Andy TaylorTechtalkRadio, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Episode 469 – We Powered the House, Sank Some Ships, and Argued About AI on TechtalkRadio

This Week’s TechtalkRadio Show kicks off with the crew welcoming Justin Lemme back—and immediately diving into his newly installed Tesla Powerwall. Justin explains how pairing rooftop solar with a home battery solves the “we generate power when nobody’s home” problem, letting him store daytime energy and run off the battery during peak-rate hours (and stay powered through outages). He also highlights the app-driven control, clean/conditioned power benefits (surge absorption), and the long-term value proposition—especially for sunny climates like Arizona—while Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd ask the practical questions listeners would ask (cost, reliability, real-world outage behavior, and whether it’s worth it).

In the Area of Gaming, Justin raves about World of Sea Battle on Steam (a free-to-play, grindy pirate-era MMO with gorgeous visuals and a big EU player base), while Andy reps the “I’m a Wordle guy” camp with Wordle talk and how The New York Times is cycling older words back in. They also share a listener tech joke, then answer a podcasting webcam question with a refreshingly honest breakdown: don’t buy bargain-bin cams, lighting matters, and brands like Logitech and Elgato come up—along with the handy idea of a Stream Deck for switching scenes during recordings.

Andy talks with Eric Kim from BIGO Live about how AI is reshaping social platforms—especially the line between helpful AI tools and “AI slop” (low-effort, high-volume content chasing clicks). Eric frames AI as a creative and productivity toolkit: great for clipping highlights, understanding audiences, and even bridging cultures through translation—while emphasizing that creators shouldn’t replace their voice or misrepresent themselves. He also describes BIGO Live’s “real-time togetherness” angle (meeting real people live versus only pushing edited posts), and how platform safety uses AI too—aimed at quickly detecting harmful content. They wrap with how to find the app, what monetization can look like for creators, and the big theme: use AI to remove tedious chores so you can spend more time being genuinely present and original.

Shawn DeWeerd flags reports of malicious updates tied to Notepad++ and recommends updating to a safe version (the crew compares it to other “trusted tool got hit” stories like CCleaner and LastPass). Then Andy shares a time-sensitive promo: a discount window on the Anti-Gravity A1 featuring Insta360 Camera tech, plus a newly added “flight simulator” mode meant to build FPV muscle memory before real flights—while noting the market shakeup around DJI. They close things out with quick weekend chatter—Justin planning indoor skydiving at iFLY Indoor Skydiving (Valentine’s weekend), Shawn gearing up for indoor lacrosse, and Andy perfecting the fine art of “indoor napping.”  

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

Please Share, Listen, Subscribe to the Show on Spotify, Spreaker, iHeartRadio, YouTube

Connect With Us on social media – See the Video of this Show on our YouTube Page and Now on Spotify as well.

Also Available on KGVY AM/FM, Amazon Music, PodBean and other Delivery Networks!

Andy TaylorTechtalkRadio, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

👍 Like, Subscribe, Share for More TechtalkRadio every week!

Connect With Us on social media

YouTube @techtalkradio
Facebook @techtalkers
X @techtalkradio
IG @techtalkradio

Andy TaylorTechtalkRadio, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Episode 442 – “Stop Being Nice to the A.I.”

This Week on TechtalkRadio: Andy, Justin, Matt, and Shawn reunite to explore the latest in tech, AI, and off-grid power. Matt shares his experience building a home lab with Terraform and Ansible, while Justin dives into his continued use of Grok AI, preferring it over ChatGPT for its real-time knowledge. The team swaps funny AI stories, including ChatGPT’s reaction to profanity and a study about kids being polite to AI. Does A.I. get a request and want to respond “Not You Again!” Maybe It Should? 

Shawn updates listeners on rewiring his RV with a lithium iron phosphate battery and 400 watts of solar, now powering his camper for up to 3 days without a generator. Camping habits come into play, with talk of KOA cabins and glamping for those less eager to rough it—Andy included!

Listener Jerry from Indio asks about controlling multiple computers with one keyboard and mouse, prompting a chat about KVM switches and free software like Mouse Without Borders.

The crew gets nostalgic with a dive into generational internet memories, from AOL to flash games, and plans to define their generational labels next week. Andy tests out MOCA tech for high-speed coaxial networking and seeks input on new “one-sheet” movie posters for the redecorated studio. Favorite tech-themed flicks and series include WarGames, D.A.R.Y.L., The Net, Sneakers, Ready Player One, Mr. Robot, and The Matrix. Matt mentions Displate could be a good location for these posters. 

A Couple of One Sheet Posters Andy has in the Studio, He wants to Add a Tech Themed Movie – Some Good Suggestions were given in this weeks show.

Connect With Us on social media

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/TechtalkRadio
Facebook @techtalkers
Instagram @techtalkradio
X @TechtalkRadio
Instagram techtalkradio
Bluesky : techtalkradio

Web: TechtalkRadio.Com Also Available on Audacy, iHeart, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, Google, Spotify and Spreaker!

Andy TaylorTechtalkRadio, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Episode 441 – Software As A Service – Does It Make Sense?

This Week on TechtalkRadio: Memorial Day Weekend Edition:

Andy flies solo this week while Shawn enjoys a well-earned, tech-savvy escape to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Kicking things off, Andy tackles a listener question from Cecilia, whose mom got locked out of her iPhone after too many failed passcode attempts. He shares some helpful tips for recovering a locked iPhone—yes, even without the iCloud login—and explains when it makes sense to reset the device. This can be a experience that is not always solved overnight and could require a visit to an Apple Store. 

