Your Light Switch Dilemma: Smart Bulbs vs. Dumb Switches

DIY Smart Lighting: Integrate Smart Bulbs with Traditional Switches

You know that feeling? You just installed a bunch of smart bulbs – maybe Philips Hue or something similar – and they work great with your phone or voice assistant. But then, someone in the house flips the actual, old-fashioned light switch off. Poof! Your smart bulb is now offline and useless until the switch … Read more

My Dog Found a ‘Diseased’ Sweetcorn: What’s Eating My Garden?

Dog Found Diseased Sweetcorn: Identifying & Treating Powdery Mildew

It was a crisp morning on August 6th, 2025, and I stepped out into my garden, coffee in hand, ready for my usual dose of nature. My golden retriever, Buster, trotted alongside me, tail wagging. Suddenly, he stopped, head tilted, and then nudged something towards me with his nose. A gift! Except, this gift was… … Read more

DIY Smart Home Radio: Craft Your Own Personalized Audio Stations

DIY Smart Home Radio: Craft Your Own Personalized Audio Stations

You know, I love having music playing while I’m out in the garden or puttering around the house. Usually, it’s whatever’s on the radio or a playlist from a streaming service. But lately, I’ve been thinking about ways to make things a bit more personal, and maybe even a little less reliant on constant internet … Read more

GPT-5 and Beyond: Navigating the Ethical Maze of Advanced AI

GPT-5 and AI Ethics: Navigating Societal Impacts and Responsible Development

It feels like just yesterday we were marveling at the capabilities of GPT-3, and now, with GPT-5 on the horizon, the pace of advancement in artificial intelligence is truly breathtaking. As someone who’s spent a good chunk of my career in the tech world, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly new technologies emerge and reshape our … Read more

Lessons from the Depths: What the Titan Submersible Report Teaches Us

Titan Submersible Tragedy: Lessons in Safety and Responsibility

It’s been a tough couple of years, and for many of us, the story of the Titan submersible was incredibly sobering. News reports have recently highlighted findings from a US Coast Guard investigation into the tragedy, and it’s been a stark reminder of how crucial safety and diligence are, especially when pushing boundaries. What’s really … Read more

AI and Jobs: Are We Laying Off or Evolving?

AI's Impact on Jobs: Layoffs or Evolution?

It feels like every other week, we hear about another tech company announcing layoffs. Often, the explanation points to “efficiency gains” brought about by Artificial Intelligence. As someone who spent decades in the software industry, I’ve seen technological shifts before, but this one feels different. Is AI truly replacing humans on a massive scale, or … Read more

My Dog’s Weird Sweetcorn ‘Gift’ – What’s Going On?

Dog Brings Diseased Sweetcorn: A Gardener's Guide

Well, this morning started with a bit of a surprise from my furry friend. My dog, ever the enthusiastic hunter (or perhaps just a curious sniffer), trotted up proudly with a rather sorry-looking ear of sweetcorn. Now, I pride myself on knowing my garden, but this particular specimen looked… off. It had a strange discoloration, … Read more