Things I build, break, fix, and write about

17 September 2026
Require a BitLocker pre-boot PIN

TPM-only BitLocker is tidy until you remember what is left exposed when the machine can unlock itself. BitLocker PINs are the small, awkward step that makes a stolen laptop less cooperative, and I trust that far more than wishful thinking about physical security.

17 September 2026
Secure connectivity principles in water sector OT

Secure connectivity principles only work when the boundary is real, not decorative. I’ve seen too many remote paths that looked neat on paper and fell...

16 September 2026
Monitoring radio, transport and core faults

Private 5G resilience does not come from a cheerful dashboard or a nice radio map. I want to see where the attach failed, which path dropped, and...

16 September 2026
Pre-boot authentication for BitLocker

TPM-only BitLocker is convenient, but convenience is not the same as a proper boundary. BitLocker PINs push that line back to pre-boot, which is where...

Latest blog posts you might like

28 December 2025
Setting up WhatsApp automation for AI receptionists

Set up WhatsApp automation for your AI Receptionist with n8n and a WhatsApp Business API provider. You route messages, keep short session state, and escalate low-confidence or sensitive cases to a...

27 December 2025
Track SEO performance after automating content

Use a single Google Sheet to control your SEO Automation and monitor results. Automate research, drafts, images and metrics with n8n, then apply human checks before you publish. Track impressions,...

27 December 2025
Creating effective workflows with n8n

Build reliable n8n workflows you can run locally or in a cheap cloud. Follow setup, a minimal workflow, API integration tips and reusable webhook patterns. Keep your nodes small, use credentials, test...

26 December 2025
Integrating GitHub workflows with n8n

I build n8n workflows that turn GitHub events into actual work. This is the setup I keep using: a few reliable nodes, sensible checks, and no needless API calls. Run n8n in Docker or use the hosted...

26 December 2025
Optimising automation scenes in n8n

Learn to build reliable n8n automation scenes by breaking tasks into small, testable nodes. You will set up n8n locally, secure webhooks, use SplitInBatches, and test nodes in isolation. Follow naming...

25 December 2025
Using HandBrake Web to automate video transcoding

HandBrake Web setup on a headless server. You map config, input and output folders, run the container and enable directory watchers to automate jobs. Add worker instances for distributed encoding,...

25 December 2025
Implementing automated updates for Next.js security

Next.js security starts with automated updates. Automate OS patches and dependency PRs for your next and Node modules. Run npm audit in CI and block merges for high-severity alerts. Monitor CPU and...

24 December 2025
Building a Plex blueprint for efficient media streaming

Plex blueprint: start on paper. Sketch your hardware, storage and roles. List the media types you want, expected streams and remote users. Choose a CPU for transcoding and put Plex data on a fast SSD,...

24 December 2025
Configuring sensors for better pet detection

Getting motion sensors to ignore pets is mostly about placement, sensible settings, and a bit of trial and error. I use Home Assistant examples here because that is what I run. Start with the sensor....

23 December 2025
Using a dimmer switch for Philips Hue automation

Use a dimmer as your base control for Philips Hue automation. Map its value to a hue range, then add a small random offset per bulb. The result keeps a single colour family while each lamp shows...