Neil Turner
@mastodon.neilturner.me.uk
Millennial Yorkshire queer partially deaf geek dad/husband. Works in university admissions, specialising in PhD and MBA. Likes photography and social media […]
[bridged from https://mastodonapp.uk/@neilturner on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/ ]
[bridged from https://mastodonapp.uk/@neilturner on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/ ]
New blog post: 2026 vs 2016
There seems to be some nostalgia for 2016 at the moment. It mostly seems to be about the music of 2016, but apparently it’s also because people have started putting filters on their TikTok videos like we used to with Instagram […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
There seems to be some nostalgia for 2016 at the moment. It mostly seems to be about the music of 2016, but apparently it’s also because people have started putting filters on their TikTok videos like we used to with Instagram […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
January 20, 2026 at 10:07 AM
New blog post: 2026 vs 2016
There seems to be some nostalgia for 2016 at the moment. It mostly seems to be about the music of 2016, but apparently it’s also because people have started putting filters on their TikTok videos like we used to with Instagram […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
There seems to be some nostalgia for 2016 at the moment. It mostly seems to be about the music of 2016, but apparently it’s also because people have started putting filters on their TikTok videos like we used to with Instagram […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
Please enjoy this fact, devoid of any context.
January 18, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Please enjoy this fact, devoid of any context.
New blog post: Hidden motorway services
Today I’m written about ‘hidden’ motorway service stations. These are places which offer most, if not all of the facilities of standard motorway services, but they’re typically not signposted from the road. M1 – Markham Vale Services There’s one that […]
Today I’m written about ‘hidden’ motorway service stations. These are places which offer most, if not all of the facilities of standard motorway services, but they’re typically not signposted from the road. M1 – Markham Vale Services There’s one that […]
Original post on mastodonapp.uk
mastodonapp.uk
January 18, 2026 at 10:10 AM
New blog post: Hidden motorway services
Today I’m written about ‘hidden’ motorway service stations. These are places which offer most, if not all of the facilities of standard motorway services, but they’re typically not signposted from the road. M1 – Markham Vale Services There’s one that […]
Today I’m written about ‘hidden’ motorway service stations. These are places which offer most, if not all of the facilities of standard motorway services, but they’re typically not signposted from the road. M1 – Markham Vale Services There’s one that […]
New blog post: Hardwick Hall
A couple of weeks ago, we went to Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. It’s a National Trust property to the east of Chesterfield, and I’ll be honest, I hadn’t heard of it until a few weeks ago. I came across it via this YouTube video […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
A couple of weeks ago, we went to Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. It’s a National Trust property to the east of Chesterfield, and I’ll be honest, I hadn’t heard of it until a few weeks ago. I came across it via this YouTube video […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
January 16, 2026 at 10:05 AM
New blog post: Hardwick Hall
A couple of weeks ago, we went to Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. It’s a National Trust property to the east of Chesterfield, and I’ll be honest, I hadn’t heard of it until a few weeks ago. I came across it via this YouTube video […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
A couple of weeks ago, we went to Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. It’s a National Trust property to the east of Chesterfield, and I’ll be honest, I hadn’t heard of it until a few weeks ago. I came across it via this YouTube video […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
New blog post: 24th blogiversary
Every year on the 14th January, I mark the anniversary of my first blog post from 2002. Which is today, and so it’s been 24 years since I started blogging. That being said, I took a four year gap between 2018 and 2022, so you could argue that I’ve ‘only’ been […]
Every year on the 14th January, I mark the anniversary of my first blog post from 2002. Which is today, and so it’s been 24 years since I started blogging. That being said, I took a four year gap between 2018 and 2022, so you could argue that I’ve ‘only’ been […]
Original post on mastodonapp.uk
mastodonapp.uk
January 14, 2026 at 10:08 AM
New blog post: 24th blogiversary
Every year on the 14th January, I mark the anniversary of my first blog post from 2002. Which is today, and so it’s been 24 years since I started blogging. That being said, I took a four year gap between 2018 and 2022, so you could argue that I’ve ‘only’ been […]
