Data Drive Podcast (MP3 Audio)

Data Drive Podcast
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Join Robbie Ferguson and Jeff Weston, two passionate tech enthusiasts and IT industry professionals, on Data Drive – the tech podcast recorded on their commute between Barrie and Toronto. Tune in for engaging discussions on a wide range of topics, from cutting-edge innovations and industry insights to practical tech tips and entertaining anecdotes. Robbie and Jeff make complex tech topics accessible and fun for everyone. Buckle up and get ready to geek out on Data Drive.

  1. 6D AGO

    Can AI and Flamethrowers Save Us from Barrie Winters? (Plus: Is your AI Snitching?) - Data Drive Podcast - Episode 13

    Can AI, flamethrowers and lasers save us from a Barrie Winter? In this episode of Data Drive, Robbie and Jeff explore high-tech snow removal and how your AI chatbot might be snitching on your private data. Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/13/ Support This Podcast #Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast Running time: 50 Minutes 37 Seconds 0:00 Introduction 0:58 Winter in Barrie Ontario 1:24 Tech-Enhanced Intelligent Snow Removal 5:50 Battery-Powered Electric Snowblowers 8:36 "Done With Winter" Music Montage 10:23 Turning to AI For Solutions to Day-To-Day Problems 11:42 Reflecting on the Shift to a Hybrid Workplace 13:00 Roadworks in Bradford, Ontario 13:21 Being Responsible with AI and Tech 16:27 Differences Between AI LLM Models 21:38 Using AI as a Dungeon Master in Dungeons and Dragons 23:41 Robbie Has Never Played "Real" Dungeons and Dragons 27:20 Jeff's Broken Smartwatch 30:43 Hiking in and Around Barrie, Ontario 31:30 The Dream of Disconnecting and Enjoying Nature 33:05 Using AI for Plant Identification 35:13 How Smart Autonomous Cars Could Become 38:12 80's/90's Movie View of "The Future" is Coming True 39:33 Technology Cannot Replace Real Human Contact 40:52 NVIDIA Uses AI to Make Eye Contact Possible in Virtual Meetings 43:10 Falsified Human Connection and Personal Rights 46:50 Easing the Terms and Conditions Burden 47:49 Jeff is Mr. Negativity 48:18 Be Careful Who You Trust 48:54 The Evolution of Scammers: A Future Episode Topic 49:38 Closing Remarks

    51 min

  2. 11/26/2025

    18 Years of Category5 Technology TV! Sasha's Return: Retro Tech & the Gadgets That Got Away - Data Drive Podcast - Episode 12

    Eighteen years of Category5 Technology TV... can you believe it? Robbie Ferguson is joined by long-time co-host and fan favorite Sasha Rickman, visiting all the way from Newfoundland, for a nostalgic deep dive into the tech, gadgets, and moments that shaped nearly two decades of Category5. From life on the East Coast (bees, cod fisheries, crab vending machines, goats and more) to the challenges of staying connected with rural Internet, Sasha shares what it's really been like living on the east coast of Canada. Then we take a fun “road trip” through the tech history of the show: boogie boards, gimbals, retro gaming handhelds, Kingston drives, spinners vs SSDs, and the legendary gadgets that stood the test of time... plus a few that sadly got away. Whether you grew up with Category5 Technology TV, love retro tech, or just enjoy hearing the behind-the-scenes stories that made the show what it is, this special anniversary episode has something for every tech fan. Thanks for joining us on the Drive! Let’s celebrate 18 years of Cat5 together. Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/12/ Support This Podcast #Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast Running time: 44 Minutes 0:00 Introduction 1:13 Sasha Rickman Traveled from Newfoundland to Barrie 1:56 St. John's International Airport Frozen Seafood Vending Machine 2:52 Fresh Seafood Is Better Than Imports 3:45 Seafood's Impact on Newfoundland Economy 5:04 Sasha's Tech-Shock Moving from Ontario to Newfoundland 8:31 Category5 TV Studio D's Internet Challenges 10:21 How Starlink Brought Sasha's Remote Work to Rural Newfoundland 12:37 Human vs. AI Chatbot Tech Support and How Sasha Proves She's Real 14:38 Robbie's Dream: NEMS Linux Growth to Include Phone Support 15:20 Timezone Difference makes Newfoundland Great for Tech Support 16:32 Best Ontario Wildflower and Clover Honey: Cherry Creek Apiaries 16:46 Sasha's Dream of Starting an Apiary 17:39 Barnyard Animals Sasha Can Keep ... If She Can Convince Her Husband 19:34 Commercial Break 20:51 Reminiscing Over 18 Years of Category5 Technology TV 21:38 Memorable Products Reviewed 22:07 Defunct Product Favorite: PasswordBox 23:26 Defunct Product Favorite: PogoPlug 25:11 Defunct Product Favorite: Bring TIM! 28:34 Tech Favorite That Lasts Forever: Kingston SSDs, RAM and USB Flash Drives 30:14 Why People Still Use Spinning Hard Drives 32:35 Tech Favorite That Lasts Forever: Boogie Board 36:11 Tech Favorite That Lasts Forever: DJI Osmo 4K (Now Osmo Pocket 4) 39:40 Adding a Gimbal to Your Smartphone 40:44 Tech Favorite We Tried to Review: AtGames SEGA Genesis Ultimate Portable 41:58 Retro Gaming with RetroPi: Perfect Party Entertainment 42:59 Call for Comments 43:26 Extro

