What to wire, or make wireless? These days, almost any device in the home can be controlled remotely and networked with other devices. Smart Homes for Dummies offers a summary:

• Household items: Drapes and shades, gates, garage doors, door locks, doorbells, lights, dishwasher, refrigerator, heaters, alarm clocks, washer, dryer, microwave, coffeemaker, hot water system, air conditioners, central vacuum system, water controls (shower, sink, and so on), pool cover, fireplaces, toys, lawnmower, cars and other vehicles, piano, weather station, furniture

• Audio/Video: Receivers, amplifiers, speakers, VCRs, CD players, DVD players, PVR (personal video recorder) players, TVs, WebTV devices, DSS dish, radios, remote controls, cable TV devices, TV videoconferencing device

• Security: Baby monitor, video camera, surveillance monitors, motion detectors, smoke detectors, occupancy sensors, pressure sensors, infrared sensors, intercoms, voice enunciators

• Phones: Corded phones, cordless phones, 900-MHz phones, 2.4-GHz phones, fax machine, answering machine, PDAs, screen phone, video phone, cell phones

• Computers: PC, Mac, laptop, modem, scanner, printer, home server