2003.01.07 ~08 X10 Firecracker Got one of those X10 Firecracker starter kits. The halogen lamp I intend to control is rated 500W, so I had to purchase a separate 500W-capable X10 module. The transceiver that comes with the kit is capable of 500W, but the lamp's socket is rather far from the 'puter. The 300W dimmable module that came with the kit is currently unused. We have no pluggable lamps under 300W. The Firecracker dongle is tiny. I expected it to be at least half the size of an average X10 module (which in itself is about the size of a typical AC/DC power adapter). The Firecracker is small enough to be mistaken for a mismanufactured serial gender-bender. The Firecracker connects on the (9-pin) serial port and is a write-only gadget. Lack of read ability is no matter, as I can get direct feedback of any X10 action by turning my head. Curently, to drive the Firecracker, I'm using Bottle Rocket. I have GNOME launchers to control the lamp, for gawk-and-click controls.