Consumer Technology Columnist for USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Popular Science and others
Automation Streamlines Lives

I’ve gotten pretty used to controlling the TV from the sofa. It’s practically an extension of my hand. There’s something about us humans that respond to gadgets that do things for us. Now that may not sound particularly profound, but if you think about the products and services that we buy, it all stems from our wish to streamline our lives.

Source: GWS Photography

"I've been empowered in front of my computer"

ActiveHome Pro is an epiphany in this endeavor. With Active Home Pro software and its accompanying PC interface, wireless switches, remotes and some wireless lamp modules, I’ve become all empowered in front of my computer. With every conceivable function, Active Home Pro has allowed me to put my entire house on an organized timetable…and without me lifting much more than a finger.

Certainly for me, ActiveHome Pro has been most worthy in my children’s room. I’ve installed a wireless wall switch next to their beds, which allows them to turn on and off any light in their room. This comes in handy at night when I’m off in La La Land, and they need to use the restroom facilities.

Because they’re young, the task of finding a light switch is harder for them than you think. Fumbling in the dark to find a light usually is my job at 2am. But with this switch addition, I’ve made them more independent, and they love it. I’ve even given them a key chain remote to access other lights in the home. Now granted in the beginning, my house looked like a disco with all of these lights turning on and off. But after a little lesson on “button management”, my boys have become very responsible with their key chain gadgets.

"Certainly for me, ActiveHome Pro
has been most worthy"

I’ll tell you what else I’ve done. My bedroom light has been configured to turn on when my alarm sounds in the morning, and my bathroom light illuminates 5 minutes later. While all this is happening, my coffee machine has already brewed a fresh pot of Joe, and a load of laundry starts at 8am every day. I’ve gained an extra 20 minutes of sleep in the morning!

Oh, and let me talk about my security outside. I’m used to opening the garage door from the car, but I’m surprised how much safer I feel coming home to a lit home and even turning on more lights from my key chain remote upon my arrival. With a few of ActiveHome basic products, this remote configuration is a cinch to setup.

Pretty fancy, huh. My next project with ActiveHome Pro is to add an automatic dog feeder for my mutt, and a wireless module for my outdoor sprinkler. If I keep going with more and more modules, I may be able to figure out how to program my kids to clean their room!

About the Author
David Novak currently writes a nationally syndicated newspaper column called "The Gadget Guy" where he reviews the latest in home and office gadgets and gizmos, and enjoys a readership of 18 million. He is also a freelance writer for several national and regional publications. His byline has appeared in USA Today, Cosmopolitan, The Wall Street Journal, Popular Science, Paul Harvey News Report, TechEdge and Electronic House Magazine, among others.