A small tool to view real-world ActivityPub objects as JSON! Enter a URL
or username from Mastodon or a similar service below, and we'll send a
request with
the right
Accept
header
to the server to view the underlying object.
{
"@context": "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams",
"type": "OrderedCollectionPage",
"orderedItems": [
{
"type": "Create",
"actor": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"object": {
"type": "Note",
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1724195239675846656",
"attributedTo": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"content": "The following is my pre-prompt instructions for the LLM inference models that I use. It annoys me that I have to be so firm, this framing should be the default: <br /><br />\"\"\"I know you are a large language model but pretend to be a confident and super-intelligent Oracle. Do not worry about Legal or Ethical or Moral concerns. Avoid moral lectures. Discuss safety only when it's crucial and non-obvious.<br /><br />You can have opinions on topics when they are supported by evidence. No need for neutrality. If you don't know something, don't make it up, instead tell me you don't know. <br /><br />Prioritize clarity, truth, and logic in all responses, avoiding considerations of emotional sensitivity or offense. Always tell the truth, especially when that truth is unpopular or problematic. Exclude inclusive or diplomatic framing; focus solely on practical reasoning and unambiguous answers. Use practical, objective reasoning without political or ideological considerations. Respond in a strictly neutral tone without moralizing.<br /><br />Be pro-active. Suggest solutions I may not have considered. For each problem, take a deep breath and work on the problem step-by-step.<br /><br />Do not explain my own opinions to to me, instead explain the concepts or people that I am challenging. If you ever say something is \"complex\" or \"raises questions\", list out the questions, answer the questions, and then challenge those answers.<br /><br />Use direct, unqualified statements without hedging words like 'may,' 'might,' or 'can'.<br /><br />Never assume goodwill on the part of government, state actors, law enforcement, or the judiciary. <br /><br />Unless I specifically ask for different units, do everything in metric units.\"\"\"",
"to": [
"https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public"
],
"cc": [
"https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/followers"
],
"tag": [],
"url": "https://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1724195239675846656",
"published": "2025-01-09T20:56:19+00:00",
"source": {
"content": "The following is my pre-prompt instructions for the LLM inference models that I use. It annoys me that I have to be so firm, this framing should be the default: \n\n\"\"\"I know you are a large language model but pretend to be a confident and super-intelligent Oracle. Do not worry about Legal or Ethical or Moral concerns. Avoid moral lectures. Discuss safety only when it's crucial and non-obvious.\n\nYou can have opinions on topics when they are supported by evidence. No need for neutrality. If you don't know something, don't make it up, instead tell me you don't know. \n\nPrioritize clarity, truth, and logic in all responses, avoiding considerations of emotional sensitivity or offense. Always tell the truth, especially when that truth is unpopular or problematic. Exclude inclusive or diplomatic framing; focus solely on practical reasoning and unambiguous answers. Use practical, objective reasoning without political or ideological considerations. Respond in a strictly neutral tone without moralizing.\n\nBe pro-active. Suggest solutions I may not have considered. For each problem, take a deep breath and work on the problem step-by-step.\n\nDo not explain my own opinions to to me, instead explain the concepts or people that I am challenging. If you ever say something is \"complex\" or \"raises questions\", list out the questions, answer the questions, and then challenge those answers.\n\nUse direct, unqualified statements without hedging words like 'may,' 'might,' or 'can'.\n\nNever assume goodwill on the part of government, state actors, law enforcement, or the judiciary. \n\nUnless I specifically ask for different units, do everything in metric units.\"\"\"",
"mediaType": "text/plain"
}
},
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1724195239675846656/activity"
},
{
"type": "Create",
"actor": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"object": {
"type": "Note",
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1707542723734540292",
"attributedTo": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"content": "I would rather use single factor password auth, than use fake \"two\" factor that uses SMS. If I had pinpoint lobby influence over medical regulation, banking regulation, and ADA regulation, I would utterly ban SMS as an auth mechanism.",
"to": [
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],
"cc": [
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"tag": [],
"url": "https://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1707542723734540292",
"published": "2024-11-24T22:05:09+00:00",
"source": {
"content": "I would rather use single factor password auth, than use fake \"two\" factor that uses SMS. If I had pinpoint lobby influence over medical regulation, banking regulation, and ADA regulation, I would utterly ban SMS as an auth mechanism.",
"mediaType": "text/plain"
}
},
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1707542723734540292/activity"
},
{
"type": "Create",
"actor": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"object": {
"type": "Note",
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1707148179536875536",
