New Tech, Vintage Nerds

In this podcast episode, AJ and Alex delve into different aspects of the digital communication world, specifically email and their recent 3D printing projects, custom-designed 3D inserts for slat walls, the TARDIS and more. 🔗 Gear Up with Our Top Tips: * Ice cube machine * Measuring wheel ® Brands or solutions mentioned (not in order) 1. Apple Mail [https://www.apple.com/mail/] 2. Outlook [https://outlook.com] 3. Gmail [https://mail.google.com] 4. MailCow [https://mailcow.email] 5. EM Client [https://www.emclient.com] 6. Sogo [https://sogo.nu] 7. Thunderbird [https://www.thunderbird.net] 8. Microsoft Office 365 [https://www.office.com] 9. Exchange Server [https://www.microsoft.com/exchange] 10. Microsoft Hotmail [https://outlook.live.com/owa/] 🤝 Join the Conversation We're not just here to talk at you—we want to connect with our community! Have questions or experiences about 3D printing or home automation? Want to share your own tech journey? Drop a comment below, and let's start the discussion! 🔔 Stay Updated Don't miss out on more tech insights and life-enhancing tools. Hit the subscribe button and ring the bell to get notified about our latest content. 🗣️ Stay Connected with Us * Twitter Chatter [https://twitter.com/newtechvintage] * Mastodon Musings [https://mastodon.social/@newtechvintagenerds] * Our hangout on the internet [https://ntvn.online] * Your favorite podcasting platform [https://ntvn.podbean.com]

In today's episode Alex and AJ are discussing presence detection versus motion detection in their home automation setups. Takeaways: * Importance of Clean Air: AJ and Alex emphasize the importance of clean air inside homes, especially during winter, when indoor air quality can deteriorate due to heating, cooking, and other activities. * Methods for Clean Air: * Air Monitoring: Using air monitors to keep track of CO2 levels and other pollutants like particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). * Air Filters: The benefits of using air filters, such as HEPA filters, to remove particulates and volatile gases from the air. * 3D Printing Considerations: The importance of using filters and air extraction systems when 3D printing materials like ABS and PETG, which can release harmful fumes. * Workshop Dust Control: * Dust Extraction: Both emphasize the significance of having a dust extraction system in workshops to control wood dust and other particles. * DIY Solutions: Descriptions of custom-built or modified systems such as dust cyclones and shop vacuums to manage dust effectively. 🔗 Gear Up with Our Top Tips: * Teleprompters: Using a teleprompter allows reading scripts while maintaining eye contact with the camera. * Elgato Stream Deck Pedal: Using a foot pedal to control teleprompter scrolling, Zoom mute, and video controls enhances productivity. The pedal can start/stop scrolling of the teleprompter and can be configured for other uses like muting during Zoom calls. ® Brands or solutions mentioned (not in order): 1. Philips Hue [https://www.philips-hue.com/] 2. Raspberry Pi [https://www.raspberrypi.com] 3. IKEA [https://www.ikea.com] 4. Zigbee [https://csa-iot.org/all-solutions/zigbee/] 5. Homey [https://homey.app/] 6. Home Assistant [https://home-assistant.io] 7. AliExpress [https://aliexpress.com] 8. Synology [https://www.synology.com/] 9. Dust Commander [https://www.dust-commander.com/] 10. TrueNAS [https://www.truenas.com] 11. Gigabyte [https://www.gigabyte.com] 12. AMD EPYC 3151 [https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+EPYC+3151] 13. Elgato Stream Deck [https://www.elgato.com/us/en/p/stream-deck-mk2-black] 🤝 Join the Conversation: We're not just here to talk at you—we want to connect with our community! Have questions or experiences about 3D printing, or home automation? Want to share your own tech journey? Drop a comment below, and let's start the discussion! 🔔 Stay Updated: Don't miss out on more tech insights and life-enhancing tools. Hit the subscribe button and ring the bell to get notified about our latest content. 🗣️ Stay Connected with Us: * Twitter Chatter [https://twitter.com/newtechvintage] * Mastodon Musings [https://mastodon.social/@newtechvintagenerds] * Our hangout on the internet [https://ntvn.online] * Your favorite podcasting platform [https://ntvn.podbean.com]

In today's episode Alex and AJ are discussing presence detection versus motion detection in their home automation setups. Takeaways: * mmWave Technology as an alternative to PIR for detecting presence, even if the person is not moving significantly. * mmWave response slower than PIR, but the combination is good * Automations are annoying when it is not working properly * Home automation can be expensive, with numerous small costs accumulating over time 🔗 Gear Up with Our Top Tips: 3D Printing Magnets Tip: When starting 3D printing and incorporating magnets, AJ suggests printing a specific tool that helps in orienting the magnets correctly. This tool ensures the magnets are inserted in your prints with the right orientation, preventing issues with alignment and adhesion. Embedded Magnet Dispenser Tool for 3D Prints [https://makerworld.com/en/models/60890-embedded-magnet-dispenser-tool-for-3d-prints?fprofileId-63102] Mini Greenhouse Project: Alex mentions a project involving 3D printing a mini greenhouse called "Herbus," designed by Hands On Katie. It’s a comprehensive project that includes sections for planting herbs for the kitchen or small plants for a vegetable garden. Alex highlights adding technology and automation to the greenhouse, such as full spectrum LED lights for growing plants and potentially including an automated watering system. Herbus Mini Greenhouse [https://handsonkatie.com/herbus-s20-pro-x-ultra/] ® Brands or solutions mentioned (not in order): 1. Homey [https://homey.app/] 2. Home Assistant [https://home-assistant.io] 3. Aqara [https://www.aqara.com/en/] 4. Gardena [https://www.gardena.com/] 5. Husqvarna [https://www.husqvarna.com] 6. Hands On Katie [https://handsonkatie.com] 7. Herbus [https://handsonkatie.com/herbus-s20-pro-x-ultra/]

