Source: http://lifehacker.com/use-a-raspberry-pi...

Using a Raspberry Pi, WiFi dongle, a old stepper motor, driver, and a few other parts, Rieger created a system where he could control both his blinds and his air conditioner from a web interface. It's a pretty simple automation project, but if you live in a place where the sun comes blasting in at a set time every day it can save you a bit of money on that energy bill.