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The article was very good. There is one point that deserves top 10 ranking: radiation exposure from computer screens on the face, neck and hands of users. I use a special lead-glass cover which blocks radiation. What would your mother say if you sat two feet away from the television set for hours on end. God forbid! There are probably screens which are not so bad, but a good number of people use conventional radiation-emitting screens. Not a pretty picture in terms of consequences down the road. Gary Shay Cleveland, Ohio
Gary Shay -July 6, 2004
This is a very good article. It pointed out things that I would not have thought of, however I am amazed that it missed one of the pain points that I recently experienced when setting up my media center. Sure I have the speaker wires hidden behind the drywall and crown molding...and I had the LCD/TV mounted on the wall up high... the satellite box and HTIB are nicely seated on a glass shelving system....all of which was designed to hide wires. What I didn't account for was the huge power supply that came with the TV. Something that just couldn't be shoved in a pole or behind drywall. Why manafacturers insist on bundling these huge bricks with their small footprint appliances is beyond me. Have you ever bought wireless speakers only to find out that they contain a 4x4 gauky power supply...each! So much for wireless!!
Leslie Lynch -July 7, 2004
While the article made many good points, (I think) it left out the biggest mistake (and one that most people make): failing to (honestly) asses their needs (and wants) before beginning their project. Making this one gurantees problems. Also, note that there are several PC form factors that address the noise, size, and expense problems the author has with traditional PCs - including ones that are smaller than shoe boxes and don't require fans. Many of these are available for well under $500.00, some with the OS and other software. (Reference item 10; these have been available for several years.) System crashes can be avoided when the PC is properly configured and protected, AND needless upgrades to working software are avoided (don't install the latest version of your DVR software when the current one does everything you need). Another item I'd put on the list is avoiding 'overcomplication'. Your system usually has to be used by other people; if they can't use it, it doesn't work (I've seen some elegant implimentations that were abandoned because of this). The KISS principle definitely applies here. Finally, (item 2) when shopping remember that older technologies often fit your needs - and they're usually much cheaper than the newest(er) ones. Don't discount older equipment that meets your needs. (This is especially true since many popular older items have excellent support resources on the 'net).
Rod -July 7, 2004
....and don't forget to do backups. Not tomorrow, today (and then tomorrow as well!)
Paul Appleyard -July 8, 2004
As an electrician who specializes in home entertainment/automation installs I can honestly say: purchase components first, carpet last. A finished surface is a terribly expensive thing to redo.
Tom Stuart -July 8, 2004
The needless upgrade that I did was trashing all of my perfectly good 900MHz cordless phones and replacing them with the latest and greatest 2.4GHz technology. Granted, it was either replace the 900MHz units or buy new batteries for all of them, but in the end I regret not just replacing the batteries. It turned out that the 2.4GHz phones perform _maybe_ 10% better than the 900MHz phones did...but now I have to deal with interference problems with my 802.11b/g access point. :(
Bill -July 8, 2004
Well , the number one mistake should be even using a windows based PC. The windows OS was not designed for home use and interaction with digital media (the Windows XP home version is marketing hype). Most people would be better off with a Mac at home - yes that's right a Mac!!! I just dumped my Dell 8300 and got a iBook G4 - no need for desktpos at home! I would highly recommend an Airport Express (to stream audio to your stereo from iTunes) and an iPod to go with this setup. I know this idiot (Thurrott) goes on forever about iPods being more form over function (#8)- but the reality is it is the other way around!! The WMA players (WMA is a fringe codec by the way, definitely not a popular one!!!) are useless!! Dell DJ !!! -come on everyone agrees that is a piece of crap - The iPod is THE #1 MP3 player for one reason - it is the best bar none! There is absolutely no need to use a Windows PC at home - save that pain for work. Everything on Apple equipment works really well together, really well. If you go to more function over form (apple) you will learn about zero config wireless networks, wireless networks that always work, easy setup, lower cost for notebooks when compared to the Windows notebooks (that's right, it's true), better operating system - designed for digital media and on and