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Promotional Freshmeat X10 Firecrackers
Paranoid noted that Freshmeat (hi Scoop!)
is now doing an x10 Promotional Offer
for those of you who missed your chance when we did it. You
pay $6 shipping, and you get all the required parts to
turn on your house lights from your command line. Or a TCL GUI.
I just ordered
a set for my gf- these things really rock. I've got my lava
lamps rigged up in my room, plus a motion detector in my
bathroom so I don't kill myself before I get my contacts in
first thing in the morning.
Don't miss your chance.
Limited Time offer.
While supplies last!!!
Order in the next 60 minutes...
But, to be fair, the serial port pass through design seems to work well. I have a serial mouse and have noticed *no* problems since adding the firecracker inline with the mouse. Cool. Now I just need to go buy some more appliance modules from Radio Shack.
True, X10.com claims the "special" offers end at midnight. But in reality, they never end. I have been interested in X10 gadgets for about 3 months now. I finally broke down 2 weeks ago when i saw the posting on Slasdot.org about the Free Firecracker deal.. As opposed to other users, I received my firecracker package in about a week ( UPS Ground Shipment ). Granted the deal is like buying a barebones PC. Its enough to make it work. I was really impressed with the unit. I live in two story house and used the lamp module on the other end of the house and it works great. The dimming feature rules.. My wife really digs that. Next I plan to integrate Linux into the picture with complete home automation.. Most of you probably dont know, but some of the trade magazines for Home Automation are writing some good articles about Linux and the many uses with home automation ( x10 )... To sum it up, if you are interested in X10 then you cant lose with a $5 investment like the firecracker promotion...
... thank you and have a slashdot day..
the statements expressed in the posting above represent the opinions of the postee and in no way represent the viewpoints of slashdot.org or x10.com
When I got my kit the dimmer didn't work correctly either. It wouldn't respond to any commands although the transciever/appliance module did. You just have to mess with it a little. Unplug the lamp module and plug it back in. Try the same with the transciever module. At first I thought my kit was a dud too, but now it works as advertised. I don't really know a lot about X-10, maybe they have to do some sort of initialization. I know some of the other X-10 stuff is this way. I also went out and bought a X-10 wall switch. Had the same problem. Got it working in a few minutes. It's cool though, cause now I found the perfect light intensity for those nights of coding ;) .
Go to www.smarthome.com, and get a 6 pack of lamp modules for $30. No need to pester your friends.
Where are you? Netherlands? I'm not sure the lamp modules would even plug in..... what do your receptacle outlets look like? Are you 60Hz/120VAC? The X10 protocol might not even work over there. Perhaps that's why...?
The package will get there eventually. I ordered one a week before my friends did and they got theirs and I just received mine yesterday. The package comes with one lamp module however the receiver also acts as a appliance controller so you get to control 2 things..not one. The lamp modules in bulk ( 6 of them for $30 at smarthome.com) are $5 each so why complain about paying an extra $1 for the remote, receiver/appliance controller and the transmitter?
--FameWolf
I ordered it, and then had my name removed from their mailing list via the link on thier web page...haven't gotten any mail since....
--FameWolf
>> early one X10-related piece of junk e-mail per day.
if you would take the time to scroll to the bottom of one of these, you would see a nice big glowing link that says someting along the lines of "click me to stop getting these damned things". its just like all the other spam ive ever gotten at least.
that Slashdot is now a totally commercial entity and yet it still has a .org domain?
Anyway, those X10 things are bullshit. Who cares about turning on their lamp from their computer. I spend so much fricking time in front of my computer that the lights in other parts of the house are only used by my wife and she could care less about using a computer to control them.
Sometimes geekyness goes too far. you have to know your limits.
Ya, firecracker is 1-way only. The ActiveHome starter kit has 2-way communication to the computer (although the lamp modules are receive only, and don't transmit anything, you can still use the remote, or motion sensors, to send info to the computer) They sell the activehome thing on x10.com for $50, but I got some email from them with a link to a page that sells it for $40... and they had some 12% (?!) off deal which cut it to about $35... and they were giving away a keychain remote, and a motion sensor... so I bought it. Do these guys actually make any money?
:)
I'll put the motion sensor in the computer room, so it can greet me when I walk in, dial up for me, and announce how many new emails I have.
I ordered the $5.90 Firecracker kit some weeks ago. I received it this week, and apparently can't do anything with it.
It included one serial port RF transmitter, one "PalmPad" Remote RF transmitter (basically a hand held remote), and two electrical outlet Lamp Modules.
The two transmitters send RF to a (not included) transceiver, which passes it on to the wiring for the lamp modules. I didn't think I could lose by only spending $5.90, but wow.
Must have been a packing mistake; call them up. They'd probably send you a receiver module for free.