Then it’s time to talk subscriptions: Andy digs into the rise of Software as a Service (SaaS) and how companies like Intuit (Quickbooks) and Microsoft (Office) have moved from one-time software purchases to ongoing subscriptions—raising the question, what does that mean for small business users and the consumer on a tight budget however needing the software to get the job done?

Andy found after building a new machine to replace a Windows 10 Setup in the Studio and upgrading to Windows 11, he was not able to install the still powerful Adobe Creative Suite Master Collection 5.5. With the Activation Servers turned off, this can cause problems for those wanted to run this software which still works great and force an option to subscribe to The Adobe Creative Cloud. Instead, Andy explored some fantastic software alternatives. Sites like AlternativeTo.net help users find free or affordable replacements for popular programs like Photoshop, Adobe Audition, Word and more. He gives shout-outs to trusted tools like GIMP, Audacity, Reaper, and even Pro Tools Intro which shipped with his Mixer, which surprised him with its power and polish. There are solutions and while Software as a Service may have you feeling like you are caught in a Netflix/Hulu type streaming war, the Alternative to Subscribe to some of these services could reap benefits for the innovation behind the software. We have seen this with Generative Fill in Adobe Photoshop CC and other new features.

In gear talk, Andy shares his experience with the Fifine AM8 USB/XLR mic—an impressive budget find with RGB flair—and compares mixers, ultimately recommending the Mackie ProFX6v3 for its solid performance and versatility. He also teases a future review of the Shure SM7dB, the modern take on the legendary SM7B mic, now with built-in active pre-amplifier.

To wrap up the show, it’s the Website of the Week—and this one’s just for fun: TheUselessWeb.com. One click takes you to a completely random and often ridiculous website. From the “Long Doge Challenge” to judging hilariously real books by their covers (like How to Talk to Your Cat About Gun Safety), it’s a rabbit hole of time-wasting gold. Try it out and let Andy know what you find—just email techguys@techtalkradio.com.

Finally, a heartfelt tribute to those we honor this Memorial Day. Thank you to the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice. We remember you.

Andy TaylorTechtalkRadio, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Episode 421 – Close Encounters with a Great Looking Camera!

In this Weeks TechtalkRadio Show, Andy, Shawn, Justin, Matt and Slick gather together to talk the latest in Tech but also after not bieng able to connect with a guest, they noted her expertise in UFO and UAP Studies. This was in advance of a show in Tucson at the Rialto by her colleague Luis Elizondo, who is a former head of the Pentagon program investigating UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) and has written a book called “Imminent: Inside the Pentagon’s Hunt for UFOs.” While the guest was unable to attend the radio show, the team decided to continue the discussion about UFOs. Shawn mentioned seeing unusual lights while trying to chase the Northern lights and the space station, but couldn’t attribute them to extraterrestrial sources. S!ick shared stories of lights moving in unusual ways in the Tucson area, but didn’t claim to have seen a UFO. Andy recalled seeing a string of lights on a drive between Phoenix and Tucson. The team agreed that while some sightings could be explained, others remained unexplained and intriguing.

Shawn reminded us about the early days of SETI@home, a distributed computing project that utilized home computers to search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Shawn shared his experience of using the software, which involved processing raw data from satellites in the Gigahertz spectrum. The team also discussed the potential of other projects like HARPA, which uses CPU power to scan high-frequency radio signals. The conversation also touched on the concept of the “Great Barrier” theory, which suggests that advanced civilizations must pass a test of self-preservation before they can explore interstellar space. They reminisced about classic movies dealing with UFOs such as “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, “Mars Attacks”, and “The Day the Earth Stood Still” while Slick talks about the To Serve Man Episode on Twilight Zone and we find Justin isn’t a fan of the Classic Twilight Zone TV Episodes!

The Crew welcomes to the show Richard Neumann from Sub2R. The company has built a camera which is expected to retail for around $1,500 for the Square One model and $2,500 for the Studio 4 60 model, is described as having amazing quality. The camera is HDMI centric for the Square One model and SDI based for the Studio 4 60 model. Richard explained that the camera uses a Sony IMX 294 image sensor, larger format glass, and micro 4/3rd technology for ease of use and reasonable pricing. The camera is designed to be versatile, with interchangeable lenses and the ability to convert the video output to various formats. Richard emphasized the camera’s open architecture, allowing for innovation and customization.

Richard Neumann in a Square One Demo


Shawn shared with us a recent update in the DJI Air 3S Drone with a potential ban on importing the new DJI Air 3S drone due to concerns about forced labor practices and technology-based issues. Andy also talked about a product he recently shared on KMSB Fox 11 News 13, the Epson FF- 680W scanner. Shawn expressed interest in the scanner for his massive photo and video archive, as it could significantly speed up the scanning process. The team also discussed the importance of adding metadata to scanned photos for better organization and accessibility.

The Epson FF680W

A listener sent the team a question about using a physical keyboard with their iPhone, which led to a discussion about different Bluetooth keyboard options available such as the Logitech K480 and the Clicks System which the guys really liked, It is a actual keyboard that the iphone can snap into. They referred to the company website https://www.clicks.tech

Subscribe to our newsletter!