Eighteen years of Category5 Technology TV... can you believe it? Robbie Ferguson is joined by long-time co-host and fan favorite Sasha Rickman, visiting all the way from Newfoundland, for a nostalgic deep dive into the tech, gadgets, and moments that shaped nearly two decades of Category5. From life on the East Coast (bees, cod fisheries, crab vending machines, goats and more) to the challenges of staying connected with rural Internet, Sasha shares what it's really been like living on the east coast of Canada. Then we take a fun â road tripâ through the tech history of the show: boogie boards, gimbals, retro gaming handhelds, Kingston drives, spinners vs SSDs, and the legendary gadgets that stood the test of time... plus a few that sadly got away. Whether you grew up with Category5 Technology TV, love retro tech, or just enjoy hearing the behind-the-scenes stories that made the show what it is, this special anniversary episode has something for every tech fan. Thanks for joining us on the Drive! Letâ s celebrate 18 years of Cat5 together.

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/12/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 44 Minutes

0:00 Introduction
1:13 Sasha Rickman Traveled from Newfoundland to Barrie
1:56 St. John's International Airport Frozen Seafood Vending Machine
2:52 Fresh Seafood Is Better Than Imports
3:45 Seafood's Impact on Newfoundland Economy
5:04 Sasha's Tech-Shock Moving from Ontario to Newfoundland
8:31 Category5 TV Studio D's Internet Challenges
10:21 How Starlink Brought Sasha's Remote Work to Rural Newfoundland
12:37 Human vs. AI Chatbot Tech Support and How Sasha Proves She's Real
14:38 Robbie's Dream: NEMS Linux Growth to Include Phone Support
15:20 Timezone Difference makes Newfoundland Great for Tech Support
16:32 Best Ontario Wildflower and Clover Honey: Cherry Creek Apiaries
16:46 Sasha's Dream of Starting an Apiary
17:39 Barnyard Animals Sasha Can Keep ... If She Can Convince Her Husband
19:34 Commercial Break
20:51 Reminiscing Over 18 Years of Category5 Technology TV
21:38 Memorable Products Reviewed
22:07 Defunct Product Favorite: PasswordBox
23:26 Defunct Product Favorite: PogoPlug
25:11 Defunct Product Favorite: Bring TIM!
28:34 Tech Favorite That Lasts Forever: Kingston SSDs, RAM and USB Flash Drives
30:14 Why People Still Use Spinning Hard Drives
32:35 Tech Favorite That Lasts Forever: Boogie Board
36:11 Tech Favorite That Lasts Forever: DJI Osmo 4K (Now Osmo Pocket 4)
39:40 Adding a Gimbal to Your Smartphone
40:44 Tech Favorite We Tried to Review: AtGames SEGA Genesis Ultimate Portable
41:58 Retro Gaming with RetroPi: Perfect Party Entertainment
42:59 Call for Comments
43:26 Extro

Let's drive into data security. From the complexities of cryptocurrency wallet keys to protecting your passwords and setting up encrypted backup solutions, Robbie and Jeff share practical advice to protect your data and plan for emergencies. Discover how to ensure your family has access to critical files, avoid the pitfalls of forgotten passwords, and create resilient backup strategies that will save you time, money, and stress. Whether you're managing tech infrastructure or just safeguarding personal files, this episode offers something for everyone. Plus, hear the guys' thoughts on Christmas commercialization, LED Halloween pumpkins, and why a working Pi-hole is a game changer for home networks.