    44 min

  3. 01/28/2025

    Data Security & Encrypted Backups: Protecting Data, Passwords & Crypto Keys - Data Drive Podcast - Episode 11

    Let's drive into data security. From the complexities of cryptocurrency wallet keys to protecting your passwords and setting up encrypted backup solutions, Robbie and Jeff share practical advice to protect your data and plan for emergencies. Discover how to ensure your family has access to critical files, avoid the pitfalls of forgotten passwords, and create resilient backup strategies that will save you time, money, and stress. Whether you're managing tech infrastructure or just safeguarding personal files, this episode offers something for everyone. Plus, hear the guys' thoughts on Christmas commercialization, LED Halloween pumpkins, and why a working Pi-hole is a game changer for home networks. Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/11/ Support This Podcast #Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast Running time: 40 Minutes 56 Seconds 0:00 Introduction 1:40 Seasons Change: Driving In The Dark 2:00 Commercialization of the Christmas Season 4:32 Smart LED Christmas Lights and DIY Pumpkin Lights 6:43 Wyze Smart Doorbell Catching Halloween Looters 8:56 The Problem of Pre-Paying for Drive-Thru Orders 10:37 Supporting Less Fortunate in a Cashless Society 15:10 Commercial Break 16:39 Accessing, Trading and Exchanging Cryptocurrency 24:48 Jeff's Forgotten Pi-hole root Password and Fixing a Full Filesystem 30:59 Using logrotate.d to Maintain Log File Directories 32:06 Ensuring Your Disk Doesn't Get Full Using NEMS Proactive Monitoring 33:32 A Failed Pi-Hole Reveals How Ad-Laden the Internet Is 34:02 Remembering Your root Password, Or Storing it Securely 34:53 Kingston DataTraveler 2000 - Small Encrypted USB Flash Drive 35:31 Kingston IronKey Vault Privacy 80 External SSD 36:21 Data Security Tips and Tricks 37:38 Passwords and Files: What Happens When I Die? Passing On Data to Next of Kin 40:19 End Credits

    41 min

  4. 11/06/2024

    Raspberry Pi Clusters, Proxmox Quorum Pi, Maker Tech and FOSS Support - Data Drive Podcast - Episode 10

    Bill Marshall joins Robbie to explore the fascinating world of Raspberry Pi clusters, the tech shaping our future, and the challenges that come with DIY projects. We also discuss smart cities, focusing on Innisfil's cutting-edge plans. We'll discuss the importance of open-source communities, balancing personal time with tech projects and customer support challenges. From troubleshooting a Raspberry Pi 4 1GB crash to building a quorum system for Proxmox, we drive into the learning process behind microcomputing, the power of tinkering, and the creativity that fuels innovation. Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/10/ Support This Podcast #Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast Running time: 43 Minutes 25 Seconds 0:00 Introduction 1:07 Late Apex Simulators in Barrie 1:54 Barrie Downtown Construction Along Lakeshore 2024 2:19 Pirate Adventure Cruise by Pirate Life Theatre in Barrie 2:58 Nerdy Greeting: A Raspberry Pi 4 1GB 4:14 Raspberry Pi 4 1GB is Perfect for NEMS Linux Testing 6:46 Bill Keeps Robbie In-Line with the NEMS Linux Community 7:41 Finding Time for Maker Projects 9:07 Proxmox QuorumPi - Two-Node Proxmox Clusters with Quorum Using a Raspberry Pi 12:12 Commercial Break 13:36 Clustering Raspberry Pi 4 with ICE Tower Coolers 17:59 Using the Cluster HAT to Control a Raspberry Pi Zero Cluster 19:13 Ignore Online Discouragers: The Process Is Worth It 24:45 Commercial Break 25:34 Is Contributing to Open Source Actually Helping? 26:49 The Challenges in Supporting Open Source Software 27:31 It's Okay to Disconnect / Mute 28:06 FOSS Users Sometimes Abuse Support Channels 32:31 Innisfil Ontario: The Orbit Smart City (Coming Soon?) 36:14 Smart City == Hermit Paradise 37:33 Retirement: Benefits of Less Property 38:24 The Challenge for Passionate FOSS Developers: Time & Responsibilities 39:09 Category5 Technology TV Studio E (vs Studio D) 39:49 How Bill Marshall Found Category5 40:40 Our Roaming Studio for Data Drive Podcast 40:57 Data Drive is Robbie's Maker Project 42:02 Learning Things and Challenging Ourselves Makes Maker Tech Worthwhile 42:45 Closing Remarks

