In my spare time today, I threw together a completely custom cloud-hosted home automation stack. It runs an agent on an old Linux laptop that talks natively to exactly what I need: an obscure old pool controller, my unsupported mini-split, and the Nest thermostats. If you've ever fought with Alexa, Apple Home, or Google Home, you know what a nightmare it is just getting devices to work right. Eight years ago when I installed the pool and mini-split in the ADU, Mitsubishi had already ditched ...