher for $22 that I
could apply. Figuring $28 was better than
$50, I went ahead with joyful anticipation
and got SM. I was charged $50 and after 7
emails (2 to managers) and 6 phone calls, I
did finally get back $16. Why not $22 you
ask? Because I got charged $6 for shipping …
for a download? Give me a break!
Granted, their hardware does work most of the
time but Smart Macros and MyHouse are a joke.
SM occasionally works, until you include
timers and to use MyHouse, you have to use
their server … even if only trying to connect
on a local network, and that isn’t that
dependable. As far as documentation, it’s
about as useful as a wet roll of toilet paper.
The only advantage I can see is that you
don’t have to keep your computer running all
the time because programming is stored in the
CM15 (hopefully) and their prices are cheap,
but you get what you pay for. Knowing what I
know now, I will go elsewhere to get
something dependable, even if it does cost
more initially.
I wish I’d read this forum before I got
suckered in. I guess X10 is counting on PT
Barnums philosophy that a sucker is born
every minute and don’t feel the need to be
concerned about present customers.
My advice … look before you leap you might
get something stuck up your ___
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a modification to the posting by Tad on 2/26
for the FTC complaint form
https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?
Z_ORG_CODE=PUO1
or http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/complaint.htm which
will redirect you to the complaint form.
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"puterfx" said:
"Why not $22 you ask? Because I got
charged $6 for shipping … for a download?
Give me a break!"
"Holey" mackrel X10, how go you justify that?