posted on September 18, 2000 12:35:49 PM new
Free Firecracker control kits to allow you to turn appliances on and off with your computer. You do pay a $5.90 S/H.
posted on September 21, 2000 06:57:41 PM new
its probably legit. After all, they have HUGE profit margins on a lot of their add-on items ($13 wall switch), so the more folks they hook on X10, the better.
They're betting the average American Male (just to be sexist a bit) just can't resist a whole new set of toys.
posted on September 27, 2000 01:39:48 PM new
I just received my order, only seven days (five business days) after placing it. Pretty impressive.
I guess the one catch here is that it can only be used to control one lamp. For additional appliances, you have to order the add-ons. And the software is very limited. For the more cool features like programming for certain times, and having "macros" to do several tasks at once, etc. you have to buy additional software.
I totally agree about this being a male-targeted thing. I'm already dreaming of the perfect bachelor pad setup where, with the touch of one button, I can start up my stereo, dim the lights, and turn on my lava lamp. Ohhh yeahhhh.....
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posted on September 27, 2000 04:34:13 PM new
This gimmick definately worked on me. I just ordered the "Millenium Kit." But it really is a good deal -- 3 lamp controllers, 3 appliance controllers, 3 wall switch controllers, and 3 small remote controls. All for $49 with free postage.
I've also found that there are shareware and freeware programs to control all of this stuff, so you don't have to pay the $40 for the cool software.
I'm working on finding software that will automatically start my Barry White CD when I turn on the lava lamp...
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posted on September 28, 2000 01:38:19 AM new
Way cool! I ordered my freebie last night, but I was already very much into home automation to begin with. And I'm female! LOL! (I've always been the techie in the house; can't help it!)
And I'll admit upfront that if I like their freebie, I'll probably buy more.
They're really no higher price-wise than Radio Shack.
posted on September 28, 2000 06:58:53 AM new
I haven't actually found the shareware/freeware yet. Just found out that it does exist. I'll report back when I have more details.
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posted on October 6, 2000 05:32:34 PM new
I got my stuff! (And yep, I did end up ordering the Millenium kit and 3 extra wall switch modules as well. he he But wasn't that their intention all along? )
Way, way, way cool! I've already planned out the uses for all the gizmos. It was also *much* easier to set up than I expected. It took me longer to move the junk off my desk so I could access the back of my computer (LOL!) than it did to get the FireCracker stuff installed and working.
Hubby will be thrilled to learn that he has a project for the weekend (installing the wall switches)!
Both the freebie and the Millenium kit were well worth it, IMO.
Thanks for the tip, musashi!
BTW, the software download is at http://www.x10.com/FireCracker.htm
