Its a 101 show! Where we go over computer basics for YOU, our listeners! First off? The backbone of the modern digital home is your ROUTER. Routers 101 It is the traffic cop for your internet traffic. It directs traffic, keeping you and everyone in the house online, getting your websites, streaming music and video, smoothly and fast. If your traffic cop isn’t good? Well, expect traffic jams. It doesn’t matter if you’re using desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, or tablets. To get the most out of them and your internet service, you need a good router!

For SCIENCE! Play it again, Sam! We continue our Dr. Armstrong special, plus get a surprise call from another scientist! How cool is that?

Back by popular demand its Dr. Armstrong! And since we’re lucky enough to have him two times in a row? More Science! “To heck with the show format,” LD cried. “Lets do all astronomy, all science today!” So we did!

Californ-aye-ay! California Privacy There are times that when California passes a law it affects the rest of the country. Why? Well, its got a LOT of people, and its economy dwarfs that of many countries. So, when they decide to pass a law it can be pretty significant. Such as privacy laws. Google, Facebook, Microsoft, many cellular providers and more don’t seem thrilled by this. But why? https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/06/california-approves-privacy-rules-opposed-by-isps-and-tech-companies/ https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/telecoms-players-blast-california-privacy-rules/ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-california-privacy/california-lawmakers-approve-data-privacy-bill-opposed-by-silicon-valley-idUSKBN1JO35Y?il=0

Everyone is watching! Who’s Listening In? Well, not so much everyone so much as every company. Facebook has patented a new technique for listening to you while while you’re watching TV to figure out what ads you’re watching, how long, and more. So, naturally, we had to talk about this, plus Siri, Cortana, Alexa, and other personal assistants… What exactly are we getting (and risking) here? https://www.consumerreports.org/privacy/66-ways-to-protect-your-privacy-right-now/ https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/06/facebook-patent-would-turn-your-mic-on-to-analyze-how-you-watch-ads/ https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2017/03/five-ways-cybersecurity-will-suffer-if-congress-repeals-fcc-privacy-rules

Space is receciving our radio (and television) signals, and has been for quite some time. So, could aliens see our broadcast TV and Top 40 countdowns? In theory, yes! Space, with J.D! – Part 2 So, why haven’t they replied back with requests for more Moody Blues? Well, our domesticated astronomer Dr. JD talks about that and more!

Dr. JD Armstrong from the UH Institute of Astronomy has joined us, so naturally we’re talking SPAAAACE! Space, with J.D! – Part 1 One of the great questions right now is “if there’s intelligent life out there, why haven’t they contacted us?” Well, there’s this little thing called the Fermi Paradox and Dr. JD gets into it!

Are our best days behind us and space? Do they have to be? NASA is doing all right – Part 2 We take your calls and discuss NASA, space, science investment and more!

This week an old idea came up again: Space Force. Space Wha-? A sixth branch of the military dealing exclusively with space has been tossed about before in decades past. So, naturally, we had to jump on to its return. What do we think? Any upsides? And downsides? And what should it actually do? We discuss that and more in this first hour!

The ZTE question We continue talking about the merger between AT&T and Time Warner, plus Comcast trying to woo Fox from Disney. A call came in asking about ZTE and Huawei – two Chinese electronic giants – having trouble with the US government so we tackled that too! *phew*