Pavouk106's recent activity
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Comment on Not sure if coincidence or I should give up (on USB flash drives) in ~tech
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Comment on Tips/guides to turn my home into a smart home? in ~tech
Pavouk106 (edited )LinkI run Home Assistant at home. I run it from my x86 PC that acts as server for other services. You can get dedicated HA device thoigh and maybe you should if you don't already have some kind of...I run Home Assistant at home. I run it from my x86 PC that acts as server for other services. You can get dedicated HA device thoigh and maybe you should if you don't already have some kind of server running. Or maybe even if you have.
I bought Zigbee USB gate made by/for Home Assistant (called Skyconnect but I think they renamed it since - it's the same thing though). This acts as the first Zigbee access point in your network (kinda server, hub, host, whatever you call it) and you will connect new devices through this tonyour Home Assistant.
Then I got one of each these Zigbee devices: smart plug, thermometer and button. I got to know how HA runs, how you can do stuff based on inputs (be it temperature, button press or smart plug button press). Since then I have like 8 smart plugs, 4 thermometers another button, wifi speaker for doorbell and music, I have added my Kodi RPi4s to HA, all the phones in house, afded RPi4/that can control boiler for the house, pool pump (through temperature sensors, openweathermap and smart plug), RGB LED bulbs and other stuff.
You just have to start Home Assistant and start tinkering. Friend of mine did just that, he didn't buy any hardware and still managed to make it useful by scraping API of local.public transport and sensors from phone to make a route tomhome for him with calculated ETA. Since then he bought thermostazic valves for radiators, window sensors and other stuff and started automating the heating.
I did the same but I don't have central heating, so I made it work based on temperatures in rooms.
The options seem.to be endless, you can really make it whatever you want. The first useful thing I did was turn off bathroom radiator after one hour (for towel drying) - you pressed the button on smart plug, it turned on and HA kept time reference and turned it off after 1/hour elapsed. Easy and very useful.
Nowadays it automatically controls pool pump in the summer so it runs on summer days (I have solars connected to the hose) and cooling overnight if the temperature is too high (circulating through said panels in the night) and also running the pump if temperature outside drops near freezing (to prevent burstung the panels by running warmer water from pool through them) although this anti-freeze is there only for the end of season before I drain the system.
And HA also works as thermostat for the house boiler with multiple input temperatures.
Inhave door and window sensors but they are not in any automation right now, I just have them.
I have just thrown this out of my head. Feel free to ask anything.
EDIT: Oh, I have also Valetudo robot vacuum that integrated into HA (based on their own manual).
EDIT2: I also have 24x 1Gbit Mikrotik CRS-326 switch with router (I use it as a router) and I'm working towards having everything ethernet-able to be connected via cable.
I have already run around 400 meters of Cat5e cable, UBNT Tough cable or whatnot, and I have chosen this cable and standard over Cat6 or newer due to this cable having great shielding and seems really tough compared to Cat6 cable at the same price. Cat5e shpuld be able to run 10Gbit up to 45 meters or slower on longer distance, which is also what I wanted for the future.
For wifi I finally bought Ubiquiti Unifi APs, I have two indoor U6-Lite and one U6 Mesh outside. They are great devices! If you go for Ubiquiti, I would by their router Unifi Cloud Gateway Ultra, which I will likely be buying in near futurew leaving my Mikrotik as switch only. I like the idea of Ubiquiti one-router-manages-all (VLAN, RADIUS server, APs, VPN...). The Ubiquiti software for APs (you have to run one on your own or have their router) is free and great, wifi works flawlessly and is plenty fast for me. I should have bought them long time ago!
But Inwould go small steps, especially if you don't have really much spare time and quite high budget. I spent like 1000€ on my networking stuff (whoa, I didn't think that!), around 700€ on my server (some used parts, new PSU and new HDDs) and a few hundreds € on Home Assistant things. Say 2000€ total. And too much time.
