By far the cheapest way is x10. A couple of on/off switches and a controller should cost <£100. Then go to http://www.craigscreations.com/projects.html and download the serial port and x10 library, this is the one I used in my demos… Its really easy to use. Allocate a serial port, then call the appliance on or off command. If you are actually turning something on or off, say like a radio… Then make sure you dont use the dimable modules (unless the devices really is dimmable) otherwise you'll damange both the device and the module.

If you get stuck with the coding, or have issues making it work, come back to me, and I can arrange to pick up the project you are working on and sort it for you.

Good luck, let me know how it goes!

I wondered if you could offer some advice. I plan to use some of your home automation ideas in a new talk I’m preparing for next year’s DDD sessions. I plan to wire up just two powered devices – could you advise me on the cheapest way of doing it so that I can control them via code?

Thank you very much for any help you can offer,

Phil Collins