Galactic Watercooler: Recent Episodes
GWC Network
Do you prefer streaming or owning your media? We tackle the question from a couple of angles, arguing both sides in order to better understand the question and market. We also discuss Leo Laporte’s recent frustrated rant about the Windows naming scheme. Could their Win RT/Win Phone/Windows 8.1 naming debacle scuttle the Surface Pro, despite [...]
We take a look at the current status and future of three up-and-(maybe)coming technologies: smartwatches, electronic wallets, and 4K TVs. We also take a first look at the recently-release Google Play Newsstand, which combines RSS feeds, magazines, and news searches into a single stream-style reading app. We lament the passing of WinAmp and ponder the [...]
We enjoy Windows 8.1’s fixes and discuss what the update means in terms of Microsoft’s (surprisingly functional) positioning of Windows across the tablet and PC market. We run down Steam OS and consider its potential in the connected home. We round up some of the most recent OS X Mavericks troubles. We study the specs [...]
A much belated episode of Modern Geek! Chuck and Juan talk about the new iPhone(s), discover that RaspyFi has duplicated their MPD/Raspberry Pi music server setup, and discuss DIY hardware and its role in outside-the-box innovation.
This week Juan reviews his latest acquisition (Logitech T400 mouse), a deeper look is taken at the iPad app “Mr. Reader”, and Chuck gives us an update on his waterproof camera.
It’s been a month between Modern Geeks, and Chuck and Juan deliver a bonus-length episode! Chuck takes us through his latest purchase (a weatherproof/sportproof camera), Juan finds yet another use for a Raspberry Pi (a sprinkler automation system), and both have a lot to say about the recent developments with Microsoft and XBOX One.
Juan and Chuck continue their deep dive into deploying Raspberry Pi’s for home use, this week getting a music server going using the open-source project MPD. They also take a look at the XBOX One (Juan?) announcement.
Juan’s moved into his new place, and has discovered yet another use for a Raspberry Pi – as a Plex media frontend using Rasplex. Chuck and Juan also take a look at some of the recent iOS app updates.
Chuck and Juan take a look at some practical applications for the Raspberry Pi, including a low-cost print server and a unique take on a home audio solution. Also, we discuss some recent community feedback.
Project time! In this episode, Chuck and Juan take a look at the pros and cons of replacing Juan’s aging desktop with a Macbook Air, Macbook Pro, or another Mac Mini.
With a new announcement of the eventual expiry of Windows XP support, Chuck and Juan discuss the long-term viability of Windows 8, comparing the current situation to the previous “issues” resulting from the Windows Vista licensing options. Continuing the search for a Google Reader replacement, a couple options are reviewed, including Tiny Tiny RSS, Flipboard, [...]
After wading through a slew of hardware failures, Chuck and Juan get an episode recorded! We wonder how we’ll move on from Google’s recent decision to retire Reader, and consider the long-term consequences of using the “experimental/beta” projects that Google offers. We also discuss the recent meetup and the Modern Geek roundtable.
We run down the week in geek, and most importantly we take you into the heart of the 2013 GWC International Meetup with a podcast recorded in front of a live meetup attendee audience. Enjoy!
It’s nearly that time of the year, so we take a moment to talk about the upcoming GWC meetup.
Modern Geek is going live! As the meetup approaches, we talk about the alterations to the recent schedule in preparation for the GWC meetup, and lay out the subject of our upcoming roundtable discussion.
Sean is back, and the meetup is so very close! We take a quick moment to talk about the impending GWC meetup in Dallas.
In this episode, Sean is out sick, so Chuck and Audra take the time to wax philosophical about their recent rewatch of the “Dominion War” episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Canadia time! We discuss Juan’s online-tax-filing woes, and take a look at Canada’s retirement of the penny, discussing the impact from a consumer standpoint, and wonder at the round-to-five-cents coding nightmare most point of sale software must now be facing. We also revisit the discussion of the Surface Pro after receiving some great feedback from [...]
