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Techsploder

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Jun 14, 2024 • 57min

Dick DeBartolo

Join Jason Howell as he explores the world of "low-tech" through the eyes of MAD Magazine's Dick DeBartolo, a media legend and true gadget aficionado with a knack for finding humor in the strangest places.Please support our work on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/JasonHowellCHAPTERS:- How Dick DeBartolo keeps his humor and fascination with technology, even for mundane gadgets.- Dick's early interest in technology and how it led to his work at Mad Magazine and game shows.- The story of how Dick started appearing on TV shows like Metro Media's Saturday Morning Live.- How Dick transitioned from TV to podcasting with Leo Laporte's TWiT network.- Dick's favorite gadgets, including the Slingbox and the world's first digital camera.- The nostalgia and ingenuity behind Dick's early 8mm films with sound effects.- A memorable story about a private train ride with Mad Magazine's publisher.- How technology has simplified video production and enabled remote appearances.Check out The Giz Wiz: https://gizwiz.tv/Visit Dick's website: http://www.gizwiz.biz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jun 7, 2024 • 60min

Christina Warren

Christina Warren joins Jason Howell to talk about how nostalgia for the early Internet and failed technology companies has permeated her life in tech. From developer advocacy at Microsoft and Github to working in the tech journalism trenches at Mashable, Christina has stayed passionate about the possibilities of tech and its limitations.Please support our work on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/JasonHowell Christina's experience of accidentally not hitting the "go live" button at the start of the interview, and the importance of redundancy in recording Her early memories and passion for technology, sparked by video games, gadgets, and the internet in the 90s Building her first website on GeoCities as a 12-year-old unpaid "community leader" Her collectibles obsession, including shoes and merchandise from failed/infamous tech companies like Theranos, FTX, Pets.com etc. Reminiscing about the spectacular dot-com boom and bust, and companies like Webvan, Pets.com that didn't survive Discussing the decline of TiVo and how the DVR experience has arguably gotten worse over time Her current role as a developer advocate at GitHub, and how to follow her work Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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May 31, 2024 • 58min

Megan Morrone

From writing for late-90s dot com boom websites to catching her break on TechTV, to podcasting at TWiT and back to writing, Megan Morrone shares her insights on the promise and peril of AI, navigating social media, and the challenges of parenting in the digital age.Support the Techsploder Podcast on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/JasonHowell Megan Morrone vs Megan Moroney. Megan's time in the 90s at LookSmart and CitySearch. Why TechTV was different. Technology influences as a child. Parenting in the digital age: Now vs. Then. Megan's experience with social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. Megan's thoughts on the promise and peril of AI and its impact on various aspects of life. The tech that lets Megan down. Megan's approach to tech cleanse and stepping away from technology. Subscribe to the AI+ Newsletter: https://www.axios.com/signup/ai-plus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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May 24, 2024 • 1h

Ron Richards

From his childhood fascination with the Apple II Plus to publishing a zine and co-founding iFanboy, Ron Richards opens up about his lifelong love for technology and how it has shaped his career, culminating in the development of the Scorbit pinball app.Please support our work on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/JasonHowell Ron's early memories of technology and the internet Discovering bulletin board systems (BBS) and computer game piracy The birth of the World Wide Web and Netscape's IPO Desktop publishing and creating a zine in college Discovering the pinball community and developing Scorbit Balancing passion projects with work The technology behind Disney's immersive experiences Check out Scorbit: https://scorbit.io/Listen to iFanboy: https://ifanboy.com/Listen to Android Faithful: http://androidfaithful.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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May 17, 2024 • 53min

Alex Kantrowitz

Alex Kantrowitz, author of "Always Day One," talks about his transition from political journalism to covering the tech industry, and how he applies lessons from tech giants' ability to reinvent themselves to his own business with Big Technology.Please support our work on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/JasonHowell- Alex's journey from BuzzFeed to starting his own independent media company, Big Technology.- The experience of working at BuzzFeed and the challenges of being a serious news outlet within a site known for listicles and memes.- Writing the book "Always Day One" and the process of researching and interviewing tech giants like Amazon, Facebook, Google, Apple, and Microsoft.- Interviewing Mark Zuckerberg and the approach to asking insightful questions.- Applying lessons from tech giants' ability to reinvent themselves to his own business.- Alex's early career in politics and government work, and how it prepared him for covering tech.- Memorable moments from his youth that sparked his interest in journalism and technology.- The importance of taking chances and not waiting for the perfect opportunity.Check out Big Technology: http://www.bigtechnology.comRead "Always Day One": https://alexkantrowitz.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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May 10, 2024 • 38min

Eddy Barker

Jason Howell chats with Eddy Barker, an electrical engineer who grew up fascinated by science fiction television. That passion led him working with AT&T as he helped create DSL technology in the 1990's, paving the way for high-speed Internet in the homes of millions.Support this show via Patreon: patreon.com/JasonHowell How Eddy started his time at AT&T and if developing DSL was his first project Eddy's early interest in communications technology like telephones, radio, and TV The challenges AT&T faced with dial-up internet and long connection durations How the idea of using existing telephone lines for DSL data came about Validating the DSL concept and any resistance faced during development The rise of companies like eBay, Amazon, and Napster enabled by DSL Common challenges between DSL and modern fiber deployments Eddy's vision for how technologies like the metaverse, AI, and high bandwidths will converge in the next decade A piece of technology from Eddy's youth that shaped his love for the field Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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May 3, 2024 • 53min

Tom Merritt

Long-time tech podcaster Tom Merritt and Jason Howell reflect on their tech careers, pivotal moments, and creating the Buzz Out Loud podcast. They discuss building communities around their shows, early internet memories, and the impact of technology on society. Tom shares his journey into tech journalism at ZDTV/TechTV and addresses AI content generation. Follow Tom's work on Daily Tech News Show and Substack for more tech insights.
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Apr 21, 2024 • 3min

Welcome to the Techsploder Podcast!

Join veteran tech podcaster Jason Howell as he sits down with intriguing tech minds for casual conversations that explore the human experience in a world engulfed by technology. From tech journalists and creators to entrepreneurs, Jason invites guests to share their journey through tech and reflect on the triumphs and struggles of being immersed in the always-evolving tech landscape. New episodes every Friday!Episode 1 drops on Friday, May 3, 2024!Support Techsploder on Patreon at patreon.com/JasonHowell.Subscribe to the Techsploder YouTube channel at youtube.com/@Techsploder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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