Imagining the Internet

A vision for the future

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Name: Bill Nienaber

From: Minnesota

Bio: Domain & server administrator

Area of Expertise: Technology Developer/Administrator

Topic: Communication

Headline: The Internet is on Computers Now

Nutshell: Future appliances throughout the home will be internet-enabled

Vision: In the future, all appliances will come with optional internet connections. For instance, an internet-enabled microwave will have a bar code scanner on it. You just hold up your Lean Cuisine to it and it knows exactly how to perpare your meal. Just scan and press START.

Televisions will have internet connectivitiy to allow you to download program guide information from databases on the net.

Everything from clock radios to refridgerators will have net connectivity. This will allow for a terrorism-alert system. When a warning merrits, all your devices will alert you to an emergency, not just your TV if it happens to be on. Even if the devices are turned off, they will really be in "sleep mode" and will power-on when an emergency signal is received.

Date Submitted: 11/10/2004