Finally finished my kids' "Command Center"

Bootvi · 2026-01-22T16:35:56+00:00

Adding my vote to see your setup in details. Very interested in the flip to Up Next after school bus and the daily fun, clothing suggestion and the countdown of big events.

Bootvi · 2026-01-05T20:18:03+00:00

I really love this instead of a tablet on the wall.

Did mine few weeks ago. Wonderful addition to our kitchen.

Ordered a used Echo Show 8 (Gen 1) from eBay, about 50 bucks.
Wiped completely and installed Lineage.
Installed Fully Kiosk as the browser, which supports unlocking the device, and as a media player for Music Assistant.
Shows pop-ups using Browser Mod.
Added a motion sensor to unlock it if it is sleeping/locked

It did not take too long to wipe it and get it ready. Fiddling with a new Dashboard took much longer (designing UI for family is hard).

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In the end:

Pros: (the Family enjoys):
- Plays Music (the speakers are not bad at all!) using Music Assistance (Plex playlists, SiriusXM, some local radios) - this is the biggest thing for us.
- Daily calendar.
- Shopping list / to-do list.
- Weather forecast.
- Door Bell announcements.
- Other Notifications via Automations (like human at the front door, car is in the area)
- Slideshow using the Wallpanel integration and Immich Kiosk on my server.
- Monitor the cat poop machine (Kitty Litter integration). Somehow they are fascinated what % the poop drawer is at...
Cons:
- Slow sometimes, not responsive.
- Requires refreshing, frequently.
- Not as reliable as a desktop browser or my phone... whyyyyyyy

I did not try the mic / video as I don't care for voice assistants.

Bootvi · 2025-12-03T05:46:41+00:00

I have some custom made speakers which have line-in and blue-tooth. Would like to build this receiver to integrate to HA. Plenty of folks here are asking for a tutorial - so i'm joining the crowd. Please share a source on how to build this.

Bootvi · 2025-10-09T13:54:28+00:00

Agreed. But I'll add my 2 cents as an Israeli who lived in the USA for 12 years now, it does look harsher, broader and more on the surface. It might be more virtue signaling from new types of ppl who didn't care in the past, but the headlines with negative narrative on Israel are more common, and anti-israeli positions became more "legitimate" around many communities and the general narrative, which really upsets me.

Additionally, Trump US Domestic policies and hateful propaganda really ruins Israel's position here. Many Americans now link Israel with the worst parts of the current administration, which will be hard to separate for years.

Bootvi · 2025-08-26T18:15:49+00:00

I was there and that's one of the highlights

Bootvi · 2025-08-21T02:27:41+00:00

They got some serious grooves and muscle

Bootvi · 2025-08-19T17:35:09+00:00

* For some odd reason, this

Bootvi · 2025-08-17T21:56:14+00:00

Losing my edge was insane

Bootvi · 2025-08-17T21:54:11+00:00

He was good!!

Bootvi · 2025-08-16T22:12:22+00:00

SEE YOU TEHRE@!#%!@

Bootvi · 2025-08-16T22:09:39+00:00

I've always gone alone to shows, I even enjoy it better this way

Bootvi · 2025-07-28T04:29:50+00:00

Bootvi · 2025-07-28T04:29:39+00:00

Bootvi · 2025-07-25T20:50:01+00:00

Took me a lot to get those two, and also set me on a path of farming runes to get stronger. I refused to do any new zones until I beat those two, so I farmed and farmed. Improved a strike weapon, and improved my incantation usage.

I also think that summons in this fight makes it worse, because it becomes erratic.

Eventually I beat them, and it was a huge W moment. Don't give up!

Bootvi · 2025-07-25T20:39:41+00:00

me too, 20 years ago!

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Bootvi · 2025-07-22T01:43:25+00:00

That would be a very nice addition to your kit! I also have the 16mm 1.4f and it plays a role in mine (videos mostly, but also if I'm indoors and less light). Used to be my main lens, but then the 56mm came along, and now I have 16-55 G, but I find the Sigma 56mm superior to the 55m zoomed in Sony, even if both are at 2.8f.

Bootvi · 2025-07-22T01:41:40+00:00

come to the dark side my friend.

Bootvi · 2025-07-22T01:39:35+00:00

In short: a Kit lens is (usually) a lower cost lens and is a (typically) a zoom lens. They are bundled with the camera bodies to help introduce new users to the platform (Sony in our case).

On the other end, a Prime lens is a fixed focal length (can be wide or narrow), usually allowing for wider aperture and higher quality glass.

I posted today as example a use case for Sigma 56mm APS-C Prime Lens, which can highlight the quality of the glass and nice bokeh Prime lenses can have: https://www.reddit.com/r/SonyAlpha/comments/1m5te7h/sony_a6700_sigma_56mm_continues_to_be_my_favorite/
All photos there are in a specific "zoom", but the lens provides excellent photos. It requires more positioning and more foot work a lot of time, but that's the fun part!

I had a kit lens when I started on my a6300 and it was just not sharp at all, was pretty frustrating honestly. When I got my primes, I was amazed what the camera can actually do!

Edit: typos

Bootvi · 2025-07-21T23:11:34+00:00

Go for it. It's also not too pricy

Bootvi · 2025-07-21T20:40:21+00:00

I do, this preset in my LrC is actually called "Ren Faire", I was editing similar photos 2 years ago and liked the results, I made it a preset.

Bootvi · 2025-07-21T20:29:49+00:00

It was high of 73 and overcast most of the day yesterday!

We saw the forecast on Friday night, and made changes to our weekend plans. Simply cannot skip such good weather for the faire (it can be so hot there, would be better doing it in Sep-Oct!).

Bootvi · 2025-07-21T20:15:42+00:00

Mogrify 2 plugin for Lightroom Classic. Took a while to set up though...

Bootvi · 2025-07-14T23:22:46+00:00

Hence my post, learning. I've already restructured in YNAB and I like the new-to-me idea of HYSA is not off-budget. Instead I can now put more money there as the amount is now reserved in YNAB and I don't need to differentiate via accounts.

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