AMD’s new Ryzen 5000 series is out and its finally toppled Intel for performance. Even if you only like and buy Intel, this is great news. Why? Because competition is good. Chip Wars Resume! And right now Intel has no choice but to really buckle down and come up with a response. If you want some deeper reviews, we got them for you right here! https://www.anandtech.com/show/16214/amd-zen-3-ryzen-deep-dive-review-5950x-5900x-5800x-and-5700x-tested https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/11/hands-on-zen-3-testing-with-amds-ryzen-9-5900x-and-5950x/ https://www.tomshardware.com/news/amd-ryzen-9-5950x-5900x-zen-3-review Too much to read? Have a video as well!
Its electric! Boogie-woogie-woogie-woo! (11/7/20 Part 2)
Electricity is part of our daily life. Your refrigerator, lights, tv, computers, etc., all depend on it! Electricity! Jonathan had some excitement this past week, and he felt it best to share! Especially since we’re getting into rainy season! https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/customer-service https://computer.howstuffworks.com/question28.htm https://pvl.ehawaii.gov/pvlsearch/ UPS Power Calculators https://www.apc.com/shop/us/en/tools/ups_selector https://www.cyberpowersystems.com/tools/ups-selector/
James Randi Memorial Episode (10/24/20 Part 1)
James Randi has passed away. Who is he? Well, you can read up on that. But what was he about? A healthy skepticism and curiosity about things! Sagan’s Detection Kit, and a fond farewell to Randi So, to honor his memory we talking about the Carl Sagan Balogney Detection Kit. For further amusement in critical thinking, check out Your Logical Fallacy Is and Your Cognitive Bias Is. We should also mention our contest! Our friends at Officemax have given us a Lenovo C32q monitor, and it can be yours for the price of an email! Listen in to the show to find out more!
Voting is different this year. Let’s help with that! (10/24/20 Part 2)
Voting this year is different in years past for Hawai’i. Its mail-in! Vote Hawaii! What else is going on? We talk about that, and of course, we have links! https://elections.hawaii.gov/ https://elections.hawaii.gov/hawaii-votes-by-mail/ https://www.vote411.org/hawaii https://portal.ehawaii.gov/government/voting-and-elections/ https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/Archives/measure_indiv_Archives.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1248&year=2019 Plus, Alert Internet Surfer Danno found this demographic information from 2016. What does it cover? Ethnic groups on Maui via percentage then percentage as registered to vote! https://www.winningjustice.org/districts/hi-maui-4719
Input Devices! There’s more than just the Mouse! (9/26/20 Part 2)
The humble mouse was revelatory when it came out, and essential for transitioning computers from being Command Line based to the Graphical User Interface we all know and love. But did you know there’s more than that? More Input! Maybe you don’t like the traditional mouse, or have space limitations. Maybe you’ve got problems with carpal tunnel or some other physical issue. You’ve got options! Ergonomic Mice https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/best-ergonomic-mouse/ https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-ergonomic-mice Trackpads (they’re not just for laptops!) https://www.creativebloq.com/buying-guides/best-trackpads Mac trackpad gestures Windows trackpad gestures Trackballs https://gizmodo.com/why-the-hell-would-anyone-use-a-trackball-mouse-1800564295 https://www.kensington.com/news/ergonomic-workspace-blog/ergo-meet-trackball-technology-evolved-for-people/ Graphics tablets https://www.dummies.com/computers/macs/mac-operating-systems/how-to-work-with-handwriting-in-os-x/ https://www.howtogeek.com/297443/how-to-use-handwriting-input-on-windows-10/
Keyboards 101! Don’t cheap out! (9/19/20 Part 1)
People spend tons of time and money for new computer hardware: fast processors, tons of RAM, and big hard-drives, but they don’t often think about the humble keyboard. Well, that’s the topic for today! Keyboards 101! While Jonathan, LD, and Sam talk about that, here’s some questions to ask yourself if you’re looking for a new one for yourself: Wired or Wireless? USB keyboards are trusty and reliable, especially if your computer is somewhere that isn’t wireless friendly (like under your desk). However, cables can get pulled, yanked, plugs damaged and more. Wireless keyboards often use Bluetooth (although Logitech has their own special kind). These are nice, but do keep in mind you’ll need to keep batteries around, check them periodically (sometimes they corrode inside the keyboard), and make sure that it will actually work with your setup. Wireless signals can be blocked by thick wood, metal, and other things. Membrane versus Mechanical Membranes are lighter and inexpensive, but as they age the membrane can get stiff or mushy making typing difficult and unpleasant. Mechanical are heavy, providing a very satisfying typing experience. Many professional writers love these! However, they can be loud, plus are usually on the expensive side. Some of the nicer ones can be disassembled for cleaning or replacing mechanical switches. Traditional layout and Ergonomic Traditional keyboards are fine for many people. This is what almost every computer comes with, and what you’d learn how to type on in school. Ergonomic keyboards comes in many shapes, but they are meant to help with …
The Great Computer Drought of 2020! (9/12/20 Part 1)
Are you looking for a new computer? Where are all the PCs? Oh dear, its sort of a tough time for that. Since the start of the pandemic and the advent of everyone doing everything from home? Computers are in short supply! So, what are you options? What’s the hold-up? We talk about that and more! Jonathan’s tips: Check out the big companies like Dell, HP, etc. Sign up for an account before you’re ready to buy! Be willing to go up. Better to over buy a little than to under buy. Check the websites, newsletters, etc. Companies do have refurbished machines! Check around from them. Ask about return policies ahead of time.
Its the Summer Mail Show! (8/29/20 Part 1)
Its time for our Summer Mail Show! And the drawing for our Prize! Summer Viewer Mail – Part 1 We read your mail, answer your questions, and have fun while doing it! And to brag on our local students? Hey, look at this! https://www.khon2.com/local-news/maui-teens-discover-satellite-expected-to-plummet-to-earth-on-saturday/ https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2020/08/28/maui-teens-track-satellite
Setting a home Computer Lab 101! (8/15/20 Part 1)
Do you have kids of school age? Distance Learning! Are you going to be home schooling? Well, time to set up a home computing environment and we’re here to help! Setting up Windows 10 Parental Controls: https://www.lifewire.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-parental-controls-4801595 Netgear parental controls: https://www.netgear.com/home/discover/apps/lpc.aspx Linksys parental controls: https://www.linksys.com/us/support-article?articleNum=134633 How to use Zoom: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-zoom
Deplatforming! What is it? (8/8/20 Part 2)
“You can’t be here anymore! Nyah!” Deplatforming! What is deplatforming? What is going on? Who is doing it? Join Jonathan, LD, Sam and special guest Danno as we talk about this pretty hot topic!