ISP Information:
IDE is the standard hard drive interface for PCs. You can connect a maximum of two hard drives to an IDE connection or channel. IDE hard drives are cheaper than SCSI drives, but IDE is generally slower than SCSI and does not support sector re-mapping.
ISP Glossary:
Integrated Device Electronics - Dunno florida, but I know things like sump coolers (evaporative) are a billion times less power hungry that the typical connecticut compressor AC.Hmm. I'll look into that. And things like awnings and insulation and working with a "green" builder/architect at the start will save far more than later retrofits.There are a number of good builders around here who are willing to do justabout anything you ask as long as it's within code. Several advertise theirenergy efficient designs. As to awnings, major wind pressure is a concernin our sub-tropical climate. However, virtually every new home is buuiltwith a large (often South facing) covered "lanai" which blocks direct summersun from all the sliding doors and disappearing glass walls.Speaking of glass, Florida has enacted some post-hurricane Andrewrequirements that make new homes more secure. According to a builder Irecently spoke to, new homes and remodels are now required to use impactresistant glass that will withstand the force of a hefty 2x4 shot from anair cannon (no kidding) at something like 60 mph. I don't recall the exactspecification. A sleezy replacement window salesman demo'd some of the newdesigns for us during a high-pressure sales pitch some months ago. Whilethe windos he was pushing were unacceptable, the glass was prettyimpressive. He placed a sample window on the floor and proceeded to jump upand down on it. He was not a small-framed individual. The glass wasunscathed. However, in fl, you should *never* want for hot water. For 120 years, solar has provided hot water from the sun for people.We use solar to heat the pool. My brother's pool is slightly smaller thanmine. He heats it with electricity for ~$350 per month. Mine uses only asmall, motorized valve to open the bypass any time the pool temperature islower than the roof top water temperature AND lower than the 95�F we enjoy.On the next home solar drinking water heating will be a must. If thenumbers look right, I'll certainly consider a photovoltaic array for ourelectric power. I've seen it leave a "bad taste", esp in the north east, where it takes maintanance (it freezes up there). In a no freeze zone (fla counts), you don't have heat exchangers and you can run to the roof the water that will come out the sink.Well, that's not entirely correct. We do (rarely) get sub-freezingtemperatures here. Several years ago there was even a single day when Ispotted a thin layer of ice on puddles. I even saw a few snow flurries onNew Year's Eve, 2000. When it gets cold enough to be concerned we usuallyjust run the pool pumps all night. That has happened on maybe two or threenights in the four years I've been here. :^) The systems I've looked at all have an emergency "dump" if you realy needed to empty it. But generally, even at 30F (for a short time) circulating water won't freeze. So an overnight frost would mandate a dump of the water. And as soon as the sun comes out, it becomes moot.Sounds about right. I imagine there are means of activating a recirculatingpump (perhaps with a couple of bypass valves??) to keep things happy duringthe rare freeze. Running pipes (2) to the roof is easier before roof and walls go up. (duh).Capisco. Talking to someone now might be a start of some fun research...Yep. That's what I'm doing. We don't have a firm date to start yet anyway.I'm just gathering ideas at this point. We need more space (kiddies coming+ more office room), a bigger kitchen and a larger lanai (Brazilianrelatives love to party). I've talked with several builders in LakewoodRanch, an upscale development near here, and have had favorable responsesregarding some of my other requirements, such as me doing all of the lowvoltage work and installing my own multi-room audio/video system, etc.Being in the trade has its advantages. :^)Alarm and Home Automation System FAQhttp://www.bass-home.com/faq/masterfaq/faq.htmRegards,Robert=============================>Bass Home Electronics2291 Pine View CircleSarasota � Florida � 34231877-
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