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X10 Xmas Light Control with Pan and Zoom

zzxc writes "Last year, slashdot mentioned Alek Komarnitsky's 2002 Christmas Light display with the ability to turn ON and OFF each zone of lights. This year, he has added the ability to pan and zoom the camera in the web control, which works from 5-12 MST. You can select zoom from 1-5x, pan horizontally and vertically by selecting the angle, as well as turn each zone of lights ON or OFF. He also has sensors that tell you the current temperature, humidity, if it detects stars (vs clouds), and more. However after last year's 22,000 web controlled lights, he's "burnt out", putting up less than 4,000 lights. Last year, his lights pulled 78.6 amps of current. This year, he is only pulling about 14.7 amps. Also, last year his home T1 line was completely saturated by all the press attention. This year, he's ready. (Note that this is not referring to X10 wireless video cameras, but to power control devices using the x10 protocol.)"

75 comments

  1. Obligatory by jargoone · · Score: 5, Funny

    I didn't see the answer to the question everyone is asking: can you pan far enough to see the girl in the bikini by the pool?

    1. Re:Obligatory by Walt+Dismal · · Score: 1

      Not only can you, but the X10 CT-9000 Surveillance Christmas Tree makes a perfect gift for the hormone-impaired.

    2. Re:Obligatory by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      He lives in Colorado. It's Christmastime. The girl in the bikini by the pool has frozen solid. Unless you're a necrophiliac, there's not much for you here, though she is nearly naked, and petrified.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  2. Gotta Love his Javascript popup for that link by coolmacdude · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Incoming Slashdot`er - Maximum Power to Web Server!"

    --

    -You may license this sig for only $6.99.
    1. Re:Gotta Love his Javascript popup for that link by Joe+U · · Score: 1

      I liked the Javascript, but I didn't think much for his perl script though:

      IP Address to Country Demonstration
      Your Country Capital : Canberra
      Your Country Code : AU
      Your Country Currency : Australian dollar
      Your Country Name : Australia
      Your Country Region : Oceania
      Your Hostname : 24-193-145-xxx.nyc.rr.com
      Your IP Address : 024.193.145.xxx
      Your Previous URL : http://www.komar.org/cgi-bin/xmas_webcam
      Your Timezone : EST - Daylight Saving Time IS observed

      New York City, Austrailia on EST?

      Yes, I xxx'd out my router address. I'm not that crazy, yet.

    2. Re:Gotta Love his Javascript popup for that link by Midnight+Thunder · · Score: 1

      Given (xxx added):

      Toronto-HSE-ppp3776xxx.sympatico.ca

      I get told I am in the USA :(

      --
      Jumpstart the tartan drive.
    3. Re:Gotta Love his Javascript popup for that link by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Gotta love /. ing web sites. Time to see a funny political cartoon and /. another ... LOL!

    4. Re:Gotta Love his Javascript popup for that link by dorsey · · Score: 1

      That script sucks. Given that my hostname identifies my state and metropolitan area (I have roadrunner) it still can't figure out that I'm in the US. Weak.

      --
      hinderfreude ('hin-dur-"froi-d&), n. The feeling of joy derived from being in the way.
  3. Hit the site by The+Tyro · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Love the "Incoming Slashdotter, Maximum power" message!

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
  4. "The #1 non-adult related webcam! by 192939495969798999 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Making it 10 trillionth overall" - Simpsons.
    Seriously, though, I'd bet that this site would do really well if on xmas eve, santa showed up and deposited presents, and then did a pole dance or something.

    --
    stuff |
    1. Re:"The #1 non-adult related webcam! by donkeyoverlord · · Score: 1
      santa showed up and deposited presents, and then did a pole dance or something.
      If fat men in red suits depositing presents does it for you this quick google search is my present to you Santa Porn!!!
  5. hahaha by fastidious+edward · · Score: 2, Funny
    --

    karma karma karma karma karma chameleon, you come and go, you come and go.
  6. Gratuitous linkage by kevcol · · Score: 5, Funny
    1. Re:Gratuitous linkage by donkeyoverlord · · Score: 3, Funny

      Not a single pr0n link in the entire message... CRAP!

    2. Re:Gratuitous linkage by kevcol · · Score: 1

      Argh! I started with that, then I just changed to linking every single word to the .com equivilent.

      Well donkeyoverlord, not that you mention it, I've got HOT pr0n just for YOU!

