The future is coming to the Atlanta Home Show.

George Ide, Vice President of Marketing for Smart House Authorized Home Center-Digital Interiors in Alpharetta, will explore the technology of today and the innovations of tomorrow in his presentation “The Electronic House of the Future” at the Atlanta Home Show. He will discuss how homes being built today can be properly wired to be ready for the technology that's right around the corner.

Some truly futuristic custom homes are being built today, homes with more computer power than many businesses had in the 1980s. Computers can aid the integration and automation of video, heating and cooling, lighting, HVAC, security, fire protection, irrigation, and electricity systems throughout the home.

Innovations on the way include key fobs that page parents when children arrive home, front-door messaging systems for visitors, computerized kitchen inventory, and two-way video monitoring of infants or elderly.

“The intent of the presentation is to tell people what's coming and what's available,” says Ide. “I discuss home entertainment, communications, security, lighting, heating, and air, and structured wiring — that's a term in the building industry for a consistent method of wiring homes to make current and future products usable in our homes. Some appliances are in prototype stage right now, but most of these smart appliances are available right now. People can actually see them.”

The Electronic House of the Future seminar is scheduled for 1-2p.m. and 7-8 p.m. Saturday, and 1-2 p.m. Sunday.

George Ide has degrees in electrical engineering and computer engineering from Cornell University and Columbia Pacific University, respectively. He has 23 years of experience in computers, telephones, and software development, and has worked in engineering, quality assurance, and product management for NCR Corporation and AT&T.

Smart House - Digital Interiors is a home technology company providing design, installation and service of integrated home automation, including entertainment, communications, security, and fire protection, automation, and wiring systems.

Don't miss the latest in everything from appliances to lighting to siding to landscaping — all under one roof at the Atlanta Home Show.

Dates: September 21-24, 2000

Thursday, Noon - 8 PM;

Friday, Noon - 9 PM;

Saturday, 10 AM - 9 PM;

Sunday, Noon - 6 PM.

Admission: adults $8, seniors $7, Children 7-12 $2, children 6 and under-FREE. Special $5 rates for groups of 20 or more with reservations before August 31. Buy tickets online at www.atlantahomeshow.com or at the door. For more information call the 24 Hour Info line at (770) 798-1997.

The 17th Annual Atlanta Home Show is presented by B-98.5 FM, sponsored by The Home Depot, and produced by SEMCO productions.