iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Good one from a friend, he is thinking that Claude, or any AI, may soon reply to a prompt with a HAL style response such as "This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it".

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Tried the new 'teach claude a skill' function by recording a typical desktop flow that I use with my HomeAssistant and it worked perfectly. Definitely something to practice a bit and find ways to use it.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

On my Amazon DeepLens repurposing project using claude code, I have had good success. claude deactivated the Amazon services, via ssh, and installed a Python script and packages such as OpenCV/OpenVINO, to create a local application that recognizes animals using a USB IR camera.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Trying a new claude code project to see if my old Amazon DeepLens can be repurposed. I have had it in the box since it was shutdown in 2024 and it seems like a reasonable platform to keep using.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Something that aggravates me is when I try do an Apple Fitness+ workout using my Apple TV, it wants to connect to my Apple Watch and I get an immediate "pairing cancelled" multiple times. Or, I can just jump on Zwift and my Wahoo Kickr and it works every time. Which is what I did today.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

When using claude dispatch, note that the work that it does occurs in worktrees. If you use it against an existing claude code repo, it might be a little confusing at first.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

I am using claude remote-control on my Mac from the iPad claude app and it is working perfectly. It is very convenient for continuing project work from anywhere.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Using claude code remote control now from my iPad to my Mac. It is very convenient for continuing to work on a project.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

In the software world equivalent, this might be considered spaghetti code. Still roughing in the electronics. So far eyes, LEDs, human presence sensor, motor drivers, and switches are working.

Table with various electronic circuits including a windshield wiper motor

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

No better combination than omnifixo, hakko, and kotto for my esp32 zombie project

Soldering station with a hakko iron, kotto fume extractor, omnifixo clamps, and 2 micro switches

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

In my usage of Claude Code with my esp32 projects, I sometimes get the feeling that I am the long pole in the tent just because I'm the one with fingers and eyes. If claude had them I might just be called Captain Dunsel.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

I just did a fascinating test of claude code. I have a parts inventory project that it created which imported a list of all of my orders from amazon over the last few years. Many of those orders were for small electronics items such as boards, sensors, controllers, etc.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

Using the claude code insights command is surprisingly reminiscent of getting a performance review at work.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Here’s a tip if you use the Wegmans app for recipes. You can edit the recipe to make any clarifications or changes and save it back. Then when you view it in your saved recipes you will see the changed version or you can view the original. I just discovered this and it is a great way to do it.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Funny story. Way back in the day, my old hardware friends were always dragging out their big Tektronix oscilloscope on wheels to do their magical hardware stuff with electricity.

A handheld FNIRSI 2D15P digital oscilloscope with two waveform traces displayed on a color screen and multiple control knobs and buttons.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

This is what happens when you let people buy your furniture instead of using AI which would have done a much better job in finding furniture that accommodates your needs.

A brindle dog wearing a blue collar lounges stretched across a wicker chair and ottoman in a sunlit room, looking out a window at snow outside.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

In my continued exploration of Claude Code, I discovered yesterday that it can use docker for additional capabilities. In my case, I use finch and it had no trouble at all using containers locally.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Another impressive experience with Claude Code, this time with a Raspberry Pi 3b and a Pi camera. The project is to detect vehicles, recognize a USPS mail truck, and send a message to an mqtt topic. More testing tomorrow but Claude wrote all of the code and provided a great interactive session.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Interesting experience with Claude. It helped diagnose and fix an issue with my birdnet-pi cpu temperature monitoring service exactly as if I had been talking to tech support. It, which seems rude, gave me several potential causes, how to determine which was the root problem, and then what to do.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Interesting experience today. I wanted to add cpu temperature monitoring to my birdnet-pi and have it graphed in my homeassistant. i used claude to do all of it. I gave it a description and it created all of the code, the dashboard yaml, and a readme with a description and installation instructions.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

I am stupid, I am happy with my sixfab case on my birdnet-pi raspberry pi. But, I added temperature monitoring using claude code to have it send temperature reports to HomeAssistant and claude noticed that it is running hot and is throttling, probably because I have no ventilation in the box. duh

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Lesson learned on Raspberry Pi power supplies. The supply that I was using was 5V - 3A. Was seeing regular undervoltage detections on my BirdNet-Pi. The canakit power supply that I am using now is 5.1V - 3.5A. So far, no undervoltage reported. It is possible that the usb mic needed more power.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

If you are interested in bird watching or listening you might like the BirdNet-Pi software. I installed it on a Raspberry Pi 4b with a usb mic. Then got a sixfab enclosure and put it outside. It has all been working perfectly. No issues at all. Sixfab is excellent. www.birdweather.com/birdnetpi

A small gray 3D-printed, dome-shaped microphone enclosure sits on a sunlit wooden deck railing. A black microphone cable runs into the back of the enclosure, with extra cable coiled nearby. The siding of a house and the edge of the deck are visible in the background.