Get over it! You don't hear us griping about promotions in Europe.
Mmmm... where is the link on there web page that removes you from the email list?
I haven't received any junk email yet, but I'd like to avoid it.
Thanks!
misspelled link in article... 'nuff said.
They deduct straight from your checking account.
I can imagine that if you ever got caught for your scam, you would say "hey, i wouldn't have bought it anyways". You know, the same line you use when you steal software.
My check card has visa on it. I used it to order the firecracker kit and it worked perfectly. I also use it to pay my monthly internet account.
Geesh these X10 people are getting advertising. As other people have mentioned, the "LAST DAY" and other such claims of X10 are _TOTALLY_BOGUS_. Indeed I get a little suspicious when a company operates with such blatantly false advertising (not that I actually want them to end their deals...the longer the better...but it is simply a outright lie to claim a deal ends TODAY! when it actually goes on for weeks).
However just a couple of coveats:
-The firecracker kit is fairly lame. If you really want to do this pay $50 and get the ActiveHome kit (AND IF YOU ORDER TODAY YOU GET XXX AND YYY!!!!) and a couple of modules. It includes a send and receive computer interface, and a separate module that controls the system outside of your computer, allowing timed events and the like without depending on your computer.
-The firecracker kit takes a long time to get to Canada (odd that I ordered it after saying the above...but I did). I ordered on June 21st and am still waiting. Mind you three weeks isn't THAT bad, but it isn't good by any means. This is pushing the limits.
-Apart from what someone else said I find their customer service subpar. After placing a followup order for some modules I decided I wanted to add an ActiveHome kit. Being in Canada I have to pay an extra $10 USD per order so I wanted it added to the previous orders. Two emails sent on the Sunday, July the 4th that I placed the order and then again on Tuesday, July the 6th were totally ignored to this point, so obviously the addition didn't make it. And everytime I try to CALL in the change I am told "Oh, that database is being updated right now so I can't access it...". To say this has pissed me off is a gross understatement.
What's with the ads all over ZDNET's site showing pretty girls with bare shoulders and ads for the XCam in high resolution color? Most of these chicks look like they are working in the San Fran sex circuit...
But to cut to the chase-- Their electronics is crap. If they would spend 10% of what they spend on advertising making a product that can send back a confirmation on the power line that it actually did what it was commanded to do we would have a product with some value. As it is - well, maybe the device turned on and maybe it didn't. Who knows.
This is one company I would like to see out of business.
Look at the catalog on the website. They have two ActiveHome combo deals, one at $100 and the other at $150; I personally found the $100 deal to be better for me.
BTW, always compare prices with SmartHome (www.smarthome.com). I've found they have better deals on many items.
Credit cards are wonderful tools, much like fire. Also like fire, they're dangerous when you don't use them properly.
I've had tons of success using credit cards. My rule for using them is simple: Never charge more than you have in the bank, and pay off every statement in full. You won't have the high interest charges, you can take advantage of cards that give rebates, and when you're adding up your receipts (in Quicken, or whatever) you get a good idea of your own spending patterns.
Of course, you'll need some self-control for this. Free money is a big temptation. But if you can handle it, it's a great advantage.
www.worthdist.com has ibm home director(essentially activehome renamed) for $9.89! I plan to get both this and the firecracker, and use the firecracker in my laptop and the cm11a(activehome) on my main box
It's inline with my serial mouse (a Logitech cheapie with a wheel). No problems at all.
Sorry I can't remember the name of the magazine. Anyone else know?
You don't have to use the computer to control the lamp module. You can use the remote.
It is good old USA capitalism in action. I see nothing wrong with \. making a buck while providing a service. If you have a problem with this perhaps the People's Democratic Republic of Linux is a better place for you.
I understand that X10 only provides Windows software, and that Linux drivers are available from a third party; is there MacOS software available that anyone knows of?
For the record:
The pass through feature of the dongle does work under linux. X10 has NOTHING to do with the Bottle Rocket software and states so on their web page. It was written by a linux user for linux users. Finally, the latest version of Bottle Rocket not only supports individual unit dimming but has full compatability with the x10-amh package so all software designed for it works out of the box.
--FameWolf
I'd like to know how your controlling xmms with it. ;)
procmail means never having to say, "Yes, I do check mail every hour, and I do read everything that makes it through the perimeter, but uh, please don't send me any more spam and for GOSH SAKES don't sell my name to one of those 'these idiots read ALL THEIR MAIL' mailing lists."
Works on the high school reunion crew, also. I got over my guilt at plonking these dorks months ago, and their e-mail keeps dying silently! Yea, procmail!
Wow, your page (http://phobos.illtel.denver.co.us/) does a FANTASTIC job of casting you as a raging psycho Linux fanatic.
Denying anyone using IE is a great way to earn respect.
