You do realize you don’t “own” anything on Steam right? Every dollar you give them is towards a “subscription” to play the game.

commenter wasn’t even mentioning time frames involving Biden, but way to play the victim card average democrat playbook

Fiber is a sore subject lol, it was a big local deal when fiber was coming to town with newspaper articles and everything about the big development and how great everything was gonna be with the upgrade in speed. Lots of crews all over the county for months (maybe years? time is fickle) and even had them running the lines on my street and a relatives on the other side of the main town. Turns out they decided to not actually make fiber available for the area, it’s just running through. I understand you can’t just splice into fiber lol, still irks me I have a box I can’t touch or move with “Fiber” labelled on it sitting on the property though and have to deal with cable internet that runs like it’s a DSL connection.

With wired Ethernet to every room, would something of this type of connection be aesthetically pleasing? I would like to bundle everything so there’s not an excessive amount of wall plates and others have suggested running two lines in parallel with STP cat6a (cat8 will probably be saved for the next place if it has fiber available). I’m just worried about the look of having several wall jacks or several unknown connections that might confuse someone (I will label everything but that only goes so far for understanding). If I include coaxial it might look a little like this style of outlet if I’m not running two ethernet ports. I’m starting to lean into the coaxial/single ethernet just because cable/satellite tv is still king around these parts and people love their boxes.

If you had to have a modem box for internet with coaxial or DSL, would you prefer that tucked away into the server closet as well? or keep that in a separate area with the phone connections and just run an ethernet from the modem to the server closet where the router and switch setup are at?

The only problem with that is if you’re pumping air out you have to think about where the air is coming in from. Older fireplaces are notorious for this because any air escaping through the chimney has to be replaced usually resulting in the rest of the house becoming actually colder through air gaps/cracks. Newer built houses even have ductwork for controlled air introduction when using exhaust fans like the range hood over the stove to maintain relative pressures with energy efficient houses (this house is nowhere near that level yet, but once newer windows are installed and I can seal the outlets I replace/install it will be one step closer).

One thought I did have is running the HVAC return through the area, it would reduce the relative humidity of the house as I’ve already installed several dehumidifiers for the closed crawl spaces I’ve sealed up and insulated but this whole geographical area is just horrible (/s about the servers being a dehumidifier, but realistically the equipment has to have some type of impact even if 1% lol) . Nearly every house I’ve worked on has some type of moisture issue but home owners typically don’t care unless it becomes life-threatening or threatens the structure. My thoughts on the return is so cold air isn’t directly blasted into the area as the dramatic temperature change might introduce condensation, the calculations for the CFM (airflow) have to be exact though so I’m not killing any systems early. The house has an old A/C system with an oil heating system (also has propane and electrical heating in other locations, idk if the person before me had a thing for collecting all the systems but it’s rather insane), the a/c doesn’t cover the entire structure though so I either have to think about replacing the entire setup (it is rather old but looks well maintained surprisingly) or milking the old system while installing a secondary hvac system for the unconditioned areas (mainly 2nd floor, plenty of attic space to install it which will probably be sealed as well if I do).

You definitely hit on a great idea though, I was planning on installing a secondary thermostat in the server area. If I did a return through and set it to active the hvac system fan when a temperature threshold is reached, in the winter it would disperse the heat through the house and I wouldn’t have to worry about the system switching from A/C to Heat or how I would continue to cool an area now getting hot air directly pumped into it. Then in the summer the air returning would be directly cooled when necessary and released back into the house so I’m not worrying about another outside vent opening requiring filters that need to be replaced/inspected etc. Might be able to pull off the airflow requirements with something as simple as a slotted closet door a lot of bedrooms have. I would be concerned someone might replace the door one day without realizing it’s importance so maybe dedicated wall venting into the server area is safer, even if it looked worse.

Oh nice! I had home assistant on my radar from other open source threads I read but hadn’t run across the site link or realized they have smart hubs for sale with it. I’ve been hesitant with the automation setup because of the complications you mentioned. I imagined the high priced homes/condos with automated systems probably came with a subscription service for customer support with the equipment installed but wasn’t sure if that assumption was right. If I can pull the same thing off with an open source project that’s reliable and has custom equipment built for it then maybe it’s worth looking into after all.

lol I’ve seen that before and sympathize every time I see my router log filled with my partners apple devices doing their thing. I’m slowly convincing them to move away from it all with suitable replacements I find along the way.

cheep Chinese ip cameras that have poe and are blocked from the internet

That’s a good point. I’ve been introduced to those systems with some installs and was avoiding anything that connected to a server not under my control even if it’s more complicated (completely wigs me out people are complacent with some unknown server recording EVERYTHING). I hadn’t looked into “dumbing” the cameras to take advantage of their lower price points, much like you can buy a smart tv but avoid it’s connectivity to use it more privately and without bloatware. Been sporadically searching security systems the past few weeks so I’ll have to double down and keep that perspective in mind.