We give a long-overdue visit to 1978’s Superman: The Movie, appreciate the film’s cinematic quality and inspiring John Williams soundtrack; discuss the permeating Christian allegory of the story; and cheer for Margot Kidder’s funny and feminine-but-not-treacly Lois Lane. Plus, we run down the Week in Geek, squee over the mysterious and dangerous-looking Benedict Cumberbatch in [...]
We continue our discussion of all the various results available from diet and exercise plans and how to match your desired goals to a plan just right for you.
We discuss the closure of numerous Canadian Best Buy locations (without knowledge of the staff!). We (sorta) lament the passing of Stickam. We marvel at Microsoft’s ever-worse marketing plan for the Surface with the release of a 64G model–with only 23G usable.
We briefly revisit Star Trek: Generations, finally appreciating its place in the Trek canon and wondering why we had overlooked the significance of Picard’s family — and loss of family — for so long. We take calls that touch on the power of pink, the time-travel potential of the airplane laser, and the less-than-sexy reality [...]
What exactly does someone mean when they say “my diet and exercise plan gets results?” We dive into all of the various “results” available (both good and bad) and examine what it means to match up various sets of results to best meet your true desires and goals.
We have some fun with the latest IE commercial, which seems both apologetic and nostalgic at the same time. We talk through Google’s Chrome-based cloud print system. We note the (almost unnotable) iOS 6.1 update. We wonder if the sun is setting on the universal remote. We discuss Netflix’s potential new profile system. And we [...]
We jump straight into the buzz now that it’s confirmed: J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, due in theaters in 2015 and starring much of the original crew. We walk through what the project might look like, speculate which EU areas the film will cover, hope for strong female characters, and anticipate a [...]
We all make “excuses” for not doing what’s necessary to achieve our fitness goals. Maybe it makes more sense to think of them like artificial barriers; we face many “real” barriers, ranging from current fitness to time constraints, all of which come together to form the “envelope” in which we can achieve. Why add additional [...]
We confess to some of our tech hoarding problems (and solutions). We talk about the difference between crappy and excellent WiFi routers. We laud the new, revamped Harmony remote website and configuration system. We go over some of the recent updates to the awesome Press RSS reader app for Android. And we ask some listener [...]
This week as we re-ignite the Disney princess discussion, Sean reaffirms the impracticality of staving off the tidal wave of pink and weighs in on the fun of wearing a sparkly headband while playing backup for a three-year-old rock star. And, we run down the Week in Geek, get a glimpse of the new FX [...]
We discuss our experiences with the Withings WiFi-enabled scale and body fat device. We identify the difference between lifting for strength, lifting for size, and lifting for endurance/power. And we run down the top things you might want to know if you’re headed to the gym for the first time (or returning after a long [...]
We respond to listener feedback including a number of questions and comments about the Nexus 7, discuss in detail the process of using Google Voice as a (potential) Apple Messages replacement (and a killer home phone problem solver), and hear about one listeners awesome use of mobile videoconferencing for labeling his circuit breaker box.
We blast into 2013 with some nooooooos! and enjoy some classic GWC banter. And we run down the Week in Geek, including newly revealed details about Gates McFadden’s Season 2 departure from Next Gen (it had to do with sexism, despite the gender equality Beverly insists upon to Soren of the sack-cloth); the UK’s X-rating of the original [...]
We take a look at compound exercises and how they fit into the workout routine as well as discuss some of our recent data collection experiences.
In the year’s grand finale, we are joined in the studio by JUAAAAAN!! And we snub the ubiquity of the web’s year-end “Worst of…” lists, instead giving our own positive recommendations for 2012 media, including the underrated Men in Black 3, the fun popcorn flick Battleship; the brilliant TV comedy series Parks and Recreation (NBC) and sci-fi [...]
We kick off 2012’s penultimate podcast by discussing 2005 movie The Island — wait, wut? Yes, The Island. After seven years of GWC-style analysis and geeky discussion, returning to this flawed-but-likable movie made us realize how much the ‘cast has transformed the way we understand and appreciate art. Plus, we run down the Week in Geek, boo Blastr’s troll-baiting “Worst Movies [...]
