If you're buying a new computer, there is always the temptation to open it up, plug it in, and start using it. But what you should actually do is spend time installing the apps you'll need and setting up the hardware and peripherals. This week we talked about: Dell G5 5505 Gaming Laptop Review 15 Must-Have Windows Apps and Software for Any New PC Build a Raspberry Pi Cloud Drive With NextCloud 11 Things You Must Do With a Brand New Laptop This week, Christian Cawley and Ben Stegner are your host...
Jul 27, 2021•39 min•Season 8Ep. 8
You've heard of the Nintendo Switch, but what is the Nintendo Switch OLED? And why is Valve launching the Steam Deck portable gaming PC? Ths week's show looks at these two very different developments in mobile gaming, considers the rationale behind both, their potential strengths and weaknesses, and asks: which one would you buy? This week we discuss: Why the New Nintendo Switch (OLED) Is a Huge Disappointment Valve Finally Reveals the Steam Deck, Its $400 Nintendo Switch Competitor What Is Stea...
Jul 20, 2021•30 min•Season 8Ep. 7
When open-source software projects are bought by profit-driven software publishers, it's never an easy ride. With the introduction of telemtry to digital audio workstation Audacity, recently, its new owners have discovered just how tenuous a grip on their audience they really have. But what is all the fuss about? What is telemetry, anyway? This week's relevant links Audacity Introduces Controversial Privacy Policy Audacity Denies It Is Spying on Users Windows 10 Privacy Guide Audacity Fork Maint...
Jul 13, 2021•33 min•Season 8Ep. 6
Ransomware is huge in 2021, taking down businesses, government departments, gas pipelines, and worse to come. Now is the time to familiarise yourself with ransomware, the risks, how it gets onto your system, what happens to your data if you don't pay, and the risks of actually paying the ransomware. These are the links we used for this week's Really Useful Podcast. What Is Ransomware? What Is Babuk Locker Ransomware Gang? US Pipeline Ransomware Attack Darkside Ransomware Behind Pipeline Attack R...
Jul 06, 2021•38 min•Season 8Ep. 5
This week we take a look at some of the best DIY tech builds and fixes featured so far on the Really Useful Podcast. Featuring contributions from Christian Cawley, Ian Buckley, Gavin Phillips, and Ben Stegner Here are those all-important reference links for this week's show. Build Your Own HDTV Antenna DIY Computer Desk Projects to Save Money Fix a Scratched DVD How to Remove a Broken Headphone Jack Christian Cawley is your host this week. You can contact him on Twitter as @thegadgetmonkey with ...
Jun 29, 2021•32 min•Season 8Ep. 4
Are you safe online? Security software is expensive, but you don't have to spend money on it if you follow some straightforward, simple, computer and internet usage tips. This week's Really Useful Podcast looks at link checkers and other easy, "soft" online security tips that you can use to develop safer habits and behaviors online. In this week's show we used the following articles: How to Spot a Phishing Email Sites to Help You Check if Links Are Safe How to Safely Use Your Pet's Name as a Sec...
Jun 22, 2021•31 min•Season 8Ep. 3
Windows 11 is coming - but what can you expect from it? Is there really any need to replace Windows 10? This podcast looks at the coming Windows 11, what we know, what we can guess at, and what probably won't happen. This week's podcast features these stories: Windows 10 Support Ends in 2025 Windows Start Up Sounds Slo-fi Remix Eduard Khill Trololol 10 Hour Version Windows 11 - Is It Real? Windows 11 Has Been Leaked Christian Cawley and Gavin Philips host this week's show. Contact them on Twitte...
Jun 15, 2021•28 min•Season 8Ep. 2
Most new cars feature integration with a smartphone. While Apple iPhones are typically compatible, it's more than likely that you're using an Android phone. Android Auto is a useful handsfree in-car app from Google, designed to integrate your phone's apps with your automobile's entertainment system. You can also make calls using the digital assistant and generally enjoy safe use of mobile apps while driving. These are your links for this week's discussion. Android Auto updated to v6.6 What Andro...
Jun 08, 2021•28 min•Season 8Ep. 1
Using technology daily means that the keyboard, mouse, computer screen, earphones, etc., are going to get dirty. Knowing how to clean them doesn't just protect you from infections, it helps to prolong your tech's usable lifespan. In this week's show, we take a look at some of our best tech cleaning tips. This week you'll need to refer to the following links: Ways to Use Cleaning Slime or Putty Learn How to Clean Your Keyboard Thoroughly How to Safely Clean Airpods How to Clean an LCD Computer Sc...
Jun 01, 2021•25 min•Season 7Ep. 18
The age old question: do Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft produce the best console? Well, we're bypassing that and declaring the Nintendo Switch the winner. After all, it's lightweight, flexible, and designed with multiplayer in mind from the ground up. You might not get to enjoy intense single player or some AAA online multiplayer titles, but it is impossible to use the Nintendo Switch without having a whole bunch of fun. Shownotes Some useful links to help you with this week's show: Nintendo Handh...
