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Episode #433 – S.O.S. Send Some Slacks and Goosed by Larry!

For this Week’s TechtalkRadio Show, Shawn, Matt, Andy and Justin are on board as they discuss recent experiences with stand-up comedy shows. Justin shares his encounter with comedian Rodney Norman, where he unexpectedly introduced the act and received encouragement to try stand-up himself. The conversation then moves to other comedians they’ve seen live or admire, including Brad Williams, The Late Mitch Hedberg, and Jeff Arcuri. They reflect on how social media has given more comedians exposure. The group also fondly remembers the Blue Collar Comedy Tour and imagines a hypothetical Hallmark movie featuring those comedians. We lose Justin in the discussion after telling about a great memory of his dad getting a goose from Larry the Cable Guy!

After getting to put it to the test, Shawn discusses his experience with the Epson FastPhoto FF-680W scanner, which he purchased after Andy demonstrated it on News13. The scanner has significantly sped up Shawn’s photo digitization project, allowing him to scan 3,800 photos in a -a rate of one photo per second at 600 DPI. The device offers features like automatic editing, front and back scanning, and batch processing. While Shawn found the auto-edit feature inconsistent, he appreciates the scanner’s ability to capture handwritten notes on the backs of photos, which Matt and Andy agree is valuable for preserving family history. He did note it is important to clean the scanning surface frequently to avoid jams and residue from plastic sleeves and film emulsion.

Andy discussed the forthcoming end of life for Windows 10 in October, with Windows 11 being the next iteration. He noted that end of life does not mean a computer will stop working, but that users will no longer receive security updates. Andy shared his recent experience with Windows 11’s networking issues and how he resolved them. If you upgrade or get a new system what could be done with the old computer? Matt suggesting that old computers could be repurposed or donated. Andy decides to upgrade the Studio Computer and buys an Intel Processor which shipped with the CPU Fan however the Pre-Applied Thermal paste has Andy wondering of its usefullness. All recommend to clean that off the CPU and apply new Paste. Justin advised on the best way to apply thermal paste to a new CPU, and Shawn shared his preferred method, The Dot Method. Finally, the team discussed the ease of using Linux as an alternative to Windows, with Matt recommending Mint, Arch, and Ubuntu as accessible options.

Listener Ricky decides to Build his own but wonders if a Graphics and Sound Card is needed. Matt and Justin clarified that a sound card is not required for general use, but a graphics card is recommended for gaming. They also advised against using a “Old School” spinning hard drive for storage, as M.2 or SSD drives are significantly faster and less prone to failure. Matt also emphasized the importance of proper installation and handling of computer components to avoid damage. Andy shared info about the new Samsung’s M.2 drive which operates about 14.8Gbps, which Justin confirmed was a significant upgrade. The team agreed that using a faster storage option would provide better performance and a longer lifespan.

A Humerous wrap on the show as Matt shares that Google’s Pixel devices have updated their emergency SOS feature to require five button presses and confirmation before activation. This change was implemented after an incident where a user’s sensitive photos were accidentally shared through the SOS system sending to family and co-workers. The group discusses the implications of this update and jokes about the potential embarrassment of such a situation thus the name for this weeks show, SOS – Send Me Slacks!

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Andy TaylorTechtalkRadio

Computer Engineering for Babies! An Author Interview!

In this Segment for TechtalkRadio, Host Shawn DeWeerd and Andy Taylor talked with Author Chase Roberts about his books Computer Engineering for Babies” and “Computer Engineering for Big Babies”.

Chase discussed the development of a book that introduces basic computer concepts to young children. Chase shared his inspiration, which came from his child’s fascination with light switches. He decided to create a book that would deliver on the promise of the title, introducing concepts like gates and circuits in a way that a child could understand. Chase faced numerous challenges in the production process, including issues with circuit board design and soldering. His wife’s encouragement helped him persevere and eventually launch a successful Kickstarter campaign, which exceeded his expectations.The Story of that discovery on Reddit and its embracing of the concept is uplifting. Chase shared his excitement about the project’s success, particularly after a Reddit post about it went viral, raising $12,000 on the first day. Shawn, who found the book through the Reddit post, expressed his appreciation for the unique concept and its potential as a learning tool for children.

Chase tells Shawn and Andy how he initially tried using discrete components but found it challenging to achieve the desired nuance. He then switched to using an Arduino, which allowed him to write code for more nuanced light readings. He shared his experience of creating the first book, which was a success, and then working on a second book that added switches and LEDs. Chase mentioned that the second book took two years to complete, highlighting the challenges he faced, particularly with designing the switch placements.

Andy and Shawn expressed their appreciation for Chase’s work and encouraged listeners to take a look at his books. For More information check out https://www.computerengineeringforbabies.com

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Episode #432 – The Blinky Lights and Flashing Buttons Are Alive!

For this Week’s Episode of TechtalkRadio,  Andy and Shawn discussed the recent announcement from DJI about the New Osmo Mobile 7, a handheld device that stabilizes video footage in three axes. Andy ask Shawn to explain to the listeners the purpose of a Gimble Arm and what it can accomplish. Shawn explained that it’s designed for mobile devices, providing smooth footage even in challenging terrains. The device is priced at $89 for the standard version and $149 for the pro version, which includes additional features such as a wireless receiver for DJI mics, an 8-inch telescoping arm, gesture control, and a built-in light. Shawn expected the announcement to be a different product and after recording we discovered it is the DJI RS 4 Mini which we will discuss next week. 

