I finally started documenting all the home automation devices and apps I use, with the main goal of everything running locally! Here's a fun list to browse through if you're looking for some holiday shopping ideas!

https://aaronparecki.com/home-automation/

@aaronpk yay! Glad I'm not the only one 😉

@aaronpk I'm going to read it tonight if I can stay awake. I'm looking forward to seeing what you're doing with it!

@aaronpk you're in an apartment as well? Sweet!

@tiffany Yeah it definitely has its challenges for smart home automation!

@aaronpk ooh, gonna give this a read! I’m just getting in to home automation. 🤓

@danj definitely a good read and plenty of recs too

@tiffany awesome so glad to help! I look forward to hearing how it works out!

@tiffany Yes! I’m happy Hue makes the list, because that’s probably what I’ll start with. 🤓

@aaronpk thanks! I have similar priorities as you, so this has helped me make a few decisions.

You mention UniFi Video but not what your camera setup looks like?

@gerwitz ah yeah I forgot to add cameras there! I'll add that section soon. The short version is I'm all in on UniFi video, I have a few of their cameras, and I installed their software in a VM.

@aaronpk 👍 I have a Synology NAS and UniFi network so am…conflicted.

@gerwitz conflicted? I also have a Synology NAS and UniFi network!

@aaronpk between unifi’s software and synology’s, I mean. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

The NAS is my only “server” unless you count a CloudKey and Apple TV. I think it’s time for a HASS box, though.

@gerwitz You could always run Home Assistant on the Synology NAS https://www.home-assistant.io/docs/installation/synology/

@aaronpk I am! For experimenting. But the Z-wave USB stick is too fiddly.

@gerwitz yeah, the weak link for this seems to be USB hardware. Thankfully I haven't had any trouble since switching to the Intel NUC