Podcasts by Back to Work

448: Spaghetti on Spaghetti from 2019-10-22T18:30

This week, Dan and Merlin dive into the benefits (and fun) of a NAS project. Also, Merlin goes off about the horror show of letting old people determine the future. Also, also, hey, kung fu movies!...

Episode 448: Spaghetti on Spaghetti from 2019-10-22T13:30

This week, Dan and Merlin dive into the benefits (and fun) of a NAS project. Also, Merlin goes off about the horror show of letting old people determine the future. Also, also, hey,...

447: Mating for Life from 2019-10-17T22:30

It's Infrastructure Week! Dan and Merlin start with California's power crisis and end up pivoting to phones, cable TV, and, of course, Apple.

What happens when a resource we think of as a ...

Episode 447: Mating for Life from 2019-10-17T17:30

It's Infrastructure Week! Dan and Merlin start with California's power crisis and end up pivoting to phones, cable TV, and, of course, Apple.

What happens when a res...

446: Charm Offensive from 2019-10-08T22:30

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about living in a world of hardware choices.

How do you decide which device is best suited to a given task? Which ones do you find yourself preferring to use...

Episode 446: Charm Offensive from 2019-10-08T17:30

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about living in a world of hardware choices.

How do you decide which device is best suited to a given task? Which ones do you find you...

445: Hipster DMV from 2019-10-01T21:45

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about Apple's OS rollouts, changes in Apple retail, and week two with the new Apple Watch.

Episode 445: Hipster DMV from 2019-10-01T16:45

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about Apple's OS rollouts, changes in Apple retail, and week two with the new Apple Watch.

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444: Seasoned Horologist from 2019-09-24T17:00

This week, Dan and Merlin focus on the new Apple Watch.

Episode 444: Seasoned Horologist from 2019-09-24T12:00

This week, Dan and Merlin focus on the new Apple Watch.

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443: Immediate Electric Smugness from 2019-09-19T20:00

DISCUSSED: Merlin has a cool new voice from talking to friends late last night; Dan has an automotive collision anecdote, while Merlin has thoughts on how preparation fails us in extreme moments; i...

Episode 443: Immediate Electric Smugness from 2019-09-19T15:00

DISCUSSED: Merlin has a cool new voice from talking to friends late last night; Dan has an automotive collision anecdote, while Merlin has thoughts on how preparation fails us in ex...

442: Dog Eating Chair Digestion from 2019-09-10T20:45

Dan and Merlin discuss the upcoming big Apple event and why this one's potentially interesting. Also, dog anecdotes.

Episode 442: Dog Eating Chair Digestion from 2019-09-10T15:45

Dan and Merlin discuss the upcoming big Apple event and why this one's potentially interesting. Also, dog anecdotes.

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441: Boggle, Boggle! from 2019-09-03T20:00

hurricanes!
hyperactivity
exposing kids to the canonical films
that weird, affected Hollywood accent
a name for that time comparison phenomenon
making your voice interactio...

Episode 441: Boggle, Boggle! from 2019-09-03T15:00

• hurricanes!


• hyperactivity


• exposing kids to the canonical films


• that weird, affected Hollywood accent


• a name for that ti...
  Listen

440: It's Never Been About the Suit from 2019-08-27T21:30

Lots of talk about the changing media landscape, plus some odds and sods.

Episode 440: It's Never Been About the Suit from 2019-08-27T16:30

Lots of talk about the changing media landscape, plus some odds and sods.

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439: Servant of the Red Badge from 2019-08-20T22:00

DISCUSSED: finding an actor's age and height; time analogies; Merlin needs help naming two critical phenomena; Dan is dissatisfied with how cars look; could Wolverine get a Caillou tattoo, and woul...

Episode 439: Servant of the Red Badge from 2019-08-20T17:00

DISCUSSED: finding an actor's age and height; time analogies; Merlin needs help naming two critical phenomena; Dan is dissatisfied with how cars look; could Wolverine get a Caillou ...

438: The Mashed Potatoes Need You from 2019-08-13T20:00

DISCUSSED: Merlin has a little visitor today. Dan has some thoughts on conference scheduling. This leads to a broader discussion of the sensitivities we may or may not have to other peoples' limita...

Episode 438: The Mashed Potatoes Need You from 2019-08-13T15:00

DISCUSSED: Merlin has a little visitor today. Dan has some thoughts on conference scheduling. This leads to a broader discussion of the sensitivities we may or may not have to other...

437: The Credit Section from 2019-08-06T19:45

Dan and Merlin explore the complexities of personal style. Not personal style as in fashion, but as in preferences, identity, and modes of interaction. How do we let others know how we are?
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Episode 437: The Credit Section from 2019-08-06T14:45

Dan and Merlin explore the complexities of personal style. Not personal style as in fashion, but as in preferences, identity, and modes of interaction. How do we let others know Listen

436: Better Than a Lipstick from 2019-07-30T21:00

DISCUSSED: the admirable candor of B.B. King; the simple joys of the Ordinary Night; movies that are or are not dated and how that affects your enjoyment; how sci-fi seemed to mostly miss the inter...

Episode 436: Better Than a Lipstick from 2019-07-30T16:00

DISCUSSED: the admirable candor of B.B. King; the simple joys of the Ordinary Night; movies that are or are not dated and how that affects your enjoyment; how sci-fi seemed to mostl...

435: Scanner of Horizons from 2019-07-23T20:00

DISCUSSED: kindness; eyeglasses, at length—including eyeglasses indignities, discounts, and injuries; a renewed surfeit of dingalings, fake friends, and a dumb podcast hit piece; and, finally, your...

Episode 435: Scanner of Horizons from 2019-07-23T15:00

DISCUSSED: kindness; eyeglasses, at length—including eyeglasses indignities, discounts, and injuries; a renewed surfeit of dingalings, fake friends, and a dumb podcast hit piece; an...

