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Ask Slashdot: Ideas For a Geek Remodel?

Posted by samzenpus on from the don't-forget-the-robot dept.

An anonymous reader writes "What would you do to 'go geek' if you had a major remodel on your hands? My wife and I are re-modeling my in-law's 3000 sq foot single-level house, and we're both very wired, tech-savvy individuals. We will both have offices, as well as TVs in the bedroom and dining room. My question to the community is: What would you do if you had 10-20,000 to spend for this kind of remodel project? What kind of hardware/firmware would you install? I'd love to have a digital 'command center' to run an LCD wall-calendar for the family, and be able to play my PS3 from anywhere in the house (ie, if everyone wants to watch Netflix while I'm in the middle of some Borderlands). What else have geeks done/planned to do? This is a test run for a much, much nicer house down the road, so don't be overly afraid of cost concerns for really great ideas. We will be taking most of the house down to studs, so don't factor demolition into costs. For culinary-minded geeks, I'd love any ideas you have to surprise my wife with cool kitchen gadgets or designs."

7 of 372 comments (clear)

  1. This is the in-law's house right? by suso · · Score: 5, Funny

    Invest in a good voice recognition system and write some regexes that will detect your name in various contexts and alert you if they are leaving their house to come over to yours.

    1. Re:This is the in-law's house right? by FatdogHaiku · · Score: 3, Funny

      That's pretty accurate, but you forgot to mention that the estimated time for project completion will be about 50% of the actual time needed for project completion...

      --
      You have the right to remain sentient. If you give up the right to remain sentient, you will be elected to public office
    2. Re:This is the in-law's house right? by FatdogHaiku · · Score: 3, Funny

      As a former builder I can tell you, we don't do that. Telling someone it will take longer is a great way to lose a bid... and thus never get a chance to even start the job.
      The "Scotty Principle" works only if you have a nice safe government paycheck.

      --
      You have the right to remain sentient. If you give up the right to remain sentient, you will be elected to public office
  2. Dude. One word... by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 5, Funny

    Star Trek living-room.

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    If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
    1. Re:Dude. One word... by godrik · · Score: 4, Funny

      some slashdotters need to learn how to count! :)

  3. A house? NO! by Freshly+Exhumed · · Score: 4, Funny

    Since you've asked for a true geek solution it is necessary to get out of that immobile structure with it's permanent address and accompanying tethers to "the man". Get yourselves into a geek-pimped Class A motorhome so that you can live off the grid as much as possible. A strict observance of anti-surveillance protocols will be a must, including burner phones. Keep them guessing which Wal-Mart you'll camp in next, and have fun wardriving. Field-strip your gear regularly and don't leave anything behind anywhere. Destroy this message. Good luck.

    --
    I deny that I have not avoided attaining the opposite of that which I do not want.
  4. Re:Hidden conduits to allow rewiring by Fear+the+Clam · · Score: 2, Funny

    And if you want to eavesdrop on anyone all you have to do is put your ear to the tube.