196 Comments (chronological order) on the Halloween Blog in 2011

One behind-the-scenes new item this year is an XTB-IIR/III X10 signal booster from JV Digital Engineering. X10 is the powerline protocol that actually sends the signals in my house wiring to control stuff when Internet users click ON/OFF. Because of the large number of circuits, it's always a challenge to the find the "right" combination of TM751 transceivers (on the "right" circuits!) to hopefully maximize reliability ... and sometimes things would just flake out with circuits/zones "stuck" - who turned on the Microwave Oven?!? ;-)

The XTB-IIR/III (pictured below) seems to have addressed most of those issues with a single box in the Haunted Office. While there is still one circuit which is erratic (in the master bedroom), that's easily solved by placing a second transceiver there. Besides that, everything has been rock solid. If you are an X10 user, I strongly encourage you check out JV Digital Engineering - Jeff Volp makes some great products (the craftsmanship is exquisite) and is a genuine pleasure to work with.

Twas the night before Halloween, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The Halloween Costumes were hung by the door with care
In hopes that Alek's Halloween Decorations would be there.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Witches, Skeletons, Pumpkins, Grim Reapers, Frankenstein, SpongeBob, and Homer Simpson - D'OH! ;-)

With such as zany display, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be Alek's Controllable Halloween Decorations for Celiac Disease.
And then, in a twinkling, I saw the Internet control the house
The continuous turning ON and OFF of each little light and giant inflatables.

Alek spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Making sure the webcams stayed online and X10 controls operational
Ensuring the laptop chat-room stayed family friendly to bazillions of people around the world.
Plus passing out treats to all who came to his door.

As the night grew to a close, Alek sat back in his chair
The webcams and X10 controls started to cool
And as the display shut down for another fun year, I heard him exclaim
"Happy Halloween to all, and to all a good-night!"