GreatAlbatross

joined 1 year ago
MODERATOR OF
[–] GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk 2 points 4 days ago

Or ignorance made a convenient fig leaf.

[–] GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk 2 points 1 week ago

It's only Virgin Media to my knowledge who does this.
Most of the other providers are happy for you to use anything that works properly for VDSL or FTTP.

Most FTTP providers fit an ONT that puts the connection back into an RJ45 ethernet connector.
Then you connect to the provider using PPPOE. Anything past the ONT, you can do whatever you like.

[–] GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

So it's correct to say Trump Tooted?

[–] GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk 5 points 1 week ago

Like when Demon Days finally got a repress.
The market of people paying £100+ because they were the only copies dried up, leaving only the people who wanted a first pressing.

[–] GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk 11 points 2 weeks ago

For most squishy remotes, you can disable the buttons by taking the remote apart, and putting tape on the underside of the rubber button.

[–] GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk 4 points 2 weeks ago

While not strictly a QR code, I always liked that the Dolby Digital data between perforations on a film strip had a tiny Dolby logo at the centre.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound-on-film#/media/File:35mm_film_audio_macro.jpg

[–] GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk 1 points 2 weeks ago

It's worth noting that most places without a "signature" style just use espresso as the base nowadays. Because espresso is a much easier way to start (as it's a small amount of coffee syrup, without the water).
And outside of speciality (pour-over/cold-brew), it's the preferred extraction method.

[–] GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk 3 points 3 weeks ago

You can block or disrupt communications with LEO.
But you'd need the blessing of the country's government to pump out that much interference continuously.

[–] GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk 3 points 3 weeks ago

Finally, a local WEEE company gets to make a few hundred bucks selling off the glorified VOC sensors at the end.

[–] GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk 2 points 3 weeks ago

The most expensive country on the med.

[–] GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk 27 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Piston aircraft still use it. Which makes it doubly annoying when some tit in a cesna decides to circle around town at 1000'.
Not just making a noise, also cropdusting with TEL.

 

Mine have always been a bit functional, and I'm curious what more creative people have achieved.

Anyone fancy showing off what they've put together? Feel free to blank out personal information, obviously.

And on another note, I'm now moderating this sub. Hi!
Let me know if there is anything you'd like to see added to the sidebar, I'm aiming to update it over the next few days.

 

I'm looking for one that can:

  • Run without any internet access (including during setup).
  • Can be controlled over LAN via HomeAssistant.
  • Mop.

5GHz wifi support and multiple floor capability would be a big bonus, but not a deal-breaker.

Basically, I'd like to get one, and see how I get on with it.
I'm happy to get something old/budget, to help me work out what I want in a "forever" vacuum.

Happy to buy second hand, and happy to flash/jtag/hack, so long as the procedures are reliable.

 

I can only imagine how badly this will go.

"Can we have better pay and conditions please?"
"No."
"OK, then we have no option but to strike."
"If you strike, you will be sacked unless 73% of you stay at work."
"...If you sack all the firefighters, who's going to make up that 73%?"

 

A few more years of conservative rule, and they'll start stretching the definition to include this site.

 

cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/7783032

When I started at Ars in the summer of 2022, the next generation of smart home standards was on the way. Matter, an interoperable device setup and management system, and Thread, a radio network that would provide secure, far-reaching connectivity optimized for tiny batteries. Together, they would offer a home that, while well-connected, could also work entirely inside a home network and switch between controlling ecosystems with ease. I knew this tech wouldn't show up immediately, but I thought it was a good time to start looking to the future, to leave behind the old standards and coalesce into something new.

Instead, Matter and Thread are a big mess, and I am now writing to tell you that I was wrong, or at least ignorant, to have ignored the good things that already existed: Zigbee and Z-Wave. I've put in my time with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and various brittle combinations of the two. They're useful for data-rich devices and for things that can stay plugged in. Zigbee and Z-Wave have been around, but they always seemed fidgety, obscure, and vaguely European at a glance. But here, in the year 2024, I am now an admirer of both, and I think they still have a place in our homes.

 

This is due to an incompatibility with Python 3.12. It looks like movement is being made to issue an update, and is hopefully not too horrible a fix.