Every year on the 14th January, I mark the anniversary of my first blog post from 2002. Which is today, and so it’s been 24 years since I started blogging. That being said, I took a four year gap between 2018 and 2022, so you could argue that I’ve ‘only’ been […]
New blog post: Comparing ESPHome and Tasmota
If you’re looking for custom firmware for your devices with an Espressif ESP chip, then two of your options are ESPHome and Tasmota. I’ve used both – first Tasmota and later ESPHome – on some smart plugs that used […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
If you’re looking for custom firmware for your devices with an Espressif ESP chip, then two of your options are ESPHome and Tasmota. I’ve used both – first Tasmota and later ESPHome – on some smart plugs that used […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
January 13, 2026 at 10:08 AM
New blog post: Comparing ESPHome and Tasmota
If you’re looking for custom firmware for your devices with an Espressif ESP chip, then two of your options are ESPHome and Tasmota. I’ve used both – first Tasmota and later ESPHome – on some smart plugs that used […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
If you’re looking for custom firmware for your devices with an Espressif ESP chip, then two of your options are ESPHome and Tasmota. I’ve used both – first Tasmota and later ESPHome – on some smart plugs that used […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
New blog post: Visiting the seals at Flamborough Head
Every autumn, for the past few years, a large group of Atlantic grey seals make a temporary home on one of the beaches at Flamborough Head for breeding. And over the Christmas break, we popped along to see […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
Every autumn, for the past few years, a large group of Atlantic grey seals make a temporary home on one of the beaches at Flamborough Head for breeding. And over the Christmas break, we popped along to see […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
January 11, 2026 at 10:16 AM
New blog post: Visiting the seals at Flamborough Head
Every autumn, for the past few years, a large group of Atlantic grey seals make a temporary home on one of the beaches at Flamborough Head for breeding. And over the Christmas break, we popped along to see […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
Every autumn, for the past few years, a large group of Atlantic grey seals make a temporary home on one of the beaches at Flamborough Head for breeding. And over the Christmas break, we popped along to see […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
New blog post: How to: Connect a Rolec EVO car charger to Home Assistant
Back in May, ahead of buying our electric car, we had a Rolec EVO electric car charger installed outside our house. Since then, we’ve been using the standard Rolec EVO app that comes […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
Back in May, ahead of buying our electric car, we had a Rolec EVO electric car charger installed outside our house. Since then, we’ve been using the standard Rolec EVO app that comes […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
January 7, 2026 at 3:08 PM
New blog post: How to: Connect a Rolec EVO car charger to Home Assistant
Back in May, ahead of buying our electric car, we had a Rolec EVO electric car charger installed outside our house. Since then, we’ve been using the standard Rolec EVO app that comes […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
Back in May, ahead of buying our electric car, we had a Rolec EVO electric car charger installed outside our house. Since then, we’ve been using the standard Rolec EVO app that comes […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
Just absolutely insane that such an article as this could be published, never mind be legitimate analysis. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd0ye72r4vpo
January 5, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Just absolutely insane that such an article as this could be published, never mind be legitimate analysis. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd0ye72r4vpo
New blog post: Some predictions for 2026
As per the past couple of years, I try to channel my inner Mystic Meg, and come up with some predictions for the new year. Last year’s were mostly on target, although some were rather low-ball predictions. Bradford City will win promotion I don’t really […]
As per the past couple of years, I try to channel my inner Mystic Meg, and come up with some predictions for the new year. Last year’s were mostly on target, although some were rather low-ball predictions. Bradford City will win promotion I don’t really […]
Original post on mastodonapp.uk
mastodonapp.uk
January 5, 2026 at 10:12 AM
New blog post: Some predictions for 2026
As per the past couple of years, I try to channel my inner Mystic Meg, and come up with some predictions for the new year. Last year’s were mostly on target, although some were rather low-ball predictions. Bradford City will win promotion I don’t really […]
As per the past couple of years, I try to channel my inner Mystic Meg, and come up with some predictions for the new year. Last year’s were mostly on target, although some were rather low-ball predictions. Bradford City will win promotion I don’t really […]
Little bit chuffed with this photo I took of the MASSIVE full moon tonight.
