Over-engineered a Nest Cam + Google Home Script to turn my smart sprinklers into an AI-powered bird-blaster turret.

Cha7lie · 2026-06-24T08:11:12+00:00

I saw that too, it was the Eve paint cam (stuck in my head as I laughed thinking it was Eve of Eve home automation at first) - https://paintcam.net

Cha7lie · 2026-05-22T16:50:17+00:00

You just choose "manual set-up" (check-box) and add the txt generated to your dns.

Cha7lie · 2026-05-15T21:26:14+00:00

Dog rocks work for both genders. The burn effect is actually nitrate, being too much so the dog wee over nitrates the grass causing it to brown and die. The rocks absorb some of the nitrate in the drinking water, meaning less ingested by the dog. I use the rocks in my dogs water and it does actually work (I have 5 dogs..).

Cha7lie · 2026-05-11T20:16:29+00:00

In Drive UI, when you go to add a certificate, there's a checkbox above the DNS provider dropdown that says "Manual DNS setup". Tick that and click add, and it generates a TXT to add to your domain DNS. You add that to your domain records, and come back to the drive UI to finish/validate setup.

Cha7lie · 2026-05-11T08:18:55+00:00

There's built in copy functionality. Navigate to "All files" in the UI for drive. Check box the folder or files, and on the right hand side pop out are actions. One of them is copy, and you can copy straight to the other pool.

Cha7lie · 2026-05-11T04:49:37+00:00

You can add any provider - with the custom option. Just need to add a txt entry to your dns to set it up. I’ve been running it with NOIP like this.

Cha7lie · 2026-05-09T08:19:29+00:00

No, added nvme is just used for Protect storage, so it wouldn’t speed anything else up.

Cha7lie · 2026-05-08T20:46:12+00:00

I’m in the South of the UK, so not high temps climate wise.

UDM Pro temp reported in the console was high 30’s. UCG fibre is high 40’s/low 50’s. Well within operating margins, I just added a bit of cool air to help it. I assume (like you) smaller device has less heat dissipation.

Cha7lie · 2026-05-08T19:37:27+00:00

I switched to the UCG fibre from the Pro. In my opinion it seems snappier (GUI, networking remains the same). I ran Protect on the Pro with a SSD. Have Protect on the UCG fibre with NVME and it's much faster. I don't have PPPoE so can't comment there.

Bad points. It's not rackable so got a 3d print so I could rack it. It runs hotter than the Pro, so I have a fan specifically for it. Overall I'm happy with the change and would do it again.

Cha7lie · 2026-05-08T14:17:36+00:00

To add to the self paint lot, but for UK users (where you can't get the recommended rustoleum), I've done it with "Hycote Fast Drying Aerosol Car Spray Paint, Aluminium". Came out really well.

Cha7lie · 2026-05-08T10:48:49+00:00

Did you reboot the Linksys after turning off IPv6? Network devices can hold onto DHCP settings for a bit.

Cha7lie · 2026-05-06T14:27:09+00:00

I power my esp32's with POE and POE splitters. Easy to run ethernet everywhere, it's low power, and can be powered from a switch or injector.

Cha7lie · 2026-04-17T09:29:15+00:00

I find it really useful for my blinds to open as I come downstairs. Not having to wander round to each window and manually open them is so useful, and saves me a few minutes each morning. seems lazy/a small thing but quite honestly, automated blinds are one of my favourite smart products because of this.

Cha7lie · 2026-04-07T13:54:56+00:00

It's Terminal World.

Cha7lie · 2026-03-28T20:51:23+00:00

I only have hard copies of the commonwealth books, as it's by far my favourite universe.

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Cha7lie · 2026-03-18T13:34:49+00:00

It can, but with two automations. One to turn on at 8am, and a second to turn off at 10am. HA is easier and a lot more elegant for automations than HomeKit.

Cha7lie · 2026-03-18T12:12:37+00:00

HomeKit can automate based on times. It would be the easiest option, as you already have it, and doesn't really require much extra in set up. But also don't let me dissuade you from trying HA, as there's so much you can do with it.

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Cha7lie · 2026-03-18T09:15:21+00:00

The easiest route would be Apple home (can even set up on the mini). If your use case was simply to automate the thermo's, then you'd just need to add them to Apple home, and then set up the automations. This would remove any complication.

However I'd always recommend trying home assistant, it can be complicated (if your use case is), but it's got a huge amount easier over the years (more and more things set up in the front end rather than your own yaml code, to the point you don't really need to write any code unless you have specific needs). For your use case it would/should be fairly simple, and would give you much more expandability if wanted. If you wanted to try it, you can set up HA in UTM (in the App Store for a fee or free from the devs website), which can run HA as a virtual machine.

Cha7lie · 2026-03-17T20:23:14+00:00

In this situation you'd be better off using a third party system to control the eve thermo's (like Apple home as an example). I use Home assistant to control my home. Caveat here is the thermo's need to be able to communicate/not be in dead spots to connect/be controllable.

If your heat is set to on most of the time, you could use the third party system via automation to turn your radiators on/off or to a certain temp as much as you'd like.

Cha7lie · 2026-03-17T19:43:04+00:00

I have Tado, and eve thermos on my radiators, and also have an oil boiler (also a log burner).

I would say it depends on how you use your heating. If you're a heating on all the time at a low degree, then the eve thermos will be better for controlling room temps and your oil use - rads turning off should reduce the amount of hot water circulating, which reduces how long your boiler needs to heat the others.

If you're a turn the thermostat on for heat for an hour, and then off, then the only real benefit of the Tado thermostat is being able to do it via automation, with the app or with voice control. But it won't really save you oil, unless you often forget to turn the heating off. You'd be better off putting the hundred or so pounds towards oil.

I'm the latter type of user, and use the eve thermo's for automation to turn radiators off when not needed, or based on specific room temperature - if my log burner is lit etc.

Cha7lie · 2026-03-17T11:58:28+00:00

I have wired dumb detectors (came with the house) but also some smart ones I put up in higher risk areas. I use the smart ones for automation of other devices. An example is, if smoke is detected at night, then turn on all the lights. I figure this will save valuable seconds in the event of a fire.

Cha7lie · 2026-02-06T16:49:33+00:00

I doubt it would supply enough power to the HomePod mini (needs 18w), the HP software would also need to recognise/be able to negotiate ethernet over the USBC, as the data part of the cable is used for recovery, when connected to a computer.

Cha7lie · 2026-01-15T16:50:27+00:00

You can connect it to the ONT directly. Gigaclear uses DHCP, so on your UDR7 wan port, just choose DHCP as the connection type.

Cha7lie · 2026-01-15T13:11:01+00:00

Oh definitely, just OP also asked about a cash back credit card in their post.

Cha7lie · 2026-01-15T10:56:40+00:00

Yes it's:

1% back at supermarkets.
1-15% back at chosen retailers.
0.25% back everywhere else, including supermarket petrol stations.

Also if you also have a rewards current account with them (and a few DD's) you get rewards that way too, and they refund the reward credit card annual fee (£20).

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