434: Grist for an Unnecessary Mill from 2019-07-16T18:00

Show notes are short this week because Merlin had to go buy contrast paints for his figs.

Main topic is speculating about speculation.

Episode 434: Grist for an Unnecessary Mill from 2019-07-16T13:00

Show notes are short this week because Merlin had to go buy contrast paints for his figs.

Main topic is speculating about speculation.

Li...

433: The Muscle of Worry from 2019-07-02T22:00

DISCUSSED: Dan has found a terrific solution for his son's iPad case; on the benefits (and challenges) of getting away from our devices for a while; listener recommendations for YouTube keyboard co...

Episode 433: The Muscle of Worry from 2019-07-02T17:00

DISCUSSED: Dan has found a terrific solution for his son's iPad case; on the benefits (and challenges) of getting away from our devices for a while; listener recommendations for You...

432: Fingerspace Pollution from 2019-06-25T19:00

DISCUSSED: Merlin is a little hoarse; but what's an actual pony versus an actual little horse?; there's a lot of sadness and housing problems in the Hundred Acre Wood; the challenges of recommendin...

Episode 432: Fingerspace Pollution from 2019-06-25T14:00

DISCUSSED: Merlin is a little hoarse; but what's an actual pony versus an actual little horse?; there's a lot of sadness and housing problems in the Hundred Acre Wood; the challenge...

431: Costly Branded Waiting from 2019-06-20T19:00

First and most importantly, Dan is back! Woo!

Second, now, listen: please bear with me, and do not leave. Because, when I say we talked mostly about Disney—and especially Disney properties...

Episode 431: Costly Branded Waiting from 2019-06-20T14:00

First and most importantly, Dan is back! Woo!

Second, now, listen: please bear with me, and do not leave. Because, when I say we talked mostly about Disney—and espec...

430: Shiny Red Cleric from 2019-06-14T19:00

Dan's away this week, so Merlin tries going it alone.

Topics include lessons from painting D&D minifigs, listener letters, and some recommendations.

Feel better soon Dan; we n...

Episode 430: Shiny Red Cleric from 2019-06-14T14:00

Dan's away this week, so Merlin tries going it alone.

Topics include lessons from painting D&D minifigs, listener letters, and some recommendations.

429: A Seer of Trees from 2019-06-04T14:00

DISCUSSED: Merlin has a catastrophic off-by-one-week error; Roderick's June is very triggering to your hosts; sometimes, it's nice to be exposed to stuff you didn't expect, but…; at a certain point...

Episode 429: A Seer of Trees from 2019-06-04T09:00

DISCUSSED: Merlin has a catastrophic off-by-one-week error; Roderick's June is very triggering to your hosts; sometimes, it's nice to be exposed to stuff you didn't expect, but…; at...

428: Prepare for Draculas from 2019-05-28T19:30

DISCUSSED: Nobody got enough sleep last night, but they're gonna power through anyhow; your hosts fawn over the amazing Chernobyl miniseries; various hardware mute button options are discussed; Mer...

Episode 428: Prepare for Draculas from 2019-05-28T14:30

DISCUSSED: Nobody got enough sleep last night, but they're gonna power through anyhow; your hosts fawn over the amazing Chernobyl miniseries; various hardware mute button o...

427: C. Thomas Hobbled from 2019-05-21T19:00

DISCUSSED: nasty, brutish, and short sleep; watching TV with a game controller; Dan has to deal with suite concatenation; your hosts crave the expertise of a craftsman; Merlin realizes he and his l...

Episode 427: C. Thomas Hobbled from 2019-05-21T14:00

DISCUSSED: nasty, brutish, and short sleep; watching TV with a game controller; Dan has to deal with suite concatenation; your hosts crave the expertise of a craftsman; Merlin reali...

426: New Wave Night from 2019-05-14T19:15

DISCUSSED: Dan has a new setup, and Merlin randomly recommends a kids' book; your hosts remember too much; Dan realizes he took the wrong shop class, and Merlin realizes why Generation X was (and r...

Episode 426: New Wave Night from 2019-05-14T14:15

DISCUSSED: Dan has a new setup, and Merlin randomly recommends a kids' book; your hosts remember too much; Dan realizes he took the wrong shop class, and Merlin realizes why Generat...

425: Off the Cushion from 2019-05-07T21:30

DISCUSSED: Dan explains what the photos he sends mean; Merlin encourages Dan to air a beef, and Dan kindly assents; Oh, boy, Windows! My old nemesis…Windows!; the Mac's interoperability glory days ...

Episode 425: Off the Cushion from 2019-05-07T16:30

DISCUSSED: Dan explains what the photos he sends mean; Merlin encourages Dan to air a beef, and Dan kindly assents; Oh, boy, Windows! My old nemesis…Windows!; the Mac's int...

424: A Roach Riding a Rat from 2019-04-30T18:30

DISCUSSED: the restorative tonic of a good night's sleep; a return to sleep as video game; it's okay to tweet your hosts about hoagies and Publix; concerns about butt cancer; Dan recommends a Netfl...

Episode 424: A Roach Riding a Rat from 2019-04-30T13:30

DISCUSSED: the restorative tonic of a good night's sleep; a return to sleep as video game; it's okay to tweet your hosts about hoagies and Publix; concerns about butt cancer; Dan re...

423: It Only Hurts for a Minute from 2019-04-23T18:15

DISCUSSED: Dan and Merlin get hungry, but they've had it with all the bread; the trough food is so costly; no one is sweating Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Marvel-ish movies are discussed, incl...

Episode 423: It Only Hurts for a Minute from 2019-04-23T13:15

DISCUSSED: Dan and Merlin get hungry, but they've had it with all the bread; the trough food is so costly; no one is sweating Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarb...

422: Magic Rub from 2019-04-16T19:00

DISCUSSED: Dan has just started a new pen; there's some pen, pencil, and eraser talk; Dan has an important anecdote about utilizing eraser-based people skills; Dan's iMac is working fine, but he's ...