In this episode of FitSmart, we implore you to give yourself a much-needed break this holiday season. Keep that “screw you” spirit strong and make your own decisions about exercise and diet during the holidays, but once you’ve made a decision, accept it and enjoy yourself. Also, we take a listener calls.
In this penultimate GWC Christmas episode, we re-think everything that makes our holidays what they are. We re-cast and reboot some of our favorite Christmas movies (read: Seth Rogen and Amy Poehler as the new Griswolds), remake some of our favorite Christmas songs (Swedish EDM, anyone?), and re-think some of our hallowed Christmas traditions. Also, [...]
Juan offers a great solution for all those almost-empty credit-card-based gift cards you have lying around. We try to dream up use cases for Logitech’s Skype TV device. We discuss Redbox’s expansion into Canada, their upcoming streaming service, and what it all means for the Pyramid of Movie Accessibility(tm). Also: Voicemails and Christmas stories.
In this episode we continue to talk Bond, with Skyfall. And we take listener calls about all kinds of stuff!
We discuss how to collect and interpret data when working on long-term fitness goals. We dispel the myth that women who don’t wish to “bulk up” shouldn’t lift. And we take some great listener calls including a tale of Thanksgiving dinner and an insightful question about how to manage meals in a household packed with [...]
We wrap up Black Friday coverage with some listener calls, including a beleaguered Buy More employee. We take a look at some crazy news items, including a lost island in the South Pacific, the lost month of December on Android 4.2, and how to enable LTE on the Nexus 4 for some Canadian carriers. And we [...]
This ‘cast we dive into 007’s universe of cars, gadgets, sex, and intrigue. We identify our favorite Bond cars (and jets, submarines, and motorcycles), give props to Sean Connery’s 1950s physique and sexiness-to-age ratio, and discuss the evolution of the early, one-dimensional “Robo-Bond” into the still-cool but emotionally motivated, complex, modern Bond. Plus we run [...]
It can be truly difficult to tell the difference between useful diet and exercise advice that can help you achieve your goals and the potentially dangerous stuff. We identify some red flags — specifics that indicate that you may need to examine the advice you’re hearing or reading more carefully before accepting it. These include [...]
We discuss some past bad experiences with Black Friday shopping deals and offer recommendations for avoiding disappointment. We offer some suggestions for saving on holiday shipping. We dive into the world of buying holiday presents for geeks — people who are, by definition, seriously picky about what they like. And we take listener calls, including [...]
We are thrilled so far with the new BSG content, the web series Blood & Chrome airing now on the YouTube Machinima channel (and on SyFy/every other digital medium) in February 2013. We credit the series with reigniting our love for BSG with Michael Taylor’s strong writing, character development balanced with space explosions, and Luke Pasqualino’s expressive [...]
We wrap up our discussion of video game heroes and villains with a look into how interaction changes the character and story experience. And we run down the week in geek, including new Spartacus news, lament for the end of Red Dwarf X, a Dibblifier app for iOS which allows you to turn yourself into [...]
In this episode, we discuss the recent acquisition news regarding Lucasfilm and Disney, and take some voicemail calls.
We run down the week in geek, including a Spike TV reality show offering a $10 million bounty on bigfoot, the possibility of the Governator returning as an old Conan (ignoring the Momoa era flick), more news on the Halo 4 release and storyline, the use of *face in Cloud Atlas, and much more.
This week we celebrate Halloween by taking a close look at the psychology of scariness, including why zombies, ghosts, and Grim Reapers give so many of us delightful thrills rather than existential horror. Why are we fascinated with death and the afterlife? It’s part of what makes us human. We look at cultural differences in [...]
We discuss the historic 1938 broadcast of War of the Worlds, what it means historically, why we associate it with Halloween, what it tells us about our society, and how our view of the radio show’s aftermath is affected by shifts in digital media. Also, we run down the week in geek, including the fan [...]
