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Summary: The Tech Preps Podcast is all about keeping your “tech” functional in times of disaster. Technology has become so ingrained in our daily lives that even losing power for a few hours can be difficult to handle if you aren’t prepared. (Try explaining to your crying four year old why you need electricity so he can watch his morning cartoons!) We generate and accumulate so much digital content that a “technical disaster” can turn into a major life disaster. Even if you’re not into “prepping” or “survivalism”, much of the information presented here can still be very valuable. Having backups of your critical information, having a few spare parts on hand and really knowing and understanding the high-tech devices you use can benefit you every day.

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  • Artist: Michael Murphy
  • Copyright: Copyright © 2012 - Michael Murphy

Podcasts:

 Android Apps for Preppers – Episode 022 | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:45:57

Today's episode is all about Android apps for preppers. Since being prepared for life's unexpected events is really something everybody should do, this is really Android apps for everybody! :) After all, how could knowing a little first aid or being aware about natural disasters not be good for everyone?

 Six Uses for a Bootable USB Stick – Episode 021 | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:34:48

Today I'm going to talk about the humble USB stick or thumb drive and how it makes a great prepper tool. So what is a bootable USB stick?

 News and Reviews – Security Breach! – Episode 020 | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:17:06

It seems like you can hardly go a day without news of another security breach. Hackers are targeting big companies left and right. So what can you do?

 Advanced Text Message Tutorial – Episode 019 | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:31:09

Today's episode is an advanced text message tutorial on advanced ways you can use text messaging during a disaster plus tips on how to text to Twitter.

 Episode 018 – The Internet : Save For Offline | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:29:38

In today's show I'm going to discuss several ways that you can save for offline use all the information that is important to you. (text, audio and video)

 Episode 017 – Don’t Get Hacked! Protect Yourself Online | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:25:54

Companies and people get hacked all the time. What steps can you take to protect yourself online? How can you avoid getting hacked?

 Episode 016 – Putting Together a Blackout Bag | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:20:48

Image by: AbdillahAbi Blackout Bag/Kit 101 Welcome to another episode of the Tech Preps Podcast! Today I’m going to talk about putting together a blackout bag or kit. A blackout bag is one of the most basic and easy to assemble items that you can have for being prepared. The main purpose is simply to have everything together in one place that you would need to get through a short term power outage. That way you’re not scrambling through the house trying to find a flashlight that has a working battery or candles in the dark. A basic blackout bag will have the following categories of items: Lighting – You need to see things right? Communications – You need to hear and be heard. Entertainment – No point in being bored in the dark. Other – Listen to the episode for all the details! This should just be a basic “ah crap the power went out” bag for times when you expect the power to come back on quickly and you don’t feel like dragging the generator out of the shed. Why Is a Blackout Bag Important? In a nut shell, Murphy’s Law. No matter where you live, at some point in time you will experience a power outage. Being prepared even for something as small as a three hour power outage from a small storm or a drunk driver that hit a light pole, can mean the diffeence between being bored out of your flipping gourd or dealing with scared children to enjoying a nice time with a good book or playing some board games with the kids. Listen to the full episode for more ideas and tips for assembling your own blackout bag. As always please leave me comments and suggestions and like or share this post with your friends! Thanks for listening!The post Episode 016 – Putting Together a Blackout Bag appeared first on Tech Preps.The post Episode 016 – Putting Together a Blackout Bag appeared first on Tech Preps.

 Episode 015 – How to Build a Computer Step by Step – Part 2 | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:32:50

