The Icon Garden

A short goodbye to the Garden. We thank you for listening over the years. It's been a lot of fun!

Dan's new podcast and blog, Userlandia, can be found at www.userlandia.com.

Time for a surprise!

Joining Dan in the Garden today is game industry veteran William Volk. Volk started his career in late 1979 as a game tester for Avalon Hill and developed or spearheaded games across all generations of platforms. As a cofounder of Aegis Development, Volk was part of the first Macintosh game releases before the company pivoted to the Amiga. Volk joined Activision in 1988, serving on its executive team as VP of Technology. We talk Volk's career past and present, including development in the early days of the Macintosh, the influence of gaming on education, his return to indie development with The Climate Trail, and how the Amiga keeps coming back.

Recorded March 7, 2021

Links

• William Volk - Wikipedia
• The Climate Trail
• Avalon Hill
• Conflict 2500 for Apple II
• Voyager 1 for TRS 80
• Controller
• Epson QX-10 - old-computers
• Valdocs
• Pyramid of Peril for Mac
• Mac-Challenger
• The Computer Chronicles - The Macintosh in 1985
• Inside Aegis Draw - Archive.org
• Ports of Call - Amiga
• An Unlikely Savior - The Digital Antiquarian
• The Manhole - The Digital Antiquarian
• FM Towns
• Compact Disc Interactive
• Return to Zork
• Return to Zork - The Digital Antiquarian
• Lightspan, Inc
• Apple Interactive Television Box
• Topps and The Wayans Bros. Take "Yo Mama" Insults To All-New Platform - Trading Card Central
• iWhack
• Kenny Rogers' Gambler Mobile Blackjack
• MyNuMo is now Playscreen
• PlayScreen Bocce Ball
• Rufus Hound
• Ownerfy
• Gem Rush Board Game
• Gem Rush on the App Store
• Gem Rush on Steam

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Dan's Twitter: @kefkafloyd Jake's Twitter: @jakepugh

Show Twitter: @icongardenshow Visit Our Website Email us Mac Ach Thread

Join our Discord

Jake's HomeKit Page

Theme Song by Space Vixen Follow them on Twitter: @SpaceVixenMusic

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:06 - William Volk 00:04:00 - Avalon Hill and The 8-Bit Era 00:16:07 - Pyramid of Peril and Mac Challenger 00:20:33 - Aegis Development and the Amiga 00:28:23 - Activision and The Manhole 00:43:15 - Lightspan, Inc. Games 00:49:27 - Transitioning to Mobile Gaming 00:58:48 - Pioneering Games on the iPhone 01:08:35 - Ownerfy, The Amgia, and Warhol 01:12:41 - The Climate Trail And An Indie Resurgence 01:23:26 - Outtro and Credits

Fill out your iMac rumor brackets!

After weathering a cold and snowy winter, Dan and Jake welcome March with open arms. It's a season of renewal, and previous guest Matt Corey returns to talk about his new light control app, Follow the Sun. Both Jake and Matt now have M1 MacBooks Air—how do they fit in their workflows? Plus, Dan finally succumbed and bought the LG 34WK95U ultrawide monitor. Is the ultrawide life all it's cracked up to be? Listen in to find out.

Recorded March 12, 2021

Links

• MacBook Air
• BMW i3 CarPlay Retrofit kit
• LG 34WK95U-W Review - RTings
• Apple discontinues original HomePod - 9to5Mac
• Leaked AirPod Renders -MacRumors
• Apple Discontinues iMac Pro - 9to5Mac
• iMac to get New Look for Apple Silicon
• Follow the Sun on Mac App Store
• Matt on Twitter - @matt1corey

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Dan's Twitter: @kefkafloyd Jake's Twitter: @jakepugh

Show Twitter: @icongardenshow Visit Our Website Email us Mac Ach Thread

Join our Discord

Jake's HomeKit Page

Theme Song by Space Vixen Follow them on Twitter: @SpaceVixenMusic

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:44 - Returning Guest Matt Corey 00:03:30 - Matt and Jake Buy New M1 MacBooks Air 00:18:22 - BimmerTech i3 Wireless CarPlay Adapter Installation and Review 00:29:12 - Dan Buys an LG 34WK95U 5k2k Ultrawide Monitor 00:43:17 - New Apple Silicon iMac—What Do We Want? 00:52:38 - Redesigned AirPods Regular Coming Soon? 00:56:48 - RIP original HomePod, 2018-2021 01:02:54 - Follow The Sun App 01:14:59 - HomeKit on the Mac and App Store Experiences 01:36:41 - Outtro and Credits

I'm a Power User, and I Need a Power Cereal!