and here I thought I was being excessive with thinking about conduit. There is a large unfinished basement that mostly everything in it was destroyed from a flood. After I ripped everything out, installed a new stairwell, and ran new drainage to avoid the next eventual flood (as all lower elevations like to do), I was pondering running conduit for everything to protect from moisture in that area for at the very least some high wall outlets to power systems down there. I could scale that plan back and not have everything being conduit (for cost sake) but install it in specific spots for anything that won’t have easy access in the future. I know of a few spots that will need new lines ran through 3 floors so the pull cables would come in handy for future use.

a dedicated UPS circuit so I could have a single, large UPS to backup everything that needs it

That’s beautiful and didn’t cross my mind. I’ve done solar installs so my mind always just thinks of that type of battery bank for my needs, that’s definitely a viable alternative that I could tie into the cctv system for continuous security as well without adding extra systems. I’ve only had a small “pc” UPS that crapped out on me years ago but I see they’re scalable so I will entertain myself looking at some specs while pondering.

Thank you for the cat6a recommendation. I was not trying to state this as something needs to be a “great improvement” nor am I looking for only recommendations that have a certain return value in mind. I recognize most “tech” things won’t be taken into consideration for resale nor will I probably stumble into a tech person who would appreciate and pay extra for the value. Ducting would involve HVAC as it’s something I’m familiar with and wouldn’t be an issue.

I wasn’t trying to get into a financial debate with housing and never said how long I’ve resided at this house but I can see how you would assume that from my post. I only stated the remaining years I have as a time-limit for any recommendations (can’t wait around for household fusion to come available :P /s). Think of it as a fun hobby/side-project I’m doing involving the Tech that will give me a stepping stone for familiarity and exposure to how I eventually want to do a “forever” home I’ll rot away in. I imagine there are plenty of projects/ideas out there I’m missing because I always run across something fun and new (like stair lighting with sensors and programmable modes).

The architectural design and remodeling parts involving financials is a whole separate category and has been my jam for decades so I’m not worried about that (dilapidated houses call to me and I’ve always answered so they can be lived in again). 3 years is plenty of time if you’re qualified and have the expertise, I’ve already spent considerable time working on this property so don’t worry too much about it. This is simply a “what do we want to do with the rest of our time here and improving the house that has shown us love” scenario. I do appreciate your comment though, I realize none of this is really special and helps tamp down my enthusiasm since I always tend to get carried away. The weather monitoring is an apt example, I never liked the prepackaged setups so had plans saved to build my own. That’s something that will probably be better suited for the next home.

I actually look at it a completely different way. There are so many users optimizing and digging into the core of open source versus proprietary that with so many randoms actions there’s less “vulnerable” dark spots available. If we think there’s a limitless X amount of vulnerabilities (since we don’t know the true ceiling limit), open source will always be “X (vulnerabilities) - 1” compared to proprietary. Completely a math metaphor but gets the point across, It’s a path that lessens the impact which we should be striving for over profit/monopoly motives.

Or you’re just wrong and crying loudly about it? I don’t even know wtf the original point is you were trying to make before this pity party started. “You don’t seem like you are a car enthusiast, so go on any car forum or facebook group and ask about some fake wheels or eBay special turbos.” You’re a fucking joke. Lots of wasted time explaining nothing at all for scary car scenarios. I don’t even want to post this reply but your comments are fucking stupid and misleading. and you end it with a fucking “planned attack” scenario by terrorists or nation states? JFC just make a sane statement and run with it, don’t rant on about nothing then get confused when you’re downvoted.

My partner still visits reddit on mobile (the communities they want just are not here and they don’t like to post), I know when showing me something we’ve clicked on a post to have to scroll past a “Presented” comment (ad), the communities stickied bot comment, then we finally get to the first real comment only for it to be some highly upvoted joke comment. Sprinkle in bots and native ad’s, I seriously don’t understand still putting up with it. It’s like saying a shopping complex is still a social hot spot like a mall was back in the day.

Jesus Fucking Christ dude, I was talking about judges and you took this opportunity to rant for multiple paragraphs about media. It’s the fucking internet, I can get news from multiple sources and not just “squid games”. Commenter above talked about German judges political leanings, as I’m sure plenty of other countries do as well after researching further on it. UK and Australia are the outliers (with Canada, still looking into them) and have their own sets of problems, instead of talking about those you’ve decided to make an anti-US shitpost.

Britain’s only transgender judge has quit after claiming she can no longer do the job without politicizing the judiciary. Master Victoria McCloud said her publicly known status as someone who transitioned from a man to a woman meant she was “now political every time I choose where to pee”. “I have reached the conclusion that in 2024 the national situation and present judicial framework is no longer such that it is possible, in a dignified way, to be both ‘trans’ and a salaried, fairly prominent judge in the UK,” she added. (link)

Man successfully sues Judge Salvatore Vasta for wrongful imprisonment, He said Judge Vasta denied the plaintiff procedural fairness and had engaged in a “gross and obvious irregularity of procedure”. (link) Judges to be protected against civil lawsuits after Salvatore Vasta sued over wrongful imprisonment, The federal government is preparing to introduce reforms granting greater protections to inferior court judges after a landmark case in which a wrongfully imprisoned man successfully sued Salvatore Vasta. (link)

So why is the Australian appointment process devoid of scrutiny, allowed to unfold in the shadows of cabinet confidentiality and undisclosed “consultations” with state governments, the chief justice and maybe a few legal peak bodies? So, absent a public confirmation process, how does the attorney general divine where a potential appointee sits on these issues of public and legal policy? This is done indirectly through a review of previous judgments or writings and speeches delivered by a candidate. Peers in the legal profession will be canvassed and the opinion of the high court chief justice will be gained – although this might be to assess if an appointee would be happily greeted by the current judges rather than obtaining a view as to the candidate’s outlook on specific legal issues. State governments are asked to submit names for consideration but normally the states won’t be given an opportunity to comment on the final shortlist.

