Wow! It's been one year of podcasting for The 4501 Podcast. We've consistently published an episode about technology or travel every single week in 2019. Over the course of the year, we have learned A LOT about podcasting. From equipment to software, we now know much more about what works and what should be avoided. Furthermore, our comfort level podcasting has increased dramatically and we have pretty much gotten into a good flow. In this week's episode, we talk about all these lessons from a year of podcasting and share them with you in hopes that if you are looking to start a podcast, you can avoid some of these beginner mistakes. Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/51/

In this episode Tony and Marc discuss 2 different computer operating systems: macOS vs Microsoft Windows. They go over the philosophies of each company and how they perceive the focus of each operating system. Additionally, they also celebrate their 50th podcast episode with a Facebook live stream. Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/50/

Learn about living in a van from a videographer who has traveled around the east coast of the United States shooting video interviews. Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/49/

Disney+, ESPN+, Apple TV+, the streaming apps go on and on. In this episode, Tony and Marc discuss who has actually won in the streaming wars. Marc talks about the services he currently uses and Tony talks about two services that will be released in 2020. Also, the two talk about what should you look for in a streaming service and which service to pick. Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/48/

Learn everything you need to know about the push by Google for RCS that will finally unify text messaging across all major platforms including Apple and Android. Tony and Marc walk you through the history of text messaging including SMS, MMS, instant messaging, and now RCS (Rich Communication Services). The two also touch on how other messaging platforms such as Facebook Messenger, BBM, AIM, WhatsApp, and WeChat fit into the mess that is messaging in 2020. Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/47/

Learn everything you need to know about buying a TV on Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2019. With lots of jargon such as resolution, refresh rate, contrast ratio, it may seem overwhelming to buy a TV. And then on top of that, how do you know if you're getting a good price? Well, don't worry. Marc and Tony will break everything down and explain everything in terms that you can understand. SPOILER ALERT: Marc's recommendation for the best TV to buy on Black Friday is the Vizio M55. Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/46/

It's really easy to skip the extended warranty or optional insurance for your new cell phone of laptop computer, but when you crack the screen 8 months later or spill a cup of coffee on the keyboard the following week, you'll regret that decision. In this episode of The 4501 Podcast, Tony and Marc weigh the pros and cons of insurance for your electronic devices and discuss if an extended warranty is worth it. What you may not realize is that often times, your cell phone may have built in purchase protection or even specific cell phone insurance. In Tony's case, he has the REI Mastercard which gives him and his family free cell phone accident protection for accidents and theft. Learn more on Tony's blog here https://tonyflorida.com/free-cell-phone-insurance/ Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/45

In this episode Tony talks about how he traveled around Japan - one of the most expensive countries in the world, on $70 a day! The two discuss what living accommodations you are going to have to stay in and also how to travel around Japan on a budget. Lastly, Tony talks about some free or cheap activities you can do to learn about the Japanese culture and see the country. Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/44

We hear about THE CLOUD and for some of us, it's unclear what actually that is. There's Apple's iCloud, Google Photos, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. all of which are cloud storage options for your multimedia including photos and videos. However, this is not the only option for backing up your data. Another option is to buy yourself a NAS, an acronym that stands for Network Attached Storage — essentially one or more hard drives in a server attached to the internet. While this option has a larger upfront cost, you will ultimately save on recurring monthly costs of online backup storage via the cloud. In addition to discussing the pros and cons of cloud backups and NAS servers, we talk about free options for photo storage, how to backup large 4k video files, and why you should backup your data to begin with. Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/43

In this episode, Tony and Marc talk about the Jet Lag disorder. They discuss their own experiences dealing with this silent nuisance and what steps you can take to fight it off. Disclaimer: this is not medical advice but rather advice that works for Marc and Tony. Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/42

Climbing to the top of Mt. Fuji is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have when you travel to Japan. In fact, Mt. Fuji is actually an active volcano that last erupted in the early 16th century. While you should probably summit Mt. Fuji during the climbing season between May and early September, you can actually climb year round. In this episode, Tony recounts his Mt. Fuji off-season climbing experience in late September and provides practical tips about how you can do the same including bus transportation options from Kyoto and Tokyo, lodging on the mountain, clothing, gear, and so much more. Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/41

Want to start to VLOG on Youtube? Feel lost and don't know where to start? Well in this episode, Marc and Tony discuss which cameras you can use to start a YouTube Channel. The two talk about some aspects to think about before buying a camera and also what resolution you should shoot at during filming. Lastly, the two discuss which device is best to shoot on for Youtube: cell phone cameras, DSLRs, or Mirrorless cameras. Also, a spoiler for next week's exciting episode pops in during this episode so have a listen and find out what's on the agenda for next week! Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/40

Thailand is a popular travel destination for backpackers and honeymooners alike. Popular for its cheap cost of living, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the southern islands and beaches are among the heaviest traveled areas of Thailand. Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/39

Volunteering is a rewarding experience. But for those aiming to see the world and volunteer at the same time - there is a way! In this episode, Tony and Marc are joined by Tony's traveling companion, Talia. She talks about her experiences volunteering abroad, and how she was able to find those opportunities. They also discuss what are some of the pros of volunteering and what you should expect if you were to volunteer abroad. Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/38

Have you ever wondered how to port your number over to Google Voice? Well, look no further because in this episode Tony tells you how to do it. He talks about what Google Voice is, the benefits of doing this, and walks you through the steps on how to do it. Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/37

Blockchain, cryptocurrency, bitcoin — what's the difference. In this episode, Tony and Marc discuss the technology behind the crypto craze that is blockchain. After listening to this podcast episode, consider BLOCKCHAIN DEMYSTIFIED! Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/36

What to purchase a computer monitor and don't know where to start? Well, Not all monitors are created equal! In this episode Marc tells you some of the things to things to look for when you purchase a computer monitor. He tells you about size, resolution, frame rate, color space, and panel type which all are things to consider. Follow @the4501podcast on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram Intro/Outro Music: Voyage by Ikson Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/35

Travel is expensive. Only the rich can afford it. WRONG! Tony spent on average $75 per day when he traveled through Europe for 4 weeks in late 2018. Most people would spend much more than this on a hotel room. Traveling doesn't have to be expensive. Learn how to save money when traveling as Tony reveals how much spent in central Europe. Find a detailed breakdown of the cost of backpacking Central Europe, check out Tony's blog post on this topic: https://tonyflorida.com/backpacking-europe-cost/ Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/34

Packing light is truly an art. In this episode, Tony reveals his best tips on how to pack light and exactly what he packs for long term world travel. While Tony is a solo backpacker, his advice can be applied to all types of travel including vacations and business trips, wether domestic or international. Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/33

Have you ever thought about backpacking to Vietnam? In this episode, Tony and Marc talk about Tony's 3 week trip backpacking in Vietnam. Tony talks about why he decided to go there and his top 3 activities throughout his trip. The two also talk about how to get around the country and also discuss Tony's videos about Vietnam. Check out Tony's [Youtube Channel] (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDNayyYFlFO2DyYuIcZ1Fmg/featured) here. Follow @the4501podcast on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram Intro/Outro Music: Voyage by Ikson Shownotes at http://the4501podcast.com/32