I always enjoy seeing Home Server stories like this one in Phoenix' East Valley Tribune. Local newspaper write-ups show that the word is truly spreading about how Home Server will help everyday consumers backup, centralize and share their digital "stuff." Big ups to the Data Doctor of Arizona.
This week I had the pleasure of meeting Darryl Plummer, a chief of research at Gartner, the biggest (by far) tech analyst firm. Some of his colleagues are already trying out Home Server, and it looks like he's going to join them. He's got a truly digital home with out-of-this-world networking, storage, home automation, various and sundry media devices, etc. He and his house were recenlty featured in BusinessWeek, in fact.
"It boasts a theater with voice-activated lights, a computer network that links more than a dozen PCs, and myriad other tools that control everything from door locks to lawn sprinklers.
Looking forward to hearing his thoughts on Home Server. Good weekend!
J
Per Philip Churchill's blog...looks like we'll see a "Windows Home Server for Dummies" book come December, written by Woody Leonhard. Apparently Woody is looking for content and topic suggestions, too. Philip is collecting ideas for Woody, so be sure to weigh in over on www.mswhs.com. Ian Dixon of The Digital Lifestyle and Media Center Show tells me he is working on a book, too.
There is a little debate about the water heater ...
In the 1870s, Englishmen, Maughan invented the first instant water heater. Little is known about Maughan's invention, however, his invention influenced the designs of Edwin Ruud. Edwin Ruud, a Norwegian mechanical engineer was the inventor of the automatic storage water heater in 1889. Ruud emigrated to Pittsburgh where he pioneered the early development of both residential and commercial water heaters. (source)
A lot of us now take this great invention for granted every time we take a shower or soak in a warm bath. We don't think about draining the rust out, changing the anode rod. We are happy being 'served' every day with hot water.
I have met a lot of people that are 'fascinated' with the idea of a home server. A smart always available device in their homes, a household nerve center, a digital hub, a family assistant, an automatic automator .... I have also met people that can't understand the benefits or look into the future.
My hat is off to Maughan and Ruud for inventing something so great over 100 years ago that we often take it for granted. It has become part of the fabric of our daily lives.
Where will home servers be 3 years from now? 10 years from now? 100 years from now? Will every house have one? Will homebuilders install them next to the water heater and the furnace?
t.