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Comment on Tips/guides to turn my home into a smart home? in ~tech
Pavouk106 Link ParentOnly non-battery powered Zigbee devices work as an active mesh points. Battery powered devices like sensors, thermometers and stuff are called end-point devices thus not working as repeaters....Only non-battery powered Zigbee devices work as an active mesh points. Battery powered devices like sensors, thermometers and stuff are called end-point devices thus not working as repeaters.
Usually smart plugs are routers and you will likely have enough of those.
Vindstyrka and Statkvind (air quality sensor and air purifier) from IKEA also works as repeaters.
I will write solo comment in a moment on what I did.
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Comment on How I reversed Amazon's Kindle web obfuscation because their app sucked in ~tech
Pavouk106 LinkWorld needs more people like this. If they are screwing us up, we should fight back.World needs more people like this. If they are screwing us up, we should fight back.
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Comment on Forgot Chrome's unusable, any recommendations? in ~tech
Pavouk106 Link ParentThey already have desktop version and I'm also.using it. Desktop version seems to be a bit behind and sometimes Youtube doesn't work properly on it - Youtube is doing what it can to stop such apps...They already have desktop version and I'm also.using it.
Desktop version seems to be a bit behind and sometimes Youtube doesn't work properly on it - Youtube is doing what it can to stop such apps I guess but Grayjay team updates very fast to keep on track. If I really need to see some Youtube video and desktop app doesn't want to work and there are no updates (it fetches them automatically, the same goes for Youtube plugin if you set it so) I get my phone to watch rhis one video I need right now. Phone app seems to work more reliably. But still the desktop app is worth it.
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Comment on Forgot Chrome's unusable, any recommendations? in ~tech
Pavouk106 Link ParentI use Grayjay for Youtube. Louis Rossmann is somehow connected with Grayjay and knowing how he fights for right to repair and no bullshit policy, I believe in that project.I use Grayjay for Youtube. Louis Rossmann is somehow connected with Grayjay and knowing how he fights for right to repair and no bullshit policy, I believe in that project.
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: Week 2 Updates in ~creative.timasomo
Pavouk106 LinkI printed half a million version of PCI brackets for open PC case/stand and discussed it woth a friend only to change the design of attachement completely and started over. Old version was made to...I printed half a million version of PCI brackets for open PC case/stand and discussed it woth a friend only to change the design of attachement completely and started over. Old version was made to be bolted on and the new one is slide on. You can see it on these images where I prototyped the sliding thing so it fits and can be moved while staying kinda tight. I will ommit screw completely as there is no need to secure the brqcket in place as the PCI(e) card will be screwed into the bracket and will hold it against sliding.
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Comment on What happens when the internet goes out at your work? in ~tech
Pavouk106 LinkI'm working from home, so this can go two ways. Because of my job, we need our servers running, as they are making us money (not just part of infrastructure). Uf those are down, we are all...I'm working from home, so this can go two ways.
Because of my job, we need our servers running, as they are making us money (not just part of infrastructure). Uf those are down, we are all basically just sitting ducks, we can't do anything.
If internet drops at my plqce, I can jump on hotspot and continue working that way for some time - it is generally slower due to low bitrate here where I live but it can do in time of need. I could also jump in a car and drive somewhere with working internet (be it coffee shop, friend's place or actually office of my employer - all of those would be less than half an hour drive).
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Comment on I dream with a new mainstream handheld console that is neither an extension of a regular console experience, a smartphone, or a wine-powered Linux machine in ~games
Pavouk106 LinkMy first handheld was PSP Slim which I bought new at the time for around 200€. I even bought like 15 games before CFW and even a few games after that, but that was near the EOL for PSP. I got...My first handheld was PSP Slim which I bought new at the time for around 200€. I even bought like 15 games before CFW and even a few games after that, but that was near the EOL for PSP.
I got heavily used GB Advance SP for 20€ after that to play those sweet Pokemon games for my very firat time on real hardware. I modded it to run from two 18650 batteriea that gave the Gameboy just enough juice to finish a game on one charge (Minish Cap) or base game in one and later game in two (Pokemon Ruby) - it lasted around 40 hours.
