RE: [Embedlets-dev] Re: X10 & marketing 101

[Kelly S. <be...@ea...>]

Dear Ted - Here is a list of "solutions" for X10 problems... Notice that in
all cases there are "after-market add-ons" that will *_possibly_* cure the
problem.  One even describes an internal modification to an X10 module (and
voids the warrenty, much less voiding the end user (i.e., death, if the end
user is non-technical)!

So, why would there be such a plethora of "solutions", when the X10 should
be plug'n'play, rather than plug'n'pray?!?   Given 'N' number of homes in
the USA with 'N' different wireing schemes, and then an even different
standard of wireing in Europe, and THEN include the "industrial deployment"
problems (lots of AC noise)... You then have to provide technical support to
justify why "you have to buy this "thingy" also, to fix problem 'X', with
your particular X10 problem".  And, you still have to "requires you to
educate your market".

And, you want to make some money by "moving into lucrative markets (for
X10)". Well, that "market" is the after-sale "solution" to make the X10
work, that should have worked in the first place, with out shelling out more
money... You know; Like Bill Gates selling you "upgrades" that fix the bugs
in everything that Microsoft sells (much less having to download "security
patches" on an almost weekly basis).

TOPIC: Why Do Some X10 Lights Turn On Automatically?

http://www.smarthome.com/solution24.html

TOPIC: How can I improve my X10 signal strength?

http://smarthome.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/smarthome.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?
p_sid=RqQFMFYg&p_lva=&p_faqid=30&p_created=1015967054&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX2dya
WRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MzYzJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=

TOPIC: What devices are known to interfere with X10 Commands?

http://smarthome.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/smarthome.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?
p_sid=4KPqKFYg&p_lva=&p_faqid=545&p_created=1059692441&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX2dy
aWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MzYzJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=


TOPIC: Have you ever had your X10 system suddenly stop working or experience
a drastic decrease in the system's reliability? What causes a
well-functioning X10 system to go from great to turkey?

http://www.smarthome.com/solution18.html

TOPIC: What is the best way to easily solve signal-related home automation
problems?

http://smarthome.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/smarthome.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?
p_sid=NVR9OFYg&p_lva=&p_faqid=534&p_created=1058208045&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX2dy
aWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MzYzJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=

As for marketing fiascos, what comes to mind when you think:

(1) Ford Pinto,  Ref: http://www.fordpinto.com/blowup.htm
(2) Thalidomide, Ref: http://www.fda.gov/cder/news/thalidomide.htm
(3) Space Shuttle Challenger, Ref:
http://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/archive/general/ethics/shuttle.html

	NOTE: In particular, a pre-launch meeting was made to discuss the booster
gaskets, and a comment was made to "Take off our Engineering hats, and put
on our Marketing hats..."

(4)Space Shuttle Columbia, Ref:
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/SPECIALS/2003/shuttle/CAIB.report.pdf

	NOTE:...ahh, its just a 1 1/3 pound of plastic foam.  What can that harm?

So, Ted... I am not buying into your comment; "But, the foothold must come
first...  And anyway, if houses burn down, >>> this is not our
responsibility <<< because the X10 vendors and installers have already taken
the responsibility for this and all of the modules are already FCC and UL
approved ;-)".

I know a few good lawyers, that I can refer you to, when the time comes
where an "X10-JackNet", kills a few people.

All of this is just IMHO, but the liability considerations must be taken
into account, as well as where you will find a technical support staff to be
24/7 to answer consumers calls when "My X10 setup is unreliable!"... "What
(?), you mean I have to spend $200 dollars to FIX the problem?!?

Then the phone goes... click.

Best regards, and lets continue to discuss this issue... I just think that
you are barking up the wrong tree, and would I love to hear from some X10
"End Users" and whatever "Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Misfortune" that
they suffered with X10 (and the "hidden cost" to actually make the stuff
work). - Kelly Smith

-----Original Message-----
From: emb...@li...
[mailto:emb...@li...]On Behalf Of Ted
Kosan
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2003 11:59 PM
To: emb...@li...
Subject: [Embedlets-dev] Re: X10 & marketing 101


Topic tags:[ARCH][JAPL][WIRING][DOCS][MGMT][STRATEGY][NEWBIE]
_______________________________________________

Kelly wrote:

> As I stated before... I would not trust'em to run a coffee pot. As you sit
> there pondering that one, consider your house burning down... I vote for
an
> iButton DS1996 64kbit EEPROM RAM to hold my XML device and ID tags
(sitting
> in a Systronix 8x1-Wire board), and running CAT5 around the house (in the
> walls) using Systronix 8x1-Wire boards and relays (which I am doing).  Bob
> Hinton has a very nice "House Monitor" implementation for TINI (or TStik)
> w/1-Wire devices that works great, is secure, and most important RELIABLE.

Rule #2 of the Fundamental Laws of Marketing states:

"If your marketing strategy requires you to educate your market before you
can
sell products into it, you are going to starve."

This has been the main thing that has been killing us in the Embedded Java
space because one of the toughest things in the world to do is to teach
something new to somebody, let alone a whole market of somebodys.

Imagine if one were required to teach some Algebra to the McDonald's worker
who
takes your order before you could get your food.   ;-)


I think that X10 is universally considered to be an extremely klunky
technology, but a million+ dollar market exists around it and at this point
in
time, Embedded Java needs to start moving into lucrative markets ASAP.


As I have had a chance to study the X10-based Home Automation market more in
depth during the past week, I am becoming more convinced that ever that Java
and Embedded Java can do wonders for this market starting right now.

Once a foothold is obtained in this market, the doors should then start to
open
up for increasing the reliability of the technologies used in this space.
The
Home Automation space is eventually going to really love the technologies we
have been playing with like Embedded Java, XML and 1-Wire.


But, the foothold must come first...  And anyway, if houses burn down, this
is
not our responsibility because the X10 vendors and installers have already
taken the responsibility for this and all of the modules are already FCC and
UL
approved ;-)


In order to succeed in this market, we do not need to fix all of it
problems,
all we need to do is to give them more capabilities then they currently
have.
And there must be a 100 ways for Java to start doing this right now.

All we need to do is to discover them...


Ted

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