Log Home Automation Revisited

Last year I authored an article entitled, "Log homeany number of devices in your house, and is quite
automation? Excuse me?". ( The article was pickedrobust, yet easy to use. Set-up of the hardware
up by scores of blogs and syndicated services andcomponents is a breeze. Outfit lamps or appliances
since then I've received tons of email askingthat you want to control with small inexpensive
questions about home automation and the companymodules that allow the ActiveHome Pro computer
whose products I mentioned, X-10 (see:interface to communicate via signals that are
First, I will discuss the company; X-10 was a pioneerbroadcast across your home's electrical wires.
of online 'in-your-face' marketing. Anyone who wasYou can even program the system to do tricks using
aware of X-10 in the early days of the Internet canthe ActiveHome Pro software. A download plug-in is
remember the mind-numbing garish ads this companyavailable from X10 (for $50) that allows modules to
seemed to have pinned to every website in thebe controlled on an "if-then" basis. For example: If it's
universe. Heaven forbid if you opted in to any ofpast dusk and the motion sensor module detects
their newsletter or advertising solicitations, as youmovement in the living room, then turn on the lights.
would get blasted daily with offers and eleventh-hourOr, if you have some programming experience, you
deals.can download a free software development kit and
That company, and the vast majority of regularwrite a control program that interfaces with your
Internet users learned the hard way how NOT toe-mail.
get involved with such marketing techniques.Your imagination is the only limitation with this home
Companies who practiced these tactics eventuallyautomation system. You can create the mood you
lost the support of their customers, and prospectivewant with a push of a button. Produce a romantic
clients learned to avoid these businesses. I don'tatmosphere with dimmed lights, soft music and your
blame X-10 for their unconventional approach toaroma lamp, and make it a night to remember. When
marketing. When the Internet was first madeyou come home after dark the system will
available to business, no one knew what would workautomatically turn on your lights providing you a safe
or what was needed to attract customers. That wasand visible entry. Ensure a fun and worry free
the 'Wild West" of online marketing. Good companiesvacation by turning lights on and off at different
made some bad mistakes, but eventually mosttimes, making your house look occupied. When it
learned that good products promoted properly willcomes to peace of mind, convenience and comfort
yield positive results.are paramount.
X-10 is a survivor of the "dot-com meltdown" andHome Automation is 'Green'
the early marketing blunders of online promotion.Now you can control your home, get control over
Today, they are a 30+ year-old company offeringyour expenses and conserve energy. With a home
quality products, with excellent warranties and freeautomation system you can manage countless small
shipping to USA addresses (orders over $50). Todaytasks that will add up to huge savings of both money
they are one of the world's leading Web retailers andand energy. Your smart home can be programmed
a manufacturer for several lines of best-sellingto turn lights off with the dawning of the day, your
consumer electronics products.television to shut off at night after you fall asleep
Revisiting Log Home Automationand your furnace to power down at night or when
Home automation is about making things easier andyou are away at work. Managing lighting, heating and
improving convenience; it is about what you want -air conditioning components and appliances can make
and when you want it to happen. Home automationa significant impact on your household expenses and
is 'green' and good for global warming.contribute to fuel conservation.
Although my primary focus is log homes, whatWill home automation solve the "global warming"
follows pertains to all houses whether they areproblem? Doubtfully, but any measures we take to
constructed of log, brick or even manufactured.reduce energy consumption is good for everyone
Home automation is about making things easier andwho inhabits this planet whether they live in a log
improving convenience; it is about what you wanthome or a straw hut. Imagine the impact if
and when you want it to happen. With X-10'sfifty-million homes in America turned off their furnace
ActiveHome Pro, your imagination is all that is neededand a couple lights for a few hours every day.
to make your home "your automated castle." UsingIn summary, home automation is not just a toy for
this system you can program your thermostat toaffluent geeks, but a reasonable consideration for
turn on or off to suit your schedule and wake up toanyone who owns a home and wants convenience,
a hot pot of coffee, and have your lights turn on orincreased security and to save money and energy. If
off at preset times.you are contemplating home automation or security
This electronic brain for your home is managed by aimprovements, I recommend you investigate X-10's
system-control package for Windows PCs, but yourActiveHome Pro system. A starter kit with the
computer does not need to stay connected for thesoftware, interface and several modules, remote
system to work after it has been programmed. Oncecontrols and sensors costs just $100. Additional
you download your behaviors into the computermodules cost between $15 and $50 from X10 and
interface, you can plug it into almost any electricalother vendors. ActiveHome Pro was selected as the
outlet in the house and it will run unassisted. TheEditors' Choice by PC Magazine making it their top
software permits you to program the behavior ofpick among all home automation systems!