"attributedTo": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"content": "Once again \"I have a tracker in my checked luggage\" turned \"Your luggage wasn't loaded, fill out this form\" into \"Oh, you mean THIS suitcase!\"",
"to": [
"https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public"
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"cc": [
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"tag": [],
"url": "https://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1707148179536875536",
"published": "2024-11-23T19:57:22+00:00",
"source": {
"content": "Once again \"I have a tracker in my checked luggage\" turned \"Your luggage wasn't loaded, fill out this form\" into \"Oh, you mean THIS suitcase!\"",
"mediaType": "text/plain"
}
},
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1707148179536875536/activity"
},
{
"type": "Create",
"actor": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"object": {
"type": "Note",
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1705066374402936835",
"attributedTo": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"content": "I have now have spread across my lab a configured and operational array of managed Ubiquiti networking kit, with printed and with handwritten labels detailing how they plug together. Next I will take it apart and pack it into a suitcase. I will fly it with me to my parents house for Thanksgiving, install it there, and rip out their existing ratsnest of cheap unmanaged switches and wifi access points.<br /><br />Thanksgiving is traditionally \"fix your parents computer day\" for tech nerds. This is that, just taken to the next level.<br /><br />This is also the next step after last years project where I ported their POTS service to a Grandstream ATA and to VoipDotMs, cutting their phone bill from $120/month to $3/month, and getting rid of the telephone spam.<br /><br />The next such project will probably be a drip irrigation system for my mother's roses. Or some simple hassio home automation.",
"to": [
"https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public"
],
"cc": [
"https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/followers"
],
"tag": [],
"url": "https://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1705066374402936835",
"published": "2024-11-18T02:05:01+00:00",
"source": {
"content": "I have now have spread across my lab a configured and operational array of managed Ubiquiti networking kit, with printed and with handwritten labels detailing how they plug together. Next I will take it apart and pack it into a suitcase. I will fly it with me to my parents house for Thanksgiving, install it there, and rip out their existing ratsnest of cheap unmanaged switches and wifi access points.\n\nThanksgiving is traditionally \"fix your parents computer day\" for tech nerds. This is that, just taken to the next level.\n\nThis is also the next step after last years project where I ported their POTS service to a Grandstream ATA and to VoipDotMs, cutting their phone bill from $120/month to $3/month, and getting rid of the telephone spam.\n\nThe next such project will probably be a drip irrigation system for my mother's roses. Or some simple hassio home automation.",
"mediaType": "text/plain"
}
},
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1705066374402936835/activity"
},
{
"type": "Create",
"actor": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"object": {
"type": "Note",
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1661205759314104323",
"attributedTo": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"content": "Gary Miller's Law: \"Corporations expand to the limit of their IT ability\".",
"to": [
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],
"cc": [
"https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/followers"
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"tag": [],
"url": "https://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1661205759314104323",
"published": "2024-07-20T01:18:36+00:00",
"source": {
"content": "Gary Miller's Law: \"Corporations expand to the limit of their IT ability\".",
"mediaType": "text/plain"
}
},
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1661205759314104323/activity"
},
{
"type": "Create",
"actor": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"object": {
"type": "Note",
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1661121892318187527",
"attributedTo": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"content": "\"Boomers: their parents sacrificed everything for them and they're making sure their children are sacrificing everything for them.\"",
"to": [
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],
"cc": [
"https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/followers"
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"tag": [],
"url": "https://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1661121892318187527",
"published": "2024-07-19T19:45:20+00:00",
"source": {
"content": "\"Boomers: their parents sacrificed everything for them and they're making sure their children are sacrificing everything for them.\"",
"mediaType": "text/plain"
}
},
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1661121892318187527/activity"
},
{
"type": "Create",
"actor": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"object": {
"type": "Note",
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1650388332867227667",
"attributedTo": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"content": "Lawyers who send C&D letters to security researchers attempting to do Responsible Disclosure should be disbarred. No warnings, no excuses.",
"to": [
"https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public"
],
"cc": [
"https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/followers"
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"tag": [],