Being able to appoint high court judges is one of the great prizes of winning federal elections. The court shapes Australia. It decided that native title survived British colonisation, ruled on whether the commonwealth could nationalise the banks, and whether persons denied refugee status could be indefinitely detained. No prime minister will ever give away the power to make these appointments and none to date have seriously entertained even lifting the curtain to allow public to glimpse the process. (link)

Australia urgently needs an independent body to hold powerful judges to account, It is a vacuum that has allowed sexist, racist and other troubling conduct to go largely unaddressed. Unlike, for instance, the legal or medical professions, or the public service, these avenues for accountability are not designed to provide an independent, standing institutional response when an individual has a complaint about the conduct of a judge — be that on or off the bench. Removal of a judge can only occur if both houses of parliament agree to it. It is an all-or-nothing option subject to partisan influences, political opportunism and argy-bargy. There has never been a federal judge removed in Australia.

The allegations of incompetence, rudeness, and bias against federal circuit court judge, Sandy Street, and incompetence, rudeness and unfairness against Judge Salvatore Vasta, that emerged over the course of last year provide us with two others. For months, there was no institutional response to the conduct of these two judges. This was despite a number of complaints, including from the Law Council of Australia. Finally, the chief judge of the Federal Circuit Court, Will Alstergen, indicated that the judges had agreed to undertake mentoring. He also defended the current Federal Circuit Court complaints procedures. Also last year, a Northern Territory judge, Greg Borchers, was found to have made comments that contained negative racial stereotypes. It was conduct the then Law Council of Australia President Arthur Moses branded “disparaging, discriminatory and offensive, insulting and humiliating to Indigenous Australians based solely on their race”. (link)

Looking into it further, seems like they all have their failings and political stances are included in all of them. Your high horse just has a nice robe thrown around it’s wooden legs so no one can see what’s going on. If you want to continue talking about “judges” I’m all for it, coming to see your wall of text about US media is just fucking sad. “now I have something to look into, will be interesting to see how they do it else where”.

That’s quite interesting. Didn’t know that wasn’t the normal and now I have something to look into. It seems like the political leanings is the only thing that’s ever talked about so will be interesting to see how they do it else where.

It’s complicated and I could go into details about every nuanced situation for a few hours. A few highlights,

There are 24 states that do not provide for statewide citizen-initiated ballot measures (link)

Alaska for some reason is my favorite example

Ballot Measure 2 supporters spent nearly $7 million and campaigned for a year and a half ahead of the election (outside state support). Brett Huber, campaign manager of the leading vote-no group, said his team “had a short amount of time and a lot less money, and we tried our best” (opponents to RCV). Ballot Measure 2 has received the support of 50.55% of Alaska’s voters (link)

So its slightly possible, with millions of dollars from outside state support, years to campaign, and catching the main political parties unaware of your movements.

For anyone confused or refuting this in their mind, look up the DNC’s history on ranked choice and the efforts they’ve used to stop it. The only effective legislation passed in a few states was done by citizens with outside state help.

Have used rice multiple times from old Nokia phones to newer iPhones, it does work and have helped multiple people. Idk what you’re imagining but you don’t shove the phone into rice and repeatedly shake it. Small Tupperware with a lid, small bed of rice on bottom, set the phone on top and allow to sit in the sun. The warmth turns the moisture into humidity in which the rice will absorb. The phone never even needs to be in contact with the rice with the right setup (same as the desiccant bags method). It’s just about getting the excess moisture absorbed, you can even inspect the phone and clean it up before use.

I had the same thought. The reality is that most of America now identifies as Independent,

However, since 2009, independent identification has grown and reached levels not seen before. Now, political independents (41%) greatly outnumber Republican (28%) and Democratic (28%) identifiers. source

Haley absolutely massacred Trump in the New Hampshire primaries in regards to independents,

Strong turnout by unaffiliated voters and a comparative abundance of moderates stood out in exit poll results, underscoring the state’s often unconventional voter profile. Forty-six percent reported being registered as “undeclared” rather than Republican vs. a previous record of 45% in 2012. Haley won those undeclared voters by a wide margin, 65-34%. source

I’m way more worried about a Haley run than another Biden vs Trump square-off. Everyone’s already made the great points on all the other views with age, gender, and it still being the republican party in control but people would be tricked with the optics.

Thank you for the vid link, got a new channel subscribed now. Great starting point to show people and dive down the rabbit hole with.