We have been running behind so wanted to make sure we share these episodes that Aired but have not been posted. Hope you enjoy them!

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd kick things off in full holiday mode with a look at Microsoft’s latest seasonal merch drop—highlighting the surprisingly steep price tag on the new “ugly sweater,” the retro logos packed into the design (and a few questionable modern additions), plus the equally head-scratching 50th anniversary Crocs and other oddball collectibles on Microsoft’s revamped merchandise site. The conversation rolls naturally into Shawn’s Christmas wish list—everything from retro gaming gear and board-game storage to soldering tools, ham radio accessories, and FPV drones—along with the realities of finding certain tech items in stock (or even available) right now.

From there, the show pivots to timely safety and consumer tech advice. Andy shares warnings tied to “Dangerous December,” reinforcing how critical it is to keep browsers and mobile devices updated during peak online shopping season, when older devices and outdated software can become easy targets. The duo also addresses a growing concern around romance scams, outlining common red flags—like refusing video calls or pushing for money—and reminding listeners how easily scammers can use public online details to build trust and manipulate victims.

We get a chance to answer a listener question from Cecilia in Tucson about a dropped laptop with a shattered screen—explaining how adding an external monitor can often bring the machine back to life, and walking through common steps to enable an external display if it doesn’t switch automatically. That discussion expands into practical habits for everyday computing, including whether to shut down systems overnight, what “update and shut down” really means in the real world, and how different devices (home rigs, servers, and work machines) have very different expectations for uptime and maintenance.

Later, Andy welcomes Linda Chorney—Grammy-nominated artist, filmmaker, and self-described DIY “rebel”—to talk about her new audiobook, It Ain’t Over Till the Indie Sings. Linda shares the remarkable story behind her career, how technology and persistence helped her navigate the industry, and how she taught herself production workflows—from editing and syncing audio to recording in Pro Tools and meeting modern audiobook standards. The episode closes with gaming news for Tomb Raider fans and a nostalgic holiday wrap-up, as Shawn recounts a weekend of in-person gaming, board games, and Lord of the Rings marathons—celebrating the kind of face-to-face tech friendship and shared experiences that many of us miss in today’s always-online world.

Kingston Technology produces a wide range of products for Consumers to Large Business Enterprise for getting the most out of your computer systems. We have featured their products from Memory to Storage and SSD Drives. What makes Kingston Technology the great place to work? Not only it’s commitment to product but also the end user and the community in Orange County.

Kingston Technology makes donations and sponsors local Boys and Girls Clubs, OC Food Bank and the Red Cross among other organizations. Working at Kingston Technology also has its benefits such as an open office environment, onsite gym with free fitness classes everyday, immediate matching 401(k) plan and healthcare options including a 100-percent employer paid plan for the employee and eligible dependents.

        For More info on this Honor check out the Orange County Business Journal article on the Best Places to Work in Orange County. Congratulations again to the Staff and Management at Kingston Technology!

For career opportunities at Kingston, visit www.kingston.com/us/company/careers.