Image by: Terry Presley Build a Computer – Parts Selection This is part two of a series on how to build a computer. Today’s show is about the specific parts chosen. You’ll get to hear me commit technical sacrilege when I say there’s no real difference between Intel and AMD for a general use computer. (Here come the hate mails! ) There are several parts or components that are common between both the Intel build and the AMD build. There are also some parts that I have chosen to not include in this build like a keyboard or mouse. These parts don’t have any real effect on performance so I’m leaving those choices to you. The parts I have chosen for this computer meet these goals: Small size : This computer build won’t be a desk hog. Low power : This also means cool and quiet. Long term upgrade path : You won’t have to build a computer again for a while. You can upgrade this one. Common Parts Here is a list of the parts mentioned in the episode that are common to both the Intel based computer build and the AMD based build. You’ll have to listen to the show for my reasons behind these choices. Antec New Solution NSK3480 Black/ Silver Computer Case ASUS 24X DVD Burner – Bulk Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5″ SATA 6.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Intel Specific Parts These are the Intel computer parts that you will need in addition to the common parts listed above if you go the Intel route. Intel Pentium G630T 2.3GHz LGA 1155 Dual-Core Desktop Processor ASRock H77 Pro4-M Micro ATX Intel Motherboard AMD Specific Parts These are the AMD computer parts that you will need in addition to the common parts listed above if you go the AMD route. AMD A6-3500 2.1GHz (2.4GHz Max Turbo) Socket FM1 Triple-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic ASRock A75M Micro ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS Other Parts These are things that you will need to complete the build but are more a matter of personal choice. Logitech MK120 Black Wired Desktop Acer G235HAbd 23” WideScreen LCD monitor Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit Even more … the following parts are recommended if this is your first computer build. Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound 18″ SATA 6 Gbps Cable Thoughts and Other Notes First off a disclaimer. All the links above go directly to NewEgg and I do have an affiliate account with them. But even if I didn’t I would still be recommending them. Every part in every desktop computer in my house has come from them. I have been a customer of theirs for years and have absolutely zero complaints about them. The next episode will be on putting it all together. I’m planning on having a video or two to go along with the podcast episode so stay tuned!! As always please leave me comments and suggestions and like or share this post with your friends! Thanks for listening!The post Episode 015 – How to Build a Computer Step by Step – Part 2 appeared first on Tech Preps.The post Episode 015 – How to Build a Computer Step by Step – Part 2 appeared first on Tech Preps.

 Episode 014 – Wipe a hard drive with DBAN | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:25:00

Destroy your data! (aka wipe a hard drive) Destroy your data? After all my episodes on backups, redundancy and software inventory, why would I be telling you to wipe a hard drive? Because sometimes, removing data can be as important as backing it up. If you have an older computer that you want to donate or sell. Or you want to give it to a relative or a friend, you don’t want any trace of personal data left on the hard drive. Identity theft is a big problem and you want to make sure you don’t expose yourself from data left on an old hard drive. Backup before you wipe a hard drive! Wiping a hard drive is serious. When done right, the data is completely unrecoverable (by anybody with fewer resources than say a three letter government agency). That’s a good thing since that is the entire point of doing this! Just be 100% sure before you use the tools mentioned in this episode that you are 110% sure that all your important data is backed up before you wipe a drive. Need a backup refresher? Check out Episode 006 – Backup Options for Windows. Fortunately getting rid of that old data is easy. Wiping a hard drive using freely available tools will make sure that you’re protected when that old drive leaves your hands. Listen in as I discuss: Erasing files isn’t enough … they can be recovered! Physical forms of destruction may not be enough and are not practical. How to burn an ISO to a blank CD or DVD using the free program ImgBurn. How to wipe a hard drive with DBAN Resources / Links Hard Drive Data From Space Shuttle Columbia Recovered YouTube video of a hard drive shredder in action Darik’s Boot and Nuke (DBAN) The post Episode 014 – Wipe a hard drive with DBAN appeared first on Tech Preps.The post Episode 014 – Wipe a hard drive with DBAN appeared first on Tech Preps.

 Episode 013 – How to Build a Computer Step by Step – Part 1 | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:19:28

Image by: Jaroslaw W Build a Computer From Scratch Today’s episode is part one of a series on how to build a computer. While the internet is full of guides on building a computer from scratch, this guide will stray from the usual type of computer build. My focus is on a computer that would be more appropriate to a prepper, homesteader or survivalist than a power user or gamer. Part one will cover some basics. Part two will be on picking the right parts. Part three will be about putting it together. There may be a part four on installing the operating system but I’m thinking about making that it’s own series with about both Windows and Linux. By the end of this series you’ll have the info you need to build a computer on your own with the following benefits: Small and easy to transport Low power consumption Easy to maintain and upgrade Secure Build a Computer vs Buy a Computer So why build a computer when you can buy one already made? There are pros and cons to both. After listening to today’s show I think that you will agree that the pros of building it yourself outweigh any cons. And really there aren’t any! Everybody loves DIY and you don’t have to make an exception just because it’s a computer! Computer Basics Part 1 of this series is mostly for someone that has never tried to build a computer on their own. Parts two and three (and maybe four) will also be for a beginner, but I’ll be putting my own “prepping” twist on the choice of parts so there may be some good info for even someone that has done this once or twice before. In today’s show I’ll be discussing the main parts that make up your average desktop computer. Parts like CPU’s and motherboards. The two kinds of “memory”, RAM and hard drives and why they are different. Also covered are power supplies and what some of the specs like “80 Plus” mean. Don’t forget to leave your comments and a “Like” is always appreciated!The post Episode 013 – How to Build a Computer Step by Step – Part 1 appeared first on Tech Preps.The post Episode 013 – How to Build a Computer Step by Step – Part 1 appeared first on Tech Preps.

