News13 – Giving Life to the Old Laptop/Computer – Linux!

In October of 2025, Next Year, Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will reach its End of Life. That does not mean it will stop working, but it indicates that Microsoft will no longer provide security updates to the Windows 10 Operating System. The Company has been on a Push for the past year to get users to update for free to Windows 11 from Windows 10 However, Not everybody could do it.

Your System would need to Support the Trusted Platform Module 2.0 for tighter Security. In Some cases Manufacturers have TPM 2.0 devices that can plug into Motherboard that will add that support but they didn’t include them. We were excited to do this upgrade on a board in our studio, however after ordering the proper TPM2.0 module, Windows 11 would not support our 6th Generation Processor. Something to check first. For this system we would need a New Motherboard (Which we went ahead and purchased – Asus P790), Processor, Memory and Windows Install!

So instead, Older Systems have been finding a viable solution when using it for Work or School, Linux or Ubnutu. We have taken a couple of Laptops. one that is not that old and installed the Free Wunbuntu – It looks just like Windows 11 and performs just as well. We can run Chrome, Edge. OpenOffice, Steam and most programs with Wubuntu and it’s free.

As always, there is No Company behind Linux. To help out those programmers, It is Developer supported so users can spend 35 bucks for extra tools and further development. On an Older laptop, which was running Windows XP until yesterday, We installed Cinnamon Linux Mint 22. This Distribution of Linux based on Ubuntu has been getting a lot of praise. It is zippy and has a lot of features, and a wonderful creative team. Again, Donations can help! If you want to try a live distribution your can install it to a DVD or Flash Drive and run it without installing it to a hard drive, not as peppy but cool to get a look at it.

Find Winbuntu at https://www.wunbuntu.org and Linux Mint 22 at Linuxmint.com.

Episode 412 – Hey Boo Boo! Check out this GoPro! New Fun Radio Audio Segments~

For this week’s TechtalkRadio show, Shawn has changed his video setup discussed on last weeks show, this time he has replaced the iPhone 7 he was using with a GoPro. Shawn and Andy discussed technical issues related to their GoPro setup. Shawn explained how he resolved the problem of a non-functioning HDMI cable by using a different HDMI and a USB to Mini HDMI adapter. They also discussed the power source for the GoPro. The GoPro has long been a favorite for Shawn to use in the Studio and how these GoPro Cameras have changed over the years. We have also seen increased competition in the action camera market, some that have continued but some that have left the market. The failure of GoPro’s Karma drone is also covered and why it didn’t succeed.

With GoPro as the Subject, Andy and Shawn discussed a story about a bear in Montana that has been making the rounds, that found and activated a lost GoPro camera, and the resulting footage including a Selfie. ViralHog shared the video back in 2021 and it resurfaced and is kind of a joy to watch. It has been announced that September 9th, Apple will be hosting potential new product announcements. Shawn shares some of the challenges of engaging people with VR technology. On the original launch, they found Apple’s Vision demos intriguing and discussed the pricing and accessibility of virtual reality technology, with Shawn suggesting that lowering the price and including more appealing content could significantly increase sales. They also highlighted the immersive nature of virtual reality, its potential applications, and the need for safety considerations.

Video from ViralHog

Shawn and Andy talked about the potential of AI to improve efficiency and creativity, but also expressed concerns about its potential to replace human jobs and creativity. Shawn shared his experiences with using AI tools like ChatGPT for tasks such as creating custom scripts, searching manuals, and even generating websites. They concluded that the integration of AI into their work processes has been beneficial so far.

A Listener question from Jim in Tucson has Andy and Shawn discussing Jim’s issue with his sticky keyboard on his Windows 7 laptop. They suggested that the problem might be due to spilled liquid or a mechanical issue and advised Jim to consider upgrading his laptop, as Windows 10 might not resolve the keyboard problem. They also shared potential solutions, such as replacing the keyboard or using a USB keyboard and mouse. The discussion also touched on the longevity of Windows 7 and the potential benefits of upgrading to a newer operating system. Listener Sylvia has her Son wanting a laptop for school. though he is adamant on No Chromebook. While the Tech behind Chromebooks has gotten better, they acknowledged that Chromebooks are not ideal for running certain programs and suggested that a more powerful laptop might be a better investment. Andy also shared his experiment with running Linux on an old HP laptop, which he found to be a satisfying and low-cost solution with Linux Mint 22.

Andy gets the Opportunity to talk with the Alison Gaxiola, Store Manager for the soon to be opened newest location for Curacao, The Retail location will be in the previous Forever21 at the Tucson Mall, 80,000 Feet and 2 Storys of all types of consumer products including great Tech Selection. Alison tells us about the history of Curacao and its commitment to the community. A Couple of months ago, Andy took a drive to the location on 6th and I-10 and was impressed by not only the selection of Tech but also the Employees knowledge and care in providing great customer service. The Grand opening event will take place October 6th, find out more with this discussion with Alison Gaxiola.