January 3, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Little bit chuffed with this photo I took of the MASSIVE full moon tonight.
New blog post: 2025, quantified
For the third year running, I’m summarising all those end of year reviews that apps like Spotify and Goodreads offer you. You can take a look at 2024 and 2023 if you want. Countries and counties visited Unlike last year, I did […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
For the third year running, I’m summarising all those end of year reviews that apps like Spotify and Goodreads offer you. You can take a look at 2024 and 2023 if you want. Countries and counties visited Unlike last year, I did […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
January 3, 2026 at 10:10 AM
New blog post: 2025, quantified
For the third year running, I’m summarising all those end of year reviews that apps like Spotify and Goodreads offer you. You can take a look at 2024 and 2023 if you want. Countries and counties visited Unlike last year, I did […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
For the third year running, I’m summarising all those end of year reviews that apps like Spotify and Goodreads offer you. You can take a look at 2024 and 2023 if you want. Countries and counties visited Unlike last year, I did […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
Happy new year! Here's an unsolicited dikdik pic to start 2026 with.
January 1, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Happy new year! Here's an unsolicited dikdik pic to start 2026 with.
New blog post: Happy New Year!
Welcome to 2026! I hope you are having a good new year. As in previous years, we didn’t stay up until midnight to see in the new year. However, our reason for an early night this time is that Christine is working today. So, we had what would have been our New […]
Welcome to 2026! I hope you are having a good new year. As in previous years, we didn’t stay up until midnight to see in the new year. However, our reason for an early night this time is that Christine is working today. So, we had what would have been our New […]
Original post on mastodonapp.uk
mastodonapp.uk
January 1, 2026 at 10:08 AM
New blog post: Happy New Year!
Welcome to 2026! I hope you are having a good new year. As in previous years, we didn’t stay up until midnight to see in the new year. However, our reason for an early night this time is that Christine is working today. So, we had what would have been our New […]
Welcome to 2026! I hope you are having a good new year. As in previous years, we didn’t stay up until midnight to see in the new year. However, our reason for an early night this time is that Christine is working today. So, we had what would have been our New […]
New blog post: Reviewing my 2025 predictions
Back in January, I made six predictions about events that would take place in 2025. So, seeing as there’s just a few days left in 2025, let’s see how I did: Twitter/X won’t become an ‘everything app’ This was a 2024 prediction as well. And it’s been […]
Back in January, I made six predictions about events that would take place in 2025. So, seeing as there’s just a few days left in 2025, let’s see how I did: Twitter/X won’t become an ‘everything app’ This was a 2024 prediction as well. And it’s been […]
Original post on mastodonapp.uk
mastodonapp.uk
December 29, 2025 at 10:10 AM
New blog post: Reviewing my 2025 predictions
Back in January, I made six predictions about events that would take place in 2025. So, seeing as there’s just a few days left in 2025, let’s see how I did: Twitter/X won’t become an ‘everything app’ This was a 2024 prediction as well. And it’s been […]
Back in January, I made six predictions about events that would take place in 2025. So, seeing as there’s just a few days left in 2025, let’s see how I did: Twitter/X won’t become an ‘everything app’ This was a 2024 prediction as well. And it’s been […]
New blog post: PowerCalc for Home Assistant
One of the features I like about Home Assistant is its Energy dashboard. It can analyse and display various data about power and energy usage in your home – provided that you have the correct sensors available. As […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
One of the features I like about Home Assistant is its Energy dashboard. It can analyse and display various data about power and energy usage in your home – provided that you have the correct sensors available. As […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
December 27, 2025 at 10:05 AM
New blog post: PowerCalc for Home Assistant
One of the features I like about Home Assistant is its Energy dashboard. It can analyse and display various data about power and energy usage in your home – provided that you have the correct sensors available. As […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
One of the features I like about Home Assistant is its Energy dashboard. It can analyse and display various data about power and energy usage in your home – provided that you have the correct sensors available. As […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
New blog post: Merry Christmas!
