#home-lab
45 episodes
#3870: Laser Engravers for Home Labs: Are They Worth It?
Desktop laser engravers now cost less than a 3D printer. But can they actually label your home network gear?
#3817: Hide Your Desktop in a Closet: The Gear You Need
USB4, Thunderbolt 5, and active cables now let you stash your PC in another room. Here's how.
#3801: Your Apartment in 3D: The Open-Source Stack That Works
Blueprint to VR walkthrough using free tools. No CAD degree required.
#3795: The Fifteen-Cent Screw That Stops Server Builds
A seized M.2 screw, a missing heat sink, and why inventory blind spots cost more than any technical skill.
#3794: The Screw That Beat Me for Two Hours
Why that M4 screw stripped — and the one tool that actually saves you.
#3788: RAID Reshaping Showdown: BTRFS vs ZFS vs XFS
Can you change RAID levels without nuking your data? We compare BTRFS, ZFS, and XFS for home server upgrades.
#3787: Proxmox vs Stock Linux for Home Servers
When rebuilding a home server, should you install Proxmox or just use stock Linux with KVM? We break down the tradeoffs.
#3786: When Your DNS Dies: Home Network Failure Cascade
One dead server, ZFS corruption, and a DNS collapse that takes down everything—including your ability to fix it.
#3785: Standalone GPON ONTs: Your Fiber Upgrade Guide
Fiber-to-fiber SFP sticks vs traditional ONT bridges — what works, what doesn't, and why your ISP might block you.
#3776: ZFS Mirroring: Why Your RAID Card Is the Weak Link
A hardware RAID card makes ZFS less safe. Here's why an HBA and a simple mirror are the real upgrade.
#3775: SBC Clusters vs Virtualization: The Real Tradeoffs
Why physical isolation sounds great but virtualization usually wins for home servers.
#3747: How to Pick an SSD That Won't Die in Your Home Server
ZFS degradation warnings are scary. Here's what to replace that drive with — and what spec numbers actually matter.
#3544: What 4U Actually Means: Rack Gear for Home Labs
Rack height units, case costs, and cabinet types explained for home users and small businesses.
#3312: The Bag That Replaces Your Ziploc System
Polypropylene bags with tape strips beat Ziplocs on cost and writability. Here's the full breakdown.
#3218: Building Your Own Cloud in 2026
The software and hardware for a DIY private cloud have never been more feasible. Here's how to pick the right pieces.
#3119: How to Catalog Your Entire Home Without Losing Your Mind
One listener spent 3 years cataloging thousands of items. Here’s what he learned about systems that actually survive.
#3055: Pegboards That Actually Work for Your Desk
How to size, mount, and accessorize a pegboard for cable management and small-item storage without buying the wrong gear.
#3043: Cold Water Without Plumbing: A Renter’s Guide
Compressor vs. thermoelectric cooling, countertop vs. floor units — what actually works in a Jerusalem summer.
#2941: Distrobox: Linux Containers That Feel Like Native Apps
How Distrobox merges container isolation with native desktop integration for immutable distros, GPU work, and messy builds.
#2791: How to Pick a Marker That Actually Stays On
Why do “permanent” markers fail on plastic? The answer is polymer chemistry, not bad luck.
#2751: Moving Like a Pro: Tips from Roadies and Diplomats
What touring roadies and Foreign Service officers can teach you about packing up your home network and toddler's toys.
#2608: Can You Wire Your House Like a Hotel?
Can you wire your house like a hotel? Here's what KNX costs, how it works, and how to connect it to Home Assistant.
#2599: The $200 Printer That Changed Everything
What $200 buys you for printing keycaps, cable housings, and small parts at home — with real material and environmental math.
#2597: Voice Control for Renters: $25 Per Room, No Wall Damage
Distributed voice control on a budget with wake words, centralized processing, and zero wall damage — perfect for rentals.