Just wanted to share some info on home automation. I have been using X10 devices for a few years and I recently discovered a few different utilities that let you control the Firecracker via command line.
At first it may not seem much but I was able to script the commands into php pages on my server and i can turn on/off my home lights, dim/brighten them and schedule them via my cell phone.
The x10 devices are not that expensive either. Most of the automation items at Radio Shack are x10. I discovered them when I was looking for replacement for the (don’t laugh) Clapper. Here’s the site http://www.x10.com.
Hmm, I don't think x10 delivers outside US/Canada. If you have local Radio Shacks you may be able to get it there or you can always get GS to buy it for you, hoonh ;)
tofibhai,,, are the scripts for turning off lights your own or they r available to everyone..
also, what are the things you need for the whole process
server with php ???
do we need special cell phone or any decent US phone wud do?
Well I wrote the php code, they just run the cmd-line mscm17a.exe with the proper parameters. For the server you can pretty much use any as long as you have PHP enabled.
Cell phone, as long as it has a browser it should work. I don't think WAP would qualify, but don't hold me to that statement.
For the whole process you need the x10 lamp modules, a tranceiver module and the Firecracker. I think they have a starter firecracker kit for like $40. Firecracker is this little device that attaches to your com port and then this little utility (mscm17a.exe) addresses that com port and runs the commands. Pretty simple but so much fun :) You can also schedule these commands on ur regular Win scheduler to off/on lights everyday at dusk and dawn. Most of the x10 units also let you dim/brighten lights that you can't do regularly, so to create the proper mood it'd come in handy ;)