Don't know if anyone has thought of it yet but I betcha that some real smart young programmers could get a home automation system running under Damn Small Linux and in fact run it from a bootable usb thumb drive. That way if you wanted it you could just plug it in or just leave it all the time. Since DSL will run as a task under windows (dirty word) or even from a Live CD next to windows I know someone could put all those existing java scripts and perl scripts together to make a REALLY GOOD FREE home automation system.
How about it?? I know there are some smart people out there.
Or perhaps someone could come up with a toolbar written with java and each little applet would perform a unique but tied in function. For example see how the Trellian tool bar works. It is free and soo iis the toolkit to make your own toolbar. Do I hear someone stepping up to the plate for a chalenge??