Smart Homes for Dummies, Second Edition [Paperback]

Danny Briere (Author), Pat Hurley (Author)

Book Description

Series: For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback) | Publication Date: December 23, 2002

Most people have had some contact with a network through their work environment – computer local area networks (LANs) in the office, control networks in factories, telephone networks in many mid-sized or larger businesses. The Internet itself is one big network.

Although some folks may think of a network as simply something that helps them do their work, the network concept has begun to move from the workplace to the home address. Smart home builders and remodelers (and forward-looking owners of otherwise perfect existing homes) are starting to think in terms of wiring (or wirelessing) their homes both to make use of a network today and to prepare for future structural requirements.

Smart Homes For Dummies, 2nd Edition, lays out a richly landscaped spread of possibilities in networking your home devices – for convenience, cost control, time-savings, safety, and increased property values. This forward-thinking, fun guide spells out how to

• Imagine all the cool stuff that home networks can do
• Make your home an entertainment center
• Plan a phone system
• Design a home-based LAN
• Wire a security system
• Install and configure all the gizmos

Smart homes never want for innovation; people are constantly inventing things. Stuff that seems niche-oriented and expensive today may be high-volume consumer products tomorrow. Smart Homes For Dummies, 2nd Edition, invites you to take advantage of the latest techno developments as you rev up for the upcoming gee-whiz things that'll make your home a twenty-first century castle.  You'll meet the most recent information and insight on

• Figuring how much you're willing to spend
• Connecting your kitchen appliances and more
• Feeding audio and video from your Media Center
• Accessing the Internet all over your house
• Integrating a satellite system to create a video network
• Untangling cables and components
• Seeing what's just over the horizon for telephone service

A home network opens the world to your entire household, and Smart Homes For Dummies, 2nd Edition, provides a plan for your home, sweet home to enjoy all that awaits in an infinite space.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...Smart Homes is more than simply accurate, it is truly useful, with an abundance of call-out tips ("The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association...offers advice on how to shop for a security system and the names of contractors who have qualified for their 'Installation Quality' certificate."); warnings ("If your modem connects to your computer with an Ethernet interface...you actually need to install two separate Ethernet Network Interface Cards in your proxy server..."); and sound opinions ("You can build a very similar video distribution network that forgoes the second RG6 cable to each outlet....[but] at the risk of being repetitive, we think that this kind of abbreviated network is probably a false economy..."). The best thing about Smart Homes for Dummies--it's a wonderful guide for smart people, too. -- Home Network News, Sept/Oct. 1999, Vol. 13 No. 8

Who needs this book? Anyone considering installing their own home security system, whole-house audio or video system, household LAN, or even those that want a professional to do it. It gives you a good idea about what's going on, as well as meaning to those funny buzzwords that home contractors use. It's also useful for those who are interested in getting the most out of their home office or existing automation equipment. Finally, professionals who have most of their expertise in one discipline may find this helpful to learn the basics of the rest of what's out there.

Highlights: Easy to understand; broad overview of home automation; gives good descriptions of what's currently available and what to expect in the future; great idea source. -- Edward B. Driscoll, Jr., Popular Home Automation, 2/18/2000 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Boost your home's comfort value now, and resale value later

Network your computers, phones, and home entertainment gear, and make your home safer
Ever wonder what would happen if your PC and your stereo could talk to each other? Want to know how you can watch DVDs from any TV in the house? Let this book show you! From security cameras you can view from work to a house that lets you access the Internet from any room, this easy-to-follow guide will help you create the smart home of your dreams.

The Dummies Way
* Explanations in plain English
* "Get in, get out" information
* Icons and other navigational aids
* Tear-out cheat sheet
* Top ten lists
* A dash of humor and fun

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (December 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764525395
• ISBN-13: 978-0764525391
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,299,162 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars If you are seeking DIY instructions- pass on this one, July 30, 2003

By 

Manning (IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smart Homes for Dummies, Second Edition (Paperback)

As the title implies, this book is intended for people seeking an overview of what home automation, networking, X10, security, a/v distibution. It is very comprehensive so kudos there.

However, if you are after more detailed instructions on how to hook something up, really plan & design your systems or prewire you new construction this book does not get that deep.

I suppose was hoping for more real examples, diagrams and do it yourself instruction. I'm trying to learn in order to avoid paying someone $2000 to install $200 worth of wire and outlets in my house (especially regarding X10 which is really cool). So I returned this book and am consdiering one called "Automated Home Control" by Bucceri. Haven't found it on Amazon yet, but it's on homcontrols.com and smarthomeusa.com

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brier and Hurley Get Wired!, December 24, 1999

By 

Heather L. Read (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smart Homes for Dummies (Paperback)

If you work in a multimedia company or a high tech multimedia laboratory, you probably have a systems administrator and lots of eager students of engineering that can help you design a media and data network infrastructure. However, most of us users who would like to design a network for security, multimedia and computing in a home or small business do not have a systems administrator. Brier and Hurley give an enlightened short course on media, data and electrical networking of your home and small business in Smart Homes for Dummies.

The big vision outlined in this book is simplicity afforded by thinking ahead. Save money and space by designing a network which accesses one main computer server; one digital TV; one VCR; one CD player; one radio; one internet or cable service line for multiple users within the home or business. All these media sources are routed via cables, modulators, preamplifiers and switch panels to each room so that users can choose what they want to play on their computer, speakers and video screens. They inform the reader about 'multi-zone' or multiple channel receiving and transmitting devices needed to to push your wired house to full capacity now and in the future. Costs, esthetics, and how to anticipate future technologies are considered. This book is a pleasant read and a fast way to get up to speed on how to 'Get to Wired'. Think of it like an adventure tour of networking wonderland by Bill and Ted. At the same time this is a most excellent (easy to use) source of reference tables for those of us who prefer to bypass the 'Bill sheet' and get something done.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect guide to equiping your house for the 21th cen, October 14, 1999

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Smart Homes for Dummies (Paperback)

This is the perfect guide for anyone who wants to equip their home for the 21st century. The focus is on networking the home for audio/video entertainment, telephone, computer & security systems, & making it all work together.

Planning for the new home and remodeling options are covered. Practical tips tell you exactly what components are needed for various levels of automation, including what it will cost and how to stretch your budget.

There are enticing hints about technology to come, how to prepare for it now and what is worth waiting for. Specific brand name products now on the market are analyzed with warnings about conflicting standards.

For more in depth study of specific topics there are lists of web resources and print publications. This book will help you understand what is available in home automation and how to make it a reality in your own home.