TechStuff

TechStuff is a podcast produced by howstuffworks.com. It is published biweekly and is hosted by Jonathan Strickland and Christopher Pallet, Two technology writers for howstuffworks.com.

Content

TechStuff is a podcast primarily focused on current technological innovation. TechStuff has produced series where they investigate the technology of the future, and past, as well as highlighting famous people in technology. On occasion the hosts of TechStuff speak about advocacy.

Episode List

TechStuff's Two Bits on 32-bit and 64-bit Systems What is the difference between a 32-bit and a 64-bit system? What is a data bus? Is a 64-bit system always faster than a 32-bit system? Join Jonathan and Chris as they give you their two bits on, well, bits.

Today, 11:01 AM TechStuff Looks For Abandonware What is abandonware? Can you acquire abandonware legally? What does copyright law have to do with abandonware? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris break down the basics of abandonware, how it occurs and what it means for software users.

Monday, 3:56 PM TechStuff Gets on a SOPA Box What is SOPA and PROTECT IP? What sort of power would these pieces of legislation give to private companies? Could they break the Internet? Join Jonathan and Chris as they delve into the details—and controversy—of SOPA and PROTECT IP.

Dec 7, 1:16 PM The Story of Facebook What's the controversy about the founding of Facebook? Where did Facebook come from? How long did it take before Facebook became a success? Listen in as Jonathan and Chris delve into the history—and controversy—of Facebook.

Dec 5, 12:51 PM TechStuff withdraws from the ATM Who invented the automated teller machine? How do ATMs keep track of your money? What is an ATM skimmer? Join Chris and Jonathan as they take a deeper look at the past and present tech of ATMs.

Nov 30, 2:22 PM TechStuff Looks at Night Vision What are the two main types of night vision? How can you see heat? Why do some night vision systems only display in monochromatic green? Join Jonathan and Chris as they explore the tech behind night vision.

Nov 28, 12:11 PM The Story of Nintendo, Part 2 When did Nintendo get into the video game business? Who is Shigero Miyamoto? What is Nintendo’s current place in the video game industry? Join Jonathan and Chris for the second part of their Nintendo series.

Nov 23, 11:13 AM The Story of Nintendo, Part 1 When was Nintendo founded? What did Nintendo make originally? How did Nintendo avoid financial trouble in the 1960s? Join Chris and Jonathan as they tackle on gaming's greatest giants in this podcast.

Nov 21, 2:23 PM TechStuff Adjusts the Thermostat What are the parts of a thermostat? How do bimetallic thermometers work? What is a mercury switch? In this episode, Chris and Jonathan break down the mechanics of thermostats. Tune in to learn what happens when you flip that mysterious switch on the wall.

Nov 16, 2:37 PM TechStuff Watches Youtube Who created YouTube? When was it founded? How much video is uploaded to YouTube every minute? Join Jonathan and Chris as they dive into the depths of YouTube in this episode of TechStuff.

Nov 14, 3:12 PM TechStuff takes a bite out of Ice Cream Sandwich What’s new with Android? Will Ice Cream Sandwich reunite the smartphone and tablet versions of Android? What is Android Beam? Join Jonathan and Chris for the answers to these questions and more in this episode.

Nov 9, 2:19 PM The Story of RIM What is Research in Motion? What did the company do before inventing the Blackberry? Why do so many people direct criticism at RIM today? Tune in as Jonathan and Chris answer these questions and more in this long-awaited episode.

Nov 7, 1:46 PM TechStuff’s Two Cents on Micropayments What is a micropayment? Why did Web advertising win out over micropayments? What services currently use micropayments? Join Jonathan and Chris as they take a close look at the nuts and bolts of micropayment.

Nov 2, 11:19 AM TechStuff Looks at iOS 5 What’s new with iOS 5? What is Siri? Why is it a good idea to wait a few days after launch before upgrading your OS? Join Chris and Jonathan as TechStuff takes a closer look at IOS 5.

Oct 31, 12:08 PM How Metal Detectors Work What are the three types of metal detectors? How do metal detectors use electromagnetism to detect stuff? What kind of stuff can create interference when using a metal detector? Tune in as Jonathan and Chris explore the technology behind metal detectors.

Oct 26, 11:45 AM TechStuff Stares at Laser Eye Surgery How does laser eye surgery work? How does the human eye work? What types of eye problems can laser eye surgery correct? Join Jonathan and Chris for a closer look at laser eye surgery.

Oct 24, 12:46 PM TechStuff Ponders an Enigma What was the Enigma machine? What is a cipher? How did the Enigma machine work? Join Chris and Jonathan to learn more about cryptography.

Oct 19, 3:19 PM TechStuff Looks at OS X Lion What’s new with the Lion version of Mac OS X? How does Apple’s newest operating system compare to Windows? What are some of the obscure features in Mac OS X Lion? Tune in to learn more in this episode.

Oct 17, 12:18 PM TechStuff Looks at Windows 8 How is Windows 8 different from earlier versions of Windows? What’s up with the touch-screen interface? Are computer and mobile operating systems converging? Tune in to learn more about Windows 8 in this episode of TechStuff.

Oct 12, 1:20 PM One More Thing The demise of Steve Jobs has left the world in shock: Consumers, fans and critics have paid homage to the impact Jobs made on numerous industries. In this episode, the guys look back on the work of Steve Jobs—and how he has influenced their own lives.

Oct 10, 3:02 PM What can quantum computers do? How is the quantum world different from the world of classical physics? What are the challenges of building a quantum computer? What kind of problems could quantum computers tackle? Tune in to find out.

Oct 5, 11:08 AM Slow Motion Film and High Speed Photography How does film work? What are the basic parts of a camera? How can you take a photo of a high-speed subject and get a clear picture? Tune in as Chris and Jonathan break down the tech behind slow motion and high speed photography.

Oct 3, 9:58 AM The Worst Video Games of All Time What makes a bad video game? Which video game was voted on by our listeners as the worst of all time? Which games do the hosts think count as the worst of all time? Tune in and learn more in the first crowdsourced episode of TechStuff.

Sep 28, 1:13 PM The Patent Wars Did you know that a company's prime business can be nothing more than buying, selling and licensing patents? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris look at the nature of patents and patent wars.

Sep 26, 3:40 PM What’s Next for Apple? Why is Apple so closely identified with Steve Jobs? Who is taking over now that Steve Jobs has resigned? Will Apple maintain its position in the electronics market without Steve Jobs? Tune in for the answers to these questions and more in this podcast.

Sep 21, 2:13 PM Googorola Why is Google interested in Motorola Mobility? Did Motorola make the first cell phone? What will other Android handset manufacturers do if Google buys Motorola Mobility? Tune in for the answers to these questions and more in this episode of TechStuff.

Sep 19, 3:31 PM The History of Texas Instruments - Part Two Did Texas Instruments invent the first handheld calculator? What were some of the consumer products released by Texas Instruments? In the second installment of this two-part series, Jonathan and Chris take a closer look at the company's evolution.

Sep 14, 9:55 AM The History of Texas Instruments - Part One In this podcast, Jonathan and Chris explore the history of Texas Instruments, from the story of its founder to its core business. Tune in to learn how Texas Instruments pioneered transistor research and development in the first part of this series.

Sep 12, 12:04 PM The Curious Case of the HP TouchPad How long was the TouchPad on the market before HP decided to stop making them? What is the fate of the webOS operating system? Is this how Palm ends, not with a bang but with a whimper? Tune in as Jonathan and Chris tackle the demise of the TouchPad.

Sep 7, 12:02 PM The Post-PC Era Why did an IBM executive claim we've entered the post-PC era? What does the post-PC era actually mean? Join Chris and Jonathan as they tackle the idea of a post-PC world in this episode.

Sep 5, 3:43 PM How Electronic Publishing Works Consumers are increasingly purchasing books in a digital format. But what is the role of a publisher in this changing industry? How does this differ from traditional publishing? What are the challenges facing publishers in this era? Tune in to learn more.

Aug 31, 11:39 AM How Solar Panels Work Solar panels have loads of potential—but how do they work, exactly, and why aren't they more widespread? Join Jonathan and Chris as they break down the mechanics of solar panels, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of this technology.

Aug 29, 3:53 PM How Theremins Work So what exactly is a theremin? It's got an unmistakably unique sound, and it's one of the world's first electronic musical instruments. Join Chris and Jonathan as they explore all things theremin, from the story of its inventor to playing techniques.

Aug 24, 11:31 AM Tech and the UK Riots During the recent riots, looters used technology to coordinate their activities. But which technologies did the rioters depend on the most? Is shutting down communications systems ever a good idea? Join Chris and Jonathan to learn more.

Aug 22, 4:29 PM Anonymity Is it possible that privacy is becoming less of a social norm? In this episode, Chris and Jonathan explore how the internet and online social networks have influenced changing attitudes about personal privacy. Tune in to learn more.

Aug 17, 4:03 PM Digital Theft Although digital storage has several obvious benefits, files stored on hard drives and online can still be stolen by savvy thieves. But how? Tune in to learn more about digital theft.

Aug 15, 2:48 PM What will the Internet be like in 5 years? In a relatively short amount of time, the internet has expanded across the globe and quickly evolved into a world-changing force. But what will it be like in the future? Join Jonathan and Chris as they explore the possible future of the internet.

Aug 10, 11:57 AM What is a router? Routers are common in offices and homes across the planet, but what do they actually do? What is network address translation? Join Chris and Jonathan as they break down the science behind routers.

Aug 8, 2:00 PM Electronics 101: Logic Gates What is a logic gate? To answer this question, we'll need to start with the binary system. In this episode, Jonathan and Chris take a closer look at the function of logic gates and a nifty little thing called Boolean logic.

Aug 3, 3:48 PM Air Conditioners Air conditioners are a nifty—and sometime life-saving—invention, but how does an air conditioner make air cooler? What does a compressor do? What’s a swamp cooler? Tune in for answers to these questions and more in this episode of TechStuff.

Aug 1, 1:16 PM Google+ Now that Google+ is live (though still in beta), people around the world are clamoring for more information about the social network. Join Jonathan and Chris as they tackle some of the biggest questions surrounding Google+.

Jul 27, 12:55 PM What does NASA's Mission Control do? Reaching space is difficult, and returning safely is even trickier. Luckily for astronauts, Mission Control follows each shuttle launch in minute detail, and they're on standby to tackle any imaginable problem. Tune in to learn more about exploring space.

Jul 25, 10:18 AM TechStuff Looks at the iCloud As digital content trends toward cloud storage, every company worth its salt is aiming to snag a piece of the action—and Apple is no exception. But what exactly is Apple iCloud? Is it a musical streaming service? How much will it cost when it launches?

Jul 20, 1:13 PM What's in Google Wallet? Google Wallet wants to turn your smartphone into a payment system. So how can you pay for things using your cell phone? Is Google Wallet a threat to other services? Join Chris and Jonathan as they explain how Google Wallet works.

Jul 18, 1:26 PM The Tech of Firefighting Firefighters are an invaluable part of every community, but how does firefighting work? What tech will you find on a fire truck? Join Jonathan and Chris as they look at the technology behind firefighting.

Jul 13, 11:39 AM Can we stop an asteroid from hitting Earth? Could we blow up an asteroid like in the movie Armageddon? Join Jonathan and Chris as they tackle what may become one of Earth's most important questions: What do we need to do to be better prepared for an asteroid impact?

Jul 11, 3:22 PM TechStuff Tours the Space Shuttle Inspired by some listener mail, Jonathan and Chris decide to take a closer look at the history—and future—of space shuttles. Tune in to learn more about the future of space exploration.

Jul 6, 11:46 AM What are Bitcoins? Bitcoin is a digital currency, and it has no backing central bank or government. Instead, this decentralized currency relies on a peer-to-peer network. Join Jonathan and Chris as they take a look at the concept behind Bitcoin.

Jul 4, 3:14 PM Electronics 101: How Accelerometers Work In this episode of Chris and Jonathan's series on electronics, the guys take a look at the handy devices called accelerometers. As you might assume from the name, these instruments measure acceleration—but how do they work? Tune in to find out.

Jun 29, 11:40 AM Can you make a living playing games? For video game buffs, it seems like the deal of a lifetime: What if you could play games for a living? Join Chris and Jonathan as they take a closer look at what it takes to become a professional gamer—and how it might not be as fun as it sounds.

Jun 27, 2:01 PM The IPv6 Switchover Communication on the internet occurs via small packets of data routed across networks. The packets of data don't make much sense without some way to re-assemble them. Tune in as Jonathan and Chris explore the changing nature of internet protocol.

Jun 22, 3:06 PM TechStuff Tackles Minecraft Minecraft took the gamin world by storm—but what exactly is it, and what makes this game so special? Join Chris and Jonathan as they take a closer look at Minecraft, including how players can build virtual computers in the game.

Jun 20, 1:11 PM Tech Rivalries: Google vs. the World Google's a lot more than a search engine. Their business interests are tremendously varied and continually expanding—meaning they've become involved in more than their fair share of rivalries. But who are Google's rivals, exactly? Tune in to find out.

Jun 15, 12:17 PM Eureka! Archimedes! Who was Archimedes, and what did he actually invent? Join Chris and Jonathan as they take a closer look at the works of Archimedes—including his historically famous, controversial death ray design.

Jun 13, 1:13 PM What is gamification? Gamification is exactly what it sounds like—adding an aspect of gameplay to an activity. So why would someone add a game layer on top of an application or service—and how old is gamification, exactly? Join Chris and Jonathan to learn more.

Jun 8, 1:56 PM The Current Wars Thomas Edison and Nicola Tesla were both pioneers of electricity. However, the two both advocated differing forms of electric power: Direct current and alternating current. Join Chris and Jonathan as they explore the infamous current war.

Jun 6, 2:19 PM What is Arduino? Most people have heard about open source software—but what about open source hardware? Join Jonathan and Chris as they take a closer look at the open source phenomenon known as Arduino.

Jun 1, 12:23 PM SXSW Interactive 2011 Today the TechStuff guys are heading west. And also south. Well, to be absolutely accurate, they're heading to SXSW, one the most popular annual conferences in the United States. But what is it, exactly, and what goes on there? Tune in to learn more.

May 30, 4:23 PM How Radio Works Radios are fascinating—but how do they work? In this podcast, Jonathan and Chris tackle some of the fundamental processes of radio. Tune in to learn more about radio waves, radio stations and more.

May 25, 5:07 PM The PSN Fiasco What happened to the PlayStation Network? Is credit card fraud the worst thing that could happen to you? Join Jonathan and Chris as they explain the recent hacks of the PlayStation Network, and how these hacks may affect you. May 23, 2:21 PM

What are QR codes? How do QR codes store information? What’s the difference between a QR code and a barcode? Why did it take so long for QR codes to take off? Join Chris and Jonathan as they break down QR codes in this podcast.

May 18, 2:31 PM What is the Deep Flight Challenger? What is the Deep Flight Challenger? What sort of technology do scientists use to explore these environments? What are the challenges of exploring the deep parts of the ocean? Join Jonathan and Chris as they take a deeper look at the Deep Sea Challenger.

May 16, 4:29 PM TechStuff Episode 300 Why do we use programming languages? How many programming languages are there? Why do we need more than one programming language? Tune in for the answers to these questions and more in TechStuff's 300th episode.

May 11, 12:21 PM How the Nintendo 3DS Works Like Nintendo's DS and DS Lite, the 3DS is a hand-held gaming device—with a big twist: This device features 3D technology. Tune in as Chris and Jonathan break down the tech behind the 3DS, and how it lets gamers play in 3D without pesky glasses.

May 9, 2:20 PM The History of IBM: Part 3 In the third installment of Chris and Jonathan's series on the history of IBM, the guys examine IBM's evolution after 1981. Listen in to learn more about the history of one of the world's most well-known computing companies.

May 4, 3:36 PM The History of IBM: Part 2 What products did IBM introduce to the market, and how was IBM involved with the space race? In the second episode of this continuing series on IBM, Jonathan and Chris explore IBM's evolution through the fifties to the present day. Tune in and learn more.

May 2, 2:42 PM The History of IBM: Part 1 While most computer users have heard of IBM, many don't know the company's history—and it's a long story. So long, in fact, that Chris and Jonathan can't cover it in one show. Tune in and learn about IBM in the first part of this series.

Apr 27, 3:41 PM Intel's Tick-Tock Strategy Since 2007, Intel has used the Tick Tock strategy to improve their microprocessors. When the company's in 'tick' mode, it focuses on building smaller transistors. In 'tock' mode, it concentrates on maximizing power and speed. Why? Tune in to learn more.

Apr 25, 12:58 PM What makes Gorilla Glass strong? In addition to being scratch- and impact-resistant, Gorilla Glass is also incredibly thin—it's not your typical glass, to say the least. But what sets it apart from ordinary glass? Tune in to learn more in this episode.

Apr 20, 4:38 PM How the Epsilon E-mail Hack Worked Epsilon is the world's largest permission-based email marketer. Other companies use Epsilon to promote their business—which means that Epsilon has loads of email addresses. So how did their database get hacked? Tune in and learn more.

Apr 18, 3:45 PM Who invented the radio? How many people were involved in radio’s invention? Did Marconi really use 17 of Tesla’s patents? Was radio’s true inventor a farmer who kept his work locked in a shed? In this podcast, the guys explore the fascinating history of the radio.

Apr 13, 4:15 PM TechStuff Tackles the Amazon Cloud Player More and more companies are looking for innovative ways to incorporate cloud computing, and Amazon is no exception. Tune in and learn more as Jonathan and Chris catch you up to date on Amazon's Cloud Player.

Apr 11, 5:57 PM TechStuff Tackles the StarWars Program In this episode, the guys hop into the WayBack machine and travel to October 4, 1967—the date of the of the Sputnik launch—and trace the growth of the Cold War space race, which eventually led to the Star Wars program. Tune in to learn more.

Apr 6, 2:16 PM Don't Be a Cyberbully! Bullying is an age-old institution, but internet access has added a new layer to this pattern of repeated intimidation, harassment and ridicule. In this episode, Chris and Jonathan take a closer look at the phenomenon known as cyberbullying.

Apr 4, 2:40 PM What are chiptunes? Think of chiptunes as the merger between hacking and the 8-bit sound effects of classic video games. In this episode, Jonathan and Chris explore the modification, know-how and hacking needed to transform 8-bit video game sounds into original music.

Mar 30, 4:26 PM How Nuclear Reactors Work The disasters in Japan severely damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant. In this episode, Chris and Jonathan break down the tech behind nuclear reactors. Tune in to learn more about nuclear power—and why preventing meltdowns is so important.

Mar 28, 2:42 PM How Seismological Equipment Works Earthquakes are one of Earth's deadliest natural disasters. For centuries scientists have tried to predict the movements of tectonic plates before their movement reaches dangerous levels. So how do we actually measure earthquakes? Tune in to find out.

Mar 23, 1:26 PM The History of Music in Video Games Video game systems have evolved at an extraordinary pace, and this evolution includes audio as well as video. In this podcast, Chris and Jonathan recount the growth of video game music, from its origins to the work of modern-day composers.

Mar 21, 2:22 PM Geotagging and Privacy Geotagging allows users to add geographical data to their digital updates, such as tweets or Facebook posts. While geotagging is becoming increasingly popular, some experts have serious concerns about the safety of this practice. Tune in to learn more.

Mar 16, 1:36 PM How Lasers Work Inspired by a listener suggestion, Jonathan and Chris break down the science behind lasers—how does a laser differ from ordinary light, for example? Even more importantly, how do lasers actually work? Tune in to find out.

Mar 14, 12:42 PM What is Stuxnet? Officially, no one knows where Stuxnet came from. However, this software seems to be state-sponsored and built to attack very specific types of hardware. So what is Stuxnet, really? Join the guys as they get to the bottom of this mysterious malware.

Mar 9, 11:49 AM New Media Success Stories It's no secret that the old rules concerning entertainment and business have changed in the age of the internet, but questions remain. How exactly have these rules changed, for example, and who has profited from this new paradigm? Tune in and learn more.

Mar 7, 1:24 PM The Sega Saga Sega began in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1940. Originally named Standard Games, this company originally made coin-operated amusements. Tune in as Chris and Jonathan recount the storied history of the Sega corporation in this podcast.

Mar 2, 12:03 PM Social Media Faux Pas The explosive growth of social media has triggered startling innovations - but it's also created unprecedented opportunities for social faux pas or embarrassing statements. Tune in as the guys break down social media faux pas (and how to avoid them).

Feb 28, 2:20 PM Apple TV When Apple decided to bridge the gap between computers and televisions, they came up with Apple TV. But what exactly is it? In this episode, Chris and Jonathan examine the pros, cons and features of Apple TV.

Feb 23, 12:31 PM Sports Cameras Sports fans know that referees are fallible, and it's not uncommon to see fans loudly protesting controversial calls. In this podcast, Jonathan and Chris take a closer look at the camera technology used to eliminate the errors of human referees.

Feb 21, 12:15 AM USB vs. Lightpeak The universal serial bus, or USB, was meant to simplify the complicated world of computer peripheral connections. To be fair, USB has done well in this market—but could a new standard loom on the horizon? Tune in to learn more.

Feb 16, 3:45 PM Shutting Off the Internet During the ousting of Egyptian President Mubarak, the government cut off internet access across Egypt. Could other governments make the same move? Join Chris and Jonathan as they take a closer look at governmental control of the internet.

Feb 14, 10:31 AM TechStuff vs. BattleBots In 1992, Marc Thorpe had a vision: What if people could build their own robots, and pit them against others? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris take a closer look at the history of Robot Wars and BattleBots.

Feb 9, 3:26 PM The History of Palm Palm Computing was founded in 1992, before the tech world was inundated with PDAs. Join Jonathan and Chris as they break down the evolution of Palm's products—as well as the stories of the many companies that, at one or another, owned Palm.

Feb 7, 1:38 PM The Dot Com Crash When the web went mainstream, consumers and business owners alike were thrilled by the potential of this new, virtual frontier. Every start-up seemed an IPO away from taking the world by storm. So what went wrong? Tune in to find out.

Feb 2, 4:00 PM Elevators in Space The current means used to launch space ships is, to say the least, expensive. Could carbon nanotubes allow humans to build an elevator into space? Tune in to learn more about space elevators—and the writer who originally envisioned them.

Jan 31, 3:50 PM Elementary, My Dear Watson For years the scientists at IBM have been attempting to build the world's best question-answering supercomputer: Watson. But what exactly is Watson, and what makes it different from other supercomputers? Tune in and find out.

Jan 26, 4:30 PM The Verizon iPhone Shakes Things Up For years iPhone users have waited for Apple to break their exclusivity deal with AT&T. It looks as though their wishes will come true this year—Verizon has announced that it will begin carrying the iPhone. Tune in to learn more.

Jan 24, 4:51 PM The CES 2011 Roundup Fresh from his adventures at the Consumer Electronics Show, Jonathan recounts some of the most interesting tech on display at the event. Tune in and learn more in this podcast featuring guest host Matt, from The Coolest Stuff on the Planet.

Jan 19, 10:44 AM TechStuff Looks at the iPod The iPod is one of the most popular portable music players in the world, but it certainly wasn't the first. In this podcast, Chris and Jonathan take a closer look at rise of the iPod, from the early days of MP3 players to iPod touch (and more). Jan 17, 1:03 PM What is a rootkit? If a hacker installs a rootkit on your computer, you could be in big trouble. But why? In this podcast, the guys break down the basics of rootkits, from what they are to what they do—and how you can stop them. Jan 12, 3:19 PM How MRIs Work Magnetic resonance imagining, or MRI, is a noninvasive technique used to diagnose everything from torn ligaments to tumors. But how does it work? Tune in and find out in this episode of TechStuff. Jan 10, 12:38 PM TechStuff Looks at OnLive Do you have a craving for video games but no console? If so, OnLive might be the service for you. Tune in to learn how OnLive (theoretically) lets you play any game you'd like with nothing more than a subscription and a dependable internet connection. Jan 5, 1:35 PM TechStuff Looks at Chrome OS Jonathan and Chris take a look at the features, pros and cons, and potential of Chrome OS—Google's not-yet-released, cloud-based operating system—in this episode. Jan 3, 9:46 AM TechStuff Looks Back at the Tech of 2010 As 2010 draws to a close, Chris and Jonathan take a look at the technology of 2010. Did their predictions pan out? Listen in to learn what surprised, disappointed or impressed our experts over the past year. Dec 29, '10, 12:50 AM Why is WikiLeaks important? Many people were surprised by how quickly the conflict between business, government and wikileaks escalated into virtual warfare, but what does it mean for the future? Listen in as Jonathan and Chris recount the recent history of Wikileaks. Dec 27, '10, 7:14 PM TechStuff Predictions 2011 Is 2011 the year of the tablet? Will warfare expand to the virtual sphere? Listen in as Jonathan and Chris give you their top predictions for the upcoming tech trends of 2011. Dec 22, '10, 1:28 PM What happened to BBSes? Before millions of people strolled around checking Facebook on their smartphones, bulletin-board systems connected computer users across the world. So what happened to these precursors of the Internet when the Web went mainstream? Tune in and find out. Dec 20, '10, 3:45 PM 2010 Predictions Follow-Up Predictions are a risky business, but that hasn't stopped Chris and Jonathan from making predictions each year. In this episode, the guys look back at their correct (and incorrect) predictions for 2010. Dec 15, '10, 4:32 PM Movie Making: Sound on Film In this episode of TechStuff's continuing series on the technology of film, Chris and Jonathan take a closer look at the process of putting sound on film. Delve into the history of film-making and the story of auditory innovation in this episode. Dec 13, '10, 4:08 PM RockMelt Enters the Browser Wars The average Internet user already has several choices when it comes to browsers, so what makes RockMelt special? Tune in as Jonathan and Chris take a closer look at the latest challenger in the browser wars—and how it differs from the competition. Dec 8, '10, 2:31 PM Game On: Computers vs. Humans Whether it's the story of John Henry or Kasparov and IBM's Deep Blue, humanity loves to hear about a showdown between man and machine. In this episode, Jonathan and Chris explore some of the famous competitions between humans and computers. Dec 6, '10, 3:44 PM The MySpace Story (So Far) When MySpace hit the Internet, Friendster was the dominant social media network. Yet MySpace usurped Friendster's position and became number one—until the emergence of Facebook, that is. Tune in to learn more about the past and future of MySpace. Dec 1, '10, 1:57 PM Demystifying the Bloom Box Will the Bloom Box become the power source of the future? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris take a closer look at the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology behind the Bloom Box, how it works and what it may mean for the future of power. Nov 29, '10, 3:50 PM Spotlight on Alan Turing Alan Turing is often hailed as a genius, but why? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris trace the life, trials and astonishing breakthroughs of Alan Turing. Tune in to learn more about Turing's work and influence on history. Nov 24, '10, 12:38 PM Did John Titor travel through time? From 2000 to 2001 someone calling himself John Titor claimed to have traveled to the past from the year 2036. His predictions caused a flurry of conspiracy theories, but whatever happened to him? Tune in to get Chris and Jonathan's take in this podcast. Nov 22, '10, 5:18 PM Why are rare Earth metals important? Rare earth metals are a crucial component in many electronic devices, but what exactly are they? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris break down the fact and fiction about rare earth metals—and why they're so important. Nov 17, '10, 11:37 AM Rechargeable Batteries: Pros and Cons If rechargeable batteries are so great, then how come they haven't replaced all disposable models? In this podcast, the guys take a closer look at the technology behind rechargeable batteries. Tune in and learn more. Nov 15, '10, 4:07 PM How Batteries Work Nowadays, batteries are everywhere—but what exactly are they? How do they work? In this podcast, Chris and Jonathan break down the history of batteries, their uses and the chemistry involved. Nov 10, '10, 4:08 PM A TechStuff Tour of Bill Gates's House As one of the world's most wealthy and influential men, Bill Gates can afford to have some of the finer things in life—including an amazing mansion in California. Tune in as the TechStuff crew takes a closer look at the futuristic home of Bill Gates. Nov 8, '10, 1:17 PM The Ethics of Piracy You've heard of honor among thieves, but are there ethics among pirates? Each year, millions of people illegally download content and software without paying a dime. In this episode, the guys explore ethics (or lack thereof) in digital piracy. Nov 3, '10, 1:44 PM Are self-driving cars a good idea? For decades people have dreamed of utopian, gridlock-free traffic, filled with self-driving cars. Could this science-fiction standby become reality? Tune in as Jonathan and Chris take a closer look at self-driving cars. Nov 1, '10, 1:49 PM The Duke Nukem Forever Saga Duke Nukem 3D took the gaming world by storm in 1996, and fans clamored for a sequel. By 1997 the game-makers announced the development of a game called Duke Nukem Forever. Tune in to learn more, including why it still hasn't been released. Oct 27, '10, 12:42 PM What happened to Cuil? In 2008, Cuil was hailed as the first serious potential rival to Google's search engine. With an employee roster of former Google employees and a supposedly superior search function, Cuil looked set to succeed. So what went wrong? Tune in to learn more. Oct 25, '10, 1:15 PM Can another tablet challenge the iPad? Jonathan and Chris have been following the iPad since it was little more than a rumor on the Internet—but now that the iPad is out, will a competitor challenge its success? Listen in to learn more about the iPad's potential rivals. Oct 20, '10, 1:38 PM How Facial Recognition Technology Works Human beings are great at recognizing faces, but historically, computers haven't had much luck replicating this ability. How can we teach computers to recognize faces? In this podcast, Jonathan and Chris tackle the weird world of facial recognition. Oct 18, '10, 12:22 PM Is technology rotting our brains? Since the internet allows users to access an enormous amount of data, it is theoretically possible for an individual to learn almost anything. Yet some experts believe this technology is adversely affecting the human mind—especially the attention span. Oct 13, '10, 2:15 PM What's the deal with the Facebook Phone? According to recent rumors, Facebook may be secretly building a software platform for smartphones of the future. Could the rumors be true? In this episode, Chris and Jonathan break down the possible motivations for this move. Tune in to learn more. Oct 11, '10, 12:13 PM Why do we need early adopters? When new products emerge, early adopters are the first folks in line. They provide vital information to other customers, most of whom don't want to buy something right away. Learn more about early adopters—and why they're important—in this podcast. Oct 6, '10, 2:17 PM What makes a good gaming PC? If you own a personal computer dedicated to gaming, you know the habit can become surprisingly expensive. In this podcast, Jonathan and Chris explore the costs involved with playing the latest and greatest PC games—and how to build your own machine. Oct 4, '10, 12:22 PM How Sonar Works Sonar uses sound to gauge the distance between objects. Although most people associate sonar with submarines, humans use sonar for a lot more than underwater navigation. In this episode, Jonathan and Chris take a look at the mechanics behind sonar. Sep 29, '10, 1:08 PM The Story of the Gatling Gun When Richard Jordan Gatling invented the Gatling gun, he revolutionized wartime firepower. In this episode, Chris and Jonathan discuss the history of firepower and the principles behind the Gatling gun. Sep 27, '10, 12:04 PM TechSword & LaserStuff at Dragon*Con In this episode, Chris and Jonathan travel to Dragon*Con and meet with Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont, the hosts of the Sword and Laser podcast. Tune in to get an inside look at how podcasting works, and catch a few tech predictions along the way. Sep 22, '10, 2:09 PM What are phone phreaks? Would you believe that people used to make free calls by using a plastic whistle? In the days before the Internet, phone phreaks explored every nook and cranny of the phone system. But what were they up to, and how did they do it? Tune in to find out. Sep 20, '10, 11:47 AM How Railroad Crossing Signals Work Every driver has seen a railroad crossing—the iconic system of bars, lights and warning bells designed to keep cars away from trains. But how do they actually work? In this episode, the guys explore the technology powering railroad crossing signals. Sep 15, '10, 2:12 PM How to Permanently Delete Files Are you really deleting a file when you move it to the trashcan or recycle bin? The answer might surprise you. In this podcast, Jonathan and Chris break down the actions you need to take to recover—or permanently delete—your files. Sep 13, '10, 1:40 PM 3-D Movie-Making Tech There's been a huge resurgence in three-dimensional special effects in the world of film—but how do these effects work? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris break down the science behind 3-D technology. Sep 8, '10, 11:17 AM How can the sun affect my electronics? As the sun reaches the apex of its eleven-year cycle, its magnetic activity increases and could pose a threat for some electronics—especially satellites. In this episode, the guys break down the science behind solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Sep 6, '10, 12:30 PM The Great Video Game Crash Beginning in 1972, the home video game craze took the United States by storm. With tons of companies producing increasingly sophisticated machines, it looked like home gaming was the wave of the future—so what went wrong? Tune in and learn more. Sep 1, '10, 10:56 AM The Rise and Fall of the Video Arcade Whatever happened to the video game arcade? In recent years, many video game arcades have closed or evolved to cope with an increasingly sophisticated home console market. Join Chris and Jonathan as they explore the rise and fall of video game arcades. Aug 30, '10, 1:03 PM How to do Research Online Chris and Jonathan share tips for conducting effective online research, from using Boolean operators to finding reliable sources, in this episode. Aug 25, '10, 12:52 PM What is Surround Sound? Jonathan and Chris tackle the complexities of surround-sound home theater systems, from stereophonic sound to subwoofers, in this episode. Aug 23, '10, 2:06 PM School Tech and the Classroom of the Future As part of their continuing series on technology and education, Jonathan and Chris speculate about future school technology and discuss the tools (and techniques) that you might find in classrooms of the future in this episode. Aug 18, '10, 1:06 PM Will technology revolutionize education? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris have an interesting discussion about how technology affects the quality of education—and why people will always be an integral part of the education process. Aug 16, '10, 3:25 PM How Jailbreaking Works Jailbreaking is a way of hacking an iPhone, iPad or other iDevice that allows the user to access third-party apps. Chris and Jonathan explain how jailbreaking works in this episode. Aug 11, '10, 11:45 AM The Tech of Making Money In this episode, Jonathan and Chris delve into the history of monetary systems and the various technologies that go into creating currency. Aug 9, '10, 4:50 PM How Data Recovery Works Hard drives fail for various reasons, but how do you access your data when they do? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris explore various data recovery methods, from strange home remedies to professional services and software, in this episode. Aug 4, '10, 2:03 PM Oil Drilling Tech Jonathan and Chris highlight the simple and sophisticated technologies that are used for land-based and offshore oil drilling and extraction in this episode. Aug 2, '10, 12:10 PM The Tech of Doctor Who In this episode, Jonathan, Chris and a special guest get their geek on as they chat about the technology, canon and chameleon-like characters of the long-running British television series "Doctor Who." Jul 28, '10, 12:44 PM Profile on Midway Games In this episode, Jonathan and Chris detail the rise and fall of Midway Games, a company that was once a major player in the video/arcade game business. Jul 26, '10, 2:36 PM How Hard Drives Work Hard disks first appeared on the scene in the 1950s, and they've evolved a great deal since then. Jonathan and Chris take a hard look at the history and evolution of hard drive technology in this episode. Jul 21, '10, 2:49 PM The Tech of Making Movies, Part Two In part two of their series on movie-making technology, Jonathan and Chris turn their focus to post-production and the evolution of movie editing. Jul 19, '10, 2:10 PM The Tech of Making Movies, Part One Jonathan and Chris take a look at the technology that's used to make movies, from movie cameras to Steadicams, in the first episode of a two-part series. Jul 14, '10, 2:26 PM What's new with iOS 4? In a companion piece to their episode on the iPhone 4, Jonathan and Chris tackle a related topic: the iOS 4, the mobile operating system that runs on the newest version of the iPhone and some other Apple devices. Jul 12, '10, 3:47 PM What does an Imagineer do? Inspired by listener mail, Jonathan and Chris discuss the philosophy behind Disney's Imagineering program, how Imagineers set the standard for amusement park attraction design and Disney's Haunted Mansion ride. Jul 7, '10, 1:56 PM How the iPhone 4 Works In response to numerous listener requests, Jonathan and Chris give you the skinny on the new features and hardware of the recently released iPhone 4 in this episode. Jul 5, '10, 5:38 PM What does Web 2.0 mean? Web 2.0 is a term that emerged after the dot-com crash of 2000. There's some debate, however, about what it actually means. Jonathan and Chris define Web 2.0 and discuss the evolution of the World Wide Web in this episode. Jun 30, '10, 1:38 PM What is DRM? Digital rights management often gets a bad name, but it isn't just about copy protection. In this podcast, Jonathan and Chris break down the debate surrounding copy protection—and also explore the different facets of DRM. Tune in and learn more. Jun 28, '10, 12:11 PM Does Facebook hate privacy? Facebook has caught a lot of flak recently because of controversial changes to their privacy settings. In this episode, Jonathan and Chris explain what the big deal is with Facebook and privacy. Jun 23, '10, 12:27 PM How Fuel Cells Work A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device; it turns chemical energy into elecrical energy. Jonathan and Chris discuss fuel cells in detail—from their origins to why they're not practical for general use yet—in this episode. Jun 21, '10, 1:35 PM What the heck is Google TV? Google recently announced Google TV, a platform that aims to marry TV and the Web. It's not the first company to offer Internet television, but will it be the most successful? Jonathan and Chris take a closer look at Google TV in this episode. Jun 16, '10, 4:14 PM Are random number generators possible? Many random number generators you'll find online don't produce truly random values. Jonathan and Chris explain the difference between true random number generators and pseudo-random number generators in this episode. Jun 14, '10, 4:31 PM What is Usenet? Usenet is a global, online discussion system that predates the World Wide Web and is still around today. Jonathan and Chris discuss the system in detail, from its origins to its current status, in this episode. Jun 9, '10, 1:33 PM What were online service providers? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris discuss online service providers, which were popular content providers before the World Wide Web took over. Jun 7, '10, 3:07 PM What is IRC? In this listener-inspired episode, Jonathan and Chris chat about Internet Relay Chat (IRC), a chat protocol that predates the World Wide Web. Jun 2, '10, 3:26 PM Pandora Radio and the Music Genome Project Pandora is an Internet radio service that provides personalized musical content, based on input from users and a unique analysis system called the Music Genome Project. Jonathan and Chris explain how both work in this episode. May 31, '10, 11:05 AM 200 Years in Tech In this 200th episode spectacular, Jonathan and Chris tackle an ambitious topic: The most important technological innovations and inventions of the last 200 years, from steam-powered locomotives to the World Wide Web. May 26, '10, 12:52 PM Was Ada Lovelace the first computer programmer? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris discuss Ada Lovelace, daughter of the infamous Lord Byron and widely considered to be the first computer programmer. May 24, '10, 5:34 PM How Plasma Torches Work Plasma torches are tools that harness the power of plasma, the fourth state of matter, for various purposes, from cutting metal to waste disposal. Learn more about plasma cutters and plasma waste converters in this episode. May 19, '10, 12:29 PM How does Google get traffic information for Google Maps? Google collects data from cell phone users like you to create a database of traffic information for Google Maps. Jonathan and Chris discuss the pros and cons of traffic monitoring tools in this episode. May 17, '10, 3:42 PM How Laser Tag Games Work Laser tag systems, which have been around since the 70s and 80s, don't typically use real lasers. Jonathan and Chris discuss the history of laser tag systems and how they work in this episode. May 12, '10, 3:29 PM How Traffic Lights Work We often take traffic lights for granted, but regulating the flow of traffic takes a lot of planning and technology. Jonathan and Chris detail the technology behind traffic lights in this episode. May 10, '10, 3:12 PM Do ear buds cause hearing loss? In general, headphones for audio devices increase your risk of damaged hearing, but this is especially true of ear buds. Learn more about how we hear sound and why ear buds can so easily damage your hearing in this episode. May 5, '10, 4:08 PM How Microchips Are Made A microchip is an integrated circuit that you'll find in all sorts of electronic devices, but how is it made? Jonathan and Chris give a detailed explanation of the complex, delicate process of microchip making in this episode. May 3, '10, 3:11 PM Air Traffic Control Technology Prompted by a listener's e-mail, Jonathan and Chris tackle the complexities of air traffic control technology in this episode. Apr 28, '10, 4:26 PM What do video game testers do? If you love video games, playing them for money probably seems like a dream job. But testing video games is serious business and can be quite unglamorous. Jonathan and Chris discuss what video game testers really do in this episode. Apr 26, '10, 11:55 AM Are cyborgs just science fiction? Cyborgs, organisms that incorporate both biological and mechanical parts, are a staple in science fiction stories. But do they exist in real life? Jonathan and Chris talk about the current status of cybernetic technology in this episode. Apr 21, '10, 4:53 PM How the Wii Remote Works Jonathan and Chris give a detailed explanation of how the Nintendo Wii's motion-sensitive controller, the Wii remote, works—and why it's so popular with hackers—in this episode. Apr 19, '10, 2:12 PM The Tech of 1510 We don't tend to think of the inventions of the middle ages as technology; but back then, they were definitely considered high-tech. Chris and Jonathan check out some medieval tech in this listener-inspired episode. Apr 14, '10, 11:04 AM Can a machine be conscious? Machines can perform complex tasks, but does this mean they are conscious entities? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris discuss what defines artificial consciousness—and whether it's truly possible. Apr 12, '10, 12:56 PM How Lightsabers Work Jonathan and Chris discuss the most famous weapon in the "Star Wars" universe—the lightsaber—in this episode of TechStuff. Apr 7, '10, 1:20 PM What is multi-boot? Jonathan and Chris discuss multi-booting, from how computers boot up in general to partitioning a hard drive to allow room for multiple operating systems, in this episode. Apr 5, '10, 2:23 PM What is distributed computing? Sometimes using a single computer just won't cut it, and buying time on a supercomputer can be prohibitively expensive. So what do you do next? Tune in and learn more about distributed computing in this podcast. Mar 31, '10, 3:57 PM Whatever happened to the paperless office? Given today's digital technology, why do we still use paper in office settings? Jonathan and Chris discuss what happened to the paperless office—and whether businesses will ever stop using paper completely—in this episode. Mar 29, '10, 1:14 PM What is a smart grid? In this listener-inspired episode, Chris and Jonathan discuss the differences between standard power grids and smart grids. Mar 24, '10, 1:42 PM Auto-Tune the TechStuff Jonathan and Chris discuss Auto-Tune, pitch correction software that's used to digitally smooth out and alter audio tracks, in this listener-inspired episode of TechStuff. Mar 22, '10, 1:39 PM TechStuff Hams It Up In this episode, Jonathan and Chris discuss amateur radio, a.k.a. "ham" radio, in detail. Mar 17, '10, 2:22 PM What are wikis? In this episode of TechStuff, Chris and Jonathan explain how the web collaboration tools called wikis work and discuss the most famous wiki of all—Wikipedia. Mar 15, '10, 2:44 PM How Roller Coasters Work Jonathan and Chris take you on a wild ride as they explore the history and technology behind roller coasters in this episode. Mar 10, '10, 3:41 PM What are memes? Although the concept of a meme—a unit of cultural transmission—didn't originate on the Internet, it has spread like wildfire on the Web. Learn more about Internet memes in this episode of TechStuff. Mar 8, '10, 1:31 PM How Pinball Machines Work In this episode, pinball enthusiasts Jonathan and Chris discuss the history, technology and "demise" of pinball machines. Mar 3, '10, 2:06 PM How Microwave Ovens Work Microwave ovens are ubiquitous kitchen appliances with surprising origins. Join Jonathan and Chris as they discuss the microwave oven (and stuff you shouldn't put in it) in this episode. Mar 1, '10, 12:37 PM The Truth about Lie Detectors Jonathan and Chris take a critical look at polygraph machines, commonly known as lie detectors, in this episode of TechStuff. Feb 24, '10, 2:34 PM Snow Leopard Overview Jonathan and Chris discuss Snow Leopard, Apple's latest version of the Mac operating system, in this listener-mail inspired episode of TechStuff. Feb 22, '10, 12:14 PM Windows 7 Overview In this listener-inspired episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris discuss and share their observations about Microsoft's new operating system, Windows 7. Feb 17, '10, 3:55 PM What is HTML 5? Chris and Jonathan discuss HTML 5 -- an upgrade of the current version of HTML, the markup language that's integral to the World Wide Web—in this episode of TechStuff. Feb 15, '10, 7:32 PM Valentine's Day Technology Jonathan and Chris share some technology that just might be a hit with your tech-savvy/geeky sweetheart in this Valentine's Day-themed episode of TechStuff. Feb 10, '10, 1:02 PM The Google Episode In this episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris devote the podcast to discussing a little company called Google—from its humble beginnings and unusual motto to the massive Googleplex in California. Feb 8, '10, 12:53 PM All About the Apple iPad In this listener-mail inspired episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris discuss the recently launched Apple iPad. Feb 3, '10, 1:37 PM Ghost Hunting Technology In this listener-mail inspired episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris discuss ghost hunting technology—and ghost hunting in general—from a skeptical perspective. Feb 1, '10, 1:41 PM Global Politics and the Web In this episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris discuss how global politics affect the Web, focusing specifically on the recent controversy between Google and the Chinese government. Jan 27, '10, 3:21 PM Can social networking create social change? Jonathan and Chris discuss how social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook have been used to create social change—and whether they've been effective—in this episode of TechStuff. Jan 25, '10, 1:32 PM How to be Productive Online In this episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris discuss online productivity, cloud computing and various types of online productivity software. Jan 20, '10, 12:43 PM What is progressive scan? In response to a listener's e-mail, Jonathan and Chris discuss how televisions generate images and give a detailed explanation of how progressive scan works. Favorite Easter Eggs In this episode of TechStuff, Chris and Jonathan go on a hunt for Easter eggs—virtual ones, that is. Tune in as they discuss their favorite hidden features in a variety of mediums. Jan 13, '10, 10:17 AM TechStuff's Favorite Tech Movies In response to a listener's request, Jonathan and Chris reveal their favorite "tech" movies of all time in this episode of TechStuff. Jan 11, '10, 2:31 PM Sony's Portable Gaming Systems Inspired by listener mail, Jonathan and Chris take an in-depth look at portable gaming systems, focusing specifically on Sony's PSP (PlayStation Portable), in this episode of TechStuff. Jan 6, '10, 3:34 PM How Fiber Optics Work In this episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris discuss how fiber optics work. Jan 4, '10, 12:50 PM Tech Predictions for 2010 Over the past year, the Techstuff crew has explored hundreds of topics, from the iPhone to Linux and everything in between—but what will next year bring? Join Jon and Chris as they close out 2009 with a few predictions for the world of tech in 2010. Dec 30, '09, 2:48 PM Why is the U.S. military buying PS3? The US air force has purchased thousands of Playstation 3 units in order to build a supercomputer—but how? Tune in as Jonathan and Chris examine the strategy behind this unorthodox project in this episode. Dec 28, '09, 1:32 PM Electronics 2: Basic Electronics After covering the basics of electricity in an earlier episode, Jonathan and Chris return with the sequel, examining the concept of circuits. Listen in and learn more in this episode. Dec 23, '09, 10:50 AM 2009 Predictions Score Card In this episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris discuss how the tech predictions they made a year ago, from Steve