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Hands-on experience with AI, self-hosting, Linux, and the developer tools I actually use

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Hands-on experience with AI, self-hosting, Linux, and the developer tools I actually use

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Fix Zigbee Drops: Routers, Channels, and Placement

Fix Zigbee Drops: Routers, Channels, and Placement

The Short Answer

When Zigbee devices keep dropping, the culprit is almost always the mesh topology, not the sensors. Add mains-powered routers every 10 to 15 meters. Move the coordinator away from the WiFi router and any USB 3.0 port. Switch to Zigbee channel 15, 20, or 25 to dodge WiFi. Use the network map in Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA to spot weak links. Roughly 90% of complaints trace back to three things: too few routers, a coordinator in an RF hot zone, and a Zigbee channel that clashes with WiFi.

Low-Profile Mechanical Switches Compared: Kailh Choc v2, Cherry MX Low Profile, and Gateron KS-33

Low-Profile Mechanical Switches Compared: Kailh Choc v2, Cherry MX Low Profile, and Gateron KS-33

Picking Between Three Incompatible Low-Profile Worlds

Touch typists who want the most familiar desktop feel in a slim chassis should reach for Cherry MX Low Profile 2.0 . Its 3.2mm travel and 45gf actuation keep the tactile vocabulary of full-size MX intact, and it accepts standard MX-stem keycaps. Competitive gamers chasing the shortest travel win with Gateron KS-33 or Gateron Low Profile 2.0: 3.0mm travel, a 1.3mm actuation point, and a linear 45gf spring weight, shipping on boards like the Keychron K5 Max and NuPhy Air75 V2 . Custom-build enthusiasts soldering ergonomic splits such as the Corne, Ferris Sweet, or Ploopy Adept should buy Kailh Choc v2: it is the only switch in this trio that fits 18x17mm Choc-spaced PCBs while accepting MX-profile keycaps, something neither Cherry nor Gateron can offer on those boards.

Smart Pet Feeder for $20: Ditch $150 commercial feeders

Smart Pet Feeder for $20: Ditch $150 commercial feeders

Yes, you can build a smart pet feeder for under $25. It uses an ESP32, a continuous rotation servo, and a 3D-printed auger, driven by ESPHome and Home Assistant . You get scheduled meals, set portion sizes, a “feed now” button on your phone, and a full feeding log. Commercial feeders like PetSafe ($100 to $150) and PETLIBRO ($65 to $160) charge a premium for the same features. This guide covers the hardware, wiring, firmware, and safety steps that make the build reliable.

Cross-Document View Transitions: Animate Between Full Page Navigations Without JavaScript

Cross-Document View Transitions: Animate Between Full Page Navigations Without JavaScript

Drop @view-transition { navigation: auto; } into your stylesheet. Modern browsers will then cross-fade between same-origin page loads on their own. No SPA router, no fetch() interception, no JS framework needed. Add view-transition-name to shared elements like hero images, headings, or nav bars, and the browser morphs them between separate HTML documents. This works today in Chrome 126+, Edge 126+, and Safari 18.2+. Firefox support lands through the Interop 2026 push.

Just vs Make vs Task: Picking the Right Command Runner

Just vs Make vs Task: Picking the Right Command Runner

Just is the best general command runner for most new projects in 2026. It has Make-like syntax without the tab headaches. It works across Linux, macOS, and Windows. It stays out of your way as a command runner, not a build system. Task wins if your team prefers YAML and you want built-in file watching. Make is still right when you have real file-based compile dependencies or a Makefile that works fine.

Modern Nordic kitchen at twilight, dishwasher glowing green, EV charging in garage, tablet showing Home Assistant hourly price chart

Dynamic Electricity Pricing Automations in Home Assistant With Tibber and Nordpool

Home Assistant pulls hourly spot prices through the Tibber integration or the Nordpool HACS add-on. It then schedules EV chargers, water heaters, heat pumps, and dishwashers during the cheapest hours. On a 2026 Nordic tariff with 3-8x daily price swings, shifting 10-15 kWh of flexible load each day cuts the bill by 20-40% with no comfort cost.

Why Dynamic Pricing Pays Off in 2026

The Nordpool day-ahead auction closes around noon CET. By 13:00, prices for all 24 hours of the next day are out for every bidding zone. That window is exactly what Home Assistant needs: a once-a-day drop of 24 hourly prices that your automations can plan against overnight.

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AI Coding Benchmarks in 2026: Why the Leaderboard You Pick Decides the Winner

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