Twi_X10 - The synergy of Twitter and X10

The goal of this Instructable is to show you how to automate your home lighting (or appliances) with X10, setup your computer to control the devices, and then get Twitter to do the control. Experience with Python, the Linux command line, and Twitter's dev api will help make this Instructable easier to understand.

This Instructable is part of the "Adafruit Make It Tweet Challenge", so if it's before June 30, 2011. please vote!

Yes, it's that X-10. The company with the super annoying, flashy banner ads that used to be everywhere selling creepy, stalker-worthy, video cameras also sells home automation devices, and they're cheap!

Note: X-10 is the company, and X10 is the protocol. I'm going to try to keep it straight.

Step 1 Required Hardware

This Instructable will use your computer to poll Twitter for direct messages, then forward them to an X10 device (CM11A), which will send the commands along the power wiring, to control your lights (LM465).

You will need:
- Computer running Linux with an always on internet connection
- Serial port (a USB to serial adapter is fine - Meritline )
- CM11A (Ebay )
- LM465 (Ebay )

These instructions will allow for multiple devices to be controlled. When all is said and done, it should be pretty straight forward how to control more than one device.

Note: I have no affiliation with X-10, Meritline, Ebay, or any Ebay sellers.

Comments

[zack247]

i dunno if i can take your word on that lamp, man.

but otherwise its a really well documented instructable!
great job, and keep up the good work!