Hello Simon

<vbg>

no, eventually i want to build controls for a 'smart house'. just for myself, nothing comercial - already enough out there.

i have in mind a room by room automated temperature control, voice controled light, etc, etc. right now i am brand new to this, i know electronics and programming, so that should be a good combination for this.

so right now i am playing around, testing, and learning. like i mentioned above - i have not the first clue about the equipment needed and how it all works together, just some ideas. i originaly thought i could programaticly control all the pins on a comm port, then build an electronic converter which translates a binary number, and based on that switches certain chanels on or off.

but from what Jim has been showing me, that would be possible only on a very limited base - so no good!

i am very currious and exited to get something like this working. but since this is just a side thing, more of a hobby realy, i think it will be a wile until i have some final results on my research.

if you have any good pointers i sure would appreaciate your help.

thanks




>I'm sure you didn't mean this, but the first time I read your email, I got the impression that you were going to connect an inverter to your RS485 output to actually power the lights !!
>
>I seem to recall that a company called Black Box used to sell switching units that already contained the relays etc. You need a computer mag' from the early 80's, something like an Acorn Atom or Nascom used to do this sort of thing...
>
>Regards
>Simon