Then I managed the unbelievable - I got PS Vita phat for 80€ from my friend including 2x 8GB card and a few physical games. I got it at the EOL and managed to buy just a few physical games, bunch of digital ones and I played the crap out of it.
Then Switch Lite came out and I bought it new for around 250€. Then I spent god-knows-how-much on physical games for it. Ok, I will try a wild guess of... more than 500€ for.games. And then I bought a bunch of digital ones.
In the meantime, I modded the Vita and played and finished GTA Vice City and San Andreas on it. I have to say this is the best way to enjoy these games! I didn't finish the GTA 3, but got close.
Handheld gaming is the best thing in my gamer life that happened to me. You won't be surprised to hear that I preordersd and bought Steam Deck. And I played the heck out ofnit in those three and a half years!
Having said all that, dedicated handheld gaming devices are great! And I still considet Nintendo Switch a handheld, so they are still out there -/native handheld gaming consoles.
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Comment on If AI can diagnose patients, what are doctors for? in ~health
Pavouk106 Link ParentIt's actually more about users than AI or that guy from Fiverr. People are lazy and they oftec don't faxt check, they just accept first thing they see as the ultimate truth. Not everyone, of...It's actually more about users than AI or that guy from Fiverr. People are lazy and they oftec don't faxt check, they just accept first thing they see as the ultimate truth. Not everyone, of course, but many people are like that.
AI isn't inherently bad, but user should approach it with a bit of scepticism. It can do programming, it can do homework, it can write an essay for you, but that doesn't mean it does it perfectly. Yet this is the thing many people don't understand about it.
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Comment on If AI can diagnose patients, what are doctors for? in ~health
Pavouk106 Link ParentSomeone should do it, that would be hilarious!Someone should do it, that would be hilarious!
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Comment on Why cassette tapes are coming back in ~music
Pavouk106 Link ParentIn the case of cassetee sized hard drive - just use NAND (like USB flash drive or SSD if you're fancy) and make it cassette looking. Why use HDDs for that (prone to errors, failures and so on). I...In the case of cassetee sized hard drive - just use NAND (like USB flash drive or SSD if you're fancy) and make it cassette looking. Why use HDDs for that (prone to errors, failures and so on).
I am that geeky collector, but not of niche products. I do have ZIP floppy, I have vinyl, I probably even have some audip cassettes and I also own VCR with 20-30 cassettes, but I don't use any of that. I still buy CDs and DVDs and Blu rays and rip them to my Jellyfin server then store the physical media in a closet, basically.
Laserdisc is cumbersome, too big to be that useful. But you are right that if it contained full season or a few of them in high quality and it could also contain nice inserts, it could be viable as a product. It would be niche, but there wpuld be adopters for that I believe.
Just not VHS anymore, please :-)
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Comment on Why cassette tapes are coming back in ~music
Pavouk106 Link ParentI think these even used steel needles. And the spund must have been horrible in comparison with what we have today. Yet it was purely mechanical device.I think these even used steel needles. And the spund must have been horrible in comparison with what we have today. Yet it was purely mechanical device.
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Comment on If AI can diagnose patients, what are doctors for? in ~health
Pavouk106 LinkWhat are doctors for? Have someone seen AI explaining eletrical putlet wiring by drawing it? Or drawing car engine? AI is not capable of many things that people think it can do right. It can be...What are doctors for?
Have someone seen AI explaining eletrical putlet wiring by drawing it? Or drawing car engine?
AI is not capable of many things that people think it can do right.
It can be great hepling hand but that's where it should stay - it should provide help, not decide.
And that's why we need doctors. Even them can make errors, but I'd rather my doctor check me than AI telling me that there is no medical problem or totally missing the point.
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Comment on Why cassette tapes are coming back in ~music
Pavouk106 Link ParentI totally agree on physical media being great! But I kinda think we should take only the good quality ones nowadays. VHS had its prime and shouldn't be brought back for many reasons. Used tapes...I totally agree on physical media being great! But I kinda think we should take only the good quality ones nowadays. VHS had its prime and shouldn't be brought back for many reasons. Used tapes and VCRs are fine, but new movies shouldn't come out on it.
