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Even though Java‘s origiâ€" nal design didn‘t work out exactly as planned, there have been many small steps toward the same vision of network connected devices. Take for instance the proliferation of the Xâ€"10 technology. It could also be powering an enterprise level applicaâ€" tion where you work, but Java‘s original roots were intended to be planted in the soil of small appliances, all connected together though a network. These days, you might use a Java application when playing a game in your web browser. Now, wouldn‘t it be great if you could get your grandâ€" daughter to help you proâ€" gram your VCR from her dorm room? That would involve con: necting your VCR to the Internet, and that‘s just what engineers at a compaâ€" ny called SUN had planned for you back in 1992 when they invented the programâ€" ming language called Java. But, for those of us who use an operating system like Windows XP, a speedy Interâ€" net connection and techniâ€" cally savvy friend someâ€" where on the planet, you can get your help. Thanks to a feature called "remote assistance," a friend or coworker can virâ€" tually hold your hand and help you through your comâ€" puter troubles. But we can‘t always have someone walk over to our desk, and show us where to click or what to type. For those of us who are more technically adept, a quick Internet search might solve our most troubling problems, but for those of us who struggle with our computers, having a helpâ€" ing hand is much more effective. When that technology gets to be a bit too much for us, it‘s helpful to have someâ€" one who you can turn to for help. Il's a crazy, fastâ€"paced techâ€" nological world that we live in. Come home to us every Wednesday! An addresq for every appliance WATERLOO CHRONICLE As long as there is a real and caring person looking out for us on the other end of the line, I think we will. As more devices are conâ€" nected to home, corporate and Internet networks, perâ€" haps we‘ll all be able to get the help we need. Visit _ the _ website http:!/mghiemstra.com! for more "Bits of Life" columns and Michael‘s blog. MisterHouse can also schedule events to happen such as recording television shows on the VCR. The system can trigger actions based on monitored conditions, such as opening the curtains when the light and temperature are at levâ€" els that would require more sunlight to come into a room to keep it comfortâ€" able. The system is setup to monitor events within the home such as the room temperature, when doors open and close, when email arrives and so on. I believe the main conâ€" tributing author of the softâ€" ware let Internet users conâ€" trol his own home devices at one time, although I couldâ€" n‘t find any way to do this now (would you want a sleepless tegénager turning your bedroom light on and off during the night?) For instance, the Misterâ€" House open source project provides software develâ€" oped for controlling many home devices from the Internet. Some people who can‘t wait for the corporate world to create products for them have taken the connected home a lot further on their Not only does it save space by compressing the trash, but having the bin emptied only when necesâ€" sary saves time and money for the city or company that installs them. The "big belly" trash compactor sends mainteâ€" nance workers a signal when the trash bin is full and needs to be emptied. With the proper network connection, you can use Xâ€" 10 to control your appliâ€" ances from a remote locaâ€" tion. Networks can be used to remotely monitor devices as well. You can buy simple and complicated devices that are controlled through your regular home power lines. Xâ€"10 allows you to turn lights on and off, control irrigation, open your garage door and any number of other things in your home or office.