The home of IBM veteran John Patrick is a digital showcase that relies on an automated network to control every part of the 6,000-square-foot house in Connecticut. Patrick combines his love for technology with practicality to ensure that he and his family can easily use their homes many amenities including outdoor spa, music, computers, home theaters, TVs and lighting and at the same time have control over the security system, window shades, and garage doors. The 61-year-old veteran collaborated with a sales engineer from Phoenix Audio Video, a software programmer, an electronics contact, and a group of electronics and networking experts to develop a closet-size space between his office and the kitchen. Electronic gear includes a VCR, a CD player, and digital video recorders as well as a dozen computers with a Unix operating system. In addition to phone service, video, wired and wireless Internet connections are possible via a split cable-TV line. A total of 20,000 tracks, around 7,000 of which are Mozart works, complete Patricks music collection. There are seven five-inch-square pads installed strategically all over the house to control a menu of services. These pads provide simple interface designs and function like a webpage. Patrick cautions people, however, not to make things complicated in designing an automated home. Patrick completed the digital project on his house after two years, finally moving in in April 2002.