Jim Lauderback's
recent story about home automation provides some good advice for both old-timers and beginners.

Those who have played around with X10 in the past will do well to heed his up-to-date observations. Unlike the state of the technology in 1978, it's now easily possible to create reliable, and fun, automated home thanks to improved devices and technology. Sure, you still have to be mindful of the built-in limitations, but that's nothing to be afraid of, I promise.