TechtalkRadio

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 [email protected].

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.

This Week on TechtalkRadio:

Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd dive into a tech-filled episode with Shawn sharing his role as Technical Director for the Fischoff National Chamber Music Society competition, where he managed the live YouTube stream of performances. The duo also chatted about the upcoming musical follow up to Wicked and the announcement of a new trailer, which will debut during a re-release of the original film.

Shawn explored the Wyze camera’s RTSP streaming platform and its potential costs, recommending the Cam Plus Unlimited plan for multi-camera setups. He also broke down the benefits of lithium iron phosphate batteries—lighter, longer-lasting, but requiring upgraded components like solar controllers and breaker boxes. He plans to double his battery storage for better camping power, confirming his solar panels and gas generator can already handle overnight usage.

Andy asked whether Shawn has an Insta360 Camera mounted on his trailer for immersive views and potential security use. The team also discussed the DJI Mavic Pro 4, boasting a 100MP Hasselblad camera, triple-camera 360° rotation, and 6K 60fps HDR capabilities. While not officially available in the U.S. due to tariffs, a few retailers seem to have them. They discussed the lack of competitive U.S.-made drones in the consumer market.

A listener named Rick from Sahuarita wrote in about learning tech. Andy and Shawn suggested focusing on one area—like cameras, drones, or computers—and using platforms like YouTube, Udemy, and Khan Academy. Andy shared how he learned by taking apart PCs, while Shawn recommended building a system and installing Linux for hands-on experience. They also tackled the growing trend of companies revoking lifetime subscriptions, like VPN Secure. A Article from ARSTechnica highlighted one of these issues. Both agreed this will become more common with the shift to SaaS models, where ongoing development often leaves older one-time purchases behind.

Finally, Shawn wrapped things up with his latest DIY project—modifying an old Playskool flashlight with a 3.7-volt 10-watt LED, USB-C charger, and a heat sink to prevent overheating. It was a bright success (pun intended) and just the start of more hands-on builds to come.

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In this flashback episode of TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor is joined by Shawn DeWeerd and Justin Lemme for a lively discussion filled with tech tips, smart gear insights, and a few cautionary tales from the world of online shopping.

Shawn kicks things off with his experience setting up Wyze lighting in his office and TV room, sharing how to configure lighting grids and create custom scenes. Andy follows with a frustrating story about ordering a product online and not receiving the full shipment, sparking a broader conversation about safe online shopping practices—especially what not to use when making a purchase. He also talks about an experiment gone wrong: ordering a $99 laptop from a sketchy vendor on social media called “BuyBest.” Spoiler alert—it turned out to be a scam. Justin jokes he nearly fell for a similar trap from a site called “Nozama.”

The conversation shifts to Smart TVs, where Justin noticed a huge spike in DNS traffic on his Raspberry PiHole after hooking up his new TV—a good reminder to keep an eye on what your devices are really doing online.

Andy shares a favorite recent gadget, the Retekess V115 Portable Radio. It’s a compact AM/FM/Shortwave receiver that also plays MP3s from a TF card and can record over-the-air broadcasts—all powered by a rechargeable battery. That inspires Shawn to talk about getting into amateur radio and the helpful resources available at arrl.org and radioreference.com for exploring local repeater activity.

Andy then compares keyboard options for tablets, including a Samsung model and the versatile Logitech K480. The discussion takes a turn to the Apple ecosystem, with a look at how Mac hardware has evolved over the years. Justin brings up his SecretLabs chair, which had issues with the armrest but came with stellar customer service that left him impressed.

Thinking about upgrading his system, Justin wrestles with the choice between Intel and AMD, leading to a group discussion on what to consider when building or refreshing a PC. Shawn recommends using CPUID to learn more about your current hardware, while Justin suggests AIDA64 as another helpful tool. For motherboards, Justin shares his preference for ASRock based on his own positive experience.

