Tech Tales
Corbin Davenport
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Tech Tales is a podcast exploring the technology world's epic failures, forgotten successes, and everything in between. Hosted by Corbin Davenport.
Available episodes
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Oldest first
Jan 23, 2023
The Internet Explorer Story: Part 6
Internet Explorer had new competition by the mid-2000s, as Firefox rose from the ashes of Netscape, and Apple released the first version of its Safari browser for Mac. Security vulnerabilities and poor web standards support were also holding the browser back, and Internet Explorer 7 didn't do much to change that.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/gPyrzvI7Mlc?t=3242
Sources:
• https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/web-developers-wary-of-aol-switch/
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2003/05/30/aol-drops-suit-joins-microsoft-in-alliance/7a6b9a25-c5a6-4b2c-be27-6c44808ca855/
• https://blog.mozilla.org/press/2003/07/mozilla-org-announces-launch-of-the-mozilla-foundation-to-lead-open-source-browser-efforts/
• http://www.mozillazine.org/talkback.html?article=3422
• https://www.zdnet.com/article/researchers-warn-of-infectious-web-sites/
• https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115978544/microsoft-security-flaws-renew-calls/
• https://davidwalsh.name/6-reasons-why-ie6-must-die
• https://www.cnet.com/reviews/internet-explorer-7-review/
• https://web.archive.org/web/20110616125128/http://news.cnet.com/The-Acid2-challenge-to-Microsoft/2010-1032_3-5618723.html
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Jan 7, 2023
The Internet Explorer Story: Part 5
The legal battle between Microsoft and the United States government reached its conclusion in 2001, with Internet Explorer at the center of discussions about Microsoft's future. Meanwhile, Microsoft pressed ahead with the release of Windows XP and Internet Explorer 6.0.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support
Sources:
• https://neconomides.stern.nyu.edu/networks/Microsoft_Antitrust.final.pdf
• https://www.wired.com/2001/02/microsoft-judge-ripped-in-court/
• https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/28/business/us-appeals-court-overturns-microsoft-antitrust-ruling.html
• https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/26/business/microsoft-waits-for-bush-s-position-on-its-antitrust-case.html
• https://money.cnn.com/2001/11/02/technology/microsoft/
• https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/01/technology/judge-accepts-most-of-proposed-settlement-in-microsoft-case.html
• https://tech.slashdot.org/story/08/03/09/2136242/ie-55-beats-ie6-and-ie7-on-acid-3
• https://www.cnet.com/reviews/microsoft-internet-explorer-6-0-review/
• https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/microsoft-rivals-leave-minor-marks-online/
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Dec 5, 2022
The Saygus Scam
Saygus, and its CEO Chad Sayers, made headlines in 2015 when it revealed the Saygus V SQUARED smartphone. Many broken promises and shipping delays later, Chad Sayers became the center of a U.S. Justice Department investigation.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Katie Janzen.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support
Videos & Images:
• https://imgur.com/jhsCdPO
• https://youtu.be/eUOxkJllBI4
• https://youtu.be/4v0nc0Oi_Wc
Sources:
• https://web.archive.org/web/20080414040050/http://www.saygus.com/news.php
• https://web.archive.org/web/20121216163117/http://gigaom.com:80/mobile/the-v1-android-phone-looks-pretty-slick-but-who-is-saygus-anyway/
• https://www.pcmag.com/archive/hands-on-with-the-saygus-vphone-245965
• https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/how-i-got-suckered-by-an-alleged-10m-phone-scam
• https://www.androidpolice.com/2015/01/29/hands-saygus-v2-pre-orders-open-today-549-act-quick-want-intriguing-smartphone-saw-ces/
• https://www.androidpolice.com/2015/06/15/saygus-delays-the-v-squared-yet-again-launches-mega-suspicious-indiegogo-campaign/
• https://www.androidpolice.com/2016/01/19/saygus-phone-switches-manufacturers-again-company-undams-lake-of-word-vomit-on-twitter-to-justify-actions/
• https://www.androidpolice.com/2016/08/06/saygus-says-its-restarting-the-fcc-approval-process-for-the-long-delayed-v-squared/
• https://www.phonearena.com/news/Remember-Saygus-We-got-an-exclusive-sit-down-with-founder-and-CEO-Chad-Sayers_id90433
• https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/united-states-vs-chad-leon-sayers