    43 min

  5. 09/25/2024

    Exploring Barrie Roads, Future Tech, and Model Trains - Data Drive Podcast - Episode 9

    Take a scenic drive of Barrie, Ontario streets, exploring the mystery of disconnected Barrie roads -- like Bryne Drive -- and the budding future tech scene in Barrie. Robbie and guest Bill Marshall explore nostalgic tech with miniature model trains and the exciting possibility of Raspberry Pi integration in these miniature worlds. Plus, we reflect on the rapid rise of tall buildings in Barrie. Tune in for a mix of urban exploration, nostalgic hobbies, and tech-driven discussions! Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/9/ Support This Podcast #Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast Running time: 32 Minutes 32 Seconds 0:00 Introduction 0:51 Some Things Change in 6 Years, Some Things Don't 1:55 Bill Marshall Joins us from New York 2:45 The Tourist Episode: Barrie, Ontario 3:14 Road Pronunciations: Bryne Drive, Minet's Point, Essa Road and Dubois 4:49 The Mysterious Disconnected Roads of Barrie, Ontario 5:47 Technology Has Changed the Driving Experience 6:55 The Traffic of Richmond County, New York 7:44 There are 3 Bryne Drives in Barrie, Ontario 8:48 Bryne Drive # 2 9:32 The Rapid Blinking Blinker 11:36 Barrie is a Tech Hub in Ontario with Datacentres 12:23 The Problem with Building Houses 12:55 Barrie: A Commuter City Between Toronto and Muskoka 13:27 Cottage Country and Being "On The Grid" 16:24 We Can No Longer Truly Escape Being Connected 17:11 Commercial Break 19:16 Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery 19:54 Model Railroads: Remembering Our Childhood Train Sets 21:25 Using a 3D Printer and Static Grass to Improve Model Railroad Realism 22:57 HO vs O-Scale Model Railroads 23:14 Using a Raspberry Pi and Python Code to Augment a Model Railroad 25:25 Cutting Foam with a Hot Wire Instead of Knife 26:21 Entering Barrie, Ontario from Angus, Ontario 26:41 Barrie is Growing Up ... Literally 27:48 Barrie's Tallest Buildings Still Don't Compare to New York 28:50 The Upward Growth of Barrie, Ontario 30:24 Bryne Drive The Third 31:38 Closing Remarks

    33 min

  6. 08/28/2024

    Shifting Paradigms in IT: The Future of Tech and Security | Data Drive Podcast Episode 8 - Data Drive Podcast - Episode 8

    On this episode of Data Drive Podcast, Robbie and Jeff delve into the ever-evolving world of IT, discussing how technological advancements are shifting paradigms in the tech industry. From the impact of cloud computing and AI to the growing need for a security-first mindset, this conversation sheds light on the challenges and opportunities ahead. Whether you’re an IT professional or just tech-curious, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of technology. Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/8/ Support This Podcast #Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast Running time: 26 Minutes 5 Seconds 0:00 Introduction 0:51 Times Are Changing: Technology is Evolving 1:04 Don't Get Left Behind, IT Worker! The Paradigm is Shifting. 2:33 Tech Paradigm Shifts May Now Be More Subtle 4:02 Paradigm Shifts May Be Mindset-Based 5:54 Mobile-First Responsive Web Design is the Last Big Paradigm Shift 6:51 Security-First Mindset May Be the Next Big Paradigm Shift 8:17 Small Businesses Struggle With the Security-First Mindset 9:29 The Tech Solution: Hire a Third-Party SOC - Is It Realistic for SMB? 10:28 Commercial Break 11:13 Sponsor: Kingston Canvas Go! Plus MicroSD Cards 11:40 Sponsor: ameriDroid.com Home Automation and SBCs 11:57 Sponsor: VoyagerSystems.cloud IT Partner for Managed Technology 13:04 Jeff's Business Purchase Adventure 14:39 Business Sense: You Are Worth More, Because Consumers Demand Service 18:33 SMB Security Practices Require Reassessment 19:36 SMB Can't Afford Professional Cyber Security and IT Infrastructure 20:14 Consumer Information is at Risk 20:35 Security-First Businesses Are Crucial: Who Will Pay For It? 21:49 The Challenge with Free Products and Services: They Cost Money 22:26 Security-First Is Indeed The Next Paradigm Shift 23:25 Category5 Cybersecurity Chat Available For Hire 24:30 Inflation Costs Are Hurting Business 25:15 Closing Remarks

