Grafana is perhaps the most popular, powerful visualization software available. It can be used to monitor a Kubernetes cluster, home-assistant, and just about anything else. Using Grafana+Docker can...

Node-RED allows Raspberry Pis to act as gateways for specific home-automation features, playing an essential role in both the van and the cabin. This is one of several posts on containerization of...

On the left side of Home Assistant are a number of different panels. Most users are familiar with the default panels, like "Overview," a.k.a. the Lovelace dashboard — but it's possible to do a lot...

Running a dedicated computer at home to act as a server is much easier — not to mention more useful — than it used to be. It can speed up the internet while providing a great deal of privacy +...

Pi Hole is a network wide ad blocker. It can protect an entire home from advertisements. It can even help to speed up the network. However, running PiHole Docker+Kubernetes poses a couple interesting...

The very first step in retrofitting a snowy cabin as a DIY smart home was to install internet and create a home network connection. This presented a whole new set of challenges, unlike my San...

I've found that screens are not my favorite way to manage my home automation. It's too annoying to unlock a phone/computer/kiosk, start an app, and find the right menu option. Even my magic...

"Home Automation" sounds like something that belongs, well... in the home. But since we sometimes live in a van, I could not help but wonder: is there anything the Internet of Things could make...

One of the most common questions when running a home server is: "how do I use a custom domain name?" Many users begin by editing /etc/hosts so that they can connect to custom-name.com. This post will...

For those who want to dive deep into the Internet of Things, home-assistant.io provides an incredibly powerful platform for monitoring and automation. After years of using it, this article focuses on...