Sitting in traffic or working at a desk all day can take a serious toll on your lower back, leading to stiffness, sciatica, and herniated discs. On this episode of Data Drive, host Robbie Ferguson is joined by Dr. Evan Elliott to share realistic, practical advice on managing back pain, improving physical capacity, and building healthy daily habits for long commuters and sedentary workers.

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/15-commuter-back-pain/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 55 Minutes 21 Seconds

0:00 Introduction
0:48 Introducing Our Guest: Dr. Evan Elliott
1:27 Dr. Evan's Backstory
2:33 Getting Our Caffeine Fix at Williams Fresh Cafe
2:56 Improving Sleep Cycles by Timing Caffeine Intake
5:52 Finding a Plan That Works For You
6:15 Basing Food Choices on Personal Goals
7:30 The Challenge of a Sedentary Lifestyle
8:35 Preventing Sciatica, Back Pain and Herniated Discs
10:05 Taking a Break Commuting Between Barrie and Toronto
10:53 Ensuring Your Body Can Handle Demand Without Pain
11:48 A Teaching Approach to Relieving Pain Through Strength Training
14:02 What Keeps Us From Working Out ... Properly
15:32 Sifting Through the Noise of Internet's Quick Fixes
17:22 Healing Pain Begins with Educating Ourselves, Not Necessarily Surgery
19:12 Learning Good Habits: Improving Our Lifestyle for Pain Recovery
20:39 Pausing Our Commute for Pain Relief for Commuters
23:16 Stretching Mid Commute to Prevent and Ease Pain
26:49 Fond Memories of Barrie's Boathouses and Watersports
27:58 Older Vehicles Can be Worse for Pain: A Few Suggestions
31:12 Posture, Motion and Taking Breaks: Impact on Back Pain
33:26 The Counter-Intuitive Business Model of Healing Patients
35:01 Barrie's Growth and Improved Commute Means Painful Change
36:12 Upgrades to the GO Train Service from Barrie to Toronto
37:51 Technology and AI Advancements in Healthcare and Fitness Training
40:25 Artificial Intelligence Has Great Uses
41:19 AI Converting Content Into a Podcast
42:58 Synthesizing Information with AI and Helping with Business Operations
43:58 Impact Healthcare West Celebrates its 1 Year Anniversary
44:31 Challenges in Establishing Gym Routines
45:35 Barrie, Ontario Offers Many Fitness Options
45:56 Determining the Best Type of Exercise ... FOR YOU
48:24 Nutrition: What We Lack
50:39 Using Apps to Help Learn What's in Food we Eat
51:59 It's Never Too Late to Start Your Healthy Journey
52:54 Final Thoughts
54:38 Closing Credits

Tracing their ancestral roots, Robbie and Jeff dive deep into their Scottish heritage and family genealogy. The guys discuss what it takes to design and register an official family tartan with the Scottish Tartan Registry, the hidden privacy traps of modern DNA kits, and why Jeff's ownership of a couple of one-foot plots of land in Scotland gives him a fancy title. They also tackle the unique challenges of tracing a family tree through centuries of phonetic name changes, share how a trip to the Barrie model railroaders show inspired a custom-coded smartphone app, and share the backstory behind Mel Brooks finally making Spaceballs 2!

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/14/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 44 Minutes 15 Seconds