on. If you want to use crappy fluff (Windows Media Center) go ahead - be a LOSER. If you want to be at the apex of digital technology use Apple...really. I just got my firsty one 4 months ago and look at me rant now, I feel like an idiot for using Windows. A few facts: 1. Within a year most video (movies and TV) will be produced on a Mac - really much of it is now 2. Apple leads the way in audio technology 3. There is more to the new fourth generation iPod - wait and see - it goes with the Airport Express and wireless networks - PC weenies like Paul Thurrott just don't get the big picture yet - they will soon 4. The future of digital media on the cell phone networks (which will knock your socks off over the next couple of years) is based on Apple and open source technology.(i.e. iTunes mobile) 5. H.264 MPEG 4 HD video is going to take the world (it already is the standard adopted by the DVD forum and 3G Cell networks - it's quietly taking over while this 'battle' over digital audio plays out - the winner by the way is Apple, iPod and iTunes) 6. Alpine, BMW, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, LG, Hewlitt Packard, Kenwood, Panasonic, Yamaha, JVC, Ford, Chev, Chrysler, Toyota etc. are either on board now with Apple or soon to be announced. Shhhhh! 7. There is a secret too - how are OS X Tiger (dashboard), iTunes, Bluetooth, Quicktime and HD DVD/Video all related - you'll see sucka! soon! 8. The majority of the Wintel world is clueless to what's going on right now - it's over their heads as Consumer Electronics and Consumer computer tech merges - the Windows techies are used to telling consumers what will be - that does not fly in this new arena - they just don't get it - people want stuff that works. Regardless of what happens - you all will be using Apple technology soon - you can not escape - it's just too good - superior really
The realdeal -July 30, 2004
Home Networking Home Controls Mobile Home Office Audio Visual Xbox N-Gage Search Forums July 6, 2004 | Paul Thurrott | Getting Connected INTERACT: Top 10 Mistakes in the Connected Home Summer is in full swing, and a new generation of home-based and portable technologies is heading our way. We thought this would be a good time to reflect on some of the common mistakes we make when we integrate technology into our lives. As you peruse this list, we encourage you to think of any other mistakes you feel people are making as they integrate technology into their daily lives. What are some of the mistakes you've made in your consumer-electronics endeavors? Let us know, down there at the bottom of the page. Here, then, is our list of the 10 biggest mistakes made in the connected home. 10. Forgetting to Stay Educated An increasingly complicated array of technology is heading to homes, so it's more important than ever to stay up-to-date on what's happening, when the current standard will be replaced, and why certain technologies are better than others. For example, although you can find killer deals on 802.11b-based Wi-Fi technology today, that equipment is already out of date and less secure than speedier 802.11g equipment. Furthermore, 802.11g gear is dramatically less expensive than 802.11b gear was at this point in its life cycle, and it's often only pennies more than equivalent 802.11b gear today. Be sure to frequent sites such as Connected Home Media so that you can be educated before making any purchase. And heads-up to the spur-of-the-moment crowd: Being educated doesn't mean taking an instant poll of Best Buy employees when you step into the store. Do some work before you leave the house, and you'll never be hobbled by some overstock that a retail store is trying to offload. 9. Forgetting You're a Parent Parental-control technology is available today for TV, Web browsing, online chatting, and other experiences in which youngsters can easily find themselves in adult territory. However, don't think of technology as a replacement for personal responsibility. You're still a parent, and that means you need to take an active interest in what your kids are doing online, and what they're watching on TV. It also means you need to spend some time talking with them, in person. That means no email or IM chats. Obviously. 8. Choosing Form Over Functionality When polled, Americans looking for consumer electronics say they universally choose functionality over form, but that's not what really happens at the checkout counter. Consider the portable music player market: The beautiful but expensive Apple iPod, and its unobtainable (because of "supply issues") younger sibling, the iPod Mini, are all the rage these days. Why is that? In truth, the iPod players have problems that make them unsuitable for many users. They have mediocre battery life—often only 33 percent to 50 percent of the battery life boasted by such devices as the Dell DJ and Creative Nomad Touch. The iPod features a touchy set of buttons and dials that are too easily pressed, sending the currently playing song off to a digital