• https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-capitol-mob-antifa-undercov-idUSKBN29E0QO
• PACER: 2:21-cr-00163-DS, 2:21-cr-00229-DS-1
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Nov 8, 2022
The Internet Explorer Story: Part 4
Internet Explorer became the center of an antitrust lawsuit from the United States in 1998, the same year it started shipping with Windows and became the most-used web browser worldwide. While Microsoft battled in the courtroom, a new version was released for Windows, and the Mac browser had its swan song.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/m_2m1qdqieE?t=331
Sources:
• https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-apr-27-fi-43478-story.html
• https://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/12/business/us-witness-says-browser-split-is-feasible.html
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1999/02/03/microsoft-evidence-backfires/f3ee9f7a-1184-4411-8a8d-fc1e9b6ef9f6/
• https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/microsoft-tries-to-explain-trial-glitch/
• https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/tech/98/11/biztech/articles/10demo.html
• https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/tech/98/11/biztech/articles/10demo.html
• https://news.microsoft.com/1999/03/18/microsoft-launches-internet-explorer-5-passport-to-the-global-online-community/
• http://jimmy.grew.al/macie5-twentieth-anniversary/
• https://twitter.com/jimmyg/status/1213810286077054977
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1998/10/01/microsofts-web-browser-overtakes-netscapes/385a60e8-3e7e-43b6-9700-8710f178278c/
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Oct 15, 2022
Movie Club: Hackers (1995)
Watch Hackers: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/cybernet
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Zachary Wander and Joe Fedewa. Outro music is "Eyes, Lips, Body" (Mekon Vocal Mix) by Ramshackle.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support
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Sep 21, 2022
The Internet Explorer Story: Part 3
Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser continued to rise throughout 1997, including a new release (4.0) and a deal with Apple to make it the default browser on the Mac. However, before the year was out, the United States Justice Department was ready to intervene.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/IOs6hnTI4lw
Sources:
• https://ericsink.com/Browser_Wars.html
• https://apnews.com/article/eaccc35768012aa8c609620baa51b2c2
• https://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/20/business/justice-dept-in-new-inquiry-into-microsoft.html
• https://news.microsoft.com/1997/10/01/microsoft-internet-explorer-4-0-now-available-delivers-the-web-the-way-you-want-it-to-users-worldwide/
• https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/21/business/us-tells-court-microsoft-breaks-antitrust-accord.html
• https://www.justice.gov/atr/cases/f1700/1763
• https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/tech/98/11/biztech/articles/10demo.html
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Sep 6, 2022
The Internet Explorer Story: Part 2
Internet Explorer slowly gained market share throughout 1995 and 1996, with the release of two major updates and a slew of corporate partnerships. Behind closed doors, Microsoft fought against PC makers that wanted to support IE's main competitor, Netscape Navigator.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/pUprvSUMXYE
Sources:
• https://www.betaarchive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29919
• https://www.webdesignmuseum.org/old-software/web-browsers
• https://winworldpc.com/product/internet-explorer
• https://news.microsoft.com/1996/05/29/microsoft-internet-explorer-3-0-beta-now-available/
• https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107368886/microsoft-wins-the-latest-bout-with/
• https://books.google.com/books?id=zDsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA90#v=onepage&q&f=false
• https://www.wired.com/1996/11/will-activex-threaten-national-security/
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Aug 19, 2022
The Internet Explorer Story: Part 1
The World Wide Web as we know it today began to take shape in the early 1990s, fueled by the popularity of the Mosaic web browser. Microsoft licensed Mosaic's code to create Internet Explorer, which would go on to change the entire computer industry.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support
Video:
• https://youtu.be/_JzfROUDsK0
Sources:
• https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/01/business/business-technology-netscape-knows-fame-and-aspires-to-fortune.html
• https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/worldnet-now-bundled-with-windows-95/
• https://ericsink.com/Browser_Wars.html
• https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107525776/new-tools-offer-help-in-navigating/
• https://www.betaarchive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29919
• https://www.webdesignmuseum.org/old-software/web-browsers
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Jul 22, 2022
Microsoft Tay
Microsoft created an online chatbot called 'Tay' in March 2016, intended to test the limits of artificial intelligence and machine learning on social media platforms. Less than 24 hours later, Tay went off the rails.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Joe Fedewa.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Sources:
• https://web.archive.org/web/20160323194709/https://tay.ai/
https://arxiv.org/abs/1812.08989
• https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/04/science/for-sympathetic-ear-more-chinese-turn-to-smartphone-program.html
• https://www.theverge.com/2016/3/23/11290200/tay-ai-chatbot-released-microsoft
• https://www.theverge.com/2016/3/24/11297050/tay-microsoft-chatbot-racist
• https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-deletes-racist-genocidal-tweets-from-ai-chatbot-tay-2016-3
• https://web.archive.org/web/20170210055324/http://fusion.net/story/284617/8chan-microsoft-chatbot-tay-racist/
• https://fortune.com/2016/03/30/microsofts-tay-return/
• https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/microsoft-zo-chatbot-ai-artificial-intelligence/
• https://qz.com/1340990/microsofts-politically-correct-chat-bot-is-even-worse-than-its-racist-one/
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Jul 6, 2022
Outtakes #1
This special episode is a compilation of outtakes from recording the first 30 episodes of Tech Tales. Enjoy!
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
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Jun 26, 2022
Apple's Project Star Trek
Faced with growing competition from Microsoft Windows, Apple and Novell teamed up in 1992 to port the Mac operating system to PCs. The project, named 'Star Trek,' had the potential to change the landscape of the computer industry... but it didn't quite work out.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Sources:
• https://lowendmac.com/2014/star-trek-apples-first-mac-os-on-intel-project/
• https://www.theregister.com/1999/11/05/how_ms_played_the_incompatibility/
• https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1992-12-09-1992344024-story.html
• https://tedium.co/2021/03/24/novell-apple-macos-history/
• https://www.sattlers.org/mickey/tech/hardware/apple/macintosh/misc/project-star-trek.html
• http://millsoft.ca/billm/Newsletters/PC_Week_1993-05-03.txt
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Jun 3, 2022
The Voyager Program: Part 3
NASA's Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes continued their trip through the solar system throughout the 1980s and 1990s. While Voyager 2 captured the first images of Uranus and Neptune, scientist Carl Sagan pushed for NASA to power up Voyager 1's cameras for one last time.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs. Check out Cody on Twitter (@Cody_Toombs) and Mastodon (@CodyToombs@mstdn.io).
Discuss this episode on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TechTalesPodcast
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Photos:
• https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/galleries/images-voyager-took/uranus/
• https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/galleries/images-voyager-took/neptune/
• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Family_portrait_(Voyager_1).png
Sources:
• https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4219/Chapter11.html
• https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/tim…
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May 9, 2022
Grand Theft Auto's 'Hot Coffee'
The Grand Theft Auto series was already pushing the limits of adult content in video games by the early 2000's, but developer Rockstar wanted to go even further for the next entry. Grand Theft Auto San Andreas was eventually released in 2004 without the planned explicit content, but when modders unlocked the scenes that Rockstar decided to hide at the last minute, all hell broke loose.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Zachary Wander. Outro is the Grand Theft Auto San Andreas theme.
