[benj111]

For those new to this, you can get little esp8266 based modules with usb, header pins etc for about the same price. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NodeMCU

Arduino software compatible too.

[rzzzt]

Those are really cool. Here's an esp8266 framework primarily intended for home automation: https://github.com/xoseperez/espurna

[StavrosK]

I use this in about ten devices (one of which is a custom-built dog feeder) and love it. I hate using closed-source IoT devices and this is a perfect alternative.

[narag]

custom-built dog feeder

You better not hook up to the amplifier. There's a slight possibility for overload.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjX1jU9pQeY

[neeleshs]

Please do tell more! Is there a blog?

[StavrosK]

My site is at https://www.stavros.io/ and various smaller projects at https://www.makerfol.io/stavros/. The particular dog feeder is mostly my dad's build, I only provided the software and relays to trigger it, so it's not written up anywhere. I can post some photos if you like.

[StavrosK]

I would go with the Lolin D1 mini, it's better designed and has a more convenient form factor, in my opinion.

[carbocation]

Having worked with a ton of ESP8266 variants, I agree with this. (The D1 Mini Pro has more RAM and is great.)

The ESP32 is good out of the box, and can be even better if you need dual core or Bluetooth.

[CharlesW]

> Arduino software compatible too.

The Moddable JavaScript (ES2017) runtime[1] works great on ESP8266 and ESP32 microcontrollers as well.

[1] https://github.com/Moddable-OpenSource/moddable