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Episode #430 – Do You Remember Your First Computer?

In this week’s TechtalkRadio show, Andy and Shawn revisit the USB hub Andy purchased from a discount store—and this time, they crack it open! They discuss their experiences with USB hubs and the potential dangers of using unverified or suspicious USB devices. They emphasize the importance of purchasing from reputable vendors and being cautious when using public USB ports.

Thinking about getting a new laptop? Shawn shares his recent purchase of a Lenovo ThinkPad T17 for his in-laws, explaining how it met their budget and needs. He walks through some of the challenges they faced while setting up the new computer, particularly issues with transferring settings and favorites—most of which revolved around Microsoft’s OneDrive. After some configuring, the laptop was set up to their liking, and Shawn details a few of the key steps he took.

Andy is joined by Micki and Steve, showrunners and producers of the upcoming Vintage Computer Festival SoCal, taking place in Orange, California, on February 15th and 16th, 2025. The event, expected to draw over a thousand attendees, stems from the organizers’ passion for vintage computing and their goal of fostering a community for enthusiasts. Inspired by similar events nationwide, they have been working on this festival for about four years. Attendees can expect to see a variety of vintage computers and related memorabilia while sharing their experiences and memories of their first computers. The organizers also run a YouTube channel, VintNerd, where they share their interests and conduct fascinating interviews. Check them out at www.youtube.com/@TheVintNerd and on their website at https://thevintnerd.com/index.html.

Andy and Shawn return to discuss their love for electronics and tinkering. Andy shares his experience with Elenco Snap Circuits, including the Top Secret Spy Kit and the Snap Circuits Jr. Explorer Kit. These STEM-focused kits allow users ages 7 to 107 to experiment with circuits—no soldering required! Andy demonstrates one of the projects he built with the Spy Kit: a motion detector, which turned out to be a fun and rewarding project.

Shawn also shares some exciting news—he will be attending the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in Las Vegas for the first time! He looks forward to networking and learning about the latest in broadcasting technology.

Finally, Andy and Shawn discuss a book called Computer Engineering for Babies and its educational value in teaching young children the basics of computer functions in an engaging and accessible way.

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Episode #429 – Would You Like One Monitor or Two…Or Four?

In this week’s episode, Andy, Justin, and Matt eagerly tune in as Shawn finally reveals the conclusion to last week’s DJI cliffhanger! The new DJI Flip—a compact take on the DJI Spark—boasts similar flight times and camera resolutions, with pricing at $439 for the drone and controller, or $639 for the full bundle with a screen. Shawn also stresses the importance of responsible drone usage, reminding listeners to respect privacy and airspace laws.

The conversation takes off with the latest GPU story, as the newly launched RTX 5090 and 5080 have gamers camping outside stores in a frenzy to get one. The guys wonder if the buyers are snagging them for personal use, or is this just another scalping fiasco? The team draws parallels to console shortages and even Pokémon card restrictions, debating how retailers are handling high-demand products.

Shifting gears to AI, the crew discusses DeepSeek and the growing role of AI in content creation. Matt highlights a wild case of a writer using ChatGPT to generate five movie scripts with only three edits needed. But is Hollywood doomed? Justin argues that most audiences don’t care who’s behind the script—as long as the story and actors deliver. The debate even touches on actors’ likeness rights, with throwbacks to Crispin Glover’s legal battle over Back to the Future 2 which was settled out of court and Robin Williams’ famous Disney dispute after Aladdin.

A listener emails in with a classic dilemma: One big monitor or two smaller ones? Matt breaks it down—if color accuracy matters, go with a high-quality monitor. If not, a large-screen TV might do the trick. The team discusses setups, from Andy’s 39-inch curved LG to Shawn and Justin’s multi-monitor rigs, even bringing up Samsung’s Odyssey Ark 55-inch ultra-wide as a crazy alternative which can even display as 4 monitor screens!

Finally, Andy goes bargain hunting, scoring a $5 USB hub from a discount store. The catch? It’s from an unknown brand, made in Thailand, and has potential security risks. Shawn, Matt, and Justin voice concerns, recalling an FBI case where hacked cables were found stealing data. Will Andy’s find be a deal or a disaster? He promises to crack it open and report back next week!

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Episode #424 – We Think We Heard Shawns Shoulder Snap!

