Episode 446 - The Good Old Floppy!

This Week on TechtalkRadio: Justin, Shawn, and Andy tackle the buzz around Epic Games’ $126 million Fortnite refund settlement as listed in this link for the FTC for unauthorized in-game purchases and account locks. The conversation dives into the psychology of microtransactions, with Justin sharing personal experiences from PGA Tour 2K25 and Clash of Clans, and Andy reflecting on mobile games that he plays like Toon Blast which also has come under scrutiny. Shawn breaks down jaw-dropping revenue numbers for these games, highlighting the lucrative—and addictive—nature of in-game purchases. The discussion pivots to the shifting landscape of operating systems, as the crew critiques Microsoft’s pushy tactics with Edge, Bing, and Copilot, and sings the praises of Linux Mint as a cleaner, ad-free alternative. They explore how Linux is becoming a go-to OS for users tired of bloat and complexity, with helpful resources like Alternativeto easing the transition. From BIOS repair using a CH341A programmer to Reddit-sourced tech fixes, the show is packed with DIY insights. Justin tells us about and swears by Driver Easy for driver updates which has Shawn signing up during the show for a special deal. We are also reminded on one of Matts favorites, NiNite while Shawn also suggests regular reformatting every couple of years to keep machines healthy. Listener questions lead to a conversation about USB drives—form factors, brand reliability, and best practices for storage and backups, including the 3-2-1 strategy. Plus, Shawn shares his ham radio experience connecting with the International Space Station and recommends the Next Spaceflight app, just as NASA gears up to stream live on Netflix.