Andy wraps things up with a warning about the growing trend of phishing and email harvesting, recommending a visit to haveibeenpwned.com to see if your data has been compromised. And in true TechtalkRadio fashion, the guys cap it off with a fun but serious discussion on how not to clean your PC. From dishwashers to power washers, and even wet/dry vacs, they share the dos and don’ts of keeping your rig clean—emphasizing that compressed air, while popular, still comes with its own considerations.

It's a packed episode with practical advice, a few laughs, and real-world tech talk!

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On this week’s TechtalkRadio Broadcast, Justin, Shawn and Andy talked about how they manage workloads and prioritize projects when dealing with IT Issues. Justin shared that he structures tasks around his budget and board approval, often using AI tools like Grok to help craft presentations, job descriptions, and marketing materials to help explain to the less Tech Saavy for an understanding of needs for the IT Team . While Andy wondered if Grok compares to ChatGPT with Justin noting Grok’s ability to pull real-time data and provide comprehensive information on demand of a more current nature.

In a live demonstration, Justin used Grok to search for Andy and Shawn, uncovering detailed professional and personal data from public sources and social media—sparking a discussion on privacy and how much of our lives are available online. This led to a broader chat about the pros and cons of such tools, with Andy and Shawn expressing concerns over data accuracy and the implications for personal security.

The trio also explored online safety, with Andy highlighting risks on platforms like Snapchat and stressing the importance of turning off location services. Justin shared a story from the game Sea of Thieves, where a young player casually revealed personal info, underlining how easily privacy can be compromised—even in gaming environments. They also touched on social engineering and the need for greater caution online.

Wrapping up, the group tackled a listener question from Dave about recording over-the-air TV using devices like the HD Home Run, discussed Comcast mobile savings, and talked about using Moca to expand home networks over existing Coaxial connections. They finished with some fun—chatting about the Minecraft Movie and the Chicken Thing, mini battle bots and more.

On this Week's TechtalkRadio Show, Host Shawn DeWeerd atttends the  the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) trade show and shared his excitement about meeting industry professionals and networking with content creators. Both Shawn and Andy, who has attended the show in past years highlighted the significant changes in the broadcasting industry, particularly the blending of professional and consumer equipment. Shawn also mentioned meeting the lead content developer for the popular YouTube channel, "Dude Perfect," who were present to explore new equipment for their expanding studio. The conversation emphasized the growth and success of content creators in the broadcasting industry.

Shawn also mentioned a product from Salsa Sound that uses AI to auto-mix audio based on the location of microphones and speakers. Shawn also saw a demonstration from Ross Video that can automatically change graphics, camera angles, and scenes based on a speaker's words, though he notes that the transcription accuracy still needs improvement. Shawn also mentions the increasing automation in newsrooms, including robotic cameras and AI-powered camera tracking that can follow specific subjects or players in sports broadcasts.

Shawn discusses his experience with the DJI Power 1000 battery bank during a recent power outage. He explains how the device allowed him to power a lamp, internet router, and TV for an extended period, providing up to 19 hours of use for these devices. Shawn also mentions using the power bank in conjunction with a generator to power his refrigerator and other essential appliances during the 48-hour outage. He praises the battery's fast charging capabilities and additional features like USB-C ports and mounting options.

Listener Questions have  Andy and Shawn discussing the pros and cons of different antivirus programs from a listener considering not renewing her annual AV Subscription. Shawn recommended Malwarebytes as a more secure alternative to Norton, which Andy has used and was also renewing. Another question inquired about viewing old Flash videos, While Andy mentioned suites such as Movavi, Shawn suggested using Handbrake to convert the files to make them viewable. 

Andy shared his experience with a Logitech keyboard, the Keys to Go 2, which can be connected to smartphones, laptops, and other devices via Bluetooth. Shawn found the Logitech keyboard interesting and appreciated the different color options available. Andy also mentioned the Logitech K480 which is considerably larger however each keyboard offers benefits. 


