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| Volume 2 Issue 5 October 1997 |
Features
Interviews
Reviews |
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| HTINews
Editorial - Oct97 - [HTI Home Page] |
HomeTech Hot Products Continuously Updated [Click Message To Learn More] |
How I Spent My Summer Vacation
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Many of you didn't know we have a Mailing List ... here it is. Send Comments to bobh@hometoys.com |
As you can see by our new image, I spent my summer hunched over the keyboard making this website look and operate better (I hope). We've come a long way in a year. What started out as an online catalog of X-10 products for sale in April 1996 soon evolved into a Home Automation Library and Magazine. Our first issue of the HTINews in October of 1996 started us off into a new direction and one which has proven very popular. Providing free information is what the internet is all about after all (or at least it was when we first started using it). It takes more than just providing information however ... the information needs to be organized so readers can find what they are looking for. Hence, we have created the Article Library, Product Review Library, Tips and Trick Archive, Link Library, Shareware Library and Product and Service Directory. These features along with the HTINews and other bits of information have turned us into one of the premiere Home Automation Sites on the internet. Here's what a few reviewers have said about HTI:
NETSURFER DIGEST
Thursday, June 12, 1997 - Volume 03, Issue 19
http://www.netsurf.com/nsd/nsd.03.19.html
BE LIKE GATES: HOME AUTOMATION
Control freaks, entrepreneurs, security consultants, and
technotoy lovers, this site's for you. In some ways, it's the Web
equivalent of Radio Shack. Scope out electronic gadgets such as
HomeVision, a TV system for couch potatoes who want to monitor
their entire house with a handheld remote: "Imagine changing
your lighting schedule without getting up from your chair."
Get the picture? If residential coupling and home jukeboxes get
you hot, stay tuned. The HTI News section has more than enough to
keep you busy: articles; interviews; announcements; columns;
press releases; feedback; a contest. If you still have energy to
click, visit the pages with shareware, shopping (books and
software), classified ads, and a growing product and service
directory, along with links to FAQs, publications, organizations,
consultants, manufacturers, personal sites - so much you'd think
the entire site were automated. Apparently it is not, since
you're asked to report broken links "so we can keep this
resource fresh." What, no robowebmaster on staff? Shocking!
<http://www.hometoys.com/>
PC Week Article September 8, 1997 By
Jeff Frentzen
http://www8.zdnet.com/pcweek/ir/0908/08jia.html
"My favorite
home-automation-related Web sites fall under the hometoys.com
domain.
The HTI Home Toys site provides invaluable links, tips and
tricks, and feature articles covering X10 and home automation
products and services.
In addition, the HTI News site provides the latest developments
in the home automation industry."
Nice comments to receive and much appreciated by all.
So, what's next! Well, there are several areas which I would like to address in the very near future.
- Firstly, I plan to add a product information form. With this you'll be able to click boxes to indicate which companies you wish to receive product information from (via mail). Similar to the cards included with many hard copy magazines (you know ... "For More Information circle number 3498721985734") only a lot simpler to fill out and send.
- A "Dealers Wanted" page will list the Manufacturer's etc. who are actively searching for qualified home automation dealers along with the requirements and contact information.
- A "Training Calendar" which will list training course information for those seeking more education in the Home Automation field.
- Our Update Mailing List will be notified every few weeks of the latest news releases etc. as well as other news, rumors etc. as it happens.
There are many more ideas floating around and I'll inform of these as they materialize. As always, I encourage you to send me your thoughts and ideas. I don't dream all of this up myself you know :-)
I hope you like the new look of HTI Home Toys and look forward to hearing from you about the site. 1998 looks to be a big year for Home Automation and we'll do our best to keep you up to date and informed.
