Archive for the ‘tech’ Category

Wemo® Mini Smart Plug

Monday, July 24th, 2017

I picked up a Wemo® Mini Smart Plug for my wife’s nightstand light last week.  It integrates nicely with Alexa (unlike my Sensi Thermostat) and so far I’m happy with it.  I’ve only had one issue with it so far that I can blame on the integration.  Every once and a while, Alexa will refuse to turn it on or off until you use the Wemo app to do it.  I’m thinking something gets a little out of sync between them but I do not know for sure.  The bigger issue I have is my wife refuses to use it at night, she just turns the nightlight off at the bulb like she always has.  Means when I get home I have to turn the light on at the bulb then tell Alexa to turn the switch off.  I’m thinking of modifying the light so the switch doesn’t work, but I’m not sure I want to do that yet.  But as of right now, I can recommend the Wemo® Mini Smart Plug, especially if you have an Amazon Echo of some sort.

 

 

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Smart House

Wednesday, July 19th, 2017

Well,

 

After playing with my Echo Dots for a couple of days I really want to start replacing outlets & switches to make a full smart house.  Do I need to, no.  But the ability to turn a light on or off by speaking would rock.  Especially in our bedroom, where I have to stumble past the bed to my wife’s side in order to turn her nightstand light on.  Currently looking at just a TP-Link Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini for her lamp because it only takes up one outlet.  There are other options that only take up a single outlet, but I’ve read good reviews on them.

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Alexa

Monday, July 17th, 2017

Well,

My phone got its full Alexa integration today.  So far its pretty neat to use.  Adjusted the temp on my home thermostat a couple of times to try it out and verify that worked.  Also got in the beta test of the skill for the Monero mining pool I’m in, that is awesome too.  Also got my code for my free echo dots last week, they arrived today.  I’ll get them setup tonight and hopefully not confuse myself with saying the key word (thankfully you can update it on the echo devices, can’t on my phone).  I’m planning on putting one upstairs and one in my bedroom, and eventually getting a smart outlet for my wife’s nightstand lamp (and possible other lamps too).

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SiaCoin

Monday, June 19th, 2017

Well,

I am officially running a Sia host at home. Currently at around 4.8997TB of storage. I need a lot more SiaCoins for collateral though. Currently at around 12,000SC and I’m thinking in need somewhere around 1,000,000SC for the amount of space I have. But this combined with my Monero mining & Bitcoin loans are a way to make some extra money so I’m happy.

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USB C Cables

Tuesday, June 6th, 2017

Well, since I’ll be getting my new phone this Friday, I need to find some USB C cables.  The one cable it comes with just won’t be enough for me…….To bad Amazon is full of cables that aren’t safe to use.

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Coding

Monday, June 5th, 2017

Well, I am working on an Android app for supportXMR.com which is the Monero mining pool I am part of.  I’m using Xamarin so I can code it in C# (which I know better than Java).  Its going ok, but I’m running into an issue communicating with the API.  I hate TLS, it is so difficult to troubleshoot.

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Phone

Friday, June 2nd, 2017

Well, I am getting really fed up with my Moto G4+.  It has started to suffer from the phantom touch issue they can end up with.  It is getting worse and worse too.  I pre-ordered a HTC U11 through Sprint since they are my carrier and I also get two free Amazon Echo Dots with it as well.  I haven’t had a HTC phone for quite a while, so I hope it is good as it sounds like it will be.

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Cryptocurrency

Thursday, May 25th, 2017

Well,

I got back into the cryptocurrency world.  I’ve been mining XMR at https://supportxmr.com/.  Really good people there.  I’ve also been investing in Siacoin and offering storage to people.  Finally I’ve been using the Poloniex Lending Bot to automate Bitcoin loans to make more money.  I’m just about to the point where I can afford a remote starter for my car.  Really looking forward to that since my car no longer has the time to warm up on my drive to/from work.

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New plugin

Thursday, January 12th, 2017

I have added the Amazon Affiliate Plugin. This will make it a lot easier for me to post a link here. Just like this one.

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Laptop

Tuesday, November 1st, 2016

Well,

A long time ago my Ultrabook died. I’ve been using my dad’s laptop for now (as he has a desktop and I no longer do). I am saving for a nice shiny new Gigabyte P55Wv6-PC3D so if you could order stuff though my support us page I would appreciate it. Also, the link to the laptop will give me a kickback if you order through it. I have a long way to go for the laptop so any help you can provide is greatly appreciated.

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