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Episode 450 – Pixels, Packets, and Privacy: Taking Back Your Tech!

From ditching Zoom for a better recording platform, to debating Windows 11 upgrades, to reminiscing about the golden days of AOL dial-up, this week’s TechtalkRadio is packed with tech talk, nostalgia, and a few surprises—including a home lab build and a Nintendo Switch 2 that didn’t get the reaction anyone expected.

In this week’s episode of TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor, Matt Jones, Justin Lemme, and Shawn DeWeerd dive into the evolving tech landscape, starting with their recent move from Zoom to Riverside FM. They share why Zoom was no longer meeting their needs and how Riverside FM’s superior video quality, cleaner audio, and feature-rich platform have improved their workflow—making it the right choice for the show moving forward.

The conversation then shifts to the pros and cons of upgrading to Windows 11. The hosts share personal experiences, touching on hardware compatibility challenges, software update quirks, and the OS’s enhanced security and features. They also explore options for those who can’t—or don’t want to—upgrade, including Microsoft’s newly introduced Extended Security Update Program. These insights offer listeners practical guidance for making the right decision for their setup.

Nostalgia kicks in as the crew reflects on AOL’s decision to retire dial-up internet. They swap stories of early online adventures, the unforgettable connection sound, and how far we’ve come—from sluggish dial-up to lightning-fast fiber. Justin adds a personal twist, recalling his time working in an AOL call center and the unique challenges of supporting users in the early internet era. They also discuss the benefits of switching providers for improved speed and reliability.

Wrapping up, Matt takes listeners inside his home lab build, showcasing the repurposed servers, networking gear, and AI-driven security components that power his privacy-focused smart home. Justin follows with the story of tracking down and buying a Nintendo Switch 2 for his son—only to be surprised when it didn’t spark the excitement he expected. Together, these segments highlight the personal side of tech, from ambitious builds to unexpected reactions.

Audio Version

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Episode 449 – Let the Dice Decide – What Shawn Checked out!

🎲 In this week’s episode of TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd reunite at the mic as Shawn returns from Gen Con 2025—America’s biggest tabletop gaming convention. He shares his epic haul of new games, including Everdell Silverfrost, Dice Throne Slamthrone, and the new RPG system Daggerheart from Darrington Press, the creators behind Critical Role. The two talk trends in tabletop gaming, cosplay highlights, and how accessible these games have become—even for beginners and families.

But that’s not all—Andy and Shawn also dive into the world of Linux, tackling myths about its complexity, the perception of toxic forums, and why distributions like Linux Mint can breathe new life into older PCs. They share listener reactions to last week’s Linux segment and thanked those that added input. Shawn and Andy also offer practical advice for new users, and shout out tools like AlternativeTo.net and even ChatGPT for making the transition easier.

On the tech side, the show covers a listener question from Dave in Tucson about removing Windows 11 S Mode and what it does, Andy shares frustrations with Microsoft OneDrive, and Shawn highlights some exciting new gear: the upcoming Insta360 drone titled AntiGravity  and DJI’s first 360° camera, the Osmo 360.

Plus, if you’re a gamer, you’ll want to hear about the upcoming Battlefield 6 open beta starting August 9th—and how to get in on the action.  Andy tests out Riverside FM as a new recording platform for higher-quality video segments. It’s a jam-packed episode filled with gaming, geekery, and gear!

Photos from GenCon2025 taken by Shawn

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Episode 448 – When Two Computers Love Each Other

When Two Computers Love Each Other: Tech Talk Gets Romantic(ish)

In this week’s episode of TechtalkRadio, things get personal, poetic, and a little toasty—literally. Andy, Shawn, and Justin reunite for another round of tech tales, real-world rants, and plenty of laughter.

Shawn kicks off the episode with stories from his recent camping trip to a remote family resort in Northern Michigan. With zero Wi-Fi and barely any cell service, he had to get creative keeping his kids entertained—thankfully, pre-downloaded YouTube videos on an iPad came to the rescue. The trio reflects on how technology has transformed the camping experience, especially for a generation raised on screens.

