Moved in to my new digitally-maxed out Hermosa Beach house at last. Finally, we live in the smartest house in the neighborhood. The cable TV is connected to our phone, which is connected to my personal computer, which is connected to the power lines, all the appliances and the security system. Everything runs off a universal remote with the friendliest interface I've ever used.
Programming is a snap.
I'm like, totally wired. Programmed my VCR from the office, turned up the thermostat and switched on the lights with the car phone, remotely tweaked the oven a few degrees for my pizza. Maybe I should get the universal remote surgically attached. They insist it's a problem with the cable company's compression algorithms. Got my first SmartHouse invoice today and was unpleasantly surprised.