In this episode of NTVN, New Tech Vintage Nerds, AJ and Alex discuss standing desks and their uses, preferences, and assembly experiences, while standing. Takeaways: * Discussing standing desk benefits, such as such as better posture, a more dynamic presentation style in virtual meetings, and improved overall well-being while working from home. * Personal Experiences with standing desks, including the types they use (two-legged vs. four-legged) and the challenges and benefits they encountered. * Assembly and Setup Tips 🔗 Gear Up with Our Top Tips: ® Brands or solutions mentioned (not in order): 1. Gridfinity [https://gridfinity.xyz/] 2. Kickstarter [https://www.kickstarter.com/] 3. Zoom [https://zoom.us] 4. WebEx [https://www.webex.com/] 5. Microsoft Teams [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams] 6. Huddles [https://slack.com/features/huddles] 7. Hangouts 8. Flexispot [https://www.flexispot.com/] 9. Ikea countertop [https://www.ikea.com/us/en/cat/pre-cut-worktops-700419/] 10. Monster [https://monsterstore.com/] 11. Seasonic [https://seasonic.com/] 12. GeForce (NVIDIA) [https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/] 13. AliExpress [https://aliexpress.com/] 14. Apple MacBook [https://www.apple.com/mac/compare/] 15. LTT store (Linus Tech Tips) [https://www.lttstore.com/] 🤝 Join the Conversation: We're not just here to talk at you—we want to connect with our community! Have questions or experiences about standing desks, home office gear, or tech? Want to share your own journey? Drop a comment below, and let's start the discussion! 🔔 Stay Updated: Don't miss out on more tech insights and productivity tips. Hit the subscribe button and ring the bell to get notified about our latest content. 🗣️ Stay Connected with Us: * Twitter Chatter [https://twitter.com/newtechvintage] * Mastodon Musings [https://mastodon.social/@newtechvintagenerds] * Our hangout on the internet [https://ntvn.online] * Your favorite podcasting platform [https://ntvn.podbean.com]

In this episode of NTVN New Tech Vintage Nerds, AJ and Alex invite special guest Vikash to the table. The trio dives into a variety of tech topics, from the challenges of home automation with Sonos speakers to the intricacies of digitizing VHS tapes. They explore the world of 3D printing and the balance between high-end tinkering versus plug-and-play solutions. The conversation shifts to Vikash's personal journey in tech and his motivations behind creating valuable content on YouTube. If you're into home automation, DIY tech projects, or considering starting a YouTube channel, this episode is packed with insights and tips that you won't want to miss. Takeaways: * Alex's Experience with Home Automation: Alex talks about his automation setup using Sonos speakers, the problems he faced when the speakers stopped working, and how he resolved them by reintroducing the speakers into the setup. * Whole Home Audio Systems: The discussion shifts towards various audio setup strategies, including using HomePods and Home Assistant for automating music throughout the house. They also discuss systems like ZigBee and Z-Wave for motion sensors and other home automation elements. * VHS Digitization: Alex explains his process of digitizing old VHS tapes using an HDMI video converter and a capture box, as well as software like OBS and Handbrake for the actual digitization and encoding. He emphasizes the cost-effectiveness and quality improvement by using these specific tools. * Vikash's YouTube Journey: Vikash shares his journey of starting a YouTube channel focused on tech topics. He details how he decided to transition from traditional blogs to video content, his methodology for choosing topics, and the importance of not striving for perfection in the initial stages. He also discusses the tech he uses and his gradual upgrades over time. * Community Feedback and Improvements: Vikash highlights the importance of community feedback for improvement and stresses that good content is more important than having the best tech setup immediately. 🔗 Gear Up with Our Top Tips: 1. Vikash recommends the TV show "The Bear" for those interested in cooking and restaurant management. 2. AJ suggests exploring "Music Assistant," a tool complementary to Home Assistant for creating a whole-home audio system. ® Brands or solutions mentioned (not in order) 1. Sonos [http://sonos.com] 2. Home Assistant [https://home-assistant.io] 3. HomePod/HomePod Mini [https://apple.com/homepod] 4. Homey Pro [https://homey.app/homey-pro/] 5. Philips Hue [https://philips-hue.com] 6. Z-Wave [https://z-wavealliance.org] 7. ZigBee [https://csa-iot.org/all-solutions/zigbee/] 8. EcoWitt weather station [https://shop.ecowitt.com] 9. OBS - Open Broadcaster Software [https://obsproject.com] 10. Handbrake [https://handbrake.fr] 11. Joplin (note-taking application) [https://joplinapp.org] 12. Nextcloud [https://nextcloud.com] 13. Vikash.nl (Vikash’s personal website) [https://www.vikash.nl] 14. LinkedIn (professional networking site) [https://linkedin.com] 15. Music Assistant (related to Home Assistant) [https://music-assistant.io] 🔔 Stay Updated: Don't miss out on more tech insights and life-enhancing tools. Hit the subscribe button and ring the bell to get notified about our latest content. 🗣️ Stay Connected with Us: * Twitter Chatter: https://twitter.com/newtechvintage [https://twitter.com/newtechvintage] * Mastodon Musings: https://mastodon.social/@newtechvintagenerds [https://mastodon.social/@newtechvintagenerds] * Our hangout on the internet: https://ntvn.online [https://ntvn.online] * Your favorite podcasting platform or on https://ntvn.podbean.com [https://ntvn.podbean.com] Don't miss out on more tech insights and life-enhancing tools. Hit the subscribe button and ring the bell to get notified about our latest content.