...this classic column by Steve Ciarcia in Byte magazine from the mid-late 70's. http://books.google.com/books?id=DKajtHfqoRkC&pg=PA225&lpg=PA225&dq=ciarcia+home+alarm+story&source=bl&ots=-51QR-yF0A&sig=KJ7fYiy-dAL9RnRLBr4thoVLoVg&hl=en&ei=1uwXTL6kMJieMraWmYsL&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CB0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=true

http://www.xplhal.com/ is an NT service is a replacement MP3 server/client for the Rio Receiver, Slimp3, ExStreamer and MVP players. It requires an NT based (NT4, W2K, XP, W2K3) PC with latest .NET Framework installed Overview of Features:

Support for Rio, ExStreamer, SliMP3, MVP and WinAmp.

Multi Unit MVP support.

Built-in customisable web interface.

Support for MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC and OGG.

Support for synchronising multiple Rios

Shoutcast support (including support for DabBar/Wavefinder MP2 streams)

Text-to-speech announcements (via xPL messages)

On-screen messages (via xPL messages) e.g. for caller ID etc.

Generates Pronto/Pronto Pro csf files (for quick album/artist/playlist selection)

Generates Voice Recognition files (for use with xPLRioNetTTS and xPL_Voice)

Uses any ODBC-compliant database (ships with a Microsoft Access database)

Can be fully controlled and monitored using xPL messages

Installs as a Windows service using Microsoft .NET technologies

And has an XML based web client Worth checking out!

I agree that VO and biodiesel seem like a good energy alternative. The main problem with that is most people don't own diesel cars.

I'm running my '03 VW Jetta on straight vegetable oil (waste oil that's otherwise thrown out after using it in a deep fryer). There are pictures at http://vw.ourwebstop.com

Here's an interesting article regarding how we might produce all the biodiesel necessary to replace the energy we currently import. http://ww.unh.edu/p2/biodiesel/article_alge.html

Yes, it was different (ooooh... different... must complain). Yeah, it was a little shocking it was so different...

Fucking so what. If you don't like change, get the fuck off the net, because this ain't the place to be if you don't like change.

Get off now and quit ruining it for the rest of us.