Episode 422: Magic Rub from 2019-04-16T14:00

DISCUSSED: Dan has just started a new pen; there's some pen, pencil, and eraser talk; Dan has an important anecdote about utilizing eraser-based people skills; Dan's iMac is working...

421: Black Dress Cowboy Boots from 2019-04-09T20:45

DISCUSSED: What we talk about when we talk about optimism; the power of "Act as Though"; on edibles; a YouTube recommendation, then more YouTube recommendations; how even do we tell YouTube what we...

Episode 421: Black Dress Cowboy Boots from 2019-04-09T15:45

DISCUSSED: What we talk about when we talk about optimism; the power of "Act as Though"; on edibles; a YouTube recommendation, then more YouTube recommendations; how even d...

420: Baby Thorin from 2019-04-03T13:00

DISCUSSED: Merlin is back on his old cans; Dan is pivoting to video; Cash stepped in paint, and kids are terrible storytellers; a book recommendation; a case for the Oxford comma, please and thank ...

Episode 420: Baby Thorin from 2019-04-03T08:00

DISCUSSED: Merlin is back on his old cans; Dan is pivoting to video; Cash stepped in paint, and kids are terrible storytellers; a book recommendation; a case for the Oxford comma, p...

419: The Elephant in the Sword from 2019-03-26T19:00

DISCUSSED: allergy attack!; big anniversary today; elegy for Two Cats Comics; some D&D talk; Dan got a sword!; yet more D&D talk; key commands for line-moving; Dan got his YouTube URL back;...

Episode 419: The Elephant in the Sword from 2019-03-26T14:00

DISCUSSED: allergy attack!; big anniversary today; elegy for Two Cats Comics; some D&D talk; Dan got a sword!; yet more D&D talk; key commands for line-moving; Dan got his Y...

418: This Man…This Monster! from 2019-03-19T20:00

DISCUSSED: Top o' the Morling!; praise for the home release of Spider-Verse; Dan and Merlin offer some more TV recommendations; Merlin endorses an excellent "turns out" podcast; a deep dive on slow...

Episode 418: This Man…This Monster! from 2019-03-19T15:00

DISCUSSED: Top o' the Morling!; praise for the home release of Spider-Verse; Dan and Merlin offer some more TV recommendations; Merlin endorses an excellent "turns out" pod...

417: Fish Bishop from 2019-03-12T18:00

DISCUSSED: Merlin is trying some new things and probably needs to adjust his DIP switches; audio equipment is discussed; remembering Hal Blaine; German words; fish dropsy; dining at Alamo Draft Hou...

Episode 417: Fish Bishop from 2019-03-12T13:00

DISCUSSED: Merlin is trying some new things and probably needs to adjust his DIP switches; audio equipment is discussed; remembering Hal Blaine; German words; fish dropsy; dining at...

416: A Squishy for the Ages from 2019-03-05T19:30

DISCUSSED: Merlin is living the Domino lifestyle; R.I.P. Two Cats Comics; praise for iA Writer; Merlin needs help with his sudden Gmail spam; a meditation on comics as some awesome fun and an ugly ...

Episode 416: A Squishy for the Ages from 2019-03-05T13:30

DISCUSSED: Merlin is living the Domino lifestyle; R.I.P. Two Cats Comics; praise for iA Writer; Merlin needs help with his sudden Gmail spam; a meditation on comics as some awesome ...

415: Fifty and Monogamous from 2019-02-26T19:15

DISCUSSED: Dan has an awesome new video; Spider-Verse is out!; Merlin's dorky Segway is discussed; app recommendations for a clean new Gmail and an even-smarter Dark Sky; Dan spills the beans on hi...

Episode 415: Fifty and Monogamous from 2019-02-26T13:15

DISCUSSED: Dan has an awesome new video; Spider-Verse is out!; Merlin's dorky Segway is discussed; app recommendat...

414: Inheritance of Pain from 2019-02-19T19:45

Mostly one big topic: screen time.

Episode 414: Inheritance of Pain from 2019-02-19T13:45

Mostly one big topic: screen time.

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413: Bumbleditch Cumperdam from 2019-02-12T19:30

DISCUSSED: It's the optimistic day, but Merlin really screwed up an edit; there's some Inside Baseball about how podcasts get made; it's nice to have someone notice the shaving cream on your jowl; ...

Episode 413: Bumbleditch Cumperdam from 2019-02-12T13:30

DISCUSSED: It's the optimistic day, but Merlin really screwed up an edit; there's some Inside Baseball about how podcasts get made; it's nice to have someone notice the sha...

412: A Hobo in a Cartoon from 2019-02-05T20:00

DISCUSSED: Gong Hei Fat Choy!; follow-up on the FaceTime bug and the complexity of getting bug and security reports from normals; the weirdness of bug-finders demanding a bounty; Merlin is fascinat...

Episode 412: A Hobo in a Cartoon from 2019-02-05T14:00

DISCUSSED: Gong Hei Fat Choy!; follow-up on the FaceTime bug and the complexity of getting bug and security reports from normals; the weirdness of bug-finders demanding a b...

411: It's Not Butt from 2019-01-29T20:00

DISCUSSED: Dan's fighting his computer and explores font corruption; Merlin hates pebbles in his shoe; Dan has an anecdote about massages; Merlin has an anecdote about the FaceTime exploit; this le...

Episode 411: It's Not Butt from 2019-01-29T14:00

DISCUSSED: Dan's fighting his computer and explores font corruption; Merlin hates pebbles in his shoe; Dan has an anecdote about massages; Merlin has an anecdote about the FaceTime ...

410: The Childhood Cocktail from 2019-01-22T20:00

DISCUSSED: dreams and whether people like hearing them; turns out: Merlin recommends a podcast episode about mental stuff; practice vs. rehearsal; visualization as a rehearsal thing; follow-up on s...

