Technology
Hardware, software, networking, and development
#2365: Building a Custom Home Alarm Panel with ESP32
Discover how to build a tactile, local-control alarm panel for Home Assistant using ESP32, Omron buttons, and Zigbee sensors.
#2364: Building a Dual-Timezone Clock with ESP32
Learn how to build a precise dual-timezone clock using an ESP32 microcontroller, LCD displays, and USB-C power.
#2363: Embedded Systems: From Breadboards to Pacemakers
How do tiny computers power everything from hobbyist projects to life-saving medical implants? The engineering constraints are worlds apart.
#2361: Claude Code Meets Linux Logs: Proactive System Maintenance
How Claude Code transforms Linux system administration by automating log analysis and proactive maintenance.
#2358: ESP32 vs Raspberry Pi: The Microcontroller Mindshift
Why your smart thermostat doesn’t run Linux—and why that’s a feature. The surprising differences between microcontrollers and single-board computers.
#2345: Why File Naming Conventions Are More Than Just Style
Discover how file naming conventions like snake_case and camelCase impact development workflows, CI/CD pipelines, and filesystem compatibility.
#2338: Who Keeps Matplotlib Running?
How does a team of just 15 people maintain Matplotlib, the backbone of global scientific visualization?
#2330: Peripheral Vision Signals: The Future of Ambient Notifications
How USB lights and DIY setups are rethinking notifications to reduce screen overload and tap into your peripheral vision.
#2327: Why AI Developers Chose Discord Over Slack
Discover why Discord became the go-to platform for AI developers, outpacing Slack with its community-first design and informal vibe.
#2326: Voice Control Simplified: Home Assistant’s Local Stack
Discover how to build a reliable, vendor-agnostic voice control system for Home Assistant without relying on Amazon or Google.
#2319: The Rise of the Dodgy Box: Streaming Piracy’s New Era
How the dodgy box became the go-to device for streaming piracy, and why authorities are cracking down now.
#2301: Inside Podcasting's Simple, Powerful Infrastructure
Explore the elegant simplicity of podcasting’s RSS backbone and how it empowers creators with independence and control.
#2299: Self-Hosting Media: Plex, Jellyfin, and Emby Explained
Dive into the world of self-hosted media managers: Plex, Jellyfin, and Emby. Why do millions choose to run their own servers?
#2292: Inside China’s Internet: The Great Firewall and Beyond
Explore China’s parallel internet ecosystem—how the Great Firewall works, the apps that dominate it, and the surprising innovations it fosters.
#2275: From Catalogs to TikTok: The Psychology of Remote Shopping
Explore how remote shopping, from mail-order catalogs to TikTok Shop, taps into the same psychological impulses across eras.
#2273: The Curious Case of Kitchen Unitaskers
From banana slicers to motorized ice cream cones, we rank the most absurd single-use kitchen gadgets and explore their weird charm.
#2270: How Your Laptop Charger Conquered the World
The heavy travel transformer is extinct, thanks to a clever engineering revolution inside every power brick. We explain the tech and which devices ...
#2269: Ungrounded: The Hidden Danger in Your Israeli Socket
Why does your imported vacuum feel dangerous? We trace the fault path from a Europlug to a potential shock, explaining which appliances need ground...
#2268: The Universal Power Cord's Quiet Masterpiece
A deep dive into the humble IEC power cable—the C13 and C14 connectors. We explore the history, physics, and surprising engineering that makes this...
#2256: One Charger to Rule Them All? Almost.
Drowning in chargers? We break down the specs for a single, powerful desktop charging station that can handle laptops, phones, and more—and where t...