Ground Control to Major Tom

September 10, 2001 - It’s an image that many of us have grown up with, thanks to the innovation of Saturday morning cartoons, and the Saturday afternoon sci-fi matinee. Either the hero, or the villain, (or both) sits in some sterile room filled with knobs and buttons, and from there, they control the world. Monitors, computers, gadgets and equipment are everywhere. Pity anyone that would try and cross the threshold into his or her parameters.

Tom Williams grew up on those stories, and always wanted a set up just like the ones on Saturday afternoon television. He would dream about what it must be like to have so many buttons and gadgets all at his disposal, and each one controlling a different aspect of his universe. So when he finally got a home of his own, he set up his own "Central Command." Tom’s favorite room when it comes to working is the den. So it made sense that he would set up his system in there. So from his den, or "Central Command," he set up several ActiveHome modules, timers and control pads throughout the premises and directed them all back to Central. "I run several computers at home," he said, "connected to a LAN with Novell Server as a base."

Every one of Tom’s computers are powered through these various modules, which allows Central Command to control and power of all of his systems, which also includes lights and appliances. As Tom said, "Virtual wiring makes the whole setup possible by allowing specific power-up sequences, timed as I need, with a single push of a button." Tom has also programmed several macros to work most of the equipment throughout his house.

Then, using an older burglar alarm interface, Tom set up the basic system to power up "automatically when I enter my den." Tom even tied in motion sensors to several macros to allow automatic "lights on" and "lights off" commands that light certain areas of the house only when they are in use.

Tom’s wireless alarm system (also X10 compatible) makes the entire house remote possible from a security point of view by causing a "Light Flash" when the alarm is triggered, which also trips an ActiveHome Macro. "This powers up the required computers as well as other unmentioned (handmade) devices to alert me wherever I may be."

How might a setup like this affect the rest of the family? Tom answers that one as well. "Originally, my wife hated all the pads and modules, but as she started using it, she fell in love with the capabilities." And now she too can work the system just like a pro. Right there, from the den, the little room they call "Central Command." And pity the fool who should try and penetrate their defenses. They’ve got an ActiveHome setup, and they’re ready to face the enemy, come what may.

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