Home Automation and Networking Magazine

The HTINews is our Bi-Monthly Online Magazine featuring the most up to date Home Automation news available. Here you'll find feature articles, product reviews, and interviews as well as press releases announcing the latest technologies available from those companies pioneering the Home Automation and Networking industry.

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The most fascinating part of my job is watching as a new issue comes to life over the course of a few weeks prior to publishing. Each issue takes on an identity based primarily on what is currently in the minds of those who volunteer to send in articles and news. This means readers get a feeling for what is going on in the industry right now ... not 3 or 4 month ago as with paper publications. This is the true power of the internet. Many thanks to those who contribute their thoughts to our Ezine. They are the ones who are keeping all of us informed.

The theme of this issue is "Whole House Systems" but as always there are articles and reviews about a wide variety of topics. Interviews with Crestron, Home Auto Inc., IBM, LiteTouch, Phast, Smart Corp and Vantage give you a wide range of information about these systems and may help you make a decision about which to install in your house.

Home Networking is again a "Hot Topic". Predictions are that we are looking at a multi-billion dollar industry evolving over the next few years. Try these articles to get up to speed:
The Home Network - Allen Jones - HOMS
Whole House Wiring - Kurt Sherf - Parks Assoc.
Res Gateway = $$$ - Michael Wolf - Cahners In-Stat
Future of the PC - Navin Sabharwal - Allied Bus.
Facts and Fiction - Sharewave
BlueTooth Networks - Steve Totolo

If you like to do it yourself or learn how others do it themselves ... try these articles:
Home Cabling Pt IV - Brian Karas
Automated Registers - Chuck Muziani
Sprinkler Control - Jeff Vogel
A/V on a Budget - Dawn Gordon

And ... if you're in the Business or want to be ... here are a few great technical tips:
CEBus Design - Evan Price
Home Cabling Pt IV - Brian Karas

Product reviews this issue include:
Twin Lakes HA - A powerful software set for home automation control.
TouchLinc - An affordable touchpad.
MAC CP290 Director - MAC software for X10 control.

Press releases are a valuable source of info for professionals and consumers. Have a look at the long list above to get an idea of what is happening in this industry. Keep checking back to the press release section during the months to come as we post new information there as soon as we get it and we've added a new Press Release Library so you can look back at past news to see how the industry has emerged.

Of special note is the recent changeover at AMX. They have a new name (Panja) and a new mission. Read about it in these 3 press releases:
AMX=Panja/Cisco / Multitainment / Internet Entertain

If you want to be kept informed, sign up on our Update Mailing List. You'll get an email once a month or so with news and links to new information.

Have a look at the Directories index. There are some new Job Opportunities, Events and Training Sessions posted and the Libraries index lists the Shareware, Links, Articles, Reviews. Standards, Press Releases and Tips & Tricks archives which have all been updated.

The next issue will feature Home Entertainment Networks. This should be an interesting topic and I hope to get lots of input from the industry so that everyone can be made aware of the new and future technologies that allow us to be entertained anywhere and everywhere in the home with the push of a button or drop of a hat. It's always a challenge to find authors and enthusiasts willing to send us articles so if you have something to submit please drop me a line at bobh@hometoys.com

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Enjoy!