The dynamic duo is reunited as Jake thaws out from the Texas deep freeze—did all his smart tech survive? Dan still can't find a GPU, and Jake adds CarPlay to his new automobile. For our main topic, we talk smart kitchen appliances, how tech has changed our grocery habits, and hot takes on easter candy too.

Recorded February 26, 2021

Links

• Tom's Hardware GPU Sadness Index
• BMW i3 CarPlay Retrofit kit
• OONI Koda 16 Pizza Oven
• Steve1989MREInfo
• Kowboy Kent
• James May's Foodtribe

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Dan's Twitter: @kefkafloyd Jake's Twitter: @jakepugh

Show Twitter: @icongardenshow Visit Our Website Email us Mac Ach Thread

Join our Discord

Jake's HomeKit Page

Theme Song by Space Vixen Follow them on Twitter: @SpaceVixenMusic

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:33 - Dan Can't Find A GPU 00:09:58 - Surviving the Texas Deep Freeze 00:18:54 - CarPlay Upgrade MMI for the BMW i3 00:31:23 - Ooni Koda Pizza Oven 00:40:05 - Smart Kitchen Gadgets 00:45:11 - Apple in the Kitchen? 00:47:35 - Grocery Shopping Apps and Services 00:56:19 - Meal Kit Services 01:02:29 - Future Moves for Apple in Food and Dining 01:14:05 - Easter Candy Judgment Time 01:18:36 - Outtro and Credits

Meet the Martinettis. They're the all-American family of the nineties. When they want a computer, they hop on down to the big box store and buy a Performa, the computer made just for them. Alas, darkness lurked from within that happy Mac, seduced by the siren song of marketshare. Listen to find out how an otherwise reasonable idea almost rotted Apple from the core.

Sources

• Macworld, October 1992
• MacUser, October 1992
• Apple Confidential 2.0 By Owen W. Linzmayer
• MacWorld Mac Secrets by David Pogue and Joseph Schorr
• The Martinettis Bring Home a Computer
• The LA Times: The Un-Infomercial
• Apple's Weapon to boost Earnings - SFGate
• EMaculation
• UPI: Apple Introduces New Mac Line
• ToastyTech: At Ease
• IMDB: Ashley McCarthy
• Ad Age: NIMA Awards
• AdAge: Apple Performa Infomercial Bags 100,000 calls
• CHM Oral History: Jon Rubinstein
• StatCounter Desktop Marketshare

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Dan's Twitter: @kefkafloyd Jake's Twitter: @jakepugh

Show Twitter: @icongardenshow Visit Our Website Email us Mac Ach Thread

Join our Discord

Jake's HomeKit Page

Theme Song by Space Vixen Follow them on Twitter: @SpaceVixenMusic

Chapters

00:00:00 - Opening 00:00:39 - Share and Marketshare Alike 00:11:38 - Putting Your Mind At Ease 00:23:15 - Nobody Beats The Wiz 00:39:41 - Legacy 00:51:35 - Outtro and Credits

Music Credits

Second Goodbye (Instrumental) by Sapajou | https://soundcloud.com/sapajoubeats Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Simplify by Ron Gelinas Chillout Lounge | https://soundcloud.com/atmospheric-music-portal Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Dark Snow by windsouls | https://soundcloud.com/windsoulsmusic Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Never cross the streams.

We'll do it live! Guest and friend of the show Maegan Wilson returns to fill in for Jake. Ever wanted to stream your games or productivity but didn't know where to start? Dan and Maegan talk about streaming to Twitch and YouTube using Macs (and PCs!), the gear you'll need, and what the experience is like.