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Never Tell the Crew that this Episode won't be on the Broadcast Airwaves, They decided to talk freely. This episode was a test for stricly the web and yes, there is some salty language in this episode. Please refrain is that offends you however we have some good discussions in this shortened PODcast. We cover AI creation with Justin telling us about Grok, while Matt takes a look at Perplexity. Also covered is Adobe and Perpetual Licensing after Andy runs into an Adobe Issue. Also, Justin and the family test out a Studio Ghibli AI Creation. 

We will be back to our regualrly scheduled clean speak for next weeks show! Be sure to subscribe to us on all the Social Outlets including YouTube!

-- Andy

In this Weeks TechtalkRadio Show, Andy, Shawn, and Justin discussed their previous recording session, which was postponed due to various reasons. They also talked about their personal lives, including Shawn's sleep schedule and falling aslep while the show was waiting for him! Justin talks about doing Voiceover work and Andy mentions a great Video on YouTube titled "5 Guys in a Limo" that showcases the best voiceover actors of their time.

Justin tells us a about his decision to buy his son Eric a gaming laptop, the Acer Predator, which has a 4,060 RTX and 16GB RAM. Justin also installed parental control software called Qustodio to monitor Eric's online activities. However, Eric was more interested in watching YouTube videos on the new laptop than playing games. The guys share some possible games and while Doom and Wolfenstein are mentioned one that Andy wants to try is Power House Washing, a Simulation. Justin also mentioned a YouTube channel called Let's Game It Out, which they both enjoy watching.

Andy discussed a couplle of products he recently took a look at: the Asus Rog Flow Z13, a gaming laptop/tablet with AMD 395, and the Epson RR600W, a rapid receipt scanner. Andy shared his positive experience with the Asus product, highlighting its performance and features. He also demonstrated the Epson scanner on live TV but encountered issues due to Andy forgetting to plug a cord in! The Epson scanner can scan up to 100 receipts per minute, front and back, and can also scan photos at 600 dpi.

In a segment recorded earlier, Andy welcomes Author Titania Jordan to the show to discuss the challenges of internet safety for children. Titania, the CMO and Chief Parent Officer at Bark Technologies, shared her experiences as a parent and her insights from her book "Parenting in a Tech World". She emphasized the importance of staying updated with the latest information on internet safety, as the situation has evolved significantly since her first book was published in 2020.  Andy and Titania discussed the challenges of parenting in the digital age, particularly with regards to children's use of smartphones and social media. Titania emphasized the importance of being proactive and not waiting until a crisis arises. They also discussed the need for parents to be aware of the constantly evolving language and emojis used by teenagers, and the potential dangers of allowing strangers to communicate with children through apps and games. Titania recommended using safer alternatives such as the Bark app or Bark phone for children's devices, and advised parents to delay giving their children access to all devices and apps until they are ready. Her latest title is available at Amazon. 

Justin, Andy, and Shawn regroup and share the Website of the Week, Lazyfly dot me, which is a challenging game very basic in graphics but fun. 


Tune in for all this and more on TechtalkRadio!


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For this Weeks TechtalkRadio Show, Matt shares his experience with pets adjusting to the time change, recounting how his cat protested the new schedule by realizing how shoving his metal bowl at night will get him some food. Shawn has continued his process of digitizing family photos using the Epson FastPhoto 680W scanner and is sharing how he was able to also scan in 8mm Movie Film using the Wolverine Data film scanner. He has completed scanning about 2,800 photos from his grandparents' collection and is now working on digitizing 8mm and Super 8 films from the late 1940s to 1980s. Shawn explains the time-consuming process of cleaning and scanning the films, emphasizing the importance of preserving family memories. The group also discusses the challenges of using older film equipment and the value of digitizing these historical records.

A recent discussion with a filmmaker has Andy wondering about the use of Davinci Resolve, a video editing software. Shawn recommended Davinci Resolve as a top three video editing software, alongside Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere. He explained that the free version of Davinci Resolve is sufficient for most needs, and the studio version, which costs around $300, offers additional features like advanced noise reduction and higher resolutions and amazing color correction. 

