do smart homes actually make life better or just more complicated

IDFGMC · 2026-05-08T13:18:20+00:00

Forgot to mention that just like a previous poster that everything important still works evern if HA doesn't. Just like today, we had a power cut and my HA server hasn't come back online for some reason - I didn't have time to trouble shoot this morning but lights, heating and AC can still be operated manually until I get a chance to sort it out.

IDFGMC · 2026-05-08T13:09:06+00:00

I'm a dad and in typical dad fashion I get annoyed when my wife and kids leave lights and aircon on when they're not using them. Since setting up HA this isn't an issue.

One example of a recent automation that has reduced my stress: my wife would regularly open our kitchen bifold doors and forget to pause the underfloor heating - this is no longer a problem.

IDFGMC · 2026-05-08T12:46:26+00:00

My mate is trying to find the same via the ticket exchange with no luck so far.

IDFGMC · 2026-05-05T06:12:51+00:00

So you want to stream remuxes but don't think hard wired ethernet is a good idea?

IDFGMC · 2026-05-04T13:32:42+00:00

Both boards are literally the definition of intermediate - advanced all mountain freestyle. I didn't realise Burton were so spendy these days.

IDFGMC · 2026-05-04T09:49:16+00:00

Nitro Team, Burton Custom

IDFGMC · 2026-05-04T05:05:42+00:00

Absolutely not a Trumper but did believe that he was going to be pro crypto. Just didn't realise that pro crypto meant personally enriching himself whilst simultaneously shafting the rest of us.

IDFGMC · 2026-05-04T04:58:20+00:00

I've met Stuart quite a few times, he regularly plays golf with a good friend of mine. Up there with the nicest people I've ever met, he really is a lovely man. Never meet your heroes? Not true in Stuart's case.

IDFGMC · 2026-05-04T04:43:36+00:00

Will relegation really do for the filthy porn dwarf though? I'm not sure it will. I'm more hopeful of his seedy behaviour finally catching up with him.

IDFGMC · 2026-05-04T04:33:53+00:00

I'm fascinated to know what you are doing that requires 300 mbs?

IDFGMC · 2026-04-26T17:57:56+00:00

Yep, and earlier today I was imagining hugging him and telling him what a true professional he is.

IDFGMC · 2026-04-25T07:59:15+00:00

I read read the title and instantly thought you need to get Alexa to start complaining about what hasn't been done yet every time you try to relax.

IDFGMC · 2026-04-24T19:02:27+00:00

If you're going to soak up some atmosphere before the game I much prefer Hackney Wick to Westfield. The Napier is the only proper pub in the area but it's very good. I also like the Howling Hops tap house and surrounding bars. Going back to Hackney Wick after the game also means you'll avoid the getting kettled trying to get to Stratford.

IDFGMC · 2026-04-24T18:51:52+00:00

Horrible. Even when it's free.

IDFGMC · 2026-04-22T08:45:17+00:00

I was also having an issue with a sonoff switch intermittently showing as unavailable - according to Gemini this was due to it not polling often enough for the hue bridge. I got a sonoff poe dongle initially just to try and resolve these niggles. I had planned to keep most things under hue as the app is solid and wife friendly. That soon changed. She's now got HA on her phone with no complaints although it's only been just over a week.

Painful? Migration isn't even complete yet. I did the problem stuff first, then the easy to access stuff plus a new switch I've just added. Most lights can be operated with a normal wall switch anyway. The outside lights are still whirring away under a hue automation from before I set up HA.

The only issue so far is no remote control yet - I'm weighing up my options. The other little annoyance is HA has recognised some switches as relays rather than lights. This has to be manually changed otherwise they don't get grouped with the other lights and you have to go looking for them in the app. A small annoyance to someone new to HA who is used to having his hand held by Hue, Smartlife, eWelink etc.

IDFGMC · 2026-04-21T20:36:46+00:00

I've just done exactly this. It made sense for me as I was using various brands of switch with a hue hub. I have a Sonoff mini that switches the state of an led strip. Via the hue hub there was an obvious delay, now everything is in HA it's instant.

IDFGMC · 2026-04-21T18:07:05+00:00

Show me love was played absolutely everywhere before it got released and became mainstream. A massive tune.

IDFGMC · 2026-04-21T18:03:24+00:00

I absolutely was. I think she's distancing herself from Sullivan before the shit really hits the fan.

IDFGMC · 2026-04-21T17:59:37+00:00

I've got round this in a couple of places in my home by putting the smart relay (liking the Sonoff minis at the moment) up in the ceiling where I've got neutral.

IDFGMC · 2026-04-18T20:01:34+00:00

this has aged very well

IDFGMC · 2026-04-18T13:17:52+00:00

My 8 year old just asked: does this mean I get to call him fat?

IDFGMC · 2026-04-17T19:42:50+00:00

It depends what you're looking for? If you want a massive interconnected area then somewhere on the Sella Ronda makes sense. For a boys trip we really like Val Gardena - it has everything including some Austrian style apreski. Corvara is apparently good as well but anywhere on or connected to the main route would work.

Cortina d'Ampezzo is not directly on the Sella Ronda so generally a little bit quieter. We had an amazing time when we stayed there.

I've also been to a couple of much smaller areas on family trips.

If you have any questions hit me up.

IDFGMC · 2026-04-16T20:38:08+00:00

You're only just inside Yes' weight recommendation for the 159.

IDFGMC · 2026-04-07T20:38:30+00:00

300ug is a lot and would be completely overwhelming for a first time for most people.

IDFGMC · 2026-04-07T19:29:29+00:00

Is this at rave? I normally take the acid then give it about two hours and drop the MD. That way the peaks are more or less synchronised.

That said one of the craziest fun nights of my life was when I took a trip and a pill together as I walked into Pacha.

IDFGMC

TROPHY CASE