I had just two requirements in my search for that better way. First, whatever automation solution I settled on had to be compatible with my garage door opener.

Perceptive Automation has updated Indigo, the intelligent home control and automation server for Mac OS X, to version 1.2, adding support for the PowerLinc USB home automation interface.

If you don’t have a serial port, try Keyspan’s $39 USB PDA Adapter (510/222-0131, www.keyspan.com ). Plug-In Modules We’ll use an X10 lamp module to control the floor lamp in our project.