Conference hydra::amiga_v1

	I just got an X-10 computer interface.  It was a replacement for one I
ordered about a month ago that was DOA.  This one seems to work, or, at least,
pass the hardware check.  I haven't hooked it to the Amiga yet, though.  I'm
also not sure how I'm going to talk to it.  My first inclination was to write
up some APL code to handle it, but then I started leaning towards writing a
device driver, so I can talk to it from anywhere, even the CLI.  As of yet I've
done little (I may have an APL workspace lying around with a few skeleton
functions).

	I'd like to see POWRHSE1.ARC as well.  It might save me a good bit of
work.  You list the area code for the MSS BBS as 407, while the note posting
it lists 305.  I show 305 as South Florida, and 407 as unused.  Did they break
up 305?  I tried both, and got no answer at either.

Mark

    From an ad in the December issue of Amiga World page 134.
    
    Power Master
    $55.00 + $3.00 Shipping and handling
    Power master and Amiga interface
    using the X-10 Power House System
    
    Compplications
    1727 Parkview
    Redland Ca. 92374
    (714)794-5311
    
    I do not know if they will sell just the software or if they did
    if it would be compatable with what what you already have.  But
    thought this might help.
    
    
    Alan
    
    

    re: .0
    
    � It works great when  hooked  up  to  the VaxMate in the office but
    � when I run the program under Transformer it doesn't seem to get to
    � the serial port.
    
    The Transformer can't access the serial port. The only i/o available
    is via the parallel port.
    
    					Alan T.

    re:.3
    
    It does have access to the serial port.  I've used the Qmodem terminal
    emulator to out the serial port (not very successfully).  The serial
    port emulation is works much better with the PSTransformer patches.
     
    I believe that only Qmodem worked with the original Transformer
    serial port code, and only a particular version of Qmodem.
    
    The problem is that most ibmpc programs that access the serial port
    like to bypass the bios and program the chip directly.  The
    Transformer's emulation of the chip had problems.
    
    Try the PSTransformer patches.
    
    -Dave

Hi...
    
    I managed  to  find  a  PD  package for contolling the X-10 CP290.
    I'll put it into CGOU01::AMNEW:.  It's called X10CTRL.ZOO and from
    the docs looks to be OK. I'll check it out tonight.
    
    I am still interested  in  getting  POWRHSE1.ARC  from the MSS BBS
    (305-790-0774) if anyone can get through to them.
    
    Regards....   Clint

	I found this program very limited.  It's oriented almost exclusivly
towards timer operations.  It claims to be able to have commands executed
immediatly, but I haven't been able to get that to work.  Also, it's
immpossible to have anything that's run strictly on the timer ON for the first
three minutes after midnight using this software.  The problem is that he
defines an event differently then the CP290.  According to the X-10, an event
is a command (ON, OFF, DIM n, etc.) sent to some number of modules.  This
software defines an event as command (ON, DIM n, etc.) which will be in force
for a fixed time (up to midnight), at which point it is followed by an OFF
command, and is specific to a particular module.  I also don't like his time
granularity (3 minutes).  If you want a lamp on from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.,
with this software, the best you can do is 10:00 p.m. to midnight, and then
12:03 a.m. to 2:00 a.m..  It would be much nicer to be able to say turn this
module on at 10:00 p.m., and then turn this module off at 2:00 a.m.

Mark

Hi Again...
    
    Yup, X10CTRL  is  not much of a package, and it's hard to look at
    too..
    
    The other thing  that I found stupid about it was that in order to
    DIM a light after  having  turned  it on, it first has to be turned
    off. All in all an unusable package.
    
    I did manage to get  POWRHSE1.ARC,  it is AmigaBasic source and is
    very primitive.  It will, however, let you program the X-10 in the
    manner it was intetnded, ie.  one event at a time.  A person could
    elaborate on this code and probably come up with a nice package.
    
    The software that came  with  the  unit  I  bought  (the  Pee  Cee
    executable) has a real nice user interface, if the package sold by
    Compplications is similar, I am going to order a copy. 
    
    
    Regards....   Clint
  

Hi again...
    
    Just a quick update if  anyone  is following this.  I tried to use
    the AmigaBasic programs in Powrhse1.arc to program my four modules
    and it hung twice, oh well so  much  for that one.  In the docs he
    mentions  that  AmigaBasic  has  problems reading and writing  the
    serial port, maybe this is the problem.  Anyway,  I  went  back to
    the X10CTRL program.
    
    The user interface provided in X10CTRL may be bad but  at least it
    reads  and  writes  to the X-10 box well.  Until something  better
    comes along I will have to use it.
    
    I  called  the number for Compplications in Redland, CA and got an
    answering machine that asked for my name and address, which I gave
    them.    I  assume  I  will  get  some  information  and  ordering
    instructions in the  mail.   I thought I remember seeing this item
    on the Abel list at one time, it no longer is on there.  If anyone
    else has seen it in  any  stores or ads I would like to hear about
    it.
    
        Thanks....  Clint

    Hi..
    
    I'm not  sure  if  there  are  any of you that get a thrill out of
    timing your lights  and appliances from your computer the way I do
    or not.  Just  in  case there is I will bring you up to date on my
    search for a decent Amiga package to program the X-10 Home Control
    Interface.
    
    I ended up  ordering  the software from Compplications (referenced
    in an earlier reply)  and  am  very happy with the implementation.
    It has all the functionality  of  the  PeeCee  package  plus it is
    pretty much Amiga'ized.
    
    If you have or will be getting into the  X-10  stuff,  I recommend
    this package.  Compplications will sell the unit and the  software
    for $US65, but I have seen the units in the States for about $US30
    and the software can be had for $US22 plus shipping.

    Regards....  Clint

>CGFSV2::CADAMS "Clint Adams - Calgary, Canada"       10 lines   8-FEB-1989 17:52
>                              -< Found a Package >-
    
        
>    I managed  to  find  a  PD  package for contolling the X-10 CP290.
>    I'll put it into CGOU01::AMNEW:.  It's called X10CTRL.ZOO and from
>    the docs looks to be OK. I'll check it out tonight.
    
    I went looking for X10CTRL.ZOO and it looks like we deleted here and I
    can't find it in any of the usual places. I wanted to have another look
    at it and contact the author to see if he has made any improvements. If
    anyone has it kicking around, I would appreciate a pointer to it.
    
    Thanks  ....Clint