Shion - Simple INSTEON for Mac homes

If you're familiar with home automation, then you almost certainly know that X10 is the not only the most entrenched technology, it's also the most frustrating. Its quirks are mostly outweighed by the broad range of support and software that works with X10 devices.

A relative newcomer is INSTEON; a new way of communicating with devices that holds much promise. However, finding software that knows how to speak to INSTEON devices is tough; particularly on the Mac.

That's why I'm delighted to learn about Chris Karr's Shion. As home automation applications go, it's not all that fancy. Although it does let you use your Apple Remote, which is a nice touch. But by far, the best part is that it not only does Shion speak INSTEON, it is distributed under an MIT license. I'm hopeful that not only will Shion continue to evolve, but that its code will help others bring INSTEON support to the Mac. For that alone, Karr deserves a round of applause.