The only problem with the sprinkler in the article is that the internal clock is set wrong, and you can be pretty sure that the reason the internal clock is wrong is because the author tried to tweak things. Don't do that, and the problems go away.

Or your lawn is dying because there hasn't been enough rain. Or your lawn is dying because there's been too much rain. Or you're resodding a part of your lawn. Or you're removing part of your lawn to put in a garden. Or you've started using rainbarrels to naturally irrigate your backyard. Or your city has changed which days you can water your lawn on.

you can be pretty sure that the reason the internal clock is wrong is because the author tried to tweak things.

It could also be because the power went out or because of Daylight Saving Time.

I would argue the opposite, that the more you tinker with your system you will get better and better results. Daily rainfall does matter in lawn care because during hot summer days like this, you do need more water than during cool, cloudy winter days. This is common sense to anyone with half a green thumb. Not to mention, during the rainy season, you will probably do damage to your lawn if you over water.

Also, the OP is eliding over the fact that that controller is probably 10 years old.