Topic: Backups

John C. Dvorak provides the "Tip of the Day," recommending the DreamSky Alarm Clock Radio as a reliable and affordable device. The $18 clock features an FM radio, temperature gauge, and battery backup, making it a practical alternative to using a smartphone as an alarm. The hosts suggest it as an ideal holiday stocking stuffer.

Executive Producers Eric Reinhard and Sir Tyler of Alaska contribute to the show, with Tyler sharing insights on how middle managers use AI chatbots more effectively than programmers. Sir Kevin Dills provides a "Dvorak tip" for data security: swapping external hard drives with a trusted friend or neighbor to ensure off-site backups without relying on cloud services.

A host reports the total failure of a Beelink mini PC after a previously discussed hard drive issue became terminal on Wednesday. The discussion covers the difficulty of accessing internal drives in these small form factor machines and the transition to using a Surface 8 as a backup. Frustration is expressed regarding the lack of repairability in modern "baked-in" hardware.

Referencing Klaus Schwab's warnings of a "cyber pandemic," the hosts discuss the vulnerability of modern cloud-based data systems. They contrast current "cavalier" backup practices with legacy methods involving physical tape archives and off-site storage, suggesting that modern data volumes have become unmanageable.

Adam Curry and John Dvorak discuss their technical backup procedures using SSD drives to preserve the show's extensive library of jingles and clips. They remind listeners that all clips are searchable via the Bingit.io search engine and listed in the show notes.

The hosts warn that relying solely on digital platforms like Instagram for memories is risky, as accounts can be deleted or drives can fail. They advocate for printing physical copies of important photographs at retailers like Costco to ensure long-term preservation.

A host describes a multi-layered backup strategy involving separate drives, clones, and cloud storage. The conversation shifts to the Netflix interactive film *Black Mirror: Bandersnatch*, which contains hidden Atari code that can be decrypted via a cassette tape emulator to reveal a QR code.

The San Francisco PBS station KQED was severely impacted by a ransomware attack that took their systems offline for over 30 days due to a lack of proper backups. This leads to a conceptual discussion about the future of the internet, where individuals could become "nodes" on the Ethereum network through their own microchips, creating a decentralized and addressable web of people.

Environmental professors and students at the University of Pennsylvania are racing to back up government climate data, fearing the Trump administration will delete or restrict access to it. The EPA has temporarily restricted employees from posting to social media or blogs, which critics characterize as a "gag order." The hosts argue these fears are exaggerated and note that the Obama administration was also restrictive toward whistleblowers.

A detailed explanation of a massive technical failure during the previous Thursday's show reveals that the wrong recording bus was selected, resulting in a recording containing only clips and no host audio. The backup recording also failed due to an incorrectly configured automatic gain controller, creating a distorted 3D audio effect.

The technical nature of the 2.6 terabyte leak suggests it may have originated from a physical backup tape or an internal archival source rather than a standard hack. A host shares an anecdote about visiting a high-security data bunker in the Swiss Alps designed to survive nuclear blasts. The segment questions the security protocols of off-site storage facilities like Iron Mountain.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open episode 806 of the No Agenda show on March 10, 2016. They discuss technical difficulties involving a producer's offline status and the merits of LPG versus diesel backup generators for home power. The hosts also share an anecdote about the sensory experience of starting turbine engines in helicopters.

Technical analysis of Hillary Clinton's email server reveals it was managed by Platte River Networks and utilized MX Logic (now part of McAfee) for spam filtering. The hosts debunk the "server in a bathroom" meme, explaining that the MX records point to professional data centers where backups and logs likely still exist despite attempts to wipe the hardware.

A report on future transportation suggests trains may eventually be powered by sewage. The discussion shifts to the IRS scandal, where thousands of Lois Lerner's emails were reportedly erased from backup tapes despite a preservation order. The hosts explain the technical process of using a "degausser" to destroy magnetic media.

Producer Bill Hudek has developed an automatic backup recording system for the podcast using a Raspberry Pi. This leads to a discussion about the technical failures of iTunes, which the hosts describe as a "horrible piece of legacy code." They criticize Apple for failing to improve the software despite its central role in the podcasting ecosystem.

The hosts thank artist Lynn Hartson for recent show art and producer Martin JJ for saving a previous episode with a backup stream recording after a technical failure. A discussion follows regarding the difficulty of retrieving files from older hardware like the iRiver IFP-799 on modern operating systems.

The hosts question why the tech community promotes slow, over-the-air cloud backup services like Carbonite when local 4-terabyte hard drives are inexpensive and faster. They suggest that tech publications avoid critical analysis of cloud security because these companies are major advertisers. A "theater of the mind" segment illustrates how advertisers can exert pressure on media outlets to silence dissent.

The National Archives and Records Administration issued a notice regarding the disposal of disaster recovery backup tapes from the George H.W. Bush and Clinton administrations. Unless a request for retention is made by February 2014, the tapes will be destroyed, as the government deems further retention unnecessary.

An insider email claims that initial technical failures at Healthcare.gov were caused by a network cable being plugged into the wrong port, effectively DDoSing the system. The source also alleges that the government has no backups for the platform's data.

The hosts read donor notes and acknowledge contributions toward the show's operation. They discuss the "Noodle Boy" meme and the distribution of No Agenda lapel pins. A listener from Ohio is thanked for providing emergency backup recordings of the show's high-end lo-fi streams.