0:00 Introduction
0:55 Dreaming of Robbie Ferguson Way
1:49 Jeff Weston Road, With Everything Weston
2:48 Jeff's Quest to Find His Ancestral Lineage
4:32 Jeff's Concerns About DNA-Based Ancestry Tests
9:33 Registration of a Family Tartan in Scotland
12:30 Orillia Scottish Festival 2026 - Celebrating Clan Ferguson
13:06 The Prohibitive Cost of Tartan Weaving
13:45 Jeff's Lairdship in Scotland
14:25 Hiking the Highland Trail
14:40 Galen's Loblaws Distribution Centre
14:58 A Smooth Commute: Zooming Through Queensville, Ontario
15:29 Barrie Allandale Railroad Modellers Train Show
16:50 BARM Model Railroad Club Layout
18:25 Model Train Scale and Gauges
18:49 Making Your Own Model Trains
20:04 Robbie's Son's Model Train Hack: Adding Sound to DC Railroad
23:13 Lua The Programming Language; Reminiscing About Minetest
23:52 Wishing for Flying Cars and Drone-Based Taxis
24:50 Flight Rules and Regulations for Flying Cars
25:40 Accelerating the Commute with Human-Carrying Drones
26:12 The Sophistication of Mesh-Based In-flight Crash Prevention
26:42 The Problem of Privacy and Being Tracked
27:33 Strava's Accidental Military Base Mapping
29:12 Human Selfishness Poses a Challenge to Technological Progress
30:43 Direct Bed-to-Work Drone Flight
31:08 Construction Lane Ending and Being a Kind Driver (or not)
32:11 Drivers: Turn on Your Headlights and Pay Attention
33:42 The Drive Continues and Sun Starts to Set
34:30 Data Drive - Now on Cable TV (ROGERS tv Channel 10 Barrie)
34:54 Looking Forward to Spaceballs 2 ... The Movie Sequel
38:56 How To Send Comments to Data Drive
39:18 Post-Production Magic
40:25 The Irony of a Web Creator's Show Making it to Cable TV
41:13 Jeff is Late to the Cable TV Service Game: Thank You Bundles
42:42 ROGERS tv is a Commercial-Free Viewer Experience
43:32 Closing Thoughts

Can AI, flamethrowers and lasers save us from a Barrie Winter? In this episode of Data Drive, Robbie and Jeff explore high-tech snow removal and how your AI chatbot might be snitching on your private data.

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/13/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 50 Minutes 37 Seconds

0:00 Introduction
0:58 Winter in Barrie Ontario
1:24 Tech-Enhanced Intelligent Snow Removal
5:50 Battery-Powered Electric Snowblowers
8:36 "Done With Winter" Music Montage
10:23 Turning to AI For Solutions to Day-To-Day Problems
11:42 Reflecting on the Shift to a Hybrid Workplace
13:00 Roadworks in Bradford, Ontario
13:21 Being Responsible with AI and Tech
16:27 Differences Between AI LLM Models
21:38 Using AI as a Dungeon Master in Dungeons and Dragons
23:41 Robbie Has Never Played "Real" Dungeons and Dragons
27:20 Jeff's Broken Smartwatch
30:43 Hiking in and Around Barrie, Ontario
31:30 The Dream of Disconnecting and Enjoying Nature
33:05 Using AI for Plant Identification
35:13 How Smart Autonomous Cars Could Become
38:12 80's/90's Movie View of "The Future" is Coming True
39:33 Technology Cannot Replace Real Human Contact
40:52 NVIDIA Uses AI to Make Eye Contact Possible in Virtual Meetings
43:10 Falsified Human Connection and Personal Rights
46:50 Easing the Terms and Conditions Burden
47:49 Jeff is Mr. Negativity
48:18 Be Careful Who You Trust
48:54 The Evolution of Scammers: A Future Episode Topic
49:38 Closing Remarks

Eighteen years of Category5 Technology TV... can you believe it? Robbie Ferguson is joined by long-time co-host and fan favorite Sasha Rickman, visiting all the way from Newfoundland, for a nostalgic deep dive into the tech, gadgets, and moments that shaped nearly two decades of Category5. From life on the East Coast (bees, cod fisheries, crab vending machines, goats and more) to the challenges of staying connected with rural Internet, Sasha shares what it's really been like living on the east coast of Canada. Then we take a fun “road trip” through the tech history of the show: boogie boards, gimbals, retro gaming handhelds, Kingston drives, spinners vs SSDs, and the legendary gadgets that stood the test of time... plus a few that sadly got away. Whether you grew up with Category5 Technology TV, love retro tech, or just enjoy hearing the behind-the-scenes stories that made the show what it is, this special anniversary episode has something for every tech fan. Thanks for joining us on the Drive! Let’s celebrate 18 years of Cat5 together.

