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User Friendly - The Podcast

User Friendly Productions

User Friendly 2.0 takes you beyond the headlines to explore the technology changing our lives. From cybersecurity and artificial intelligence to gaming, consumer electronics, and emerging innovations, we make complex technology accessible, informative, and entertaining.

Join our hosts each week for technology news, expert interviews, thought-provoking discussions, and a healthy dose of geek culture. Whether you're a technology professional, an enthusiast, or simply curious about what's coming next, User Friendly 2.0 helps you stay informed and connected.

Keeping You Safe on the Cutting Edge.

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  • 26 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 49 min
  • English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • S8 · E43
    Sunday · 49 min· Video

    Code Wars: Clones, Consoles & Copyrights

    Who really owns the software you buy, and what happens when someone figures out how to recreate it? This week on User Friendly 2.0, we're diving into the growing controversy around Sony's PlayStation 5 and new developments that could let PS5 games run on ordinary PCs. Meanwhile, advances in artificial intelligence and software development are making it increasingly possible to recreate applications that compete with industry giants like Adobe and Microsoft. But just because technology makes something possible, does that make it legal or ethical? We'll explore the fascinating intersection of software cloning, reverse engineering, intellectual property rights, and consumer freedom. Are these innovations a victory for consumers, or a threat to the companies that create the technology we depend on? Plus, Bill Snodgrass returns from Reno, Nevada, with a firsthand report from the final SNAFU Con! After years of celebrating anime, gaming, cosplay, and pop culture, the convention is closing this chapter of its history. Bill shares his experiences from this year's event and what may be coming next. Technology, controversy, gaming, and a little geek culture. It's all happening this week on User Friendly 2.0! Visit us at UserFriendly.Show. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

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  • S8 · E42
    October 11 · 49 min· Video

    Hackers, Hardware & Game Night

    This week on User Friendly 2.0, we explore technology from two very different angles. First, we take a look at hacking devices. From security-testing tools to surprisingly inexpensive gadgets that interact with wireless signals, RFID, NFC, and other everyday technologies, we examine what these devices can do, why legitimate security professionals use them, and what happens when powerful tools fall into the wrong hands. Then we trade hacking hardware for board games as Mik and Starla from Our Family Plays Games join us! Our Family Plays Games is on a mission to bring more families into the modern board gaming hobby while helping make the gaming table a more diverse, inclusive, and welcoming place for everyone. We talk about the changing world of tabletop gaming, building a collection of more than 1,500 games, their work in the board gaming community, and why gathering around a table to play still matters in an increasingly digital world. Technology, security, games, and the people who bring them to life. It’s all this week on User Friendly 2.0! Learn more about Mik, Starla, and Our Family Plays Games at OurFamilyPlaysGames.com. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

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  • S8 · E41
    October 4 · 49 min· Video

    Cybersecurity Awareness Month

    October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the digital threats facing businesses and individuals continue to evolve. This week, Jessica Kearney of the Travelers Institute joins us to explore the current state of cybersecurity, the threats you should watch for, and the practical steps we can all take to better protect ourselves online. From emerging cyber risks to the everyday habits that can make a real difference, we’ll look at what you need to know to stay safer in an increasingly connected world. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

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  • S8 · E40
    September 27 · 49 min· Video

    The Hover

    This week's episode starts with the news and ends with the joy of hovering in a Gravity jet suit. Listen to hear what Bill has to share. Hosts: Bill Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

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  • S8 · E39
    September 20 · 49 min· Video

    Rose City & Holiday Lights

    Join us this week for our annual holiday light technology show. We have access to the same tech that ran amusement parks a few years ago - right at your house. The team attended the Rose City Comic Con and had a wonderful time. We discuss the highlights in the second segment. Bill offers his review of Age of Viking Companion. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

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  • S8 · E38
    September 13 · 49 min· Video

    ComicCons 2026 and Summer Q&A

    Join us this week as we discuss comic conventions and answer some of your questions. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

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  • S8 · E37
    September 6 · 49 min· Video

    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

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  • S8 · E36
    August 30 · 49 min· Video

    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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  • S8 · E35
    August 23 · 49 min· Video

    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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  • S8 · E34
    August 16 · 49 min· Video

    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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  • S8 · E33
    August 9 · 49 min· Video

    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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  • S8 · E32
    August 2 · 49 min· Video

    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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  • S8 · E31
    July 26 · 49 min· Video

    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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  • S8 · E30
    July 19 · 49 min· Video

    Summer 2026 Q&A

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

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  • S8 · E29
    July 12 · 49 min

    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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  • S8 · E28
    July 5 · 49 min

    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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  • S8 · E27
    June 28 · 49 min

    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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  • S8 · E26
    June 21 · 49 min

    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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  • S8 · E25
    June 14 · 49 min

    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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  • S8 · E24
    June 7 · 49 min

    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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Showing 1–20 of 26 episodes