A couple of things have just come together and the dream of controlling HERMAN remotely via internet has become reality in a much simpler way than I'd ever imagined. While probably a bit 'ho hum' to those savvy with Windows XP, I've just discovered that XP professional has an inbuilt remote desktop. Thanks Rod for your sagely advice when I was looking at a new machine and recommending professional over the home edition.

Anyway, apart from taking the time to learn what remote desktop was all about, I've just become the proud owner of a new Belkin 'pre-N' wireless PCMCIA card.

We've had wireless internet in our house for about 5 years, but a modem upgrade about 6 months ago made a world of difference in terms of coverage. Still, the place that HERMAN makes beer was a bit of a wireless dead-zone ... until now. The new Belkin card simply rocks. What registered before as a 'weak' signal is now rated at 97%. This means that remote desktop has become a reality, which means that controlling HERMAN from other places has as well!

Anyway, we can test out the theory probably the weekend after next. We are still waiting on our cam lock fittings for the mash tun and I don't think they will make it before the weekend now. This is probably good because the work on the control panel continues but it's not quite ready to press into service. It is close, but the fine details of testing, mounting hardware, and wiring up the negative contrast voltage on the new LCD are all taking time.