Users will be able to choose how they connect to the network from myriad appliances from Palm Pilots (see article) to giant conference-room computer whiteboards.

ECONOMIST: After the PC

Open source software such as Apache Web server and the Linux server operating system have become popular systems to run not only on network servers, but also on server appliances (servers dedicated to single tasks such as e-mail and Web site hosting).

CNN: Red Hat to support "all things open source"

The devices, which require that you have a home WiFi network, can be used to turn appliances on and off, let you know if you left your garage door open (and let you close it) or respond to motion in the room.

FORBES: Belkin Takes A Stab at Home Automation