Good Night Garden, Hello Userlandia

Hey everybody,

A few months ago we announced that the show would be on hiatus. Well, the hiatus is going to be a little more permanent than we thought. Jake and I would like to thank everybody for listening over the past few years. We both had a fantastic time creating the show and sharing it with you. Many thanks also go to our numerous guests for sharing their time and thoughts with us too.

But with all endings is a new beginning. I’d like to humbly ask that if you liked our show to follow my new project, Userlandia. It’s a blog and podcast project focused on tech enthusiasm, both retro and modern. Apple will be a topic, of course, but it won’t be the only one.

You can visit the website at userlandia.com and subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms, like Apple Podcasts and Overcast. Or just be old school and grab the RSS feed.

Thanks for listening.

Episode 61: William Volk Oral History Interview - Apple, Amiga, and PC Game Pioneer

Episode 61: William Volk Oral History Interview - Apple, Amiga, and PC Game Pioneer

Time for a surprise!

Joining Dan in the Garden today is game industry veteran William Volk. Volk started his career in late 1979 as a game tester for Avalon Hill and developed or spearheaded games across all generations of platforms. As a cofounder of Aegis Development, Volk was part of the first Macintosh game releases before the company pivoted to the Amiga. Volk joined Activision in 1988, serving on its executive team as VP of Technology. We talk Volk’s career past and present, including development in the early days of the Macintosh, the influence of gaming on education, his return to indie development with The Climate Trail, and how the Amiga keeps coming back.

Recorded March 7, 2021

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Theme Song by Space Vixen
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Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:06 - William Volk
00:04:00 - Avalon Hill and The 8-Bit Era
00:16:07 - Pyramid of Peril and Mac Challenger
00:20:33 - Aegis Development and the Amiga
00:28:23 - Activision and The Manhole
00:43:15 - Lightspan, Inc. Games
00:49:27 - Transitioning to Mobile Gaming
00:58:48 - Pioneering Games on the iPhone
01:08:35 - Ownerfy, The Amgia, and Warhol
01:12:41 - The Climate Trail And An Indie Resurgence
01:23:26 - Outtro and Credits

Hiatus

Hey all,

Due to time and family commitments, Jake has to step back as a regular host of the show. For the time being, the show will be on hiatus while I figure out a new direction to take it in, one that can still involve Jake on a part-time basis. I'd still like to do scripted things as well. But for right now, we're pushing the pause button. There might be changes to the format—rotating hosts, or such. But we'll be back!

In the interim, if anyone has any suggestions or requests, I'm all ears. We’re thankful to everyone for listening and for pushing us to do the show.

-Dan

Episode 60: March Mac-ness with Matt Corey

Fill out your iMac rumor brackets!

After weathering a cold and snowy winter, Dan and Jake welcome March with open arms. It’s a season of renewal, and previous guest Matt Corey returns to talk about his new light control app, Follow the Sun. Both Jake and Matt now have M1 MacBooks Air—how do they fit in their workflows? Plus, Dan finally succumbed and bought the LG 34WK95U ultrawide monitor. Is the ultrawide life all it’s cracked up to be? Listen in to find out.

Recorded March 12, 2021

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Theme Song by Space Vixen Follow them on Twitter: @SpaceVixenMusic

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:44 - Returning Guest Matt Corey
00:03:30 - Matt and Jake Buy New M1 MacBooks Air
00:18:22 - BimmerTech i3 Wireless CarPlay Adapter Installation and Review
00:29:12 - Dan Buys an LG 34WK95U 5k2k Ultrawide Monitor
00:43:17 - New Apple Silicon iMac—What Do We Want?
00:52:38 - Redesigned AirPods Regular Coming Soon?
00:56:48 - RIP original HomePod, 2018-2021
01:02:54 - Follow The Sun App
01:14:59 - HomeKit on the Mac and App Store Experiences
01:36:41 - Outtro and Credits

Episode 59: Smart Kitchens and Food Technology

I’m a Power User, and I Need a Power Cereal!

The dynamic duo is reunited as Jake thaws out from the Texas deep freeze—did all his smart tech survive? Dan still can’t find a GPU, and Jake adds CarPlay to his new automobile. For our main topic, we talk smart kitchen appliances, how tech has changed our grocery habits, and hot takes on easter candy too.

Recorded February 26, 2021

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Mac Ach Thread

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Theme Song by Space Vixen Follow them on Twitter: @SpaceVixenMusic

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction
00:02:33 - Dan Can't Find A GPU
00:09:58 - Surviving the Texas Deep Freeze
00:18:54 - CarPlay Upgrade MMI for the BMW i3
00:31:23 - Ooni Koda Pizza Oven
00:40:05 - Smart Kitchen Gadgets
00:45:11 - Apple in the Kitchen?
00:47:35 - Grocery Shopping Apps and Services
00:56:19 - Meal Kit Services
01:02:29 - Future Moves for Apple in Food and Dining
01:14:05 - Easter Candy Judgment Time
01:18:36 - Outtro and Credits

Macinography 18: The Problem with Performas

Macinography 18: The Problem with Performas

Meet the Martinettis. They’re the all-American family of the nineties. When they want a computer, they hop on down to the big box store and buy a Performa, the computer made just for them. Alas, darkness lurked from within that happy Mac, seduced by the siren song of marketshare. Listen to find out how an otherwise reasonable idea almost rotted Apple from the core.