  7. Who cares? by i_am_syco · · Score: 4, Funny

    What's the big deal? What was wrong with the good, old-fashioned throw-some-lights-in-the-bushes-and-in-the-gutters light scheme? Now, everyone's house either looks like the front yard of a church or a disco roller-arena from the 70s. Its John Travolta meets Jesus.

    1. Re:Who cares? by Treacle+Treatment · · Score: 1

      Looking forward to hearing...

      Atomic Jesus
      Boogie Promised Land
      Holy Stuff
      Jesus Christ Super Freak
      You Holy Thing
      etc...

      --
      TT
    2. Re:Who cares? by modpod · · Score: 1

      you gotta admit though, it's geeky, and it's cool. now what i think would be even better, is if you could interact on some sort of basis with the dog.

  8. Hehehe.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    This year, he's ready.

    Do I hear a challenge?

    1. Re:Hehehe.... by notanatheist · · Score: 5, Funny

      Also of note.. on the site he mentions "when/if the Slashdot crowd comes..." Yup, that's asking for it. I think the article should be reposted when the lights are active. Heck, post it daily until the lights are down. What's Slashdot without a good dupe?

  9. questions i gotta ask by morganjharvey · · Score: 4, Funny

    Isn't this a little dangerous? I mean, putting all that light out there, couldn't an airplane mistake his house for a runway?

    And who pays this guy's electricity bill?

    So what if I'm jealous. Let me be bitter. :)

    1. Re:questions i gotta ask by zangdesign · · Score: 3, Funny

      couldn't an airplane mistake his house for a runway?

      We can only hope.

      -- The Grinch

      --
      To celebrate the occasion of my 1000th post, I will post no more forever on Slashdot. Goodbye.
    2. Re:questions i gotta ask by Treacle+Treatment · · Score: 1

      This happened to me last Christmas when I decided to light the entire driveway and use the PC to switch the lights on and off. Imagine my suprise when a C-130 tried to taxi into my garage!

      --
      TT
    3. Re:questions i gotta ask by swaic · · Score: 0, Offtopic


      Hahahaha.

  10. Children by Treacle+Treatment · · Score: 2, Funny

    It appears his children were born upside down. I think doing the Christmas light is his way of coping with the pain and anguish.

    --
    TT
  11. X10 Camera Linux Drivers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I did the same sort of thing. Hooked up the x10 and had the little cracker control a power module. Used the php x10 stuff and people could turn off the camera at will.

    The driver which I help write is working under linux. The controls of the camera are not working right now (Porting driver to 2.6.0 kernel).

    I did not get enough sleep, people would keep turning on and off the camera. Click, Click and Click all night. 8*)

    If anyone would like to help/patch or use their x10 cameras here is the link:

    http://www.emuit.com/webcam.html

  12. And don't forget the other guy.. by wackybrit · · Score: 4, Interesting

    There was another guy who set up webcams in his house and put all his lights on X10, and allowed people to control them over the web. Thing is, he's STILL doing it, it must have been going for a couple of years now.

    This story reminded me of it, so I went back, and he's live on the thing STILL, so well worth checking out.

    It's here at DriveMeInsane.com (definitely an apt URL).

  13. Yesam, and it looks like that brand spanking new by Crasoum · · Score: 1

    server is getting a pretty bad spanking.

    Musta been naughty.

  14. Actually.. by wackybrit · · Score: 3, Informative

    It looks like he got rid of most of the gizmos and only has three lights hooked up now. He used to have about 12 sets of lights, and you could also control a remote control car that had a camera on it. I guess that all gets a bit expensive to maintain though. Oh, and you could do the sprinklers, and look at his doorcam.

    1. Re:Actually.. by Restil · · Score: 4, Informative

      Actually... I just moved and haven't finished setting everything back up yet. I was hoping to have it all done by xmas, but nothing ever goes according to plan.

      Don't worry though, in a month it'll be back up to where it was.

      -Restil

      --
      Play with my webcams and lights here
    2. Re:Actually.. by wackybrit · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      I forgot you were a Slashdotter. It all floods back. Thanks for dropping a line. I was just checking out the news on your site, and am looking forward to seeing it back in its former glory :-)

  15. Question? by iamdrscience · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Is anybody else wondering why exactly this guy had a T1 line in his house in the first place last year? Furthermore, is anybody else a little disappointed that he didn't decide to upgrade his T1 line to a home T3 line this year instead of paying for hosting?

  16. The wonderous side effects of annoying advertising by weave · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I hate X10.

