On Mon, 8 Oct 2007 08:35:08 -0400, "R" wrote:

Dose any one make a alarm panel or add on like Elk. That will send a txt
message or e-mail if a contact changes state?

Need 4 - 8 zones that will send separate txt for each.

Rich




yea ........ many of the better X10 home automation - alarm system
packages will do that. they will send out email, make phone calls (
usually several numbers ) and send out paging messages.
some have voice messages to tell what happened !

they require an ( inexpensive on ebay ) interface from an wall outlet
to a control computer . also needed ( best ) is an older dedicated
laptop or tabletop computer in a closet somewhere to run and monitor
the software / system. full home automation and security is possible
with these packages and X10 modules . nearly unlimited possibilities.

" serious " control software for the X10 modules can cost between
$250 and $500 and up ...... the " free " X10 software might work as
well !

these were " all the rage " for years ........ but have been mostly
replaced by home security systems that use DVRs. a 4 zone
DVR that uploads to the web is under $300 nowadays and you can
parallel the cameras using ( cheap on ebay , 4ch - 8ch and 16 ch
input cards for a PC ) a pc input card and run programs like
4ch " Gotcha " to do the notification work ! you can easily get "
real time " video from your home from anywhere in the world
with a simple DVR. uploaded video can't be tampered with
or stolen to remove evidence !

http://www.gotchanow.com/

video is FAR superior to mechanical systems because it can be
scene " masked " ( unlimited room and zone / area specific coverage
) , gives you FAR more information ( not just a , probably too late
, zone intrusion alert ) , gives you a record of the perp , and can
warn you WAY before it's too late, just to mention a few advantages.

not too many companies or serious home users are left using old style
mechanical alarm equipment these days ! a well hidden and
" hardened " DVR / camera system can't be tampered with or
jumped out by a perp ( like a straight mechanical system can be ) .
they see in the dark ( quality IR color cameras are under $50
now ) , and will run for hours / days when the power is out or cut
with a simple old computer system style UPS !


http://www.home-automation.us/X10/so.../software.html

http://www.smarthomepro.com/prodindex.asp?catid=1283