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[Servelan]

In the divorce, I got the house and a box of X-10 components (acquired via Craigslist for free/cheap IIRC) that had never been used.  I'd like to put a simple security system in place, but have no idea where to start. 

Any suggestions on tutorials/books/websites you've found useful, or general ideas on how to get started?

I have the following, and reckon I'll need more:

1 Firecracker interface kit
2 motion detectors
1 socket rocket, one lamp module
1 wall switch module
2 universal modules
2 3 channel/dim RF wall switches
1 powerflash interface

[dave w]

You got the house?!! Wow.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X10_(industry_standard)

http://books.google.com/books?id=lwzUuahW4c0C&pg=PA80&lpg=PA80&dq=X10+module+functions&source=bl&ots=qKgpkFzuBu&sig=ofdT4PJH-MDAEqZnbNBw51KXmt4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bE-zU-jbF8KjyATYuIHIAg&ved=0CEgQ6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q=X10%20module%20functions&f=false

http://www.x10.com/cm17a.html

The modules you have, are really more suited for home automation lighting control. X10 is only so-so as a secuity system.

The PowerFlash interface along the a N.O. magnetic switch could be used to flash lights when the switch is closed. The firecracker, motion sensors, and RF wall switch all need an RF to powerline transceiver (TM751 or RR501) to work. The Universal modules provide a relay closure output when they receive the proper X10 code over the powerline, so maybe you could wire them into a siren or strobe light circuit.

Since you don't have any experience with X10 it would probably be easier and a lot more secure to just buy a standalone security system and use your X10 to turn on the lights. 

[Servelan]

You got the house?!! Wow.

Sort of a miracle, actually. 

So I guess what I have is a box of...stuff.  I figured I didn't have enough to do much more than turn on lights, which is really all I wanted to do; neighborhood's pretty quiet due to all the dogs around here (I have two) and if you looked at my house from the street you wouldn't think to burgle it...but still...

Thanks for the feedback!