Changing Channels!

   Some of us actually remember when
changing channels on your television
set required you to get up from you
seat, walk across the room, and
manually turn a dial.
  Admittedly manual labor was
involved. But it was, at least,
limited to a few steps and no
more than three twists of the wrist
unless you were surfing.
  After all were were only three
networks to check!
 And, oh yes, the TV was black and white.
 Over time things have gotten so much
easier. Or have they?
 The remote control allowed us to
switch between those three channels
without ever moving from the couch.
 But then the number of channels
grew. If you subscribed to the first
cable available you suddenly had
12 channels to choose from.
 Then cable expanded even more. And
Satellite TV became available!
 That's about the time the TV remote
changed too!
 Many of us wound up with two remote
controls. One worked the TV set
itself. The other controlled
options from the cable or satellite
box.
 The so called 'Universial Remote'
was suppose to combine all functions
on one controller. I think it
actually worked....for a while.
 But now, with the addition of DVD
players, recorders, and all kinds of other
accessories, some of us have
three or more separate controllers to work
to get what we want on one television
screen!
 My satellite remote, for instance,
will turn on the TV, change channels,
tell me what's on and what's coming
on,and even allow me to switch back
and forth between any three channels
I'm trying to watch all at the same
time. Doesn't everyone do that?
 But it won't start, fast forward,
or rewind my DVD Player. And since
I've got two of those, the remote for
one controls some of the functions
on the other even though I'm not
using the second machine!
 Then there's the controller that came
with the TV which is needed to switch
'Input source' on the set in case I'm using
the DVD control to play a disk.
 Are you following all of this?
 I point it all out to show you how far
technology has come and to issue two
very important warnings. I can tell you
that both apply in my home.
 First, don't accidentally take one
remote pre-set for a unit in the
bedroom into the living room. It can
totally mess up your TV as well as
your mind.
 Second, don't ever let your wife
try to work the remotes!
 They are the best example of 'a guy
thing' and that, dear friends, is a
"Universal Control truth!"
 Hope all your NEWS is good.