Self Hosting: How to Get Free and Cheap Linux Virtual Servers
I try to avoid the cloud in favor of self-hosting the services I use. Then I know my information is private, and I can tailor them …
Config: Setting up the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum in Home Assistant
I have a dog who sheds like crazy, and the only thing that keeps the dust bunnies from overrunning me is a robot vacuum. My aging …
Favorite ESP8266 Internet of Things Projects
So many good uses for these chips, here are a few I’ve made and some I still intend to. ESP Easy – by far the easiest way …
Hardware: Odroid XU4 as Plex Media Server
As part of my efforts to be cloud non-dependent, I have a NAS full of several terabytes of music, movies, and TV shows. Plex is of course everyone’s …
Presence Detection Part 2: Improving Presence with Node-Red
In my previous post about presence detection, I showed how you can combine multiple device trackers into one highly accurate Bayesian sensor. In Home Assistant, this …
Big List of Useful Home Automation Nodes for Node-Red
An ongoing list of nodes I have found useful for constructing home automation flows. I have not included device platform nodes, as all state tracking and …
The Open Source Smart Home: Getting Started with Home Assistant & Node-Red
Home Assistant is one of the most interesting open source projects I’ve ever come across. It interfaces with any device, platform, or service you can think …
Presence Detection Part 1: Home Assistant & Bayesian Probability
One of the most useful things to track for home automation is whether anyone is home or not. If you want the lights to turn off …
My Smart Home: Hardware List
An ongoing list of all the hardware I’ve gradually acquired. Links are to Amazon, but if you are patient most things can be imported from China …