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/11/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 40 Minutes 56 Seconds

0:00 Introduction
1:40 Seasons Change: Driving In The Dark
2:00 Commercialization of the Christmas Season
4:32 Smart LED Christmas Lights and DIY Pumpkin Lights
6:43 Wyze Smart Doorbell Catching Halloween Looters
8:56 The Problem of Pre-Paying for Drive-Thru Orders
10:37 Supporting Less Fortunate in a Cashless Society
15:10 Commercial Break
16:39 Accessing, Trading and Exchanging Cryptocurrency
24:48 Jeff's Forgotten Pi-hole root Password and Fixing a Full Filesystem
30:59 Using logrotate.d to Maintain Log File Directories
32:06 Ensuring Your Disk Doesn't Get Full Using NEMS Proactive Monitoring
33:32 A Failed Pi-Hole Reveals How Ad-Laden the Internet Is
34:02 Remembering Your root Password, Or Storing it Securely
34:53 Kingston DataTraveler 2000 - Small Encrypted USB Flash Drive
35:31 Kingston IronKey Vault Privacy 80 External SSD
36:21 Data Security Tips and Tricks
37:38 Passwords and Files: What Happens When I Die? Passing On Data to Next of Kin
40:19 End Credits

Bill Marshall joins Robbie to explore the fascinating world of Raspberry Pi clusters, the tech shaping our future, and the challenges that come with DIY projects. We also discuss smart cities, focusing on Innisfil's cutting-edge plans. We'll discuss the importance of open-source communities, balancing personal time with tech projects and customer support challenges. From troubleshooting a Raspberry Pi 4 1GB crash to building a quorum system for Proxmox, we drive into the learning process behind microcomputing, the power of tinkering, and the creativity that fuels innovation.

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/10/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 43 Minutes 25 Seconds

0:00 Introduction
1:07 Late Apex Simulators in Barrie
1:54 Barrie Downtown Construction Along Lakeshore 2024
2:19 Pirate Adventure Cruise by Pirate Life Theatre in Barrie
2:58 Nerdy Greeting: A Raspberry Pi 4 1GB
4:14 Raspberry Pi 4 1GB is Perfect for NEMS Linux Testing
6:46 Bill Keeps Robbie In-Line with the NEMS Linux Community
7:41 Finding Time for Maker Projects
9:07 Proxmox QuorumPi - Two-Node Proxmox Clusters with Quorum Using a Raspberry Pi
12:12 Commercial Break
13:36 Clustering Raspberry Pi 4 with ICE Tower Coolers
17:59 Using the Cluster HAT to Control a Raspberry Pi Zero Cluster
19:13 Ignore Online Discouragers: The Process Is Worth It
24:45 Commercial Break
25:34 Is Contributing to Open Source Actually Helping?
26:49 The Challenges in Supporting Open Source Software
27:31 It's Okay to Disconnect / Mute
28:06 FOSS Users Sometimes Abuse Support Channels
32:31 Innisfil Ontario: The Orbit Smart City (Coming Soon?)
36:14 Smart City == Hermit Paradise
37:33 Retirement: Benefits of Less Property
38:24 The Challenge for Passionate FOSS Developers: Time & Responsibilities
39:09 Category5 Technology TV Studio E (vs Studio D)
39:49 How Bill Marshall Found Category5
40:40 Our Roaming Studio for Data Drive Podcast
40:57 Data Drive is Robbie's Maker Project
42:02 Learning Things and Challenging Ourselves Makes Maker Tech Worthwhile
42:45 Closing Remarks

Take a scenic drive of Barrie, Ontario streets, exploring the mystery of disconnected Barrie roads -- like Bryne Drive -- and the budding future tech scene in Barrie. Robbie and guest Bill Marshall explore nostalgic tech with miniature model trains and the exciting possibility of Raspberry Pi integration in these miniature worlds. Plus, we reflect on the rapid rise of tall buildings in Barrie. Tune in for a mix of urban exploration, nostalgic hobbies, and tech-driven discussions!

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/9/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 32 Minutes 32 Seconds

