Exclusive Microsoft AI interview, my desk gadgets, and my 2025 YouTube strategy
Plus, a reader project for kids, extreme velcro, tariffs hurting the model train industry, why we love coffee, and fossils in New Jersey
I’m David Gewirtz. Welcome to this week’s Advanced Geekery newsletter. It’s been an exciting week. Let’s dive in.
My latest video
Here’s the answer to a question I’ve gotten from a bunch of you recently, “What’s my YouTube strategy and why does it seem to have changed?” Plus, you get to see more of the wonderful Inspiration Gardens here in Oregon.
My articles
Here’s a quick recap of the articles I published in the last week on ZDNET.
Microsoft on how custom AI offers your business better answers, lower costs, faster innovation: Why settle for off-the-shelf AI? In an exclusive interview, Microsoft’s AI corporate vice president tells me the processes and best practices involved in using fine-tuned models. See how your enterprise can get started now.
7 productivity gadgets I can't live without (and why they make such a big difference): These tech accessories make my home office more productive, more comfortable, and less chaotic. See what I’ve added to my desk to stay focused and organized all day.
I tried Microsoft's free AI skills training, and you can too - for another few weeks: This is an update to an article I posted a few weeks ago. I added my report about some of the AI classes I took. Microsoft's AI Skills Fest offers free AI lessons for beginners and pros. It also has prizes to win and discounts to check out. Register now for free access through May 28th.
Must-watch YouTube
Moving on, let’s queue up some interesting YouTube videos for your entertainment and edification.
Fascinating and somewhat troubling video by manufacturers of model train gear, talking about how the tariffs are decimating their small businesses. For the record, I don’t have model trains. But I love to look at them.
This guy mods his 3D printer to trigger timelapse photography. It’s a cool technique and his results are pretty awesome.
Funny little Facebook video about how we all seem to accumulate so much stuff for our hobbies.
Adhesive material of the week
I’m updating my outdoor PoE boxes. I want to secure the power bricks, but make them removable. I thought of velcro, but wasn’t sure it would withstand the very hot and very cold extremes we sometimes get here (fortunately, not too much).
Then I found Extreme Velcro. I mean, who doesn’t want some extreme velcro? For real. I’m not talking some generic hook and loop tape. I’m talking OG official with certificate of authenticity (well, maybe not that) VELCRO (which, apparently, is done in all caps). I’m not worthy.
Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Interesting reads
And now, some good stuff from around the Internet, well worth checking out.
New Jersey has an amazing collection of fossils (and I’m not talking about my high school teachers here). I’m talking about one of the most amazing archeological digs in the world, in a shopping center parking lot. Yay New Jersey!
This gets my Headline of the Week award. Originally shared by Scott Mace, I present to you: Why do AI company logos look like buttholes?
The Atlantic about why we love coffee.
Reader projects
DangerAware.org is dedicated to ending abuse in the world through education. By providing books, games, and videos to kids for free, they hope to educate about personal protection and rights.
G. Ray Howell, the CIO for Danger Aware, reached out about his project. He says, “Our newest game is Respect My Personal Space. I am currently printing it out on my personal Makerbot Replicator 5+ from 15 years ago, but it takes a full week to print the entire project. So far, I have produced 12 of the games. The game is based on our Respect My Personal Space Astronauts, which we have used for years, but I only recently came up with this game.”
He encourages anyone with a 3D printer to print the game and donate it to a school, day care, children’s clubs, and the like.
For information on the game, the STL file download links, and an instruction booklet, reach out to info@DangerAware.org. And if you have project you’d like spotlighted, feel free to reach out following the guidelines below.
Send in your projects
I’d like to regularly spotlight a reader project or two here. Your project doesn’t have to be a big Kickstarter launch. If you’ve built something cool, it has some pretty pictures, and you’re proud of it, I might be able to share it here.
If you have a photogenic reader project, send an email to me at david@zatz.com with the subject “READER PROJECT,” a few pictures, and a short one-paragraph description. If you have a social media link or a link to the project, include that, too.
Both my EPs are now streaming
Available on all your favorite streaming services.
More clicky
I’ve got a lot happening all over the web. Here are links to my various stuff:
House of the Head: home for my published music
ZATZ Labs: where I host my published software projects
Feel free to dig around, visit, and say hey!
Leave some comments
Substack supports comments, so feel free to leave some. I promise to read them. Just, please, let’s keep our personal politics out of any discussion.
That should do it for this week. This newsletter is really starting to pick up subscribers. Please help it out by sharing links on all your socials.
Have a great week!