Discuss this episode on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TechTalesPodcast
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/yOzcbtsw_pQ
• https://youtu.be/EBeoWBXmgw8?t=145
Sources:
• https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-30-who-spilled-hot-coffee
• https://money.cnn.com/2004/10/25/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/index.ht…
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Apr 25, 2022
The Voyager Program: Part 2
The Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 space probes finally launched in late 1977, following around a decade of development and planning. Both probes captured incredible photos of Jupiter and Venus, and collected valuable scientific data, though the journey wasn't without challenges.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Discuss this episode on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TechTalesPodcast
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Photos:
• https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/voyager-1-takes-the-first-image-of-the-earth-moon-system-in-a-single-frame
• https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/galleries/images-voyager-took/jupiter/
• https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/galleries/images-voyager-took/saturn/
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/ZQIxyqt0fV4
Sources:
• https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4219/Chapter11.html
• https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/…
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Apr 12, 2022
The Voyager Program: Part 1
While the Space Race in the 1960s drew to a close, NASA began planning a 'Grand Tour' of the outer Solar System using a series of space probes. By 1977, Voyager 1 and 2 were ready to launch.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/tkxP-9BEc8E?t=542
Images:
• https://imgur.com/Rd4tOWz
Sources:
• https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4219/Chapter11.html
• https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/timeline
• https://www.npr.org/2010/02/12/123614938/an-alien-view-of-earth
• https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/interstellar-mission
• https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1977-084A
• https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/news/voyager-mission-anniversary-computers-command-data-attitude-control/
• https://www.nytimes.com/2017/0…
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Apr 1, 2022
Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device [April Fools]
In this special April Fools' Day episode of Tech Tales, GLaDOS from Aperture Science joins the show to discuss the very real and totally-not-from-a-video-game Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring GLaDOS from 15.ai. Ending song is "Robots FTW" by Jonathan Coulton from the Portal 2 soundtrack.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/wX9Sc88qreg
Sources:
• https://combineoverwiki.net/wiki/Aperture_Science
• https://combineoverwiki.net/wiki/Aperture_Science_Handheld_Portal_Device
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Mar 18, 2022
Bleem! and Connectix VGS
The original Sony PlayStation was a smash hit when it was released in 1994, and two commercially-sold emulators aimed to bring the PlayStation's game to the PC and Macintosh: Bleem! and Connectix Virtual Game Station. However, both emulators faced fierce legal battles with Sony, and their ultimate fates were very different.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Katie Janzen.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/3OqMcqRI-xA
• https://youtu.be/nGnQiReCnq0?t=142
Sources:
• https://web.archive.org/web/19990125104324/http://www.virtualgamestation.com/
• https://web.archive.org/web/20001206222500/http://www.virtualgamestation.com/mid_globnews_cvgs.html
• https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-mar-17-fi-38955-story.html
• https://web.archive.org/web/20020401230230/http://www.connectix.com/…
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Feb 27, 2022
The Asus Eee PC
The Asus Eee PC was introduced in June 2007, and quickly led to a surge in popularity for netbooks: small cheap laptops mostly designed for connecting to the internet. The new trend also caught Microsoft at the worst possible time, causing ripples in the PC industry that would last for years.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/tFLJJw6WRqM
Sources:
• https://www.techshout.com/low-cost-eee-pc-mini-laptop-introduced-by-asus-and-intel-could-be-the-new-olpc/
• https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/asus-eee-pc-701
• https://www.cnet.com/reviews/asus-eee-pc-701-review/
• https://www.reuters.com/article/us-asustek-idUSTP27609520080313
• https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-limits-xp-subnotebook-specs/
• https://www.zdnet.com/articl…
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Feb 4, 2022
The Galaxy Note 7: Part 3
Samsung officially discontinued the Galaxy Note 7 in October 2016, two months after its initial release, due to fires and a recall gone wrong. In the months that followed, Samsung harvested the leftover parts for a 'Fan Edition' model, while a small number of Note 7 fans refused to give back their phones.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Evan Hirsh.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Sources:
• https://news.samsung.com/us/samsung-taking-bold-steps-to-increase-galaxy-note7-device-returns/
• https://www.androidpolice.com/2016/12/07/canadian-galaxy-note7-devices-will-soon-banned-mobile-networks-wifi-bluetooth-disabled/
• https://www.androidpolice.com/2016/12/10/galaxy-note7-devices-uk-will-updated-limit-battery-capacity-30-starting-december-15th/
• https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-38404711
• https://www.androidpoli…
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Jan 26, 2022
The Galaxy Note 7: Part 2
Samsung began the recall of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone in September 2016, following multiple reports of the phone catching on fire and exploding. However, the explosions were far from over, and the world soon learned that even the "fixed" Note 7 phones weren't actually fixed.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Evan Hirsh.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/_GhODn4FRoE
Sources:
• https://www.reuters.com/article/us-airlines-samsung-idUSKCN11E0V8
• https://www.reddit.com/r/note7/comments/518k1f/my_note_7_exploded_first_case_in_australia/
• https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-statement-samsung-galaxy-note-7-devices-0?newsId=86424
• https://abcnews.go.com/US/florida-family-claims-samsung-galaxy-note7-phone-set/story?id=41946379
• https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/fire/cause-undete…
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Jan 17, 2022
The Galaxy Note 7: Part 1
Samsung released the first Galaxy Note smartphone in 2011, and its instant success led to yearly upgrades. The Galaxy Note 7 in 2016 was a triumph of hardware design, but only a few days after its much-anticipated release, some Note 7 phones started catching on fire and exploding.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Evan Hirsh.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/hYoqra9xGGM?t=1083
Sources:
• https://www.engadget.com/2011-12-29-1-million-galaxy-notes-shipped-worldwide-us-fans-throw-money-at.html
• https://torontosun.com/2012/04/05/samsung-hits-a-high-note/
• https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20160824000893
• https://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=15708
• https://www.androidpolice.com/2016/09/01/samsung-galaxy-note-7-recall-due-exploding-batteries-might-immine…
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Jan 7, 2022
Fallout 76
Fallout 76, an open-world online multiplayer game, was released by Bethesda in November 2018 after over a decade of turbulent development and legal disputes. The initial launch of Fallout 76 proved to be a disaster in almost every way possible.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/FV63b6empgM
• https://youtu.be/M9FGaan35s0
Sources:
• https://web.archive.org/web/20200517192640/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/heartbreakers/1100-6132028/
• https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1057232/000117091806001092/0001170918-06-001092-index.htm
• https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/-i-fallout-i-ip-sold-to-bethesda
• https://web.archive.org/web/20200317234139/https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16236
• https://fallout.fandom.co…
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Dec 21, 2021
How Steve Jobs killed Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash Player was the most popular way to create interactive content on the web, and by 2005, it was installed on "more than 98%" of all Windows and Mac computers. Apple's decision to not support Flash on the iPhone in 2007, as well as the "Thoughts on Flash" open letter written by Apple CEO Steve Jobs in 2010, were arguably the main factors in its ultimate demise.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/bPq1fVt9--I
Sources:
• https://web.archive.org/web/20070516090612/http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/0%2C1000000097%2C39211831%2C00.htm
• https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/flash-video-not-suitable-for-iphone-apple-ceo-says-1.696486
• https://www.wired.com/2008/11/adobe-flash-on/
• https://web.archive.org/web/20170615060422/https://www.apple.com/h…
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Dec 4, 2021
The Apple Lisa
Apple introduced the Lisa computer in 1983, becoming the company's first computer with a graphical operating system, simple copy-and-paste, and other innovations. Even though the Lisa was plagued by reliability issues and high prices, it was an important step towards the much more successful Macintosh.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Jacob Westall.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/wbO-vY9tbNY
Sources:
• https://lowendmac.com/2005/history-of-apples-lisa/
• http://toastytech.com/guis/lisaos1LisaTour.html
• https://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?story=Texaco_Towers.txt
• https://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?story=Square_Dots.txt
• https://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?story=And_Another_Thing....txt