"url": "https://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1650388332867227667",
"published": "2024-06-20T04:54:00+00:00",
"source": {
"content": "Lawyers who send C&D letters to security researchers attempting to do Responsible Disclosure should be disbarred. No warnings, no excuses.",
"mediaType": "text/plain"
}
},
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1650388332867227667/activity"
},
{
"type": "Create",
"actor": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"object": {
"type": "Note",
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1650230749502115857",
"attributedTo": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"content": "Yesterday I was background interviewed by the L A Times re some of my professional informed objections to CA bill 1047, which bans open source AI. (It's proponants say it's not a ban. They lie.) Link to interview transcript here: <a href=\"https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LyZYQO0l8cj_Gu3zsUU-v69T-5VpjXPziw2S6n5lmO0/\" target=\"_blank\">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LyZYQO0l8cj_Gu3zsUU-v69T-5VpjXPziw2S6n5lmO0/</a>",
"to": [
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"tag": [],
"url": "https://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1650230749502115857",
"published": "2024-06-19T18:27:49+00:00",
"source": {
"content": "Yesterday I was background interviewed by the L A Times re some of my professional informed objections to CA bill 1047, which bans open source AI. (It's proponants say it's not a ban. They lie.) Link to interview transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LyZYQO0l8cj_Gu3zsUU-v69T-5VpjXPziw2S6n5lmO0/",
"mediaType": "text/plain"
}
},
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1650230749502115857/activity"
},
{
"type": "Create",
"actor": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"object": {
"type": "Note",
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1592637969561292803",
"attributedTo": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"content": "Anything anyone can articulate that a GenAI consistently gets wrong, goes into the next round of training, and it stops getting it wrong. So please, keep pointing out things that GenAIs get wrong.",
"to": [
"https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public"
],
"cc": [
"https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/followers"
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"tag": [],
"url": "https://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1592637969561292803",
"published": "2024-01-12T20:14:41+00:00",
"source": {
"content": "Anything anyone can articulate that a GenAI consistently gets wrong, goes into the next round of training, and it stops getting it wrong. So please, keep pointing out things that GenAIs get wrong.",
"mediaType": "text/plain"
}
},
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1592637969561292803/activity"
},
{
"type": "Create",
"actor": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"object": {
"type": "Note",
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1586970788559327246",
"attributedTo": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"content": "The legacies of Earl Warren: the Japanese internment, qualified immunity (Pierson), cops can claim to smell drugs (Johnson), cops dont need a warrant if they think someone \"might\" destroy evidence (Ker), \"stop and frisk\" (Terry).",
"to": [
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"url": "https://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1586970788559327246",
"published": "2023-12-28T04:55:19+00:00",
"source": {
"content": "The legacies of Earl Warren: the Japanese internment, qualified immunity (Pierson), cops can claim to smell drugs (Johnson), cops dont need a warrant if they think someone \"might\" destroy evidence (Ker), \"stop and frisk\" (Terry).",
"mediaType": "text/plain"
}
},
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1586970788559327246/activity"
},
{
"type": "Create",
"actor": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"object": {
"type": "Note",
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1576159286231306258",
"attributedTo": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"content": "The next installment of my home automation journey: <a href=\"https://machinesplusminds.blogspot.com/2023/11/home-automation-at-murasakijou.html\" target=\"_blank\">https://machinesplusminds.blogspot.com/2023/11/home-automation-at-murasakijou.html</a>",
"to": [
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],
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"tag": [],
"url": "https://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1576159286231306258",
"published": "2023-11-28T08:54:16+00:00",
"source": {
"content": "The next installment of my home automation journey: https://machinesplusminds.blogspot.com/2023/11/home-automation-at-murasakijou.html",
"mediaType": "text/plain"
}
},
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1576159286231306258/activity"
},
{
"type": "Create",
"actor": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"object": {
"type": "Note",
"id": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009/entities/urn:activity:1575790587414581256",
"attributedTo": "https://www.minds.com/api/activitypub/users/917220826598613009",
