Know a Little More

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DTNS host Tom Merritt dives deep into tech topics to help you understand what you need to know about them.

Daily Tech News Show


    • Mar 17, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 13m AVG DURATION
    • 128 EPISODES

    4.9 from 51 ratings Listeners of Know a Little More that love the show mention: well explained, tom, tech, well researched, news, time.


    Ivy Insights

    The Know a Little More podcast hosted by Tom Merritt is an excellent addition to the tech news genre. With each episode, Tom's voice commands attention and delivers well-researched and organized content with high-quality listening experience. It's hard to ask for more from a podcast.

    One of the best aspects of The Know a Little More podcast is Tom Merritt's ability to provide in-depth research and acquired knowledge on complex technologies. While he is already well-known for this in the tech news industry, this podcast allows him to take it a step further. In just 20 minutes, Tom can do a deep dive into a topic, providing listeners with a better understanding of it. His explanations are not limited to technical jargon but also include real-world examples, making it easier for listeners to remember why certain concepts or bits of information might be important. As an engineer myself, I found his explanation of 5G particularly enlightening and eye-opening.

    However, like any podcast, The Know a Little More does have its minor drawbacks. The main downside would be its length. While it is impressive how much information Tom can pack into just 20 minutes, sometimes it leaves you wanting more. It feels like there could be so much more to explore on the topic being discussed but due to time constraints, it has to be condensed. This can leave some listeners wanting more in-depth analysis or further exploration of certain aspects.

    In conclusion, The Know a Little More podcast is a valuable resource for anyone interested in gaining deeper insights into various technological topics. Tom Merritt's expertise and ability to explain complex technologies make this podcast highly informative and enjoyable to listen to. Despite its relatively short duration per episode, the content presented leaves listeners hungry for more knowledge on the subject matter at hand. Overall, I highly recommend giving The Know a Little More podcast a listen if you're looking to expand your understanding of technology in an engaging and concise format.



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    Latest episodes from Know a Little More

    About ByteDance

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2024 20:39


    With all the talk about banning TikTok in the United States, Tom dives in to explain who actually owns and controls its parent company, ByteDance, and why there's so much discourse about security.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full transcript can be found here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Black Friday

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2023 9:58


    What's really being celebrated on Black Friday and is it the biggest shopping day in the world?Featuring Tom Merritt.Full Episode Transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    black friday acast full episode transcript
    About ALOHANet

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2023 13:24


    The backbone of nearly every network you use on a daily basis is based on a system designed to be cheap and easy to implement.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Authenticator Apps

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2023 12:07


    What if you could have a secure password generated fresh each time you need it? Authenticator apps do just that. Tom explains how.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Collaborative Editing

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2023 11:30


    Douglas Engelbart demonstrated how two people connected over a network could work together editing a document at the same time in 1968. It took much longer to see a real product.Featuring Tom Merritt.Episode Transcript available here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Video Conferencing

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2023 16:12


    Video conferencing was a vital method of communication during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it's roots go back much longer than you think.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About RISC-V

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2023 11:46


    How did RISC-V grab the attention of nearly every major tech company and what was the need for yet another computer processor architecture? Tom walks you through the history and use case of RISC-V.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript found here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About DNS (Rewrite)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2023 14:33


    The Internet's directory was once a simple text file on a single computer but has evolved into many directories world-wide that enable the Internet as you know it.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Word Processors

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2023 21:30


    The word processor never got "invented" as such, it just slowly developed out of things like typewriters and even slowly merged from electronic appliances into software. To understand the origin of the word processor you and I would recognize, the one with bold, italic, underline, we need to follow the journey of future space tourist Charles Simonyi.Featuring Tom Merritt.Episode transcript available here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About the Computer Mouse

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2023 18:56


    You all know what a mouse is. It's so common, that you probably don't even think that much about why it's called a mouse. But back in 1968, the man generally credited with the invention of the mouse, Douglas Engelbart, had to apologize for what was certainly a silly name.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    computers acast mouse douglas engelbart
    About Hypertext

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2023 14:02


    You may have used them hundreds of times today, but the origin of hypertexts dates all the way back to at least 1963.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About the Mother of All Demos