void—a problem not in evidence on other players, which typically feature more reliable and less easily pressed mechanical buttons. The iPod is incompatible with one of the most popular digital audio formats in the world, Windows Media Audio (WMA), and is incompatible with every online music store on the planet—except, of course, for Apple's own iTunes Music Store. Finally, the iPod and iPod Mini are hugely expensive luxury items that often cost almost twice the price of comparable devices. As I write this, a 20GB iPod sells for $400, whereas the 20GB Dell DJ—which offers three times the battery life and is infinitely more compatible—costs just $230. Apple doesn't even sell a player for that price: Its 4GB iPod Mini is a whopping $250. The point is that the iPod and iPod Mini have one thing going for them that the competition still hasn't picked up on: They're smaller and more attractive. Apple's style is certainly worth a premium, but is it really worth that much of a premium, especially when you discover the iPod's faults? And if style is that much of a concern for you, just grab a pair of white earbud headphones for that Dell DJ: You'll have saved about $150 and still look as cool as anyone else on the subway. 7. Assuming Wireless Can Do It All People are embracing wireless technologies such as 802.11g at a rapid rate, but they're forgetting that wireless isn't a panacea. That is, despite the faster 54Mbps speeds of 802.11g—actually closer to 20Mbps to 23Mbps in real-world use—this technology still isn't fast enough to deliver advanced multimedia features such as streaming video or HDTV. However, if you understand its limitations and use wireless wisely— for example, for email, Web browsing, and music streaming—you won't be disappointed. Just don't assume that wireless is going to solve all your networking needs if you're building toward a truly connected home. 6. Putting Your PC in the Den I've been using a Media Center PC in my den for over 2 years now, and if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that PCs of any size, shape, or color don't belong in the den. Their loud fans, semi-regular crashes, and buggy software are much more at home in the office. That said, my love-hate relationship with my HP Media Center PC has also taught me another important lesson: I can't live without it. Its DVR feature has forever changed the ways my family watches TV. Sadly, the happy medium is still a few months away: That's when Microsoft and its hardware partners will ship $250 Media Center Extender devices and a software add-on for the Xbox, both of which will let you consume Media Center content—such as live and recorded TV shows, Internet and live radio, videos, streaming music, and photo slideshows—remotely. And that means the Media Center PC will go back to the home office where it belongs. Besides, who wants to spend between $1000 and $3000 on what is essentially a $200 TiVo-like device? If you're looking for a good DVR solution and happen to need a new PC, the Media Center PC is a great choice. Just don't stick it on top of your TV. 5. Immersing Yourself in the Noise of Technology You're beset by an unprecedented level of background noise, especially if you live in a big city or travel frequently by airplane. But don't shut out the outside world too drastically. Loud headphones or booming car stereos are a quick path to annoying and permanent conditions such as tinnitus or, worse yet, hearing loss. Be smart—and safe—about noise. For example, you might invest in noise-canceling headphones for travel, or simply buy a cheap set of earplugs. Or think about augmenting your work area with nicer background sounds, such as an environmental recording or some soothing New Age music. 4. Forgetting About the World People caught up in the computer industry often work with computers all day, then go home and tinker with other computers until they go to sleep. Hey, it's great that you're into technology, but there's a whole world out there. Consider reading a book—a real book, not an eBook—and do so outside when possible. Take a class, go on a hike, or swim a few laps. It's the summer: Enjoy the outside while you can, and keep the troll-like activities to a minimum. Winter will be here before you know it, and you'll have plenty of time to turn to other activities. You know, likes skiing and sledding. 3. Blindly Buying the New Version Microsoft You know the guy. Heck, you might even be that guy. He simply must have the latest and greatest device, and he doesn't mind spending top dollar to get it when it debuts. If it's not obvious already—and if you're married, we suspect your spouse has already clued you in—this behavior never pays off. Often, newer versions of products change in ways that aren't necessarily positive. (Microsoft's newer mice and keyboard products come instantly to mind.) Or newer versions might drop features that you find to be indispensable. In keeping with our education advice above, be sure to do some homework before you ditch a perfectly good electronic toy in favor of a shinier, newer model. And for heaven's sake, at least try to recoup some of the loss by selling the older products on eBay or a similar site. A little fiscal prudence can go a long way, particularly if you have a technology-averse spouse. 