bradch@microsoft.UUCP (Bradford Christian ms1) (10/07/89)
Someone was asking about how to control the serial port on the Amiga so they could control their home. I have a slightly different question: where can you get the X/10 stuff, especially the RS-232 interface? Also, is the X/10 stuff compatible with the Plug'n'Power stuff from Radio Shack? As far as the serial port help goes, if you (whoever you were) still need info and can't find any of the fine PD comm. programs w/ source, let me know and you can have my serial port function library. Getting even farther away from the Amiga, does anyone know if an infrared receiver module is available for the X/10 stuff? Thanks, BradCh
dougp@voodoo.ucsb.edu (10/07/89)
-Message-Text-Follows- In article <7980@microsoft.UUCP>, bradch@microsoft.UUCP (Bradford Christian ms1) writes... >Someone was asking about how to control the serial port on the Amiga so >they could control their home. I have a slightly different question: >where can you get the X/10 stuff, especially the RS-232 interface? >Also, is the X/10 stuff compatible with the Plug'n'Power stuff from >Radio Shack? > The Plug'n'Power stuff from Radio Shack IS X-10. Radio Shack is just using a ploy that Sears used to use, renaming it with their own name to confuse less informed customers so that they think Radio Shack is the only place that these things can be had. As far as X-10 stuff for the Amiga, I just asked for and got info from Digital Dynamics concerning their software. From what I can tell, the hardware is the same as that which was sold for the C-64 (I have never owned one, but my neighbor has one). There are minor differences, (there was no rain switch on the C-64 version), but the functionality is remarkably similar. The solar events they mention in their advertizing (times relative to sunrise and sunset) are handled by the computer (ie the computer must reprogram the box about once a week). One of the nicer features mentioned in the info is the ability to program the box via cli scripts. this allows you to have the controller turn on the computer, the computer to reprogram the box and then tell the box to turn off the computer. This means you can have unlimited programability of events. A few down sides of X-10: Only 256 unique addresses are available. This does not sound too bad untill you relize that houses on the same end of the transformer can communicate with each other (eg I can turn my neighbors lights on and off, and inadvertantly did when I first got a simple controler and a few switches). In my neighborhood there are usualy 4 houses connected to the same end of the transformer, that means if all your neighbors buy into the X-10 system, you may only be able to use 64 device codes. You can't use the applience modules to controll most of the newer appliences sense most of the new appliences need some juce to keep from loosing their memories (eg an electronicly tuned sterio reciever) I have yet to find a kit that would alow a device to be modified to be controled by X-10. It might be possible to modify an applience module to do this though, I havn't tried. The wall mount light dimmer can only be turned on or off by the switch it contains, in order to dim it, you must have a separate controler box. Besides the switch is downright ugly. Asside from remote controll, the X-10 devices offer no aditional capabilities from other types of switches. I would like to be able to replace the switches on all my switched outlet power outlets with one switch controler boxes so that the switched outlets (which are usualy in the wrong place and therefore nearly useless) become non switched outlets, and whatever lamps are connected to dimmer switch modules would be controlled by the wall mounted controler box (provided they are set to the same address). The wall mounted controler boxes could also be used to controll one light with many switches (sort of like a three way hall light, but with more than two switches controlling the light) Anyway with a disclaimer that I have not yet even ordered this device (I plan to tomarow) I will give you their address and the prices they gave me: Digital Dynamics 739 Navy Street Santa Monica, CA 90405 (213) 396-9771 (I called this number and got an answering machine, They did promptly send the info I asked for though) Software only: $59.50 A1000, or A500/A2000 hardware + software: $125.50 ($98.50 was printed blacked out and $125.50 written by hand.) > >Getting even farther away from the Amiga, does anyone know if an >infrared receiver module is available for the X/10 stuff? Radio Shack sells a radio controlled remote controll for X-10, I don't know of an infrared remote though. > > Thanks, > BradCh Douglas Peale
robertl@bucsf.bu.edu (Robert La Ferla) (10/09/89)
You can get X-10 equipment from a variety of sources under different names. The manufacturer is X-10 USA is located in New Jersey. X-10's can be bought at Radio Shack under the "Plug n' Power" brand name and also at Sears under a name that I can't remember. Both DAK and Fordham mail order catalogs offer X-10 stuff including the interface. Yes, there is a ultrasonic remote controller for X-10 equipment (not infrared.) In addition, Terrific Software in California sells a complete low-cost Atari 800/X-10 system. -Robert La Ferla
840445m@aucs.uucp (Alan McKay) (10/10/89)
I am the guy who wanted the information about the serial port, my name is Alan. I would greatly appreciate it if you would send me your serial port function library. Yes, the Radio Shack stuff is fully compatible with the X10 stuff. If you like I can look up the address and phone number for X10 systems. I am not sure if I still have it but I'll check. I just phoned the X10 office in Canada (they have a toll-free number, and also have an office in U.S) and they told me who my local distributor was. I'll check my stacks of unorganized papers to see if I can dig up the address and phone numbers. -Alan -- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + Alan W. McKay + + + Acadia University + "Courage my friend, it is not yet too late + + WOLFVILLE, N.S. + to make the world a better place." +