Up this week: robots who want to be your friend — or with whom you’d like to be friends — and what this tells us about humanity. Also, we run down the week in geek, including Jill Scott’s upcoming Fringe oracle-ness, a new TV series from X-Files creator Chris Carter, our recommendations for games to [...]
We dive into the realm of robots who want to be (or emulate) humans and how they serve as a mirror for us to look at ourselves, individually and as a society. And we run down the week in geek, including some interesting Star Trek news, the (sad) numbers posted by Dredd, and our strong [...]
We put the Robots arc on hold, as Audra is getting some well-deserved rest, so Sean and Chuck cover this week’s news. And yes, Audra will be back soon!
This week, we kick off a long-overdue discussion talking about robots: robots who want to destroy the world!
In this episode, we conclude our Villains we Love to Love arc, with Mel Brooks’ classic villain (of a sort), Dark Helmet.
We continue our Villains we Love to Love arc, with a look at Portal 2’s GLaDOS, her Louise-Fletcher-like chilling calm, nurture-less “mother” persona, and impressively psychotic ability to manipulate — plus the interesting differences in how we perceive female and male villains differently. And we run down the Week in Geek, discussing Joss Whedon’s upcoming SHIELD [...]
In this episode, we continue our Villains we Love to Love arc with the Venture Brothers‘ outrageously-costumed, insecure, high-voiced swinger and villain extraordinaire: the Monarch. We examine the Monarch’s unusual upbringing, creativity, and desperation to live the 1960s supervillain life, and the startlingly realistic, humble lives of the henchmen. We sneak a glimpse into Chuck’s [...]
In this episode, we kick off our “Villains We Love to Love” arc with a look at the sympathetic and narcissistic Doctor Evil, his pitiful, neutered grasping for power, and the important line between villains who are likable, heroic foils and villains who are just plain scary. We also give props to the Brits’ sense [...]
In our final “B” movie installment, 1995’s bum-shell Judge Dredd, we enjoy talking cheesy design elements, the dearth of non-ridiculous flying motorcycles, British views on American violence and vigilantism, and the perils of using current technology (especially in the 90’s) to approximate futuristic computer graphics. And we run down the Week in Geek, checking out the [...]
We continue our “B” movie arc with the epically cheesy 1990 sci-fi flick Total Recall and realize that Arnold’s mechanical acting is ideal for a robot or a comic straight man but less convincing in Recall‘s mind-frak thriller landscape. We discuss the evolution of profanity in movies from the 80s to now, marvel at the fact that Recall‘s [...]
We kick off our “B” Movie arc with the hilariously cheesy, sometimes campy, and all-around fun 1985 sci-fi action flick Trancers. We revel in laughter over the movie’s halfhearted future-car, zombie cross-dressing stunt doubles, the gunning-down of a possessed mall Santa, the young Helen Hunt’s portrayal of a woman unfazed when her boyfriend’s body is [...]
We review our favorite parts of this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, including bronies, ubiquitous butt cheeks, Sean’s awesome art acquisition, and hanging out with the small press peeps; and we feature a segment recorded live with a band of GWCers at the con! And we run down the Week in Geek, reviewing some newly-announced Emmy [...]
We give love to the table-top games we grew up with and appreciate their role in a world before widespread video games. Audra talks about early digging on Trivial Pursuit, her meticulous Mouse Trap setup, and getting stuck being the thimble in Monopoly. Chuck and Sean take a serious look at competition, conflict, and friendship [...]
We reminisce on our favorite childhood toys and delve into memories of specific character-building moments. Audra recalls the excitement of older cousins’ 1980 Hot Wheels City Play Set and Castle Grayskull fortress, and admits her own favorite toy was selected for its smell. Chuck and Sean geek out on Matchbox cars, model rockets, and the [...]
We revel in remembering some of the best (and worst) toys of our childhoods, give props to homemade toys, and realize how much toys shape the kind of people we become. We recall what it was like to polish your own rocks, struggle with the infernal spirograph, try to get any real speed on a [...]
