BlogSelf Hosted

Self Hosting: How to Get Free and Cheap Linux Virtual Servers

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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 …

ConfigHardwareHome Assistant

Config: Setting up the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum in Home Assistant

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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 …

ElectronicsHardware

Favorite ESP8266 Internet of Things Projects

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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 …

HardwareMedia CenterSelf Hosted

Hardware: Odroid XU4 as Plex Media Server

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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 …

ConfigHome AssistantNode-RedUseful Sensor

Presence Detection Part 2: Improving Presence with Node-Red

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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 …

Node-RedSmart Home

Big List of Useful Home Automation Nodes for Node-Red

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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 …

ConfigHome AssistantNode-Red

The Open Source Smart Home: Getting Started with Home Assistant & Node-Red

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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 …

ConfigHome AssistantSmart HomeUseful Sensor

Presence Detection Part 1: Home Assistant & Bayesian Probability

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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 …

HardwareSmart Home

My Smart Home: Hardware List

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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 …