Home Automation - X 10 - Advice Please

Hi,
I'm looking to put my iMac to work about my house, controling lighting, temperature, etc. I've surfed the web and it seems that the easiest way to do this is using the X 10 system through the mains wiring circuit.
Has anyone done this and can give me some tips? For instance, is it possible to control the X10 computer interface over an airport network? If I can I want to have the X10 computer interface in a different room without having to clutter my office with extra boxes and usb cables hanging out the back of my iMac. But since I've now found that I have to cable my printer every time I want to change the ink cartridge I'm a bit worried controling the X10 over Airport is a non starter.
Also, there seems to be a lot of starter kits on the marked that all come with PC based software. Can you get the starter kits with either Mac OS software or even without the software full stop since I have already downloaded some from the Net for free just to check out what I can do once I have found out which component parts I have to purchase.
One more thing. I know that the US is leading the way with home automation abd the equipment is readily available in the States, but I'm in the UK and most electronics stores I've been to look at me as if I'm from Mars when I mention X 10.

Now posted under "Usage".

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