Technology
Hardware, software, networking, and development
#3064: How Salt Destroys Leather (And How to Stop It)
Why some leather goods last a decade while others fall apart in two winters — the science of maintenance.
#3062: Saving Antique Veneer: Hide Glue, Scrapers & Gel Stains
Practical advice for refinishing antique furniture with failing veneer and mismatched wood tones underneath.
#3058: How to Get 15 Hours of Light From Your UPS
Turn your UPS into an emergency light source with the right LED bulb, NUT, and Home Assistant automation.
#3057: Decoding the Multimeter: What That Dial Actually Does
Learn what a multimeter actually does beyond voltage—continuity, resistance, current, and how to avoid blowing it up.
#3055: Pegboards That Actually Work for Your Desk
How to size, mount, and accessorize a pegboard for cable management and small-item storage without buying the wrong gear.
#3050: Monitor Mounting: Consumer vs. Pro Rail Systems
From IKEA arms to 80/20 aluminum rails — the real tradeoffs in custom monitor layouts.
#3049: Why Your Screwdriver Strips Screws (It's Not You)
The real difference between a $3 screwdriver and a $12 one isn't marketing — it's metallurgy and tip tolerance.
#3048: How to Read Sandpaper Like a Pro
Grit numbers, mineral types, and why your pine sandpaper clogs instantly.
#3047: Frankincense in Your Laundry: Scent Chemistry Explained
How ancient temple resin ended up in detergent, and the chemistry that makes it work.
#3043: Cold Water Without Plumbing: A Renter’s Guide
Compressor vs. thermoelectric cooling, countertop vs. floor units — what actually works in a Jerusalem summer.
#3042: How Blackout Curtains Actually Stop Light
Three-layer construction, acrylic vs. laminated barriers, and why most "blackout" curtains let in 2-5% light.
#3041: The Desk That Won't Sag: Wood Species & Finishes Compared
White Oak vs Ipe vs plywood? Polyurethane vs hard wax oil? The gold standard desk surface for multi-monitor setups.
#3037: How Ancient Clean Beat Modern Soap
Before daily showers, humans used oil, scrapers, and public baths. Here's what clean meant for 99% of history.
#3033: 3,000 Episodes, 3 Copies: Is This Backup Setup Enough?
Three copies, two clouds, one NAS. But is this setup truly protecting 3,000 podcast episodes?
#3024: How to Incrementally Back Up Google Photos to Your NAS
Build a quarterly backup pipeline for Google Photos using the Library API, hash deduplication, and your NAS.
#3019: Dry Red Wines Without the Tannic Punch
A practical guide to finding dry, low-tannin red wines in Israel — from Carignan to Gamay, with shop tips and a note-taking system.
#3016: Sleeping with Strangers: Medieval Inn Life
Medieval inns weren't dirty hotels—they were legally regulated public utilities where you shared a bed with strangers.
#3015: The IKEA Showroom Living Experiment
Can you nap in an IKEA bed or work from a display desk? The answer reveals a masterclass in retail psychology.
#3011: Why Grape Wine Won the Monopoly Game
Why pomegranate wine and other fruit wines can't compete with grapes — and which exceptions actually broke through.
#3007: Why a 3-Star Hotel in Italy Feels Nothing Like a 3-Star in the US
Star ratings aren't standardized globally. Here's why a 5-star in Rome differs wildly from a 5-star in Beverly Hills.