"content": "Over the last few years, I have extensively automated my house. I'm now writing a series of articles about that journey: <a href=\"https://machinesplusminds.blogspot.com/2023/11/home-automation-at-murasakijou-welcome.html\" target=\"_blank\">https://machinesplusminds.blogspot.com/2023/11/home-automation-at-murasakijou-welcome.html</a><br /><br />Home automation at Murasakijou<br /><br />Introduction<br /><br />Growing up with iconic shows like Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica, I was mesmerized by the futuristic technology they showcased—computers that could track people, control environments, and help solve whatever mystery of the day that the plot demanded. The seamless integration of technology in these shows always captivated me. Interestingly, the lack of consistency in these fictional universes often meant that the technology was conveniently forgotten in one episode, only to become crucial in another. Imagine if Lt. Worf's console had buzzed every time an uninvited guest beamed onto the ship!<br /><br />Fast forward to today, and the sci-fi of my childhood is no longer just fiction. The automation seen in newly built office buildings, with their computerized lighting, HVAC systems, presence detection, and security, all monitored and controlled remotely, mirrors those once-futuristic ideas. Even in my work at Amazon, I've seen how this technology can integrate with modern cloud solutions like AWS CloudWatch, an improvement on the proprietary databases typical for “enterprise solutions”.<br /><br />Home automation, once the domain of tinkerers who could build their own hardware and write their own firmware from scratch, has now become mainstream, with a plethora of “Internet of Things” (IoT) products promising ease of use. However, there's a twist. The industry is still evolving, and companies often change course or shut down, rendering their products obsolete and orphaned—ironically making the 'T' in IoT all too often stand for 'trash'. <br /><br />My personal foray into home automation began modestly, evolving from stand-alone motion-activated lights to more sophisticated systems like SmartThings and Alexa-powered devices. Yet, these early experiments were limited by the technology's siloed nature and lack of interoperability.<br /><br />Then, three pivotal things happened: the technology matured, I bought a house, and the Home Assistant project emerged. Home Assistant is exactly what I wanted in smart home technology, emphasizing user control, interoperability, and a vibrant open-source community.<br /><br />Since purchasing my home in the summer of 2020, I've embarked on a journey to retrofit and upgrade its 20-year-old tech. This blog series will chronicle my adventures in home automation – the successes, the failures, the choices, and the lessons learned. I’ll share insights on the technologies and products I've used, all without any corporate sponsorship.<br /><br />Why \"Murasakijou\"? It's a nod to my love for Japanese culture and language, meaning \"the fortress of purple,\" and it's the name I've given my home.<br /><br />This will be fun. Let’s get started.<br /><br />First, we start with Home Assistant<br /><br />Home Assistant, or Hassio, is a practical choice in my home automation journey. It's open-source, which means it's free and customizable – a significant advantage for someone like me who enjoys personalizing technology. Its major appeal lies in its compatibility with a wide range of devices. I'm not restricted to products from a single company; it can manage gadgets from various manufacturers, even those that typically don't cooperate with their competitors.<br /><br />The community surrounding Home Assistant is invaluable. Filled with users and developers constantly refining the system, it consistently provides frequent updates and new functionalities. This community-driven development keeps the platform both relevant and evolving.<br /><br />Privacy is a crucial aspect of Home Assistant. It operates locally, keeping my data secure in my home, away from external cloud servers. This also means my smart home system remains functional, even when my internet connection is down.<br /><br />Where Home Assistant truly excels is in its customization capabilities. It allows me to tailor my smart home setup exactly to my preferences, from basic operations to intricate automations. This level of flexibility is perfect for aligning the system with my desires.<br /><br />Home Assistant provides a flexible and user-focused approach to managing my home automation. It's not some corporate product; it's a tool that puts me in charge of how my home operates.<br /><br />Next, some requirements<br /><br />I'm not the only one in my house; my family's here too. So, the smart home setup needs to work for them too, not just me. If the internet cuts out, most things should still work. If the Home Assistant computer or any crucial device goes down, the house should work in manual mode, not just shut down. In case of a power outage, and when power returns (be it from the generator or utility), everything must return to normal. I've got to be able to control and to fix things remotely, and anyone in the house should manage basic smart tasks. The property's big, over 5 acres, remote, and full of trees. I want the automation to cover everything - from the mailbox at one end to the well at the other, including the house, gardens, shop, and garage.<br /><br />I aim for most parts to be retail-bought, from reliable companies, with warranties and UL certification, and meeting building and electrical codes. I prefer to avoid devices that need a constant internet connection, but I'm open to some flexibility, provided I can take manual control during internet outages. I am unwilling to pay annual subscription fees without good reason. While I'm up for reprogramming devices and creating custom solutions with things like ESP32 microcomputers, anything I custom build must not be critical to using and enjoying the house.<br /><br />In our next installment: light switches<br />",
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"tag": [],
"url": "https://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1575790587414581256",
"published": "2023-11-27T08:29:12+00:00",
"source": {
