Programmable (i.e. by computer) timer?

[Muse]

I have a very handy programmable timer that turns on/off AC power. It has 8 separate On/Off day/times, and each setting can be set to any day of the week, all days, weekdays, weekends, and a few 3 day combinations. It works flawlessly so far. My Intermatic's buttons became almost impossible to get a response from, so I bought one with very similar features some months ago, a Hydrofarm TM01715D 7-Day Digital Program Timer, less than $20.

My problem with this timer is that I like to change the settings not infrequently (often frequently!), and compared to a computer interface, the system using a few buttons and the LCD is very primitive and it takes several steps to make changes. I figure there must be (should be!) something available that will allow the user to program it using a USB connection to a PC and a little software utility. Does anyone know of such a device?

 

[cerebusPu]

kinda pricey for a one off solution, but you could go with a zwave dongle and zwave controlled outlet.

 

[Muse]

zwave... how pricey? Links?

I saw some stuff yesterday (see link below) at Amazon and other sites, designed for watering, which is the marketing thing with the Hydrofarm timer I have now. I don't see information concerning how it works, it's geared toward irrigation and patterns. I'd like at least 8 on/off programs. Seems like there would be something like this available, it's not terribly challenging technologically. How much could it add to the cost of development and manufacturing to have the computer programmable feature added? It sure makes them easier to reprogram! Besides that it takes out of the equation the buttons, which eventually failed in my Intermatic devices.

Toro Ecxtra 6 Zone Computer Programmable Timer