Somehow, you may have gotten it in your head that creating a home automation system is a bright idea. Congratulations, you're now one of the elite few who even know what home automation is, nevermind the various brands such as Insteon that exist. Remember this feeling of elation, because the road ahead certainly has it's share of ups and downs. Controlling the downstairs lights from your iPhone upstairs or halfway across the world is pretty cool, but once it's all integrated and you've become accustomed to lighting following you and the blinds closing in the summer sun, you may find yourself wondering why other people's houses are so...unintelligent.

It's not all good however, as nothing is more frustrating than trying to show off your new script or setting just to find that it doesn't work as you said it would (especially frustrating with time based or timer scripts, where testing is painful or unpractical). I've learned to not mention how it SHOULD work until after it actually did - at which point I proclaim how neat that was.

There are many protocols out there, some expensive like UPB and RadioRA2, some cheaper like Z-Wave and Insteon, and then the barely functioning but popular-because-it's-cheap X10. Much of what you choose will depend on budget (and goals) but you should take a look at this article on Insteon vs X10 before deciding too much.

Once you select a technology, there is so much you can do you may feel like a deer in the headlights. Even adding a security system (there's Elk M1 Gold review that you really should read) can open your system up and allow the use of all door and window sensors, motion detectors and a range of other devices as triggers for your lighting, appliances and other controlled devices.

I get excited writing about it even now, but that's because it's really neat to see the result of your work and the sky is really the limit with this stuff.

Have fun out there!