JB Lighting Design and Consulting

04/13/2026

Printing wheels for our robot lawnmower on my heavily modded Ender 5 Plus. I put a limit of flow at 15mm³/sec which has my walls printing at 83 mm/sec with a .6 nozzle and .3 layer height. White PLA+ as I like to replace the treads yearly but maybe I'll try TPU at some point. Happy Printing! 😎

04/13/2026

This came in handy last week!

I had made my own "DMX Sniffer" using an Arduino (Leonardo) board and DMX hat to visually map out the channel values that all the lights in a universe are receiving. I plug the Arduino into a computer via USB and using a terminal emulator such as PUTTY, I see all the values for channels 1-512 in hexadecimal. This allows me to troubleshoot and verify what the light is receiving, at the light.

What tools do you use that makes people scratch their heads?

https://www.dfrobot.com/product-984.html?srsltid=AfmBOorPyZQslyPd7l_7nKj3PT9hBQ7-xF9-zPG5brUxuWUia3drIc58)

03/25/2026

This is a legitimate concern and the threat is real. "Deepfake n**e" incidents involving minors have been documented in schools across multiple countries. Here's what actually works:

Education First (Most Effective)
Talk explicitly, not vaguely. Kids who receive specific, direct conversations about AI misuse are significantly less likely to engage in it. Don't say "be careful online" — say "using AI to generate fake n**e images of a real person is a federal crime under the DEFIANCE Act (signed 2024) and can result in s*x offender registration."

Teach them what consent means in the digital age. Their image is their property. Someone else's image is their property. This framing resonates more with teens than abstract ethics.

Technical Interventions
Watermarking tools — Services like Google's SynthID and Adobe's Content Credentials help identify AI-generated content. Teach your kids to recognize them.
Reverse image search — Show your kids how to periodically search their own photos to detect unauthorized use.
Privacy settings audit — Go through every social account together. Public photos of minors are raw material for this kind of abuse. Lock them down.
StopNCII.org — A hash-matching database where people can register images to prevent them spreading on major platforms, even proactively.
Legal Awareness as a Deterrent
Make sure your kid knows these specifics:

The federal DEFIANCE Act (2024) criminalizes non-consensual intimate deepfakes
Many states have separate statutes with felony-level charges
If the subject is a minor, child po*******hy statutes can apply to the creator, even if they're also a minor
School districts increasingly expel students involved in these incidents
This isn't fearmongering — these consequences are being applied right now, including to minors.

At the School Level
Push your school to adopt a policy if they don't have one. Effective school policies include:

Explicit AI misuse provisions in the conduct code
Digital literacy curriculum that covers deepfakes specifically
Clear reporting channels for students who discover they've been targeted
Ask what their response protocol is. Many schools are still unprepared. The answer "we'll handle it case by case" is not acceptable.

If Your Child Is Targeted
Document everything before reporting — screenshots, timestamps, platform URLs
Report to the platform using CSAM/non-consensual intimate imagery categories, not generic harassment
Report to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) via their CyberTipline — they have direct relationships with platforms and law enforcement
Contact local law enforcement — many jurisdictions now have cyber crime units trained specifically on this
Contact an attorney — civil remedies are increasingly viable and settlements are occurring
The Peer Dynamic
Research on adolescent behavior shows that social norm correction is powerful. Most kids assume their peers think this kind of thing is acceptable when most actually don't. Having frank discussions in groups (not just one-on-one) helps correct that false consensus and reduces likelihood of participation.

The bottom line: passive measures don't cut it. Direct, informed, ongoing conversation combined with practical knowledge of consequences and tools is the most evidence-supported approach available.

https://apnews.com/article/artificial-intelligence-deepfake-lancaster-ai-5eccb10ae81244fe475a32867f9ca2c9

Two teenage boys who used artificial intelligence to create fake n**e photos of their classmates have been put on probation.

03/24/2026

I'm surprised none of my friends have jumped on this deal yet! They must not have seen it 🙃 https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1238935921781167/?mibextid=dXMIcH

03/22/2026

You never know when you'll need lights and a smoke machine...and that is why I have them! 😎

03/20/2026

Printing out letters tonight for a friend's pet memorial. "Po" may you R.I.P. 😥🌈🐾

03/18/2026

Missing the heat and the 🌞😎

03/18/2026

The nostalgia is palpable. It's incredible how far we've come since 2019, isn't it? Home automation has evolved significantly, and it's fascinating to see how our understanding of smart homes has changed. Back then, being able to control lights and devices with just our voices was the epitome of innovation, and it's amazing to think about how much more sophisticated these systems have become.

Fast forward to today, and we have a plethora of options for smart home devices, with Google Home and Alexa still being major players, but also with the rise of other competitors like Apple HomeKit and Samsung SmartThings. However, for those who want more control and customization, platforms like Home Assistant have become the go-to solution. I've had the opportunity to explore the depths of Home Assistant, integrating it with motion sensors, wireless Zigbee buttons, and sensors to create a truly seamless and automated experience.

For instance, I've set up my home to monitor the wattage of my washer and dryer, allowing me to check if they're still running with just a glance at my dashboard. It's amazing how much insight you can gain into your energy usage and daily routines with the right tools. And, of course, who could resist the allure of a beautifully lit vase with moving and color-changing lights? But what's even more clever is that it subtly changes to red when someone has the bathroom door closed – a clever touch that adds a layer of convenience and consideration to our daily lives.

As someone who's grown up with the evolution of technology, from the early days of dial-up internet to the current era of AI, I've had a front-row seat to the incredible advancements that have taken place. And now, as my son grows up in this new era, I'm reminded of the importance of staying ahead of the curve and embracing the latest innovations. It's an exciting time to be alive, and I feel fortunate to be able to share my knowledge and expertise with others who are looking to navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of technology.

If you're looking to take your smart home to the next level, or simply want to explore the possibilities of AI and IoT, I'm always happy to chat and share my insights. With years of experience in designing and implementing customized automation solutions, I've developed a keen sense of what works and what doesn't, and I'm always eager to help others unlock the full potential of their technology. So, whether you're just starting out or looking to optimize your existing setup, let's connect and see how we can create a smarter, more efficient, and more enjoyable living space for you and your loved ones.
-J

12/19/2025

I saw eBay put a coupon on this too!

This rack-mountable unit features a variety of input/output ports including RJ45 (Ethernet), HDMI, 3.5mm TRS, and USB, allowing for seamless connectivity with a range of other perephrials. The sleek black design and 1U rack unit height make it a versatile and compact addition to any paging rack setu...

10/02/2024

Come join Katherine Barton and I on the 5th (this Saturday)! Stop the Bleed training at Living Faith Church past the Zelie Airport and you can register at