GNU Phantom.Home

[admin at kclinux.net]

This is kind of interesting, and might be fun to play with.

http://www.joethielen.com/phantom/home/

"GNU Phantom.Home is a computer controlled home automation system. The
software includes a circuit diagram for building the
Phantom.Home.Controller, a simple circuit board that attaches to your PC's
parallel port. Using the combination of hardware/software you can control
(i.e. flip on or off) nearly any 120V device. And with a little bit of
electronics know-how, you can probably control nearly any device at any
voltage by modifying the circuit board to meet your needs. The simple
circuit included can be created and built for around $25. The modules cost
around $10 (basically a heavy duty relay)."