HTINews Book Review

Household Web
A guide to automating your home for on-site and remote management using CyberHouse and your PC.
by David Nelson and David Wacker
Forward by Dennis Ford

CHAPTER 1 - Prewiring for Home Automation
CHAPTER 2 - The X-10 System
CHAPTER 3 - Lighting Control
CHAPTER 4 - Security and Life-Safety Systems
CHAPTER 5 - Controlling Your Environment
CHAPTER 6 - Home Theater
CHAPTER 7 - Whole House Audio/Video Systems
CHAPTER 8 - Water Management
CHAPTER 9 - An Introduction to CyberHouse
CHAPTER 10 - Getting Started
CHAPTER 11 - Exploring CyberHouse
CHAPTER 12 - Using CyberHouse - A Real-World Example

APPENDIX A - Key to Symbols
APPENDIX B - Troubleshooting X-10 Systems
APPENDIX C - Additional Information
APPENDIX D - Buying Guide

This is a good book for those of you getting started in Home Automation or ready to expand your present system. The book is clearly written and the first 8 chapters explain some of the basics and give an overview of what can be done with todays technology.

If you want to know about Cyberhouse and how it can be used to control your automated environment, you can read about it in chapters 9 through 12 as well as try it out using the CDROM that is included when you buy the book. Cyberhouse is a software application that provides whole house control utilizing hardware interfaces from other vendors that plug into the serial port of your PC. For a review of Cyberhouse have a look in the Feb97 issue of HTINews.

The Appendix is full of valuable sources of further information and a Buying Guide listing names and addresses of many Home Automation equipment suppliers.

The HouseHold Web sells for $29.95 and can be purchased from HTI Home Toys.

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