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The Cat Ate My Laptop… and Other Tech Excuses! | EP 493

It’s The Halloween edition of TechtalkRadio, and Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd have plenty to talk about, from technology on the road to keeping your digital life from becoming a storage nightmare!

The show kicks off with some exciting news from co-host Justin Lemme, who is missing this week’s episode for a very good reason: he’s picking up an RV! Shawn shares some of the advice he offered Justin before the purchase, including what to inspect, how to prepare for traveling, and the technology that can make life on the road easier. The conversation turns to Starlink satellite internet, RV adventures, and whether getting away from it all should mean disconnecting from technology.

Have you ever thought about starting a podcast? Andy shares a recent conversation with a local business owner interested in launching an RV-themed podcast. Andy and Shawn explain how easy it can be to get started with just a microphone and computer. They discuss Spreaker, OBS Studio, Riverside, and the differences between audio-only podcasts and video productions. They also share how TechtalkRadio evolved from Skype and Zoom to its current Riverside production workflow.

In the listener question segment, Anne from Sahuarita has three problems with her aging laptop: disappearing keyboard lettering, an unreliable touchpad, and a damaged screen courtesy of her cat! Andy and Shawn discuss repair options, replacement costs, and when it makes more financial sense to purchase a new computer. They also explain the warning signs of a swollen laptop battery, sometimes jokingly called a “spicy pillow.”

The conversation moves into video production as Andy shares his experience recording an event with his iPhone using the free Blackmagic Camera app. Shawn explains why smartphone cameras have become powerful tools for professional video production and offers tips for shooting in low light.

Andy also gets hands-on with the ASUS ExpertBook, a premium business laptop featuring an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, OLED display, advanced security capabilities, and AI processing that can take place directly on the device rather than relying on the cloud.

Finally, what happens when your smartphone is completely full and you can’t take another picture? Andy demonstrates the SanDisk iXpand flash drive as a way to transfer photos and free up storage. That leads to a hilarious discussion about digital hoarding, backup drives, cloud storage, and Shawn’s plans for a massive home NAS storage system.

It’s another entertaining hour of practical technology advice, personal stories, and a few laughs with Andy and Shawn.

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Episode 464 – Cartridges, Clouds, and Cardboard Full of Lies

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd kick things off with retro gaming nostalgia, sparked by Shawn’s new Analogue 3D Nintendo 64 console. They reminisce about classic titles like GoldenEye, Mario 64, Zelda, and Perfect Dark, discuss the rising value of physical game cartridges, and debate whether rare sealed games should be played or preserved. The conversation highlights why many gamers are rediscovering the joy of owning physical media in an era dominated by digital licenses and always-online requirements.

Andy used the New Tools to Correct this Photo from 1998 using Adobe
The Before Correction original Photo from 1998 before usings tools from Adobe

Andy announces he will be able to preview the upcoming Anti-Gravity A1 drone which has some amazing features, comparing it to DJI’s lineup while breaking down FAA weight rules, 360° video capabilities, proprietary file formats, and real-world use cases for content creators. From there, listener Alan gives us a question which leads into practical advice on buying used computers, including what specs matter most, how to spot poorly maintained systems, and why gaming PCs often make excellent everyday machines.

Shawn shares the Analogue 3D Console
Shawn DeWeerd and Andy Taylor of TechtalkRadio

Cybersecurity takes center stage next as Andy and Shawn react to a viral story that was posted on Reddit of a customer receiving a box of rocks instead of a high end graphics card from a major retailer, prompting a discussion on recording unboxings to protect against fraud. They also share timely guidance on VPNs, echoing federal warnings from CISA to avoid free VPN services, a basic explaination of how VPNs encrypt data, protect users on public Wi-Fi, and allow access to region-locked content while traveling.

Gloria before Touch Up
After Corrections in Adobe Photoshop

To wrap up this weeks show, Andy talks about his recent to Adobe with the purchase of Creative Cloud Pro and how he has found the modern AI-powered tools in Photoshop, Lightroom, and Firefly have transformed photo restoration, from repairing washed-out celebrity photos, see the pic of Andy and Stallone above, to restoring older damaged family images. There are so many new features, some AI, others just enhanced more functional tools in the suite which has Andy very excited about using them. While on the subject of photos, Andy shares a story that was covered by CBS News that serves as a heartfelt reminder to digitize and back up family photos after Actress/TV Host Ricki Lake’s lost memories thought destroyed in the Malibu Fires were unexpectedly recovered at a Flea Market. Shawn shares the clear breakdown of the essential “3-2-1 backup rule.”

Got a question for the show? Email techguys@techtalkradio.com, and catch more at techtalkradio.com.

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