About the lab

Background

I am an IT internal auditor with a degree in information systems and a long-standing interest in hardware. My early experience included a computer hardware support internship. Outside work, I build and maintain my own systems and volunteer at Free Geek in Minneapolis, helping recycle technology.

I began 3D printing in 2024 and subsequently started building a homelab. The first systems used older laptops, followed by a more capable laptop motherboard in a custom 3D-printed enclosure. My current work focuses on local AI, networking, and home automation.

Home automation

A new home provides an opportunity to develop a locally hosted smart home with more control over the network and connected devices. My priorities are practical functionality, reliability, and a setup that integrates well into the home.

This site documents the implementation, configuration decisions, and issues encountered throughout that process.

Approach to AI

I have been exploring AI tools since 2023. I evaluate them based on practical results and limitations, with particular interest in troubleshooting, documentation, and local inference.

AI tools have supported troubleshooting in the lab and development of this website. I prefer local hardware where practical, while recognizing its cost and performance constraints. This lab provides a place to evaluate improvements in local models and reduce dependence on hosted services.