Biggs 2018 New Years Intentions

 General Cogitation  No Responses »
Jan 122018
 
Biggs 2018 New Years Intentions

A new year means new goals (remember, I don’t make “New Years resolutions”). As we look forward to my 2018 New Years intentions, I am also going to review my 2017 intentions. I focused on four areas for 2017; Home Automation projects, Reading Challenge, Fitness and Health and Professional Skills Development. In the spirit of full disclosure and accountability, I was about 50% successful. Therefore, I guess as the first goal for the new year I plan to be more successful accomplishing the goals I set. Biggs Labs – Smart Home I completed nothing for my home automation project! I was hoping to have installed [… Click to Continue …]

Biggs’ Labs: Home Automation Progress Update

 Biggs' Labs, Technology  No Responses »
Jul 242017
 
Biggs' Labs: Home Automation Progress Update

It was November the last time I talked about my Home Automation and Lab projects; it is time for some updates. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot to tell. The last eight months have been busy on the work front and on the home front. If you know me at all you know that November through the end of December is my craziest time of year. There were a few things I had to sort out that were pretty significant changes to my work and home life. Changes that also require some time to adjust and acclimate. Here is a quick reminder of the projects [… Click to Continue …]

Biggs Declares 2017 Intentions (Not Resolutions)

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Jan 062017
 
Biggs Declares 2017 Intentions (Not Resolutions)

I never make New Years Resolutions, I believe I’ve covered that before. As odd as it sounds, I have more motivation to complete a set of goals (instead of the proverbial “resolution”). So what are my 2017 intentions? I know this year will be a year of change but I’m not at liberty to say, yet, what will be changing. You will know when it happens because it will warrant a blog post (or two). I do not want to write another long-winded post so, for brevity sake, I’m going to get started. Biggs Labs – Smart Home I have all the components I need now [… Click to Continue …]

Biggs’ Labs: Smart Home Phase I [Complete]

 Biggs' Labs, Technology  1 Response »
Nov 222016
 
Biggs' Labs: Smart Home Phase I [Complete]

The summer presented some additional challenges which pushed back phase I of my smart home project. I am also adding another phase to the project. Every time we see some new appliance or module we immediately start to budget to add said module. Be that as it may, I have updated the project checklist: In Home Network MythTV, Plex and FreeNAS (DVR and Media server) Home Automation Phase I Home Automation Phase II – with Raspberry Pi integration (in progress) Home Automation Phase III (in draft mode) There are many flavors of home automation you can choose from and several factors you should consider before you choose one. How dirty do [… Click to Continue …]

Biggs’ Labs: MythTV, Plex and FreeNAS [Complete]

 Biggs' Labs, Technology  2 Responses »
Jul 302016
 
Biggs' Labs: MythTV, Plex and FreeNAS [Complete]

I am crushing it on these tech projects I have going on at home, I just haven’t been very good at keeping up with posting about them. I can mark another item off the list as my MythTV, Plex and FreeNAS project is complete.  Here is the updated project list: In Home Network MythTV, Plex and FreeNAS (DVR and Media server) Home Automation (in progress) Home Automation – Raspberry Pi integration (on pause) All of the projects I have on deck were all relying on getting the in-home network operational. I imagine I will be able to complete the remaining projects faster now that I have [… Click to Continue …]

Biggs’ Labs: In Home Network [Complete]

 Biggs' Labs, Technology  1 Response »
Apr 282016
 
Biggs' Labs: In Home Network [Complete]

So here is my original list, slightly updated to reflect all current status: In Home Network MythTV – Plex – FreeNAS DVR and Media system (in progress) Home Automation (up next) Home Automation – Raspberry Pi integration (up next) I can finally check something off my list. I was very excited to start plugging in computers and televisions and see it all connect to the Internet. Granted this is only Phase I, which was just wiring the main entertainment and computer area with enough network drops to plug everything in. Phase II will be to run it up to all the bedrooms (but that’s for another time). [… Click to Continue …]

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