Bricked by Design
The Echelon smart bike controversy is a painful lesson in digital ownership. A mandatory firmware update has locked users out of third-party apps, proving that the hardware you paid for may not truly belong to you.
The Firefox Controversy
How did Mozilla, a champion of the open web, spark a community revolt with a single sentence? We deconstruct the Firefox privacy controversy and the critical lessons it teaches about digital trust and local control.
Ambient Computing and the Quiet Revolution in Your Home
Your cloud-based smart home is architecturally incapable of becoming truly intelligent. We deconstruct the core flaws of the mainstream model and present a better path forward: a private, locally-controlled Thinking Home.
The Fragile Home: A Crisis of Ownership and the Case for a Thinking Home
You may not truly own your smart home devices. The 2025 Belkin Wemo and Futurehome debacles prove companies can brick your hardware or hold it for ransom, escalating the crisis of digital ownership.
Powering Through the Dark: Ensuring Your Thinking Home Never Goes Down (Even in a Blackout)
Transform your smart home from a fragile convenience into a resilient utility that works even during a power outage. Learn the fundamentals of using a UPS and Power over Ethernet (PoE) to ensure uptime.
Building a Digital Castle: Layered Security for Your Thinking Home
Your locally controlled hub is a locked safe, but is your network an open door? This guide explains the professional strategy of layered security, the key to making your smart home a true digital sanctuary.
The Unsung Hero: Why Your Smart Home Coordinator is More Important Than You Think
The stability of your entire Zigbee/Z-Wave network depends on one device: the coordinator. This guide covers the critical factors, from optimal placement to choosing a modern chipset, for building a truly resilient smart home.
Beyond the Big Tech Clouds: Exploring Commercial Local-First Smart Hubs
Seeking local control without a full DIY project? This guide explores the middle ground between Home Assistant and Big Tech, comparing commercially supported hubs like Hubitat Elevation and Homey Pro.