It's the only spam tool you ever need. Don't even have to delete them, just let them pile up!
Or is there another way to hook it up to linux?
Does anyone know if the lamp dimmer module can be used for anything other that incandescent lamps, such as stereo components, TV's, motors, etc...and if the dimming is a result of an electronically controlled variac, because if it is, and it can run motors that could save you some money.
I take it that no one has got FireCracker working under Linux. Would be nice to see some specifications at least... I don't have that Seattle based OS anywhere in my house, so that dongle thingie is sitting here useless in the mean time.
From what I've seen, these Firecracker things are transmit only. So, you can run around controlling things by banging out commands, but what about reception? Being able to send from a computer has been possible since the early 80s with their CP-290 (little box with 8 buttons on top)...
I realize this may not seem important at first, but it gives you LOTS of possibilities. Being able to sense darkness and trigger lights all over the place is definitely a Good Thing. It beats the hell out of lat/long daytime calculation too, since those don't always nail your personal definition of "night"... besides, what about days when a storm rolls in and it gets REALLY dark? Or a solar eclipse, you get the idea.
So, to geek out even more, check out the two way side of the X-10 force and see what you can imagine. How many people can honestly walk up to their house, have a bunch of lights come on (via a motion sensor relay), and say "those things are powered by Linux"?
I'm moving shortly, so I'll have to figure out more stuff to do with it all in the new place.
Check the latest version - Bottlerocket 0.04b6 has no problems that I can find with dimming or brightening only a single device.
I did something similar with my guinea pig cam page, only I have it set up to control the brightness of the lamp by his cage from the web page.
I'd rig up something to let people give him treats via the web, but he'd probably explode.
This X10 stuff is addictive - soon I'll probably have the whole house wired!
for what appears to be a totally unrelated reason (I hope) the server I had the static HTML of that page on crashed :-)
If you want to see the Guinea Pig, try here...
Part of the reason I have the light only go up or down one level at a time is to give him time to adjust so he isn't startled. If he starts to look annoyed, then I'll disable the remote control on the light...
It has been funny to watch how his behavior changes depending on the light level:
Bright - Stretches out and sleeps (basking?)
Dim - runs around and eats
Off - Curls up and sleeps
I ordered some last time, and they came broken. The controller works sometimes, and the plugin part works all the time, but the lamp part just doesnt work at all. Oh well, least it was only 6 bucks ...
Do what I did, go to bigfoot (www.bigfoot.com), and sign up for an address there, then add a procmail filter to delete all mail to that address. (It just forwards the mail to your real address)
Nick
...to my HTTPX10 thing that was recently slashdotted... Or maybe I should setup CVS and put all the stuff there?
Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.
Posted by edinct:
I took advantage of the X10 promotion at Slashdot and made the misake of giving them my email address. For the next 6 days they sent me the same advertisement every day. Email did not stop it. I needed to call them by telephone to get them to stop.
It's used the exact same way as a credit card, except that it deducts straight from your checking account. All the convenience of using a credit card without any of the worries about running up a debt.
I still have my parents' credit card for emergencies, but for personal use I only have a Visa check card tied right to my account up here at college. Check cards are wonderful things.
retrorocket.o not found, launch anyway?
The transciever module is preset to module 1, but DOES accept remote on and off codes.
The other modules, a lamp module, recieves on off dim and bright codes.
That this particular deal isn't any good anyway,
Followed by:
because $6 is a good deal for the handheld controller that comes with it
One or the other please!
Sure, the 24 hour deals do tend to be more like 24 years, but so what? I ordered one to go with the kit I already have as well. I'm using the new remote and reciever to control xmms. The firecracker will most likely end up in use as well (perhaps as a smart repeater to the other phase of my house wiring.
At any rate, I got my order within the week with no problems. Perhaps you should cancel the order, and then re-order.
To be fair, I have heard of occasional handling screw-ups on their part. I guess you're one of them.
is incapable of dimming a unique device - it can only dim an entire room of lamps at once.
You have to send a unit on command followed by the dim/bright command to select a specific unit. The Bottlerocket docs imply otherwise, but that's what it takes.
Buyer beware: X10 Powerhouse drives this market, and drives it poorly.
Sadly, your critique is all too accurate. A few next to zero cost improvments would yield a much better product. Check out comp.home.automation, there is occasionally talk there about a project to make a superior X10 like setup based on PIC chips.
I think the X10 idea could be much improved by making devices ACK their commands, and make them transmit an equivilant command when they are controlled locally. Making all devices capable of reporting their status when interrogated would complete the picture for the protocol.
I like your suggestion for a wall recptical that screws into the wall. They should also make a lamp socket 'bypass adapter' so a wall mounted controller doesn't have to listen to commands through a hot incandescant filament. (many have complained about lights that will turn on but not off by remote).
