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Tim Wilkes

Tim Wilkes is a UK-based Enterprise Architect with over 25 years of experience in electronics, Linux, Security, and Unix systems administration.

Monitor Your Ghost Blog with the Home Assistant Ghost Integration

Home Assistant now includes a native Ghost integration, allowing you to monitor your blog directly from your smart home dashboard. Learn how to connect your Ghost site, fix the common API error, and create useful automations like alerts for low scheduled posts.

How to Store Secrets Securely in Kestra Using an Encoded .env File

Protect your automation workflows by encoding secrets before loading them into Kestra. This tutorial shows how to convert a .env file into base64-encoded secrets using Bash and safely inject SSH keys and credentials into your flows.

Automated pfSense Git Backups with Kestra (config.xml Version Control)

Protect your firewall by automatically backing up your pfSense config.xml file using Kestra. This tutorial shows how to securely pull the configuration and push it to GitLab on a schedule with full version control and disaster recovery readiness.

How to Automatically Backup Kestra to GitLab (Step-by-Step Guide)

Protect your Kestra workflows from data loss with automated Git-based backups. This step-by-step guide shows how to schedule namespace and flow backups to GitLab using built-in plugins, secrets, and cron triggers.

Getting Restarted With Photography: The Essential Gear Beyond the Camera

Getting back into photography means more than just picking up a camera. From protecting your images with reliable backups to editing with free software like Darktable, this guide covers the essential gear—plus a smart tripod tip for cold weather shooting.

How I Repaired My UniFi US-8-150W PoE Switch Using a New Power Supply and 3D Printing

I repaired my failed UniFi US-8-150W PoE switch using a replacement Mean Well power supply and a 3D-printed mount. Here’s how I opened it up, rewired it, fitted the new PSU, and got it working again — plus what I’d do differently next time.

Setting Up Oxidized for Router Backups with Docker Compose and Git

Learn how to set up Oxidized for automated router backups using Docker Compose and Git. This guide walks you through configuring Oxidized on a Raspberry Pi with SSD storage, making it easy to manage network device backups and version control with minimal setup.

Enhancing Firefly III Transaction Categorization Using SearxNG and Node-RED

Enhance Firefly III transaction categorization with Node-RED and SearxNG. Learn how to integrate AI with external search results to automatically assign budgets and categories, improving accuracy for unusual merchants. Step-by-step workflow and SearxNG setup included.

🏠 Keep Your Smart Switches On Automatically with This Home Assistant Blueprint

Never let your smart plugs or switches stay off longer than they should. Automate uptime checks with this dynamic Home Assistant blueprint and keep your smart home running perfectly.

🎄 Transforming the IKEA ENRUM Lantern into a Snowy Christmas Decoration with a Cricut Joy

Turn the IKEA ENRUM lantern into a glowing Christmas decoration using a Cricut Joy. Add frosted snowflake or winter scene decals for a cozy holiday look that shines indoors or out — and nod back to last year’s spooky Halloween lantern.