Posted inGeneral

Home Automation Part 1: HomeMatic IP

Last year, we bought our own house. It is 15 years old and had a, for that time, quite modern equipment (electric window blinds, underfloor heating, electrical garage door etc.). But, of course, non of it was really 'smart'. A fact that needed to be changed. Three major areas I wanted to tackle are: Window blinds, heating, fire alarm and burglar alarm. People into the topic might ask why "Light" is not in the list? Well, I cover that topic entirely with Philips Hue lighting wherever the lighting needs to be smart. In other cases I have installed motion sensors.…
Posted inGeneral

Clod Buster Steering Update

Last year around this time I wrote, that I found my 25-year-old Clod Buster in my basement and did an overhaul to the whole car. One part of this overhaul was, that I wasn't satisfied with the steering of the standard 4-wheel steering of the car and I described some changes I made. However, it turned out that, when driving on the grippier underground, etc. the steering still did not do what I wanted. Another downside was, that, due to the fact that the car now was much faster, the steering needed some adaption to that as well. This couldn't…
Posted inGeneral

Tamiya Clod Buster overhaul

This blog post is an in-depth exploration of one of my earliest self-built RC Cars: The Tamiya Clod Buster. Prepare to be enthralled by the sheer power and innovation of this remarkable machine. Released on September 21, 1987, the Clod Buster quickly became a sensation in the world of remote-controlled vehicles. I vividly recall the momentous occasion when I acquired mine in mid-1992 from a distinguished store situated in my beloved hometown of Speyer, nestled in the southwest region of Germany. Allow me to elucidate upon the awe-inspiring features that made the Clod Buster an indisputable triumph during its time.…
Posted inGeneral Online & Digital

Step-by-Step Revolution Instead of Slow Evolution

In my expert commentary for Funkschau—both online and in the print edition—I explain why organizations should approach the transition from long-established, legacy communication systems to modern, cloud-based online tools as a stepwise revolution rather than a slow, drawn-out evolution. The point I make is simple: traditional communication infrastructures, often grown organically over decades, are deeply embedded in many companies. They can’t be ripped out overnight—but neither should they be left untouched until they collapse under their own complexity. A gradual, planned migration allows companies to modernize piece by piece, reducing risk while still reaping the advantages of flexibility, scalability, and collaboration that cloud services offer. This isn’t…
Posted inGeneral In the News Politics & Opinion

Endless Roadworks: Why Germany Still Gets Stuck in TrafficAutobahnbaustellen

Because of both my job and my hobbies, I spend a lot of time on Germany’s highways — roughly 40,000 km per year. And every year, I find myself frustrated again and again by roadworks. I keep asking: Why do some drivers behave so recklessly in construction zones? Why are there still so few roadworks running in three shifts around the clock? Let’s start with a few numbers (from 2008, but still illustrative): Around 130,000 construction sites were registered that year, covering a total length of 375,000 kilometers. For perspective: the moon, at its closest point to Earth (perigee), is “only” 363,300 kilometers away. Construction sites…
Posted inGeneral Online & Digital

Everyone blogs…

... me too! Recently, I was on vacation, accompanied by my friend Jennasun, and we visited the blogger Grace, among others. Being on the road with two enchanting bloggers is not only fun but also sparks new ideas. I've been active on the internet with various projects for many years. Sometimes it was about IRC, sometimes about my club, sometimes about my hobby, and other times about family. But never had I created a dedicated space for myself to share my opinions, impressions, and views of the world. This blog is an attempt to do just that... One might say…