The wall controls on velcro can probably be forgiven since they target retrofiting to an existing house. It would be nice if they made an equivilant unit that mounts in the wall for those who want to do it right though.
Credit cards are safer. If someone makes an unauthorized (fraudulant) charge to my credit card, Visa is motivated to investigate and resolve the issue since I still have my money. The question to them is would they would rather be out the money, send me to collections and maybe never see the money, or not pay the person who submitted the charge. It's much cheaper easier, and less risk for them to simply not pay on that charge and let the person who submitted it sue me if they don't like it. (And people commiting fraud probably don't want to go to court)
With a check card, your account is debited already, the bank is out nothing. It's cheaper for them to do nothing and let you sue the person who submitted the charge if you don't like it.
I'm not fond of credit debit personally, so I pay the full balance every month. For people who have a credit abuse problem, there's always American Express. With them, the full balance is due every billing.
The more expensive modules (such as the Leviton decora wall switches) do transmit local commands.
Cool! The last I saw, only the SwitchLinc did that, and was not actually shipping. I'm glad to hear that situation has improved. Could you give me model numbers?
STATUS is as good as an ACK really, since the computer can relay remote commands, and then poll to make sure it happened.
So much for my major objections.
Need it be said that this is not a special offer? That this deal has been available every day since it was posted on here two weeks ago? That their deals NEVER end "TODAY" as they like to proclaim? That this particular deal isn't any good anyway, because you only get one free X10 module, and more are going to cost you $15 a piece?
Does it really need to be asked if Slashdot and Freshmeat are getting kickbacks from these obvious advertisements in the guise of stories? Need it be pointed out that articles that have been paid for in magazines are typically identified as such with "PAID ADVERTISEMENT" printed on the page?
So run, fellow lemmings. Run fast and buy these, because this time they really do mean today's the last day. Yup. Bet the deal won't be there tommorrow.
I ordered a kit three weeks ago because $6 is a good deal for the handheld controller that comes with it, and I've already got piles of X10 units. Three weeks, haven't seen the item, haven't been able to get anyone on the phone that knows if its been sent, or why it hasn't if it hasn't been sent.
Bruce
Bruce Perens.
The serial module won't fit on my serial port because of the way IBM designed this computer. The serial port is too close to the edge of the computer for me to plug in this fat module.
Now I'm stuck with this stuff I can't seem to use. Any thoughts on how I could fix this without breaking my computer?
- George
Well when ordering the product, there was a list of states in which they had presences in, where customers would be charged the tax. Texas was another one.
"Dogs and cats, living together...it's mass hysteria!"
When I first saw this on /., I thought "hey, that's cool!" and ordered one. It took a while to get here (about two weeks) but it finally did, and it performed as advertised. I even decided to buy some more stuff from them (which has NOT arrived yet).
I *did* get spammed, but I went to their "remove" address, and was promptly removed (look at the bottom of the email.)
But then I saw the story on slashdot *again* Then I saw it on freshmeat.... which was posted on slashdot... again... I mean, don't you guys think that's enough? It's getting to be pretty blatant advertising. What's the point of that? Not trying to be a jerk, but at this point it's simply not news - it's just an ad.
Well, one thing that may be happening is that you have the transceiver and the lamp module on a different pair of phases in your house. Try putting the lamp module in an outlet which is on the same circuit as the transceiver, and see if that works. If so, then the problem is that you're not getting coupling across the phases. The lamp module should still work on 1/2 your circuits. :) You can fix this with an inexpensive capacitor, see the x10 website for how to do this.
:)
And for the person with the blinking fluorescent lights, the web site specifically says that these things dont' work with fluorescent, because they need the current path across the filament in an incandescent bulb.
Granted, none of this stuff was in the instructions that came with the modules... but Linux folk are supposed to be good at ferreting information from the net!
However, I found a page (in the netherlands) which explains some of this, and gives tips for modifying the modules to work on 220V. All disclaimers apply, and the site is here.
Well, for one, the modules I received don't have the CE Mark, so they couldn't be sold in the EU.... even if they'd work with the power distribution system over there.
The problem is not so much with multiple circuits, but with different phases. Three wires come into your house, let's call them A B and C. All of your 120V circuits are either across A and B, or B and C. If you put your transceiver on an AB circuit, and the lamp module on a BC circuit, it may not work. There are ways around this, and sometimes it works just fine anyway. Look on the support page on x10.com - hard to find, but they explain it pretty well.
Paid, huh? Ok, fruitcake, where is your proof?
Even if /. was given a kickback, so what? There are a lot of us who think that this sort of thing is cool. I ordered two of the kits, and now I'm hooked. Just put in order at www.smarthome.com for a buncha crap.