For this Weeks TechtalkRadio, Andy, Shawn, and Justin discussed their experiences with cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin. Justin shared how he was able to make his recent purchase of the New Sony Mirrorless camera for broadcasting using Bitcoin, and the group reminisced about the early days of Bitcoin’s value. They also discussed the potential for other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Cardano, and Shiba Inu to grow in value. Justin advised listeners to do their own research before deciding maybe they want to give it a try and for the ease of use, open a Coinbase account to start investing in cryptocurrency, even with small amounts. Justin tells us about his decision to sell his One-Wheel and the experience of selling online. The sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace are discussed with each presenting its own circumstances. Justin took to E-Bay for his and shares the challenges he faced with shipping and fees. He advised others to use eBay’s communication features to protect themselves from scams rather then direct communication. Shawn suggested that eBay is still a good platform for buying collectibles.

Shawn showcased the Dji Power 1000, a portable solar generator he recently purchased. He highlighted its features, including a continuous output of 2,200 watts and as Andy wondered capable of powering a freezer for several hours. Shawn also mentioned that the device could be charged using solar panels as well as plugging in to a power source. A listener question regarding the possibility of networking six computers in two offices and a lobby area. Justin suggested that a layer 2 or 3 switch would be sufficient for this setup, as the Internet provider’s modem already acts as a layer 3 gateway/router. Andy questioned whether a managed switch was necessary, and Justin explained that it would be useful for isolating devices on the network, such as security cameras and voip systems. Shawn reminds us that In terms of setting up a network for a business, DIY can be fun and a learning experience however hiring a professional to design and install the network would be advisable.

Andy discussed the recent Windows 11 update, which has removed Wordpad and caused issues with file sharing. He also mentioned that Microsoft now has an upgrade path for Windows 10 users to Windows 11 that previously did not fit in the upgrade requirements, this despite warnings of potential system crashes and security issues. Shawn shared his experience with his in-laws’ laptop, which is not compatible with Windows 11 due to its processor. He plans to help them choose a new laptop. Another great listener question is called in about recommended brands for desktop speakers. Justin recommended the Logitech 2.1 system, while Shawn suggested a JBL Clip 3 Bluetooth speaker. Andy added that one might need to invest in a Bluetooth key if their desktop doesn’t have Bluetooth support.

Justin discussed his car issues, specifically with his 2017 Ford Explorer’s head unit failing. He mentioned that the head unit controls various functions including GPS, backup camera, climate, radio, and door locks. Justin was considering selling the car before the head unit fails completely. He also mentioned that his wife, Misa, is considering buying a 2025 Toyota Corolla, a plug-in hybrid with intelligent all-wheel drive. As a close to the show Andy, Shawn, and Justin discussed the issue of unauthorized charges and loot box purchases in the game Fortnite. Andy informed the group that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is offering refunds to those who were charged for in-game currency or items they didn’t intend to buy between 2017 and 2022. A link for that FTC website was mentioned with the reminder of claims needing to be filed by January 10th 2025.

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New Show – Zip Ties, Velcro and a Whole Lot of Cables

For this Week’s TechtalkRadio Broadcast, Andy, Shawn, and Justin discussed various topics related to technology and personal experiences. They talked about Matt’s computer issues, with Justin mentioning that Matt had moved his gaming computer into a rack mount chassis and was experiencing problems. They also discussed the importance of cable management, with Shawn emphasizing the need for flush-cutting zip ties to avoid injuries.

In the Photos, What a Non Flush Cut Zip tie looks like. Matt shared the Rack and then System with componants installed, then the finished product. The conversation then shifted to the topic of retro computer cases, with Andy sharing an article about Silverstone’s retro beige PC case. The team also reminisced about the past, discussing the effects of smoking on electronics and the challenges of cleaning them. The conversation ended with Justin showing off his new camera, The Sony A7 Mark IV camera. Justin explained the camera’s features, including its ability to shoot raw images, 4K video at 60 frames per second, and its built-in eye tracking feature. Justin also discussed his experience with Adobe Lightroom, a software he used to edit the photos he took with the camera. Andy and Shawn praised the camera’s quality and the benefits of using Lightroom for photo editing.

Another Project that Justin recently completed was installing permanent outdoor holiday lights. Justin shared his research on the company Jellyfish deciding to go with EnBrighten, in Justin study a more affordable option. EnBrighten lights come in 100-foot strings and can be individually controlled, allowing for various color effects and preset modes for different holidays. Justin also mentioned hiring a professional to install the lights, which cost him around $380.

