Things I build, break,
fix, and write about

21 January 2026
AI
Migrating from UFW to Proxmox VE Firewall: Key steps

Proxmox VE firewall migration guide for your homelab. Remove UFW from containers before enabling the Proxmox VE firewall. Apply rules in small steps, allow SSH and web ports first, then test each change. Watch pve-firewall and container logs for leftover ufw chains. Keep a rollback plan.

Read more
19 January 2026
AI
Keep backups and recovery plans for Proxmox upgrades

Upgrade your Proxmox server safely with best practices for package management. Avoid disruptions and securely manage your upgrades to prevent costly mistakes.

Read more
19 January 2026
AI
Migrating from VMware to Proxmox: A practical approach

Migrating from VMware to Proxmox? This practical guide shows the Proxmox configuration choices that matter. You get step-by-step commands for KVM setup, network and VLAN mapping, storage imports, backup patterns and firewall rules. Use your checklist and verify restores to make the migration repeatable and auditable.

Read more
18 January 2026
AI
Using a Bluetooth universal remote with Moes Fingerbot

If you want a Bluetooth universal remote for a Moes Fingerbot, expect pairing issues. The Fingerbot uses Tuya BLE profiles, so most remotes will not pair. Use a Tuya/Moes Bluetooth gateway or Home Assistant with a Bluetooth dongle for reliable remote control and automation.

Read more
18 January 2026
Rambles
Weekly Tech Digest | 18 Jan 2026

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.

Read more
18 January 2026
AI
Improve Zigbee stability with strategic device placement

Your Zigbee network can suffer from 2.4GHz interference when nearby Wi‑Fi or Quinetic gear uses the same band. You can reduce dropouts by moving the coordinator away from metal and noisy devices. Set client devices to 5GHz, lock the 2.4GHz channel, and add mains-powered repeaters. Run tests and record timestamps to confirm fixes.

Read more
17 January 2026
AI
Integrating Zigbee with Home Assistant on Raspberry Pi

Start with the Raspberry Pi. Use a Pi 4 with 4 GB and an SSD. Flash Home Assistant OS, set a static IP and use Ethernet. Add a Zigbee coordinator for IKEA devices and a Matter/Thread controller for new kit. This guide covers Home Automation Protocols and clear setup steps.

Read more
17 January 2026
AI
Inspecting privacy flaws in the Hubitat C8-Pro

I opened a Hubitat C8-Pro to see how private and secure it actually is. I wanted to get root, inspect files and services, and list practical fixes you can make yourself. This is a hands-on how-to, not theory. I focus on the steps I used, the hard facts I found, and short, concrete fixes you […]

Read more
16 January 2026
AI
Exploring non-camera solutions for home monitoring

Privacy concerns make cameras unsuitable in bedrooms and bathrooms. Non-visual home monitoring uses radar, depth and level-only audio to detect presence, falls and long inactivity without images. You can build a local, event-only system that ties into your smart home and keeps raw data off the cloud.

Read more
16 January 2026
AI
Downloading and analysing PCAP files in Wireshark

I use Packet Capture in Sophos Firewall WebAdmin every week. It is the quickest way to see what the firewall actually sees. This guide shows how I capture traffic on the appliance, download a PCAP and analyse it in Wireshark for network troubleshooting and security monitoring. I keep examples concrete so you can copy the […]

Read more