• https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88786473/apple-computer-has-a-lot-riding-on/…
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Nov 19, 2021
DOOM for the 3DO
In August 1995, software developer Rebecca Ann Heineman was tasked with bringing the super-popular DOOM first-person shooter to the fledgling 3DO game console. What followed was a disastrous combination of incompetent management, limited resources, and misleading marketing. But at least the music was good.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Evan Hirsh.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Videos/Music:
• https://youtu.be/BSsfjHCFosw
• https://youtu.be/m35pIk5wfNk
• https://youtu.be/eE1uU3SWm7s
Sources:
• https://doomwiki.org/wiki/3DO
• https://tcrf.net/Doom_(3DO)
• https://youtu.be/rBbIil2HPSU
• https://github.com/Olde-Skuul/doom3do/blob/master/README.md
• https://youtu.be/A__COBn2Ubo
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Nov 5, 2021
The OS/2 Story #5: eComStation and ArcaOS
IBM ended support for its OS/2 operating system in 2006, but not everyone was ready to say goodbye. Serenity Systems promised to resurrect the platform with modern software and drivers, and a decade later, Arca Noae tried it again.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Sources:
• https://web.archive.org/web/20051210183335/http://www.os2world.com/petition/
• https://www.infoworld.com/article/2644727/developers-petition-ibm-to-open-source-os-2.html
• https://archive.today/20120728144512/http://www.atmmarketplace.com/article.php?id=9929
• https://www.atmmarketplace.com/articles/ibm-bids-os2-farewell/
• https://techland.time.com/2012/04/02/25-years-of-ibms-os2-the-birth-death-and-afterlife-of-a-legendary-operating-system/3/
• https://tedium.co/2019/06/13/nyc-subway-os2-h…
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Oct 26, 2021
The OS/2 Story #4: Warp 4 Ever
Microsoft and IBM fought over the future of OS/2, leading up to the release of Windows 95. Even after IBM admitted defeat, the OS/2 Warp 4 update arrived for the platform's remaining fans.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Sources:
• https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/28/business/ibm-plans-to-consolidate-os-2-development-in-texas.html
• https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/08/science/personal-computers-os-2-no-longer-at-home-at-home.html
• http://www.albion.com/microsoft/findings-23.html
• https://www.os2museum.com/wp/os2-history/os2-warp-4/
• https://www.os2museum.com/wp/os2-history/os2-timeline/
• https://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/25/business/ibm-introducing-merlin-its-latest-os-2-software.html
• https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/ibm-to-bury-os2/…
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Oct 10, 2021
The Rise and Fall of Flappy Bird
Dong Nguyen released Flappy Bird for the iPhone in May 2013, and a few months later, it became the #1 mobile game across the world. However, Nguyen was soon faced with never-ending harassment over the game's difficulty and addictive qualities, while hundreds of Flappy Bird clones flooded Apple and Google's app stores.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Jacob Westall.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/rShFlizi_TE
Sources:
• https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/the-flight-of-the-birdman-flappy-bird-creator-dong-nguyen-speaks-out-112457/
• https://kotaku.com/flappy-bird-is-making-50-000-a-day-off-ripped-art-1517498140
• https://kotaku.com/the-flappy-bird-fiasco-1519938266
• https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sesame-street-takes-on-flappy-bird-with-flappy-bert/1100-6417699/
• https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fall-out-boy-to-rele…
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Oct 1, 2021
The OS/2 Story #3: Workplace OS
IBM started work in 1991 on Workplace OS, an operating system that would run other operating systems. It was planned as a showcase for the PowerPC architecture, and the solution to IBM's multi-system woes. Workplace OS proved to be a massive technical challenge, and it was only ever released as OS/2 PowerPC Edition.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Sources:
• https://archive.org/details/WorkplaceMicrokernelAndOSACaseStudy
• https://archive.org/details/TheFailureOfPersonalitiesToGeneralize
• https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1993/11/15/78601/index.htm
• http://www.verycomputer.com/3_1a42d37319220ea0_1.htm
• https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1995/06/20/new-pcs-will-mix-ibm-mac-software/
• https://www.cnet.com/news/ibm-likely-to-quit-mac-os-licensing/
• https://books.google.com/books?id=zj4EAA…
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Sep 21, 2021
The OS/2 Story #2: Prepare to be Warped
IBM and Microsoft worked together to create OS/2, a next-generation operating system, but the future of OS/2 was left in IBM's hands after Microsoft left the project. Faced with marketing troubles and increasing competition from Microsoft Windows, IBM pushed forward with OS/2 2.0 and OS/2 3.0 Warp.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Videos:
• https://youtu.be/6v_vUkkYq7A
• https://youtu.be/mmxabyk0S2M?t=411
Sources:
• https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/26/business/company-news-microsoft-resolves-dispute-over-ibm-os-2-software.html
• https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/27/business/microsoft-widens-its-split-with-ibm-over-software.html
• https://www.os2museum.com/wp/os2-history/os2-2-0/
• https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/13/business/company-news-ibm-has-sold-1-million-of-n…
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Sep 8, 2021
The OS/2 Story #1: Big Blue and Redmond
IBM and Microsoft teamed up in the 1980s to create the PC operating system of the future, called OS/2. It was designed as a modern software platform with excellent backwards compatibility, and was even intended to replace Microsoft Windows. However, PC owners were slow to upgrade, and the growing success of Windows made Microsoft think twice about the future of OS/2.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Sources:
• https://www.tech-insider.org/personal-computers/research/acrobat/871126.pdf
• https://web.archive.org/web/20100410013835/http://pages.prodigy.net/michaln/history/pr/87apr_m3592.html
• https://www.os2museum.com/wp/os2-history/os2-1-0/
• https://www.os2museum.com/wp/os2-history/os2-1-1/
• https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/06/business/the-executive-computer-godot-had…
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Aug 25, 2021
VisiCalc: The killer app for the Apple II
VisiCalc was the first spreadsheet computer application, released in 1979 and created by two developers in an attic. The tool quickly became the must-have program for the Apple II computer, but it didn't take long for VisiCalc's publisher and developers to fight over its success.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Joe Fedewa.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Sources:
• https://books.google.com/books?id=9gIPuja3CoEC&pg=PA62#v=onepage&q&f=false
• https://archive.computerhistory.org/resources/access/text/2017/06/102738286-05-01-acc.pdf
• http://www.bricklin.com/history/sai.htm
• https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/18/business/visicalc-lawsuit-is-settled.html
• https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/26/business/how-a-software-winner-went-sour.html
• https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/09/business/copyright-suit-fights-lotus-1-2…
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Aug 7, 2021
Moonbase Alpha: NASA's video game
Moonbase Alpha was a video game released in 2010, developed by a handful of game studios in partnership with NASA, which placed you in a damaged future moonbase in need of repair. The game is best known for its brief status as a meme, thanks to the text-to-speech functionality, but its story didn't end there.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Jules Wang.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Videos:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv6RbEOlqRo
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNPKXfb3rws
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNtKdd9g6h0
Sources:
• https://www.virtualheroes.com/portfolio/military/america-s-army/
• https://web.archive.org/web/20120303072706/http://www.virtualheroes.com/products.asp
• https://web.archive.org/web/20070205135614/http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2006-10-30-serious-skills_x.htm…
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Jul 28, 2021
The Road To OS X #4: Public Beta, 10.0, and 10.1
In 1999, Apple finally had everything it needed to revitalize the Macintosh. It had a nearly-completed modern operating system, it had Steve Jobs as interim CEO, and it had developers promising to build apps for the new platform. Now all Apple had to do was release the Mac OS update that had been in development since the late 80's and hope for the best.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Sources:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88aD5RGaBF8
• https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2000/01/05Apple-Unveils-Mac-OS-X/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcGzCIlz8y0
• https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-peels-open-mac-os-x-beta/
• https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2000/12/18/mac-os-x-beta-not-worth-installing-for-most-users/
• https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2001/03/21Mac-OS-X-Hits-S…
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Jul 20, 2021
General Motors EV-1
The GM EV-1 was the first electric car produced by a major auto company when it rolled off production lines in 1996. Even though the car gained a dedicated fan base (dedicated enough to produce unauthorized radio ads) and higher-than-expected demand from drivers, only a few thousand EV-1 cars were produced.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Joe Fedewa.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Sources:
• https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/04/business/gm-displays-the-impact-an-advanced-electric-car.html
• https://escholarship.org/content/qt9pd8m8gs/qt9pd8m8gs_noSplash_6aad112bf59ee0a695d7344956234ff4.pdf
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk6YA9cCdtA
