The Web Page of Kristopher Linquist

There are a few new players in the home automation market - namely Zigbee and Z-Wave.  Z-Wave devices are already on sale at your local Fry's Electronics.   All modules are repeaters and they offer acknowledgement as well.   Although it has many advantages, it still can't even touch X10 when it comes to price.  I can order a 3-pack of X10 appliance modules for $15 on eBay - $5 each!   Z-Wave appliance modules are about 8 times that.

I found a free command-line app to control the X10 serial port module ("Firecracker" CM17A) by Adam Davis:  http://www.ubasics.com/adam/electronics/cm17.shtml

With this, I wrote a simple php/mysql web app that lets me remotely control my lighting.  Yes, I know apps like Homeseer have offered this ability for about a decade, but hey, I wrote this :).   The administrative web interface is easy - add/delete a room, or add/delete a module.  When adding a module, it asks what room it's in, whether it's a light or an appliance, and the X10 appliance code.  With this information, it'll dynamically be added to my control screen under the right room heading.

Once I get an iPhone (this week I think!) I'll better format the web page for the mobile platform.   I also just ordered more X10 modules to replace some wall switches.

I am a huge nerd.