 Episode 012 – Buying a Whole Home Generator | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:35:14

By: Tsahi Levent-Levi Whole Home Generators – So Many Options! Back in episode eight I discussed alternatives to a whole house generator. I wanted to do a follow up show on whole home generators for those that want to go that direction. But with so many options, how do you know where to start? Factors that Affect Cost of a Whole Home Generator In today’s show I talk about many factors that can make the price of a home generator go up or down. These include items like: Output Power Included Accessories Engine RPM Engine Size Installation Requirements There can be a wide range in price even with generators that put out the same wattage. Today’s show covers these cost issues. I also explain why one 10kW generator can cost 50% more than another 10kW home generator. How Many Watts Does My Home Generator Need? Watts or wattage is the main thing that controls the price of a home generator. Determining how many watts you need can be simple or it can be hard. Calculating watts needed depends on the size of your home, where you live, and how many circuits you want you home generator to power. A professional’s estimate is always good to have but it’s kind of like buying a car. If you do your research first, you’ll know BEFORE you get to the dealership how much you “should” be paying for a specific car. Doing your own estimate of wattage for a home generator will give you a leg up when shopping. If you’re in the market for a generator then today’s show will give you some useful information. The more you know before you buy will help you get the most bang for your buck. Resources / Links Gillette Generators Sizing Calculator Generac Residential Sizer Yamaha Generator Sizing Worksheet The post Episode 012 – Buying a Whole Home Generator appeared first on Tech Preps.The post Episode 012 – Buying a Whole Home Generator appeared first on Tech Preps.

 Episode 011 – Android Security, Tablet Apps, WHS and WD Red Storage News | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:20:06

Android Security No, I’m not talking about having a guard robot! (although that would be awesome!) I’m talking about security for your android O/S phone or tablet. I came across an article the other day about how the latest version of Google’s Android operating system, 4.1 or “Jelly Bean”, is the most secure yet. The article get’s pretty deep but what it actually led me to discuss in today’s episode is not android security, but the security obtained from being “up to date”. Best Tablet Apps for Android I also go over Gizmodo’s list of the best Android apps for tablet users. I have a tablet myself so I compared what I have already on my tablet versus their list. I found that I was already using several of their recommended apps and I tried out a couple of new “social media” apps. You’ll have to listen for my thoughts! Replacements for WHS Third up in today’s show is the news from Bit-Tech that Microsoft has decided to drop Windows Home Server and replace it with Windows Server 2012 “Essentials”. For a home user the price jump is huge so Bit Tech has come up with a list of open source alternatives to WHS. If you are already using WHS or have been considering it, check out the link in the show notes to the full article. New Hard Drives from Western Digital Also in storage new is a new hard drive line from Western Digital. After the reliability issues that some people have had with their “Caviar Green” line when used in NAS boxes or in RAID arrays, they have now come out with their “Red” line. The new Red line has been designed specifically for use in NAS and RAID. Listen to the show for more details and check out the link below for the full article. UPDATE 7/24: Just one day after I released this episode, Tom’s Hardware released their full review of these drives. They haven’t done any kind of torture testing but they released a full performance review comparing these drives to their competition. I’ve added a new link to the show notes for those that are interested. UPDATE 7/26:Storage Review also now has a review of these new drives and gives them an “Editor’s Choice” rating. Link below. The final item in today’s show is a bit of sci-fi geek fun. All I’m gonna say is “Star Trek” and “Neil deGrasse Tyson”! Listen to the show or jump down below for the link if you can’t wait. Resources / Links Android Security – Serial hacker says latest Android will be “pretty hard” to exploit Gizmodo – The Best Android Tablet Apps bit-tech – Open source alternatives to Windows Home Server Engadget – WD Red HDDs aim to improve company’s NASty reputation   NEW : Tom’s Hardware – Western Digital Red: NAS-Specific SATA 6Gb/s Drives, Reviewed   NEWER : StorageReview.com – Western Digital Red NAS Hard Drive Review Neil deGrasse Tyson explains … The post Episode 011 – Android Security, Tablet Apps, WHS and WD Red Storage News appeared first on Tech Preps.The post Episode 011 – Android Security, Tablet Apps, WHS and WD Red Storage News appeared first on Tech Preps.

