X10 - Is it still a dangerous site?

[pd123]

I would like to go to the X-10 site but in the past, once I went there, they placed spyware on my computer and nothing took it off, there was only a short term fix published by X-10 themselves. Do they still place spyware and spam? I want to go to them for a remote wallswitch to turn lights on but not if they will screw up my computer again.

[chrissy]

Radio shack carries a compatable switch -- and If I remember right, it's the x-10 brand.

[Markel]

If you're looking for the X10 wireless stick-on-the-wall switches, I've also seen them at Fry's. I've bought some stuff off the X10 web site (I actually got 3 of these switches not long ago when they had a 3-for-1 sale on them), and I didn't have any problems with spyware. You will start getting a lot of email from them if you order, but they provide opt-out information.

[attgig]

no, i've been to x10 and it's not a dangerous site.

[pd123]

...(I actually got 3 of these switches not long ago when they had a 3-for-1 sale on them), and I didn't have any problems with spyware...

Do you think those switches will work for my, I am running tracks on the ceiling, the catch is they are halogen lights, mabe 3 or 4 lites. I want the lights to plug right into a tranformer and into a standard outlet. Then I want the wireless switch (with a receiver onboard) to operate the track lights. I'm sure it could easily be done unless there is a kink since the lighta are hallogen. Markel, would you recommend this set up, what would your guess be as to the cost to to do this. An electriciean wanted a fortune to hardwire it. Any other suggestions will be appreciated. My other option was to go to a library to browse their site. Thank you

[Paymaster]

A couple of years ago, everyone was getting pop-up ads from X10. It wasn't spyware, it was just that X10 fueled the explosion of pop-up ads over banner ads. The web sites that you were visiting were actually the ones launching them.

There was a way that you could visit the X10 site and have them give you a cookie that would turn off the ads for 30 days (or longer, if you entered some info on the url manually). That is probably the "fix" you are referring to.

While you should of course make sure that your pop-up blockers and virus scanners are in place and working when going to a questionable site, X10 should be fine.

[mcs328]

can't you buy x10 products from smarthome.com ? Years ago I got free light switches and a remote from them. I use it all the time now in my bedroom. Instead of getting up to turn the light off I just push a button. I can also do it from my computer with an attachment on the serial port.

[pd123]

A couple of years ago, everyone was getting pop-up ads from X10. It wasn't spyware, it was just that X10 fueled the explosion of pop-up ads over banner ads. The web sites that you were visiting were actually the ones launching them.

There was a way that you could visit the X10 site and have them give you a cookie that would turn off the ads for 30 days (or longer, if you entered some info on the url manually). That is probably the "fix" you are referring to.

While you should of course make sure that your pop-up blockers and virus scanners are in place and working when going to a questionable site, X10 should be fine.

I always thought they came from X-10 because the pop-ups seemed to happen after I visited X-10. I eventually formatted the harddrive and never went back to them again because of those annoying popups.

[Markel]

There are a few options for using the X10. You could get an X10-controlled outlet (replaces the guts behind the cover plate) that could then be switched with the stick-on-the-wall switch. Or you could get a "lamp module" that plugs into a standard outlet and can then be controlled by the switch. In either case you'll also need one "transceiver" unit that picks up the RF from the switch and relays it into the electrical circuits (this unit can also act as the switch box in place of the "lamp module", but you won't have any dimmer control with it).

Minimum:
Tranceiver module (can't dim lights)
Slimline switch

Optional:
Lamp module (can dim lights)
Remote Control Wall Socket (can't dim lights)

Note: I'm not sure how many watts/amps your lighting will require, so you might read a bit on the capabilities of the various modules and switches:
http://www.x10.com/activehomepro/modules.html
http://www.x10.com/activehomepro/switches.html

I've been using a number of their products in my home, and really like having them. We use them to control our living room lamps (have slimline switches on the two entries into the living room), our kitchen light (so I could add a switch on the 3rd entrance into the kitchen without having to run wiring), have a motion sensor to automatically control the light in our half-bath (because the ligth switch is on the "wrong side" of the door as you enter, and people don't naturally find it), a switch outside walk-in closet of our bedroom to control the light inside (instead of having to use a "pull chain" inside the closet), and a motion sensor to automatically turn on the garage light when anyone walks in/out.

[pd123]

Markel, Wow, thank you for your research, great information.