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Mac Ach Thread

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Theme Song by Space Vixen Follow them on Twitter: @SpaceVixenMusic

Chapters

00:00:00 - Opening
00:00:39 - Share and Marketshare Alike
00:11:38 - Putting Your Mind At Ease
00:23:15 - Nobody Beats The Wiz
00:39:41 - Legacy
00:51:35 - Outtro and Credits

Music Credits

Second Goodbye (Instrumental) by Sapajou | https://soundcloud.com/sapajoubeats
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Simplify by Ron Gelinas Chillout Lounge | https://soundcloud.com/atmospheric-music-portal
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Dark Snow by windsouls | https://soundcloud.com/windsoulsmusic
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Episode 58: Live Streaming With Your Mac with Maegan Wilson

Episode 58: Live Streaming With Your Mac with Maegan Wilson

Never cross the streams.

We’ll do it live! Guest and friend of the show Maegan Wilson returns to fill in for Jake. Ever wanted to stream your games or productivity but didn’t know where to start? Dan and Maegan talk about streaming to Twitch and YouTube using Macs (and PCs!), the gear you’ll need, and what the experience is like.

Recorded February 16, 2021

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Jake’s Twitter: @jakepugh

Show Twitter: @icongardenshow
Visit Our Website
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Mac Ach Thread

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Jake’s HomeKit Page

Theme Song by Space Vixen Follow them on Twitter: @SpaceVixenMusic

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:55 - Returning Guest Maegan Wilson
00:07:21 - Dan Builds an AMD 5950x Workstation
00:12:08 - Introduction to Streaming
00:22:12 - Using a Mac to Stream
00:32:59 - Gear and Hardware for Streaming
00:42:33 - Audio Quality and Setup
00:49:57 - Touch Bar for Streaming
00:53:12 - Finding an Audience and Platform Politics
01:04:28 - Final Thoughts
01:07:15 - Outtro and Credits

Episode 57: Fitness Technology Roundtable with Isaac Niebeling, Dustin Ray, and Ian Blackburn

Episode 57: Fitness Technology Roundtable with Isaac Niebeling, Dustin Ray, and Ian Blackburn

Gonna fly now.

Get buff, get tough! The Icon Garden Roundtable is back, this time the subject is fitness technology, apps, and more! Special guests Isaac Niebeling, Dustin Ray, and Ian Blackburn sit down to talk smart exercise bikes, fitness games, how social media and apps work into our fitness routines, and more.

Recorded January 30, 2020

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Mac Ach Thread

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Theme Song by Space Vixen Follow them on Twitter: @SpaceVixenMusic

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:23 - Roundtable Guest Introductions
00:09:15 - Fitness Tracking and Sharing Apps
00:19:38 - Zwift and Smart Exercise Programs
00:42:59 - Training in the Era of Quarantine
00:49:54 - How Apple Fitness+ Compares
01:03:56 - Ring Fit Adventure
01:05:57 - Apple Watch's Interfacing (Or Lack Thereof) With Equipment
01:14:08 - Is There Room For An Athlete-Focused Apple Watch?
01:19:14 - Smart Trainers and Smart Bike Mods
01:33:13 - Biking Simulation Apps
01:39:51 - Apple Watch Marketshare Critical Mass
01:49:19 - Final Thoughts
01:52:37 - Outtro and Credits

Episode 56: Keeping Vintage Macs Alive with Steve AKA Mac84

They call it retro, which means old, but cool.

Special guest Steve, AKA Mac84, joins Dan and Jake to talk all things retro. Ever wanted to restore an old Mac but didn’t know where to start? How about collecting old Apple clones? We’ve got all your favorite flea market and eBay finds right here. Listen for some nostalgia and commiseration!

Recorded January 15, 2020

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Dan’s Twitter: @kefkafloyd
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Show Twitter: @icongardenshow
Visit Our Website
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Mac Ach Thread

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Jake’s HomeKit Page

Theme Song by Space Vixen Follow them on Twitter: @SpaceVixenMusic

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:23 - Special Guest Steve AKA Mac84
00:15:11 - Steve's First Mac
00:23:59 - What's Going On In Your Tech Life?
00:33:04 - The HomeKit Chronicles - Philps Hue Wall Switch Module
00:39:43 - Steve's Wink Light Woes
00:52:35 - Jake's Arlo Baby Monitor Ultimatum
00:56:54 - Repairing and Restoring Vintage Macs
01:18:00 - Collecting Clones and Vintage Macs
01:38:50 - Outtro and Credits

Episode 55: The 2021 Inaugural Tech-Tacular

Episode 55: The 2021 Inaugural Tech-Tacular

Yippie ki-yay, Mother Mac-er!

Ring in the new year with Dan and Jake! Now that the new year is in session, it’s time for a holiday review. What did we give (and get) for the holidays this year? How are Jake’s AirPods Max holding up—and what’s this about a great, inexpensive third party case from an unexpected source? And how painful can it be to construct holiday gifts for children? All these and more as we start off 2021 right. Plus, Jake tries to install a smart shower. Listen in to find out how it went!

Recorded January 2, 2020

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Dan’s Twitter: @kefkafloyd
Jake’s Twitter: @jakepugh

Show Twitter: @icongardenshow

Visit Our Website
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Mac Ach Thread
Join our Discord
Jake’s HomeKit Page

Theme Song by Space Vixen
Follow them on Twitter: @SpaceVixenMusic

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:06 - Technology for the Holidays
00:12:02 - Jake's Gift Construction Rant
00:22:32 - Two Weeks with AirPods Max
00:26:58 - Lightspeed Tango Headset Case for AirPods Max
00:33:34 - 20 Macs for 2020 Commentary - iMac G3 vs 128K Mac
00:40:57 - HomeKit Chronicles - U by Moen Smart Shower
01:05:54 - Tesla HomeBridge Plugin - Cars in HomeKit
01:12:08 - Outtro and Credits