Episode 410: The Childhood Cocktail from 2019-01-22T14:00

DISCUSSED: dreams and whether people like hearing them; turns out: Merlin recommends a podcast episode about mental stuff; practice vs. rehearsal; visualization as a rehearsal thing...

409: He Says Hard from 2019-01-15T16:30

DISCUSSED: moisture; kids and watches; some recent media consumption; encouraging kids to have good taste; memories of watching VHS movies in school; follow-up on Dan's new keyboard experiment; Dro...

Episode 409: He Says Hard from 2019-01-15T10:30

DISCUSSED: moisture; kids and watches; some recent media consumption; encouraging kids to have good taste; memories of watching VHS movies in school; follow-up on Dan's new keyboard...

408: The Pwn Key from 2019-01-08T21:45

DISCUSSED: Optimistic Tuesdays; office cleanup; a grave bleach mishap; follow-up on Wirecutter; a listener suggestion on, of all things, acupressure; Dan loves his cool new keyboard, but has a big ...

Episode 408: The Pwn Key from 2019-01-08T15:45

DISCUSSED: Optimistic Tuesdays; office cleanup; a grave bleach mishap; follow-up on Wirecutter; a listener suggestion on, of all things, acupressure; Dan loves his cool new...

407: The Wad-Shooter Option from 2019-01-03T20:00

DISCUSSED: "Rabbit Rabbit!"; partial shutdown and the toilet problems it creates; updates on options for Bluetooth keyboards; some extremely random and anecdotal reckoning about the recent Big Appl...

Episode 407: The Wad-Shooter Option from 2019-01-03T14:00

DISCUSSED: "Rabbit Rabbit!"; partial shutdown and the toilet problems it creates; updates on options for Bluetooth keyboards; some extremely random and anecdotal reckoning ...

406: Peak Burger Decay from 2018-12-24T17:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year, so the boys answer listener mail and get a little silly.

Happy Holidays, jackals.

Episode 406: Peak Burger Decay from 2018-12-24T11:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year, so the boys answer listener mail and get a little silly.

Happy Holidays, jackals.

Links for this episode...

405: Can You Feed Coke to Rocks? from 2018-12-18T19:30

Discussed: the harsh mistress of holidays, Hanukah presents, Cash's cool gift, the joys of good UX, some excellent very good recommendations, an exciting Science experiment involving hamburgers, ki...

Episode 405: Can You Feed Coke to Rocks? from 2018-12-18T13:30

Discussed: the harsh mistress of holidays, Hanukah presents, Cash's cool gift, the joys of good UX, some excellent very good recommendations, an exciting Science experiment involvin...

404: Very Advanced Camping from 2018-12-11T21:00

Discussed: Merlin worries that Dan is getting ground down; web sites are getting very thirsty; Dan thinks it's like pads in football; Dan has updates and more thoughts about doing development work ...

Episode 404: Very Advanced Camping from 2018-12-11T15:00

Discussed: Merlin worries that Dan is getting ground down; web sites are getting very thirsty; Dan thinks it's like pads in football; Dan has updates and more thoughts about doing d...

403: It's Just a Salad from 2018-12-04T18:30

Discussed: Why Tuesday is the optimistic day; pourover coffee for Dan's wife; confirm shaming; updates on iPad keyboards and covers; approximately annual history of "Bawk Bawk!"; some thoughts on F...

Episode 403: It's Just a Salad from 2018-12-04T12:30

Discussed: Why Tuesday is the optimistic day; pourover coffee for Dan's wife; confirm shaming; updates on iPad keyboards and covers; approximately annual history of "Bawk Bawk!"; so...

402: Watches & Barbecue from 2018-11-27T20:15

Discussed: Thanksgiving; spatchcock chicken; kids and their stupid eating; Dan's concern about how we talk to each other; Merlin encourages people to try not to be terrible.

Also, some odd...

Episode 402: Watches & Barbecue from 2018-11-27T14:15

Discussed: Thanksgiving; spatchcock chicken; kids and their stupid eating; Dan's concern about how we talk to each other; Merlin encourages people to try not to be terrible.

401: Carrier Fluid from 2018-11-20T23:00

Discussed this week: Dan's MOSH setup on iPad; Dan's new NEW iPad; ease of setup on iOS; some iOS photo editing app recommendations; two things Merlin learned this week; and a little rant about how...

Episode 401: Carrier Fluid from 2018-11-20T17:00

Discussed this week: Dan's MOSH setup on iPad; Dan's new NEW iPad; ease of setup on iOS; some iOS photo editing app recommendations; two things Merlin learned this week; an...

400: In The Penal Colony from 2018-11-12T22:00

Dan and Merlin talk about their first week using the new iPad Pro.

Episode 400: In The Penal Colony from 2018-11-12T16:00

Dan and Merlin talk about their first week using the new iPad Pro.

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399: Blue Whale Salt from 2018-11-06T21:45

Discussed this week: coffee water, voting, inertia, new iPads on the way, difficult buying decisions, returning merchandise (as a thing), some TV suggestions, Dan's new ODROID, 80s video game nosta...

Episode 399: Blue Whale Salt from 2018-11-06T15:45

Discussed this week: coffee water, voting, inertia, new iPads on the way, difficult buying decisions, returning merchandise (as a thing), some TV suggestions, Dan's new ODROID, 80s ...

398: So Much Unnecessary Beauty from 2018-10-30T19:45

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about Apple's Fall event in Brooklyn today. They liked the event.

Episode 398: So Much Unnecessary Beauty from 2018-10-30T14:45

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about Apple's Fall event in Brooklyn today. They liked the event.

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397: My Manager is Water from 2018-10-23T17:45

Discussed: nailing it, the optimistic valence of Tuesdays, difficulties finding replacement parts on Amazon, headphone preferences, Alexa's service outage and new whisper mode, Austin's big water c...

