how could i use a knob on a pot as an on off switch, or just the pot as a whole? id like to have just knobs on my fan/light/etc controller rather than some switches as well as knobs (i want to be able to turn lights off at certain times, etc.)
You can get pots with a built in switch, if thats what you mean. Turns the switch contacts off when you rotate them fully anti clockwise IIRC.
So I'm not quite following... Do you want to have a knob that you push on, or that you turn? If you simply want one you can push on - find a pushbutton and mount a knob on it. If you want a knob that rotates - you could either find a pot with a built in switch, a rotary switch, or you could rig up some fancy electronics (first thing that comes to mind is to use a comparator - but I'm sure someone more clever than I can suggest something better if that is what you want) so that it will be on at one resistance, and off at another resistance.