Recorded February 16, 2021

Links

• Maegan on Twitch
• Maegan on Instagram
• Maegan on Twitter
• Maegan's Livestream Gear
• Let's Racing Time on Twitch
• Elgato Stream Deck
• NewTek NDI Camera App
• LG 5K2K monitor
• BlackMagic ATEM HDMI Capture Switch
• BetterTouchTool
• StreamLabs OBS
• OBS Studio
• Ecamm Live

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Contact Us

Dan's Twitter: @kefkafloyd Jake's Twitter: @jakepugh

Show Twitter: @icongardenshow Visit Our Website Email us Mac Ach Thread

Join our Discord

Jake's HomeKit Page

Theme Song by Space Vixen Follow them on Twitter: @SpaceVixenMusic

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:55 - Returning Guest Maegan Wilson 00:07:21 - Dan Builds an AMD 5950x Workstation 00:12:08 - Introduction to Streaming 00:22:12 - Using a Mac to Stream 00:32:59 - Gear and Hardware for Streaming 00:42:33 - Audio Quality and Setup 00:49:57 - Touch Bar for Streaming 00:53:12 - Finding an Audience and Platform Politics 01:04:28 - Final Thoughts 01:07:15 - Outtro and Credits

Gonna fly now.

Get buff, get tough! The Icon Garden Roundtable is back, this time the subject is fitness technology, apps, and more! Special guests Isaac Niebeling, Dustin Ray, and Ian Blackburn sit down to talk smart exercise bikes, fitness games, how social media and apps work into our fitness routines, and more.

Recorded January 30, 2020

Links

• Are We Doing This? Podcast
• DustinMRay on Twitter
• IanBlackburn on Twitter
• Apple Watch Triathlete
• Training Today App
• Trainer Road
• Zwift
• Wahoo Fitness
• Training Peaks
• Rouvy
• RGT Cycling
• Fulgaz
• Strava
• GTA 5 Bike Simulator Mod
• Kickr Core
• Kickr Climb
• Concept2 Rower
• $30 mic stand iPad holder
• Polar OH-1 heart rate monitor
• Scosche rhythm 24
• Tacx Neo
• Concept2 SkiErg
• Lifefitness T3 treadmill
• Fisher Price Smart Trainer - DC Rainmaker
• Ring Fit Adventure Overview

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Contact Us

Dan's Twitter: @kefkafloyd Jake's Twitter: @jakepugh

Show Twitter: @icongardenshow Visit Our Website Email us Mac Ach Thread

Join our Discord

Jake's HomeKit Page

Theme Song by Space Vixen Follow them on Twitter: @SpaceVixenMusic

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:23 - Roundtable Guest Introductions 00:09:15 - Fitness Tracking and Sharing Apps 00:19:38 - Zwift and Smart Exercise Programs 00:42:59 - Training in the Era of Quarantine 00:49:54 - How Apple Fitness+ Compares 01:03:56 - Ring Fit Adventure 01:05:57 - Apple Watch's Interfacing (Or Lack Thereof) With Equipment 01:14:08 - Is There Room For An Athlete-Focused Apple Watch? 01:19:14 - Smart Trainers and Smart Bike Mods 01:33:13 - Biking Simulation Apps 01:39:51 - Apple Watch Marketshare Critical Mass 01:49:19 - Final Thoughts 01:52:37 - Outtro and Credits

They call it retro, which means old, but cool.

Special guest Steve, AKA Mac84, joins Dan and Jake to talk all things retro. Ever wanted to restore an old Mac but didn't know where to start? How about collecting old Apple clones? We've got all your favorite flea market and eBay finds right here. Listen for some nostalgia and commiseration!

Recorded January 15, 2020

Links

• Mac84tv on Youtube
• History of Clones Part 1 - Mac84tv
• Mac84 Website or Retro version for vintage Macs
• Why Apple Allowed Mac Clones - RMC The Cave
• The Creative SurroundStation - Hardware-One Reviews
• Philips Hue Wall Switch Module
• Macintosh IIcx - Wikipedia
• Wink gives customers one extra week after accusations of extortion [U] - 9to5Mac
• Why do computers die? - Computer Clan
• CHM Oral History: Ted Selker, Trackpoint Inventor
• Recap A Mac