Episode 397: My Manager is Water from 2018-10-23T12:45

Discussed: nailing it, the optimistic valence of Tuesdays, difficulties finding replacement parts on Amazon, headphone preferences, Alexa's service outage and new whisper mode, Aust...

396: Bean in the Sleeve from 2018-10-16T16:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the FitBit Charge 3 and where it fits into their worlds—as well its place in the larger tracker and smart watch ecosystems.

Excursions also include: Br...

Episode 396: Bean in the Sleeve from 2018-10-16T11:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the FitBit Charge 3 and where it fits into their worlds—as well its place in the larger tracker and smart watch ecosystems.

Excu...

395: My Sleeves are Dynamic from 2018-10-09T21:00

Discussed: the tyranny of earliness, the benefits of timeliness, an interesting horology episode about Apple Watch, more watch talk, a blog recommendation, a quick look at Merlin's new FitBit, an u...

Episode 395: My Sleeves are Dynamic from 2018-10-09T16:00

Discussed: the tyranny of earliness, the benefits of timeliness, an interesting horology episode about Apple Watch, more watch talk, a blog recommendation, a quick look at Merlin's ...

394: Dead or Angry from 2018-10-02T18:00

This week: some TV and movie stuff, Dark Mode and accessibility, OS stability and beta temptation, Merlin has an anecdote, the powers and frustrations of Siri via Apple Watch, updates to the Fitbit...

Episode 394: Dead or Angry from 2018-10-02T13:00

This week: some TV and movie stuff, Dark Mode and accessibility, OS stability and beta temptation, Merlin has an anecdote, the powers and frustrations of Siri via Apple Watch, updat...

393: Legacy Meat Stuff from 2018-09-25T21:45

This week, Merlin's got a LOT going on. Full Catastrophe Living!

Discussed: booger colors, some tv and movies, a dream deferred, various X-Persons, loving GoodTask 3, plus Dan and Merlin j...

Episode 393: Legacy Meat Stuff from 2018-09-25T16:45

This week, Merlin's got a LOT going on. Full Catastrophe Living!

Discussed: booger colors, some tv and movies, a dream deferred, various X-Persons, loving G...

392: Gentleman's Calling from 2018-09-18T18:30

A classic odds-and-sods episode, featuring important discussions about sleep tracking, the Apple Watch, Succession, sound bars, Chris Nolan's Batman, and Nintendo Online.

Episode 392: Gentleman's Calling from 2018-09-18T13:30

A classic odds-and-sods episode, featuring important discussions about sleep tracking, the Apple Watch, Succession, sound bars, Chris Nolan's Batman, and Nintendo Online.

391: The September Issue from 2018-09-11T21:00

Discussed: upcoming Apple announcements; do people with bigger screens use more apps more often?; some follow-up on adaptive testing; and comics for kids.

Your hosts answer a listener ques...

Episode 391: The September Issue from 2018-09-11T16:00

Discussed: upcoming Apple announcements; do people with bigger screens use more apps more often?; some follow-up on adaptive testing; and comics for kids.

Your hosts...

390: A Festive Merry-Go-Round for the Very Lonely from 2018-09-04T21:15

Skype gets way too ambitious; sprinkling sauce on a service; a mandatory social network for doorbells; Dan acquires a new deity; some excellent listener follow-up on Computerized Adaptive Testing; ...

Episode 390: A Festive Merry-Go-Round for the Very Lonely from 2018-09-04T16:15

Skype gets way too ambitious; sprinkling sauce on a service; a mandatory social network for doorbells; Dan acquires a new deity; some excellent listener fo...

389: Butt Baking from 2018-08-28T19:30

Discussed: homework and testing; wallets and wallet philosophies; things to learn from wallet philosophy; how to fall asleep; watching Star Trek; Dan's new smart speaker; Merlin yells at Alexa seve...

Episode 389: Butt Baking from 2018-08-28T14:30

Discussed: homework and testing; wallets and wallet philosophies; things to learn from wallet philosophy; how to fall asleep; watching Star Trek; Dan's new smart speaker; M...

388: Defcon Water from 2018-08-21T19:30

Discussed: courting a vegetarian; The Information Problem; FU on Dan's new slide remote and keyboard; also, belts; travel pre-screening options; a recommended article on hypocognition; Dan saw IT; ...

Episode 388: Defcon Water from 2018-08-21T14:30

Discussed: courting a vegetarian; The Information Problem; FU on Dan's new slide remote and keyboard; also, belts; travel pre-screening options; a recommended article on Listen

387: Deploy the Dongle from 2018-08-17T03:00

Discussed: tech that's gotten so much more dependable (and, yeah, so much less dependable); Dan needs a new presenter remote; Marvel's First Family (finally) returns; who would win if The Hulk foug...

Episode 387: Deploy the Dongle from 2018-08-16T22:00

Discussed: tech that's gotten so much more dependable (and, yeah, so much less dependable); Dan needs a new presenter remote; Marvel's First Family (finall...

386: Cherry Brown from 2018-08-07T19:45

Discussed: Merlin sounds like a saxophone, keyboards are extensively discussed, pros and cons of various MacsBooks Pro, Dan likes using one monitor, pining for best-of-class hardware from Cupertino...

Episode 386: Cherry Brown from 2018-08-07T14:45

Discussed: Merlin sounds like a saxophone, keyboards are extensively discussed, pros and cons of various MacsBooks Pro, Dan likes using one monitor, pining for best-of-clas...

385: A Picture of a Clown from 2018-07-31T19:30

Discussed: current monospaced font preferences, experimenting with text sizing, getting on the sucker list, old McDonalds had some styrofoam, new tech that would kill old stories, kids bewilderment...

Episode 385: A Picture of a Clown from 2018-07-31T14:30

Discussed: current monospaced font preferences, experimenting with text sizing, getting on the sucker list, old McDonalds had some styrofoam, new tech that would kill old stories, k...

