C Martin

this requires two cords. One for the power with a plug (they supply that) and one for a socket. The socket connects to the load side of the SwitchLinc. I use a cord that is about 4 feet long so the lamp plugs into it under the table rather than on top of the table ( sort of hidden this way). The ideal situation is to buy an extension cord that is about 9 feet long and cutting it into two sections. I use the longer section for the plug end and the shorter section for the lamp plug socket. I will try to provide pictures. And yes, you leave the lamp switch turned on and use the LampLinc either remotely or manually.

One of the problems that I have in my house is the table lamp and how to make it convenient to switch them off and on while using a lamplinc module. It is hard for people to change the status of a lamp without going back to the computer all of the time. I use to use an X10 remote, but that can get lost and be a pain to use for non-home automation type people. My Solution: Smarthome sells a Table type housing for the KPL switch( SmartHome # 2402WH or BK). You can fit a Smartlinc Dimmer or relay switch (for CFL's) in there a make a nifty table lamp switch that doesn't look too bad. Instead of using just the wire with the 110 plug, you need to add a wire with a single socket on the load side of the switchLinc and now you have a table lamp controller that is still automatically controlled by your ISY, but also has a manual control right at the lamp. My wife took to it really easy. By the way, you now don't need to worry about someone plugging a vacuum cleaner or something else into you Lamplinc module any more. This eliminates the LampLinc completely. I am making several more of these. Enjoy! Clarence Martin

I want to be able to monitor temperatures and humidity levels to enhance my irrigation programs. Are there any inexpensive temperature monitoring devices that are Insteon Compatable?

Michel Funny that you mention that - I went to clear my cache and things have changed on that window. Can't find the button to delete the cache files. Thanks, Clarence

I appreciate any and all input. I did download the new Java 1.6 and no help on the sorts. BTW I am running a Mac with a Virtual Vista machine - the Vista side works great. It's interesting - the subtle differences between the operating systems. There are good things about Mac and good things about Windows. It's what you get used too or what you grow up on! Thanks, Clarence

I believe that this is still a Mac issue. We were told it was because the Java for Mac was behind the PC version of Java. With the new update I was hoping this was resolved. i am using a 20 inch IMac, so resolution should not be an issue. Like I stated my Main screen, in the network pane, does allow sorts. The program summary window does not do sorts. That's the main window where sorts are needed. Clarence

I downloaded the new update- It still doesn't provide sorting by clicking on the Tabs in the Program Summary window. I do get to do sorting in the primary window or device window.

RatRanch, Yes I did see the previous posting. My download was done again after the post was made. My Mac now completely ignores the Admin Console Button - or should I say - it does nothing after clicking the button. I can log into the other buttons and they work. One interesting note: After I logged into the Admin Console the first time, and closed the window and the ISY program respectively, I was able to restart the ISY program and was not required to log in with a password and admin after clicking the program, or other buttons. That leads me to believe that my session was not closed and I wasn't able to wait around to test that theory. I will do some more testing this evening, unless, hopefully someone else discovers a solution. Clarence Martin

My Mac doesn't start the program consistently. It will open the main window and when I click on the Admin Console button it will run some of the times and not other times. It seems to get consistently worse. The other buttons will operate correctly - asking me for my user login and password. The Admin button will open the next screen and sit there with an X icon for the Java console. I have emptied my Java cache and that doesn't help. Please advise. Clarence Martin

I am creating a Power On Reset Schema. I have programs that I want to run when the ISY Reboots. I have a folder called Power on Startup. The idea is - those programs only run during an ISY power-up. Folder Conditions for 'Power on Startup' Add conditions to limit when programs in this folder are allowed to run. If Program 'Power On Startup Pgm' is True Then Allow the programs in this folder to run. My program that runs on Power up is: If From Sunrise To Sunrise (next day) Then Wait 2 minutes Run program 'Power On Startup Pgm' (Else Path) Else - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action') I tried running the Program with no conditions but it didn't work - that's why the from Sunrise - to - Sunrise (next day) is in the if statement. I would have thought that just running the program as a "Status" "True" would trigger the Folder to be enabled - but no dice. Just for completion, here is my folder contents: If From Sunrise To Sunset (same day) Then Set Scene 'Sunrise Scene' On Else Run program 'Check PM Time Status Pgm' AND If From Sunset To 11:00:00PM (same day) Then Wait 1 minute Set Scene 'Sunset Scene' On Else Set Scene 'Good Nite Scene' On

I use this program to run a fountain pump at different times of the day with separate run times. If From 7:00:00AM For 20 minutes Or From 11:00:00AM For 20 minutes Or From 3:00:00PM For 20 minutes Or From 6:40:00PM For 15 minutes Then Set 'Fountain Pump' On Else Set 'Fountain Pump' Off

Chris, That's great info. I wil be refining my programs. Thanks, Clarence

Chris, I thought that I had seen the Flag program status change during calls by other programs. In matter of fact I was doing calls to my Flags Progams but changed from that. After your post I re-tested doing the progam calls and I find that to be a more reliable way of asurring that the flag programs are either set or re-set. This way I can depend on my Sunset Program to set my evening Flag Program rather than just looking at the IF statements. Two questions though - Do the program statuses otherwise change only when there is program activity on the ISY? If not, any idea how long it my take to see a status change? - just curious... Thanks, Clarence

I will try to post some more examples later this week. I have a rain Switch that enables my folder that has my irrigration controller programs. It can diable the folder for a set amount of time and then send reminders. Doing a Flags program for scenes will be a little harder because scenes allow for more unit values for lighting levels than the Staus event in the IF progam area can evaluate. It requires the use of greater than (>) or less than (<) to capture an Insteon's set level. More later!