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2023 16:28


    In a single 90 minute presentation, Douglas Englebart showcased technologies that would eventually find their way into nearly every computer you've ever used. And he did it in 1968.Featuring Tom Merritt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    mother acast demos douglas englebart
    About Public Key Cryptography (May 2023 Update)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2023 15:21


    Passkeys use something called public key cryptography. They have your public key. And because it's public, it doesn't matter if anyone gets it. That public key and your private key combine to validate who you are. But how does that work? Wouldn't they have to know something besides the public key that's unique to you? No. That's the brilliance of it.Featuring Tom Merritt.Link to show notes here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Section 230 (May 2023 Update)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2023 21:33


    We update the history of Section 230 in light of the recent Supreme Court decisions. What it is, what it isn't and how those decisions affected or didn't affect the future of the "safe harbor" law in the US.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About the DMCA (Updated)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2023 22:49


    By 1998 the US had passed its Digital Millennium Copyright Act. And partly because the US generates so much copyrightable material, and partly just because it's the US and is a little pushy on the world stage, the DMCA became the de facto way of handling copyright protections on the internet around the world.But what is it? Why did we need the DMCA or the WIPO copyright treaty at all?Let's help you Know a Little more about the DMCAFeaturing Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript available here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Taiwan

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2023 36:18


    Taiwan is at once one of the most vexing political situations on the globe and one of the most important to the world of technology.But few people understand how it got to be either. And understanding that is essential to understanding what might happen next and how that matters a LOT for the technology industry.Let's help you Know a Little More about Taiwan.Featuring Tom Merritt.This episode has been updated to correctly name the original four members of the United Nations Security Council.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About OpenAI

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2023 18:10


    There's a lot of fear uncertainty and doubt being spread about OpenAI. So let's help you straighten out what it is and what it isn't.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About SIM Swaps

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2023 12:30


    You may have heard that using text messages as a second factor or 2FA code to protect your logins is less secure than other forms like apps or keys. You may even know this is because of something called SIM Swapping. Are there any legitimate uses/functions to swapping/cloning?Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Mastodon

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2023 21:22


    Could an open source alternative finally spell the end of Twitter's short-form bulletin board style postings? It's been tried before, but now there's perhaps the best contender for the Twitter throne yet: Mastodon.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Algorithms

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2023 19:33


    Algorithms are a hot topic, especially among those concerned about how information is spread. Social networks like Instagram and TikTok famously use "algorithms" to decide what content to show you. Facial recognition algorithms famously fail, especially if you aren't light skinned. But ... What is an algorithm anyway? Is it really at fault for all of this?Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here.Thank you to Biocow, Mrs. Biocow, ZoeBringsBacon, and Stargate Pioneer for contributing their voices! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    More About RSS

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2023 7:15


    Tom Merritt reads some corrections and feedback for the episode About RSS. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About RSS

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2023 24:17


    You probably use an RSS feed. In fact if you got this episode as a podcast you definitely used an RSS feed. Most people these days don't even know they're there. The story of RSS is simple and yet combative. In fact RSS's success may hinge on one man's idealistic dedication to his principles. If you've ever thought "why are people making this so complicated?" If you've ever wondered what it would be like to be a person who just shut everyone up with an action that for right or wrong would stand the test of time. Get ready to Know a Little More about RSS.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Section 230

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2023 22:53


    What you need to know to form an opinion about Section 230, the “safe harbor” law in the US for tech platforms.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Computer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2023 8:39


    The word "computer" has a much longer history than you may think. Tom ventures through its long and calculated past.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Nuclear Fusion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2023 16:03


    What is nuclear fusion, how does it differ from nuclear fission, and why is it all the rage for clean energy? Tom explains.Featuring Tom Merritt.Link to full transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Supply Chain Attacks

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2022 11:26


    Supply chain attacks are an interesting method of compromising a computer system, but how do they work? Tom Explains.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About USB4

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2022 14:08


    Tom dives back down the USB rabbit hole to explain recent changes and several updates to the most recent USB specification.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Passkey

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2022 11:46


    Ready for a passwordless life? Tom explains how Passkey will get us there and why it's coming sooner than you think and later than you'd like.Featuring Tom Merritt.About the FIDO Alliance.About Public Key Cryptography.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About CUDA

