make to put the service of technology to good or evil." From my point of view, the fact that you are taking the initiative to learn about telecom technologies means you are aware of the potential uses, and you must exercise your voice in ensuring that these tech- nologies are put to proper and humanitarian use. Robots are also entering the consumer realm, helping individuals with every- day living: Roomba, the vacuum-cleaning robot, is now the number-one item requested on bridal registries. Robo Mower allows you to relax on Sunday rather than having to mow the lawn. A dinosaur-looking device is a security robot that functions as a fire alarm as well as an intruder detection device that can emit noxious aromas to detract the intruder from entering. A companion robot monitors the user's physiological status throughout the day and also gives the user companionship. My favorite currently available robot is Valerie, the domestic android, who costs US$59,000 and comes with a one-year warranty (www.androidworld.com). You can configure her to meet your particular aesthetic preferences-order her as an African, an Asian, or a Caucasian; choose her hair and eye color; and so on. Valerie can mimic all human muscle movements. She can understand spoken com- mands in several languages. She can speak to you in English or several other lan- guages. She can remember conversations she's had with you. She can remember a daily list of household chores and perform a wide array of them, including clean- ing, clearing the table, changing light bulbs, doing laundry, dusting, lifting and car- rying things up to 50 pounds, putting things away, painting, setting the table, sweeping, washing dishes, and vacuuming. She can access the Internet to do such things as check stock prices or sports scores, find information for you, book plane tickets, and find addresses, phone numbers, or directions. She can call the police in an emergency or the fire department in case of a fire. She can dress and undress herself, and she has a sense of touch all o