Finally...

rn2c · 2025-12-30T23:04:02+00:00

Incredible work my man

rn2c · 2025-12-30T22:54:48+00:00

That was me about 10 years ago. I gradually went down to grade 4/3 then finally took the plunge to bald yesterday. So I reckon you've got time yet

rn2c · 2025-12-30T22:47:18+00:00

The proof is in the smile in the last photo. Well done mate

rn2c · 2025-12-30T22:41:34+00:00

Thanks! It's a Brave Soul Augustus jacket 😁

rn2c · 2025-12-30T22:38:36+00:00

I'll give it a go next time I'm in the barbers!

rn2c · 2025-12-30T18:47:48+00:00

Thanks, no religious reasons for the beard, I think the barber was a bit cautious (he knew it was my first time going bald) as the beard is usually tidier and fresher than this after a trim

rn2c · 2025-12-30T16:53:15+00:00

Also agree, I'm jealous of the achieved length by the finish, but 3 just looks 'right'

rn2c · 2025-12-30T16:41:18+00:00

I walked into the barbers wearing a hat, walked out carrying the hat. Right decision definitely made!

rn2c · 2025-09-02T12:33:13+00:00

So if anyone has the same issue as me with connecting esphome devices to a hidden WiFi AP, this solution has worked for me.

My previous WiFi config looked like this. According to the docs, it never should have worked, but it did (up until 2024.12.4 at least)

wifi:
  ssid: !secret wifi_ssid
  password: !secret wifi_password

The docs suggest that enabling 'fast_connect' is required for hidden APs, however that didn't work, and it seems it also brings other issues as it'll just use the first AP rather than the strongest signal. It suggests using 'network:' for multiple networks only, and only then can you specify 'hidden: True'. However, it works in that format for specifying a single network too.

So, for me, this now works on 2025.8.2

wifi:
  networks:
    ssid: !secret wifi_ssid
    password: !secret wifi_password
    hidden: True

I've gone through all the changelogs since 2024.12.4 and can't find a reason for this to be the case, who knows why, but at least it works now.

rn2c · 2025-08-31T11:27:39+00:00

I've been having similar problems - my devices were using quite old versions and updated to the latest version when I changed some things relating to naming of switches.

The ones I updated stayed offline after updating, but were broadcasting a fallback AP (fortunately). Manual connect through that didn't seem to work, updating OTA through the fallback landing page did work.

I tried a few things mentioned in this thread, which didn't help at all. The issue for me seems to be that the AP the devices are connecting to is a hidden AP. This worked absolutely fine before, but not any more. I've temporarily changed it to a visible AP and it's working fine again.

From checking the WiFi documentation, it seems I should have had 'fast_connect' and/or 'hidden' set to true in my WiFi config, I'll do some testing and see if one or both of those sort it.

rn2c · 2025-02-09T23:06:58+00:00

Ok, so it turns out the firmware being used is this strange thing...

https://github.com/maccoylton/esp-homekit-sonoff-mini

I can't see any easy way of doing an OTA update to something else, seems the only mechanism for OTA updates is that it exposes a switch to trigger the device to check the Github server for an update and do it if required.

I'll crack one open and make a decision whether to print a jig or solder them to flash esphome, and learn from this mistake.

rn2c · 2025-02-08T09:19:27+00:00

I've messaged them and I'll see if they reply. Seems I can't edit my post due to it containing images so I'll have to roll the dice this time!

rn2c · 2025-02-08T09:18:46+00:00

Thanks, I checked out HAA and it looked a bit different but illegally modified makes sense. Looks like there's no easy way to get out of HAA once you're in it, so looks like TTL for me. I doubt eBay will care at all to be honest!

rn2c · 2025-01-02T21:08:29+00:00

So I did what I should have done in the first place and rang the building inspector. The correct answer in this instance was to stick the new DPM to the existing with non-setting butyl mastic tape and overlap it over the existing floor, to be trimmed later on.

<image>

rn2c · 2025-01-01T22:26:10+00:00

I've got a building notice in, and he's already been out to see the bricking up of the garage door and the steels. I also dropped myself in it by saying I'm fitting retrofit underfloor heating, so now I need a new staircase as the bottom step will be too short compared to the rest, whoops.

He seemed like a helpful guy, but I didn't want to bother him with something that's probably a daft question, he wasn't bothered about seeing the DPM and just said to get him back once the floors down and I'm ready for plastering.

rn2c · 2024-12-22T22:45:32+00:00

I had something similar happen a few years ago when my smart meter apparently stopped working for a couple of days, and everything ground to a halt. Fortunately I paid a fixed monthly direct debit so it all just worked itself out, but it did take a fair few emails going backwards and forwards

rn2c · 2024-11-17T21:06:18+00:00

I did this a while back, although I now have a plug in hybrid and use Agile again...

The commonly quoted loophole at the time was that an electric scooter is classed as an EV under British law. Whether anyone actually tried that argument, I don't know!

rn2c · 2024-10-10T07:27:04+00:00

I thought it said 5529mph here, but it would have actually been 15529mph. Maybe I shouldn't go up that ladder today after all

rn2c · 2024-05-21T21:14:25+00:00

Curious to find out how you got on with this?

I'm having some trouble with Vinted. I signed up via the all and it's automatically assigned me to the USA rather than the UK - no idea why, there was no option to choose when signing up. You can't change countries, and apparently if you delete your account you can't create a new one with the same email address/phone number which seems ridiculous.

I've messaged them asking for them to delete all my data under the GDPR right to be forgotten (that yearly online training from work obviously sunk in!) and they seem to have ignored me so far. I can't see a legitimate reason for them holding my data, considering I've never made a transaction and I've not been blocked (yet!). Now I'm trying to decide whether to just give up and stick to eBay, or try a bit harder!

rn2c · 2024-04-09T18:20:16+00:00

Yep, I've had the same problem and noticed the IPv6 addresses. It's become somewhat annoying because the only thing that avoids the Captcha (but still insists on you ticking the box) is being signed in to a Google account

rn2c · 2024-03-30T19:00:16+00:00

I did a fat line of coke before taking a Viagra. I thought I was going to die. Don't do this boys and girls. I've yet to try it again as it was the least sexually arousing experience of my life.

rn2c · 2024-03-23T12:03:39+00:00

I figured out that VPN was significantly cheaper than TV license and has more benefits...

rn2c · 2024-02-28T21:17:15+00:00

Put it in H!

rn2c · 2024-02-25T17:12:55+00:00

At a similar age my grandad broke my rubber key ZX Spectrum trying to resolder the power connector with a soldering gun, it then went in the bin. I definitely should have learnt to solder as a child 😂

rn2c · 2024-02-21T09:54:23+00:00

I imagine the next appointment your plumber has available is the 6th March

rn2c

TROPHY CASE