Comment on AWS outage reminds us why $2,449 Internet-dependent beds are a bad idea

• AnarchistArtificer@slrpnk.net ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

  I was talking about this recently with someone (read: ranting as they nodded sympathetically) and I finished up by saying “what’s the point of ‘smart’ tech if the humans who use it are steadily disempowered and ultimately, made less smart?”

  I’ve recently been dabbling in HomeAssistant and learning how to set things up properly feels like it’s been making me more smart.

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  • Hexarei@beehaw.org ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago

    Yeah, I absolutely adore being able to set up things that make my life easier without getting in the way and without worrying it’ll all ruin my day if something stops working.

    We use smart light switches that look and work like regular switches, but with Z-wave control built in. Controlling otherwise non-smart lights is great, but then so is being able to trigger things with double and triple presses!

    My favorite example is that my espresso machine takes a moment to warm up in the morning, so I have it on a Z-wave outlet for remote control. I can turn it on from my bedroom by double-clicking my bedroom light switch on the way out of the room in the morning. By the time I collect the cups from the office, and get them cleaned out in the kitchen, the machine is usually ready to use.

    I’m rather close to a downward triple-press in the bedroom kicking off a full bedtime routine that turns off all the lights, TVs, locks the house doors (with feedback from a smart speaker if that fails), locks the car doors, turns the temperature down a couple of degrees, and arms the house alarm.

    A downward triple-press in my office locks the family’s computers.

    All 100% locally, and I adore it!

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  • BCsven@lemmy.ca ⁨3⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

    Kasa TPlink sockets and switches can be set to only run local on Homeassistant., with some github hacking help. Don’t need their cloud app at all

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• BurgerBaron@piefed.social ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

  I haven’t gone lookimg but I’m sure I could find acceptable alternatives. I’ve just never felt the need to blow so much money and time for so little gain.

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