    I know, I know, it's not just that company that does the annoying pop up ads.

    Sorry, whenever I hear X10, it just creates so much rage in me I won't even bother reading the fine article.

    Let my lesson be learned by all advertising execs. Annoy your customers enough, the backlash and bad feelings may last forever -- or at least the life of your company.

    p.s. SCO could stand to learn a similar lesson.

  17. National Lampoon by pipingguy · · Score: 1


    I think many stations are running "Christmas Vacation" about now. Don't we all secretly want a crude, but well-meaning cousin Eddie to bitchslap the boss and have Beverly D'Angelo cup our balls? And have squirrel attacks from Christmas trees? The squirrel attack was the best part.

    1. Re:National Lampoon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think I've only ever seen the edited version. Where exactly does Beverly D'Angelo cup Chevy Chase's balls?

    2. Re:National Lampoon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The scene when all the cops bust down the doors/windows/etc, and they are all standing still with their hands up (except her 1 hand) getting yelled at by said cops.

  18. Re:The wonderous side effects of annoying advertis by Spoing · · Score: 1
    1. Let my lesson be learned by all advertising execs. Annoy your customers enough, the backlash and bad feelings may last forever -- or at least the life of your company.

    Agreed. Are there any companies that do the same thing as X10? How are they with Linux support?

    --
    A firewall can not protect you from yourself. Turn off what you do not need. Do not use the firewall to do your work.
  19. Blinkenlights by DRUNK_BEAR · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This project reminds me of Blinkenlights... This was an awesome project where you could display a small picture/animation/play pong/other on a building using the windows and interior lights as pixels. http://blinkenlights.de/

    --
    DrkBr
    1. Re:Blinkenlights by bleeper4 · · Score: 1

      and it just so happens that both these links (this and www.drivemeinsane.com) are included in the "Other folks who have done nutty stuff like this" link on his website...

  20. All I want for Christmas... by PetoskeyGuy · · Score: 4, Funny

    is my own T-3, my own T-3, my own T-3....

    So I can have a Merry Christmas.

    *sigh*

  21. Re:THIS WAS MODDED FUNNY by DAldredge · · Score: 1

    That isn't a low UID

  22. Slashdot crowd? by Rtsbasic · · Score: 0

    Not if my friend, but when..

  23. Re:THIS WAS MODDED FUNNY by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Errr... what you linked was not a troll, merely the end of the line of a Linux Zealot BS argument that had gone on too long. Please, I invite all to follow the post history. So, JVMATTHE I suggest you brush that chip off your shoulder and get on with life, or if you are not he, just to get on with your life.

  24. Re:The wonderous side effects of annoying advertis by Turq · · Score: 3, Informative

    Er, yes, there are several dozen that make 'x10' hardware, x10 is a protocol, not just an irritating company; in fact, the protocol is older than the irritating company.

    --
    - Turq - "That's TRON, he fights for the users."
  25. Now you've done it! by atrader42 · · Score: 5, Funny

    You've gone and slashdotted the most common words in the english language! Now what are we going to do?

    1. Re:Now you've done it! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Continue as before - spell badly ;)

    2. Re:Now you've done it! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think the answer is rather obvious...

      It's time to goto disney land.

  26. You better watch out by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    public const bool watch_out = 1;
    public const bool cry != CRY;
    string why; cout why;
    santa.target = "town";
    apvector[99] list;
    for (x = 0; x list.length(); x++)
    {
    kid.nice = check(list[x]);
    kid.nice = check(list[x]);
    if kid.nice == "naughty"
    naughty(kid);
    if kid.nice == "nice"
    nice (kid);

    if kid.state == (sleep || awake)
    know(kid);
    if kid.state == (bad || good)
    know(kid);
    }

    for (x = "goodness sake"); x != ""; x = x)
    cout "be good!";

    public const bool watch_out = 1;
    public const bool cry != CRY;
    string why; cout why;
    santa.target = "town";

  27. hate to be his neighbor by sp00 · · Score: 1

    Talk about light pollution... It'd be like the sun is next door to you.

  28. At least last year by The+Tyro · · Score: 2, Informative

    this light orgy was powered by wind power (not generated by him, I gathered... he still had to pay for it).

    At least he's throwing a bone to the Enviro types... who apparently numbered exactly one. That's right... one person challenged him to put the display on wind power and sent him a check... and he was the only one to actually send money

    At least there's one guy out there willing to back up his environmental beliefs with cash...