By the power of a scheduled post that was written last Saturday, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas if you are celebrating today. As per usual, we’re staying with my parents in York for the Christmas period, having […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
By the power of a scheduled post that was written last Saturday, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas if you are celebrating today. As per usual, we’re staying with my parents in York for the Christmas period, having […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
December 25, 2025 at 10:05 AM
New blog post: Merry Christmas!
By the power of a scheduled post that was written last Saturday, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas if you are celebrating today. As per usual, we’re staying with my parents in York for the Christmas period, having […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
By the power of a scheduled post that was written last Saturday, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas if you are celebrating today. As per usual, we’re staying with my parents in York for the Christmas period, having […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
New blog post: My best children’s books of 2025
Having written about my favourite adult fiction and non-fiction books of this year, it’s time for the books that we enjoyed reading with our nine-year-old the most this year. This is a mixture of fiction and […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
Having written about my favourite adult fiction and non-fiction books of this year, it’s time for the books that we enjoyed reading with our nine-year-old the most this year. This is a mixture of fiction and […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
December 23, 2025 at 10:06 AM
New blog post: My best children’s books of 2025
Having written about my favourite adult fiction and non-fiction books of this year, it’s time for the books that we enjoyed reading with our nine-year-old the most this year. This is a mixture of fiction and […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
Having written about my favourite adult fiction and non-fiction books of this year, it’s time for the books that we enjoyed reading with our nine-year-old the most this year. This is a mixture of fiction and […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
New blog post: Playlist of the month: Novelty Christmas
The last time I did a Christmas playlist, I included my favourite Christmas music. This isn’t quite the opposite of that, but instead it’s 10 novelty Christmas songs that wouldn’t really make sense to […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
The last time I did a Christmas playlist, I included my favourite Christmas music. This isn’t quite the opposite of that, but instead it’s 10 novelty Christmas songs that wouldn’t really make sense to […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
December 21, 2025 at 10:09 AM
New blog post: Playlist of the month: Novelty Christmas
The last time I did a Christmas playlist, I included my favourite Christmas music. This isn’t quite the opposite of that, but instead it’s 10 novelty Christmas songs that wouldn’t really make sense to […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
The last time I did a Christmas playlist, I included my favourite Christmas music. This isn’t quite the opposite of that, but instead it’s 10 novelty Christmas songs that wouldn’t really make sense to […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
New blog post: My best adult fiction books of 2025
Between now and the day before Christmas Eve, I’ll be posting about the best books that I’ve read (or the best audiobooks that I have listened to) this year, just in case you need any last minute present […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
Between now and the day before Christmas Eve, I’ll be posting about the best books that I’ve read (or the best audiobooks that I have listened to) this year, just in case you need any last minute present […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
December 19, 2025 at 10:06 AM
New blog post: My best adult fiction books of 2025
Between now and the day before Christmas Eve, I’ll be posting about the best books that I’ve read (or the best audiobooks that I have listened to) this year, just in case you need any last minute present […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
Between now and the day before Christmas Eve, I’ll be posting about the best books that I’ve read (or the best audiobooks that I have listened to) this year, just in case you need any last minute present […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
New blog post: Fritz! Repeater 3000AX
When we signed up for Zen internet last month, we also signed up for Zen EveryRoom. This is an additional monthly charge to cover the cost of a Wi-Fi repeater device, and, as our new router is a Fritz!Box, we were sent a […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
When we signed up for Zen internet last month, we also signed up for Zen EveryRoom. This is an additional monthly charge to cover the cost of a Wi-Fi repeater device, and, as our new router is a Fritz!Box, we were sent a […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
December 17, 2025 at 10:05 AM
