First off, I build networks (fiber optic, copper).
Chances of you using fiber before you move out is slim. Most people live in there homes no more than 20 years before moving. With the cost of fiber, I think you will be content with copper. A home network will run fine on 10Mb, great on a 100 Mb and kind of a waste running 1000Mb. I have several servers, run wierd math calculations and toy around with different OSes. I just built a house and wired it myself. 2-3 Cat5e for network to each room, 2 Cat5e phones, and 1 RG-6 Cable TV coax. With two exceptions -- family room was also wired for surround sound and additional phone/network and CATV and my office has 6 cat5e network and 3 cat5e phones. I even used Cat5e for my security system. I put up a 3 foot wiring rack in my crawlspace in the basement. Ran 3 two inch PVC risers to the attic and then ran 1 inch PVC conduit in the walls. Fiber optic comes in handy
with some audio applications and of course data networks. But with risers and conduit, you cauld always add it later (hopefully when the price goes down).
Al
Slashdot Mirror
First off, I build networks (fiber optic, copper). Chances of you using fiber before you move out is slim. Most people live in there homes no more than 20 years before moving. With the cost of fiber, I think you will be content with copper. A home network will run fine on 10Mb, great on a 100 Mb and kind of a waste running 1000Mb. I have several servers, run wierd math calculations and toy around with different OSes. I just built a house and wired it myself. 2-3 Cat5e for network to each room, 2 Cat5e phones, and 1 RG-6 Cable TV coax. With two exceptions -- family room was also wired for surround sound and additional phone/network and CATV and my office has 6 cat5e network and 3 cat5e phones. I even used Cat5e for my security system. I put up a 3 foot wiring rack in my crawlspace in the basement. Ran 3 two inch PVC risers to the attic and then ran 1 inch PVC conduit in the walls. Fiber optic comes in handy with some audio applications and of course data networks. But with risers and conduit, you cauld always add it later (hopefully when the price goes down). Al