(Re)Introducing Jeremy’s Notes

(Re)Introducing Jeremy’s Notes — my ongoing log of experiments in tech, home automation, and retro gaming. Here, I write about the tools, setups, and lessons that come from blending my professional IT background with the things I love tinkering with at home.

Briefly, these are the topics I plan to cover:

Home Automation

I’ve always been fascinated by using computers—and now smartphones—to control and interact with my surroundings. Growing up, my family only went as far as using simple 1-to-1 RF plug modules to add switches to non-switched outlets for table lamps, but that certainly sparked my journey down the home automation rabbit hole. Now I’m fully invested and have implemented or experimented with just about every budget-friendly solution available.

My current automation system includes Home Assistant for the brains, Insteon for light and power control, Philips Hue lights, and many Wi-Fi devices for various control and sensor functions. While I have major plans to evolve and fortify this system, it currently includes:

Subtopics: Home Assistant, Zigbee, Apple HomeKit, Philips Hue, Elk M1 Security System, Structured Wiring, UniFi Protect

Home Network

My home’s network is an ever-evolving expanse of devices supporting daily computing, entertainment (TVs, video games, movie time), and home automation. The backbone is built on Ubiquiti gear, including their Dream Machine gateway, 10-Gbps-capable switches, Wi-Fi access points, and PoE cameras.

I want to capture the configuration techniques I’ve used to keep everything running mostly smoothly and share write-ups as I implement new gear.

I’m a big believer in keeping everything wired that can be wired, which has led me to retrofit many Ethernet (CAT6 + OM4) cables throughout my house. This is an ongoing effort I’m diving even deeper into—and plan to share that journey here.

While hard-wiring is best, it’s not always practical or cost-effective. A major part of my networking adventure also includes installing and optimizing the latest gear to keep my home’s wireless environment as close a peer as possible to its wired counterpart.

Subtopics: Ubiquiti, Structured Wiring, Network Security, Wi-Fi Optimization

Home Lab

Many of us in the IT industry blur the line between professional and personal interests—we like to replicate workplace setups or build similar infrastructure at home. I’m no exception.

Within my home lab are VM hosts, Docker container farms, and a variety of other service infrastructures running in a compact physical and logical environment. Like many others before me, I’d like to share what I’ve built, how I worked it all out, and what I’m experimenting with next.

Subtopics: Docker, Linux, Unraid, Mini PCs, VMware

Quick Tips & Tools

These are short posts about things that make my life easier or more enjoyable. While most will be tech-related, I’ll also highlight interesting content and creators I’m following or share experiences with different services.

Subtopics: Software, Websites, Services, Linux

Projects & Builds

Distractions and I are frenemies—starting projects through this blog and logging my progress might help me actually finish them. Most projects relate to the major categories above, but they deserve specific attention as ongoing update logs.

Current Projects

  • My Ultimate Basement Home Movie and Gaming Lounge
    • Status: Planning (most resources acquired)
    • Description: Turn the existing finished open area in my basement into a lounge for watching movies and playing any of the 25 video game consoles I’ve collected. This will use a mix of modern and retro TVs plus a series of used professional Extron A/V switchers and touch panels.
  • Shed Networking and Power
    • Status: IOC
    • Description: Last year we purchased a pre-built 10’×12’ shed for the backyard. My goal was to run 110-VAC power and fiber-optic Ethernet to it for future projects, but I initially settled for 48-VDC PoE buried just below grade. Surprisingly, this powers a camera, Wi-Fi access point, and lights. I also installed slatwalls, a low-voltage wiring panel, and Ethernet jacks.
  • Home Network Cabling
    • Status: Planning (some drops installed; major rework needed)
    • Description: Run Ethernet drops throughout the house for wall mounted access points and all permanent devices—TVs, computers, media players, cameras, and game consoles.
  • Megadesk
    • Status: Completed!
    • Description: I found a really, really, really good deal on a double electric standing desk frame that paired perfectly with walnut countertops from IKEA. Thus, Megadesk was born.
  • Gearwalling My Garage and Storage Room
    • Status: Planning (just need time to start)
    • Description: Install a slatwall system throughout my garage and storage room to organize both spaces and create a more finished look. I’m using the Gladiator GearWall system since I already own plenty of their accessories.

Subtopics: Shed, Makerspace, Tools

Family Updates & Heritage

As mentioned in my bio, I’m first and foremost a father to three fantastic kids and caretaker of two cats—specifically the orange type. I plan to share fun family updates, projects, and the things I’m working on to support them. Cat pictures will definitely appear from time to time. 🐈

Until recently, I only knew fragments of my family’s heritage and didn’t even know the origin of my last name—Scottish, Irish, or both? My search for answers has become a full-fledged hobby. I’ve also become the de facto historian and archivist for family photos, home movies, and records. There’s a lot to document—from discoveries to the tools and workflows I use for organization.

Subtopics: Family Projects, McReynolds Family History, Photo Scanning, Genealogy Tools

Catch-All

I reserve the right, in perpetuity, to post about whatever I feel like—just to keep the momentum going. Everything mentioned so far covers most of my life and hobbies right now, but that will certainly evolve.

Some of my smaller (but recurring) interests include sous-vide cooking, hiking, camping, landscaping, LEGO, and traveling—whenever time and the kids allow.

This post is mostly a roadmap for myself—something to revisit for inspiration when I’m deciding what to write next.

If you made it this far and you’re not me, thank you for your time. Please feel free to leave a comment if you have suggestions or are curious about something!

-Jeremy

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