I highly doubt this forum is a good representation of their customer base.
I am sure in some if not many regards...
many of us here are not the average users... but very likely we are typical users. Many of us do own more X10 products than I would guess the average customer owns. The regulars here.. also seem to be more concerned about
why things work (
as they do or don't) than the average user. And whereas the average user does visit the forums here (at least once)... the average user doesn't hang about to help others.
I think like most X10 users... the regulars here are typical. We found X10 on the Internet and after some reading and searching we decided to take a chance. We discovered some of the technologies frustrations and found this forum... [at roughly the same time]. Every regular here... has an addictive or passionate affection for X10 and/or Home Automation. Many of us have purchased some X10 product(s)... just to learn more about them. And most of us have a big box (of some sort) of spare parts.
Our [the regulars here at the forum] setups tend to continue to grow. Some of us have larger than average setups... and like typical X10 users... we enjoy showing off our setups.
And here is the rub: Often guests to my home ask for demonstrations of my Home Automation. It seems word of my "computer controlled house" has spread. And where I do have a true passion for X10... I don't care to have my name associated with Internet images of scanty clad women.
The first time I heard myself refer to my Home Automation as using "Smart Home Technology"... it sadden me deeply. I realized at that point I was embarrassed by X10... and that I needed to express that here.
For sometime... X10 has been known for its bathing suit beauty's in its Internet ads. The ad's did set X10 apart from the rest of the crowd... it was hokey.. and almost cute.
But some months ago... the advertisements started using "darker" images.
We don't know why. And interestingly.... in the same way that my colorblind brother can't see the difference between blue and purple... many can't see the difference in the images X10 is using. And some others can see the difference... and like the new ads.
I don't mean to sound critical of those who like or want the new imagetry X10 has selected. I share my believes with others... not because I think my believes are superior... but because they have brought to me a value and happiness that I willingly share. It is my willingness to share what I have learned... that has caused me to become a regular here at the forum. And I think... it is the same reason why so many of us regulars here... oppose the new darker images.