A Listener Question asked about the Disk Defragmenter. Matt explains that defragmentation is no longer necessary for modern solid-state drives (SSDs). He describes how defragmentation was used on older hard disk drives to reorganize fragmented data, which could take hours or days. For SSDs, a process called trimming is now automatically performed by the operating system. Matt warns against manually defragmenting SSDs as it can significantly reduce their lifespan. He advises that users with SSDs don't need to worry about defragmentation, as the system handles optimization automatically.

Another listener question wondered about the challenges of switching to the Apple platform, particularly for those unfamiliar with Mac OS. Shawn highlighted the learning curve and potential frustration for those new to the system. Matt offered up a great suggestion as well,  Apple stores may offer free classes to help users adapt and recommends checking into those while Andy recommended exploring local user groups and libraries for additional support.

The hosts discuss the upcoming segment about the World Video Game Hall of Fame finalists for 2025, as announced by the Museum of Play. They reminisce about playing Goldeneye in 1998, particularly the popular "slappers only" mode and the controversial character Odd Job. The segment will cover the list of nominees and discuss which games the hosts believe should be inducted, with only three games set to be selected for the Hall of Fame. They debated which games should be inducted into the Hall of Fame, with Goldeneye 007, Quake, Angry Birds, Tamagotchi, and Frogger being top contenders. The team also discussed the influence of games like Age of Empires and Call of Duty on the gaming industry. They agreed that these games had a significant impact on gaming culture and should be considered for induction.

The hosts discuss their favorite and most influential video games. Matt mentions Legend of Dragoon and Final Fantasy 8, praising Legend of Dragoon for its innovative combat system and storytelling. Shawn highlights Suikoden as his favorite JRPG, mentioning its recent remaster. Andy recalls Eamon Adventure, a text-based game on Apple II, as his first computer game. They also reminisce about arcade games, with Shawn mentioning the 4-player X-Men game and Matt recalling Battletoads. The conversation ends with a brief discussion about the rarity of Legend of Dragoon and anticipation for a new Doom game.

Tune in for all this and more on TechtalkRadio!

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For this Week's TechtalkRadio Show, Shawn, Matt, Andy and Justin are on board as they discuss recent experiences with stand-up comedy shows. Justin shares his encounter with comedian Rodney Norman, where he unexpectedly introduced the act and received encouragement to try stand-up himself. The conversation then moves to other comedians they've seen live or admire, including Brad Williams, The Late Mitch Hedberg, and Jeff Arcuri. They reflect on how social media has given more comedians exposure. The group also fondly remembers the Blue Collar Comedy Tour and imagines a hypothetical Hallmark movie featuring those comedians. We lose Justin in the discussion after telling about a great memory of his dad getting a goose from Larry the Cable Guy!

After getting to put it to the test, Shawn discusses his experience with the Epson FastPhoto FF-680W scanner, which he purchased after Andy demonstrated it on News13. The scanner has significantly sped up Shawn's photo digitization project, allowing him to scan 3,800 photos in a -a rate of one photo per second at 600 DPI. The device offers features like automatic editing, front and back scanning, and batch processing. While Shawn found the auto-edit feature inconsistent, he appreciates the scanner's ability to capture handwritten notes on the backs of photos, which Matt and Andy agree is valuable for preserving family history. He did note it is important to clean the scanning surface frequently to avoid jams and residue from plastic sleeves and film emulsion. .

