Hi, Frank - An interesting development in the area you and ftth have been discussing lies in the construction of HAVi (Home Audio Video Interoperability) standards.
havi.org
Basically, we are talking about self-configuring home networks, here. I admit that this standard is not in the domain of your discussion, nevertheless it offers some interesting pointers on where home networking can go.
I am not up to speed on the latest HAVi developments, but I do know that the standard had an integral RF component (inter-unit), and that HAVi/home network (ie., data, computer-based) bridging was being discussed, using Java.
Last time I looked, some problems WRT HAVi/UPnP/USB had come up; at the time, it was thought these problems were surmountable.
Anyway, I guess the point is that such home networks are achievable, and the option (dream?) of offering users easy-to-use self-configuring home networks is far from dead.
Speaking just for myself, and looking at the rat's-nest of cabling on my two-computer home network (not to mention my A/V system) - I think it's a winning concept.
Regards,
Jim
Late edit - Still doesn't address ftth's problem of what to do if it all stops working, but I assume you'd be OK until the warranty was up! >vbg< |