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2022 10:00


    Tom explains the need and use case for CUDA software and hardware and why that may matter to you. Featuring Tom Merritt.Episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Okay

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2022 18:59


    Tom discusses the origins and proliferation of the most commonly used word in any language.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Proof of Stake

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2022 9:49


    Tom clears up the confusion in Ethereum's new method of verifying its blockchain and explains the different approaches blockchains utilize.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here.Blockchain episode here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About EU-US Privacy Shield (updated)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2022 16:51


    Tom dives into the complex history and potential implications of EU-US Privacy Shield, updated.Featuring Tom Merritt.Link to episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About HDMI 2.1 (Update)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2022 13:17


    Tom explores the history and evolution of the HDMI interface and the features it may, or may not, support.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Bluetooth 5 (updated)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2022 10:44


    Tom explains the evolution and benefits of the latest Bluetooth standard, Bluetooth 5.Featuring Tom Merritt.Link to original episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About HTTP Cookies (rerun)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2022 13:58


    Tom clears up the mystery of why your browser and the sites you visit love cookies so much.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About OpenRAN (rerun)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2022 7:48


    Tom explains the basics of OpenRAN and why it's important to cell phone providers and customers alike.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About DisplayPort

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2022 11:36


    Tom dives into the history of DisplayPort and explains why DisplayPort isn't just HDMI with a new-fangled connector.Featuring Tom Merritt.Episodes mentioned:About USB 4About Variable Refresh RateAbout HDMI 2.1Full transcript here. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Free Web TV in 2008

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2022 14:37


    Take a trip down memory lane to a time when streaming television shows was novel and new...and sometimes difficult.Featuring Tom Merritt.Episode page here. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Bluetooth LE Audio

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2022 11:43


    Tom breaks down the Bluetooth LE Audio profile, why it's needed, and when and where you can expect to see it in your devices.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

    bluetooth bluetooth le audio
    About EV Chargers

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2022 22:26


    Tom is joined by SMR and BBQ and Tech host Rod Simmons to discuss the problems and possible solutions to charging electric vehicles.Featuring Tom Merritt and Rod Simmons.Visit the episode page here.Sites mentioned during this episode:- Plugshare- A Better Route Planner- SMR Podcast- BBQ and Tech Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

    About Wifi 7

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2022 11:31


    You've barely gotten your hands on a Wifi 6 router and there's already a Wifi 7? Tom explains the expected timeline and features of this new WiFi specification.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full transcript here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    About Windows 1.0

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2022 7:25


    Tom walks through the origins of the first Windows version.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full transcript here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    About Thread Network Protocol

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2022 7:48


    What is the Thread Network Protocol and why does it Matter? Tom gives a brief overview of it's history and current use.Featuring Tom Merritt.Transcript available here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    About Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2022 14:08


    If you've ever wondered whythere's a tearing in your video where the bottom and top don't seem to match when you play certain video games, or why televisions are so keep to advertise their Hertz, Tom's explanation of Variable Refresh Rate will answer your questions and more.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    hertz variable refresh rate
    About Progressive Web Apps (rerun)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2022 7:33


    Tom explains the history, design, function, and use cases of Progressive Web Apps.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    About Trademarks, Copyrights, and Patents (rerun)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2022 12:06


    Tom deciphers the clear distinctions between Trademarks, Copyrights, and Patents, and notes when sometimes the lines get a little fuzzy.Featuring Tom Merritt.Episode transcript here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    About USB4 (rerun)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2022 9:23


    Tom shares the history of the USB standard and the real benefits and limitations of USB4.Starring Tom Merritt.Link to episode transcript here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    About Safe Harbor (rerun)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2022 17:56


    Tom explains what Safe Harbor is and isn't and what Section 230 does and does not protect.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    About the FIDO Alliance (Updated)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2022 10:16


    Tom explores the Fast Identity Online Alliance and how passwords may one day be a thing of the past. Updated 19 May 2022.Featuring Tom Merritt.Episode transcript here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    About Machine Learning (rerun)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2022 11:07


    A brief explanation of Machine Learning, it's applications, and how it's developed.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full transcript here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    About Filmmaker Mode

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2022 10:39


    Why does your television have a filmmaker mode and what does it do? Tom dishes the details.Featuring Tom Merritt.Full episode transcript here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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