Andy discussed the forthcoming end of life for Windows 10 in October, with Windows 11 being the next iteration. He noted that end of life does not mean a computer will stop working, but that users will no longer receive security updates. Andy shared his recent experience with Windows 11's networking issues and how he resolved them. If you upgrade or get a new system what could be done with the old computer? Matt suggesting that old computers could be repurposed or donated. Andy decides to upgrade the Studio Computer and buys an Intel Processor which shipped with the CPU Fan however the Pre-Applied Thermal paste has Andy wondering of its usefullness. All recommend to clean that off the CPU and apply new Paste. Justin advised on the best way to apply thermal paste to a new CPU, and Shawn shared his preferred method, The Dot Method. Finally, the team discussed the ease of using Linux as an alternative to Windows, with Matt recommending Mint, Arch, and Ubuntu as accessible options.

Listener Ricky decides to Build his own but wonders if a Graphics and Sound Card is needed. Matt and Justin clarified that a sound card is not required for general use, but a graphics card is recommended for gaming. They also advised against using a "Old School" spinning hard drive for storage, as M.2 or SSD drives are significantly faster and less prone to failure. Matt also emphasized the importance of proper installation and handling of computer components to avoid damage. Andy shared info about the new Samsung's M.2 drive which operates about 14.8Gbps, which Justin confirmed was a significant upgrade. The team agreed that using a faster storage option would provide better performance and a longer lifespan.

A Humerous wrap on the show as Matt shares that Google's Pixel devices have updated their emergency SOS feature to require five button presses and confirmation before activation. This change was implemented after an incident where a user's sensitive photos were accidentally shared through the SOS system sending to family and co-workers. The group discusses the implications of this update and jokes about the potential embarrassment of such a situation thus the name for this weeks show, SOS - Send Me Slacks!

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For this Week's Episode of TechtalkRadio,  Andy and Shawn discussed the recent announcement from DJI about the New Osmo Mobile 7, a handheld device that stabilizes video footage in three axes. Andy ask Shawn to explain to the listeners the purpose of a Gimble Arm and what it can accomplish. Shawn explained that it's designed for mobile devices, providing smooth footage even in challenging terrains. The device is priced at $89 for the standard version and $149 for the pro version, which includes additional features such as a wireless receiver for DJI mics, an 8-inch telescoping arm, gesture control, and a built-in light. Shawn expected the announcement to be a different product and after recording we discovered it is the DJI RS 4 Mini which we will discuss next week. 

The action camera market is still providing some great solutions for videographers and storytellers and the guys  focus on major players like DJI, GoPro, and Insta360. They noted that GoPro has been in the business for a long time and has been successful in the market. Shawn shared his experience with various GoPro models, particularly the Hero 3 Plus, which he considers his favorite.  Shawn then listed five companies that attempted to enter the action camera market  including Nikon, Kodak, Contour, Garmin, and Sony. 

Shawn and Andy welcome to the show Author Chase Roberts, Founder of Baby Step Books to discuss his fun books  "Computer Engineering for Babies" and "Computer Engineering for Big Babies".  Chase discussed the development of a book that introduces basic computer concepts to young children. Chase shared his inspiration, which came from his child's fascination with light switches and decided to create a book that would deliver on the promise of the title, introducing concepts like gates and circuits in a way that a child could understand. Chase faced numerous challenges in the production process, including issues with circuit board design and soldering. His wife's encouragement helped him persevere and eventually launch a successful Kickstarter campaign, which exceeded his expectations. He shared his experience of creating the first book, which was a success, and then working on a second book that added switches and LEDs. Chase mentioned that the second book took two years to complete, highlighting the challenges he faced, particularly with designing the switch placements. 

A Listener Question sent in from Martha in La Quinta inquired about using a Windows XP Computer to play old favorite games however she was told by a friend to not power up the XP System because it could get a Virus? Andy and Shawn let Martha know while connecting to the internet is not recommended playing the local games on the system should be fine.  This Gave Shawn and Andy a chance to discuss their experiences with old games and computers. Andy mentioned his fondness for playing old games like Joint Ops and Castle Wolfenstein, while Shawn reminisced about playing Diablo 2 and other classic games. A question from Chad had Andy looking for some input on Starlink and its reputation for service in the Southern Arizona Area, Shawn tells us about the different connect options. 

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