Zero Downtime

96GB Password Leak, Tor vs VPN, John Deere GPS Snowplows, Bring a Trailer AI, PETA 3D Groundhog

In this episode of Zero Downtime, John and Logan open with the annual Groundhog Day debate and why the push to replace Punxsutawney Phil with a 3D projection keeps resurfacing. What starts as a cultural sideshow turns into a familiar argument about tradition, technology, and what we are actually trying to prove.
The conversation then shifts into real world tech, breaking down how John Deere GPS guidance achieves inch level accuracy and why that precision matters for snow plows operating in whiteout conditions. They explain how recorded routes and correction data can keep crews moving safely when visibility drops to zero.
Next, they look at Bring a Trailer and the growing concern that AI is starting to influence listings, images, and moderation. As generated content gets easier, they ask who verifies anything and whether human review becomes the premium feature in online marketplaces.
They then cover a massive 96 GB credentials leak tied to info stealer malware, where real passwords were exposed instead of hashes. John and Logan explain why this changes the threat model entirely and walk through what to do immediately if you assume your credentials are included.
The episode wraps with a clear explanation of Tor versus VPN, what each tool actually does, and why the real difference is trust. A VPN shifts trust to a provider. Tor is designed to remove trust altogether. They also discuss who uses Tor in the real world and when a VPN is still the better option.
Bonus topics include Siri potentially evolving into a more capable chatbot in future iOS versions, the ongoing Apple and Google partnership conversation, and Android adding more depth and blur to its UI.
Subscribe for weekly conversations on privacy, cybersecurity, reliability, and real world tech tradeoffs.

Ring Doorbell and Flock Safety, Sleep Paralysis and Lucid Dreaming, Netflix Changes, ChatGPT Ads

In this episode of Zero Downtime, John and Logan break down why you should ditch Ring doorbells after the Ring and Flock Safety connection, and how cloud stored footage can get pulled into bigger search networks. They explain the limits of opt in controls when video lives on someone else’s servers, what subpoenas and the data broker loophole change, and what a safer setup looks like with local recording using Reolink and Home Assistant.
Then they dig into sleep, including why waking at 2 AM can be normal, how stress and cortisol turn it into insomnia, and what sleep paralysis really is. They talk about the Jinn and night hag experience, false wakes, and how those moments can lead into lucid dreaming once you understand the mechanics.
They wrap with how Netflix era viewing changes filmmaking pacing, and what ads inside ChatGPT could mean for trust and incentives.
Weekly conversations about reliability, privacy, and what holds up in the real world.

Starlink Kill Switch in Iran, WebP Outages, CES 2026 AI Rerun, Switching to Linux

In this episode of Zero Downtime, John and Logan unpack reports that Iran was able to disrupt Starlink during protests and why that matters more than most people realize. If satellite internet can be jammed or interfered with, it changes a lot of assumptions about censorship resistance and always on connectivity.
They dig into what actually works when traditional networks go dark, why mesh networks are still relevant, and where tools like Briar and low bandwidth radio meshes fit in real world scenarios.
Then they shift gears into the ongoing WebP problem and why browser support does not equal production safety when embedded browsers, webviews, and legacy systems are still everywhere. AVIF comes up as the direction image pipelines are already moving.
They wrap with CES 2026 feeling like the same AI story with better demos, and the practical reality of running Linux in 2026, what works daily, what still breaks, and when a Windows VM is still unavoidable.
Weekly conversations about reliability, practical tech, and what actually holds up in the real world.

Car Companies Ditch CarPlay, Win10 11 Phone Activation Ends, Y2K38 Bug, Keyboard Phone, Duolingo Ads

Most tech stories feel isolated until you connect the dots.
John and Logan are back from the holiday break and dig into the stories that actually matter. Microsoft quietly ended phone activation for Windows 10 and Windows 11, which leads into the January 2038 problem and why some system “fixes” eventually hit a hard stop.
The conversation then shifts to an unexpected trend. Physical keyboards are coming back. Keyboard focused phones and minimal devices are gaining traction, and they talk through why people are pushing back on constant apps and notifications.
They also break down the Duolingo lock screen ad backlash and why user trust matters, then wrap with why car companies are ditching CarPlay and Android Auto and how data ownership is the real fight.
If you want to understand where tech is actually heading, this episode is worth your time.