0:00 Introduction
0:51 Some Things Change in 6 Years, Some Things Don't
1:55 Bill Marshall Joins us from New York
2:45 The Tourist Episode: Barrie, Ontario
3:14 Road Pronunciations: Bryne Drive, Minet's Point, Essa Road and Dubois
4:49 The Mysterious Disconnected Roads of Barrie, Ontario
5:47 Technology Has Changed the Driving Experience
6:55 The Traffic of Richmond County, New York
7:44 There are 3 Bryne Drives in Barrie, Ontario
8:48 Bryne Drive # 2
9:32 The Rapid Blinking Blinker
11:36 Barrie is a Tech Hub in Ontario with Datacentres
12:23 The Problem with Building Houses
12:55 Barrie: A Commuter City Between Toronto and Muskoka
13:27 Cottage Country and Being "On The Grid"
16:24 We Can No Longer Truly Escape Being Connected
17:11 Commercial Break
19:16 Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery
19:54 Model Railroads: Remembering Our Childhood Train Sets
21:25 Using a 3D Printer and Static Grass to Improve Model Railroad Realism
22:57 HO vs O-Scale Model Railroads
23:14 Using a Raspberry Pi and Python Code to Augment a Model Railroad
25:25 Cutting Foam with a Hot Wire Instead of Knife
26:21 Entering Barrie, Ontario from Angus, Ontario
26:41 Barrie is Growing Up ... Literally
27:48 Barrie's Tallest Buildings Still Don't Compare to New York
28:50 The Upward Growth of Barrie, Ontario
30:24 Bryne Drive The Third
31:38 Closing Remarks

On this episode of Data Drive Podcast, Robbie and Jeff delve into the ever-evolving world of IT, discussing how technological advancements are shifting paradigms in the tech industry. From the impact of cloud computing and AI to the growing need for a security-first mindset, this conversation sheds light on the challenges and opportunities ahead. Whether youâ re an IT professional or just tech-curious, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of technology.

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/8/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 26 Minutes 5 Seconds

0:00 Introduction
0:51 Times Are Changing: Technology is Evolving
1:04 Don't Get Left Behind, IT Worker! The Paradigm is Shifting.
2:33 Tech Paradigm Shifts May Now Be More Subtle
4:02 Paradigm Shifts May Be Mindset-Based
5:54 Mobile-First Responsive Web Design is the Last Big Paradigm Shift
6:51 Security-First Mindset May Be the Next Big Paradigm Shift
8:17 Small Businesses Struggle With the Security-First Mindset
9:29 The Tech Solution: Hire a Third-Party SOC - Is It Realistic for SMB?
10:28 Commercial Break
11:13 Sponsor: Kingston Canvas Go! Plus MicroSD Cards
11:40 Sponsor: ameriDroid.com Home Automation and SBCs
11:57 Sponsor: VoyagerSystems.cloud IT Partner for Managed Technology
13:04 Jeff's Business Purchase Adventure
14:39 Business Sense: You Are Worth More, Because Consumers Demand Service
18:33 SMB Security Practices Require Reassessment
19:36 SMB Can't Afford Professional Cyber Security and IT Infrastructure
20:14 Consumer Information is at Risk
20:35 Security-First Businesses Are Crucial: Who Will Pay For It?
21:49 The Challenge with Free Products and Services: They Cost Money
22:26 Security-First Is Indeed The Next Paradigm Shift
23:25 Category5 Cybersecurity Chat Available For Hire
24:30 Inflation Costs Are Hurting Business
25:15 Closing Remarks

Jeff and Robbie debunk common tech myths and challenge stereotypes with hard evidence. Join us as we explore which countries rank as most tech-savvy and why, backed by solid data. From Singapore to Switzerland, discover who tops the charts in tech-savviness, IoT capabilities, and technological advancements. Don't miss out on this enlightening and entertaining discussion!

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/7/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 29 Minutes 42 Seconds

0:00 Introduction
0:47 Sponsor: Kingston Canvas Go! Plus MicroSD Cards
1:14 Sponsor: ameriDroid.com Home Automation and SBCs
1:30 Sponsor: VoyagerSystems.cloud IT Partner for Managed Technology
1:52 Jeff Breaks Down Tech Users into Two Categories
4:30 Accuracy of Reviews Depends on Context
5:27 Jeff Theorizes Geography Matters in Tech Savviness
8:44 North American Disposable Mindset Means Low Tech Know-How
10:53 Jeff Suggests North Americans are Actually Tech-Smart
11:32 Jeff Encounters the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon
12:40 Jeff Continues to Dig Himself a Giant Hole
14:18 Commercial Break
15:57 The Most Tech Savvy Countries for Internet of Things (IoT)
18:50 The Most Technological Expertise Per Country Per Capita
19:25 The Most Technologically Advanced Countries in the World
21:18 Switzerland Is Brainiest, Most Able to Create and Most Advanced
21:46 Jeff Redeems Himself
22:56 Why Switzerland so High on the Tech Lists: Garmin, Logitech, Proton Mail and Others
25:56 Robbie is Proud of Jeff
26:21 Data Drive: Useless Knowledge to Share with the Family
27:37 Edifier R1210T Speaker Follow Up: Jeff is a Dummy
29:08 Closing Remarks

