Sep 21 2017

RouterOS

Been playing around with a RouterOS VM a bit at work (wanted to try out “The Dude” at work to see if I can use it).  I think converting from EdgeOS to RouterOS is going to be a bit of work, but I’ll pull a config file from my EdgeRouter-X and just get started.  I mean, its all I can really do 😉

By • networking • 0

Sep 20 2017

Router switch

Well, my Ubiquiti EdgeRouter-X and UniFi AP Lite AC combo stopped working.  Picked up a TP-Link Archer C7 to get us through until I could troubleshoot the Ubiquiti gear, decided to replace them with a MikroTik hAP ac after reading that Ubiquiti gear likes to die after around 18 months.  Definitely not what I need at home.  Configuring the MikroTik will be more work for me then I’m used to, but performance should be as good as or better than the Ubiquiti combo.  I should also be able to keep the EdgeRouter-X around as a 5 port gigabit switch if I want to, powered by the hAP ac (it comes with a 24V wall wart and supports PoE out on port 5).  I’m hoping I can easily get IPv6 working on the hAP ac, since it was a PITA on my EdgeRouter-X.

By • networking • 0

Aug 9 2017

Hi

Been a while since my last update.  Haven’t been doing a whole lot.  Just busy working and trying to keep my kids from killing themselves.  Its harder then it sounds.  I did pick up some USB outlet covers.  One is in our kitchen and the other on my wife’s side of the bed, with an Echo Dot plugged into it (just more room on the power strip now).  To go with our new mattress topper, we picked up a new box spring/foundation since our current one is shot.  We did decide to try out Sling TV, I haven’t really used it yet but my wife has.  We will probably end up subscribing to it so we get Disney, Disney Jr. & Nick Jr. for Lucas.  Picked up an OTA antenna so we can get some local channels when we have not Internet.  It arrives today, not sure how I will plug it in yet though (it is an amplified one).  For my side of the bed I picked up a Quick Charge 3.0 compatible outlet & cover, since my phone is a QC 3.0 phone.  Finally, also decided I wanted our home server to be able to communicate with its UPS.  Picked up a cable a while ago only to find out my USB -> Serial adapter is bad, so I picked up a new one.

By • random • 0

Jul 30 2017

Mattress Topper

My wife and I have had our current mattress for a while and while it is still comfortable it needs some help.  We picked up a Fieldcrest 3″ cooling foam topper at Target yesterday. Didn’t fix it 100% but it was a good first step. Also didn’t wake up covered in sweat like we used to. 

By • Uncategorized • 0

Jul 24 2017

Wemo® Mini Smart Plug

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.

 

 

By • smart house, tech • 0

Jul 24 2017

Balance Bike

Well, we got Lucas a balance bike.  He took to it right away.  Not the best yet, but he did pretty good for his first time.  He also had a blast on hit which is all we care about.

By • Uncategorized • 0

Jul 20 2017

PGP

Well,

I decided to try setting up PGP email again.  Not sure how it will work on my phone but on my work desktop it works great in a browser (Gmail).  If you want my public key, let me know.

By • Uncategorized • 0

Jul 19 2017

Smart House

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.

By • smart house, tech • 0

Jul 18 2017

Jetpack

Well, I installed & enabled Jetpack on here.  Hopefully it helps the issue of the site looking horrible on mobile phones.  If you notice anything wonky, please let me know ASAP.

By • random, stuffs • 0

Jul 17 2017

Amazon Echo Dot

Got the two free Echo Dots that I got for pre-ordering my phone. Both are setup, one in the living room and one in the bedroom. Looking then so far. Kind of worried that the one in the bedroom will end up lighting up in the middle of the night. Hoping not though. Really disliking the skill for my Sensi thermostat though. All I can do is set a temperature I want, raise or lower it n degrees. I cannot turn the AC/heat on/off. Hopefully it gets updated to allow this.

By • Uncategorized • 0

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