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Sounds :

This feature was one of the first features added to X10Dispatch, and most people using X10Dispatcher are probably using it just for this feature. 

X10Dispatcher can be configured to play sounds such as wav files when certain X10 Commands are heard.  This is very useful because it provides audible confirmation that your X10 Network is operating effectively.  It can also help you to understand the 'synchronization' of all the X10 Activities.  If the CM15a is your butler who is automating your home, then X10Dispatcher is its voice, providing confirmation and notifications for X10 Events which you selectively configure. 

In addition to troubleshooting, you may enjoy leaving this feature permantly enabled, perhaps to verify that certains sensors are still working and have not drained their batteries.  If you wish to use this feature permanently, you might want a way to reduce the number of sounds played to avoid 'sound effect overload'.  Therefore several sound suppression features have been added.  You may choose to have only sound per a certain number of seconds.  You can choose to only play unique sounds (so that a single motion sensor which repeatedly fires would be suppressed while a new sensor would be able to play).  You can also choose to only play sounds within a certain timeframe/window.  This can be useful if you dont want to play sounds while others may be sleeping.

In addition to providing sounds for X10 Events, sounds are extended even further.  You can set up X10 Dispatcher to 'speak' some text when an Event fires.  It can verbally announce web alerts via its text-to-speech mechanism.  If you are at the office you can use MSN Messenger to enter a command and message to 'speak' at the base computer (perhaps telling your wife or kids that you are bringing home pizza).  If you are running a web server you can have it speak that users are requesting certain web pages (to either get an idea of web traffic or verify that its not being accessed by others if you dont want that).  Sounds also play a role if you arm the system.  You can hear a wav when the system is armed or disarmed, and you can hear a warning that an alert is about to be sent, and a sound for when an alert actually has been sent.  This provides audible verification of arming (using RF remotes) so that you dont need to see your computer screen, keyboard, or mouse-- and additionally lets you play a wav scolding whoever has tripped your alarm.

Also, there are ways in which you can temporarily 'mute' X10Dispatch to prevent sounds from being played.  Configured properly with X10 Remotes you might set up a macro to dim lights, mute X10Dispatcher, and launch a DVD or MP3 playlist... all from a single X10 Remote button press.