Tech and life

Soon after I started blogging, I wrote a post on my Top Tech Podcasts. That was back in 2008 so I thought I’d revisit it with the tech podcasts I now listen to. I’ve moved on a bit since then but some old faithfuls are still there. These are mostly all audio podcasts as I like to listen while walking.

Podnutz has burgeoned into a great network of tech podcasts – and not just for computer techs either. The originals are still there but Steve has added shows on Linux, Android and others. And then there’s Nutz at Night, as Steve says late night tech talk about nothing, yet something. You might even call it a show about Tech and Life… but no-one’s made that connection yet! Anything can come up here – tech, YouTube videos, likes, and dislikes. There’s a regular band of co-hosts now and strangely, it’s one of the first shows I listen to after downloading it.

CNET to the Rescue – great tech advice and tips dispensed by Rafe Needleman and co-hosts. Like Carey Holzman, Rafe is another podcaster whose advice I always look forward to hearing.

FrequencyCast – UK centric podcast on digital TV, technology, media news and gadget reviews, presented by the inimitable Carl and Pete. A monthly show with shorter mid-monthly updates. Good show notes and full transcripts as well! Show 61 focused on Streaming Media and is well worth a listen if you want to stream music and video to your TV.

The Home Tech Podcast – Just discovered this one a month or two back and it seems pretty good – tips, how-to’s and simple solutions to your not so simple technology questions with a revolving panel of hosts fronted by Jim Collison, The Average Guy.

WNYCs Radiolabs – I had to mention this one again, one of my favourites. If you don’t try any of these podcasts, give this one a go. Professional, great presenters and thought provoking stuff. And a terrific archive of podcasts you can dig into.

Radiolab believes your ears are a portal to another world. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience. Big questions are investigated, tinkered with, and encouraged to grow. Bring your curiosity, and we’ll feed it with possibility.

Evernote – Obviously a podcast about the latest developments in Evernote but the banter and off-beat humour between the hosts are a feature here.

Tech Stuff – From the guys at How Stuff Works, Jonathan and Chris delve in some detail into some of today’s top tech topics.

I should also mention TechVets with Carey Holzman and Mike Smith. Covering PCs, PC repair, PC utilities and info for repair techs, it’s just returned after an 8 month break. Perhaps now that Carey has left Computer America we might see a more regular schedule again.

Well that’s my current list. What’s yours?

Podcasts have changed the way I consume media. Until about a year ago, I used to listen to radio on and off throughout the day, mostly news and talk channels. Then I discovered tech podcasts. Now I get the news first thing in the morning on the radio and that’s about it. Why? Well with podcasts you can listen to what you want, when and where you want. You can pause it, replay it, or fast forward through an item or ads you aren’t interested in.

Another big plus is that if you have a tech query and you can’t find an answer on a forum, many podcasters are happy to try to answer questions if you email them. Very often they will read out your email if they think that other listeners can help. If you have a suggestion or a show topic they’ll be delighted to receive them, or drop them an audio message for example as an mp3 attachment to your email. Very often they’ll play it. Not like radio at all!

Podcasts are real easy to download. I use podcatching software called Ziepod. You could also use Juice or iTunes. Then I copy the files over to my trusty Samsung YP-Z5 1GB mp3 player. Ziepod is one of my essential applications. I’ll mention more in later posts.

So, what do I listen to? Well, I’ve already mentioned three tech podcasts in my second post but here’s a complete list with a little info about each one. I’ll start with the unmissables:

Mike Tech Show: Going since March 2005, this show covers tips, tricks, cool sites and software. Mike has a great aura of enthusiasm for all things tech. He talks clearly and explains things well. The podcast archives and show notes are a terrific resource.

The Knightcast: Knightwise has developed the knack of recording a podcast on his daily commute. I’ve no idea what other road users think as they pass this guy seemingly talking to himself in his car! Living on the edge of real and cyberspace, Knightwise concentrates on making tech work for you. He’s clearly an expert on networking, security, virtualization and Linux. Great podcast and excellent music. I’ve discovered many new artists through the Knightcast.

The Aussie Geek Podcast: What can I say. For me this is probably the best all-round tech podcast. The hosts have brought their wealth of experience gained doing the Global Geek Podcast to this new labour of love. Covering tech news, applications, sites and services, the Word from the Wise (a weekly rant from Knightwise; brilliant) and listener feedback, I look forward to this show every week. Great banter between the hosts Dave, Cait and Keith, language aplenty as they make their points and always some new site or app to check out after they finish. Highly recommended!

Podnutz: Started around March this year, Podnutz and Podnutz Daily are THE podcasts for PC troubleshooting, and setting up a PC and laptop repair business. On Podnutz, Steve has a different guest each week, although his solo show on computer repair was really instructive. I’m not a technician, but I’ve learned so much from this one on how to stay out of trouble and what to do if things go wrong. Highlights for me so far were the shows with Carey Holzman and Scott Mueller.