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/12/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 44 Minutes

0:00 Introduction
1:13 Sasha Rickman Traveled from Newfoundland to Barrie
1:56 St. John's International Airport Frozen Seafood Vending Machine
2:52 Fresh Seafood Is Better Than Imports
3:45 Seafood's Impact on Newfoundland Economy
5:04 Sasha's Tech-Shock Moving from Ontario to Newfoundland
8:31 Category5 TV Studio D's Internet Challenges
10:21 How Starlink Brought Sasha's Remote Work to Rural Newfoundland
12:37 Human vs. AI Chatbot Tech Support and How Sasha Proves She's Real
14:38 Robbie's Dream: NEMS Linux Growth to Include Phone Support
15:20 Timezone Difference makes Newfoundland Great for Tech Support
16:32 Best Ontario Wildflower and Clover Honey: Cherry Creek Apiaries
16:46 Sasha's Dream of Starting an Apiary
17:39 Barnyard Animals Sasha Can Keep ... If She Can Convince Her Husband
19:34 Commercial Break
20:51 Reminiscing Over 18 Years of Category5 Technology TV
21:38 Memorable Products Reviewed
22:07 Defunct Product Favorite: PasswordBox
23:26 Defunct Product Favorite: PogoPlug
25:11 Defunct Product Favorite: Bring TIM!
28:34 Tech Favorite That Lasts Forever: Kingston SSDs, RAM and USB Flash Drives
30:14 Why People Still Use Spinning Hard Drives
32:35 Tech Favorite That Lasts Forever: Boogie Board
36:11 Tech Favorite That Lasts Forever: DJI Osmo 4K (Now Osmo Pocket 4)
39:40 Adding a Gimbal to Your Smartphone
40:44 Tech Favorite We Tried to Review: AtGames SEGA Genesis Ultimate Portable
41:58 Retro Gaming with RetroPi: Perfect Party Entertainment
42:59 Call for Comments
43:26 Extro

Let's drive into data security. From the complexities of cryptocurrency wallet keys to protecting your passwords and setting up encrypted backup solutions, Robbie and Jeff share practical advice to protect your data and plan for emergencies. Discover how to ensure your family has access to critical files, avoid the pitfalls of forgotten passwords, and create resilient backup strategies that will save you time, money, and stress. Whether you're managing tech infrastructure or just safeguarding personal files, this episode offers something for everyone. Plus, hear the guys' thoughts on Christmas commercialization, LED Halloween pumpkins, and why a working Pi-hole is a game changer for home networks.

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/11/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 40 Minutes 56 Seconds

0:00 Introduction
1:40 Seasons Change: Driving In The Dark
2:00 Commercialization of the Christmas Season
4:32 Smart LED Christmas Lights and DIY Pumpkin Lights
6:43 Wyze Smart Doorbell Catching Halloween Looters
8:56 The Problem of Pre-Paying for Drive-Thru Orders
10:37 Supporting Less Fortunate in a Cashless Society
15:10 Commercial Break
16:39 Accessing, Trading and Exchanging Cryptocurrency
24:48 Jeff's Forgotten Pi-hole root Password and Fixing a Full Filesystem
30:59 Using logrotate.d to Maintain Log File Directories
32:06 Ensuring Your Disk Doesn't Get Full Using NEMS Proactive Monitoring
33:32 A Failed Pi-Hole Reveals How Ad-Laden the Internet Is
34:02 Remembering Your root Password, Or Storing it Securely
34:53 Kingston DataTraveler 2000 - Small Encrypted USB Flash Drive
35:31 Kingston IronKey Vault Privacy 80 External SSD
36:21 Data Security Tips and Tricks
37:38 Passwords and Files: What Happens When I Die? Passing On Data to Next of Kin
40:19 End Credits

Bill Marshall joins Robbie to explore the fascinating world of Raspberry Pi clusters, the tech shaping our future, and the challenges that come with DIY projects. We also discuss smart cities, focusing on Innisfil's cutting-edge plans. We'll discuss the importance of open-source communities, balancing personal time with tech projects and customer support challenges. From troubleshooting a Raspberry Pi 4 1GB crash to building a quorum system for Proxmox, we drive into the learning process behind microcomputing, the power of tinkering, and the creativity that fuels innovation.

