Getting to know each other

Having signed the contract, now is the time to get each other a little more and prepare the house. So far we've exchanged photos. Both parties are preparing a folder with vital information about the area, i.e. things to do, major attractions as well as insider tips that only locals would know and a tourist never find. Tips about the house are also crucial. The last time in Germany, we had to find out how to switch on the central heating when summer decided to ignore us and our summer clothes. Same thing in France actually where we were freezing our extremities off while they were perspiring in the Floridian heat.
In our house for example, one almost needs a degree in electronics to be able to switch on the TV. And there is one in every room plus one in the garage.Why nobody ever invents a remote that deals with everything following the motto: "One for all and all for one" beats me. Everybody technologically challenged like me would end up without ever watching anything if we didn't have these detailed instructions prepared by the inhouse engineer. Or what do you when the automatic garage opener is out due to a power outage? Stay at home is only an option for a short while...Being German, I'm of course familiar with the intricacies of German appliances where an American would scratch his  beard. Plus complications of different voltage, Celsius vs. Fahrenheit, miles and klicks, and meters opposed to yards; liters being the predominate measuring unit over gallons or parts thereof.