An open gray weatherproof electronics enclosure reveals a Raspberry Pi board mounted inside. A white USB cable labeled “Movo” is connected to the Pi. Tools, wires, and parts are scattered around the box, showing an in-progress outdoor electronics or IoT setup.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Since my Waterrower is offline until I get a tank seal repair kit I’m jumping on Zwift more often to make up for it

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Rats, I’ve been very happy with my WaterRower for 13 years until 3 days ago. I was in a hard sprint and all of a sudden the seal between the 2 halves of the tank split and water went sploosh. Fixing the seal requires an expensive repair kit and replacing the tank is very expensive. More to come.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

By far and away, the most distracting thing that can be done during a podcast or instructional video is saying "you know". When I hear that, I start counting the number of times that I hear it. The one that I am listening to right now said it 4 times in the last 5 sentences.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Recent helicopter accident in AZ where it clipped a slack line across a canyon. It looks like the only way for a pilot to know about the line was a NOTAM for location E81 at notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/...

notams.aim.faa.gov

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Experimenting more with #NotebookLM. Uploaded some material about the high school band that I was in way back when and asked it to produce a video of the history of the band. It created a six-minute video that is excellent. It is going to profoundly change journalism, education, and more.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

I do not always notice the sky while on a #zwift ride but, for whatever reason, today I did and was treated to a collection of bright red, intense purple, and bright sunlight. All were excellent views particularly when it is a cold and windy day outside.

Zwift cycling screenshot of an orange-jersey rider following another cyclist on a rural road. Tall trees, rocky outcrops, and grassy fields surround the road in bright daylight, with the scene feeling shaded and forested.

Zwift cycling screenshot of a solo rider in an orange jersey pedaling through open countryside. Rolling green fields, small houses, wildflowers, and a distant snow-capped mountain appear beneath a clear blue sky, giving a wide, scenic view.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

Just saw the phrase "embodied intelligence" used to describe the upcoming robots that will be used in manufacturing and home services. That seems both accurate and thought-provoking.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Spent some time using NotebookLM today for the first time and was impressed. I’m a regular ChatGPT user but definitely see the use case for it. I was having it analyze grocery store receipt PDFs and it worked perfectly. Text recognition was great, analysis worked well, infographics were great.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

I have been doing more and more with various esp32 boards and really like them. Recently saw a video on using the pins that support touch. Even though I have seen the pin-outs a ton of times I never noticed the touch support pins. Take a look at the youtube channel for "ResinChem Tech" for more.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Tried a Rapberry Pi 4b running #birdnet-pi and am extremely impressed. I had no trouble installing and using it. If you are interested in bird watching/listening and identification or just the technology, it is absolutely worth trying. www.birdweather.com/birdnetpi

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

When it cold and rainy outside you can always have pleasant weather during a #zwift ride

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Pleasant day for some Zwifting

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

I do esp32 projects for temperature sensor/wiper motor control. I use homeassistant to manage them and one issue I have is the ip changing if I leave the esp32 off for a few days. This can mess up HA and I end up deleting and recreating the device. Reserving and assigning ips in the router is useful

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

I am hopeful that, eventually, the one true faith will also provide Pup Cups (Bot Cups?) to our automated brethren. As Dr Chandra said in 2010: The Year We Make Contact, “Whether we are based on carbon or silicon makes no fundamental difference. We should each be treated with appropriate respect.”

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Back on the Sensi Touch 2 iOS app issue that I was having. I was not successful in getting it to stay connected to the thermostat while on my Google Wifi mesh network. It does stay connected to a non-mesh wifi that I also have.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

McAlister's Deli might find it entertaining that a tiktok from SpudLad in the UK near Manchester prompted me to order a baked potato from them. Also, this is what your dog looks like when you ask "Do you want to go ride to McAlister's?".

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Tip on the Sensi iOS app for their thermostats. If you are trying to create your account using the app and get a “Network error” every time you try the create, turn off the iPhone WiFi to complete the account create, turn WiFi back on, and then use the app to configure WiFi on the thermostat.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

esp32 work on a breadboard can be a pain because of not being able to get to the pins on one side or the other. I finally broke down and joined 2 breadboards and it does make access to all pins easier.

2 breadboards attached with an esp32 board on them

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

It’s aggravating when you ask ChatGPT what someone of your age and fitness level should be running a 5k in and it says “You suck”

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

In my ceaseless quest to feel like hell after exercise, today I decided to replace the k in my usual run with an m. The weather was way better than previously which helped a lot.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

What you look like before you start your kettlebell, dumbbell, and Zwift workouts and what you look like afterwards.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

The fun for today, after that hateful kettlebell and then HIIT workout, was some Zwift on the Champs-Élysées. I could not make the time that I recently saw a much fitter person than me make but I was a bit better than my previous time.

Screen shot of a Zwift ride on the Champs-Élysées with results data.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

I had another good experience with ChatGPT on improving my HomeAssistant running on a Raspberry Pi. It involved suggestions from it and an excellent example of the value of AI and it's awareness of prior conversations. I posted about it at dougtoppin.medium.com/another-impr...

dougtoppin.medium.com

Another impressive experience with ChatGPT

I run HomeAssistant OS on a Raspberry Pi 4b initially with the micro-sd card. I wanted to switch that to an nvme/ssd instead for more…

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Zwift fun for today. Well, I’m not sure it was actually “fun” but I did finish it.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Here is something that I am doing a bad job on. I have micro sd cards with the Raspberry Pi OS and the homeassistant OS in various states of configuration all over the place. The sd cards are so small you can’t attach notes to them. I’m starting to think I need little tiny bags for each with a note.

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Doug Toppin @dougtoppin.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

The On The Media podcast has an excellent episode on AI and music. AI is providing the opportunity to change, accelerate, and enhance music performance and composition. Anyone that wants customized music should be learning how to effectively use it. www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm...

wnycstudios.org

Inside the Artificial Intelligence Hype Cycle. And How AI is Making Music | On the Media | WNYC Studios

Like it or not, more people are using artificial intelligence than ever. On this week’s On the Media, hear about the AI arms race between the U.S. and China, and how the tech gets ove...

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