>Al,
>
>X-10 is OK for the rudimentary stuff, but that powerline bandwidth needs improvement ;-) Zane's idea of using WiFi or an equivalent has some merit, if you can live with the dramatic increase in noise. Can't remember the last time I could enjoy listening to an AM radio. It's horrible now. This wireless business has gotten out of hand IMO. Fiber is the answer.
>
>>I think anyone considering these issues would do well to look to the embedded space for ideas, or even the consumer home-automation business like X10 (although I don't like their marketing - more popups than a porn site ;-))

Fiber's no good for ad-hoc networking, which is a strongly enabling/"disruptive" technology. Enough so that I believe spectrum issues will eventually be resolved.

But I agree, for a link that isn't truly ad-hoc I prefer a cable of some sort - for security and reliability as much as bandwidth.