    26 min

  7. 08/14/2024

    Debunk Tech Myths, Rank World's Most Tech-Savvy Countries - Data Drive Podcast - Episode 7

    Jeff and Robbie debunk common tech myths and challenge stereotypes with hard evidence. Join us as we explore which countries rank as most tech-savvy and why, backed by solid data. From Singapore to Switzerland, discover who tops the charts in tech-savviness, IoT capabilities, and technological advancements. Don't miss out on this enlightening and entertaining discussion! Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/7/ Support This Podcast #Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast Running time: 29 Minutes 42 Seconds 0:00 Introduction 0:47 Sponsor: Kingston Canvas Go! Plus MicroSD Cards 1:14 Sponsor: ameriDroid.com Home Automation and SBCs 1:30 Sponsor: VoyagerSystems.cloud IT Partner for Managed Technology 1:52 Jeff Breaks Down Tech Users into Two Categories 4:30 Accuracy of Reviews Depends on Context 5:27 Jeff Theorizes Geography Matters in Tech Savviness 8:44 North American Disposable Mindset Means Low Tech Know-How 10:53 Jeff Suggests North Americans are Actually Tech-Smart 11:32 Jeff Encounters the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon 12:40 Jeff Continues to Dig Himself a Giant Hole 14:18 Commercial Break 15:57 The Most Tech Savvy Countries for Internet of Things (IoT) 18:50 The Most Technological Expertise Per Country Per Capita 19:25 The Most Technologically Advanced Countries in the World 21:18 Switzerland Is Brainiest, Most Able to Create and Most Advanced 21:46 Jeff Redeems Himself 22:56 Why Switzerland so High on the Tech Lists: Garmin, Logitech, Proton Mail and Others 25:56 Robbie is Proud of Jeff 26:21 Data Drive: Useless Knowledge to Share with the Family 27:37 Edifier R1210T Speaker Follow Up: Jeff is a Dummy 29:08 Closing Remarks

    30 min

  8. 07/31/2024

    Just Jeep Doors, Home Security Hacks and Fed Up FOSS Developers - Data Drive Podcast - Episode 6

    Take a wild ride through some of the quirkiest and most pressing tech topics today. From the mystery of disappearing Jeep doors to ingenious home security hacks, this episode is packed with practical advice, humorous anecdotes, and a deep dive into online security. Plus, we explore the real threat to FOSS open source software developers: user behavior. Buckle up for a journey filled with humor, tech insights, and a bit of nerdy wit. Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/6/ Support This Podcast #Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast Running time: 23 Minutes 13 Seconds 0:00 Introduction 0:47 Sponsor: Kingston Canvas Go! Plus MicroSD Cards 1:14 Sponsor: ameriDroid.com Home Automation and SBCs 1:30 Sponsor: VoyagerSystems.cloud IT Partner for Managed Technology 1:53 Jeep Door Theft is On The Rise 4:37 Securing Our Property Against Late-Night Prowlers 9:23 Interior Cameras Looking Outside at Night 10:30 Security Cameras Selling Cloud Service 10:51 Robbie's WyzeCams Use RTSP to Record to Multiple DVRs 12:49 Security of Connecting Smart Devices to the Internet 15:38 Technology Used for Nefarious Purposes Gives Great Tech a Bad Reputation 17:19 Jeff Wants to Force Users to Read Terms of Use Every Day 18:16 Time Wasters Who Don't Read Guides Hurt Open Source Development 22:13 Closing Remarks

    23 min
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About

Join Robbie Ferguson and Jeff Weston, two passionate tech enthusiasts and IT industry professionals, on Data Drive – the tech podcast recorded on their commute between Barrie and Toronto. Tune in for engaging discussions on a wide range of topics, from cutting-edge innovations and industry insights to practical tech tips and entertaining anecdotes. Robbie and Jeff make complex tech topics accessible and fun for everyone. Buckle up and get ready to geek out on Data Drive.

Information

  • Channel
    Data Drive Podcast
  • Creator
    Category5 TV Network
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License - Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
  • Show Website
    Data Drive Podcast (MP3 Audio)

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