| |
Paul Antico, 31
Transportation Security
Administration supervisor |
Tracy Capone-Blake, 43
Technical writer/editor |
Chris Martino, 26
Software engineer |
Seth Rubinson, 32
Lawyer |
| What's
on the
network? |
Wired: three PCs (one is a server),
two printers; wireless: a laptop, Xbox,
PlayStation, Tivo, Pocket PC |
Three PCs, one of which is controlling
a home automation system. Each PC
can control the speaker systems —
including the wireless ones out on the
deck side of the house — the lighting
systems, even the irrigation system. |
2 Windows-based PCs, a Linux server,
a PC laptop, Replay TV, Nintendo Game
Cube, Turtle Beach Audiotron, VoIP |
Three computers, a desktop and two
laptops, two Tivos, Palm Tungsten C,
printers |
| What
pleases
you most
about your
network? |
''I don't think a lot of people hook up
their Tivo to see their pictures and
listen to their albums.'' |
''I can retrieve information from any PC
in the home and not have to run up and
down stairs.'' |
''The Linux server. I basically can
do all my own e-mailing and web
serving without having to rely on
another company. Except my Internet
connection, of course.'' |
''I think the entirety of it, the freedom of
not having to worry about where you are
to get something done.'' |
| How much
money have
you spent? |
''The networking part of it, probably
close to $300 or $400 over time.'' |
''Probably $150 to $200 total, including
the router.'' |
''Probably a total of $250 or $300 over
the last two or three years.'' |
''I've probably spent about $600 [over
three years]. You could do the very same
network for $300 today, if not less.'' |
| How much
time? |
''Probably 40 hours over a month's
time.'' |
''A weekend.'' |
''Probably about 24 hours total over the
last three or four years.'' |
''At least 20 hours over all that time.'' |
| Key advice
for new
networkers: |
''Whatever you purchase, make sure
you have a good technical support
line. Home networking, while it can
be very easy, has a lot of variables
that you'll need help on unless you're
experienced.'' |
''You need to have the most secure setup
you possibly can, 100 times more if
you have a wireless network. If you're
ever going to upgrade any software or
hardware, it would be your anti-virus
and firewall systems. '' |
''I can't think of any one piece of
information that would be super
important. With wireless, you want to
be sure you're using security. If you're
building a house, you probably would
want to prewire your house while it's
being built.'' |
''Take the time to learn about setting up
security properly.'' |
| Toughest
part of the
process: |
''Financially, I really don't have much
money to spend on it. The way I fund
it is to sell stuff I don't need anymore
on eBay.'' |
''Getting the PCs to talk to each other
through the firewall.'' |
''Probably the running of wires, where
I've needed to.'' |
''Initially, there were a lot of differences
between manufacturers, even if they
said things would work together.'' |