If I Were Starting in Tech Today, IT Career Roadmap, First IT Job, Certifications

Most people trying to break into IT are doing the right things in the wrong order.
If you are chasing certifications, trends, or degrees and still feel stuck, this conversation will challenge how you think about getting started. This is not an anti college episode. It is about what actually moves a tech career forward early.
We talk through what John would do differently if he were starting today, including the one decision that can speed up learning faster than any class, why proximity to real systems matters more than perfect credentials, and what employers are actually looking for when they hire entry level roles.
We also get into certifications and fundamentals, why some certs feel like table stakes now, and how hands on work with real environments builds confidence you cannot fake in an interview.
If you are trying to land your first IT job, move beyond help desk, or avoid wasting time early in your career, this episode is worth your time.

City Manager Kevin Robinson, Spencer Iowa Flood, Emergency Alerts, Taxes, and City Budgets

John sits down with Kevin Robinson, the City Manager of Spencer, Iowa, for a real look at how city government actually works, from the day to day responsibilities people never see to how priorities get set when staffing, infrastructure, and public expectations all compete. They break down what a city budget really means, where the money comes from, and how property taxes and local option sales tax connect to the services residents rely on. Kevin also shares what Spencer learned from the 2024 flood, why real time communication became a core part of resilience, and how the Spencer Iowa app and push alerts change emergency response when minutes matter.
If you want a clear and practical conversation about city operations, taxes, and what Spencer is building next, this episode is for you.

Grandma Got Scammed, Holiday Fraud, Gift Cards, Fake USPS Texts, Bitcoin ATMs

Ho ho holy… grandma got scammed. John and Logan break down why the holidays are prime time for fraud and why most scams are not “hacks,” they are simple deception built on urgency, embarrassment, and pressure. They walk through the biggest patterns showing up right now, including discounted gift card deals that get drained or voided, fake USPS package delay texts that lead to phishing sites, and recruiting messages offering ridiculous pay and pushing people onto WhatsApp. They also cover the fake jail call, the classic Microsoft support call that ends with remote access and gift card demands, and the Hallmark style romance scam that turns into a money request.
To close it out, they unpack the Bitcoin ATM trap and the pig butchering long con, how it builds trust, shows fake profits, and then locks withdrawals behind endless fees. If you want a clear, practical guide to spotting red flags and a smart way to talk to your family, especially older relatives, before it happens, this episode is for you.

Meta Hires Apple Design Leader Alan Dye, Cloudflare Outage, and Samsung Tri Fold Phone

This week on Zero Downtime, John and Logan break down Apple’s ongoing senior exits, AI driven pressure on DRAM and RAM pricing, another Cloudflare outage, and Samsung’s upcoming tri fold phone launch. Clear context, real impact, and what to watch next.

Surveillance Bills, AI Black Friday Records, and Australia’s Social Media Ban

John and Logan break down a busy week in tech that hits privacy, retail, and global policy. They dig into Michigan’s proposed surveillance bill and why it has people concerned about how far government monitoring could go. They look at record Black Friday sales and the role AI played in pushing numbers to a new level. They also cover Australia’s plan to ban social media for anyone under sixteen and what this move might signal for other countries. If you want a clear and honest breakdown of what’s happening right now, this episode has it.

Inside Utopia Grove and the Real Work of 3D Printing

We are joined by John Hartwig of Utopia Grove for a deep dive into 3D printing and how he helps customers bring their ideas to life. John shares what his shop can do, the problems he solves, and why people come to him for custom projects. He also walks us through the different types of prints and materials he uses, with real examples. If you have ever wondered what 3D printing can actually do for you, this episode answers it.