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Comment on Why cassette tapes are coming back in ~music
Pavouk106 Link ParentTime to bring back VHS! No, that isn't the way. But your argument is right.Time to bring back VHS! No, that isn't the way.
But your argument is right.
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Comment on Why cassette tapes are coming back in ~music
Pavouk106 Link ParentThis is the case when the idea doesn't come through translation :-) I mean that vinyl is mechanical. It stores the sound mechanically and it reads (and is able to play it aloud) mechanically. Thi...This is the case when the idea doesn't come through translation :-)
I mean that vinyl is mechanical. It stores the sound mechanically and it reads (and is able to play it aloud) mechanically. Thi is what I meant by analog.
I didn't know how the sound is stored on tape (or rather I couldn't remember), yet I somehow felt it isn't digital. The thing is you can't read cassette in the same pure mechanical way as you can do with vinyl. That's all I wanted to say.
Both vinyl and cassettes degrade as you use them, cassettes are superior in many ways (ie. compact, physically more durable, can store more on them etc.), yet they somehow doesn't speak to me. While I can admire people who made it work back in the day, I still like turntable (or should I say phnograph?) more due to mechanical nature.
It's like having analog watch (you have to wind them up or have auto-winding ones) or quartz-driven electrical watch with standard hands (not digital). The first one is turntable, the second one is cassette.
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Comment on Why cassette tapes are coming back in ~music
Pavouk106 Link ParentIf you have the right hardware, you can hear the music from vinyl without using electricity. It is true analog way as the music is "saved" on the medium as "bumps" that make up sound when the...If you have the right hardware, you can hear the music from vinyl without using electricity. It is true analog way as the music is "saved" on the medium as "bumps" that make up sound when the needle comes over them.
Cassette isn't analog in this way anymore. It still isn't digital format (I think; citation needed), yet you need electronics to read the sound out from the tape.
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Comment on Why cassette tapes are coming back in ~music
Pavouk106 (edited )LinkI get the vibe of vinyl, as it is the true analog/mechanical way to play music. I get CDs as it is truly lossless way to play digital music (CD doesn't wear out when you use it). I don't get...I get the vibe of vinyl, as it is the true analog/mechanical
way to play music.I get CDs as it is truly lossless way to play digital music (CD doesn't wear out when you use it).
I don't get cassettes though. They wear out and they don't really come up to CD level quality. They lack the mechanical aspect of turntable and they lack quality. I understand why they existed, I don't get why they are returning.
A bit spin-off: Are they making new cassette drives/decks yet?/I remember Techmoan saying that only some really cheap chinese deck exist nowadays with all the major players discontinuing manufacture long ago. This doean't add up to cassette's comeback as even if you get one, there is only cheap decks to play it on. If you don't spend way too much money on decades old hi-fi hardware...
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: Week 1 Updates in ~creative.timasomo
Pavouk106 (edited )Link ParentThe thing is that when you are inserting RAM sticks and power connector, you can do so using your thumbs while other thingers support the board from the other side (squeezing the connector and the...The thing is that when you are inserting RAM sticks and power connector, you can do so using your thumbs while other thingers support the board from the other side (squeezing the connector and the board together with your hands).
This particular board was a pain to work with in standard case due to bending when you did these things. I'm surprised they made this choice, bu I suppose it saved them a few cents...
I bought 64GB Kingston HyperX mayn years back, it is USB3.something and can do write 170MB/s sequential and read at double that. This is why I paid extra, the true performance and also.longevity. But they don't make them anymore.
Nowadays I would buy NVME SSD and enclosure. That would make it perform absolutely great while also making it reliable. It is costly, true. But you get what you pay for.
If you want to go cheaper, I would think about usinf microSD card permanently inside a USB-stick-like reader. That way you can control speed and reliability (by buying cheaper or better cards). The least reliable part would likely be the reader though. Also not cheap as USB sticks, but once again it hase its pros.
Still, NVME + enclosure FTW.