Shawn tells the story of a recent cyber-attack on the Amateur Radio Relay League. Both agreed that such attacks not only disrupt operations but also result in significant financial losses, which stresses the need for better backups. The guys wrap the show with the story of the discovery of the “Famous Computer Cafe” podcast. The podcast, which aired from 1983 to 1986, featured interviews with early computer technology pioneers such as Bill Gates, Jack Tremiel, and Bill Atkinson. The radio episodes were initially recorded on reel-to-reel tapes, which were later determined lost. However, an archivist recently recovered several of the tapes and had them digitized and made available on the Internet Archive. They can be found at https://archive.org/details/famous-computer-cafe

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News13 Segment – A Day at the UofA, The Tech in the Dorm Rooms!

A Day at the UofA – News13 was Out at the University of Arizona – We were in Studio with some Tech!

We decided to cover a couple of thoughts on Dorm Living and Tech in the “Residence Halls.” A Big find during the segment was that Tyler didn’t know who Thorton Melon was in the history of Higher Education! University of Arizona has great on site Technical Services 24/7 and questions can be addressed easily by calling 520-646-TECH. For Students wanting to connect via Wi-Fi, it is available however when you realize how many will be using the services, you could run into the occasional bandwidth issues, also security should be considered and make sure you are connected to an Authorized Wi-Fi Connection.

For those that have more than one device to connect, Routers and Switches will not work in the Dorm environment. Each bed will feature a Ethernet Connection to internet services which of course will need to be authenticated when you log in as a student. Also, if you have a Wireless Printer, you will need to set up the Wired Connection to that printer. The Ethernet Services are available for Studies however you could hook up a gaming Console for that much needed break. I will recommend some tech for their dorms to have on hand – Power Strip with Surge, We have the APC to share, Belkin 3 in 1 Charger (Charge Smart Phone, Watch, Buds) Space Saving and Convenient and of course Storage with Flash Drives and removable drives.

If you check out housing.arizona.edu under technology you will find services that can help with those questions!

New Show – Episode 411 – Another Use for that Old SmartPhone!

For this week’s TechtalkRadio show, Shawn and Justin are back after a busy week. Justin shares his experience working extra shifts at the waterpark as the summer season winds down. He also talks about completing his computer setup, highlighting the importance of cable management. Meanwhile, Shawn has added a new camera to his setup and explains how he connected his old iPhone 7 Plus using NDI HX Cam. He dives into the concept of NDI (Network Device Interface) and its relevance for remote camera setups. Shawn also discusses NewTek, now part of Vizrt, and how their NDI technology has become increasingly popular. (Photos Below – Shawn and his Old iphone setup, Justin has a Laugh, Justin and the Hercules, Shawn shoots with a 35mm Film Camera)

Andy shares his thoughts on repurposing older smartphones, while Justin talks about his plans to get the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold. He’s excited about the rebate he’s getting, which he plans to use for the new Google Stream TV. With Samsung pushing its Flip and Fold smartphones, some believe it’s the perfect time to make the switch. However, Justin is facing a challenge in finding a case for his Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Shawn then discusses the trend of adding larger sensors to smartphones for better photography, predicting that the “Camera Wars” will only get more competitive. He also mentions that Nikon is in talks with RED to develop a new smartphone. (Photos Below – Justins New Computer Room Setup)

The guys also dive into the Google TV Streamer, discussing its features and how it represents the next step in the evolution of Chromecast. The new device, which will be available on September 26th, is a set-top box offering 4K resolution, more memory, and faster performance. They compare the user experience between Roku and Google TV devices.

Justin also shares his excitement about getting new equipment for mobile DJing, including the Hercules DJ Deck, which works seamlessly with the Virtual DJ program. Meanwhile, Shawn reminisces about using his 35mm film camera, finding an old roll of Kodak 400 film, and getting the photos developed through indiefilmlabs.com, with which he’s very pleased.

The show wraps up with Shawn discussing the new DJI Mini 4 Pro drone. Andy expresses frustration over the introductory price of the DJI Mini 4, which is $299, compared to the over $1,000 he spent on the Mini 3 Pro. The conversation then shifts to potential legislation against DJI and similar concerns now being directed toward TP-Link.

Opening the Vault for One Heck of a Guest Lineup!

For this week’s TechtalkRadio show, Shawn, Justin, Matt, and Slick were busy with work, so we decided to revisit some of our favorite past interviews—and what a lineup we have for you!

First up is an archived interview with Michael Giacchino, the acclaimed musical composer behind some of the greatest video game titles, movies, and TV shows. Andy, a huge fan of Lost (now streaming on Netflix), was thrilled to chat with Michael about his incredible work. You can check out Michael’s impressive resume on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0315974

We also have a great discussion with Eric Palonen from Sennheiser, where we dive into some of the fantastic products from the company. Be sure to explore more at https://www.sennheiser.com/

Next, we caught up with former Tucsonan Zach Selwyn, who has made his mark on G4 and built a successful music career with Zachariah and the Lobos Riders. Don’t forget to follow Zach on social media and check out his website at https://zachselwyn.com.

We also had the pleasure of speaking with author, columnist, and CBS News correspondent David Pogue about his illustrious career and his latest book at the Time on tech. Follow David at https://www.davidpogue.com.

Finally, we revisited a memorable conversation with Leo Laporte. Despite recent changes at Twit.tv, Leo remains one of our favorite guests. Justin was with us about 22 years ago when Leo joined us to talk tech and his “Poor Leo’s Almanac.”

We wrap this weeks Archived Show with a helpful discussion on Hard Drive PCB Replacement and what does it all mean?