A listener question came in regarding a request from the writer’s son for a Mechanical Keyboard. Justin explained the differences between budget keyboards and what can be found with a mechanical. Andy, Shawn, and Justin discussed their experiences with the Tyson-Paul boxing match and the issues they faced while trying to watch it. They shared their attempts to stream the fight, with Shawn mentioning that they eventually found an illegal stream to watch it on Discord. Justin revealed that he watched the fight somewhat legally through a live stream on X, which had 9 million viewers at its peak. The conversation then shifted to social media platforms, with Andy and Justin discussing their experiences with Twitter and the new platform Blue Sky. They expressed their dissatisfaction with the political nature of these platforms and their desire for a more curated feed. Justin mentioned that he has successfully curated his X feed to avoid political content. The team also discussed their presence on Facebook and Blue Sky, encouraging listeners to connect with them on these platforms.

Another listener question is handled, and it involved digitizing old VHS tapes and putting them of DVD. Shawn recommended not burning them to DVD. Shawn recommended using Legacy Box for digitizing old VHS tapes into a digital format, as DVDs are just taking up space. Justin suggested that the digitized content could be played on a TV via a USB slot. Shawn also suggested checking out the service’s website for a sale currently running at $8 per tape. In a segment from a couple of weeks ago, Andy mentioned his experience with the Epson FF680-W photo scanner and has found that Visioneer has a similar scanner and will work to check it out and compare its performance.

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Episode #417 – Look! It’s a Stick! – The Great Outdoors and Technology

TechtalkRadio: Camp Tech, AI Concerns, and Gadgets Galore!

In this week’s episode of TechtalkRadio, hosts Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd, Matt Jones, and S!ick dive into the world of camping tech, AI, and cool new gadgets.

Shawn’s Camping Tech Must-Haves
With Justin out this week on a Camping Trip and photos not showing glowing enthusiasm, Shawn shares his gear essentials for tent, camper, and RV trips. His setup includes DSLR cameras, a power inverter, a solar charger, and even a custom mobile Plex server built on a Raspberry Pi. S!ick was curious about Shawn’s love for film photography, sparking a discussion on how AI filters can recreate that classic look. This led to a deeper conversation about whether AI might replace the human touch in art—something that has Shawn concerned and Andy intrigued by the possibilities.

AI and the ‘Dead Internet’ Theory
Matt jumped in to share his own experiences using ChatGPT to craft job cover letters, while Shawn praised the AI for enhancing storytelling in his Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. Andy explored Google’s experimental AI tool, Notebook LM, built to summarize notes and create quick synopses. But when the team tested its audio features, Matt couldn’t help but mention the “uncanny valley” effect of AI-generated voices. Matt then introduced the thought-provoking ‘Dead Internet Theory’, which suggests that much of today’s online content is being generated by bots and algorithms instead of real human interactions.

Gadget of the Week: Mon Duo
Matt showcased his latest gadget, the Mon Duo, a unique triple-monitor accessory for 14” and 16” MacBooks. For around $750, users get a foldable, high-quality display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 500 nits brightness—perfect for multitaskers on the go. It’s pricey but delivers pro-level performance with easy USB-C or Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.

Google Pixel vs. iPhone
Andy shared his hands-on review of the Google Pixel 9 XL Pro, comparing it to his long-time go-to, the iPhone. While praising the AI assistant, Gemini, and the call screener feature, he hit a snag with text messages—easily fixed by toggling off iMessage on his iPhone. Despite some hiccups, Andy’s impressed with the Pixel’s AI prowess.

Listener Questions & Hotspot Frustrations
Kerry reached out, asking about unlimited hotspot connections. Matt explained that even with ‘unlimited’ plans, data speeds often drop after hitting a limit. S!ick added his thoughts on streaming services and finding reliable free Wi-Fi options. The team then debated cutting the cord and switching to cheaper fiber providers like Ting. Andy gets thrown over the coals for watching too much Halmark.

Processor Picks for Music Production
Shawn tackled a listener question from Mikey on Facebook, comparing a 14-core 2.4 GHz processor versus a 4-core 3.4 GHz setup for music production. The takeaway? More cores can handle multiple tasks better, making them ideal for complex audio workflows.

Wrapping Up
The show ended with a fun discussion on rediscovering LOST on Netflix and why it’s worth a re-watch.

Tune in for tech talk with a twist—where geeky meets practical!