Vol. 02
The Field Notes Issue 14 · April 2026
Straight talk from the Rouge Tech workbench

The Field Notes.

Dispatches from actual jobs — what breaks, what works, and what to buy before the salesperson at Best Buy talks you out of it. Written by the engineer who does the work.

Published Weekly, Tuesdays
Archive 15 posts
Format Guides · Video · Case studies
Authored by Ben Thibodaux
All 15 Guides 6 Video 4 Case studies 2 News 1 Behind the scenes 2 WiFi & networking 6 Smart home 2 Security cameras 2

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Every post, in order — oldest jobs first.

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08
Why My Drive-Out Fee Is Zero
And why most Baton Rouge tech companies have one. A short rant about how this industry charges for nothing.
Behind the Scenes
3 min read
March 11, 2026
09
The Nest Thermostat I Almost Pulled Off the Wall
Why a perfectly working smart thermostat can still be wrong for your house — and how to tell before you buy.
Smart Home
5 min read
March 4, 2026
10
Three Camera Brands I'd Put on My Own House
After installing 80+ camera systems across Baton Rouge, here's my honest shortlist — none of them are the ones on the endcap at Costco.
Security Cameras
9 min watch
February 25, 2026
11
Mesh vs. Wired Backbone: A Real Head-to-Head
Same 3,000 sq ft house, same family, two setups — one week apart. Speed tests, dead zones, and the one surprising loser.
WiFi & Networking
7 min read
February 18, 2026
12
"Why Is My Internet Slow at Night?" — The Real Answer
It's almost never your router. Five questions that narrow it down in under a minute.
WiFi & Networking
4 min read
February 11, 2026
13
A 1920s Home in Spanish Town, 2026 Tech. Without the Ugly.
Cable-runs through plaster walls, hidden access points, and a homeowner who didn't want to see a single piece of gear.
Case Studies
6 min read
February 4, 2026
14
The 5-Minute Office WiFi Check I Do on Every Visit
If you work from home and Zoom drops once a week, it's probably one of these three things. Here's how to tell.
Work from Home
6 min watch
January 28, 2026
15
I Don't Sell Extended Warranties. Here's Why.
A short piece about incentives, markup, and the letter I send every client about what to do when something breaks in year three.
Behind the Scenes
3 min read
January 21, 2026
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