Podnutz Daily: When I heard he was starting a daily show as well as the weekly, I thought to myself this guy must have great energy and I just hope he doesn’t overdo it. However, Steve’s pulled it off brilliantly. He clearly has the podcasting bug. There’s a live TV link while he does the podcast. He covers the repairs he has done throughout that day. Again a great resource for anyone interested in PC troubleshooting and repairs. CitizenX has done a terrific job on the show notes recently so this should be another useful resource for troubleshooting.

This Week in Tech: TWIT is one of the first shows I listen to each week to hear the latest from the tech world. I don’t think Messrs Laporte, Dvorak and Norton need any introduction. A different panel each week, always topical, lively debate and often very funny. I’m one of the listeners who happen to enjoy Jason Calacanis’ appearances.

PC Mag Radio: This really is a great show. I enjoy the banter between Robyn, Sascha, Lance and Co. Great source of info on new hardware developments, phones, applications, etc.

Windows Weekly: Leo and Paul Thurrott discuss the latest developments in the Windows/Microsoft arena, phones, internet TV and anything else tech that takes their fancy. Paul really knows his stuff. What he doesn’t know about Windows isn’t worth mentioning!

Net at Night: Leo and Amber McArthur look at some new sites on the Internet. Always very entertaining and usually they uncover a new app or service worth checking out.

PC Mechanic: Dave gives a quick resume of a couple of important tech issues. Short but well worth a listen.

Alternageek: Linuxchic and Techmonkey with their insightful look at recent tech news, social networking, cell phones, etc. One for the geek. Some of the stuff goes over my head but very good all the same.

WNYCs RadioLab: Wow! Thanks to Download Squad for mentioning this one on their blog earlier this year. This podcast will really get you thinking. Since I’ve been listening they’ve covered: songs which you can’t get out of your head, the infinite universe, genetic engineering, shopping malls, deception, and a brilliant cellist called Zoe Keating, all in great audio with intriguing sound effects. Really thought provoking stuff and well crafted. You must try this one!

Going Linux: Now that I’ve managed to get Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex to see my network, I’ve just started listening to the Going Linux podcast. Just the thing for anyone using Windows who is considering learning about or moving to Linux. I’m going though all the archived shows at the moment.

Now to the shows I catch when I can:

Geek News Central: Todd’s take on tech. One of the first tech podcasters and clearly very good at it. I just can’t fit in the two shows a week though so I listen when I can.

boagworld: Unbelievably the only UK podcast in my top tech shows. Website design. Again mostly way over my head, but they do have some items of interest to me.

The Tech Guy: Podcast from Leo’s weekend radio shows. Everything from PC troubleshooting, phones, TVs, DVD, home theatre to digital photography. Big plus here is that he drops the radio ad breaks from the podcast.

Computer America: Carey Holzman must be the most clued up guy I know when it comes to Windows troubleshooting. I try and grab the Friday shows especially when Scott Moulton (data recovery) or Scott Mueller (PC troubleshooting/repair) are on. Big minus here is that they don’t drop the radio ad breaks from the podcasts. But I guess someone has to pay Carey and Craig’s wages.

Cranky Geeks: Just as the title says. Well worth dropping in on.

A lot of work goes into producing these podcasts and show notes, by dedicated geeks very often in their spare time. Many of them are frontrunners in the tech field and have a wealth of information to pass on. Guys, I really appreciate what you’re doing.

Have I missed any you like? I’d love to hear your top tech podcasts. Drop us a comment with your picks.

Last edited: 17th November 2008

I have to give a mention to a couple of people who have fired me up to get more involved ‘blogging about tech’. I’ve been using PCs since 1988 and have been on the web since 1998. Spent some time on a couple of good UK PC forums, but it was only when I discovered tech podcasts that I started to develop a real interest in tech. The first podcast I found was the Mike Tech Show which is great because I’m really interested in PC tips, tricks and troubleshooting. I’ve been through the complete MTS archive and learned a lot from that. In the course of listening to those archives I came across a promo for The Knightcast, another great tech podcast with a fine host, Knightwise, and brilliant music.

Knightwise is Belgian so a bit closer to home for me. In 2006/2007, he did a spell as co-host with Dave Gray, Tim Smith and Keith Murray on the Global Geek Podcast, yet another superb podcast which then added Cait as co-host and has recently transformed into the Aussie Geek Podcast. This one is also a must-listen.

I listen to about 20 podcasts a week but these three have held my interest right from the start. For anyone interested in ‘how to tune technology into your everyday life and let tech work for you‘ as Knightwise would say, I can highly recommend these three tech podcasts.
I’m sure I’ll talk more about them all in future posts. I’ll also give a complete list of all the podcasts I listen to later.