User Friendly - The Podcast

This week on User Friendly 2.0, we explore technology from two very different angles.

First, we take a look at hacking devices. From security-testing tools to surprisingly inexpensive gadgets that interact with wireless signals, RFID, NFC, and other everyday technologies, we examine what these devices can do, why legitimate security professionals use them, and what happens when powerful tools fall into the wrong hands.

Then we trade hacking hardware for board games as Mik and Starla from Our Family Plays Games join us! Our Family Plays Games is on a mission to bring more families into the modern board gaming hobby while helping make the gaming table a more diverse, inclusive, and welcoming place for everyone. We talk about the changing world of tabletop gaming, building a collection of more than 1,500 games, their work in the board gaming community, and why gathering around a table to play still matters in an increasingly digital world.

Technology, security, games, and the people who bring them to life. It’s all this week on User Friendly 2.0!

Learn more about Mik, Starla, and Our Family Plays Games at OurFamilyPlaysGames.com.

William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the digital threats facing businesses and individuals continue to evolve.

This week, Jessica Kearney of the Travelers Institute joins us to explore the current state of cybersecurity, the threats you should watch for, and the practical steps we can all take to better protect ourselves online.

From emerging cyber risks to the everyday habits that can make a real difference, we’ll look at what you need to know to stay safer in an increasingly connected world.

William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

This week's episode starts with the news and ends with the joy of hovering in a Gravity jet suit. Listen to hear what Bill has to share.

Hosts: Bill Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

Join us this week for our annual holiday light technology show. We have access to the same tech that ran amusement parks a few years ago - right at your house.

The team attended the Rose City Comic Con and had a wonderful time. We discuss the highlights in the second segment.

Bill offers his review of Age of Viking Companion.

William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

Join us this week as we discuss comic conventions and answer some of your questions.

William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

What is Dolby? What is THX? What do these things mean in movies and audio?

This week we'll look at your questions about audio tech and discuss a bit about recording history.

We will also cover professional Dungeon Masters and this week's news.

William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

How do you maintain retro and other older electronics? What can go wrong?

Today, we'll look at some of your questions about the risks and best ways to keep our old electronics working.

This week, we also have the sad duty of saying goodbye to 2 legendary performers, Dolly Parton and Tim Curry.

William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

We chat about the news, LEGO Saturn V progress, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, and a bunch of home video game products that just didn't make it.

Hosts: William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

Hang out with us for the news, and then our second section focuses on the progression of computer memory and processors. So much has changed over the decades.

Hosts: William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

In this episode, we chat about shopping technology that is changing alongside the news. We have guest Kranti Guduru, who knows all about legacy software languages and the challenges involved in migrating legacy systems to modern ones.

Hosts: William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler