Technically Working Podcast Por Damashe Thomas and Michael Babcock arte de portada

Technically Working

Technically Working

De: Damashe Thomas and Michael Babcock
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"Welcome to 'Technically Working', the go-to podcast for tech enthusiasts and productivity seekers alike. Hosts Michael Babcock and Damashe Thomas take you on a journey through the ever-evolving world of technology and productivity. As Mac OS and iPhone users, they share their personal experiences and tips on staying productive while using these tools. But they don't stop there - they also explore other platforms like Android and Windows to bring you a comprehensive view of the tech landscape. Tune in each episode to hear them keep each other accountable, discuss the latest tools and strategies, and share their journey to reaching their goals. Whether you're a small business owner, freelancer, or simply looking to boost your productivity, 'Technically Working' is the perfect podcast for anyone looking to level up their tech skills and get things done."Copyright 2026
Episodios
  • #156 – Streaks, Macs, and Smart Locks

    #156 – Streaks, Macs, and Smart Locks
    Mar 29 2026

    Episode 156 opens with some breaking Apple news: the Mac Pro is officially dead. Damashe breaks down why that decision probably came down to Apple Silicon's unified memory architecture and what it means for professionals who relied on the Mac Pro's expandability. We trace the full arc from the original cheese grater to the ill-fated trash can and back again, and talk about why the Mac Studio is likely where Apple thinks that story ends.

    From there, we get into recording setups. Michael is back in the garage with a rug, a mic stand from Damashe, and the Vocaster running into an OWC dock. Damashe is on the Zoom P4 Next, and he breaks down how that compares to the Vocaster for anyone thinking about a step up, including what he likes, what he doesn't, and why locking XLR ports matter more than you'd think.

    We also share a few honest tips for improving your recording environment without buying new gear. Rugs, soft surfaces, and where you point your microphone matter more than most people realize.

    Then: the Todoist situation. Michael came home from CSUN with a 114-day streak that didn't survive the trip. He explains what happened, how he's building back, and what his 7,000-plus completed tasks say about how he actually uses the app. Damashe broke his streak around the same time for a much more relatable reason.

    The back half of the episode is dedicated to a question from Chad, who just closed on his first house. Congratulations, Chad. He wanted follow-up on cameras and smart locks, so we go wide first: start with your ecosystem, know your priorities around cloud storage versus local recording, and think about who else in your home is going to be using this stuff.

    Damashe is using Reolink cameras with a network video recorder for fully local storage, a Level Lock Plus for his front door, and Aqara devices throughout the house. Michael is running Eufy cameras through HomeKit Secure Video and has had mixed results with the Level Bolt. Both of us agree: Aqara makes solid, affordable hardware, and if you own your home, power-over-ethernet cameras are worth planning for even if you can't run the cable today.

    We also make a case for water leak sensors, which are less exciting than smart lights but probably more important once you own the place.

    We close with a tease of something new coming likely by end of April. If you follow Michael on Mastodon, you'll probably hear about it there first.

    Topics covered:

    • Apple kills the Mac Pro: what it means and why it probably happened
    • Mac Pro history: cheese grater, trash can, 2019 refresh, and the M2 Ultra version that didn't save it
    • Apple Silicon unified memory and why it complicates expandability
    • Recording environment tips: rugs, soft surfaces, closets, and mic placement
    • Vocaster vs Zoom P4 Next: comparing two portable interfaces
    • Shure Beta 87A and why condenser vs dynamic matters for your space
    • Todoist streaks, gamification, and what 7,000 completed tasks looks like
    • Smart home ecosystem advice: start with what you're already in
    • Cameras: Reolink, Eufy, Ring (why Damashe won't recommend it), POE vs battery
    • HomeKit Secure Video and what it means for local vs cloud storage
    • Smart locks: Level Lock, Aqara retrofit deadbolts, U-Bolt (avoid)
    • Water leak sensors and why they matter if you own your home
    • New show incoming

    Send feedback: feedback@technicallyworking.show

    Support the show: technicallyworking.show (Support Us link)

    Follow on Mastodon:

    • Michael: @payown@dragonscave.space
    • Damashe: @damashe@technically.social
    • Show bot: @tw@technically.social

    Support Technically Working by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/technically-working

    Find out more at https://technically-working.pinecast.co

    Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/technically-working/4ecaf69e-1b6b-459e-85eb-66b367628ae9

    Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-431b7d for 40% off for 4 months, and support Technically Working.
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    1 h y 26 m
  • #155 – Walking In With Confidence: CSUN, Braille Displays, and Server Shenanigans

