Nerd and Normal

This week Matthew and Gareth look at the increasing use of video conference programs like Zoom and Teams as well as programs used to remotely control computers from a distance.
With remote access scams becoming a bigger issue the use of commercial programs for illegal activities is increasing. What can you do to keep yourself safe, even if you need to use programs like these for your work or family life.

This week Gareth and Matthew look at how the internet effects how we consume the news and entertainment. 
They also look at how the news you see and read can be biased thanks to the interests of the sources you see.

This week Matthew and Gareth look at emails and all the issues people face with emails.
They look at spam emails and how they get past spam filters and why can't you stop spam emails from getting into your spam folder completely.
How emails can get to you if your email server goes down. Having a second email address with a different provider can come in handy.
How to send large attachments or what files size you send and how to send larger files through emails.
Multiple email recipients and how to keep other people's email addresses private with BCC.
Unsending emails.
How to open email attachments your computer doesn't know how to open or opening Apple created files on an Windows computer.
Make sure you know your email account password.
#email #podcast #nerdandnormal

This week Gareth and Matthew look into what you should do help keep your phones and computers working as well as possible.
They touched on the latest update for Windows that was released in January 2026. ZDNet has a list of some of the issues that were created with the update https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-11-bug-roundup/
Ensuring your iPhone don't update automatically by going in to Settings and then General and Software Update and turning off automatic updates. Instead update the phones manually a couple of weeks after the updates are released.
Update Android apps through the Play Store and the App Store on iOS by pressing on the account details in the top right corner of the screen.
Check how the space on the phone is going by pressing Settings, then General and Device Storage.
Hard restarts of phones should be done regularly by, on iPhones, quickly pressing the volume up and then volume down followed by holding the Power Button on the other side of the phone down until the Apple logo appears. On Android you should hold down either the volume up or volume down button and holding the power button at the same time.You should also go into the settings on an Android phone and search for "Button" and change the long press setting to Power Menu to ensure the button brings up the power menu without other buttons being held down.
Back up iPhones to iTunes on Windows computers or Finder on Apple computers for free.
With computers updates for most programs work automatically. In Windows settings and Windows Updates, make sure the setting to install updates as soon as they are available is turned off to give you a break from the updates of a couple of weeks after they are released.
When you need to clean your computer storage Matthew says to use Wiztree to manually clean temporary files https://diskanalyzer.com/
You should not defrag storage on modern computers.
Windows has basic maintenance built in now. 
You should look into Task Manager , by holding down the Ctrl, Shift and Esc buttons on the keyboard to and go into the Startup section to turn off programs from starting up with Windows to speed it up.
If you are after a free antivirus you can use the one built into Windows 11 or you can get Bitdefender from https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/consumer/free-antivirus
Keep dust away from the grills and air holes on you computer.
To back up your computer you can use Cobian Reflector for free https://www.cobiansoft.com/
If you have any topics or questions you can post a comment here or email us at nerdandnormalpodcast@gmail.com
#computermaintenance #phonemaintenance #nerdandnormal #podcast #australianpodcast #freeprogram

This week Matthew and Gareth look at some of the interesting things from CES 2026.Lollipops where music can only be heard when you put them between your teeth. https://www.lollipopstar.com/ Sharpa Robots showing what robot hands are now capable of doing, including playing card games and ping pong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7q-qlj4EFcHuman like robot hands now able to pick up more weight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOuU3KF5CvQBoston Dynamics Atlas robot now bale to work in human environments offering productivity increases https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrUHZKlrxmsLego's new Smart Play system adding sound and lights to normal Lego sets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vor1fQzM9H0
We also talk about the Social Media Ban with Dr John Irvine, a clinical child psychologist about the effects the ban can have on young minds.#ces2026 #ai #robots #socialmediaban #Drjohnirvine

This week Gareth and Matthew discussed Australia's technological innovations and the social media ban for children. They reviewed the progress of the ban, noting that 4.7 million accounts were deleted but identified flaws in the system. 
Australian Innovation and CapitalisationAustralia's history of innovation is vast. Australian inventions such as the refrigeration system, notepad, and Wi-Fi. While Australia has contributed significantly to global technology, the country often lacks the financial resources to capitalise on these inventions, which are frequently purchased by foreign companies. 
Australian Inventions and Cultural ExperiencesMedical advancements, such as penicillin and the bionic ear, in improving health and well-being. Gareth emphasized the uniqueness of Australian experiences, including trying to catch a blow fly and engaging in cultural activities like eating meat pies. 
Technology in Sports and CultureMatthew and Gareth discussed the impact of technology on sports, comparing current and future changes in umpiring and scoring systems. They agreed that while technology offers new possibilities, human umpires remain more trustworthy. The conversation shifted to celebrating Australian values and freedoms, with Gareth listing various aspects of Australian culture and history to be proud of.