Just because you're poor, or boring, or just plain paranoid, doesn't mean that the rest of we readers are, so bugger off and go back under your rock.
--
A host is a host from coast to coast...
A host is a host from coast to coast...
Unless it's down, or slow, or fails to POST!
I was charged Texas sales tax.
It's a Unix system - I know this.
They look lovely and all. Some of the people's comments seem a little worrying, but it doesn't affect me as I have the pleasure of living outside the US, in the UK. One of thousands who live in the UK who probably would want one, if possible.
Well? What about us?
I ordered one of those firecracker kits
during the last slashdot promotion and got
it two days ago. Not being sure what to
do with it, I hooked up a small lamp to the
web, here.
So now a request to turn on/off the
light can pass through the internet, over the
firecracker kit's radio link, then through my
apartments power grid to the X10 device, which
toggles the light. It's kind of a crazy way
to activate a light, but it works fine and
is kind of amusing.
Jeff
Off-topic:
The reason usually given for the USPS monopoly on first-class mail is that another company could come in and "cream skim" the lucrative routes and leave the USPS to handle rural and other more expensive routes, raising the overall cost of USPS mail (since they must, by law, deliver everywhere). Of course, they could eliminate the flat rate for first-class postage, like they do for parcels, but no senator or representative wants to vote for something that will penalize his/her state vs. more densely populated states.
On-topic:
I've used X10 for a number of years, and have noticed that they work much better if you have non-conduit wiring as opposed to wiring in metal conduit (like in many apartments and businesses). There seems to be higher signal attenuation in the latter case. Also, stuff like computer power supplies and compact fluorescent lamps seem to inject enough noise into the line or lower line impedance enough for the low-frequency RF X10 signals to lower the reliability of devices close to them. So plan accordingly.
How reliable is Firecracker? Does it make sure that the device did recieve the command? Or does it just send out a commmand and hope that the device got it?
Can you extend the Firecracker device from the serial port, say 25' or so, to maybe get better transmission quality by mounting high on the wall or more centered in covering space? I mean most serial ports are on the back of large metal enclosure that puts out alot of frequencies interference. PC's are well known for limiting FM radio reception.
I seriously would like to offer this simple low-cost automation solutions for commerical customers. And most all of my commerical customers have at least one Linux based server.
This X10 stuff has really intriuged me, I hope this discussion isn't too old to get some response.
How about temperaturing monitor with X10? Many of my Linux servers in the field are legacy equipment with no temperature monitoring at all and those 486DX4-1x0 will completely burnup and die without a fan.
Is there OEM or aftermarket X10 hardware? I've seen that IBM and several other companies are reselling as thier own.
DrWatt
I've gone postal before... In my employment transistions I worked for a trucking sub-contractor for US Postal Service delivering mail from a major bub to local postal offices. I actually made really good money, starting out at like $25/hr@38hrs a week. Though schedule sucked, starting work at 3:30am really got old. But there was always, at every office I delivered to, mail laying in loading dock, stuck in the scales, piled/swept into corners, flying out my cages into creavices of the trailer, flying out of cages during windy days, and so on... Only just before or during an postal office inspection would these items possibly resorted or worse trashed. :) I always blame the post office for my late payments!
Postal deliveries are 50/50 at best. Lets just say I read lots magazines I never subscribed too... And always someone else's copy of Playboy for few days or carefully examing Columbia Record packages...
- Jeez, I'm rambling, bored on a Saturday night, a crying shame...
DrWatt
I really hope /. is not making from there news posts. The banner ads are annoying enough. Now if they are sellings news space, then I must ask how much? How many hits a day this place get? How many impressions, as web banner people call it, would that be? /. ought to be one of the most expensive places to place a banner add at? Guaranteed auidence that has some money to play around with and more likely to be savy enough to do online purchasing... /.'ers are probably filtering the banner ads anyways...At least I did for awhile but turned it off because a friend of mine did win a $3000 PII 400 machine from a banner ad promotion... /. anyways? Wasn't, I as re-read it, soley offered to Freshmeat?
Jeez, now that I think about it
Of course alot of
BTW - Didn't the X10 promotion have almost nothing to do with
AND is Freshmeat a truely seperate entity or a RedHat operation?
DrWatt
Ordered it last night when I saw it pop up on Freshmeat. :-)
Bull! the fact that they dont want to inconvience themselves..... well ya know there is a LAW that you have to accept american currency as payment.
I say let's jump on their arses... everyone that dont have a credit card.... join my lawsuit..
I perpose suing X-10 because they are segregating us and making us that decide not to have every purchase tracked and marketed feel like second class citizens!!!
BOYCOTT X-10!!!! and let's get a class action lawsuit going..... about 10 million sounds like a great number to start!
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
And I wonder when companies catch on to that when they are having these kinds of promotions..
