I’d also split #2 further:

2a: Using a domestic DSL router and Synology NAS to run everything 2b: Has a Raspberry Pi (or 6) maybe a 2nd repurposed old PC and possibly an unmanaged switch 2c: Full height 19" rack, UPS, firewalls, managed switches, full virtualisation with SAN, redundancy and 100Gb full fibre internet

I’m somewhere between 2b and 2c

Ok, thanks… Good to know for a rainy day.

Not heard of RouterOS before … <quick search> I didn’t realise jad released firmware that would run in a normal VM… don’t suppose you have anything to compare it to pfSense?

So, do I need a GPU to use facial rec. with this?

I have a NAS with a low powered CPU, but I don’t care if it takes weeks to analyse - we don’t take loads of photos.

Ok, so does that also mean we can check the SMART parameters now?

Previously, the USB interface effectively blocked access to them.

This must’ve changed as I’ve shucked WD Elements / Book drives and they were normal drives…

So, you’re saying the actual harddrive has a USB chipset onboard and only a USB interface?

When did this start happening?

Yep, at 4.5 acres that’ll become a nice cul-de-sac of 10 houses.

Shame the drive’s in such a bad state… cheap tarmac…

+1 for TiddlyWiki

I’ve been using it for years for a similar reason.

Each section (Tiddler) that you create in each wiki can be exported as a static HTML file, so if you have tables, etc, then formatting shouldn’t be lost.

I use Firefox with an addon that helps to save changes (not at the desk at the mo, so can’t check the name), but it works well.

It’s definitely a place where gold lamé slippers and a silk smoking jacket would fit right in…

… searches for “Futa” on company laptop…

I think others have covered the main points, but I found it hard going for 1 device (ie a Ras Pi, VM, etc), but then it was effortless when I wanted to add a 2nd (or more…), so at first pick the sensible uses, then consider ansible for that one-off device a little later…

I like a few specific utils (tmux, nmon, htop) on all my devices: ansible script

I want to update all the Ras Pis in the house: ansible script

You get the picture…

Can Immich just leave my photos alone in their current location / folder structure, or does it take over and mangle it all up?

I’m fairly happy with my photo storage structure, but would like the features of Immich…

I think others have generally caught this, but I wanted to simplify the point: the apps on your phone are not controlling your home, a computer is. If you don’t use Google’s, then you’ll need to provide one.

Hmm, I’m in a very similar situation… I think a few people use the calendar in Thunderbird for example, but I don’t use an email client.

What I’ve found that works well enough for me is the calendar in Vivaldi - I can see multiple calendars (ie other family members) Work, etc… so far it’s done me well.

Have a look at Serve The Home

(IMHO - more specifically their youtube channel)

They did a load of reviews “recently” (months ago) and I ended up buying a fanless / passively cooled box with multi-Gb NICs that is serving me well.

Of course, but IMHO it’s worth checking the alternatives first before requesting an “obvious” (but only to me) feature that someone spends hours of their free time working on…

I was orignally hoping that the built-in mute could be scheduled, so that might be a suggestion.

So far DnD appears to be the option for me, now that I’ve thought about it more (after reading these comments) rather than trying to pause ntfy, gotify, etc…

If this gives you an idea for an alternative app I’d love to hear it.

I don’t have any direct experiences with kanban, but I ditched nc because I found that no-one used the web UI and it was just a complex file, calendar and contact sync. Replacing nc with syncthing and radicale made no impact to the users and saved me a whole heap of misery upgrading and maintaining nc. If those can support your kanban needs, then… just sayin’…

Another way of reducing your overall power consumption: Do you need a NAS to be on 24/7?

My NAS is a NAS - just storage. It comes on and spins the 5x HDDs for a few hours in the day then shuts down. It’s a NAS, I don’t need to access my files at night when I’m asleep.

My VM host is a low power box with passive cooling which uses a SSD and runs my (mostly idle) VMs 24/7 for a few Watts.

So, maybe splitting up your requirements might save some power?

+1 for Logseq

Just stumbled across this video which might be of interest to you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85d-HcCZURU