X10.com and Freshmeat.net are Kicking "A--" and
Taking Names
X10 Firecracker Serial Interface Short Form Press Release
- X10.com and freshmeat.net knew they had something different
when they joined forces to offer freshmeat’s loyal members the chance to receive one
free FireCracker™ kit and pay only the administrative and handling charges ($5.90).
You heard it correctly, we are giving away one million dollars worth of product. For the
bean counters keeping score at home, that equals 13,366 units at a retail value of $73.00
each.
- What exactly is a FireCracker and why should anyone care?
The firecracker is a way to automatically control lights and appliances using a
combination of your home’s existing A/C wiring and radio frequency (RF) signals
together with a wireless remote. The FireCracker kit is your "starter" kit for
creating 21st century Wired Homes.
- From the beginning, we committed ourselves to an open
standard, meaning other smart folks like us could develop software that enables X10
products to operate on alternative platforms and operating systems. That’s where
Linux and freshmeat.net come into play. Since 1991, Linux users have taken advantage of
our open standard to write some really cool software to run X10 products.
- "Congratulations to the Linux community for having the
guts to not accept the fact that X10 products wouldn’t work on their O/S," said
Alex Peder, president of X10 (USA) retail sales division. "Pat yourselves on the back
and grab a free FireCracker kit while they last. Thanks for a great 20 years, full of
fantastic linux solutions for our products. You can look forward to always being on top of
X10’s latest technology breakthroughs."
- "It’s refreshing to work with a
manufacturer committed to an open standard policy," said Patrick Lenz, founder of
freshmeat.net. "X10 has long been considered a close friend to the Linux community by
supporting our efforts to make the products compatible. The chance to receive a free
FireCracker kit is an added bonus to our readers."
Firecracker Components
- Computer interface - No bigger than a Fig Newton™, the
interface plugs into a serial port in the back of your computer. The X10 through-port
design allows you to plug another device into the back of the interface. Using the
FireCracker software allows you to send commands through this interface to the Wireless
Link Module™ and through the household wiring. This interface can control up to 16
sets of lights and appliances.
- PalmPad Remote Control - The PalmPad™Remote is one of
X10’s most powerful remotes, allowing you to control up to 16 sets of lights and
appliances when you are away from your PC.
- Wireless Link Module - This module takes the wireless signal
from the computer interface and converts it to an X10 signal, sending commands through the
household wiring to lamp and appliance modules.
- Lamp Module - This module receives signals to turn on or off
a lamp based on your commands.
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