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/10/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 43 Minutes 25 Seconds

0:00 Introduction
1:07 Late Apex Simulators in Barrie
1:54 Barrie Downtown Construction Along Lakeshore 2024
2:19 Pirate Adventure Cruise by Pirate Life Theatre in Barrie
2:58 Nerdy Greeting: A Raspberry Pi 4 1GB
4:14 Raspberry Pi 4 1GB is Perfect for NEMS Linux Testing
6:46 Bill Keeps Robbie In-Line with the NEMS Linux Community
7:41 Finding Time for Maker Projects
9:07 Proxmox QuorumPi - Two-Node Proxmox Clusters with Quorum Using a Raspberry Pi
12:12 Commercial Break
13:36 Clustering Raspberry Pi 4 with ICE Tower Coolers
17:59 Using the Cluster HAT to Control a Raspberry Pi Zero Cluster
19:13 Ignore Online Discouragers: The Process Is Worth It
24:45 Commercial Break
25:34 Is Contributing to Open Source Actually Helping?
26:49 The Challenges in Supporting Open Source Software
27:31 It's Okay to Disconnect / Mute
28:06 FOSS Users Sometimes Abuse Support Channels
32:31 Innisfil Ontario: The Orbit Smart City (Coming Soon?)
36:14 Smart City == Hermit Paradise
37:33 Retirement: Benefits of Less Property
38:24 The Challenge for Passionate FOSS Developers: Time & Responsibilities
39:09 Category5 Technology TV Studio E (vs Studio D)
39:49 How Bill Marshall Found Category5
40:40 Our Roaming Studio for Data Drive Podcast
40:57 Data Drive is Robbie's Maker Project
42:02 Learning Things and Challenging Ourselves Makes Maker Tech Worthwhile
42:45 Closing Remarks

Take a scenic drive of Barrie, Ontario streets, exploring the mystery of disconnected Barrie roads -- like Bryne Drive -- and the budding future tech scene in Barrie. Robbie and guest Bill Marshall explore nostalgic tech with miniature model trains and the exciting possibility of Raspberry Pi integration in these miniature worlds. Plus, we reflect on the rapid rise of tall buildings in Barrie. Tune in for a mix of urban exploration, nostalgic hobbies, and tech-driven discussions!

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/9/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 32 Minutes 32 Seconds

0:00 Introduction
0:51 Some Things Change in 6 Years, Some Things Don't
1:55 Bill Marshall Joins us from New York
2:45 The Tourist Episode: Barrie, Ontario
3:14 Road Pronunciations: Bryne Drive, Minet's Point, Essa Road and Dubois
4:49 The Mysterious Disconnected Roads of Barrie, Ontario
5:47 Technology Has Changed the Driving Experience
6:55 The Traffic of Richmond County, New York
7:44 There are 3 Bryne Drives in Barrie, Ontario
8:48 Bryne Drive # 2
9:32 The Rapid Blinking Blinker
11:36 Barrie is a Tech Hub in Ontario with Datacentres
12:23 The Problem with Building Houses
12:55 Barrie: A Commuter City Between Toronto and Muskoka
13:27 Cottage Country and Being "On The Grid"
16:24 We Can No Longer Truly Escape Being Connected
17:11 Commercial Break
19:16 Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery
19:54 Model Railroads: Remembering Our Childhood Train Sets
21:25 Using a 3D Printer and Static Grass to Improve Model Railroad Realism
22:57 HO vs O-Scale Model Railroads
23:14 Using a Raspberry Pi and Python Code to Augment a Model Railroad
25:25 Cutting Foam with a Hot Wire Instead of Knife
26:21 Entering Barrie, Ontario from Angus, Ontario
26:41 Barrie is Growing Up ... Literally
27:48 Barrie's Tallest Buildings Still Don't Compare to New York
28:50 The Upward Growth of Barrie, Ontario
30:24 Bryne Drive The Third
31:38 Closing Remarks

On this episode of Data Drive Podcast, Robbie and Jeff delve into the ever-evolving world of IT, discussing how technological advancements are shifting paradigms in the tech industry. From the impact of cloud computing and AI to the growing need for a security-first mindset, this conversation sheds light on the challenges and opportunities ahead. Whether you’re an IT professional or just tech-curious, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of technology.