 Episode 010 – Guide to Backing Up Gmail and Other Webmail | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:34:41

Gmail by Google Back in episode six I discussed backup options for Windows as part of your technology preps. However more and more of our data is ending up in the cloud or stored online. This includes email. Online email or “webmail” is very popular. I’ve used Gmail since 2004 when it was an invite only beta product. I was tired of changing my email address due to changing my internet provider and saw, as many people do, webmail as a way to never have to change my personal email address again. Over the years my Gmail account has accumulated thousands of emails from friends and family and I’d hate to lose it. So in today’s episode I discuss several ways for backing up Gmail (and other webmail like Hotmail, Live Mail, Yahoo Mail) to your local PC as part of your tech preps so that if your provider crashes or if you have no internet for an extended period, you can still access your complete email history along with all attachments. Listen in as I discuss: Using a local email client like Thunderbird or Windows Live Mail Pros and cons of third party applications like GMVault or Mailstore Home Why Yahoo Mail isn’t a good option if you want to have a backup of your email Resources / Links Google’s official Gmail backup method : Backing up Gmail with POP General POP setup for GMail Gmvault Gmail backup MailStore Home : Free Email Archiving and Email Backup Software for Home Users Chrome App : Offline Google Mail Export Google/Gmail contacts Google Takeout : Export all your Google data The post Episode 010 – Guide to Backing Up Gmail and Other Webmail appeared first on Tech Preps.The post Episode 010 – Guide to Backing Up Gmail and Other Webmail appeared first on Tech Preps.

 Episode 009 – News and Reviews for July 9, 2012 | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:20:22

ZBOX NANO AD10 Nettop Today’s news and reviews episode has some great stuff from around the web. My goal with these episodes is to let you know about the latest technology trends, developments and resources in technology that would appeal to a “high tech prepper”. Today you’ll hear me talk about: Low powered, desktop PCs so small you can hide them behind a monitor. An article about a great AAA LED flashlight from 4Sevens. A kit for a DIY, portable, battery powered cell phone charger. An awesome video about how a lead-acid battery works. (ok … I’m a geek and I thought it was awesome!) Scientists at Stanford University develop a way to charge Edison batteries 1,000 times faster. Bicycle powered computing! I also give a quick review of two open source apps for editing and managing your ebook collection. Resources / Links Good Things In Small Packages: Seven Nettop Platforms, Tested FourSevens Preon P1 Flashlight Review and Clicky Tailcap Modification Maker Shed: Minty Boost USB Charger How a lead-acid battery works Charging an Edison Battery 1000 times faster Bicycle powered ARM servers Pedal-A-Watt Sigil – a multi-platform EPUB ebook editor Calibre The post Episode 009 – News and Reviews for July 9, 2012 appeared first on Tech Preps.The post Episode 009 – News and Reviews for July 9, 2012 appeared first on Tech Preps.

 Episode 008 – Alternatives to a Whole House Generator | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:21:16

Whole House Generator A whole house generator is the ultimate solution for keeping your tech (and everything else) running during a power outage. But what if your situation won’t let you install one? What if: It’s too much money? Live in an apartment or condo? Renting your house? Move a lot due to job / military? Listen in to hear about the pro’s and con’s of: Inverter for your car Portable power packs Small & quiet portable generators Larger portable generators Comments, questions and suggestions are welcome. Thanks for listening!The post Episode 008 – Alternatives to a Whole House Generator appeared first on Tech Preps.The post Episode 008 – Alternatives to a Whole House Generator appeared first on Tech Preps.

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