May 26, 2021•39 min•Season 7Ep. 17
The world of cryptocurrency just doesn't seem to stop changing. With over 5000 different cryptocoins in circulation, new digital units of value need to stand out from the crowd in order to generate any sort of traction. In this week's show, we take a look at the resurgent Dogecoin (and learn how to pronounce it) and try to work out if Chia is really a "green" cryptocurrency. There's also a look at The Internet Computer, a new approach to decentralizing the internet. Shownotes Here are the useful...
May 18, 2021•33 min•Season 7Ep. 16
Vegan headphones might sound like the name of an indie band, but they're real. Headphones made without leather and using sustainable materials are just one of the ways in which using technology responsibly is becoming more important. This week, we take a look at sustainability in technology, and how things might change going forward. Shownotes This week's vital links: What Are Vegan Electronics The Best Vegan Headphones What Is Greenwashing? How Music Is Going Vegan Cutting Back Animal Products ...
May 11, 2021•31 min•Season 7Ep. 15
Dashcams might seem an expensive addition to your vehicle, but they are worth their weight in gold. In this week's podcast we look at dashcams, covering everything from looking at the best current models to the reasons to use a dashcam. We also consider the various steps you should take when installing a dashcam for the first time, and how you can save money by making your own dashcam with a free mobile app. Shownotes This week's vital links: Reasons to Use a Dashcam How to Choose a Dashcam Make...
May 05, 2021•28 min•Season 7Ep. 14
Kickstarter, Indiegogo, Unbound, Blurb... the opportunities for crowdfunding campaigns are massive these days. But if you've never backed a project on Kickstarter and don't really know what crowdfunding is - or if you have concerns over their reliability - we're here to help you out. Shownotes Here are this week's links for everything we discuss in the show. 3 Things to Consider Before Backing a Kickstarter Kickstarter Asks Creators to Be More Honest Tips for Running Your Own Crowdfunding Campai...
Apr 27, 2021•32 min•Season 7Ep. 13
You've seen the ads, online and on TV. Courses for learning to code, build mobile apps, even start designing video games. But how easy is it really to learn to code? To find out, Ian Buckley - a man with a bit of programing experience under his belt - is here to explain if you should learn to code, where to find good resources, and whether or not you should be paying for the pleasure... Shownotes Learn the MERN Stack Learn JavaScript While Playing Minecraft Gaming Retro UK Christian Cawley and I...
Apr 20, 2021•32 min•Season 7Ep. 12
Heard about Clubhouse but not really sure what social audio is all about? You've come to the right place. In this podcast we take a look at Clubhouse, its "exclusivity" and what alternatives are coming along from Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other existing social platforms. Use these links to learn more about Clubhouse in this week's show. What Is Clubhouse What Are the Alternatives to Clubhouse? Christian Cawley and Megan Ellis are your hosts. You can contact them on Twitter as @thegadgetmo...
Apr 13, 2021•34 min•Season 7Ep. 11
To celebrate 30 months since the launch of the Really Useful Podcast, we bring you a collection of the top 5 best tips from our most popular episodes. As such, Christian Cawley is joined by various members of the Really Useful Podcast team to cover diverse topics such as Windows keyboard shortcuts, problems with Skype, old PC games, Microsoft Office alternatives, and a what is Raspberry Pi. Shownotes We talk about so many things this week, but the following links will help you find the key resou...
Apr 06, 2021•32 min•Season 7Ep. 10
You've seen the term NFT but what does it mean? How can you buy digital art for $1000s without even owning it? What is the real ecological damage of cryptocurrency mining? And why are graphics cards so expensive? In this podcast we explore non-fungible tokens, the madness of this latest crypto bubble, whether cryptocurrency is as bad for the environment as some claim, and why there is a shortage of graphics cards. Some links to help you with this week's show: What Do You Own If You Buy an NFT? E...
Mar 31, 2021•29 min•Season 7Ep. 9
The Amazon Fire tablet is one of the most popular alternatives to Apple's iPad. Equipped with the Android-based Fire OS, these are versatile tablets aimed at the whole family. But are you getting the most our of your Amazon Fire tablet? Is the tablet really suitable for children or is it more geared towards a media consuming adult? How do you change the way it looks, or install games from Android Play? And what happens if you crack the screen? These questions, and more, are answered in this week...
Mar 23, 2021•31 min•Season 7Ep. 8
Some new Xbox and PS5 games are launching at around $70. Game controllers are around the same price. And if you can get hold of a next generation console, that's going to set you back a few hundred dollars too. So: is video gaming becoming to expensive? This week's discussion draws on these resources: Why Are PS5 and Xbox Series Games So Expensive? Best Sites for Video Game Price Alerts Ways to Improve Laptop Gaming Performance Activision Founders Launch Atari 2600 Game Company Defeat PS5 and Xb...