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/8/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 26 Minutes 5 Seconds

0:00 Introduction
0:51 Times Are Changing: Technology is Evolving
1:04 Don't Get Left Behind, IT Worker! The Paradigm is Shifting.
2:33 Tech Paradigm Shifts May Now Be More Subtle
4:02 Paradigm Shifts May Be Mindset-Based
5:54 Mobile-First Responsive Web Design is the Last Big Paradigm Shift
6:51 Security-First Mindset May Be the Next Big Paradigm Shift
8:17 Small Businesses Struggle With the Security-First Mindset
9:29 The Tech Solution: Hire a Third-Party SOC - Is It Realistic for SMB?
10:28 Commercial Break
11:13 Sponsor: Kingston Canvas Go! Plus MicroSD Cards
11:40 Sponsor: ameriDroid.com Home Automation and SBCs
11:57 Sponsor: VoyagerSystems.cloud IT Partner for Managed Technology
13:04 Jeff's Business Purchase Adventure
14:39 Business Sense: You Are Worth More, Because Consumers Demand Service
18:33 SMB Security Practices Require Reassessment
19:36 SMB Can't Afford Professional Cyber Security and IT Infrastructure
20:14 Consumer Information is at Risk
20:35 Security-First Businesses Are Crucial: Who Will Pay For It?
21:49 The Challenge with Free Products and Services: They Cost Money
22:26 Security-First Is Indeed The Next Paradigm Shift
23:25 Category5 Cybersecurity Chat Available For Hire
24:30 Inflation Costs Are Hurting Business
25:15 Closing Remarks

Jeff and Robbie debunk common tech myths and challenge stereotypes with hard evidence. Join us as we explore which countries rank as most tech-savvy and why, backed by solid data. From Singapore to Switzerland, discover who tops the charts in tech-savviness, IoT capabilities, and technological advancements. Don't miss out on this enlightening and entertaining discussion!

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/7/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 29 Minutes 42 Seconds

0:00 Introduction
0:47 Sponsor: Kingston Canvas Go! Plus MicroSD Cards
1:14 Sponsor: ameriDroid.com Home Automation and SBCs
1:30 Sponsor: VoyagerSystems.cloud IT Partner for Managed Technology
1:52 Jeff Breaks Down Tech Users into Two Categories
4:30 Accuracy of Reviews Depends on Context
5:27 Jeff Theorizes Geography Matters in Tech Savviness
8:44 North American Disposable Mindset Means Low Tech Know-How
10:53 Jeff Suggests North Americans are Actually Tech-Smart
11:32 Jeff Encounters the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon
12:40 Jeff Continues to Dig Himself a Giant Hole
14:18 Commercial Break
15:57 The Most Tech Savvy Countries for Internet of Things (IoT)
18:50 The Most Technological Expertise Per Country Per Capita
19:25 The Most Technologically Advanced Countries in the World
21:18 Switzerland Is Brainiest, Most Able to Create and Most Advanced
21:46 Jeff Redeems Himself
22:56 Why Switzerland so High on the Tech Lists: Garmin, Logitech, Proton Mail and Others
25:56 Robbie is Proud of Jeff
26:21 Data Drive: Useless Knowledge to Share with the Family
27:37 Edifier R1210T Speaker Follow Up: Jeff is a Dummy
29:08 Closing Remarks

Take a wild ride through some of the quirkiest and most pressing tech topics today. From the mystery of disappearing Jeep doors to ingenious home security hacks, this episode is packed with practical advice, humorous anecdotes, and a deep dive into online security. Plus, we explore the real threat to FOSS open source software developers: user behavior. Buckle up for a journey filled with humor, tech insights, and a bit of nerdy wit.

Read the complete show notes, comment or rate this episode, view pictures and obtain links from this episode at https://category5.tv/shows/datadrive/episode/6/

Support This Podcast

#Cat5TV #DataDrivePodcast

Running time: 23 Minutes 13 Seconds

0:00 Introduction
0:47 Sponsor: Kingston Canvas Go! Plus MicroSD Cards
1:14 Sponsor: ameriDroid.com Home Automation and SBCs
1:30 Sponsor: VoyagerSystems.cloud IT Partner for Managed Technology
1:53 Jeep Door Theft is On The Rise
4:37 Securing Our Property Against Late-Night Prowlers
9:23 Interior Cameras Looking Outside at Night
10:30 Security Cameras Selling Cloud Service
10:51 Robbie's WyzeCams Use RTSP to Record to Multiple DVRs
12:49 Security of Connecting Smart Devices to the Internet
15:38 Technology Used for Nefarious Purposes Gives Great Tech a Bad Reputation
17:19 Jeff Wants to Force Users to Read Terms of Use Every Day
18:16 Time Wasters Who Don't Read Guides Hurt Open Source Development
22:13 Closing Remarks