Technology
Hardware, software, networking, and development
#2794: Build the Perfect Electronics Workbench in a Small Space
Chair first, then bench, then lighting. How to build a frustration-free electronics workstation in 60 square meters.
#2791: How to Pick a Marker That Actually Stays On
Why do “permanent” markers fail on plastic? The answer is polymer chemistry, not bad luck.
#2783: Can a DAP Cure Your Distraction Addiction?
A listener asks if anyone still makes a decent non-phone audio player. The answer is yes—with a few important caveats.
#2782: Are AI Data Centers Really New or Just Patched Together?
The real bottleneck isn't GPUs — it's power transformers. A look at the physics and economics of AI infrastructure.
#2776: Where Does Your Vercel Site Actually Live?
Your Vercel site lives everywhere and nowhere. Here's what's actually happening under the hood.
#2775: How to Stop Wasting 75% of Your Build Pipeline
Stop rebuilding your entire site for every single content change. Here's how debouncing and caching save time and money.
#2767: The Anonymous Virtuosos of Elevator Music
The surprising history of Muzak, the military general who invented it, and the session musicians who made music designed to be ignored.
#2764: Weatherproofing Electronics: Beyond the IP Rating Trap
How to run Ethernet outdoors without destroying your gear. Cable types, conduit tricks, and the condensation trap.
#2763: Do You Really Need VLANs at Home?
Is VLAN segmentation worth it for home networks, or is it just sysadmin cosplay?
#2762: Thread vs Zigbee: Multi-Floor Smart Home Networking
Can you mix Thread border routers from different brands across floors? Yes—here's how it actually works.
#2759: Why Your Smart Home Can't Mimic a Hotel
Can Zigbee and Matter handle a two-story house with outdoor devices? We break down mesh hops, latency, and real-world limits.
#2751: Moving Like a Pro: Tips from Roadies and Diplomats
What touring roadies and Foreign Service officers can teach you about packing up your home network and toddler's toys.
#2750: The Politics of Lighting Protocols
DMX, sACN, Eos vs. grandMA3—how the booth actually controls the lights.
#2728: Cleaning When You Can't Handle the Fumes
Vinegar and baking soda work, but not as disinfectants. Here’s what actually works for asthma-safe cleaning.
#2727: Your Kitchen Air Is Worse Than a Smoggy Day
Gas stoves spike NO2 above EPA limits in minutes. Here’s how to fix your kitchen air.
#2725: How to Inspect a Home Like a Pro
A retired pediatrician shares his pro-level checklist for viewing rentals and homes without getting fooled by staging.
#2718: Small Apartment Storage Without Going Minimalist
How to organize a small apartment without throwing everything out — using vertical space, zone storage, and the container concept.
#2716: Myrrh: The Ancient Resin Worth More Than Gold
Myrrh was once worth its weight in gold. Here's the botany, ancient trade, and medicinal chemistry behind it.
#2715: Why Studebaker Owners Are Different
What drives thousands of people to obsess over a car brand that died in 1966? It's more than nostalgia.
#2713: The PT Cruiser: Icon or Punchline?
Was the PT Cruiser a design triumph or a cultural joke? We break down its rise, fall, and strange legacy.