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[birdzeye]

The x10 "panic" wrist watch was sitting on a table in the dining room for several days, so I thought that by now the cat had thoroughly checked it out and decided he wasn't interested anymore. (He just has to get his nose into everything new that comes into the house).

Low and behold the PS561 is triggered Sunday morning, sending an ear-piercing siren throughout the house, and waking me from a deep dream and well-deserved sleep in. Bug-eyed I manage to locate a remote to shut the damn thing off. In doing so, I find the cat high-tailing it across the dining room, from an area of the floor where he has left the "panic" wrist-watch strewn haphazardly like a dead mouse. The little "son-of-a-tabby" had pushed the button on the wrist-watch, triggering the alarm. And what's more, I think he did it on purpose to wake me up and feed him! It's not enough that he has a constant supply of kibble, he needs wet food too, and at no later than 7:30am!

Well, I guess I know the x10 system works now!

[dbemowsk]

Great tail.  And TOO FUNNY.  I have cats and I know if they had the means and the chance that they would do the same to me.

[Brian H]

I wounder if X10 can now say. "So simple to use. Even a cat can do it" 

Thanks for sharing your adventures.

[HA Dave]

The little "son-of-a-tabby" had pushed the button on the wrist-watch, triggering the alarm. And what's more, I think he did it on purpose to wake me up and feed him!

I am just thinking out-loud here... you could use a couple PalmPad remotes... modified with larger "buttons" (that would be easier for cat fingers/paws to press). Configured with a CM15A and a computer running 24/7 set to play wav files and/or voice announcements (when the cat buttons are pressed). I think... with a little effort and practice... there may be no limit as to how much the cat could train you to do.

[bitman]

.....Cats.

[dave w]

Someday I shall complete the short story of "Dwarf Cat and One Eye's Escapades with a Palm Pad". A short story by O'Davey.

The last line of the story will read something like    "....and then the house crashed and had to be re-booted, but never seemed to be the same after that".   

[beelocks]

All this messing about with modified cat operable buttons is ridiculous. Surely it should be possible to get BVCC* working to carry out almost any inconceivable task.


* Bill's Voice Commander for Cats

[Brian H]

Or BMC {Bills Meow Commander} 

[Knightrider]

NO KIDDING!!!!!

There's a company out there working on Bark recognition for dogs (or barking cats).  I have already put in with Bill to develop a program that recognizes by the bark when the dog needs out.  With some simple pneumatics and an electronic door strike, I'll never have to let Brutus and Bette out in the middle of the night or back in.

Note to the burgular planning to record the dog's voice to gain entry:

I have a 20 ga. pretty handy, you have been warned.

[dave w]

 
I'm too young to wear Depends, but if this keeps up.....

[Knightrider]

I vote to rename said Depends as BMC (Bowel Movement Control).

[dave w]

I vote to rename said Depends as BMC (Bowel Movement Control).

I'm on my way to Wal-Mart.

Seeing as this thread is in the "General" discussion I am going to switch tracks on this train and if any moderators want to derail my question I certainly understand since it is not X10 related.

Does anyone have any experience with Vizio LCD televisions? Vizio has not been around a long time (less than a decade I think?), and I am wondering about reliablity history. Sams Club has a 37 inch, 1080P, 120hz refresh, Vizio LCD for under $500 which would be a nice bedroom TV.

Thanks

[birdzeye]

Seeing as this thread is in the "General" discussion I am going to switch tracks on this train and if any moderators want to derail my question I certainly understand since it is not X10 related.

It's not x10 related, nor cute/stupid pet stories + x10 related. Come on people, I thought there'd be at least one other pets+x10-related story out there!  Instead, I get hijacked by Vizio tv.....which BTW I wouldn't spend that much on when you could get the same size in a better quality Sharp, Sony or LG for about the same price (at least where I am you could). Did you buy it?

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

I've never seen them do it myself, but my wife swears the cats like to use my Icon RF remote to change the TV channel.   
 

[pconroy]

Does anyone have any experience with Vizio LCD televisions? Vizio has not been around a long time (less than a decade I think?), and I am wondering about reliablity history. Sams Club has a 37 inch, 1080P, 120hz refresh, Vizio LCD for under $500 which would be a nice bedroom TV.

Thanks

Vizio's are fine.
Once the low price leader, their quality (and price) has been moving up.
Their plasmas get good reviews.

Personally - I don't think their picture is as nice as some other brands but that's a personal preference.

As for longevity - heck - I think it's a   c**p shoot these days.
I'm old enough to remember when "Sony == Quality".
No more.  I suspect whether you go Panay, Sony, Samsung or Vizio - it prolly won't matter that much.

(Me? I'm not a big believer in extended warranties - but I will be buying one w/ my new Plasma.  )