Phrank's Ubuntu Blog

I've been toying with the idea of building a 120v power strip that can be controlled with a computer. I've done this before, using the Parallel port to control some solid state relays which power on or off an outlet.
But I want a newer, fresher, better version - Using the Parallel port has given me problems - I don't have one on my laptop, and some of the newer computers that I've used only output 3.2vDC, and my old design seems to need 5v.

Here are some of my ideas -