Refresh Computers Tech Talk

David Leavitt
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Audio files of our weekly radio show on WDBO where we talk about your electronic life. Help and advice are given on a range of technical issues from computers to everything internet-related.

  1. 6天前

    04-18-26 Convenience Or Surveillance - What Are You Choosing?

    Send us Fan Mail AI chatbots are leveling up fast, and the change is bigger than new features or a faster reply. We talk through what a chatbot really is, why tools like ChatGPT, Grok, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot suddenly feel more responsive, and how better “memory” and context can make an AI assistant useful for real work, not just random questions. If you have been ignoring AI, we make the case that it is becoming as essential as email, no matter what job you do.  We also wrestle with the uncomfortable question people keep asking: what does this mean for my job? From customer service to delivery to ride hailing, automation is pushing hard. We argue for a practical middle ground where AI handles routine requests and humans handle the moments that require judgment, empathy, and accountability. Then we pivot into how AI driven search and recommendations work for local businesses, including why reviews, responsiveness, and staying active across multiple platforms can influence whether an AI points customers your way.  From there we get hands on: we explain the Refresh Computers trade-in program, how trade-in credit is determined, and why you need to bring the device in for an honest evaluation, plus free recycling for gear that is past its useful life. We close with smart home privacy, including what voice assistants record, why data access is a real risk, and simple steps like reviewing privacy settings, deleting voice history, muting microphones, and covering cameras. We even talk about the oldest smartphones people still use and the trade offs of sticking with aging devices. Subscribe, share the show with a friend who needs a tech reset, and leave a review. What is the one device you trust the least in your home? Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

    40 分钟

  2. 4月11日

    04-11-26 What If The Next Invoice Email Is A Trap?

    Send us Fan Mail That “problem with your payment method” email might look exactly like Amazon or one of your real suppliers, but it could be a targeted phishing attack built to drain a small business account in minutes. We walk through the FBI warning on vendor impersonation scams hitting Florida and explain how attackers clone logos, mimic domains with tiny character swaps, and weaponize urgency so someone on your team clicks before thinking. From there, we shift into practical defenses you can actually use at work: what to check in the sender address, why hyperlinks and embedded images are so risky, and how to verify vendor requests safely by calling a trusted number from your own records. We also point you to IC3.gov for reporting, because these scams scale fast and the data matters. We then tackle everyday tech pain that quietly kills productivity: a computer running slow. We cover the biggest culprits including too many startup programs, a nearly full hard drive or SSD, malware, outdated Windows and drivers, and the surprisingly real cost of having dozens of browser tabs open. We also talk about antivirus bloat and why some popular products can slow you down more than they help. Finally, we decode social media algorithm changes across Meta, TikTok, and YouTube and what they mean for regular users, creators, and businesses trying to reach customers. We close with a security upgrade that’s overdue: switching from passwords to passkeys for easier, safer logins using biometrics or device security. If this helped, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave us a review so more people can find it. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

    41 分钟

  3. 4月4日

    04-04-2026 Space > Toilets Break Too And So Does Outlook

    Send us Fan Mail Your phone picks the worst possible moment to fail: right when you’re in a crowd trying to upload a photo, pay a vendor, or find your friends. We’re live from Spring Fiesta at Lake Eola to explain what’s really happening to your cell service and Wi-Fi at big events, why “full bars” can still mean no usable internet, and how 5G’s more localized coverage changes the experience as you move through a packed venue. Then we go way beyond the park and into space. NASA’s Artemis mission ran into a Microsoft Outlook problem that sounds almost too normal for a moon-bound crew, plus a “lunar loo” malfunction caused by a jammed fan. We break down what triggered the Outlook glitch, how mission control fixed it with practical troubleshooting, and why these stories are a great reminder that configuration issues and electronics failures happen everywhere, even on the most advanced systems on Earth. We also get serious about everyday security. QR code payments, digital menus, and contactless checkout are convenient, but QR code scams are exploding, especially sticker-over fraud on parking meters and unattended signs. We share quick habits that reduce your risk fast: preview the URL before you tap, look for sticker outlines, avoid unexpected links in texts, enable credit card alerts, and choose tap-to-pay instead of inserting your card where skimmers can hide. Plus, breaking news for small businesses and schools: Microsoft Publisher support ends after October 1, and we explain how to find .PUB files and convert them before it becomes a scramble. If this helped, subscribe, share the show with a friend who’s always scanning QR codes, and leave a review so more people can find these tech tips and security updates. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

    37 分钟

  4. 3月28日

    03-28-26 When Technology Gets Smarter Why Do We Feel Lost?

    Send us Fan Mail Your monthly tech bill is creeping up, and it’s not always obvious why. We walk through the “subscription squeeze” hitting streaming services and everyday software, where prices rise while features quietly disappear. We talk about what to look for in plan changes, why Netflix-style tier reshuffles frustrate so many people, and how subscription fatigue builds when you’re juggling logins, passwords, and constant renewals. From there, we get practical about a problem almost everyone hits sooner or later: “storage full” on your iPhone or Android phone. Photos and videos matter, but we zoom in on the overlooked culprit, unused apps. We share a simple approach to deleting apps you don’t use, avoiding duplicate browsers and stacked security tools, and being careful with cleanup apps that ask for broad permissions. If you’ve ever downloaded three different “phone cleaner” tools out of frustration, this part will feel familiar. We also cover why tech can feel more confusing as it gets more powerful: constant updates, settings that move, and products designed for power users instead of regular people. Plus, a cautionary story about niche apps that vanish from the app store, and what to check before you delete something you might need later. If you want fewer surprises, fewer wasted subscriptions, and a phone that feels simpler again, listen now. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s tired of updates, and leave a quick review with the most annoying subscription you’re paying for right now. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