We dive into a great discussion of Prometheus and the questions it raises about human creation and corruption; the colonization of ancient earth; alien warning frescoes; self-sacrifice vs. selfishness; why the Engineer may have been justified in wanting to Kill All Humans; plagiarized cave paintings; and why Jesus may have been way taller — and buffer — than [...]
We talk specifically about how the US space program affected us during our formative years, and we speculate on how it might play into the development of today’s young geeks. And we run down the week in geek, including new Spider-Man and Total Recall trailers, awesome Robocop casting news (on two fronts!), the current popularity [...]
We wrap up our growing up geek arc this week with some mixed discussion of how our various media selections fit together to make us who we are today. Also, we run down the week in geek, including Ray Bradbury’s death (and how Fahrenheit 451’s message still applies in today’s digital book market), the new [...]
We continue our growing up geek arc with the novel The Hero and The Crown, which provided Sean entry into the worlds of reading and fantasy. We discuss how his experience (and others like his) lead to lifetime learning, advocate for more flexible reading lists for early readers, and talk about the true purposes of [...]
This week we check out a media object significant to Chuck’s early development as a geek: War Games. We talk about the differences between getting “into” computers in the 80s vs. now, and each of us share some experiences with interacting with tech over the years. Also, as always, we run down the week in [...]
We kick off a new arc in which each of us choose one media object that had a significant effect on our development as a young geek. Up this week is Audra, who takes us on a tour of Flight of the Navigator. And we run down the week in geek, including the awesome Big [...]
Finally! We watch the new Marvel Avengers flick and offer our comments and analysis. Excuse this short (but spoiler-free!) description, but suffice it to say that we had a great time and found lots of interesting moments/meanings. Can’t wait to hear what you have to say, too.
Avengers releases this upcoming week, so we’re wrapping up our pre-Avengers re-watch of recent Marvel flicks with 2011’s Captain America. We discuss Steve Rogers’ unsung true superpower and the movie’s interesting selection of rogues. And we run down the week in geek — plus some fun general geeking-out over The Guild and other awesome web [...]
The Avengers release grows ever closer as we take a look at the general public’s introduction to Marvel’s Norse god Thor. We find inspiration in Thor’s each-day-at-a-time attitude. We dig into the similarities between Shakespeare’s plays and comic superhero stories, concluding that superhero tales may have a much longer lifespan of cultural significance than many [...]
We continue our Avengers arc with the first Iron Man movie. Chuck relates why he connects so much with Tony Stark. We question whether we finally live in a world where a new Iron Man-like story could feature a female protagonist. And we run down the week in geek, including our celebrations of First Contact [...]
We kick off our epic Avengers arc leading up to the release of he 2012 movie with a re-watch of the 2008 flick, Hulk. We discuss the magic of comics and what draws people to identify with one hero over another. We examine the Hulk’s history and speculate as to his involvement in the upcoming [...]
During the GWC Meetup we took a group of GWCers to see the newly-released John Carter movie, then hit a local bar for beers, snacks, and some podcasting — which you can hear as a segment in this week’s cast. Also, we run down the week in geek, including discussion of the awesome leaked BSG [...]
We spend an hour and a half or so hanging out with some of our favorite people in the world — the 2012 GWC International Meetup attendees! It’s a pretty free-flow podcast, so if this is your first GWC ‘cast, you might want to back up one or head forward one to get a better [...]
We roll through Mass Effect 2 and some non-spoilery ME3 discussion joined by guests Maggie Baird (voice of Samara) and Jennifer Hale (voice of FemShep). Ms. Baird introduces us to the world of voice acting and specifically the Mass Effect interview and recording process. And Ms. Hale offers some insight into breathing life into a [...]
We continue our Mass Effect 1 discussion, running down characters and races, then tread briefly into the second game’s more advanced storyline. Also, we run down the week in geek, including an analysis of the latest super-awesome Avengers trailer and Black Widow’s bring-a-gun-to-a-God-fight, um, participation.