But it wasn’t all s’mores and sunshine—Shawn’s iPhone 13 Pro, running the iOS 26 developer beta, lost its SIM functionality mid-trip. Multiple downgrades, a reluctant Apple Store, and a battery swap later, Shawn’s tale becomes a cautionary reminder about beta testing. Andy and Justin weigh in with their own skepticism about Apple’s policies and the quirks of bleeding-edge software.

From smartphones to laptops, Andy dives into ongoing issues with his Lenovo 530, which refused to stay fixed even after replacing both the CMOS and internal battery. Justin shares a similar saga involving his Asus ROG Strix, which eventually led him to upgrade to an HP Omen with a Ryzen 9 processor—more power, less heat, and no regrets.

The team also gets into the pros and cons of Microsoft accounts vs. local logins, and whether it’s finally time to give Linux a shot. Andy considers making the jump to Linux Mint for editing, while Justin gives a thumbs-up for Samba-based networking across systems.

And just when things seem calm, we get into the real heat: Andy warns about the dangers of leaving electronics in hot cars, which prompts Justin to joke about “computers in heat.” That leads to the episode’s hilariously romantic title—When Two Computers Love Each Other. To top it off, Andy tells how he fixed a Toshiba laptop hinge using a complete donor machine from eBay, and Justin introduces Incogni, a service to help protect your privacy online, as this week’s Website of the Week.

Listen to the episode now on Spotify, Spreaker, iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your tech talk fix—and don’t forget to share it with your favorite hot laptop 🔥💻❤️.

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Question of the Week – Have you ever tried Linux and would you consider it?

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“How a Tucson Video Game Stirred Chaos—and Now Has a Documentary”

🎮 Controversial Tucson Game Gets the Documentary Treatment!
In this week’s segment, Andy Taylor uncovers the wild story behind Postal—the infamous 1997 video game created by Tucson-based studio Running With Scissors. Released the same year as Grand Theft Auto, Postal was slammed for its violence—but it also built a cult following, leading to a sequel (Postal 2) and even a feature film.

🎥 Now, filmmakers Jason Sikorsky and Tad Salle are telling the untold story in their new documentary, “Going Postal: The Legacy Foretold.” Recently screened to a packed house at the 2025 Phoenix Film Festival, the film dives deep into the controversy, creativity, and chaos behind one of gaming’s most talked-about titles.

📀 Available now on Amazon, Apple TV, and Blu-ray with exclusive bonus content.

💬 Tad Salle joins Andy to share how the film came to life and why this game—and the friendship behind it—still matter today.

📺 Watch now and explore how a local game made global waves.

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Episode 447 – The Battle of the Thumbs!

This Week on TechtalkRadio:
Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd hold down the fort while Justin takes his son to see the new Superman movie in IMAX. Shawn shares his own IMAX experience with the new F1 film and discusses Apple’s potential takeover of F1 media rights from ESPN.

The duo dives into the evolving world of streaming platforms, comparing Apple TV+ with Netflix and Hulu. They also explore how content consumption has changed for kids, with YouTube creators like Ms Rachel reshaping early education and digital habits.

The conversation shifts to tech and parenting, highlighting the role of AI and digital tools in learning. Shawn stresses the need for parents to understand tech to help guide their children, advocating for a balance between screen time and outdoor activities.

Shawn then shares details about his Plex server upgrade, moving from an older Intel i3 system to a powerful i7-9700 setup with an NVIDIA 3060 GPU, running Linux Mint 22. He explains what Plex is, how it works, and how it allows users to stream their personal media libraries with features like metadata tagging, remote access, and RAID storage.

Also in this episode, Andy chats with Anna Bilych, founder of Les Amis, a platform built to help women foster real friendships. Anna discusses the challenges of building the platform, its use of AI for connecting users, and how Les Amis is helping women connect through curated local events. From pottery nights to group chats, Les Amis is redefining digital community with style and purpose.

To wrap things up, Andy and Shawn reflect on the changing ergonomics of smartphone use, from the days of one-handed texting on Sidekicks to today’s two-thumb operation on large-screen devices. It’s a new kind of digital workout — a true Battle of the Thumbs!