I wouldn't mind paying a bit more for the overseas shipping, but excluding the non USA/Canada web-community is insane.
And, IMO, shows that said companie(s) don't have a friggin' clue about the net anyway.
----------
'We have no choice in what we are. Yet what are we,
but the sum of our choices.' --Rob Grant
----------
'We have no choice in what we are. Yet what are we,
but the sum of our choices.' --Rob Grant
Well, for the $6 that I paid, nothing has gotten delivered yet a couple of weeks later, except for probably nearly one X10-related piece of junk e-mail per day.
I think it makes far more sense to add a small RF carrier to the AC signal and modulate your signal onto that. In fact I am designing such a system and will release the plans under something GPL-like when (if :) I get it working. I am thinking make it an Ethernet-like protocol with lookahead collision avoidance/etc. Something I can run IP on anyways.. But don't hold your breath waiting for it :)
You might be interested in the GNU/Linux Home Automation Project . The goals of the project are to produce GPL'd hardware and software standards for Home Automation. Right now the list is down due to technical problems with the mail list.
--
Linux Home Automation - Neil Cherry - ncherry@home.net
http://members.home.net/ncherry - (Text only)
http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/lig htsey/52 - (Graphics)
Neil Cherry - Linux Smart Homes For Dummies
Actually, considering that their product deals primarily with US power... I would think it kind of odd that someone in the UK or New Zealand or wherever hasn't capitilized on the concept by selling a simillar device in their own country. Ergo, it would seem they are doing plenty of business in the US that doesn't seem to necessitate them ramping up a product for every country with different power requirements.
Here's whatcha do. Ok, so the starter kit costs $5.90. For that, you get the firecracker serial dohickey, a remote, a transceiver unit and a dimmer module. Keen. Hop on over to rat shack and *sound of record skip* $12 bucks for an extra dimmer? You're insane. Tra la la. "Honey, I need your credit card." Order up another kit,(different name on card, only one per person) at the low low super low insane price of $5.90. Voila. Extra remote ($40) extra dimmer ($12) and an extra xcvr ($18). Cha ching. Perpetuate the scam a bit, ask a few friends to help out, pony up $5.90 and voila a third kit.
As far as the spam haus that they are, just hit remove when you get that first message. Big deal.
The upshot of this? I get a super cool toy that is actually useful for dirt cheap.
Beat da system.
It's inline with my serial mouse (a Logitech cheapie with a wheel). No problems at all.
Same here. It's inline with my Logitech Firstmouse+... This only works with the newer bottlerocket program (0.03a), though...the older one didn't save any of the serial port state information...so it would lock up the mouse after it was used.
The only slightly annoying thing is that the mouse locks when sending a command...but I can live with that until the CM11A HomeDirector interface I orderd shows up...It doesn't have a passthrough, so I'll have to try to get that second serial port (/dev/ttyS2) to work...I had locking problems with it when I tried to use it earlier...grumble.
Heheh
The internet shopping market is primarily based around the economy of the US. Currently the US makes up 1/2 the internet subscribers. It makes only sense that a product such as this be limited to the U.S. especially since they're not produced for the other power rating values (220, etc..)
...was that they buried the fact that if you get this promotional offer, you are agreeing to allow yourself to be added to their mailing list. This is stated in the RULES section. Now, while I don't mind (most of the time) being added to a mailing list, I prefer to be ASKED up front like when I'm placing my order or something. I filled out their "user survey" and made some remarks about this. But, for $6.00, I wanted to try these things out. They looked like fun. Guess it's time to create another filter for my email ;)
"Klaatu, verada, necktie!" -Ash
I have worked with X10 before, and it is not a particularity well-designed system. Here's why: It relies on waiting for the zero crossing (AC power is sinusoidal, and so spends a bit of time every cycle fairly near zero volts) and then sends "spikes" to indicate the command. The problems with this are that
I installed some X10 modules in my house last year, and they wouldn't work when one of my housemates had his computer on. I checked using an oscilloscope and discovered that the X10 module was unable to detect the zero crossing reliably. I tried several modules on both the transmitting and receiving end with the same result.
There's also the whole issue of patents. X10 modules must be licensed, which makes them extremely expensive.
I think it makes far more sense to add a small RF carrier to the AC signal and modulate your signal onto that. In fact I am designing such a system and will release the plans under something GPL-like when (if :) I get it working. I am thinking make it an Ethernet-like protocol with lookahead collision avoidance/etc. Something I can run IP on anyways.. But don't hold your breath waiting for it :)
"...Is this world not a call I can screen out" --
So what's a 'Check' card? Does it say 'visa' on it? Is it just a secured visa?
Use a check card.