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
  29. Re:The wonderous side effects of annoying advertis by Spoing · · Score: 1
    Er, yes, there are several dozen that make 'x10' hardware, x10 is a protocol, not just an irritating company; in fact, the protocol is older than the irritating company.

    I wasn't aware of that, so I decided to search for other companies and came up empty; some tech on the protocol and all adverts were to the same X10 company that we all (ahem) "know and love".

    Since I'm missing something that should be obvious, please point me to a couple of those other companies.

    --
    A firewall can not protect you from yourself. Turn off what you do not need. Do not use the firewall to do your work.
  30. Re:The wonderous side effects of annoying advertis by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I was going to point you to my favorate, Active Home. Don't bother. I guess X10.com owns them now. Radio Shack sells X10 stuff, Sears used to. I get enough stuff at estate sales and garage sales that I haven't bought new in years. People sell used X10 stuff for under $1 per module, I find a few every year.

  31. Re:The wonderous side effects of annoying advertis by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is the radio shack stuff rebadged x10 company crap? Radio Shack rebadges everything you know!

  32. what's the code to execute program on motion? by Cryofan · · Score: 1

    I have misterhouse running on XP. What I need to play a sound file upon motion detected. I have a ms132 up and running and everytime it picks up motion, the misterhouse GUI prints out a "garage light XA2J is on" notification. I just want to play a sound file everytime that happens....

    TIA

    --
    eat shiat and bark at the moon
    1. Re:what's the code to execute program on motion? by Tmack · · Score: 1
      The code the motion detectors send out is the same as if you hit the "on" button for whatever house+device code they are set for. Set your program to run on that event and it should work.

      Tm

      --
      Support TBI Research: http://www.raisinhope.org
  33. Jumped the shark last year by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Good to see our metaphorical Fonzie's spirit wasn't broken in the attempt, though.

  34. Why not use LED based lights? by colink · · Score: 2, Informative

    LED based Christmas lights take about 5% of the power of regular bulbs but are a lot more expensive. Given the amount of power that he's drawing, why not switch over?

  35. GEO-location sillyness by TheTomcat · · Score: 1

    "5. Some GEO-location hacks to assess what country you are coming from. Using the Perl Module Geo::IPfree, it is fairly simple to determine what country you are surfing from based on your IP address - try it now! ;-)"

    Ok, so I tried it..

    Your Country Name : United States
    Your Country Region : North America
    Your Hostname : modemcable*CUT*.mc.videotron.ca

    Odd that a .ca is in the United States, no? (-:

    S

    1. Re:GEO-location sillyness by Krunch · · Score: 1
      Temperature is 44.4F ... Looks like no rain in the last hour ... Humidity is 41% ... Pressure is 30.21 inches Hg ... Wind Direction is 346 and averaging 4.8 mph with gusts to 7.6 mph ...
      If he can see what is the my country currency, why doesn't he use my country's (and everyone's) system of units. What's wrong with kelvin (or celsius) degree, (hecto)Pascal and ms/s (or km/h) ?
      --
      No GNU has been Hurd during the making of this comment.
    2. Re:GEO-location sillyness by mistered · · Score: 1
      Yeah, it seems that perl module isn't so hot. Check out hostip.info for a free IP location service. It seemed decent when I tried it.

      --
      Enjoy your job, make lots of money, work within the law. Choose any two.
  36. They're watching use even on xmas ;) by DonCarlos · · Score: 1

    Has anyone noticed small oval shape above the house's chimney? Seems one got a good time with image processing software ;)

    --
    Marcin
  37. Re:The wonderous side effects of annoying advertis by Tmack · · Score: 1
    Since none of the replies have yet mentioned the other companies... I use X10 stuff, only the stuff I got from the company before they started their annoying pop-up ads, back when they were basically giving it away (the $50 starter kit w/firecracker, remote and a couple mods cost $8), charging only for shipping. I did get one of their camera packs, as I couldnt find any other company selling similar things cheaply, and honestly, they work well for most stuff, tho their battery powered motion detectors suck (tend to act randomly, and change their pre-set codes when the batterys start to run low). That being said, RCA and leviton make alot of X10 compat. devices. Check out Smarthome.com, they have ALOT of home automation stuff, alot of it is X10 compat, and with the firecracker and ActiveHome(CM11a) serial controllers or similar serial based adapters, anything X10 can be controlled easily in linux. Check out the HeyU package for doin stuff with CM11A, works great in perl/cgi scripts.

    TM

    --
    Support TBI Research: http://www.raisinhope.org