Welcome to Using the Wrong Words on Porpoise — practical tech for beginners, technophobes, tinkerers and anyone who just wants the damn thing to work.
I make straightforward videos about smart homes, Home Assistant, home servers, AI and useful tech, explaining what things actually do, how to set them up and whether they're worth bothering with.
Expect Home Assistant, Zigbee, Matter, Wi-Fi, networking, Proxmox, smart home gadgets, AI and plenty of other technology I probably shouldn't be allowed to play with.
No assumption that you already know everything. No unnecessary jargon. No pretending everything works first time.
Just practical guides, reviews, experiments, occasional disasters and a healthy amount of nonsense.
If technology sometimes leaves you wondering “what does that actually mean?” — you're in the right place.
🐬 Using the Wrong Words on Porpoise
Tech without the technobabble.
Using the Wrong Words On Porpoise
Slightly different video today :-
Linux is free. So who pays the people making it?
There isn't a Linux sales department sending you an invoice every time you install it. But developers still need paying, and businesses still need things to work.
In this video, I look at where the money comes from, what companies such as Red Hat and Canonical provide, and how Home Assistant fits into the picture.
Tech without the technobabble. Have a look:
https://youtu.be/c_L8LI0zcOA
Did you know businesses help fund software the rest of us can use for free?
4 days ago | [YT] | 0
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Using the Wrong Words On Porpoise
This week’s WrongWords Weekly newsletter has landed 📬
Inside: SmartWings smart blinds, my Proxmox 8-to-9 upgrade (with the written guide), and a useful Home Assistant update for working out why the house just did something unexpected.
The website has had a refresh too! Have a look around and let me know what you think—or what I’ve managed to break. 😄
🌐 Explore the refreshed website:
www.onporpoise.co.uk/
👉 Read this week’s newsletter:
www.onporpoise.co.uk/wrongwords-weekly-smartwings-…
📩 Want the next one in your inbox? Sign up free:
www.onporpoise.co.uk/keepintouch/
Tell me what you think below
1 week ago | [YT] | 0
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Using the Wrong Words On Porpoise
First of all apologies for anyone that was upset because I didn't release a video last week. I had something I couldn't put down, It was all in hand (but its not now)
Yes, my hand is now pin less, yes it is that big
- I still have a splint thing why the bone heals
Anyway the new video tonight 7:30 that's caused me a few ups and downs
Its the next stage of the office upgrade with automated Zigbee device integrated directly into Home Assistant.
Hit the bell so you don't miss it! 🔔
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 2
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Using the Wrong Words On Porpoise
New Video coming our Friday night at 7:30 - Latest update to she he must be obeyed office upgrade - big clue in this short
youtube.com/shorts/OhEliahiW-0
1 month ago | [YT] | 0
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Using the Wrong Words On Porpoise
Installing the Reolink TrackMix PoE Camera | 4K PTZ Setup & Honest Review
This Friday evening’s video is all about installing the Reolink TrackMix PoE 4K PTZ camera — from unboxing to setup, waterproofing, and testing.
It’s a full walkthrough with real‑world footage, a few laughs, and a couple of minor finger‑related mishaps.
What’s your favourite Reolink camera feature — auto‑tracking, dual lens, or night vision?
2 months ago | [YT] | 1
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Using the Wrong Words On Porpoise
Jim helped me install Matter bulbs today — and if you’re new to smart home tech, this is one of the easiest upgrades you can make.
We scanned the QR codes, paired the bulbs, named them, grouped them, and added them to a dashboard.
Plus a quick chat about Matter over Wi‑Fi vs Thread (and why Thread bulbs are almost impossible to find with UK bayonet fittings).
Full video drops tomorrow!
What Matter device should we try next?
2 months ago | [YT] | 1
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Using the Wrong Words On Porpoise
🎥 New Video Drops Tonight at 7:30pm (UK)!
Today we’re diving into Tasmota + Home Assistant — local control, firmware upgrades, MQTT, dashboards, and a full walkthrough of how I manage all my devices.
I’ve also built a Tasmota Auto‑Update Dashboard, and I show you exactly how it works. If you’re running lots of Tasmota devices, this one will make your life so much easier.
And yes… the sound might be a tiny bit off in places. Turns out editing is harder when you’re missing part of your pointing device.. 😅
But hey — the tech still works even if I don’t!
2 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Using the Wrong Words On Porpoise
Tomorrow at 8 PM (UK time): Home Assistant just got a major upgrade!
The July 2026 update makes automations beginner‑friendly and powerful at the same time.
I’ll show you the new Activity view and the updated Automation editor that finally makes sense.
See you at 8 PM 👇
🎥 https://youtu.be/fUpUHa-psm0
3 months ago | [YT] | 2
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Using the Wrong Words On Porpoise
Does Alexa Devices work for you?
Todays’s video shows how to set up the new Alexa integration AND how to control your Home Assistant devices for free — no Nabucasa subscription needed.
If you’ve ever wanted Alexa to speak, play sounds, or control your lights directly from Home Assistant, this one’s for you.
Video drops today 4pm— who’s using Alexa in their setup?
3 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Using the Wrong Words On Porpoise
Quick update: this week’s video will be a day late. The heat has turned my office into a sauna, and every time I try to film I end up looking like I’ve been rescued from a lake. Not exactly the aesthetic I was going for.
How are you all coping with the heat? Any unexpected casualties? My car stereo has stopped working altogether, and one of my Tasmota plugs keeps shutting itself off like it’s on strike. (Yes its the one running a fan!)
How are you coping with the heat
3 months ago | [YT] | 0
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