Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[ed]

Hi all,

I know very little about X10 but am interested in setting
up some home automation, namely controlling lighting.

Does anyone have any recommendations on starter kits? I
wish to also purchase some X10 modules for my dad
however he doesn't have a computer so we would
probably have to go with some type of controller or timer.
Any suggestions?

By the way, I currently have an iMac and an iBook but I
have an old PowerBook 140. Could the PB be used as a
controller for the X10's?

Thanks for any help.

Ed

[dave w]

"Xtension" by Sand Hill Engineering. I
haven't been able to use this program for
several years, but in 1999 it was
incredible, especially if you know Apple
Script. I imagine the good folks at Sand
Hill Engineering have only made it better.
www.shed.com has a demo/shareware available.
FWIW

[mastermind]

Yes extensions is great, you will need to
purchase the usb control interface to use it
as most usb2serial dont for for some reason.
I have been using it for almsot a year. Its
not as flashy as the regular PC interface but
its a lot more configurable

[ron]

Indigo offers Mac software, too, at a lower price than
Xtension and it seems to work fine. My issue with both of
these is it seems the Mac has to be always on rather than
loading the "automation program" to the CM15A, as I'd
expected to do. The older Mouseworks and Thinking
Home don't seem to have MAC OSX capability as far as I've
found. Question for Mastermind: are you referring to a
CM15A (for example) as a USB control interface? I am
using that with Indigo and also I tried it with Xtension and
it works fine. I guess that's what you meant.

[ron]

Indigo offers Mac software, too, at a lower price than
Xtension and it seems to work fine. My issue with both of
these is it seems the Mac has to be always on rather than
loading the "automation program" to the CM15A, as I'd
expected to do. The older Mouseworks and Thinking
Home don't seem to have MAC OSX capability as far as I've
found. Question for Mastermind: are you referring to a
CM15A (for example) as a USB control interface? I am
using that with Indigo and also I tried it with Xtension and
it works fine. I guess that's what you meant.