    41 分钟

  5. 3月21日

    03-21-26 Why Your Phone Dies Early And How To Fix It

    Send us Fan Mail Your phone used to last all day. Now it hits the afternoon and you are hunting for a charger like it is a daily routine. We dig into what is actually happening to smartphone battery life, from lithium-ion battery degradation to the charging habits that quietly wear batteries down faster. We also talk about why cheap, off-brand chargers can create problems, how heat changes everything, and why background apps and location services keep draining power even when you swear you are not using your phone. Then we switch gears to a problem almost everyone blames on “an old computer” when the real culprit is sitting right on the screen: your web browser. We explain how tabs eat RAM, why performance tanks when you keep 20 to 30 pages open, and the simplest ways to reset things without losing your mind. If your laptop feels sluggish, you will want these practical steps before you spend money on upgrades. Finally, we tackle the biggest surprise: many “slow computer” complaints are really Wi-Fi issues. We break down router placement, dead zones, interference, aging routers, mesh networks, and why your internet plan speed is not the same as Wi-Fi performance in your home. We also share when an Ethernet cable or a USB-C adapter is the best upgrade you can buy. If you are thinking about a Windows 11 upgrade or a shiny new “AI-ready” computer, we offer a clear want-versus-need framework to help you spend smarter. If this helps, subscribe, share the show with a friend who always has 100 tabs open, and leave us a review. What is the biggest issue you want us to troubleshoot next: battery life, computer speed, or Wi-Fi? Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

    39 分钟

  6. 3月14日

    03-14-26 Is Your PC AI-Ready? + Refresh Computers Launches Trade-In Program!

    Send us Fan Mail Refresh Computers starts a Trade-In program for the first time in it's 26 year history. AI is no longer just a chatbot that answers questions. We’re watching the shift to AI agents, systems that can break a goal into steps, have multiple “bots” critique and improve the work, and in some cases take actions like planning a trip or preparing a reservation flow. That sounds convenient, but it also forces a real conversation about privacy, credentials, and what you should never hand over lightly, even if the tool feels smart and personal. We also tackle the question we hear everywhere right now: “Is my computer AI-ready?” If you’re on Windows 11, there’s a strong chance you already have what you need. We explain why most AI processing happens in the cloud and data centers, what an 8th generation CPU baseline means, why 16GB of RAM is a practical target, and when an NVIDIA GPU can speed things up. We even share a quick way to check your specs using “About This PC” so you can stop guessing. From there, we jump into robots and talking tech becoming real, plus smart toys that add interactive play without putting another screen in front of kids. And we get blunt about one place AI still fails: phone and email customer service automation that frustrates people and loses business. We wrap with scam prevention tips and Operation Senior Shield in Florida so you can spot seasonal fraud before it hits you or someone you love. Subscribe for more practical tech talk, share this with a friend who’s worried about AI, and leave a review with the one task you’d trust an AI agent to handle first. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

    40 分钟

  7. 3月7日

    03-07-2026 War Tech Unveiled: Iran's Shahed Drones, GPS Jamming, Satellite Power & Apple's New $599 MacBook Neo

    Send us Fan Mail In this week's Tech Talk on WDBO 107.3 FM and AM 580 in Orlando, David Leavitt and Adam Littlefield from Refresh Computer Superstore dive into cutting-edge war technology amid the ongoing Iran conflict, exploring Shahed drones, GPS-guided munitions, electronic warfare, and satellite imagery.  They also break down Apple's latest affordable MacBook Neo, powered by an iPhone A18 chip and running full macOS at just $599.  Tune in for Central Florida tech insights on military innovations and consumer gadgets. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

    40 分钟

  8. 2月28日

    02-28-2026 AI Data Centers Are Devouring Hardware – And Your Wallet!

    Send us Fan Mail This is an episode of our weekly tech talk broadcast by Refresh Computers. Key Takeaways AI data centers are eating hardware: Massive demand for hard drives and RAM is causing shortages and price spikes—expect higher costs for upgrades and consumer devices for years.The cloud is physical—and thirsty: Data centers consume huge electricity and water, straining grids and even causing water shutoffs in small towns near new facilities.Subscriptions are everywhere and rising: Streaming, software, printer ink, car features—everything is monthly now. Cancel trials immediately to avoid surprise charges, and subscribe directly (not through Apple/Roku) to avoid extra fees.Public Wi-Fi is riskier than ever: Avoid it if possible; cellular data is much safer. Turn off auto-connect on carriers like T-Mobile to prevent unwanted public network joins. Always use a VPN if you must connect.AI tools are powerful but frustrating: ChatGPT lagged on long conversations and gave outdated instructions—David's switching to Grok for better reliability.Antivirus tip: Stick with Malwarebytes ($35/year through Refresh Computers)—avoid Norton, which pushes unnecessary add-ons. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

    41 分钟
查看全部 142 集

关于

Audio files of our weekly radio show on WDBO where we talk about your electronic life. Help and advice are given on a range of technical issues from computers to everything internet-related.

信息

  • 创作者
    David Leavitt
  • 活跃年份
    2023年 - 2026年
  • 单集
    142
  • 分级
    儿童适宜
  • 版权
    © 2026 Refresh Computers Tech Talk
  • 节目网站
    Refresh Computers Tech Talk