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Contact Us

Dan's Twitter: @kefkafloyd Jake's Twitter: @jakepugh

Show Twitter: @icongardenshow Visit Our Website Email us Mac Ach Thread

Join our Discord

Jake's HomeKit Page

Theme Song by Space Vixen Follow them on Twitter: @SpaceVixenMusic

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:23 - Special Guest Steve AKA Mac84 00:15:11 - Steve's First Mac 00:23:59 - What's Going On In Your Tech Life? 00:33:04 - The HomeKit Chronicles - Philps Hue Wall Switch Module 00:39:43 - Steve's Wink Light Woes 00:52:35 - Jake's Arlo Baby Monitor Ultimatum 00:56:54 - Repairing and Restoring Vintage Macs 01:18:00 - Collecting Clones and Vintage Macs 01:38:50 - Outtro and Credits

Yippie ki-yay, Mother Mac-er!

Ring in the new year with Dan and Jake! Now that the new year is in session, it's time for a holiday review. What did we give (and get) for the holidays this year? How are Jake's AirPods Max holding up—and what's this about a great, inexpensive third party case from an unexpected source? And how painful can it be to construct holiday gifts for children? All these and more as we start off 2021 right. Plus, Jake tries to install a smart shower. Listen in to find out how it went!

Recorded January 2, 2020

Links

• Jason Snell: 20 Macs for 2020 - Six Colors
• KidKraft Pirate Cove
• KidKraft Dollhouse
• Lightspeed Tango Aviation Headset Case
• Waterfield Design AirPods Max Shield Case
• U By Moen Smart Shower
• Tesla-homebridge plugin

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Contact Us

Dan's Twitter: @kefkafloyd Jake's Twitter: @jakepugh

Show Twitter: @icongardenshow Visit Our Website Email us Mac Ach Thread

Join our Discord

Jake's HomeKit Page

Theme Song by Space Vixen Follow them on Twitter: @SpaceVixenMusic

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:06 - Technology for the Holidays 00:12:02 - Jake's Gift Construction Rant 00:22:32 - Two Weeks with AirPods Max 00:26:58 - Lightspeed Tango Headset Case for AirPods Max 00:33:34 - 20 Macs for 2020 Commentary - iMac G3 vs 128K Mac 00:40:57 - HomeKit Chronicles - U by Moen Smart Shower 01:05:54 - Tesla HomeBridge Plugin - Cars in HomeKit 01:12:08 - Outtro and Credits

Macinography 17: The Print Shop

Decades ago, making your own holiday cards was a tedious affair of hand writing and poorly drawing a season's greeting. What if your new home computer made it easy to design attractive custom cards? You'd make one for everybody—even Uncle Frank. Aldus and Adobe might have led the charge, but Broderbund Software was just as critical to introducing desktop publishing to the masses. But there's more to this groundbreaking app than banners—it starred in a titanic legal battle to determine the future of software copyright. Tune in to find out.

Sources

• Retro365.blog: Bits from my personal collection – A saga of galactic proportions, the birth of Brøderbund
• Computer History Museum Oral History of Doug Carlston
• Computer History Museum Panel on Personal Productivity Apps
• The Print Shop Manual
• Santa Clara University School of Law: Santa Clara High Technology Journal: Broderbund vs Unison World
• Gamers at Work by Morgan Ramsay
• Softalk, November 1981
• Paleotronic: An interview with David Carlston
• Judgment of Broderbund vs. Unison World
• Maths.org: The Difference Engine's Printer

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Contact Us

Dan's Twitter: @kefkafloyd Jake's Twitter: @jakepugh

Show Twitter: @icongardenshow Visit Our Website Email us Mac Ach Thread

Join our Discord

Jake's HomeKit Page

Theme Song by Space Vixen Follow them on Twitter: @SpaceVixenMusic

Chapters

00:00:00 - Opening 00:00:37 - Carrying On An Old Family Tradition 00:07:57 - An App For All Seasons 00:20:22 - Knock-Off Effects 00:31:57 - Signed, Sealed, Delivered 00:35:31 - Outtro, Sources, and Credits

Music Credits

Neonscapes by | e s c p | https://escp-music.bandcamp.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Synthetic Cupcake Parlor by Space Vixen https://twitter.com/spacevixenmusic