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Not much happening on the server other than routine patching and fixing the mail server so it now talks nicely to my ISP so that the nightly update reports are fired out properly.
Updating DRI drivers appears to have broken the MATE desktop, but Lumina is still working find, so suspect some library conflict to resolve when the long nights are back.
Been messing with the Amazon Echos and Dots in the house, trying to make the most of them. I already have 4 smart plugs that let me control background lighting and front and back garden lights that come on and off on schedule and on demand by invoking Alexa. Amazon Music has long been my streaming service of choice as available on a number of platforms (PC, Android, iOS, even on my Blackberry thru the Android compatibility mode).
Intercom mode has supposedly been launched which would let me call the kids down to tea without bellowing up the stairs, but doesn’t look like it landed on UK shores yet. It was only recently launched in the US. (Our Merrycan friends can also make telephone calls by pairing with their mobile as glorified hands-free setup), which also doesn’t work here.
A key missing feature for me is lack of support for kids profiles. Amazon Household allows another Adult member to share content for books via Kindle, but seemingly not multiple accounts for calendar or even Music. This means I can’t link the kids calendar to their Office365 accounts for their own personal schedule. Musically they are linked to my music library which is no bad thing, but as they get older sure they will want to create playlists of their own, and I won’t Playlist recommendations based on their listening habits.
Finally the main feature though I would like to see is Mesh-Audio so the all the Echos, or a sub-set can play the same track at the same time. Supposedly coming when they join up with Sonos.
As the weather has not been so hot, I’ve spent a few hours updating and installing various packages on the server.
Firstly free certificates from LetsEncrypt has allowed me to provide a secure login with trusted certificates. Self signed certs in the past where fine as provided encryption, but Chrome and IE still warned users as not signed by a official Certificate Authority.
The Transmisson Daemon for Torrents has been re-installed. Mainly for access to complete iso files for new Distro’s but obviously other benefits as well.
Finally MiniDLNA server (aka ReadyMedia) allows downloaded media to be quickly and easily shared across the home network,
Added a few links I tend to find useful, or should make the time to read more.
Managed to break the MATE desktop, but have managed to install the web CMS.