If you notice they say something like 5.90 for s/h Sales tax will be added in if you live in ca, tx, ut, az, ga, ny. /. effect to do it. :)
they gotta make money off this thing somehow, and they might just be smart enough to use the
JaqBOT
I too orderd the $6 firecracker stuff the first time around. Been very pleased with it so far.
Anyway, as soon as I got the very first email from their mailing list, I immediately did the remove request & haven't gotten another email from them since.
Maybe I'm just lucky. But, someone had a good idea in setting up a hotmail (or other free email account), and designating it as a "spam" account: only use it for these "special offers" that ask for an email address to confirm the order & spam to...
Seriously. I don't even have a credit card (who needs credit?) so I use my check card. It's just as functional, but has a $1000/day limit.
Lowmag.net
Great. I worked my ass off to get out of credit card debt and closed all accounts. Haven't had any problems getting anything I want anywhere else (and I can afford it now without credit cards sucking my wallet dry).
But I can't get one of these things. They won't take a check, money order, wire transfer, or cash.
Well, these guys won't be getting my money I guess.
Too bad too because I'm about to place an order for several $$$.$$ to $$$$.$$ with either or home automation for the same kind of stuff to use at work.
Their loss.
. Quit playing Monopoly with Bill. Switch to one of many non-Microsoft products today.
I placed my order. But something about it confused me:
If the product is free, and I'm paying a $5.90 "administration fee," how come they added 8.5% California sales tax to the invoice?
Doesn't sales tax apply to the retail price of an item, not to associated fees for service? So is it free, or is it $6? Yeah, I know, it's a dinky sum regardless, but I still find it a little odd.
In any case, just a little warning to folks in California who may want to place their order: yer gonna get taxed.
I wouldn't mind paying a bit more for the overseas shipping, but excluding the non USA/Canada web-community is insane.
Don't let your envy get the better of you. 37,000 units (the claimed allotment for the freshmeat.net promotion) won't go too far to serve an international market.
I think the opposite, and say that when giving things away it is only sane to limit the target market.
Yeah, good thing I have a Sun box 1 foot to my left. Oh, never mind, his page is totally useless anyways.
I ordered mine a couple of weeks ago, and got it yesterday; it's actually nice, for the sum I paid. My friend whom I share the appartment with also got his. Cool, now we can turn each other's lights on and off...
No tax for New York - but, I guess they'll charge you if you live in New Jersey, since they have a branch in Closter, NJ.
Did anyone else notice all the cookies the x10 site uses? When I ordered, I noticed one cookie has the whole name and address record, and another cookie stores just the full name. Then there's a couple more that look like they are part of the free deal and shopping cart.
This is something that is of interest to a nerd like myself. News for nerds. The fact that it's also an ad isn't very relevant.
/. reported on Sony's AIBO it was both news and an ad. That doesn't bother me. The ads tend to be of interest to me, and if my interest helps out /. financially, then that's a *good* thing.
If IBM announces Linux support it's news, but it's also an ad. When
I missed it the first time around and when I saw it this time I ordered one and told my brother to order one as well (he's obsessed with remotes, he has one for his PC). I always wanted to try out X-10 and this gets me into it.
Now I can go to ftp.ee.ualberta.ca and try out some of the X-10 circuits they have there and start designing my own. I can do a lot of tinkering with this.
It was news to me, and so what if was also an ad? At least it wasn't a porn banner.
You can't do this! You have to indicate that this IS NOT news, it's advertising! You could get sued for this, you know. Stop it. The first time I saw this article, I actually thought it was legit news. And i even shared it with my friends. Now I find out that Slashdot was payed to make the post. NOT ALLOWED! It's decepsion.
Why not end the monopoly on the mail? Because the postal service does not exhibit
...
monopoly pricing. Do you think that your company could (profitably) deliver first
class mail for 33 cents per letter in two days with a pretty damned good deal of
reliability?
Glad you're not a PW;)
I promise not to get into the rant I'd like to, but all I'm asking (in this forum, anyhow), is why prohibit new entrants in the field of first-class mail delivery? "Monopoly pricing" is the pricing offered by a monopoly; Keynesian / Interventionist definitions of monopoly pricing are strictly self-serving and circular. Attempts to deliver mail more cheaply by free-market means have been squashed in the past by the USPS, and *that* is the behavior of a monopolist.
Anyhow, wrong point to belabor in the Firecracker thread, so this is my last paragraph (save the sig) on the matter until it is raised in a more relevant area.
jrnl: http://tinyurl.com/c2l8yr / foes: http://tinyurl.com/ckjno5
I decided to use the 800 number rather than the online form.
... but a minute or two later, she pointed out that people don't like to provide this sometimes "because of the ..." (she fumbled, and I suggested, "spam?") "Yeah, Spam." So she kindly removed my email address and provided my order number by voice instead. Kudos!
