response 31 of 290:

Jan 20 00:28 UTC 2006

First, re #10: yes, WiFi works through walls and floors. I use it between 
the older (wired) computer LAN on the second floor and the cable entry 
point on the first floor. I have, when I've chosen to check, found other 
WiFi servers somewhere nearby (because they haven't blocked their SSID 
signal). The range might be up to a couple of hundred feet.

I also have X-10 over the powerlines, but for one-way control only. I use 
a stand-alone transmitter that I program with my computer. I don't like 
the idea of two-way systems that require that the computer always be on. 
My X-10 system has been very reliable. It controls some 30 lights. Once in 
a while a light doesn't go on or off - some noise burst, probably, has 
interferred with the system. What you can do is program duplicate on or 
off signals a minute apart to reduce such rare malfunctions even further.

The X-10 system offers several benefits. I found that as soon as I had it 
installed that our electric consumption took a significant dive. The 
reason is that lights don't get left on accidentally. I also run the 
outside lights slightly "dimmed", which increases their lifetime 
considerably. In addition, the X-10 system makes the house appear occupied 
when we are away. It includes a random timing feature so the same lights 
go on and off at different times within a window of an hour or a half 
hour. I am considering getting a drape drive, but primarily as another 
security feature. For that, I can justify $100.