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Letters to the Editor

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Suggestions - John Pierce, Charlotte, NC (JMPIII@aol.com)

Suggestion:
Articles on the next generation of controllers...

• Telephone keypad - (like office intercom functions) to allow using your phone's keypad as an input device (LOCAL)...
• More sophisticated devices, that allow you to control multiple devices at once.
• Controllers that would allow direct settings, such as turn on device (A-5) at 70%, instead of turning on at 100%, then dimming down 3 levels...

I think these types of issues are what the user-community would be interested in.
As far as the current x-10 technology in use, it seems pretty archaic to TODAY's needs, and the end-user is probably looking for more flexibility in setup choices.
The hard question I ask, is whether to continue purchasing x-10 products to add-on to the current standard, OR wait til something NEW comes along that will enable controls not currently available with the x-10...
Thanks

Industrial Controls - Bill Gaddis, Howe, Tx (ag86@airmail.net)

Home automation is so far behind industrial controls. We need to bring it up to speed. After reviewing some of the prices in home automation magazines, I think we can use industrial products (plc's,etc) for close to the same price w/ better quality and reliability. We would also be able to bring monitoring of the home to the next level. For example, you
could see what your current electric bill is any day of the month. The list is endless; anything done in industry as far as controls/monitoring can be done in the home. Lets start by having industrial product vendors introduce low priced plc's and ancillary instruments 4-20ma xmtrs, etc.) so we can start showing designers/installers the next level in controls. When it comes to whole house automation, this x-10 stuff has to go!!!

Regards,

Bill Gaddis