Jobs' successor to declining trade shows, have panned out. Dec 21, '09, 1:47 PM Electronics 1:Theory In this episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris pun their way through electronic theory, from the basics of electrons to the two different types of current. Dec 16, '09, 1:09 PM The Future of Video Game Controllers In this episode of TechStuff, Chris and Jonathan discuss video game controllers past, present and future—from early Atari models to Wiimotes to Project Natal. Dec 14, '09, 12:52 PM What are Anonymous and 4Chan? Inspired by listener mail, Jonathan and Chris discuss 4Chan, the notorious image-sharing forum, and Anonymous, a loosely affiliated group of anonymous Internet users who often stage protests and actions in the real world. Dec 9, '09, 10:45 AM TechStuff's Favorite Tech Gifts In this episode, the TechStuff guys reminisce about the best tech gifts and gadgets they've been given for Christmas over the years, from robotic tanks to Star Wars toys, and what they're hoping to score this year. Dec 7, '09, 12:11 PM Internet Architecture In this episode, the TechStuff guys tackle Internet architecture, from the basic components to the complex details of servers, clients and IP addresses. Dec 2, '09, 12:04 PM Types of WiFi In this episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris respond to listener mail and discuss some of the different types of wireless networks and standards. Nov 30, '09, 12:07 PM The Office of the Future In this episode, the TechStuff guys hop into the Way-Forward Machine to see what the Office of the Future will look like. Nov 25, '09, 11:42 AM What is the Year 2038 problem? You're probably familiar with the Y2K problem, but did you know another potential computer crisis could occur in 2038? In this episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris discuss the Year 2038 problem—and whether or not it will actually cause problems. Nov 23, '09, 12:45 PM DVD vs. Blu-ray Inspired by listener mail, Jonathan and Chris discuss the difference between DVD and Blu-ray in this episode of TechStuff. Nov 18, '09, 12:38 PM Social Networking after Death Social networking sites are popular ways to communicate, but what happens to them when their users become deceased? Jonathan and Chris explore social networking after death in this episode of TechStuff. Nov 16, '09, 2:26 PM Technology Conspiracy Theories I In this episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris tackle a topic often requested by listeners --- technology conspiracy theories. Tune in as they discuss all sorts of conspiratorial tech stuff, from Nicholai Tesla to the CIA running Facebook. Nov 11, '09, 12:50 PM What's a hackintosh? In response to a listener's e-mail, Jonathan and Chris define and discuss hackintoshes, PCs that have been modified to run the Macintosh operating system. Nov 9, '09, 11:59 AM What does artificial intelligence mean? In this listener-inspired episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris explore the topic of artificial intelligence, from definitions to current AI technology to philosophical implications. Nov 4, '09, 12:03 PM How Podcasting Works In this podtastic episode, Jonathan and Chris explore how podcasting works. Tune in as they touch on everything from how TechStuff got its start to tips for listeners who want to become podcasters themselves. Nov 2, '09, 10:38 AM How Shazam and Midomi Work Shazam and Midomi are both types of music recognition software. Tune in as the TechStuff guys compare and contrast Shazam and Midomi and explain how they both work. Oct 28, '09, 1:44 PM Google Waves at TechStuff The Google Wave is a collaborative, centralized communication tool that's still in the preview stage. Tune in as Jonathan and Chris explain where this technology came from and what it does (and what it might do some day) in this episode of TechStuff. Oct 26, '09, 11:50 AM Zune do you love? In this episode, the TechStuff guys tackle a topic often requested by listeners: the Microsoft Zune. Tune in to hear them discuss the Zune's history, features, and how it stacks up against other digital media devices. Oct 21, '09, 11:17 AM How Touch Screens Work In this episode of TechStuff, Chris and Jonathan tackle a "touchy" subject—touch screens. Discover the different kinds of technology that make touch screens a reality in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Oct 19, '09, 10:32 AM Who screwed up the keyboard? If you've ever used a computer for typing, you've used a QWERTY keyboard. But did you know that its design is based on obsolete, inefficient technology? Learn more about the QWERTY keyboard—and a host of other keyboards—in this episode of TechStuff. Oct 14, '09, 10:47 AM Is the Apple Tablet real? In response to a listener's e-mail, Jonathan and Chris wade through the conjecture, speculation and rumors surrounding the existence of the Apple Tablet in this episode of TechStuff, a podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Oct 12, '09, 11:33 AM Do Facebook apps violate your privacy? In the past few years, a slew of entertaining Facebook applications have been added to the social networking site. But these apps have a not-so-fun side. Find out how Facebook apps affect your privacy in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Oct 7, '09, 12:49 PM Image File Types In this episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris take a closer look at image file types. Learn more about technology in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Oct 5, '09, 12:22 PM What's the difference between creative commons and copyright? Copyright strictly prohibits people from using and benefitting from other people's creative work, while creative commons is a bit more flexible. Tune in as Jonathan and Chris discuss copyright and creative commons in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Sep 30, '09, 12:52 PM A Bundle of TV Cables In this episode of TechStuff, Chris and Jonathan discuss all kinds of TV cables, from co-axial to composite to fiber optic. Learn more about technology in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Sep 28, '09, 12:11 PM Wireless Power: Myth or Reality? Jonathan and Chris discuss wireless power technology—past, present and future—in this episode of TechStuff, a podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Sep 23, '09, 12:26 PM TechStuff Shreds on the Electric Guitar In this rockin' episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris delve into the electrifying world of electric guitars. Sep 21, '09, 10:37 AM The Sports World is All a Twitter These days, Twitter is everywhere—you'll even find it in sporting events. In this episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris discuss how Twitter's popularity has caused many sports organizations to restrict or prohibit Twitter usage. Sep 16, '09, 12:12 PM What in the world is augmented reality? In response to a listener's query on the topic, Jonathan and Chris discuss augmented reality, a new technology that brings computer graphics into the real world. Get the scoop on augmented reality in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Sep 14, '09, 1:45 PM What is an EMP? An EMP, or electromagnetic pulse, is a burst of electromagnetic energy capable of knocking out electrical systems. In this episode of TechStuff, Jonathan and Chris discuss how much damage a large-scale EMP could do. Sep 9, '09, 2:10 PM What are alternate reality games? Alternate reality games, or ARGs, blend the worlds of reality and fantasy. Dive deep into the world of alternate reality games with Jonathan and Chris as they discuss everything from specific games to steganography in this podcast from HowStuffworks.com. Sep 7, '09, 3:54 PM Making Movies with Machinima Machinima is machine cinema, a method of filmmaking that uses pre-existing virtual worlds and characters. Tune in as Jonathan and Chris define and discuss the details of machinima in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Sep 2, '09, 1:53 PM Stuff You Can Hook Up to Your TV In this episode, the TechStuff guys discuss the past, present and future of home theater devices that hook up to your tv, from the VHS/Betamax format wars to the OnLive video game platform, in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Aug 31, '09, 11:13 AM Video Game Consoles In today's episode, the TechStuff guys weigh in on video game consoles, from the models they own to the future of gaming consoles. Learn more about technology in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Aug 26, '09, 12:55 PM Mega Bits, Mega Bytes & Mega Hertz The world of bits, bytes and hertz can be a confusing one, but Chris and Jonathan like a challenge. Tune in as they explore the differences between megabits, megabytes and megahertz in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Aug 24, '09, 12:31 PM How Airplane Technology Works Airplanes are full of cool technology, from sensors to satellite TV. Join the TechStuff guys as they give a basic overview of airplane technology in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Aug 19, '09, 10:42 AM What is a denial of service attack? Recently, Twitter was shut down for a few hours because of a denial of service attack. Join Chris and Jonathan as they discuss the details of denial of service attacks in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Aug 17, '09, 1:30 PM Overview of Linux Linux is an operating system that developers have been tinkering around with since 1994. Tune in as Jonathan and Chris delve into the history, applications and various "flavors" of Linux-based systems in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Aug 12, '09, 10:49 AM Assistive Technology Assistive technology includes devices and programs that help disabled people perform routine tasks that they otherwise could not. Join Jonathan and Chris as they discuss examples of assistive technology in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Aug 10, '09, 11:08 AM Is your cell phone a killer? Cell phone interference is annoying in general, but in some situations, it can be potentially deadly. Find out why hospitals and airlines tend to ban cell phones—and how great the risk actually is—in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Aug 5, '09, 10:48 AM What is Internet2? Internet2 is a networking consortium that has been running an advanced version of the Internet since 1996. Discover Internet2's origins, purpose and impact on the progress of the Internet in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Aug 3, '09, 11:42 AM TechStuff's Shark Week Special Sharks and technology don't usually mix, but the "Bruce" models from the movie "Jaws" are a definite exception. Learn more about the mechanical sharks that have terrorized generations of movie-goers in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Jul 29, '09, 10:59 AM How does 3D printing work? Unlike traditional printing, 3D printing allows users to create three-dimensional objects using layers and plastic. Tune in to find out how 3D printing works, how much it costs and surprising applications for it in this podcast from HowstuffWorks.com. Jul 27, '09, 11:58 AM Google Voice Goes Live Google recently launched Google Voice, a service which promises to make telecommunicating easier and more convenient. Find out where Google Voice came from, how it works and if there are other products like it in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Jul 22, '09, 11:06 AM What's the deal with Google Street View? Google Street View, which offers panoramic views of a selection of streets around the world, debuted in 2007. Discover how Google gets those impressive pictures—and what tricycles have to do with it—in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Jul 20, '09, 11:19 AM Computers from the Past Now that they've covered the future of computing, the TechStuff guys are ready to tackle computers of the past. Tune in as they explore the origins of computational devices, from the abacus to punch-card computers, in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Jul 15, '09, 12:27 PM Computers of the Future What does the future hold for computer technology? Tune in as Jonathan and Chris tackle everything from quantum computers to DNA computers in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Jul 13, '09, 10:53 AM Creative Ways to Use Twitter In this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com, Jonathan and Chris discuss creative ways to use Twitter, from shameless self-promotion to space Tweeting. Jul 8, '09, 12:58 PM How much electricity does the Internet use? It's hard to determine how much electricity the Internet consumes, but Jonathan and Chris are willing to try. Join them as they discuss the many factors that affect Internet energy consumption in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Jul 6, '09, 11:47 AM Is green technology a trend? Environmentally-friendly technology is trendy right now, but is it here to stay? Get Chris and Jonathan's take on green technology's future in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Jul 1, '09, 10:30 AM What is convergence? Technological convergence occurs when multiple technologies combine in a new form of technology. Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to hear Jonathan and Chris discuss the evolution of convergence. Jun 29, '09, 11:21 AM Big Misses in Technology The TechStuff guys discuss hardware that didn't make the cut in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Jun 24, '09, 10:48 AM Wolfram Alpha is Not a Search Engine Since its recent debut, there's been a lot of buzz about Wolfram Alpha. But this cool new tool isn't a search engine; it's a computational knowledge engine. Find out what Wolfram Alpha has to offer in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Jun 22, '09, 10:58 AM Are we in cyber war? Cyber warfare is a nebulous field of combat without clear-cut rules or loyalties. Discover if we're currently at war—cyber war—in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Jun 17, '09, 11:39 AM Spotlight on Vint Cerf Vinton Cerf, often called the "father of the internet," is an extremely influential computer scientist and the chief "internet evangelist" for Google. Get the scoop on Vint Cerf's life and work in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Jun 15, '09, 12:02 PM 100th Episode Spectacular It's official: TechStuff has hit the 100-episode mark! Join Chris and Jonathan as they reminisce about their first forays into the tech world and the tech stuff that hooked them early on in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Jun 10, '09, 11:23 AM What's the deal with spam? Spam is unsolicited junk e-mail that clogs up your mailbox, but where did it come from? Why is there so much of it? And why is it named after a processed food product? Get the skinny on spam in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Jun 8, '09, 1:34 PM USB vs FireWire USB and FireWire technologies are both ways to transfer data between devices. Tune in as the TechStuff guys explore the past, present and future of USB and FireWire in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Jun 3, '09, 11:27 AM E3 2009 Preview The Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, is where producers of electronic entertainment showcase their goods every year. Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to hear the TechStuff guys make predictions about this year's offerings. Jun 1, '09, 11:22 AM Why do other countries get cool tech before the U.S? Smartphones have been very successful in the EU and Japan, but the US didn't catch on until the iPhone. This isn't an isolated incident—the US market often lags behind its foreign counterparts. Learn more in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. May 27, '09, 12:40 PM Are computers more eco-friendly than paper? When it comes to environmentally-friendly use of resources, are computers a better option than paper? Tune in as the TechStuff guys tackle the complicated topic of electricity versus paper in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. May 25, '09, 3:58 PM The Down Low on CB Radio Citizens' Band (CB) radio isn't exactly up-and-coming technology, but it still keeps people connected. Explore the fascinating history of CB radio in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. May 20, '09, 11:31 AM Listener Mail Roundup 2 You've got questions—and the TechStuff guys have answers. Listen in as they tackle more listener mail, from online scams to overcharging batteries, in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. May 18, '09, 1:23 PM What's the deal with BitTorrent? BitTorrent is a file-distribution method that allows you to download large files without using up tons of bandwidth. Learn more about this popular protocol in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. May 13, '09, 1:21 PM How Mobile Apps Stores Work Mobile applications stores for smart phones are the next big thing in telephone technology. Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to find out how these mobile apps stores work, what they're selling and how they got their start. May 11, '09, 10:30 AM Listener Mail Roundup Ever wanted to be a guest on TechStuff? If you've written to the guys, your letter might be in today's episode. Join Chris and Jonathan as they respond to listener mail in this feedback extravaganza from HowStuffWorks.com. May 6, '09, 12:14 PM Windows 7 Preview Check out this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to hear the TechStuff guys discuss the differences between the infamous Microsoft operating system Windows Vista and the upcoming version, Windows 7. May 4, '09, 11:39 AM Technology We Can Thank NASA For We might not all grow up to be astronauts, but there are lots of everyday technologies that we can thank NASA for. Find out which technologies were space-tested before they landed on Earth in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Apr 29, '09, 6:31 AM What are Mac clones? Mac users swear by Apple products—the style and innovation keep these customers coming back for more. But what about the foreign companies manufacturing reverse-engineered Apple clones? Tune in and learn more in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Apr 27, '09, 2:31 PM How RSS Works RSS—really simple syndication—is a handy way to get updates from Web sites, and every user can configure his or her preferences. Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to find out how RSS works and how to use an RSS feed. Apr 22, '09, 11:34 AM What exactly is cloud gaming? The phantom game console was designed to allow gamers to play any game from any system. The system hasn't panned out yet, but gamers still hope for cloud gaming capacities. Learn more about cloud gaming in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Apr 20, '09, 9:46 AM How 9-1-1 Technology Works The 9-1-1 emergency system seems pretty straightforward—you dial 9-1-1 and rescue teams are dispatched. But as the TechStuff guys reveal in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com, there's a lot of technology behind the curtain. Apr 15, '09, 10:22 AM How 2G, 3G and 4G Cell Phone Networks Work As cell phone technology evolves, so does the nomenclature. What's a 2G network? 3G? 4G? In this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com, the TechStuff guys give a detailed explanation of recent and emerging cell phone networks and technologies. Apr 13, '09, 10:00 AM Computer Virus Emergency Response Plan Go! Computer viruses can be nasty customers, but there are ways to oust them that don't involve drastic measures. Tune in to hear the TechStuff guys detail ways to deal with computer virus emergencies in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Apr 8, '09, 7:32 AM Digital Camera Tips Digital cameras can take great pictures—especially if you know how to use them well. Tune in to hear the TechStuff guys discuss some handy digital camera tips. Apr 6, '09, 11:55 AM Famous April Fool's Tech Pranks On April 1, pranks run wild in the tech sector. In this podcast from HowStuffWorks, the TechStuff guys tickle your funny bone with a list of famous April Fool's tech pranks. Apr 1, '09, 4:55 PM The CTO and CIO of the United States As a candidate, Barack Obama promised to appoint a Chief Technology Officer. As president, he has appointed a Chief Information Officer. This podcast from HowStuffWorks.com takes a detailed look at these new positions. Mar 30, '09, 4:00 PM Are more expensive cables worth it? Is it safe to assume that expensive cables will outperform their cheaper counterparts? Not necessarily. Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to hear the TechStuff guys debate the merits of costly cables. Mar 23, '09, 8:00 AM Cool Hardware Hacks Hackers tend to get a bad rap, but not all hacking is for nefarious purposes. Discover nifty ways to "hack," or repurpose, existing hardware in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Mar 18, '09, 8:00 AM Is your ISP sniffing packets? Packets are tiny pieces of digital information that move across networks. In this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com, the Techstuff guys discuss the controversial phenomenon of packet "sniffing" by Internet Service Providers. Mar 16, '09, 8:00 AM What are virtual machines? Virtual machines can function as a 'machine inside a machine,' preventing two mutually incompatible applications from sabotaging each other. Tune in as the TechStuff crew takes a look at virtual machines in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Mar 11, '09, 8:00 AM How Nanotechnology Works Nanotechnology is the science of building incredibly tiny machines. As manufacturing techniques improve, more nanotechnology may find its way to the market. Learn more about the history and future of nanotech in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Mar 9, '09, 8:00 AM What the big deal with megapixels? Digital camera manufacturers frequently use megapixels in their marketing strategy—but what exactly are megapixels? Do they make a difference? Listen in as our resident tech experts take a look at megapixels in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Mar 4, '09, 8:00 AM What is MAME? Many older arcade games have disappeared, leaving nostalgic gamers with no access to their favorite games. Luckily for manufacturers, MAME has come along. Learn more about multiple arcade machine emulators in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Mar 2, '09, 8:00 AM Whatever happened to...? From the Amiga to the Concorde jet, more than a few fascinating pieces of hardware have emerged only to disappear soon after. Listen in as the TechStuff crew takes a look at back at technologies that came and left in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Feb 25, '09, 8:00 AM How Mac Viruses Work Apple computers used to have 'security through obscurity' because most hackers didn't bother writing computer viruses for a Mac. Now that appears to be changing—learn why in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Feb 23, '09, 8:00 AM What's difference between LCD and plasma television? With the advent of LCD and plasma televisions, the reign of the cathode ray TV may have already ended—but which new TV is the best? Tune in as our experts take a look at TV technology in this podcast from HowStuffWorks. Feb 18, '09, 8:00 AM How Rechargeable Batteries Work Rechargeable batteries are used almost every mobile electronic device, but many consumers don't know how to maintain these batteries. Tune in as the TechStuff crew takes a look at proper battery care in this podcast from HowStuffWorks. Feb 16, '09, 8:00 AM How Proxy Servers Work The internet can be thought of as a series of clients and servers, wherein clients request data from a server. A proxy server has the ability to intercept data from the original server. Learn more about proxy servers in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Feb 11, '09, 8:00 AM How can technology help me get healthy? With the advent of Wii Fit, consumers are coming to see video games as a way to get in shape, rather than fall into a sedentary lifestyle. Tune in to learn more about health and video games in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Feb 9, '09, 8:00 AM How 3-D Glasses Work 3-D glasses have been around for a long time, but recent innovations have redefined the traditionally marginal role of this technology. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about the future of 3-D technology. Feb 4, '09, 8:00 AM Will using multiple applications kill my computer? Most computer users run multiple applications at the same time—this can often cause the computer to run more slowly. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about your computer's health. Feb 2, '09, 8:00 AM Can computers teach me to play music? Would you like a robotic piano teacher? The unprecedented popularity of Guitar Hero and Rock Band have prompted some gamers to learn actual instruments. Tune in as the TechStuff crew tackles the future of music education in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Jan 28, '09, 8:00 AM Why is President Obama's Blackberry such a big deal? After his election, Blackberry enthusiast Barack Obama faced a dilemma—should he give up the Blackberry or break from tradition and become the first president with email? Tune in as the TechStuff crew takes a look at President Obama's Blackberry. Jan 26, '09, 8:00 AM How Smartphones Work Your average cell phone boasts some pretty cool features, but Smartphones have taken things to a whole new level. Get the lowdown on these versatile gadgets in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Jan 21, '09, 8:00 AM GPS Games People Play GPS receivers are great for navigation, but they have another surprising application: games. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to get the goods on geocaching, geodashing and other GPS games. Jan 19, '09, 8:00 AM The 2009 Consumer Electronics Show From 3-dimensional TV displays to wireless battery chargers, the 2009 CES ushered in a wave of emerging technologies. Check in with the Techs tuff crew to learn more about the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Jan 14, '09, 8:00 AM What is phishing? Phishers send emails to strangers, hoping to swindle them out of thousands of dollars. From the notorious Nigerian email scams to fake hard-luck stories, phishing scams depend on the greed of online victims. Learn more in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Jan 12, '09, 8:00 AM The Team's Favorite Tech Toys Listen in as the Techstuff team reveals their favorite tech toys, distractions and hobbies in this podcast from HowStuffWorks. Jan 7, '09, 8:00 AM Will the internet kill television? With the advent of streaming internet video, some believe the days of traditional television are nearing an end. Check in with the Techstuff crew as they take a look at the relationship between the internet and television in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Jan 5, '09, 8:00 AM How Bill Gates and Steve Jobs Work, Part 2 Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are giants in the computing world—and they have more in common than you might suspect. Listen in as the Techstuff team reviews the parallels between Jobs and Gates in their first two-part podcast from HowStuffWorks. Dec 31, '08, 8:00 AM Tech Predictions for 2009 From Steve Job's successor to the future of the internet, the Techstuff team is chock full of predictions for 2009. Check out this podcast from HowStuffWorks to learn more. Dec 29, '08, 8:00 AM How Bill Gates and Steve Jobs Work, Part 1 Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are giants in the computing world—and they have more in common than you might suspect. Listen in as the Techstuff team reviews the parallels between Jobs and Gates in their first two-part podcast from HowStuffWorks. Dec 24, '08, 8:00 AM The TechStuff Christmas List Listen in as the TechStuff team reviews the latest round of sleek and super-advanced technology (just in time for Christmas) in this podcast from HowStuffWorks. Dec 22, '08, 8:00 AM How Streaming Video Works Streaming video allows internet users to watch content without downloading an entire movie or show. Listen in as the Techstuff team takes a look at the nature, legality and future of streaming video sites in this podcast from HowStuffWorks. Dec 17, '08, 8:00 AM How Net Neutrality Works Net neutrality is the concept that a computer user should have the same access to webpages regardless of the ISP or site visited. However, several ISPs are attempting to change this situation. Check out this podcast from HowStuffWorks to learn more. Dec 15, '08, 8:00 AM How iPhone Applications Work Each day, more and more applications for the iPhone find their way into the marketplace and individual phones. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about the capabilities and limitations of iPhone applications. Dec 10, '08, 8:00 AM How MMORPGS Work Massively multiplayer online role playing games—or MMORPGs—are games in which a player takes on a fictional persona in a virtual world. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about MMORPGs, and why they've become so popular. Dec 8, '08, 8:00 AM What tools do the HowStuffWorks writers use? In this episode the Techstuff crew reviews the browsers, software and other applications they use to research podcasts and articles. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast for a behind-the-scenes look at the tech writers' tool chest. Dec 3, '08, 8:00 AM Can I use TiVo with my PC? TiVo is a brand of digital video recorder that allows users to record programs from television and watch the programming at their leisure. But can this functionality work with a computer? Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast and learn more. Dec 1, '08, 8:00 AM How Digital Rights Management Works Digital Rights Management—or DRM—is a method through which content providers attempt to prevent consumers from distributing content without the approval of content providers. Learn more about the DRM controversy in this podcast from HowStuffWorks. Nov 26, '08, 8:00 AM How E-books Work The digital revolution is changing the way audiences encounter media and entertainment. Conventional books are no exception. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about the advent of e-book technology. Nov 24, '08, 8:00 AM How E-waste Works The hectic pace of electronic innovation has created an enormous amount of waste across the planet. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about how trashed computers and electronic waste affect the world's ecosystem. Nov 19, '08, 8:00 AM How Richard Garriott Works Richard Garriott—better known to some as Lord British—is an innovative computer designer responsible for the legendary Ultima video game series. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about the remarkable career of Richard Garriott. Nov 17, '08, 8:00 AM Do violent video games lead to real violence? Despite numerous studies, the jury's still out on violence in video games: do they make gamers more likely to commit violent acts, or function as a means of catharsis? Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about violence and video games. Nov 12, '08, 8:00 AM What is the greatest threat to your privacy online? Internet service providers and companies like Google have access to a profound amount of private information. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about privacy online. Nov 10, '08, 8:00 AM How Internet Trolls Work On the internet, a 'troll' is an individual with an overwhelming desire to stir up trouble with inflammatory comments and images. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about internet trolls. Nov 5, '08, 8:00 AM How Ray Kurzweil Works Ray Kurzweil is one of the world's most influential futurists. Join the Techstuff team as they take a look at Kurzweil's amazing career in this podcast from HowStuffWorks. Nov 3, '08, 8:00 AM Technology That Goes Bump In the Night Some technology is designed to scare the daylights out of you, and some is just scary technology. Check out this special Halloween HowStuffWorks podcast to learn about some of the scariest technology around, from animatronics to androids. Oct 29, '08, 8:00 AM What happened to the technology of the future? Tech gurus of the 1950s thought the future would be full of flying cars and robots. Whatever happened to the utopian technology promised years ago? Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn how today measures up to yesterday's version of the future. Oct 27, '08, 8:00 AM How Dean Kamen Works Although inventor Dean Kamen is best known for the Segway, he holds more than 440 patents and conducts educational programs across the nation to encourage young scientists. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about this remarkable inventor. Oct 23, '08, 8:00 AM How does the economy affect the tech sector? As the US economy struggles, every sector of business suffers—even the technical industries. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about how the economic downturn affects hi-tech companies. Oct 22, '08, 10:52 AM Whatever happened to virtual reality? Several years ago, the world buzzed with rumors of fully interactive virtual reality just around the corner. Whatever happened to this immersive, innovative technology? Listen in as the HowStuffWorks podcasters take a look at virtual reality. Oct 15, '08, 8:00 AM How Parental Controls Work Parental controls are designed to prevent children from spending too much time on a computer, or from visiting inappropriate web sites. This technology can also be used in the workplace. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more. Oct 13, '08, 8:00 AM How High-End Peripherals Work Check out this podcast from HowStuffWorks to learn more about high-end computer peripherals, such as customizable keyboards and specialized video game consoles. Oct 8, '08, 8:00 AM The Dark Side of Cloud Computing Cloud computing lets users share files and applications over the Internet. However, this service is not perfect. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about the possible security and service issues of cloud computing. Oct 6, '08, 8:00 AM The Ten Worst Computer Viruses Computer viruses have evolved just as quickly as computers themselves. Listen in as our HowStuffWorks staff breaks down history's worst computer viruses. Oct 1, '08, 8:00 AM How the Google Android Phone Will Work After years of rumors, Google and T-Mobile are releasing a cell phone designed to use Android, Google's new open-source software platform. Tune in to this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about the development of Google Android. Sep 29, '08, 8:00 AM How Niche Social Networks Work The U.S. intelligence community is creating a social networking site for spies—and this is just one example of the growing field of niche social networks. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about specialized social networks. Sep 24, '08, 8:00 AM How Web Browser Updates Work As the capacity and complexity of the internet grows, browsers also become more complex. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about the future of web browsing. Sep 22, '08, 3:45 PM How Encryption Works Every day, consumers sign up for financial services over the internet, putting their private information online. Users count on encryption to protect them—but how do these techniques actually work? Check out our HowStuffWorks article to learn more. Sep 17, '08, 8:00 AM How Green Printers Work Some have called the 21st century "the era of the paperless office," but the printed page still has a profound effect on the environment. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about the various methods of green printing, including disappearin Sep 15, '08, 8:02 AM How WiMAX Works WiMAX has hit technology news in a big way. This networking system can blanket a 30-mile radius with broadband access, creating city-wide wireless access. Unfortunately, this system is far from perfect. Check out our HowStuffWorks article to learn more. Sep 10, '08, 8:00 AM How Printers Work The swift evolution of printing technology has spawned several types of printers. Check out the HowStuffWorks web site to learn more about the history and future of printers. Sep 8, '08, 9:54 AM How Independent Game Developers Work Until recently, independent game developers were a rarity in the world of video game consoles. With the advent of developer kits like Nintendo's WiiWare, this market has fundamentally shifted—check out our HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more. Sep 4, '08, 8:00 AM What are the different ways you can print without wires? Wired devices are literally leashed to a network, and connecting devices can be very frustrating. With wireless printing, users are no longer tied down by cables and cords. Check out our HowStuffWorks article to learn more about wireless printing. Sep 2, '08, 9:49 AM How LCDs Work You probably use items containing an LCD (liquid crystal display) every day. This technology can be found in laptops computers, digital clocks, ovens and CD players. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn how these LCDs work. Aug 28, '08, 8:02 AM Can the government take away my laptop? Federal agents have the right to confiscate and examine electronic devices belonging to anyone entering the United States—and these agents aren't required to have probable cause. Check out our HowStuffWorks article to learn more about US policy. Aug 26, '08, 3:26 PM How Energy-efficient Electronics Work The average American household spends $1,400 each year on energy bills. Take a look at our HowStuffWorks article to learn how energy-efficient electronics can reduce power usage and bills. Aug 20, '08, 8:00 AM How E-voting Works Generally speaking, e-voting refers to both the electronic means of casting a vote and the electronic means of tabulating votes. Will this become the future of voting? Check out our HowStuffWorks article to learn more about electronic voting. Aug 18, '08, 8:00 AM How Bluetooth Works Security is a concern in any wireless network setup. People sending sensitive information over a wireless connection need to take precautions to make sure those signals aren't intercepted. Learn more about Bluetooth security in our HowStuffWorks article. Aug 13, '08, 8:04 AM How the Merger of Sirius and XM Will Work Satellite radio allows listeners to access radio stations without sitting through radio ads. Only two companies—Sirius and XM Radio—have attained a measure of success in this industry. Visit our HowStuffWorks article to learn more about the merger. Aug 11, '08, 8:00 AM How the Facebook Redesign Works Facebook is a social networking site. It was created for Harvard students but has expanded to an open membership. Learn about Facebook, it's network and new redesign in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Aug 6, '08, 12:53 PM How Twitter Works In May 2008, Twitter received another 15 million dollars in venture capital funding. This increase reflects the growing interest in micro blogging—messages with 160 characters or less. Check out our HowStuffWorks article to learn more about Twitter. Aug 4, '08, 8:00 AM How Mp3 Files Work Certain parts of a song can be eliminated without significantly lowering the song's quality. The MP3 does not sound exactly the same as the original CD song. Check out our HowStuffWorks article to learn more about MP3 files and audio quality. Jul 30, '08, 1:13 PM How Cloud Computing Works Cloud computing allows users to store data on other computers or servers. For example, web-based applications are a form of cloud computing. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about cloud computing. Jul 28, '08, 2:00 PM How the iPhone Works The new Apple iPhone has several advantages, including a GPS and 3G capacity. However, the iPhone is far from perfect, and still has some disadvantages. Learn more about pros and cons of the new iPhone in our HowStuffWorks article, 'How the iPhone Works.' Jul 23, '08, 11:57 AM How Zombie Computers Work When a hacker makes a zombie computer, he infiltrates an unsuspecting victim's computer and uses it to conduct illegal activities. The user may be unaware that his computer has been taken over. Check out our HowStuffWorks article to learn more. Jul 21, '08, 1:12 PM How Video Game Systems Work Get a console-by-console update on the developments of the 2008 E3 exposition in this HowStuffWorks podcast, including news on improved online features and expanded memory. Check out our HowStuffWorks article "How Video Game Systems Work" to learn more. Jul 16, '08, 1:53 PM Do I Really Need a Digital Converter Box For My TV? In an effort to free up radio spectrum for emergency broadcasting and wireless service, the US will switch from analog to digital television on Feb. 17, 2009. Check out our HowStuffWorks article to learn more about how this switch affects your TV. Jul 14, '08, 2:32 PM How Open Source Works Open source is a way of developing software in which the original developer makes all of the source code available for modification. Learn more about open source software in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Jul 8, '08, 1:38 PM How Moore's Law Works Each year, manufacturers bring out the next great computer chip that boosts bigger and better computing power. Intel founder Gordon Moore predicted this technology phenomenon more than 35 years ago. This became known as Moore's Law. Jul 2, '08, 1:05 PM What are the Best Video Games That Were Never Made? The best video games never made is a debate because of the number of great ideas that routinely get canceled. Check out the best video games never made. Jun 25, '08, 11:03 AM Why is the Google Algorithm So Important? The Google algorithm searches out Web pages that contain keywords you used to search. Learn about the Google algorithm and how the Google algorithm works. Jun 18, '08, 1:28 PM How the Google-Apple Cloud Computer Will Work The Google-Apple cloud computer is a revolutionary new system in which all programs are stored on a central server. Learn about the Google-Apple cloud computer.

Source: HowStuffWorks.com