User Friendly - The Podcast

Audio Tech

What is Dolby? What is THX? What do these things mean in movies and audio? This week we'll look at your questions about audio tech and discuss a bit about recording history. We will also cover professional Dungeon Masters and this week's news. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

Capacitor Plague

How do you maintain retro and other older electronics? What can go wrong? Today, we'll look at some of your questions about the risks and best ways to keep our old electronics working. This week, we also have the sad duty of saying goodbye to 2 legendary performers, Dolly Parton and Tim Curry. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

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Game Consoles that Failed

We chat about the news, LEGO Saturn V progress, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, and a bunch of home video game products that just didn't make it. Hosts: William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

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History of Memory and Processors

Hang out with us for the news, and then our second section focuses on the progression of computer memory and processors. So much has changed over the decades. Hosts: William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

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Shopping Tech

In this episode, we chat about shopping technology that is changing alongside the news. We have guest Kranti Guduru, who knows all about legacy software languages and the challenges involved in migrating legacy systems to modern ones. Hosts: William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

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Cord Cutting in 2026

This week, we have more news, and then we answer your questions about television and its current status. There is also an update on Cyberhawk and a request of our listeners who have read Cyberhawk Rise of Heroes. Hosts: Williams, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

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AI vs AI vs $$$

AI isn't declaring war on AI. People are using AI to attack AI systems, and companies are increasingly using AI to defend against those attacks. And all this is (you guessed it!) costing you money. Our guest this week is Elias Curtis with Transformed Design, who joins us to talk SEO and how to get your product in front of those you want to see it. Gretchen brings us the latest on her Lego project, and Bill reviews a new addition to a popular tabletop RPG. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

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Summer 2026 Q&A

Your questions, our answers! Hosts: William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

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From Horses to Hybrid Intelligence

On the agenda today: Ukrainian Drone Technology and Ford Technology. In our first segment, we discuss the latest technology Ukraine is using and how it's turning the tide of the war in its favor. Following that, we visit the Ford Motor Company "Driving America Forward: A Ford Experience" presentation. Guest Ted Ryan joins us from the event floor. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

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We're 14!

Join us for our summer clip show as User Friendly turns 14! William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

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Cybersecurity for Ordinary People

Listen to our extensive news segment, our thoughts about the new He-Man movie, and Bill Snodgrass's experience with the Mythic Game System. Hosts: William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

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Data Center

This week, we cover the news, chat about technology and pop culture, and then focus on data centers and what they are. Hosts: William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

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AI In The Workplace

Transformational Coach Debbie Longo joins us this week to talk about AI in the workplace. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

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Grogu, AI, Afterburner and Programmers

Mandalorian and Grogu are out, and we got to see it! Also, we had a chance to attend an event at the Evergreen Air and Space Museum called Afterburner. Both of these were a lot of fun and well done. Our second segment this week covers the current state of jobs with programmers and authors. Are these still good professions to aspire to? How is AI changing things? Will AI replace these jobs? William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

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NextGen TV 2026 / Interactive Fiction

We explore how television is about to change. And chat with guest Heather Rose Walters from Iffly and discuss her experience with Redwall. Hosts: William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

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Right to Repair 2026

Do we own what we buy? Many people ask this question as companies make it harder to maintain and repair their purchases without paying the manufacturer. Join us this week as we dive into the Right to Repair. Also, this week we review Jotan Slayer, a great new game that's easy to learn and fun to play. Hosts: William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

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Social Media

This week, we talk to the experts about teens' use of social media. Guest Jen Hanley, Head of North American Safety at Meta, joins us to talk about some of the tools and initiatives Facebook and Instagram are taking to protect your children. Further resources can be found at familycenter.meta.com. Also this week – our take on Next Level Pinball, the United States second largest arcade and cathedral of pop culture. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

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The YouTube Myth and Fabula Ultima

Join us this week to learn about some of the top YouTube myths. Our guest this week, Mark, talks about Fabula Ultima Role Playing. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

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Surveillance Nation

In 1984 (a good year for it), Rockwell released the hit "Somebody's Watching Me". Today, that is more than a song. This week on User Friendly 2.0, we deep dive into how much surveillance has proliferated in recent years. Our second segment features Comic Friendly 2.0! Host Michael Regina is back with a send-off for Garry Conway, who passed away at the age of 86. Comic Friendly 2.0 also features a review of the 2026 Laval Comic Con in Laval, Quebec, Canada. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

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Elastic Pricing

Today, we discuss our eclectic variety of news topics, ACH, and Elastic Pricing. William Sikkens, BillSnodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

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