Take a wild ride through some of the quirkiest and most pressing tech topics today. From the mystery of disappearing Jeep doors to ingenious home security hacks, this episode is packed with practical advice, humorous anecdotes, and a deep dive into online security. Plus, we explore the real threat to FOSS open source software developers: user behavior. Buckle up for a journey filled with humor, tech insights, and a bit of nerdy wit.

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/6/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 23 Minutes 13 Seconds

0:00 Introduction
0:47 Sponsor: Kingston Canvas Go! Plus MicroSD Cards
1:14 Sponsor: ameriDroid.com Home Automation and SBCs
1:30 Sponsor: VoyagerSystems.cloud IT Partner for Managed Technology
1:53 Jeep Door Theft is On The Rise
4:37 Securing Our Property Against Late-Night Prowlers
9:23 Interior Cameras Looking Outside at Night
10:30 Security Cameras Selling Cloud Service
10:51 Robbie's WyzeCams Use RTSP to Record to Multiple DVRs
12:49 Security of Connecting Smart Devices to the Internet
15:38 Technology Used for Nefarious Purposes Gives Great Tech a Bad Reputation
17:19 Jeff Wants to Force Users to Read Terms of Use Every Day
18:16 Time Wasters Who Don't Read Guides Hurt Open Source Development
22:13 Closing Remarks

Drive into the hidden dangers of AirTags and how they're being used to make commuters and tourists into unknowing smugglers, how doggy doors are allowing critters into Jeff's kitchen, reminisce about Unreal Tournament LAN parties, and learn to charge your customers what you're worth. Robbie and Jeff navigating the complex digital superhighway on another episode of Data Drive.

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/5/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 45 Minutes 11 Seconds

0:00 Responding to Listeners: Weight of Internal Combustion vs. Electric Vehicles
6:08 Introduction
7:00 Sponsor: Kingston Canvas Go! Plus MicroSD Cards
7:27 Sponsor: ameriDroid.com Home Automation and SBCs
7:44 Sponsor: VoyagerSystems.cloud IT Partner for Managed Technology
8:06 Something We Know: Teslas Are Heavy
8:16 Apple Airtags Being Applied to Unknowing Drivers' Cars for Smuggling
9:39 How To Block Apple Airtag Trackers
11:33 How Apple Devices Track Airtag Devices
13:16 Why Apple Airtags Are Used by Criminals and Smugglers
15:08 Waze Aggregates User Information From Other Users
16:00 Accidental Smugglers
16:27 Jeff Wants to Learn From These Criminals When Loaning Gear
17:42 Commercial Break
19:57 So... We Learn About Crutch Words
21:30 Jeff Needs a Doggy Door Improvement After a Critter Break-In
24:38 Making a Doggy Door Into a "Smart" Doggy Door with Wyze Sense
26:31 Grabbing a Starbucks "Captain Pike" Coffee
29:02 Under Construction: Bradford Bypass
30:01 Unreal Tournament 1999 GOTY Raspberry Pi Server Concept
30:56 Reminiscing About Our Early 2000's Unreal Tournament LAN Parties
34:52 Planning a Retro WAN Party With Listeners
37:13 Jeff Played Counterstrike, Team Fortress Classic and Warcraft 3
37:51 Lost Pastime: Legitimate PC LAN Parties, Complete with OEM Upgrades
39:56 Unreal Tournament is Ready for Modern Gaming Hardware
42:20 Charging What You're Worth
44:16 Final Thoughts