Science fiction - our favourite topic... not the spaceships stuff but future-fi or cyber-fi - the integration of human's and technology basically. Lots of great books and films, and some really quite interesting thoughts.

As a slight diversion from the norm Abi wanted to discuss the differences between user experience research and market research. Inviting Jem Fawcus CEO and Founder of Firefish Market Research to join the podcast an interesting discussion ensues. Through the myriad of methodologies and practices utilised by both types of research, the holy grail really is looking at humans as humans..... didn't Confucius say 'life is simple but we insist on making it complicated?'

Abi talks in schools about the different jobs available in tech. As tech touches every industry the variety is huge and kids need to know that whatever their subject, secret power or cool rating, there is a place for them. This week we discuss Developers and Programmers, the array of Designers, Systems Administrators, Operators and Architects....it may not sound fun! but that is where you are wrong!

Dan and Abi meet Bill Ottman CEO and Co-Founder of minds.com to discuss censorship v freedom of speech; unveiling what social media algorithms really do and how you are not in control of your own data or even in front of your own friends. Cryptocurrency, transparency, open source, open minds and open to other people's opinion. Check out minds.com if you have a moment, a platform without bias.

What if technology could educate our children better than we can? What if it was a force for good? Kids use technology so how do we help them get the best from it; what can it do better than humans? This episode looks at just that -  the ways to engage children with technology to inspire, educate and create better human beings... how we ended up on banks and a lesson in taxation, the economy and the environment I am not sure, but a meander through the good, the bad and the downright ugly.

… and on to GDPR, but only briefly before we brainstorm ways to increase your mail list both on and off line, how to keep it tidy and wishing Dan’s mum happy birthday.

It is good, it is the best actually, but is it enough to stop Abi from falling asleep. Lots you need to know about email marketing… in fact so much that we will have to carry it on next week as well.

As a small business should I be using Facebook or Instagram, should I be using a market place like Etsy, Ebay or Not on the High Street or should I have my own website? And if I have my own website do I need a blog - can you keep a blog up to date? - and if not what to do. Then should I have eCommerce on my website if I sell products or just an enquiry form? For once all your questions are actually answered with no curve balls, just a little underwater sounds and a ticking clock (sorry!).

Thinking of studying computer science at Uni? Want to change careers? Programming languages have moved on and here is a little run down, peppered with a little bit of 'evil fb' for good measure.

Making sense of the myriad of related words to do with branding; logo, identity, brand, branded and a bit about hash keys too... but hopefully not making a complete hash of everything.