New blog post: Fritz! Repeater 3000AX
When we signed up for Zen internet last month, we also signed up for Zen EveryRoom. This is an additional monthly charge to cover the cost of a Wi-Fi repeater device, and, as our new router is a Fritz!Box, we were sent a […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
When we signed up for Zen internet last month, we also signed up for Zen EveryRoom. This is an additional monthly charge to cover the cost of a Wi-Fi repeater device, and, as our new router is a Fritz!Box, we were sent a […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
New blog post: My best non-fiction books of 2025
Between now and the day before Christmas Eve, I’ll be posting about the best books that I’ve read (or the best audiobooks that I have listened to) this year, just in case you need any last minute present ideas […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
Between now and the day before Christmas Eve, I’ll be posting about the best books that I’ve read (or the best audiobooks that I have listened to) this year, just in case you need any last minute present ideas […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
December 15, 2025 at 10:05 AM
New blog post: My best non-fiction books of 2025
Between now and the day before Christmas Eve, I’ll be posting about the best books that I’ve read (or the best audiobooks that I have listened to) this year, just in case you need any last minute present ideas […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
Between now and the day before Christmas Eve, I’ll be posting about the best books that I’ve read (or the best audiobooks that I have listened to) this year, just in case you need any last minute present ideas […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
New blog post: Pressidium Cookie Consent plugin review
Someone anonymously emailed me recently to advise that my cookie consent banner was not compliant with current privacy regulations, and so I’ve swapped it for the Pressidium Cookie Consent WordPress […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
Someone anonymously emailed me recently to advise that my cookie consent banner was not compliant with current privacy regulations, and so I’ve swapped it for the Pressidium Cookie Consent WordPress […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
December 13, 2025 at 10:06 AM
New blog post: Pressidium Cookie Consent plugin review
Someone anonymously emailed me recently to advise that my cookie consent banner was not compliant with current privacy regulations, and so I’ve swapped it for the Pressidium Cookie Consent WordPress […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
Someone anonymously emailed me recently to advise that my cookie consent banner was not compliant with current privacy regulations, and so I’ve swapped it for the Pressidium Cookie Consent WordPress […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
New blog post: Recycling your food waste
If you live in England, then from the 31st March 2026, your local authority will need to collect your food waste every week. Now, you might be reading this and thinking ‘hang on, my local authority already collects my food waste every week’! And many do […]
If you live in England, then from the 31st March 2026, your local authority will need to collect your food waste every week. Now, you might be reading this and thinking ‘hang on, my local authority already collects my food waste every week’! And many do […]
Original post on mastodonapp.uk
mastodonapp.uk
December 11, 2025 at 10:06 AM
New blog post: Recycling your food waste
If you live in England, then from the 31st March 2026, your local authority will need to collect your food waste every week. Now, you might be reading this and thinking ‘hang on, my local authority already collects my food waste every week’! And many do […]
If you live in England, then from the 31st March 2026, your local authority will need to collect your food waste every week. Now, you might be reading this and thinking ‘hang on, my local authority already collects my food waste every week’! And many do […]
New blog post: Setting WPA mode on ESPHome
If you’ve upgraded to last month’s release of ESPHome 2025.11, you may start seeing this warning message about WPA when validating your YAML scripts, or compiling new versions: WARNING The minimum WiFi authentication […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
If you’ve upgraded to last month’s release of ESPHome 2025.11, you may start seeing this warning message about WPA when validating your YAML scripts, or compiling new versions: WARNING The minimum WiFi authentication […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
December 9, 2025 at 10:10 AM
New blog post: Setting WPA mode on ESPHome
If you’ve upgraded to last month’s release of ESPHome 2025.11, you may start seeing this warning message about WPA when validating your YAML scripts, or compiling new versions: WARNING The minimum WiFi authentication […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
If you’ve upgraded to last month’s release of ESPHome 2025.11, you may start seeing this warning message about WPA when validating your YAML scripts, or compiling new versions: WARNING The minimum WiFi authentication […]
[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]