2. Overspending Also in keeping with our education advice, be sure to shop around. Online sites often offer much better deals than retail establishments, although you'll want to keep an eye on shipping costs and watch the Sunday circulars for stores such as Best Buy, Circuit City, and CompUSA. If you absolutely don't have to get it today—right this very instant—online is almost always the way to go. Also, check out sites such as Shopper.com to find the best prices. But, however you intend to buy, shop around: You can save a ton of money. 1. Neglecting Security As more and more homes connect to the Internet 24x7 via broadband connections such as cable, DSL, and satellite, and more and more of these people connect two or more PCs and other devices through home networks, security is becoming a huge concern. Allow us to offer a few basic bits of advice. First, don't ever connect a PC directly to a broadband connection; instead, use a hardware firewall/router and make sure that device's firmware is up-to-date. Use firewall, antivirus, and antispyware software on all your PCs. Consider shutting off the broadband connection at night or when it's not in use. Don't broadcast your wireless SSID, and use wireless security: WPA is best, but even WEP is better than nothing if you have only an 802.11b network. To help ensure that only your devices can use your network, consider MAC address filtering on a wireless network. And log on to your PCs and Macs with passwords, using a limited account rather than an administrator-level account, if possible. If any of this advice sounds overly technical, please refer to #10. Article Information Find Related Articles Email this Article Printer-Friendly Reader Comments The article was very good. There is one point that deserves top 10 ranking: radiation exposure from computer screens on the face, neck and hands of users. I use a special lead-glass cover which blocks radiation. What would your mother say if you sat two feet away from the television set for hours on end. God forbid! There are probably screens which are not so bad, but a good number of people use conventional radiation-emitting screens. Not a pretty picture in terms of consequences down the road. Gary Shay Cleveland, Ohio Gary Shay -July 6, 2004 This is a very good article. It pointed out things that I would not have thought of, however I am amazed that it missed one of the pain points that I recently experienced when setting up my media center. Sure I have the speaker wires hidden behind the drywall and crown molding...and I had the LCD/TV mounted on the wall up high... the satellite box and HTIB are nicely seated on a glass shelving system....all of which was designed to hide wires. What I didn't account for was the huge power supply that came with the TV. Something that just couldn't be shoved in a pole or behind drywall. Why manafacturers insist on bundling these huge bricks with their small footprint appliances is beyond me. Have you ever bought wireless speakers only to find out that they contain a 4x4 gauky power supply...each! So much for wireless!! Leslie Lynch -July 7, 2004 While the article made many good points, (I think) it left out the biggest mistake (and one that most people make): failing to (honestly) asses their needs (and wants) before beginning their project. Making this one gurantees problems. Also, note that there are several PC form factors that address the noise, size, and expense problems the author has with traditional PCs - including ones that are smaller than shoe boxes and don't require fans. Many of these are available for well under $500.00, some with the OS and other software. (Reference item 10; these have been available for several years.) System crashes can be avoided when the PC is properly configured and protected, AND needless upgrades to working software are avoided (don't install the latest version of your DVR software when the current one does everything you need). Another item I'd put on the list is avoiding 'overcomplication'. Your system usually has to be used by other people; if they can't use it, it doesn't work (I've seen some elegant implimentations that were abandoned because of this). The KISS principle definitely applies here. Finally, (item 2) when shopping remember that older technologies often fit your needs - and they're usually much cheaper than the newest(er) ones. Don't discount older equipment that meets your needs. (This is especially true since many popular older items have excellent support resources on the 'net). Rod -July 7, 2004 ....and don't forget to do backups. Not tomorrow, today (and then tomorrow as well!) Paul Appleyard -July 8, 2004 As an electrician who specializes in home entertainment/automation installs I can