"John" wrote in message
...
This is somewhat OT but I'd like to use my computer to turn lights on and
off and
perhaps other appliances. This to to fool would-be burglars. Is there a
gizmo
(lacking a better word) which I can plug into my PC USB, LPT1 or other
which
would enable this?

I almost did this last year because last time I looked at timers in home
improvement stores, Intermatic (the major brand) still did not make anything
except those timers with the little pegs you pull out or push in. Now,
though, they've got quite a few digital versions, both wall mount and
freestanding, with the ability to randomize the on/off times. You might want
to look at those before leaving your computer running constantly.