After nearly two years of waiting, at last you can now buy an X10 wall switch for the United Kingdom! The humble wall switch has been the Scarlet Pimpernel of the home automation world in the UK. It's been the subject of rumour and wild speculation ever since supplies of its last incarnation ran out all those months ago...

The screw fitting lamp module (PLM02/SL575) is designed to control incandescent loads with a rating between 40W and 300W. It screws into the light fitting, and the light bulb then screws in to it. The unit has the familiar house and unit code selection dials...

My first intention with these lights was at my previous home so they have lay neglected for some time now in a cupboard. Since I knew I would be moving, the train of thought was, why install them only to take them back out or leave, what amounts to a very expensive motion operated floodlight for someone not using X10...

Similar to the Mini Controller the IR Controller allows you to operate up to 16 modules via an infrared remote control and 8 modules via its own buttons on the unit. The modules can be either switched on/off or in the case of lights dimmed. There is also the facility to switch everything on or off...

It arrived as stated, 3 days after ordering, in a jiffy bag, which contained the board, and a comprehensive set of instructions. I ordered the assembled version, as I didn't imagine that I would have the time (or the inclination!) to assemble a kit myself. (Plus it has been about 12 years since I last picked up soldering iron!) So everything I say about this device refers to the assembled version...

I use the stereo in the car when I'm driving to and from work to listen to the local fm radio, and when I'm travelling any further I tend to have a talkie book on cassette. When I recently changed my car I got a CD player thrown in, but only afterwards realised that I couldn't plug my tape adaptor into the new stereo. I've recently spent ages converting mp3 and cassette audio books onto MDLP, which is much more portable than lugging multiple cassettes (or audio CDs) about. I normally plug the Minidisc player into a cassette adaptor and listen away...

So now you have got HomeVision/Comfort to turn your lights on during these dark winter evenings before you arrive home, what do you do about the curtains? Leaving them closed during the day or open at nights (with the lights on) is an obvious sign to anyone that you aren't home. Having looked into various automated curtain systems (including some home grown suggestions) I opted for the Swish Autoglide...