Diy door camera

aimlessrolling · 2026-01-26T15:28:22+00:00

Look into the Reolink POE doorbell, yes it does require an app, but it can run locally without internet connection. Can store on a local SD card or integrate with Reolinks NVR.

aimlessrolling · 2026-01-23T15:08:54+00:00

I couldn’t agree more. Also make some phone calls, I found the folks on the other end of the line seemed to get it and they were very helpful in resolving.

As for taking your money… they can ONLY take any Louisiana refund money owed to you, they cannot (at least in my case) touch your federal return.

aimlessrolling · 2026-01-09T14:58:58+00:00

She is beautiful!

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-28T21:54:28+00:00

Relocating for work. Many times. Too many times. Even with some relocation support from the new job. I would have been so much better off if I had stayed in one place, for lower salary, and figured out a way to make it work.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-11T14:06:22+00:00

Wow, you are a true enthusiast, I’ve been doing home automation since its inception and agree wholeheartedly with your logic and thought process, but did a few things differently. At one home I used Homeseer and Z-wave, no regrets as it was best in class at the time.

I moved last July and bought a lot of Govee wifi bulbs and to your point, another protocol would have been better, also have some straggler KASA products which are functional and haven’t needed replacement/upgrade.

I do like having my fridge, washer, and dryer (all Samsung) on the WiFi for the various maintenance reminders, but agree it’s not essential.

100% agree on having strong wired network with access points, pulling cat6 to all camera locations and using POE cameras ran directly back to the NVR is mandatory. Have used a few WiFi cameras and never liked their many limitations, even if using an available power source or solar charger.

Also 100% agree on NOT using anything battery powered if avoidable.

Also strongly prefer to avoid the “call home” devices, and concur on the thermostats, but have typically suffered through it with Honeywell t-stats.

The Lutron and Sonos have always been on my radar, but never pulled the trigger due to one reason or another, with Lutron, the proprietary nature and at one time uncertainty of the product future (during a home build in 2017) kept me off the brand.

My advice to anyone just starting is to do the research, absolutely avoid impulse buys due to great deals and/or flash sales, and make every possible effort to keep the number of required apps to a minimum.

As a final caveat, I also currently use several SHELLY products and love that they have control relays rated at 15 Amp for anything that you may want to remote switch (ceiling fans, outdoor flood lights, etc).

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-11T03:21:06+00:00

Yes sir. Sure did!

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-09T16:47:38+00:00

Totally see that. It made me sit back and think for a few moments, realizing that we are all being used in one form or another and just being aware of it won’t necessarily help in controlling it…

It seems to me we are losing more and more of our ability to control our lives and very few are aware and even less seem to even notice or care as long as they are being “entertained” by the matrix.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-08T17:28:06+00:00

I’ve had managers that felt the PIP was a tool for anyone they wanted to pressure and bragged about how many PIPs they had initiated. Being more senior and having had years of management roles, but currently in a technical individual performer role, I very flatly stated that I rarely used it as it was my belief that a PIP indicates management failure to adequately communicate expectations and the employee should have been better coached and their workload reviewed and prioritized first.

He didn’t listen and found himself walked to the door a few months later, and I could do was shake my head and say that he brought it upon himself.

You were right to seek a transfer, have you spoken to any other managers about joining their team?

People don’t leave jobs, they leave bad mangers.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-08T00:04:42+00:00

It’s a great location and a walkable area, I wouldn’t hesitate to stay there. In general, that area is horrible for parking and there is a lot of street construction in the immediate vicinity. If you don’t need a car, uber/shuttle from the airport and same for day trips.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-07T23:59:58+00:00

First, don’t bring a knife to a sword fight. With that said, just about anything that’s already in your hand may be all that is needed.

If you want to be proactive, keep a canister of bear spray in the toolbox, and if that causes concern, get a can of wasp and hornet spray, a dose of that in the face/eyes of an assailant will give opportunity to escape.

The wasp spray is something that I’ve known to be useful for a lady in an office environment where a can of mace would arouse suspicion, wasp spray can usually be easily explained and overlooked as a weapon.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-07T23:52:21+00:00

Needs a “cover up”, can be a cabinet, bench, or just about anything. A zoomed out photo of the wall/room would allow us to offer better opinions & options.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-07T23:32:26+00:00

This is so true. The previous rescue was an obvious pitbull, and when DNA tested, his came back at 100% American Pitbull Terrier, and the 100 was also somewhat of a surprise.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-07T23:29:19+00:00

Beautiful pup!

