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

[Gregg G. W. <gr...@sk...>]

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

This is the world of analog circuits and A/C power systems at its finest.  
There are in fact boat loads of reasons why X10 does poorly over the A/C 
network.  The vast range of impedence mismatches is tremendous.  So, the 
signal is quenched in odd places and inconvenient times.  The two way devices 
make it possible for a control system to assert direct, and almost eventual 
control over any device.  But, is it 100% guarenteed?  No, the wires can 
break, an infinite impedence source can appear out of nowhere etc.  This is no 
different than any other control system.  There are failure modes which render 
control unobtainable.

You could put impedence matching devices at every port (automatic tuners of 
sorts, like those used by Amateur Radio, on HF frequencies in particular).  
All kinds of expensive and dramatically more difficult to install (separate 
wiring) solutions are possible.

But, for the consumer it comes down to the 80-20 rule.  If I can pay 20% of 
the price and get 80% of the functionality, perhaps that is enough.

Not everyone is a perfectionist, and many people probably would not plug in 
their coffee pot with an X-10 controller, especially if their system ever 
failed to work reliably for them.

Don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting that all of this is perfect.  But, it 
is something that lets people play with home automation to wet their appetite 
for real control.  Which, after their X-10 experience will be weighted toward 
dependability instead of toward affordability!

I have been sending pestering email messages to the folks at echelon about the 
huge prices of lonworks starter kits and equipment.  I told them that their 
pricing is a great barrier to people trying to understand that technology.  I 
told them that they already have the network, and just need cost effective 
equipment.  I related the fact that the wireless crowd was going to quickly 
overtake them if they did not get moving on price reductions.  I told them 
that a starter kit must be less than $400.00, which is about 1/4th the price 
of the low end version they sell now.  It might be good if others would push 
on them to see if we can get a significan price break for equipment from this 
solution space.
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gr...@cy...  (Cyte Technologies Inc)