Category Archives: Nerd Stuff

RITS AI Voice Bridge 1.0 Is Here

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We built a local AI voice bridge.

If you’re using ChatGPT, Claude, or DeepSeek and wish they could simply talk back through your computer speakers, this project is for you.

RITS Local AI Voice Bridge is a free, open-source utility that runs locally on your computer and reads AI responses aloud using your system’s built-in voice.

Why We Built It

We built it because not every AI has voice mode, and because local tools tend to outlive platform features. DeepSeek, for example, still lacks native voice functionality in many environments. And even when voice features exist, there’s no telling what providers will do with them in the future. Features change. Limits change. Subscription tiers change. What is free today may not be free tomorrow. We wanted a simple local solution that continues working regardless of what happens to a platform’s built-in voice features.

We also found that native voice experiences often feel different from the actual text experience. Responses can be shorter, more filtered, more heavily moderated, or simply feel different from reading the AI’s raw text output directly. Yes, there are already voice extensions and AI voice tools available. Some support more platforms than we do.

Some are more polished. That’s fine. We weren’t trying to build the biggest voice platform. We wanted something free, open-source, local, transparent, easy to understand and install. Pair it with your existing microphone, browser dictation, operating system dictation, or AI platform voice input, and it becomes a practical two-way AI voice workflow.

Our Goal Was Simple

Hear the AI’s actual text responses through your own computer’s voice system.

  • No cloud TTS
  • No accounts
  • No subscriptions
  • No API keys
  • No telemetry

Just a lightweight bridge between supported AI platforms and your computer’s built-in voice.

Available Now

RITS Local AI Voice Bridge v1.0 is available now for both Windows and Mac.

Give it a try.

How to Reinstall pfSense on a Netgate 6100 Firewall

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Looking for a simple walkthrough on reinstalling pfSense on a Netgate 6100 using the Netgate Installer? You’re in the right place.

In the video below, we walk through the reinstall process in a clean, straightforward way so you can see exactly what to expect before doing it yourself.

Before You Start

Before reinstalling pfSense, make sure you have a backup of your current configuration. If this firewall is being used in production, schedule a maintenance window before making changes.

References

Watch the Full Walkthrough

Follow along with the full video tutorial below:

Need Help With pfSense or Business Firewall Support?

Reasonable IT Service provides firewall, networking, server, and cybersecurity support for small businesses. If you need help with pfSense, Netgate firewalls, VLANs, or business network troubleshooting, contact us today.

How To Install deepseek-r1 On Windows (self-hosted)

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DeepSeek R1 is shaking up the AI world! It’s a powerful open-source AI model that rivals ChatGPT while being cheaper, faster, and even self-hostable.

Today I’ll be quickly breaking down why DeepSeek R1 is all the hype, how it compares to ChatGPT, and how you can install it (self-hosted) on Windows in minutes!

So whats all this deepseek fuss about and how does it compare to ChatGPT?

DeepSeek R1 vs. ChatGPT: A Head-to-Head Comparison

The AI landscape is evolving rapidly, and DeepSeek R1 has entered the scene as a serious competitor to ChatGPT. With its open-source nature, self-hosting capabilities, and performance claims, DeepSeek is drawing attention from AI enthusiasts and developers alike. But how does it really stack up against ChatGPT? Let’s break it down and let you decide which is the best fit for your needs.

1. PERFORMANCE: SPEED VS. DEPTH

DeepSeek R1 is designed for speed and efficiency. It’s optimized for quick responses, making it a strong choice for tasks that require rapid processing, such as data analysis and structured queries. Some early tests suggest that DeepSeek can outperform ChatGPT in raw speed and accuracy for certain technical tasks. However, ChatGPT has been praised for its nuanced, conversational responses, making it a better choice for more in-depth discussions and creative writing.

DeepSeek Strengths: Faster response times, excels in structured queries.
ChatGPT Strengths: More natural conversational abilities, better for in-depth discussions.

2. SELF-HOSTING: CONTROL VS. CONVENIENCE

A major differentiator is that DeepSeek R1 can be self-hosted. This means users have complete control over their AI, data privacy, and customization. For businesses or developers concerned about data security, this is a huge plus. In contrast, ChatGPT is cloud-based, requiring reliance on OpenAI’s servers, which offers ease of use but less control.

DeepSeek Strengths: Full control, better privacy, adaptable to specific infrastructure needs.
ChatGPT Strengths: No setup required, hassle-free cloud-based accessibility.

3. COST: FREE VS. SUBSCRIPTION-BASED

DeepSeek R1 is open-source and free to use, making it an attractive option for those looking to experiment without financial constraints. ChatGPT has a free tier but comes with usage limits, and for access to the most advanced versions, a paid subscription is required.

DeepSeek Strengths: Completely free and open-source.
ChatGPT Strengths: Offers a polished experience with premium features via a paid plan.

4. CUSTOMIZATION & FLEXIBILITY

Since DeepSeek R1 is open-source, users can modify and tailor the model to their specific needs, whether for enterprise applications or personal projects. ChatGPT, on the other hand, is a closed system, meaning users can interact with it but cannot modify its core functionality.

DeepSeek Strengths: Highly customizable and flexible for unique applications.
ChatGPT Strengths: Well-optimized out of the box, with consistent performance.

FINAL THOUGHTS: WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Both of these AI Chat-Bot juggernaughts are neck and neck with each model having its strengths depending on what you’re looking for.

If you prioritize speed, privacy, and customization, DeepSeek R1 is a solid option.
If you prefer a polished, conversational AI with minimal setup, ChatGPT remains a great choice.

As AI technology continues to evolve, the best choice will depend on your specific use case. Have you tried both? Let us know which one worked better for you!

Ok So How Do I Install deepseek-r1 On Windows

Step 1 – download and install Docker on your Windows machine

Step 2 – download and install Ollama on your Windows machine

Step 3 – open powershell and run this command to install deepseek-r1 8b:

ollama run deepseek-r1:8b

Step 4 – we need to connect OpenWebUI to Ollama so that we have a front end ui to interact with our chatbot. OpenWebUI, at this time, does not run on Windows directly (it’s for Linux) and so we need to containerize it with Docker. Super simple, all you have to do is run this command (note – ONLY for windows running nvidia GPU’s):

docker run -d -p 3000:8080 –gpus all –add-host=host.docker.internal:host-gateway -v open-webui:/app/backend/data –name open-webui –restart always ghcr.io/open-webui/open-webui:cuda

Step 5 – Open your web browser and navigate to: http://localhost:3000/auth

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