[no subject]

> As for me, I've only been into this stuff for a year now.  The need to
> automate was forced on me due to a family disability.  I looked at a lot,
> decided I couldn't make a decision in a short time about what I wanted to
> do, and dove into the cheapest starting point I could, fully intending to
> toss out all the X10 stuff I bought down the road once I had time to
figure
> out what I really needed.

That's a perfectly viable option.  Here's where the popularity of X10 is so
useful.  You can always sell that gear on EBay when you step up.  There's no
other protocol that offers so many different types of controllers so
cheaply.  There are at least a dozen X-10 books and 100's of X-10 related
sites to learn from.  Those are among the reasons that are included in my
reasoning for advising newbies to try X-10.  It's also why I take issue with
the word "simply" to describe why I'd would still give that advice.

>Basically, X10, a Mac mini, and a homebrew
> doorlock controller has been my test bed for what my family needs.  In the
> last year, I've learned a lot and made lots of notes, so when I build a
> house in the not too distant future, I'll be able to do it right with
> whatever I decide to use.  I don't think it will be X10.

That's indeed just the strategy I would choose for a newcomer, then and now.
Particularly because Jeff's device overcomes most of the issues they're
likely to run into, along with a few cheapo filters.  His contribution means
that X-10 users can now correct X-10's fatal flaw (low power) and not
experience signals too weak to activate equipment as the system expands.
Why, exactly, would you choose another protocol, Larry?

> If I decide to stick with X10, it won't be because it's what other
> people already use.

Again, it's *so* complicated.  X-10 is incredibly cheap.  One of the reasons
is because so many people use it.  X-10 has lots and lots of choices in
add-on equipment and software;  More than any other competitor.  Why?
Because so many people use it and it's been around a long time.  X-10's
incredibly well covered on the net.  Yes, you know the reason.  There are
1,000's of X-10 items for sale on the net.  Yada yada yada.  So, yes, I use
it, in part because so many people use it but I also use it because it gets
the job done for 1/2 to 1/10 of what other systems would cost.  Why?  (-:

Thanks for sharing your views, Larry and for giving me the opportunity to
explain my reasoning in a little more (and maybe excruciating) detail!

--
Bobby G.