384: Cosmic Jazz Hands from 2018-07-24T20:00

Merlin really likes the ones where Dan prepares.

Discussed: four-twenty in The Mile High state, some tv and movie recommendations, the creativity that comes from constraints, The Informati...

Episode 384: Cosmic Jazz Hands from 2018-07-24T15:00

Merlin really likes the ones where Dan prepares.

Discussed: four-twenty in The Mile High state, some tv and movie recommendations, the creativity that comes from con...

383: Funding the Unicorn from 2018-07-10T19:00

This week: Dan may or may not be sanguine, and Merlin is having another meetup; comics, movie and TV discussion (and recommendations) abound; Cash is impatient for a red DS; the magic of ubiquitous...

Episode 383: Funding the Unicorn from 2018-07-10T14:00

This week: Dan may or may not be sanguine, and Merlin is having another meetup; comics, movie and TV discussion (and recommendations) abound; Cash is impatient for a red DS...

382: Bad Tech Dad from 2018-07-03T20:00

Dan's ex-cold, some media recommendations, strobe light problems, Dan's new phone, bad eyeglasses, your fault versus your problem, plus listener feedback about estimating hours and costs.

Episode 382: Bad Tech Dad from 2018-07-03T15:00

Dan's ex-cold, some media recommendations, strobe light problems, Dan's new phone, bad eyeglasses, your fault versus your problem, plus listener feedback about estimating hours and ...

381: Sandwich Doctor from 2018-06-26T19:30

Discussed this week: head colds, Florida, vitamin shots, Pleiades, Pigeon Pose, a new kind of spam, some media recommendations, iOS 12, and a listener question about a job they just don’t wanna do....

Episode 381: Sandwich Doctor from 2018-06-26T14:30

Discussed this week: head colds, Florida, vitamin shots, Pleiades, Pigeon Pose, a new kind of spam, some media recommendations, iOS 12, and a listener question about a job they just...

380: Chung Chung Machine from 2018-06-12T19:45

Follow-up on the Benjamin family phone plan, what it's like to use a phone that's not a phone anymore, excitement for Siri Shortcuts, an AR measurement app recommendation, Dan's new TV recommendati...

Episode 380: Chung Chung Machine from 2018-06-12T14:45

Follow-up on the Benjamin family phone plan, what it's like to use a phone that's not a phone anymore, excitement for Siri Shortcuts, an AR measurement app recommendation, Dan's new...

379: Permanent Hole from 2018-06-05T19:30

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about some of their favorite announcements at the big computer show.

They also deep dive into how to handle the Benjamin family's need for a new phone.

Episode 379: Permanent Hole from 2018-06-05T14:30

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about some of their favorite announcements at the big computer show.

They also deep dive into how to handle the Benjamin family's need...

378: A Hong Kong Phooey Situation from 2018-05-29T19:30

Discussed this week: media dustups, the deleterious career effects of social media, a week or so of Instagram, love of dogs, a podcast appearance, two great services for spotting fake Amazon review...

Episode 378: A Hong Kong Phooey Situation from 2018-05-29T14:30

Discussed this week: media dustups, the deleterious career effects of social media, a week or so of Instagram, love of dogs, a podcast appearance, two great services for spotting fa...

377: Packs a Lot of Lux from 2018-05-22T19:30

Discussed: trust my method, beards, foo bar baz, casting Mysterio, villains of Peter Spiderman, an unpaid debt to Dan, medieval electric billing, endorsing Evil Genius and Belief, the power of Spot...

Episode 377: Packs a Lot of Lux from 2018-05-22T14:30

Discussed: trust my method, beards, foo bar baz, casting Mysterio, villains of Peter Spiderman, an unpaid debt to Dan, medieval electric billing, endorsing Evil Genius and ...

376: Alexa, Light It Up! from 2018-05-15T19:30

Discussed: lame patents, Salvador Dalí, allergy season, backpack discrimination, friend cosplay, things Dan can't say, AT&T woes, Merlin saw a bear, a YouTube rabbit hole, and some excellent hi...

Episode 376: Alexa, Light It Up! from 2018-05-15T14:30

Discussed: lame patents, Salvador Dalí, allergy season, backpack discrimination, friend cosplay, things Dan can't say, AT&T woes, Merlin saw a bear, a YouTube rabbit hole, and s...

375: Night Punching from 2018-05-08T20:15

Discussed: time flies, nesting dolls, cloud saves for Switch, oy vey the service subscriptions, wheat and chess boards, WiFi and health, abdomen cinchers, more Netflix recommendations, the hollow f...

Episode 375: Night Punching from 2018-05-08T15:15

Discussed: time flies, nesting dolls, cloud saves for Switch, oy vey the service subscriptions, wheat and chess boards, WiFi and health, abdomen cinchers, more Netflix recommendatio...

374: Pouchboy from 2018-05-01T19:45

Discussed: places that are closed, dinosaur eyes that follow you, a TV show about makeup, some thoughts on Infinity War, the joy of content that really nails the medium, more on B2W shirts, Merlin ...

Episode 374: Pouchboy from 2018-05-01T14:45

Discussed: places that are closed, dinosaur eyes that follow you, a TV show about makeup, some thoughts on Infinity War, the joy of content that really nails the medium, mo...

373: Red Cheekums from 2018-04-24T20:30

Discussed: Dan's gummi vitamins, vitamins in general, the childhood shame of those weird plaque pills, exotic sickness images, Fifth Disease comes to Austin, Dan's car troubles, Faraday Cages and h...

Episode 373: Red Cheekums from 2018-04-24T15:30

Discussed: Dan's gummi vitamins, vitamins in general, the childhood shame of those weird plaque pills, exotic sickness images, Fifth Disease comes to Austin, Dan's car troubles, Far...

372: Hole That Rabbit from 2018-04-17T19:45

This week, the boys discuss Drafts, The Archive, Merlin's love of Spotify, some great playlists, and weird rules for cheerleaders.