I wish I'd spotted this, as I use hass for data collection, so any rollback after 30 mins or so isn't really feasible :|

 

Following a few days with all the windows closed (thanks cold weather), I've started looking into devices I could integrate for (mainly) Co2 monitoring.

I thought other people might benefit from the information I've gathered, since it's not much more effort beyond me just doing the research.

I haven't purchased quite yet, and may add an update when I do.
Prices are in GBP.


Option 1: Random-name amazon/alibaba jobbies.

  • Price: £20-40
  • Connectivity to hass: WiFi or Zigbee.
  • Sensors: Co2, VOC, Temperature, Humidity, PM2.5 (allegedly...)
  • Pros: Very cheap.
  • Cons: Data returned is effectively useless, when it gets returned at all.
  • These sensors generally don't have a proper Co2 sensor, and instead estimate it from a VOC reading.

I nearly bought one of these a few times, fortunately there is now more data about them.
Once I have my proper solution, I may buy one just to chart how off they are!
As a main device, I would not buy any of these.


Option 2: Awair Element

  • Price: £160 new, £70-110 second hand
  • Connectivity to HASS: Local API or network API over WiFi.
  • Sensors: Co2, VOC, Temperature, RH, PM2.5
  • Pros: Decent sensors, integrates with HASS via a local API. AQI read-out on the device itself.
  • Cons: Users report wifi issues, which the manufacturer isn't acknowledging.
    This can mean periods where the data is not reported.
    Firmware is closed source, specifications of sensors are not stated (but have been found unofficially)

These are not a bad solution, so long as you are happy dealing with a WiFi device and an API back-end that is closed source.
There is a slightly insane history to the Awair .
When they first released, they could contribute to a system called PlanetWatch, which paid tokens in exchange for readings.
These tokens (somehow) had value, so people started...Yep, they started buying multiples, and mining with them.
This has now ceased, afaik, so there is good second hand supply.
I'm hesitating a little, just because of the reports of wifi issues, which coupled with a potentially problematic wifi connectivity, could leave me with a brick one day.


Option 3: AirGradient (Open Air and One)

  • Price including shipping: £120 for the Open Air, £135 for the One
  • Connectivity to HASS: ESPHome via WiFi/BT.
  • Sensors: Co2, VOC, Temperature, RH, PM2.5
  • Pros: Open Source, maintainable, specifications and accuracy clearly stated.
  • Cons: A little pricey, availability in Europe not known.

I like this one, and honestly, I could see myself buying it.
I rather like the OLED display on the ONE, too.
They also offer a more basic build-your-own without VOC detection for about £60


Option 4: Roll-your-own, with an ESP32 and an SCD30

  • Price: £70 for the SCD30, £10 for the esp.
  • Sensors: Co2 and RH
  • Connectivity to HASS: ESPHome via Wifi/BT (or whatever you want)
  • Pros: Open source, maintainable, specifications and accuracy clearly stated. Most accurate.
  • Cons: A little work required, only tests Co2 and RH.

I would definitely consider this, however, it's not that much more for the more featured AirGradient. A cheaper option would be using a SensAir S8, at around £40, which is still as accurate as the AirGradient.


Option 5: Air-q

  • Price: £280 for Light, £390 for Basic, £540 for Pro

  • Sensors:

  • Light: Co2, VOC, Temperature, Noise, RH, AH.

  • Basic: As Light, plus CO, KPa, PM1/2.5/10.

  • Pro: As Basic, plus O2, O3, SO2, N02

  • Connectivity to HASS: Native integration over WiFi, local network.

  • Pros: Very comprehensive sensor array. Specifications and accuracy clearly stated. Simple Good/bad LED readout on the device.

  • Cons: Oof, that's expensive. Closed source.

If I had unlimited money, I'd probably get one of these, because it's pretty damned comprehensive.
And I definitely respect them for making a turn-key "it does everything out of the box" solution, and completely understand that's why it's expensive.

 

Currently, I'm waiting for a sale that puts the base game and phantom liberty at around £25.
Am I being a bit silly?
Is it worth picking up the next time GOG do a sale for around £38?

Edit: I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who has responded with useful information, and opinions on the game. I think I may treat myself next time the base game is £25 (and I have a weekend to play!)

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