X10 Teams with freshmeat.net to Give Away One Million Dollars Worth of FireCracker™ Product

Promotion a thank-you for continued Linux support of X10 open standard

Seattle— July 1999 — X10 (USA) Inc., the first manufacturer to develop a way to use the existing AC wiring in your home to automatically control your lights and appliances, has teamed with freshmeat.net to offer its loyal members the chance to receive one free FireCracker kit and pay only the shipping and handling charges ($5.90).

The one million dollars worth of product being offered equals 13,366 units at a retail value of $73.00. With the Wireless Link Module™ , a tiny power-packed transmitter and included expansion modules, freshmeat.net community members have all they need to start creating 21st century Wired Homes.

X10 was the first manufacturer to develop a low-cost, do-it-yourself wireless home automation solution using its powerline technology. From the beginning, X10 has been committed to providing developers with an open standard to develop software that enables X10 products to operate on alternative platforms and operating systems. Since 1991, Linux users have written hundreds of solutions to bring the power of those products to the Linux community in a format that is versatile, easy-to-use, and extremely affordable.

" We couldn’t be more pleased with the support X10 products have received from the Linux community over the years, starting with the CP 290 computer interface and right up to FireCracker," said Alex Peder, president of X10 (USA) retail sales division. "The release of the FireCracker Kit provides us with an excellent opportunity to say thank you. With our open standard philosophy, Linux supporters can always look forward to receiving the information needed to stay 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.

Availability

The FireCracker kit is now available for shipping and handling fee of $5.90 only at www.x10.com/freshmeat/index.htm or by calling 1-800-675-3044.

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 http://www.x10.com. Recently, Media Metrix has ranked X10 as a top one hundred e-commerce Web site based on traffic and sales.

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