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| EMagazine Volume 4 Issue 6 December 1999 |
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Toys Editorial - December99 - [HTI Home Page] |
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Hard
to believe that it's December already. That means another year has flown by
(it's my birthday this month to boot). And next month will be a new millennium
(sick of hearing about that yet). HomeToys has grown into more than I ever
expected (we are a .com you know :-). We had a booth in the Digital Home
Networking Hot Spot at Comdex a few weeks ago. Now that was an eye opener. Those
of you who are trying to sell Home Automation and Networking products or develop
new technologies in this field better take note. The folks who go to Comdex
actually understand this stuff ... and they have the cash to buy it too. Wayne
Caswell did a bang up job and worked his tail off giving hourly presentations
about Home Networks. He attracted a crowd for every presentation and spent the
time explaining the different standards and protocols that are making us all
crazy. Thanks to Wayne for all the effort to promote Home Automation and
Networking.Big news today from Echelon, Cisco and Sun. These guys are working together to connect multi devices to the internet. Ken Oshman (chairman, chief executive officer, and president of Echelon) says "By enabling billions of everyday devices to connect to the Internet, Echelon has created an environment that will enable incredible, unpredicted applications far more powerful than the valuable applications that we already see. We have started a process that will transform the Internet. As this happens, the way we do business, the way we live, and the Internet itself will all be changed for the better." Hmm ... is this an alliance that will give Microsoft and Intel and run for their money ... and ours.
I hope somebody emerges as the leader of this industry soon. As much as I grump about the Microsoft monopoly in the PC world ... at least there is a whole bunch of affordable hardware and software that can and does work together to make my life better. Home Automation and Networking has a long way to go in that area. Way too many different standards, protocols, solutions, committees, working groups, meetings, trade shows, seminars, conferences, technologies etc. etc. etc. Much of our time at Comdex was spent trying to help much more intelligent people than us to sort through the quagmire. Brian Baker and Navin Sabharwal point out some of the problems in their articles this issue. Will 2000 be the year of clarity? Keep your fingers crossed. I got really scared the other day when I saw an ad for a New Improved Clapper. Wonder what protocol or standard that it adheres to?
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Data management is another extremely important issue for Home Offices (and Home Networks). If more than one person works on the business (or if you like to work in a few locations) then some kind of data network is a must. New technologies (wireless, phoneline etc.) promise to improve the convenience and usability of home office networks. I hope so because my ethernet network (while extremely fast) is a royal pain in the butt to maintain. I look forward to the day when I can wander around with a small wireless pad to communicate with my office and home network. It may be sooner than later ... I hope.
One issue that needs more attention is data storage and backup (both office and home data that is). I'd like to see one huge storage device that contains all of my business and home data including music, movies etc. located in my automation closet. It should automatically mirror all of that data to another storage device located in a fireproof and secure compartment or offsite somewhere as backup.
Enough preaching already. I hope you enjoy reading this issue. In February (next issue) I'd like to hear some Y2K stories (after the end of world has come and gone). I'm interested to know what has been waiting in the wings for this non event (I hope) to pass. "Let's get on with it". What do think is important for the future? Send your articles, letters etc. to me at bobh@hometoys.com .
As always I ask that if you like HomeToys and what we provide for you ... the best way to show it is to support our advertisers and sponsors. Click those banners ... check out these Hot Products and take a Gadget Tour.
Enjoy!