    #155 – Walking In With Confidence: CSUN, Braille Displays, and Server Shenanigans
    Mar 21 2026
    Damashe and Michael are back for episode 155 of Technically Working, and this one is packed. They start by addressing the episode 153 publishing mishap where Michael's audio track was accidentally left out of the Auphonic template, leaving listeners with a two-person conversation missing one of the people. They break down exactly what happened, how their podcast production workflow contributed to the issue, and what they're changing in their Dropbox and Auphonic setup to prevent it from happening again. Next up, the technically.social Mastodon instance went offline after a billing issue with masto.host. Damashe walks through the full story of how a separated email alias caused him to miss payment failure notifications, how the hosting provider cancelled the account with no option to reactivate, and how he rebuilt the Mastodon server on CloudRun. The Technically Working bot is back online, refederated, and ready for followers at @tw@technically.social. Damashe is recording on the Shure Beta 87A, and both hosts take time to explain why this super cardioid condenser microphone is their top recommendation for podcasters and content creators looking to upgrade to XLR. They cover the mic's pickup pattern, durability, price point (typically around $200 on sale), and how it compares to alternatives like the Samson Q2U, the Audio-Technica ATR 2100X, and a brand new Audio-Technica 2500X that neither host has tested. They also discuss the Focusrite Vocaster One and Vocaster Two as affordable audio interfaces with phantom power for anyone building a home podcast studio setup. Michael brings a detailed CSUN 2026 recap from Anaheim. His hands-on impressions cover a wide range of assistive technology and accessibility products including the Dot Pad X multi-line braille display from AT Guys, the Mnemonic portable Bluetooth braille labeler that embosses onto DYMO and metal tape from a phone app, and the Cadence, a 48-cell refreshable braille tablet with four lines of 12 cells, an impressive refresh rate, and the ability to daisy-chain up to four units together. Michael also visited the DOT and LG booth where they demonstrated a fully accessible self-checkout kiosk with speech output, headphone jack, and a 12-cell braille display built into the unit. LG showcased accessible home appliances including a washer, dryer, refrigerator, and dishwasher with braille labels, adaptive features for users with upper body limitations, and the ThinkQ smart home hub with voice control. Samsung's accessibility sticker program for appliances also gets a mention. On the braille display side, the episode covers the Thinkerbell Labs 40-cell braille display running Linux and targeting a $1,200 price point, the Orbit Flow (a USB-only 40-cell aluminum braille display, and the Orbit Strata with combined braille and speech output. Michael also shares his experience with the Orbit Optima and discusses the differences between Piezo and True Braille cell technology. Damashe and Michael discuss braille on business cards, why QR codes linking to vCard contact information should be the standard at conferences, and the challenge of scanning business cards accessibly. Damashe puts out a call to listeners for accessible business card scanning app recommendations. Damashe introduces changedetection.io, a self-hosted website monitoring tool he installed on CloudRun to track product pages for stock changes. He set it up to watch for Ubiquiti mobile routers that were out of stock, got a Pushover notification when they came back, and grabbed them before they sold out again. He explains how he's planning on using the routers with SIM cards to provide cellular Wi-Fi for security cameras at his rest area vending locations, and discusses the tradeoffs between rugged outdoor-rated routers and cheaper alternatives with 3D-printed enclosures. The episode wraps with a podcast download stats update: 31,092 total downloads, 409 in the last seven days, and 142 downloads for episode 154 in just three days. Damashe teases the new Technically Working website, confirms the URL structure will support direct episode links like technicallyworking.show/155, and shares plans to expand the show's social media presence to Blue Sky. They celebrate three years of weekly podcast publishing with no missed episodes and welcome new listeners who discovered the show at CSUN. Links and resources: Technically Working: technicallyworking.showSend feedback: feedback@technicallyworking.showAT Guys Braille Apps for Dot Pad: braille.atguys.comchangedetection.ioSupport the show: technicallyworking.show (tip jar link on podcast page)Mastodon bot: @tw@technically.socialDamashe on Mastodon: @damashe@technically.socialMichael on Mastodon: @payown@dragonscave.spaceHashtag: #TechnicallyWorking Support Technically Working by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/technically-working Find out more at https://technically-working.pinecast.co Send us your feedback online: https://...
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    1 h y 13 m
  • #154 – Backing Up Right, The Vocaster Deep Dive, and How We Actually Got Started with AI

    #154 – Backing Up Right, The Vocaster Deep Dive, and How We Actually Got Started with AI
    Mar 16 2026

    Michael and Damashe open with a hard-learned lesson about database backups after an update to the Builder tool wipes fresh data, and why separating your database from your app files matters more than you think.

    From there, the episode shifts into the next chapter of the audio gear mini-series: a thorough look at the Focusrite Vocaster 1 and 2. The hosts cover what makes these interfaces stand out for screen reader users, including the accessible Vocaster Hub software, auto gain, the bidirectional aux port, Bluetooth on the Vocaster 2, and one major trade-off you need to know about before you unplug your laptop.

    Listener feedback from Chris leads to a candid conversation about how Michael and Damashe each got started using AI tools and writing code. Michael traces his path from a 2024 Python class through GitHub Copilot to building accessible desktop apps with PySide6. Damashe reflects on using LLMs to debug server logs, review code, and solve real problems without spending hours in Stack Overflow. Together they make the case for starting simple, finding a problem worth solving, and not letting the hype push you somewhere you're not ready to go.

    The episode wraps with thoughts on the Samsung event, Apple's AI missteps, Google I/O timing, and the launch of an AI-powered Mastodon bot for the show.

    Send feedback to feedback@technicallyworking.show. Support the show through TipJar . Find Michael on Mastodon at @payown@dragonscave.space and Damashe at @damashe@Technically.social. Follow the show bot at @tw@technically.social using #TechnicallyWorking.

    Support Technically Working by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/technically-working

    Find out more at https://technically-working.pinecast.co

    Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/technically-working/45edf9b5-ad76-4133-80d9-1bd6fe08c46a

    Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-431b7d for 40% off for 4 months, and support Technically Working.
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    1 h y 24 m
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