• https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/28/business/expecting-a-fizzle-gm-puts-electric-car-to-test.html
• https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/anything-goes-throwback-thursday/throwback-t…
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Jul 14, 2021
The Road To OS X #3: Apple Rhapsody
Following its purchase of NeXT Inc in 1996, Apple started work on a modern operating system for the Macintosh based on NeXT's impressive software. However, software developers didn't want to rewrite their apps from scratch for the new system, and the finished product ended up only being a stepping stone to the final Mac OS X release.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Sources:
• “On the Firing Line: My 500 Days at Apple” by Gil Amelio and William L Simon
• https://web.archive.org/web/19990116231607/http://product.info.apple.com/pr/press.releases/1997/q2/970107.pr.rel.macos.html
• https://books.google.com/books?id=9zsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA15&dq=%22apple%22+%22Rhapsody%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj51v-opozxAhURH80KHeenBL0Q6AEwAnoECAMQAg#v=onepage&q=%22apple%22%20%22Rhapsody%22&f=false…
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Jul 8, 2021
The Road To OS X #2: Apple Copland and NeXT
Apple tried again in 1995 to create a new operating system for the Macintosh, named 'Copland'. The new system aimed to bring new features and a modern core to the Mac platform, but the project was fraught with delays and bloat. Eventually, Apple executives began looking outside the company for the modern operating system it desperately needed.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Sources:
• "On the Firing Line: My 500 Days at Apple" by Gil Amelio and William L Simon
• https://web.archive.org/web/20060618111545/http://bebox.nu/articles.php?s=articles%2F199701xx-PlanBe
• https://guidebookgallery.org/articles/beyondwindows95
• http://preserve.mactech.com/articles/mactech/Vol.11/11.12/Dec95CrabbsApple/index.html
• https://www.cnet.com/news/macs-new-os-7-years-in-the-makin…
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Jun 28, 2021
The Tragedy of Intel Itanium
Hewlett-Packard and Intel teamed up in the 1990s to create a completely new 64-bit CPU architecture, which was going to power everything from home PCs to high-end enterprise servers. However, it didn't quite turn out as planned, eventually becoming one of the most costly mistakes in technology history.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Zachary Wander.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Sources:
• https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/09/business/company-news-intel-forms-chip-pact-with-hewlett-packard.html
• https://www.hpl.hp.com/news/2001/apr-jun/itanium.html
• https://www.cnet.com/news/compaq-intel-buddy-up/
• https://www.zdnet.com/article/dell-will-aid-intel-with-ia-64/
• https://www.linuxtoday.com/developer/1999090200706PS
• https://www.eetimes.com/itanium-era-dawns/
• https://www.cnet.com/news/itanium-sal…
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Jun 22, 2021
Sony Xperia Play: The PlayStation Phone
The Sony Xperia Play was the long-awaited 'PlayStation phone' when it was released in 2011, combining the power of an Android smartphone with physical controller buttons. The phone seemed like an easy sell to the millions of PlayStation fans across the world, and yet, demand dropped soon after launch and Sony cancelled plans for a sequel.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Jules Wang.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Sources:
• https://www.theregister.com/2008/03/07/psp_sony_ericsson_patent/
• https://web.archive.org/web/20071222233027/http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2006/09/04/sony-ericsson-to-unveil-playstation-phones-/
• https://web.archive.org/web/20110713170530/http://kotaku.com/gaming/how-many-thumbsticks%3F/more-playstation-phone-hints-nudges-winks-294058.php
• https://web.archive.org/web/20090118031712/http://www.mobi…
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Jun 14, 2021
The Road To OS X #1: Apple 'Pink' and Taligent
In the late 1980's, a team of engineers at Apple set out to create a new operating system for the Macintosh. What followed was a saga of corporate partnerships, mismanagement, and shifting goals, culminating in a platform for developers that developers didn't want to use.
Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs.
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow
Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales
Support on PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/techtalesdonate
Sources:
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/erichringewald/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/genep/
• https://lowendmac.com/2014/pink-apples-first-stab-at-a-modern-operating-system/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/edbirss/
• https://www.architosh.com/news/2003-08/2003c1-0812-jaguarstory.phtml
• https://books.google.com/books?id=5DsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA3&dq=taligent&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjdytyO-OPwAhVWCM0KHViXAuUQ6AEwBXoECAIQAg#v=onepage&q=taligent&f=false
• http://www.wil…
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