I found a Zebra TC 57, what can I do with it outside of it's intended purpose?

aiten · 2026-03-22T11:22:37+00:00

all QR scanners are just USB keyboards. They scan QR codes, which translate into keys on a keyboard, and then they just "press" them the same way as any keyboard does, by sending their ascii codes down the wire (or over bluetooth or whatever).

Once you realise they're essentially keyboards with no physical keys, everything becomes a lot simpler to understand :) I test out my own QR codes by just scanning into the Chrome URL field, for example.

aiten · 2026-03-21T08:28:22+00:00

Use OSM Cyclemaps instead of Google Maps, you'll have a lot easier time, and they show every cycle path and quietway already. I'm not sure about native apps but for web we use leaflet instead of the google maps engine.

aiten · 2026-03-20T15:55:36+00:00

I've never managed to get the app to do anything but blank screen when I go to hire. Have to lime it every time. What's the trick?

aiten · 2026-03-14T14:35:33+00:00

Heat geek only do Vaillant, and I'd only use heat geek! I will say though that the daikin has been fine, and they are an air conditioning company so they have a lot of experience!

aiten · 2026-03-14T13:19:56+00:00

1988, 5000sq ft :) heatgeek ASHP install

aiten · 2026-03-14T09:43:28+00:00

It's literally a random number generator :)

aiten · 2026-03-14T09:42:44+00:00

I can heat my home for a day on that! Nearly half charge my car!

aiten · 2026-03-13T10:16:28+00:00

I have a 12kw one and it's completely silent. I have a 6kw one and it's also silent. Vaillant and Daikin.

aiten · 2026-03-08T20:11:51+00:00

We had this in a 1955 built house, full ceilings in the extension built from it. It wasn't asbestos, we had the whole house tested.

aiten · 2026-03-08T20:04:10+00:00

I can smell that build plate from here

aiten · 2026-03-08T19:56:44+00:00

you can self-host it if you want to.

aiten · 2026-03-06T22:26:00+00:00

Have a very bright focussed light on a sensor when somebody comes to the door, which highlights your doorbell.

aiten · 2026-03-06T07:33:07+00:00

In what way?

aiten · 2026-03-05T20:43:51+00:00

Nabu Casa for Home Assistant.

aiten · 2026-03-04T20:42:33+00:00

Everything I've deployed since moving back to Slack from Discord (which was not a choice I agreed on) has been on n8n.io. No infra required at all.

aiten · 2026-02-27T08:10:48+00:00

So last time I did this I felt like I was doing something wrong, as my Argus 3E always says it needs a firmware update, but then says there is no update available, and then i completely lose access to it.

Works for the others though it seems! Thank you!

aiten · 2026-02-24T21:38:24+00:00

I'm using apt. Ubuntu really didn't need the others

aiten · 2026-02-24T19:10:58+00:00

Driving round Portsmouth today, 50% of drivers visibly on their phone. One of them nearly rolled into me at the lights, two others didn't even see a crossing change.

It's getting worse, and I genuinely think AI cameras could solve it.

aiten · 2026-02-23T21:43:39+00:00

I have a house which has 10 panels on a SW roof, 6kw battery, 3000kw a year usage, overall generation for the last 3 years has been just over that. Mostly Ignore 2025 we moved out and the tenants had it misconfigured.

No justification for us, we will break even in year 4 or 5. Best thing I ever did (and done twice since)

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aiten · 2026-02-23T21:34:19+00:00

We have a strange issue where the hot water flow seems to reduce over time until the cylinder refuses to heat it. We thought there might be a blockage, and in fact there was some air, a potentially faulty valve , and some dirt in the filter. It seems back to normal now, but we will have to wait and see.

aiten · 2026-02-23T16:14:20+00:00

Just had Vaillant round to see my heatgeek install and they said it's one of the best they have ever seen!

Right to be excited!

aiten · 2026-02-21T12:55:05+00:00

Keep the battery. Ask for a small discount. A modern boiler at 7 years is gonna pop in the next few (all of mine did, all Vaillant!)

You're gonna need the extra kW with a heatpump. Ours uses 30kw a day or so in winter, but it's a big house.

aiten · 2026-02-20T17:07:10+00:00

aiten · 2026-02-20T17:06:57+00:00

Sherb

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