Review: RetroMacCast
There are quite a number of Mac-related podcasts out there, ranging from informative all the way down to boring, inept, and inconsistent with posting episodes. Then there’s the RetroMacCast, hosted by James and John, two Mac aficionados who bring you a wealth of knowledge on all things Apple, some entertaining segments and, dare I say it, a show that has its shit together.
The production value is top notch with a folksy, almost NPR-ish vibe. A lot of the audio problems that plague many an inept podcast producer — bad sample/bit rate issues, audio pops, hiss, and the list goes on — simply do not apply to RMC. When you’ve heard so many podcasts consisting of little to no preparation, bad research, piss-poor audio, and a just plain ol’ don’t-give-a-crap attitude, then you understand my pain and might find RMC a breath of fresh air. [Rant in the middle of the review ends here.]
In their Retro Mac of the Week segment, the Js spotlight a different Apple computer of yore, which always piques the curiosity of this particular collector. And they’re certainly not just reading specs off a site or out of a book. Both hosts have real-world experience with Macs and the Apple-branded machines that came before, so there’s often a number of insights — both personal and professional — to glean from these gents. RMC also covers Apple news in general, but most of the show is geared towards retro, as you might expect from the actual show name.
In the eBay Finds of the Week segment, James and John scour the online auction site for good deals but also some of the more oddball Apple promotional items of the past and other unexpected goodies tied somehow to our great Mothership in Cupertino — perfect for those in need of a plush “compact Mac” toy or a Steve Jobs jack-in-a-box. Even MY extensive Apple knowledge is challenged on a near-episodic basis by RMC.
Also recommended is their Flickr page, which contains a gigantic stockpile of photos of James’ impressive Apple collection, event photos, detailed shots of all of their Retro Mac of the Week machines, and much more. Of course, the visual aids don’t stop there as RMC is an “enhanced” podcast — meaning, that if you listen to the show on your (5th generation or higher) iPod, a series of related photos will progress throughout each episode, often answering the question, “wow, I wonder what THAT looks like?” It’s not unusual for me to pick up, glance at, and put down my iPod, over and over again, just to catch the pics. More podcasts should take advantage of embedded photos.
Whether you’re a collector like I am, or you have a boundless curiosity for Macs and Apple products — even if you’re just wondering what it is that makes us Mac fans so… well, fanatical — then check out RetroMacCast. Highly recommended.
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