No, I used the Next Day value and this morning it was wrong, so I changed the Value to Same Day. I will check again tomorrow by chnging values again.

I tested this today and it is Same Day. I would have thought Next Day also but it proved to be wrong.

I found one mistake in my earlier post. In the GoodNite Flag Pgm, the code for Sunrise should be "Same Day". If From 10:00:00PM To Sunrise (same day) Then - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action') Else - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

Just Another Joe, and anyone else, This is how I use my Flags Programs. Now that I understand Program Status I can use them as Flags for other things. Thanks to Alf for the Program Status Explaination. and Clarification. Since the Program Status is dependent on the conditions within the program code, I can now use the "True"/ "False" status as a Flag. Here are some examples that I use: This is my Daytime FLag Pgm: It is used to indicate that it is daytime. If From Sunrise To Sunset (same day) Then - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action') Else - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action') This is my Evening Flag Pgm: It is used to indicate that it it after Sunset but befor 11:25 PM. If From Sunset To 11:25:00PM (same day) Then - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action') Else - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action') This is my GoodNite Flag Pgm: It idicates that my systems is flagged for things that could or should happen between about 10:00 PM and Sunrise. If From 10:00:00PM To Sunrise (next day) Then - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action') Else - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action') The Great thing about these Flag Programs is that I don't have to reset the Flags. They are dynamicaly reset by the conditions with which they were set. I can now use their "True / Flalse" valuse in my programs. This is my 10 minute all lights on Program: This program only runs during the time that the GoodNite flag is set. - between 10:00 PM and Sunrise. If ( Program 'GoodNite Flag Pgm' is True And Control 'Front Walkway Light' is switched Fast On ) Then Wait 2 seconds Set Scene 'All On Scene' On Wait 10 minutes Set Scene 'Good Nite Scene' On Else - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action') It also Great for Motion Detection during the GoodNite Hours. I keep all of my Flag Programs in a Flags Folder. That way they are easier to find.

I have seen some references to 99.9 but can someone give me a better expaination of what a 99.9 really is?

OK. I quess I had my hat on backwards. Now I guess I can make some sense out of this. Thanks, I'll try my approach from a different direction. Let me see what I can figure out. Clarence

I may have asked this before and for some reason I just don't get it. In the Program Summary Window, there is a Status row. I would think that this information will show that if a program has been requested to run a True value would show and would change if you stop the program to a False value. Am I wrong in my asumption? And if not - the what does it do? I have Applied Run to programs and have seen the status change to "True", but If I tell the Program to Stop, I don't see a "False" Value. Is there a bug or am I buggy? I am trying to set up some Programs as Flags and I want to progammically change their values. Am I supposed to be able to run or stop a program even if it is empty and see the Status Value change? Thanks, Clarence

Now, some of these are from Metering industry people and some are giving the perspective from the Utility. There are more and some of the Consumer advocacy groups also provide information. There are a lot of sites and lots of viewpoints depending on where you stand. I am a bit sensitive to the conumer's point of view because of the problems that we had in California with the deregulation crisis that we had. I alos spent 26 years working for Southern Californis Edison - one of the majpr utilities in California as well as being one of largest utilities in the UAS. http://www.metering.com/node/10680 http://www.trilliantnetworks.com/news/p ... 0507a.html http://publicservice.vermont.gov/planni ... ressed.pdf http://www.itron.com/pages/news_press_i ... 015789.xml http://www.energetics.com/madri/toolbox ... fornia.pdf http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?S ... ntID=44015 I was given one other link that is very interesting but I need to recover it. There is a lot of reading - Have Fun! But being a Home Automation type of person I am interested in all aspects of the industry - Good or Bad. Information is the key to good decision making.

I know that Cailfornia is one of the states and I believe the San Diego area is one of the first areas that will do Time of Use billing.

I will find the info and post any links that I can find. I know people in the industry who can provide some of the info.

Mark, There is a saying ... be careful what you ask for.... and so on. And we, as consumers, are not asking for what is coming our way. Unfortunately, ZWave is a standard that has been accepted by utilty companies in several states. They are going to use this standard to communicate between your utility meter and the newer "Smart Appliances" in the near future. We are about to enter a new era of electric utility billing - TOD (Time of Day) or "Time of use" billing. Another way to squeeze more money from the consumers. Businesses are currently being billed with the TOD rates. So, this standard should not be ignored. For the benefit of all Home Automation users, this is something to be aware of. Sorry if this sounds a little harsh or rough, it is not intended that way. I just get a little wrapped up in things, sometimes. Clarence