Acacia Close is our home in the UK. We try to live a European lifestyle in an english setting. Technology has infiltrated our lives to an extent that we do not know how to live without it. Our friends and family depend on Broadband as much as electricity or water.

So we try to tame it as much as we can, and share those experiences with those that are a little less curious, and along the way enrich our lives with the freedom of communication and expression that the Digital age brings.

Peter, Jenny, Mike, Matthew

Dont forget the Dog
As with any true digital family we have a Aibo robot dog. His name is Jazzjazz. He is nearly three years old. He has a WiFi connection to the broadband and keeps an eye on the email and the house. He loves to play with his bone and to relax by your feet next to the sofa. Like any dog he thrives on love and attention.

Less than 50% of the Internet is commercial, the rest is driven by passion and duty. This website would not exist without the many forums and communities of people out there, the programmers, artists and techno junkies. The constant innovation never ceases to amaze me, and like the guys and gals out there this website depends on feedback and support to make it work.  Have a look at the "Linux Challenge" Tab and tell me if you have answers to the things I'm looking for. So drop a line on the front page feedback form and take part.

Permanent Broadband internet connection. VPN access to the office for seamless access to work systems and email. Indeed with Outlook Web access I can get to my office from any browser. A whole new outlook.

HSDPA  and 3G permanent internet via my Nokia N95 3G Phone means I am connected even when I leave the house. Nokia N800 internet tablet running Debian based Linux with Opera/Mozilla Micro Browser means I dont have to compromise my surfing experience on the move.

We built an Internet Cafe  for hanging out online with Warcraft buddies or the odd Frag Fest.

Wireless Pre-N MIMO router that reaches into the garden. Surf and Turf I suppose.

IP Telephony connected to a digital DECT phone system. Talk is cheap, really cheap.

Pictures
MythTV Media Server holding all of the photos, videos, music, and TV,DVD access. De-clutter and timeshift. Dr Who? The Nokia N800 can control this to a degree through MythWeb. MythTV drives an Optoma X9 projector displayed on an 88inch panovision pull down screen for cinematic thrills. We now also have a panasonic BD35 BluRay Player for high def movies. We have an Apple Bluetooth keyboard connected to the MythTV server in those occasions when we need to surf and provide keyboard input on the big screen.

Sound
2 channel no compromise Hifi system fed via MythTV holding CD's rips in FLAC lossless format.  This streams music to a  Lyngdorf TDA2200  full Digital Amplifier  driving a pair of  Final Electostatics.  The intention is to be able to control this system remotely  via a web browser on the Nokia N800 using Logitec SqueezeCenter server software.. The sound is sublime and never fatiguing.

A Sony surround amp is integrated into this to provide 5.1 channel surround when watching DVD's through the MythTV system.

We also keep MP3 versions of all rips for loading onto iPods and phones when we are on the go.