13,000 Linux Users to Join Ranks of Wired Home Early Adopters

Seattle - November 1, 1999 -X10.com (www.x10.com/pressroom34.htm) and Andover.net are looking for 13,000 web builders who have what it takes to participate in a free test of the FireCracker home control starter kit, an introduction to the home of the future where electrical devices are controlled via remote control.

During the one million-dollar promotion, X10.com and Andover.net will give-away more than 13,000 FireCracker kits, a $73.00 retail value, for only $5.90 to cover administrative and handling charges.

With its recent acquisitions of both Slashdot.org and Freshmeat.net, Andover.net has become the leading Linux/Open Source destination on the Web. Millions of Linux/Open Source web builders visit the Andover.net network of sites each month for a chance to test the latest technology products such as FireCracker.

"We realize that the support of leading edge Web communities such as Andover.net is vital to our goal of a putting a FireCracker kit in every home," said Alex Peder, president, X10.com. "There is no better way to fuel the mass adoption of our Wired Home products than by giving early adopters a free taste of what its like to be truly in control of their home, without the expense and hassle of additional wiring and cumbersome equipment."

"Our members are poised to once again lead the mass adoption of new technology products such as FireCracker which is designed to make life more convenient and high-tech," said Bill Dwyer, vice president, publishing, Andover.net. "We expect this to be a really hot item and anticipate thousands and thousands of folks to jump at the chance to create their home of the future starting with this simple and easy to use home control starter kit."

The FireCracker is a expandable computer-based kit that allows you to remotely control lights and appliances using a combination of your home’s existing AC wiring and Radio Frequency signals. In only a few months, X10.com has given away more than 100,000 FireCracker kits in an effort to introduce technology savvy web communities and user groups such as Andover.net to the incredible simplicity and power of building a home where you can remotely control almost anything electrical at the touch of a button from anywhere in the home.

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.

For more details on the FireCracker Home Control Starter Kit visit www.x10.com/pressroom34.htm.

About X10.com

Based in Seattle, X10.com is a division of privately held X10 Ltd., the world leader in design and manufacture of proprietary home control, entertainment and security technology products for over 20 years. To date, X10 has shipped well over one hundred million units of home control products worldwide. X10 has received numerous consumer and industry awards. X10.com sells and promotes X10 products direct to the consumer through its web site at www.x10.com/pressroom34.htm Recently, Media Metrix has ranked X10 as a top one hundred e-commerce Web site based on traffic and sales.

About Andover.net

Andover.Net (www.andover.net) is the leading Linux destination. Serving over two million users and over 40 million page impressions on a monthly basis, Andover.Net includes a unique combination of news and reviews; resources for buyers, developers and programmers; and e-Tools for Web builders. For the latest open source and Linux news, reviews and resources visitors go to Slashdot™ (slashdot.org) the leading site for open source programmers; Freshmeat.net ™ (freshmeat.net), a downloadable Linux software application repository; FreeCode™ (www.freecode.com), where users can easily view and use free code and DaveCentral-Linux ™ (linux.davecentral.com) with over 1,500 downloadable Linux products.