Homelab
Home Assistant OS vs Docker vs VM: Which Install Is Right?
Home Assistant OS is the best default for most people because add-ons, backups, updates, and Supervisor are integrated. Docker is best for operators who already manage Compose and do not need add-ons.
Your NAS Is Dying in a Closet: Fix Heat, Dust, Power, and Neglect
A NAS is a small server, and closets are often bad server rooms. Check airflow, power, alerts, disks, and restore paths before it fails quietly.
What Should Happen to Your Homelab During a Power Outage?
A homelab should fail in a predictable order: keep the network alive first, shut down storage cleanly, stop compute before batteries are exhausted, and restart services only after power is stable.
How Do You Run Security Cameras Locally Without Cloud Dependency?
Use cameras that support local RTSP or ONVIF, put them on an isolated camera VLAN, record to a local NVR such as Frigate, Blue Iris, Synology Surveillance Station, or UniFi Protect.
Immich vs Google Photos: Which Photo Backup Setup Should You Trust?
Google Photos is easier and Immich gives more control, but neither removes the need for a real backup of originals and metadata.
How Do You Document a Homelab So Someone Else Can Recover It?
Document the minimum facts needed to keep the house working: what runs where, how to log in, what must be paid, what can be turned off, and who to call. The goal.
Intel Quick Sync vs NVIDIA vs Intel Arc: Which Media Server Transcoder Should You Use?
For most home Plex and Jellyfin servers, modern Intel Quick Sync is the simplest and most efficient answer because it is built into many low-power CPUs. NVIDIA and Intel Arc make sense.
Syncthing vs Nextcloud vs Cloud Storage: Stop Using the Wrong Sync Tool
Syncthing, Nextcloud, and managed cloud drives solve different problems. Pick by sync model, sharing needs, trust, admin time, and backup plan.
Should Old Windows 10 PCs Become Proxmox or Linux Homelab Nodes?
Yes, many Windows 10-era business desktops are excellent homelab nodes if they have reliable storage, enough RAM, stable Ethernet, and acceptable idle power. Do not keep unsupported Windows around for server duties.