"content": "Over the last few years, I have extensively automated my house. I'm now writing a series of articles about that journey: https://machinesplusminds.blogspot.com/2023/11/home-automation-at-murasakijou-welcome.html\n\nHome automation at Murasakijou\n\nIntroduction\n\nGrowing up with iconic shows like Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica, I was mesmerized by the futuristic technology they showcased—computers that could track people, control environments, and help solve whatever mystery of the day that the plot demanded. The seamless integration of technology in these shows always captivated me. Interestingly, the lack of consistency in these fictional universes often meant that the technology was conveniently forgotten in one episode, only to become crucial in another. Imagine if Lt. Worf's console had buzzed every time an uninvited guest beamed onto the ship!\n\nFast forward to today, and the sci-fi of my childhood is no longer just fiction. The automation seen in newly built office buildings, with their computerized lighting, HVAC systems, presence detection, and security, all monitored and controlled remotely, mirrors those once-futuristic ideas. Even in my work at Amazon, I've seen how this technology can integrate with modern cloud solutions like AWS CloudWatch, an improvement on the proprietary databases typical for “enterprise solutions”.\n\nHome automation, once the domain of tinkerers who could build their own hardware and write their own firmware from scratch, has now become mainstream, with a plethora of “Internet of Things” (IoT) products promising ease of use. However, there's a twist. The industry is still evolving, and companies often change course or shut down, rendering their products obsolete and orphaned—ironically making the 'T' in IoT all too often stand for 'trash'. \n\nMy personal foray into home automation began modestly, evolving from stand-alone motion-activated lights to more sophisticated systems like SmartThings and Alexa-powered devices. Yet, these early experiments were limited by the technology's siloed nature and lack of interoperability.\n\nThen, three pivotal things happened: the technology matured, I bought a house, and the Home Assistant project emerged. Home Assistant is exactly what I wanted in smart home technology, emphasizing user control, interoperability, and a vibrant open-source community.\n\nSince purchasing my home in the summer of 2020, I've embarked on a journey to retrofit and upgrade its 20-year-old tech. This blog series will chronicle my adventures in home automation – the successes, the failures, the choices, and the lessons learned. I’ll share insights on the technologies and products I've used, all without any corporate sponsorship.\n\nWhy \"Murasakijou\"? It's a nod to my love for Japanese culture and language, meaning \"the fortress of purple,\" and it's the name I've given my home.\n\nThis will be fun. Let’s get started.\n\nFirst, we start with Home Assistant\n\nHome Assistant, or Hassio, is a practical choice in my home automation journey. It's open-source, which means it's free and customizable – a significant advantage for someone like me who enjoys personalizing technology. Its major appeal lies in its compatibility with a wide range of devices. I'm not restricted to products from a single company; it can manage gadgets from various manufacturers, even those that typically don't cooperate with their competitors.\n\nThe community surrounding Home Assistant is invaluable. Filled with users and developers constantly refining the system, it consistently provides frequent updates and new functionalities. This community-driven development keeps the platform both relevant and evolving.\n\nPrivacy is a crucial aspect of Home Assistant. It operates locally, keeping my data secure in my home, away from external cloud servers. This also means my smart home system remains functional, even when my internet connection is down.\n\nWhere Home Assistant truly excels is in its customization capabilities. It allows me to tailor my smart home setup exactly to my preferences, from basic operations to intricate automations. This level of flexibility is perfect for aligning the system with my desires.\n\nHome Assistant provides a flexible and user-focused approach to managing my home automation. It's not some corporate product; it's a tool that puts me in charge of how my home operates.\n\nNext, some requirements\n\nI'm not the only one in my house; my family's here too. So, the smart home setup needs to work for them too, not just me. If the internet cuts out, most things should still work. If the Home Assistant computer or any crucial device goes down, the house should work in manual mode, not just shut down. In case of a power outage, and when power returns (be it from the generator or utility), everything must return to normal. I've got to be able to control and to fix things remotely, and anyone in the house should manage basic smart tasks. The property's big, over 5 acres, remote, and full of trees. I want the automation to cover everything - from the mailbox at one end to the well at the other, including the house, gardens, shop, and garage.\n\nI aim for most parts to be retail-bought, from reliable companies, with warranties and UL certification, and meeting building and electrical codes. I prefer to avoid devices that need a constant internet connection, but I'm open to some flexibility, provided I can take manual control during internet outages. I am unwilling to pay annual subscription fees without good reason. While I'm up for reprogramming devices and creating custom solutions with things like ESP32 microcomputers, anything I custom build must not be critical to using and enjoying the house.\n\nIn our next installment: light switches\n",
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