This week Gareth and Matthew celebrate Christmas with you.They look at buying gaming presents for the young people or gamers in your family.Docking stations and power banks for presents.Details on what the rules are for power banks on Qantas and Jetstar can be found here, https://www.qantas.com/en-au/baggage/dangerous-goods/spare-batteries-and-powerbanks and Virgin flights can be found here, https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/travel-info/baggage/batteries/.
Sending letters to Santa with the help of Australia Post, https://auspost.com.au/about-us/supporting-communities/literacy-education/santa-mail and ringing Santa for free from any Pay Phone in Australia by dialing #464646 https://www.telstra.com.au/exchange/call-santa-with-telstra-s-payphone--here-s-how-and-where-to-call
On the big night, you can track Santa's trip around the world with either Google https://santatracker.google.com/ or NORAD https://www.noradsanta.org/en/.
 
To find Christmas lights in your area you can check out https://www.christmaslightsearch.com.au/australia/.
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. We look forward to speaking to you again in 2026

Smart Homes, Wearables, AR Glasses, Smart Meters and EV Charges
Matthew and Gareth discussed the challenges of smart homes, including the complexity of setting up devices with different manufacturers and Wi-Fi settings. Matthew shared an experience of helping a customer with a completely smart home that was more complex than the owners could manage. They explored issues like the lack of instruction manuals, the reliance on Wi-Fi, and the potential for smart homes to become "dumb" during power outages. The conversation also touched on the need for multiple apps to control different aspects of a smart home and the limitations of unified smart home systems like Google Home.
Google Home Radio Playback IssuesMatthew explained that Google Home devices have been experiencing issues with radio playback, where the system would stop working for a month before being partially fixed but now only plays for 30 minutes. He attributed this to Google's automated testing process, which relies on virtual computers rather than real-world testing, leading to untested updates that cause problems. Matthew emphasized that while smart home technology can be useful, he personally only has one smart device - a Kmart light globe - and advised that health-related wearables should always be discussed with a doctor before purchase, as medical software systems like Best Practice and Praxoft cannot directly use data from many wearables.
AR Glasses Capabilities and ConcernsMatthew explained the capabilities of AR glasses, including their ability to display information in the user's field of view and record real-time video. He noted concerns about recording people without their knowledge and the potential for distraction while using the glasses. Gareth inquired about the glasses' ability to correct vision and their availability and cost in Australia. Matthew clarified that while some AR glasses can accommodate prescription lenses, they are not yet AI-enabled to automatically adjust for vision changes. He also mentioned that AR glasses are currently expensive but have a niche market of early adopters.
EVs, Smart Meters, and ChargingMatthew and Gareth discussed smart meters, EV chargers, and electric vehicles. Matthew expressed skepticism about smart meters, citing potential cost increases and power company control. They explored the technical requirements and costs of EV chargers, with Matthew emphasizing the importance of charge speed. Matthew shared his preference for hybrid over fully electric vehicles due to range anxiety and charging convenience. Gareth mentioned Rolls-Royce's new electric car, which Matthew found unappealing due to its high price and charging limitations.

Matthew and Gareth discussed various security methods, including passwords, passkeys, and two-factor authentication. Matthew explained that while passwords are no longer sufficient, using a password manager can be risky due to potential security breaches. He advised against using passkeys, as they can be problematic if the device they are linked to is lost or damaged. Matthew also clarified that two-factor authentication is more secure than just a password, but it's important to choose the right method for each situation.Online Youth Protection DebateGareth and Matthew discussed the challenges of protecting young people online, particularly in the context of social media and technology. They debated whether government intervention is necessary, with Matthew expressing skepticism about the role of schools and emphasizing the responsibility of parents in teaching digital literacy. Gareth highlighted the importance of digital literacy education in schools to protect youth online, while Matthew pointed out the difficulties in implementing effective age verification measures and the risks associated with sharing personal information. They also touched on the issue of bullying and its impact on young people, emphasizing the need for parental involvement and support.Government's Rushed Social Media BanMatthew and Gareth discussed the social media ban implemented by the government, with Matthew expressing concerns about its rushed implementation and lack of proper planning. He argued that the ban could lead to security issues and hinder parents' and children's ability to learn about online safety. Gareth supported Matthew's position, emphasizing the need for a well-thought-out plan and the potential negative impact on businesses and users. They agreed that the ban, if implemented properly, could be beneficial, but currently, it is too far-reaching and lacks necessary infrastructure.

This week Gareth and Matthew look into the use of technology police and other emergency services use to help keep us safe.They are joined by David Elliott who has served in NSW parliament as Minister for Transport, Minister for Veterans, Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for Counter Terrorism, Minister for Corrections and Minister for Emergency Services between 2015 and 2023.Sources for the articles shown.https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/12/asio-accuses-chinese-hackers-of-seeking-access-to-australias-criticial-infrastructure
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/oct/11/is-london-in-the-grip-of-a-wave-its-not-so-simple
https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/ministerial-media-releases/further-$268.2-million-responding-to-nsw-bushfire-inquiry-recommendations
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/nsw-lockdown-on-drone-use-around-prisons-515532
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/01/dutch-netherlands-police-birds-unauthorized-drones
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-17/khayat-brothers-jailed-over-failed-etihad-plane-bomb-plot/11805518
https://statescoop.com/new-gun-detection-system-uses-wi-fi-to-sense-concealed-weapons/Matthew also looks into the issue mobile phone coverage and the safety and life threatening issues that have arisen since the 3G mobile phone shut down in November 2024