VIDEO conferencing is now an integral part of daily life, and a window into the world in more ways than one. As well as being a communication tool, it is of course a glimpse into other people's homes...

Not just colleagues, but politicians, TV presenters, pop stars and actors. There's an endless stream of celebrities appearing on TV shows via video link-ups; Rick Astley has lovely kitchen units, Gyles Brandreth has an impressive bookcase, A-listers Damian Lewis and Helen McCrory oak beams are to-die-for, and Matt Baker's pheasant tapestry cushions practically had their own slot on The One Show.

But, while some celebs have their Baftas carefully arranged on sideboards, most have the same video-link background as everyone else - an old road atlas, paperbacks and DVDs piled up on untidy spare room shelves.