Things I build, break, fix, and write about

28 April 2026
Testing Proxmox restores before production relies on them

A green job in a Proxmox backup guide means very little until the restore boots, logs in, and serves traffic. I have trusted the dashboard before, only to find the archive was fine and the recovery was not, which is a poor way to learn anything.

27 April 2026
Network segmentation for vehicle data in Home Assistant

Modern cars are noisy little computers, and vehicle telemetry isolation only works if you treat them that way from the start. I put the car on its own...

26 April 2026
Isolating Android on a VLAN with firewall rules and split

I would not migrate an Android phone into my homelab blind. A clean Android homelab firewall DNS split, with VLAN isolation and hard DNS rules, keeps...

26 April 2026
Security Advisory – 24 Apr 2026

Daily security advisory summary for 24 Apr 2026

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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 pet detection accuracy

Configuring motion sensors so pets stop setting off alarms is mostly practical work and a few smart choices. I walk through the parts that matter, from picking the right hardware to making small...

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...

23 December 2025
Revamping Home Assistant dashboards for better usability

Transform your Home Assistant setup into a truly efficient smart home with seamless dashboard design and effective automations. Save time, simplify controls, and enhance usability.

22 December 2025
Optimising ESPHome for secure automation workflows

I build and lock down ESPHome automation scenes the same way I build servers. No glamour. No cloud dependency. Start with a clear threat model. Decide what data you will expose and what must stay...

22 December 2025
Setting up VLANs for better home lab security

VLAN Configuration matters more in a home lab than most people admit. I use it to separate services, limit blast radius and keep curious devices off my core systems. This guide shows a practical VLAN...

21 December 2025
Weekly Tech Digest | 21 Dec 2025

Stay updated with the latest in tech! This digest covers AI ethics, auto industry shifts, and the impact of politics on technology, exploring today's pressing issues.

16 December 2025
Integrating AI into design with a focus on privacy

Privacy in Design makes data decisions part of your UI. Set privacy-preserving defaults, use local models, and make opting out as easy as opting in. Test defaults and measure data flow alongside...

15 December 2025
Amazon Fire TV Stick HD and 2 more Amazon tech bargains

Discover the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD and more tech deals this week.

15 December 2025
Estimating costs for enterprise software migration

The SAMOSA bill highlights essential software management strategies, urging businesses to enhance inventory practices, automate licence tracking, and improve negotiation skills for optimal efficiency.