Mar 16, 2021•34 min•Season 7Ep. 7
You've probably heard of a Raspberry Pi, but how does this single-board computer (SBC) differ from a microcontroller? In this Really Useful Podcast, we discuss the Raspberry Pi and its clones, the Raspberry Pi Pico and other microcontrollers, and the Arduino. How do they differ? What projects suit each type of board? Click play to find out. Some resources for this week's show: Raspberry Pi Pico Review Arduino IDE 2 Beta Drops DeskPi Pro Raspberry Pi Case Review Raspberry Pi 400 Review Great Rasp...
Mar 09, 2021•36 min•Season 7Ep. 6
Everyone has an old phone or two at the back of a drawer. Your old PC might be stuck under a desk somewhere---meanwhile, you've switched to a laptop. Old hardware takes up space, but simply throwing it away is dangerous. Without the correct recycling techniques, discarded tech can be an ecological nightmare. Fortunately, there are various ways that you can recycle archaic tech, whether old phones, computers, PC components, media players, and even all that waste paper your printer invariably crea...
Mar 02, 2021•27 min•Season 7Ep. 5
If you have a YouTube channel, Twitch stream, podcast, Facebook page, Instagram account, or TikTok, you're probably keen to find and audience. But how do you find followers and build a following? This week, we take a look at the various techniques you can use across several social platforms and mediums. You may be surprised at how similar some of the techniques are... In this week's show: Build an Audience for Your Streaming Channel Promote Your Podcast and Find New Listeners Grow Your Podcast A...
Feb 23, 2021•29 min•Season 7Ep. 4
Have you updated your phone recently? Is Windows 10 up to date, or do you have updates pending? Why should you have to bother, anyway? In this week's podcast, we explore Windows Update, updating a Mac, iPhone or iPad, Android, and even game consoles. This week's useful links: Windows Update guide Update macOS How to Update Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X Update a PS4 or PS5 Update iPhone to Get Patched Christian Cawley and Ben Stegner are your hosts. You can contact them on Twitter as @thegadgetmon...
Feb 16, 2021•33 min•Season 7Ep. 3
Unresponsive or broken Xbox One controller? Problems getting it to connect to your console, or is there a broken thumbstick? Wish you could take your Xbox One with you when you head out? These challenges and more are the subject of this week's Really Useful Podcast.
Feb 09, 2021•23 min•Season 7Ep. 2
In this Really Useful Podcast we take a look at all you need to know about launching your own podcast. We explore what a podcast is, what yours might be about, how to record it, what apps you can use, and how to find free podcast hosting and list your show on Apple Podcasts. You'll also learn some tricks for promoting your podcast. This week's useful links: What is a podcast? How to start a podcast Android apps for recording podcasts Remove background noise with Audacity How to promote your podc...
Feb 02, 2021•34 min•Season 7Ep. 1
This week's Really Useful Podcast is hosted by Christian Cawley, with appearances by Gavin Philips, James Frew, and Ben Stegner. Look out for our other shows---subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on iTunes and YouTube (be sure to hit the bell icon to be notified of new episodes) for more tips.
Dec 22, 2020•12 min•Season 6Ep. 13
Heard about the Dark Web and want to know what it is all about? We've got answers to the questions you need in this week's Really Useful Podcast. Is the Dark Web illegal? Is it safe to access the Dark Web? What's the difference between the Dark Web and the Deep Web? Hit play to find the answers to these questions and more. This week's useful links: How to Access the Dark Web Dark Web Myths Debunked Online Accounts Traded on the Dark Web Best Dark Web Websites Little Known Corners of the Dark Web...
Dec 15, 2020•28 min•Season 6Ep. 12
You'll find these links useful for this week's Really Useful Podcast. What Is Right to Repair? Defend Your Right to Repair With Linux Once again, Christian Cawley and James Frew are this week's hosts. Follow them on Twitter as @thegadgetmonkey and @jimjamfroo . Look out for our other shows---subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube (be sure to hit the bell icon to be notified of new episodes) for more tips....
Dec 08, 2020•34 min•Season 6Ep. 11
You'll find these links useful for this week's Really Useful Podcast. 5 Features You'll Need in True Wireless In-Ear Headphones 6 Things You'll Need to Know When Buying Wireless Headphones Apple AirPods Vs. AirPods Pro: Which Is Right For You? Christian Cawley and James Frew are this week's hosts. Follow them on Twitter as @thegadgetmonkey and @jimjamfroo . Look out for our other shows---subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube (be sure to hit the bell icon to be noti...
Dec 01, 2020•26 min•Season 6Ep. 10