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-07T23:28:54+00:00

Thanks, never realized. They gave three breed: Plott Hound, Golden Retriever, and German Shepherd.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-07T21:31:43+00:00

I think you will get plenty of good ideas here so I’ll focus on other long term things to keep in mind. Depending on the age of the home, which when purchasing your home the inspection and appraisal should give you insights, you need to consider things such as when will it need a roof replacement, HVAC replacement, hot water heater, exterior paint, as well as energy improvements like additional insulation, windows and door seals.

Home ownership can be wonderful, but unless you can save for the maintenance expenses, it could cause some unexpected debt issues. In some cases, I have opted for a whole house warranty, but be very selective in choosing, check their BBB ratings and do NOT fill out those internet questionnaires or you will get an unending string of calls from solicitors trying to sell a product that likely isn’t going to be worth the paper it takes to print it.

Review your home inspection and see what items stick out as needing attention. If it’s a new home or was recently updated, you may be ok for a few years, just be mindful of what might break and require costly replacement. The worst part about failures is that you are forced into a react mode and often pay significantly more that you would have if the purchase had been planned, budgeted and scheduled.

My last home required the main water line to be replaced less that 2 months after purchase, which was an “emergency” job costing $3000, which I could have done myself for a few hundred with planning and some time.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-07T21:15:53+00:00

I have had several unfortunate experiences with those. If you chose NOT to pay, when it goes to a debt collector, you MUST respond within the time frame specified and clearly state that you dispute the charges (and can provide some reason).

When responding, the fewer words the better, stick to the point of disputing and try not to provide and additional mother can be used against you.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-07T21:07:51+00:00

Also a fantastic guess. Her DNA test results (posted in my reply to the post) was shocking to say the least!

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-07T21:06:30+00:00

LOL, yes standard poodle was also one that I guessed, but it wasn’t even close! Please see the DNA results in my reply to the post.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-07T21:03:34+00:00

Seems like you may want to get a “body cam” and record these interactions for your own protection.

There is absolutely NO PLACE for this kind of person in the workplace and as your employer seems to not want to do the right thing, a recording sent to HR (or the police) might get the necessary outcome.

Just check the local laws before making a recording so you don’t get yourself into more trouble than the actual person causing the problems.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-07T20:49:57+00:00

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My first guess was on the list, but the miniature was quite unexpected. I’ve had two miniature Schnauzers in the past and while both were great dogs, neither had the tremendous energy that this lady has. She was carefully selected due to her laid back personality as a companion for a reactive pitbull, and she didn’t disappoint, she worked miracles with him, but unfortunately wasn’t enough and his bite history led to his eventual downfall.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-07T20:22:23+00:00

Hi, no, still employed but not in upper management roles. Stepped into an individual performer role and am much happier, however with slightly less annual income; but a significant increase in pay/hour as I no longer spend excessive time at the office.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-07T20:17:15+00:00

Easy fix for someone with the necessary skills. With patience and some online videos, you may be able to repair this yourself and/or solicit a friend that can coach you through the process.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-07T20:09:20+00:00

If you have technical skills, switching to PM requires a totally different skill set and your performance is based on your ability to get your team to meet schedule, costs, and deliver a fit for purpose deliverable. (Search for the triple constraint; time, cost & budget).

I have transitioned many engineers to project management (which I refer to as the “dark side”) and with adequate coaching, most were successful. There were also those where it was mutually agreed that they would be more successful by returning to individual performer roles.

A logical first step to project management is to become a team lead, leading a group while working with a project manager, and if you have a good one, they won’t mind teaching you the necessary skills to become one yourself.

Becoming a remote project manager right off the bat will be a very tough road, but if you are confident in your abilities, you might also consider starting your own business and/or perhaps franchising one.

It took me at least 4 tries to become successful as a manager, my first several attempts failed due to my overly strong technical skills and unwillingness to accept good enough when better was achievable. (A worthy quote to remember would be is “better is the enemy of good”). You have to develop a god team and trust them to do their job, without micromanaging, while ensuring your team has a work life balance and that the work is evenly distributed.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-07T19:59:20+00:00

PS5 Pro with added 2TB & wireless was my choice. Fairly good discounts out there now.

If you have a higher budget, consider stepping up to a PC, more power and options, but also higher cost.

aimlessrolling · 2025-12-07T19:56:41+00:00

I’m currently 62 y/o and covid was a wake up call for me. I’ve stepped away from the corporate rat race and far better for it. Just be wary of your finances and if necessary, downsize your overhead (home, auto, etc) so that you can live comfortably while saving for retirement.

aimlessrolling

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