Tech Talk Radio
Tech Talk Radio is a two-hour technology talk show produced in Melbourne, Australia. It is hosted by Andrew McColm, with regular appearances by panelists "Dr Ron", Graeme Callaghan, Justin Dunlop and Leena Van Deventer.
The Tech Talk Radio team discusses topical issues from mobile phones, computers and IT developments to unusual gadgets and off-beat technology humour.
The show is produced weekly at the Whitehorse/Boroondara Community Radio Station, 3WBC, in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Tech Talk Radio goes "live to air" on Monday nights at 8pm local time. The show is then distributed to other radio stations around Australia and a podcast is also made available.
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[edit] The Panel
The regular host of Tech Talk Radio is Andrew McColm. He is also the Executive Producer and has been involved in television and radio broadcasting for all his professional life. McColm also has regular appearances on ABC Local Radio in Adelaide, talking technology with Carol Whitelock [1].
The enigmatic "Dr Ron" is a long-time friend and colleague of Andrew McColm. Dr Ron has worked in the IT and telecommunications industries for many years, and is presently employed by the Victorian Government. Dr Ron has also featured on radio programmes like Brett deHoedt's Hootville (on Melbourne's former 3AK 1116, and podcast) and ABC Radio National's Perspective [2] with Sue Clark and Paul Barclay.
Graeme Callaghan joined The Panel in 2006 and is a regular on the programme. Callaghan is a PC expert and specialises in networking and Linux systems. He works for a Melbourne company providing IT support and maintenance to small businesses.
Justin Dunlop featured as a guest up until 2008, when he replaced Mark Diggins as a regular panelist. Dunlop is employed full-time by the Victorian Government and has been an Apple Mac enthusiast for over 20 years. He regularly features as a guest on other technology podcasts such as the "Retro MacCast".
Leena Van Deventer was a guest panelist towards the end of 2010, and has featured in most episodes in 2011. Van Deventer is a freelance games reviewer and was previously the Indie Games Section Editor at Resolution Magazine [3]. She also co-hosts GamePlayPodcast [4].
Tech Talk Radio has three overseas contributors, who are friends and colleagues of The Panel. Lidija Davis is an Australian who moved to Silicon Valley in December 2005, and has worked in the media industry for 19 years. Matthew Robinson is an Australian who moved to Denmark in 2000, and works in the finance sector conducting software and licensing audits for the Danish government. Mark Diggins, a former Tech Talk Radio panelist, works as a telecommunications network engineer in the United States and is currently involved in the rollout of HSDPA telephone networks. On the 19 November 2007 episode it was revealed that Diggins would be journeying to the United States for work, and would not feature as a panelist in 2008.
[edit] Show history
The first episode went to air on 29 November 2004. Since then, a number of guests and panelists have come and gone, but Andrew McColm has remained the programme's host since day one. The first podcast was made available on 27 June 2005.
On 23 October 2006, the 100th episode was produced.
On 15 October 2007, the 150th episode was celebrated, although this was in fact episode 151.
On 4 October 2010, the 300th episode was celebrated, although this was in fact the 306th episode to be broadcast.
On 6 December 2010, the final episode of the year was broadcast live from Sofia's Family Restaurant in Burwood East.
A new show has been produced live and released every week since November 2004, except for a Summer Series for the Christmas periods from 2005 through 2010. These Summer Series programmes showcase highlights of the previous 12 months, while McColm and The Panel take Christmas holidays and time away from production.
[edit] Regular guests
Tech Talk Radio has all-manner of guests from week to week, usually experts who enlighten and entertain in their field of expertise. Business associates, personal friends of The Panel and Industry Experts have all featured as guests.
In 2006, Bruce Matthews from the Australian Communications and Media Authority spoke about the Australian Government's anti-spam initiative; Peter Watson, chief of security for Microsoft Australia, spoke about issues with on-line security and software development; and Thomas Robinson from WebCentral spoke about professional internet hosting and website development.
In 2007, guests included Justin Dunlop (expert in Apple Mac systems); Michel Lawrence, a professional digital photographer; and James Farmer of WordPress fame. Freelance technology journalist Adam Turner - who writes for The Age, ITWire and other publications - also commenced a weekly segment entitled "View from the Couch", discussing issues and challenges faced by enthusiasts in the digital living room. Turner also comes into the studio every few months.
In 2008, Jason Stirling from call-centre leader Genesys featured a number of times as a guest; Rico Malvar, Microsoft MD of Research was also interviewed by The Panel; as well as Georgia Simmons from the Telstra Foundation.
In 2009, cyber-safety expert Susan McLean was invited onto the programme to talk about the Australian Government's controversial Net Filter trial, and safety of children on-line.
In 2010, guests have included David Glover from Microsoft talking about the release of Windows Phone 7; Tim Cincotta from on-line restaurant start-up 'takeout.com.au' ; and Sandrina Branton from BMC Software.
The most popular guest on Tech Talk Radio is regarded as Mark Mayer, retired Qantas pilot who talks with The Panel about technology in aviation. Mayer is invited in to Tech Talk Radio once every few months and always attracts a large audience and high number of feedback questions. Mayer's last appearance on the program was on 15 June 2009, discussing the role of technology in a recent aircraft disaster: the loss of Air France Flight 447.
In 2010, Jason Oakley became a casual guest presenter, joining The Panel live via Skype.
[edit] Audience participation
Listeners are encouraged to email The Panel, or communicate using an IRC-style chat room. Listeners can also contribute to the programme by accessing the Tech Talk Radio Web Forum [5]. Listeners' dilemmas and feedback are often read out at the start of each show, providing positive feedback and technical assistance as well as entertaining discussion of issues reported by listeners.
Current on-air and feedback addresses are available on the Tech Talk Radio website [6].
There is also a map on the popular Frappr website [7] that allows listeners to "pin" their location for everyone to see.
[edit] External links
- Tech Talk Radio official website
- Andrew McColm's site - McBlog
- Dr Ron's site - The Surgery
- Gadgets on the go and Shiny things - Adam Turner's Fairfax blogs
- Lidija Davis' site - Madlid
- Jason Oakley's podcast site - aka WauloK
- Leena Van Deventer's site - Grass Is Leena
- /rant - Tech Talk Radio's site to submit rants