honestly say: purchase components first, carpet last. A finished surface is a terribly expensive thing to redo. Tom Stuart -July 8, 2004 The needless upgrade that I did was trashing all of my perfectly good 900MHz cordless phones and replacing them with the latest and greatest 2.4GHz technology. Granted, it was either replace the 900MHz units or buy new batteries for all of them, but in the end I regret not just replacing the batteries. It turned out that the 2.4GHz phones perform _maybe_ 10% better than the 900MHz phones did...but now I have to deal with interference problems with my 802.11b/g access point. :( Bill -July 8, 2004 Well , the number one mistake should be even using a windows based PC. The windows OS was not designed for home use and interaction with digital media (the Windows XP home version is marketing hype). Most people would be better off with a Mac at home - yes that's right a Mac!!! I just dumped my Dell 8300 and got a iBook G4 - no need for desktpos at home! I would highly recommend an Airport Express (to stream audio to your stereo from iTunes) and an iPod to go with this setup. I know this idiot (Thurrott) goes on forever about iPods being more form over function (#8)- but the reality is it is the other way around!! The WMA players (WMA is a fringe codec by the way, definitely not a popular one!!!) are useless!! Dell DJ !!! -come on everyone agrees that is a piece of crap - The iPod is THE #1 MP3 player for one reason - it is the best bar none! There is absolutely no need to use a Windows PC at home - save that pain for work. Everything on Apple equipment works really well together, really well. If you go to more function over form (apple) you will learn about zero config wireless networks, wireless networks that always work, easy setup, lower cost for notebooks when compared to the Windows notebooks (that's right, it's true), better operating system - designed for digital media and on and on. If you want to use crappy fluff (Windows Media Center) go ahead - be a LOSER. If you want to be at the apex of digital technology use Apple...really. I just got my firsty one 4 months ago and look at me rant now, I feel like an idiot for using Windows. A few facts: 1. Within a year most video (movies and TV) will be produced on a Mac - really much of it is now 2. Apple leads the way in audio technology 3. There is more to the new fourth generation iPod - wait and see - it goes with the Airport Express and wireless networks - PC weenies like Paul Thurrott just don't get the big picture yet - they will soon 4. The future of digital media on the cell phone networks (which will knock your socks off over the next couple of years) is based on Apple and open source technology.(i.e. iTunes mobile) 5. H.264 MPEG 4 HD video is going to take the world (it already is the standard adopted by the DVD forum and 3G Cell networks - it's quietly taking over while this 'battle' over digital audio plays out - the winner by the way is Apple, iPod and iTunes) 6. Alpine, BMW, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, LG, Hewlitt Packard, Kenwood, Panasonic, Yamaha, JVC, Ford, Chev, Chrysler, Toyota etc. are either on board now with Apple or soon to be announced. Shhhhh! 7. There is a secret too - how are OS X Tiger (dashboard), iTunes, Bluetooth, Quicktime and HD DVD/Video all related - you'll see sucka! soon! 8. The majority of the Wintel world is clueless to what's going on right now - it's over their heads as Consumer Electronics and Consumer computer tech merges - the Windows techies are used to telling consumers what will be - that does not fly in this new arena - they just don't get it - people want stuff that works. Regardless of what happens - you all will be using Apple technology soon - you can not escape - it's just too good - superior really The realdeal -July 30, 2004 READER COMMENTS: We want to hear what you have to say about this article! Your Comments (required): Your email is only used if our editors need to contact you. It is not used or stored for any other purpose, nor posted with your comments. Home | About Us | Contact Us / Customer Service | Media Kit Connected Home is a division of Penton Media Inc. Copyright © 2004 Penton Media, Inc., All rights reserved. Legal | Privacy Policy
Penton Media -July 30, 2004
Radiation fears? What planet are you from? That "danger" was dispelled years ago. BTW - cell phones and saccharine cause cancer, and Pop Rocks explode in your stomach.
Jim -August 19, 2004
Windoze and their ilk are dinosaurs, I find it hilarious that folks are so PC driven, wait until you get a MAC, AND you will eventually get a Mac, you will never admit that you even had a PC. Folks go on about choices, yeah, PC users get a lot of choices, choices of incompatible junk.
Myke Greenough -September 16, 2004
Besides, why would want to go through the same dreary problems at home that you have to endure at work? GET A MAC AND BE SAVED!!!
Myke Greenough -September 16, 2004
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