The action camera market is still providing some great solutions for videographers and storytellers and the guys  focus on major players like DJI, GoPro, and Insta360. They noted that GoPro has been in the business for a long time and has been successful in the market. Shawn shared his experience with various GoPro models, particularly the Hero 3 Plus, which he considers his favorite.  Shawn then listed five companies that attempted to enter the action camera market  including Nikon, Kodak, Contour, Garmin, and Sony. 

Shawn and Andy welcome to the show Author Chase Roberts, Founder of Baby Step Books to discuss his fun books  “Computer Engineering for Babies” and “Computer Engineering for Big Babies”.  Chase discussed the development of a book that introduces basic computer concepts to young children. Chase shared his inspiration, which came from his child’s fascination with light switches and decided to create a book that would deliver on the promise of the title, introducing concepts like gates and circuits in a way that a child could understand. Chase faced numerous challenges in the production process, including issues with circuit board design and soldering. His wife’s encouragement helped him persevere and eventually launch a successful Kickstarter campaign, which exceeded his expectations. He shared his experience of creating the first book, which was a success, and then working on a second book that added switches and LEDs. Chase mentioned that the second book took two years to complete, highlighting the challenges he faced, particularly with designing the switch placements. 

A Listener Question sent in from Martha in La Quinta inquired about using a Windows XP Computer to play old favorite games however she was told by a friend to not power up the XP System because it could get a Virus? Andy and Shawn let Martha know while connecting to the internet is not recommended playing the local games on the system should be fine.  This Gave Shawn and Andy a chance to discuss their experiences with old games and computers. Andy mentioned his fondness for playing old games like Joint Ops and Castle Wolfenstein, while Shawn reminisced about playing Diablo 2 and other classic games. A question from Chad had Andy looking for some input on Starlink and its reputation for service in the Southern Arizona Area, Shawn tells us about the different connect options. 

Tune in for all this and more on TechtalkRadio!

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Andy TaylorBackups, Data Recovery Software, Data Retrieval, EaseUS, software, Tucson Computer Repair

News13 Segment –  Bringing those Digital Files Back to Life!

For this Weeks News13 Segment on KMSB Fox 11, We focus on Recovering Files after they have been deleted. It can happen through Accidental Deletion or after a drive failure, finding files on other no longer used drives, even if they have been reformated! We have used other programs in the past and found the layout for EaseUS to be a great solution for all levels of Tech Knowledge.

We Featured the EaseUS Data Recovery Program to help find files that were deleted or Lost. After a Recent Hard Drive Failure, we have had to restore files, some deleted and found the Program from EaseUS – Data Recovery Software to be a great solution, and the company offers a Free Version for those with easy small file recovery needs, Find them at https://www.easeus.com

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Episode 431 – What Tech Gift Would You Get for Yourself?

This Week on TechtalkRadiom Justin, Shawn, and Andy discuss tech gifts, personal projects, and listener questions. Justin shares his preference for buying tech gifts for himself, while Shawn talks about his ongoing family photo archiving project using the Epson FF680 Photo Scanner. The team also covers converting VHS tapes to digital, with Shawn recommending a VHS-to-hard-drive converter and a time-based corrector and Andy also recommending The Diamond Multimedia Converter 

Justin updates the crew on Project Zomboid, mentioning his recent voiceover work for a game mod. Andy expresses interest in the game, available on Steam, and Justin highlights its low system requirements and engaging gameplay.

The team breaks down Sony’s recent 24-hour outage and revisits the 2011 Sony hack, which compromised 77 million PlayStation accounts. This leads to a discussion on data security, warning against free credit monitoring services that can waive legal rights. They also share tips on using multiple email addresses to track potential data breaches.


A listener asks if a home-based business needs a website or if social media is enough. Justin shares his experience with Wix for an affordable, all-in-one solution. The team agrees that a website adds professionalism and stability, especially when paired with strong social media strategies.

Another listener wants to convert Windows Media files to other formats. Shawn recommends Handbrake, VLC Player, and FFMPEG for free, reliable conversions, explaining the benefits of each. The team also touches on Adobe Media Encoder and Roxio Creator, with MP4 suggested as the best format for compatibility.

Justin and Andy compare health tracking devices. Justin prefers the Oura Ring over the Pixel Watch, noting its FSA eligibility for savings. Andy highlights the new Apple Powerbeats Pro 2, which monitor heart rate during workouts. The team also discusses sleep apnea detection and arrhythmia monitoring in both the Oura Ring and Apple Watch.


Finally, they share their browser and extension preferences. Justin dislikes Chrome’s heavy resource usage and recommends Firefox, Edge, and Opera instead. Shawn agrees but acknowledges Chrome’s work compatibility. Andy shares his experience with Internet Connection Monitor, while Shawn mentions using AdBlock Plus.

Tune in for all this and more on TechtalkRadio!

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