;) So this is sheerly an experiment. I read a lot of comments panning the deal and complaining about a few weeks of waiting, but for under USD 6, this seems like a real bargain, since it includes the remote controller. We'll see!
The wait was mind-numbing: nearly half an hour of "Your call is important to us. We are experiencing longer than normal wait times. Please stay on the line and your call will be answered by the first available operator. All calls are answered in the order received." I think the frequewncy of the message increased as the wait stretched out, too.
When I did get a person, I mentioned that I'd been on hold for a long time, but for once I didn't let my temper get the better of me and try to take it out on her.
She explained that the sales floor closes for the weekend, so all orderes go to her area, which is actually tech support, and that they were two people short (of an unspecified total) in tech support anyhow.
She asked whether I had an email address to which she could send a reeeipt, and then I provided one
Delivery time: she said their warehouse was behind on orders, but that it should arrive in under two weeks. Also that they usually ship UPS, but for this deal they're shipping USPS instead.
I noticed that a CA Slashdotter was charged state tax, so I guess they have some of their operation there, but the woman I spoke with was in New Jersey. Any other states get hit with it?
As far as this deal goes, well, you never know, eh? I have no home automation stuff at all, and know even less.
Good luck to anyone who gets one!
timothy
jrnl: http://tinyurl.com/c2l8yr / foes: http://tinyurl.com/ckjno5
The pattern for small companies selling geekware seems to be: get mentioned on /.; deliver the first few orders quickly; then fall farther and farther behind.
;)
I suspect that this variant of the slashdot effect will be much more persistent than just bogging or crashing a web server. I suspect that the people who are ordering now are in for an even longer wait. Don't bother selecting some "express" shipping option.
Geeky modern art T-shirts
I ordered a firecracker deal when Slashdot was promoting them (and who cares if Slashdot gets kickbacks)? It took a while to get it, but I did get it via priority mail. I had gotten concerned and called X-10, and I have to say that their customer service is top notch. Although the hold times are on the long side, when the guy answered he was extremely polite, and apologized and told me that the shipping department had gotten a little behind, and If I didn't get it by friday, call and they would ship another one free of charge (as they should). But there was no need for that, because it came that Friday, and came as advertised. I just ordered a DVD anywhere from there. There is a review of serveral of their products on AGN3D.
You have to make damn sure it doesn't double as a credit card. When you ask for the thing, make sure to specify that you do not want a credit card at all, just so they know. I've heard of people getting check cards that were credit cards too, not sure how that worked but it really messed them up..
I must admit being a little disappointed with /.'s editorial laxness in these promotional cases. (H'uh, it was DirectorTaco himself!?)
/. feels obliged to carry promotional coverage that is continentally-challenged I can easily vote with my fingers, but please, PLEASE, tag such "news for nerds" as "of North-American interest only!".
A lot of the U.S.-centricity is understandable in the sense that issues regarding U.S. companies - and the "U.S. internet" - have usually some repercussions for the rest of the world as well. Not so with these continentally-challenged promotions.
The geek, geekwannabe and geek-admirer world consists of Planet Earth (propably other planets too, but that's for another thread). If
Should invading one's peaceful neighbours be opposed, or rewarded with trade deals?
Dear Coward,
Bullard gets over Cowards with pleasure; no need for encouragement. Even American steroid-laden Cowards will do. Yeehaa!
w/ rough-tongue-in-your-cheek regards,
Should invading one's peaceful neighbours be opposed, or rewarded with trade deals?
Well, sorry to hear that some kits have arrived broken. I do believe the company will deal with it properly, but they sure are *s*l*o*w* in everything. Shipping is maybe the worst: 2 weeks just to ship an order that has not arrived yet (ground NJ to CA) after a week in transit. And forget the 1-800 from CA: always busy, not even a tape! Just keep it in mind when placing an order, and adjust your expectations accordingly.
Did any one actualy get the computer interface work on a *nix platform? Using it in between computer and another device...mouse? How?
Does anyone have any experience doing multi-room voice control of X10 -- mic arrangements, what voice rec SW, etc?
Just get the starter kit and buy all the other modules from Radio Shack. They are identical. In fact, I didn't realize someone in the house already had them and I was inadvertantly turning their stuff on and off.
PDG--"I don't like the Prozac, the Prozac likes me"
"Where is my mind?"
Regardless of whether you approve of the marketing tactics going on here, this is an interesting technology... albiet one that has been around for quite a while.
Let me understand... it works by modulating (or something like that) the AC signal in your home's loop, to communicate between your various applicances. Most homes have multiple circuits, so how do you control the equipment on the other circuit? I guess you could plug another controller module into your PC and plug that into an outlet on another circuit, which is probably going to be on the other side of the house! Are there any other solutions, or am I missing something.
Egads!
jrw