In extensive follow-up, your hosts talk about the listene...

Episode 372: Hole That Rabbit from 2018-04-17T14:45

This week, the boys discuss Drafts, The Archive, Merlin's love of Spotify, some great playlists, and weird rules for cheerleaders.

In extensive follow-up, your hosts...

371: Avocado People from 2018-04-10T20:45

Bula vinaka, bee tee dubs nation! This is an epic odds and sods episode, replete with TV follow-up, font follow-up, and Wild, Wild Country follow-up, along with book recommendations, happy Splatoon...

Episode 371: Avocado People from 2018-04-10T15:45

Bula vinaka, bee tee dubs nation! This is an epic odds and sods episode, replete with TV follow-up, font follow-up, and Wild, Wild Country follow-up, along with book recomm...

370: King Jeremy the Wicked from 2018-04-03T21:00

This week, Dan and Merlin discuss Jessica Jones and the problem of super power constitution, plus some more Netflix recommendations ("Look away! Looooook awaaaaay!"). They also do a dive into updat...

Episode 370: King Jeremy the Wicked from 2018-04-03T16:00

This week, Dan and Merlin discuss Jessica Jones and the problem of super power constitution, plus some more Netflix recommendations ("Look away! Looooook awaaaaay!"). They ...

369: Comic Blood from 2018-03-27T18:00

This week, your hosts say "Bula Vinaka!" They also discuss phone cards, some Netflix recommendations, Merlin's phone usage, and "accidentally" getting punched in the face by your kid. Of course,...

Episode 369: Comic Blood from 2018-03-27T13:00

This week, your hosts say "Bula Vinaka!" They also discuss phone cards, some Netflix recommendations, Merlin's phone usage, and "accidentally" getting punched in the fac...

368: Call the Mouse Guy from 2018-03-20T21:00

This week, your hosts discuss Steely Dan, digital mastering, The Police, Dune, high-quality VCRs, and Dan's brother-in-law's close call.

Next, they dive into a fascinating article on why p...

Episode 368: Call the Mouse Guy from 2018-03-20T16:00

This week, your hosts discuss Steely Dan, digital mastering, The Police, Dune, high-quality VCRs, and Dan's brother-in-law's close call.

Next, they dive into a fasci...

367: A Favorite Child from 2018-03-13T19:30

This week, your hosts talk about some stuff they're doing, loving Spotify, some Echo podcast-listening tips, the attraction of Google Drive, some thoughts on backup strategies, getting swole, the j...

Episode 367: A Favorite Child from 2018-03-13T14:30

This week, your hosts talk about some stuff they're doing, loving Spotify, some Echo podcast-listening tips, the attraction of Google Drive, some thoughts on backup strategies, gett...

366: Five Sides of the Street from 2018-03-06T20:45

This week, your hosts talk about using Windows, technology modalities, making sane decisions as a developer, reality TV, 20th anniversary of The Dude, Merlin's new fondness for Spotify, analyzing t...

Episode 366: Five Sides of the Street from 2018-03-06T14:45

This week, your hosts talk about using Windows, technology modalities, making sane decisions as a developer, reality TV, 20th anniversary of The Dude, Merlin's new fondness for Spot...

365: Volume Eight from 2018-02-27T20:30

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about weather as a thing and giving up on Cash's dumb iPad problem. This leads to discussion about the risks, opportunities, and frustrations of having lots of data i...

Episode 365: Volume Eight from 2018-02-27T14:30

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about weather as a thing and giving up on Cash's dumb iPad problem. This leads to discussion about the risks, opportunities, and frustrations of havin...

364: The New Fudge from 2018-02-20T22:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk a little too much about Harry Potter, but also manage to cover some other media properties as well as the shockingly limited options for British casting. Dan has a ne...

Episode 364: The New Fudge from 2018-02-20T16:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk a little too much about Harry Potter, but also manage to cover some other media properties as well as the shockingly limited options for British casti...

363: She's My Horcrux from 2018-02-13T22:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about lots of recent experiences with the weird and often-frustrating world of streaming TV. What a mess.

There's also some discussion of sauna suits, The Ea...

Episode 363: She's My Horcrux from 2018-02-13T16:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about lots of recent experiences with the weird and often-frustrating world of streaming TV. What a mess.

There's also some discussion...

362: A Yuck and a Yum from 2018-02-06T22:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the Eagles' big win, what constitutes a catch, Dan's cool new shirt, Merlin's surprisingly positive interactions with Kabletown, the seeming magic of Movies Any...

Episode 362: A Yuck and a Yum from 2018-02-06T16:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the Eagles' big win, what constitutes a catch, Dan's cool new shirt, Merlin's surprisingly positive interactions with Kabletown, the seeming mag...

361: Caveman Arithmetic from 2018-01-30T21:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about crazy kids' homework, Dan's exciting nerd field trips in the Bay Area, the magic of PIXAR, a handy Netflix companion site, and using Siri on Apple TV.

...

Episode 361: Caveman Arithmetic from 2018-01-30T15:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about crazy kids' homework, Dan's exciting nerd field trips in the Bay Area, the magic of PIXAR, a handy Netflix companion site, and using Siri on App...

360: I Haven't Lost My Knife from 2018-01-24T14:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk a lot about writing and respond to feedback from listeners.

Episode 360: I Haven't Lost My Knife from 2018-01-24T08:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk a lot about writing and respond to feedback from listeners.

Links for this episode:

• Listen

359: You Can't See Inside the Dog from 2018-01-16T23:00

This week, Dan has some weather, Cash makes a battery, homework can be a silly drag, management is about scalability and quantification, how to figure out how much you have to do, 80s movies can be...

Episode 359: You Can't See Inside the Dog from 2018-01-16T17:00

This week, Dan has some weather, Cash makes a battery, homework can be a silly drag, management is about scalability and quantification, how to figure out how much you have to do, 8...

