OK, I'm sure one of you techies know a solution that will fit my needs. Basically, I'm looking for something like this: http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/akiba/hotline/20030315/image/npl2.html Unfortunately, I can't find any more information about it. Ideally, I want a loud audible alarm. A flashing siren is a bonus i.e. something that will really get my attention. Something that can connect to a PC via USB or even Parrallel port, Serial port, WiFi, Bluetooth or Ethernet. Actually a networked device would be ideal so that it could be located where it is most needed/convenient. Lastly, it needs to be programmable with an API of sorts so that I can control it's operation programatically obviously. I'm sure there is a solution out there I'm just not looking in the right place. About 8 or 9 years ago I saw a siren attached to some computers which went off when there was a network failure or problem. This was at an ISP data center though. Suggestions please. I don't want to use PC speakers with volume turned up!
Is X10 a possibility? Controlling an X10 device from PC e.g http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezStore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=360
I'm drowning in feedback here! Am I the only one on ET with a need to attach a bellbox and strobe to my local trading servers? Probably. OK, next question, does anyone have any experience or knowledge on how to drive a standard 12v siren or burglar alarm from a PC? For example, how could I drive a device like this from a Linux/Windows box: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=2041&criteria=security&doy=11m1
google for "digital i/o" What you may want is a pci board that can drive a relay. Since that strobe runs on 12 VDC, the 12 volts could be wired to the relay (normally open), then when some event occurred, you would close the relay via the pci board, which would get the 12 volts to the strobe and it would start flashing.
Schematically, it looks like: 12 volts ----- relay ----- strobe If you think of the relay as a switch that is normally open, then closing it gets juice to the strobe.
Thanks for the input guys. I was hoping there would be a ready-made solution for this kind of thing. Looks like I'll have to do some more studying and research possible PCI boards etc. Incidentally, anyone had experience with Phidgets? http://www.phidgets.com/