358: Dumb Ohio Mouth from 2018-01-09T22:45

This week, your hosts cover some odds and sods, share some recommendations, design some fantasy podcast apps, and introduce an exciting new feature involving the Internet Science Site.

The...

Episode 358: Dumb Ohio Mouth from 2018-01-09T16:45

This week, your hosts cover some odds and sods, share some recommendations, design some fantasy podcast apps, and introduce an exciting new feature involving the Internet Science Si...

357: Scrolling Carousel of Pain from 2018-01-02T22:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about why they're trending, an exciting update on the Mr. Robot ATV bug, the frustrating opacity of using Apple's stuff, Dan's love for Nintendo Switch, nostalgia for...

Episode 357: Scrolling Carousel of Pain from 2018-01-02T16:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about why they're trending, an exciting update on the Mr. Robot ATV bug, the frustrating opacity of using Apple's stuff, Dan's love for Ninte...

356: Politics or Gender or Iron Man from 2017-12-29T22:45

The boys wrap up a big year—a huge year—with an unintentionally thematic episode about feelings, expectations, nostalgia, and the black boxes of life, technological and otherwise.

Episode 356: Politics or Gender or Iron Man from 2017-12-29T16:45

The boys wrap up a big year—a huge year—with an unintentionally thematic episode about feelings, expectations, nostalgia, and the black boxes of life, technological and oth...

355: Eleven Dollars and a Bottle of Yoo-hoo from 2017-12-19T21:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about keyboard preferences (and their noises), Merlin catching Dan's weird "Mr. Robot" bug on Apple TV, feedback about "inside jokes," exclusion as a weapon, more goo...

Episode 355: Eleven Dollars and a Bottle of Yoo-hoo from 2017-12-19T15:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about keyboard preferences (and their noises), Merlin catching Dan's weird "Mr. Robot" bug on Apple TV, feedback about "inside jokes," exclusion as a ...

354: One Whale from 2017-12-12T22:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about (partial) resolution to Dan's Apple TV bug, some venting about delivery problems, general complaining about customer service, a good TV podcast episode, a very ...

Episode 354: One Whale from 2017-12-12T16:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about (partial) resolution to Dan's Apple TV bug, some venting about delivery problems, general complaining about customer service, a good TV podcast ...

353: Superagency from 2017-12-05T21:00

This week, Dan and Merlin discuss theories on Dan's Mr. Robot/Apple TV bug, living in an opinion bubble, an update on flu shot efficacy, Dan's recent insane mail delivery, speculation on how giant ...

Episode 353: Superagency from 2017-12-05T15:00

This week, Dan and Merlin discuss theories on Dan's Mr. Robot/Apple TV bug, living in an opinion bubble, an update on flu shot efficacy, Dan's recent insane mail delivery, speculati...

352: Get Away From My Formular! from 2017-12-01T02:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about…so many things. Merlin had a lot of coffee.

Big topics include:


Flickr nostalgia (and smart photo backup tips)
Dan's crazy Apple TV b...

Episode 352: Get Away From My Formular! from 2017-11-30T20:00

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about…so many things. Merlin had a lot of coffee.

Big topics include:

• Flickr nostalgia (and smart photo back...
  Listen

351: Your Chest Is a Tunnel from 2017-11-21T21:15

This week, your hosts discuss: holiday disruptions, life patterns, the joys of regularity, discovering unnecessary existential vulnerabilities, scheduling as a video game, getting your head around ...

Episode 351: Your Chest Is a Tunnel from 2017-11-21T15:15

This week, your hosts discuss: holiday disruptions, life patterns, the joys of regularity, discovering unnecessary existential vulnerabilities, scheduling as a video game, getting y...

350: Stacking Stones and Inspiration from 2017-11-14T21:45

TOPIC: Integrity and Fear.

This week your hosts discuss: sandwiches, solar power, some recent movies and what makes them memorable (or not), the glory of Edgar Wright, fun movie commentari...

Episode 350: Stacking Stones and Inspiration from 2017-11-14T15:45

TOPIC: Integrity and Fear.

This week your hosts discuss: sandwiches, solar power, some recent movies and what makes them memorable (or not), the glo...

349: The Kid Who Never Won Anything from 2017-11-07T16:00

TOPIC: Trials, Trophies, and Trying Harder.

This week, the boys arrive from either the past or future to talk about Dan's spoon problem, the refuse racket, the slog of incremental improvem...

Episode 349: The Kid Who Never Won Anything from 2017-11-07T10:00

TOPIC: Trials, Trophies, and Trying Harder.

This week, the boys arrive from either the past or future to talk about Dan's spoon problem, the refuse ...

348: Optionitis from 2017-10-31T20:00

Dan and Merlin talk about Halloween, the Chromebook, Apple, WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), and hair removal.

Episode 348: Optionitis from 2017-10-31T15:00

Dan and Merlin talk about Halloween, the Chromebook, Apple, WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), and hair removal.

Links for this episode:

• Listen

347: Beast Coast from 2017-10-24T19:00

TOPIC: Too much ambiguity in time.

This week, your hosts discuss hot weather adjustments, Merlin's Skype woes, the state of the union on Skype replacement contenders, ruminations on Mac tr...

Episode 347: Beast Coast from 2017-10-24T14:00

TOPIC: Too much ambiguity in time.

This week, your hosts discuss hot weather adjustments, Merlin's Skype woes, the state of the union on Skype repla...

346: Disagreement of the Genders from 2017-10-23T22:00

TOPIC: Turns out.

This week, the boys talk about audio problems, hot dogs, kegeling, Merlin's next meet-up, Tsum Tsums, comic suggestions, Battle of the Sexes, excellent recent TV series, ...

Episode 346: Disagreement of the Genders from 2017-10-23T17:00

TOPIC: Turns out.

This week, the boys talk about audio problems, hot dogs, kegeling, Merlin's next meet-up, Tsum Tsums, comic suggestions, Battl...