Cool Tools

Casper Kelly is a writer/director of weird TV and movies including the viral short Too Many Cooks and the 2023 horror movie Adult Swim Yule Log. His website is casperkelly.com and he's on Twitter and Instagram @heycasperkelly.   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:43 - Chromadepth glasses: https://geni.us/cbvJf 4:53 - Mage.space: https://www.mage.space 21:51 - Tiny Habits; https://bjfogg.typeform.com/to/QXc0WJ? 25:04 - Focusmate: https://www.focusmate.com/   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mQ-ynOLZNgg   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/casper-kelly-writer-director/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

Marc Payne is an IT specialist working for the Federal Government. My passion is flipping items via thrift stores, yard sales and retail arbitrage on Ebay and Amazon. You can find Marc on Twitter @houseofpayne.   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 2:24- Index cards: https://geni.us/Jc1f7 7:54 - Box resizer: https://geni.us/xGGHI 12:34 - Scotty peelers: https://geni.us/qUEr9Dy 17:12 - 3” packing tape dispenser: https://geni.us/fBjclC6   Watch on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/uVCwU78XimE   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/marc-payne-it-specialist/

Theodore Gray is a co-founder of Wolfram Research and creator of the Notebook user interface (since lovingly copied by Jupyter Notebooks). He is the author of several books and iPad apps including the NYTs best-seller The Elements, and writer/director of Disney Animated (BAFTA award winner and Apple's iPad App of the Year 2013). His latest book is TOOLS, which is all about his favorite tools.   Website: https://theodoregray.com   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k2eZ4W7VgYs   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/theodore-gray-co-founder-of-wolfram-research-3/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7  

EDITOR NOTE: Due to technical audio issues, this episode might sound better for those listening at 1.5x or 2x speed.   Tom Robertson is an IT professional, currently leading IT at FreshBooks out of Toronto, Canada. Tom has a background in theatre, and has written and produced several shows in the Toronto area. In his spare time, he enjoys computer related hobbies, and has built a retro arcade cabinet, a kitchen display, and during Covid wrote an automated newsletter summarizing Covid numbers for his home province of Ontario. His website is tommertron.com.   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 1:40 - Ryobi Inflator: https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ryobi-18v-one-high-volume-power-inflator-tool-only-/1001063829 7:43 - Partake Non-Alcoholic IPA: https://drinkpartake.com/collections/beers/products/ipa-ca?variant=40002665611469 11:16 - Anker GAN Prime Charger: https://www.anker.com/products/a2148?ref=ganprime_top_itemlist&discount=WS7D5ZM242 15:26 - Dakboard: https://dakboard.com/site   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uw1v

Miles Hunter is a UX researcher, based out of Seattle but originally a Brit. Learning to woodwork. I enjoy restoring things, everything from old tools to video and photos.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mileshunter/   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:53 - Evaporust rust remover: https://www.evapo-rust.com/evapo-rust-remover/ 5:29 - Incogni - personal information removal service: https://incogni.com/ 10:17 - Japanese 'paper clam' for clipping together papers more securely than a paperclip: https://geni.us/siEAg0 14:34 - Topaz Video AI - video enhancement tool for slow resolution video: https://www.topazlabs.com/topaz-video-ai 22:35 - Miles Hunter’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/aboutmiles   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XpUiFkeUGCY   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/miles-hunter-ux-researcher/

Will Walker is a lead human interface designer at Google, working on wearables, digital assistants, generative AI and conversational controls. His design career has spanned across interfaces for hybrid digital maps, 3d printers and volumetric scanners to leading the design of exotic running shoes. He paints, hikes, plants and rennovates a victorian with his daughter, partner and shiba in San Francisco and sunny Oakland CA. You can find him on Instagram @wr_walker and on Twitter @walkerwill.    Website: www.willwalker.design   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 2:00 - Supercritical dryer for making aerogels: https://www.tousimis.com/critical_point_dryers/MEMS_drying_system.html 13:40 - Paint shaver pro for historic plaster restoration: https://paintshaver.com/paintshaver-pro/ 23:18 - Abacus for finite element analysis for design of structural gels or foams: https://www.3ds.com/products-services/simulia/products/abaqus/ 32:49 - Form 3 resin printer for biohacking or making ceramic slip cast molds: https://formlabs.com/store

David Buxton is a tech founder based in London, UK. He loves making stuff, especially with software. He's also a qualified pilot and a pretty good cook.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmrbuxton/ Website: https://hrharriet.com   TOOLS: 0:45 - Workflowy: https://workflowy.com 12:54 - Tern GSD e-bicycle: https://www.ternbicycles.com/uk/bikes/472/gsd 19:47 - Langchain (LLM dev framework): https://python.langchain.com/docs/get_started/introduction.html 27:29 - Leuchtturm Line a Day journal: https://geni.us/v0B7C5k 35:43 - Harriet AI HR assistant: https://hrharriet.com   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dp4IcBImx-U   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/david-buxton-tech-founder/  

Asa Hillis is a furniture maker who lives in Silicon Valley. He is known for creating pieces of furniture that have a timeless quality. Asa combines traditional and modern techniques, including CNCs and 3D printers, to craft his furniture from wood and metal. He is currently managing Behind The Tech Labs in Los Gatos, CA. When he is not working in the shop, Asa enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and standard poodle.   Website: asahillis.com Instagram: @asahillis   TOOLS: 1:00 - Wixey digital angle gauge: https://geni.us/f20Hgi 6:42 - Surge leatherman: https://geni.us/a7sz91 14:49 - Festool domino: https://www.festoolusa.com/products/domino-joining-system/domino-joining-machines/576419---df-500-q-plus-us#Overview 25:44 - Shaper Origin: https://www.shapertools.com/en-us/   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MOH98lczKFM   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/asa-hillis-furniture-maker/

Natalie Buda Smith is Director of Digital Strategy at the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world. Her career spans three decades in design, technology, and culture. The Library of Congress serves millions daily in their pursuit of researching our rich cultural archives, understanding U.S. legislation, and serving our nation's creative communities through Copyright.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliebuda/   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 1:09 - Newspaper Navigator: https://news-navigator.labs.loc.gov 6:55 - Citizen DJ: https://citizen-dj.labs.loc.gov 11:44 - Library of Congress photo library: https://loc.gov/free-to-use 16:39 - Lib guides: https://guides.loc.gov   Watch on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/NAShjOghAWo   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/natalie-buda-smith-digital-strategy-director-at-library-of-congress/  

Arun is a product designer, engineer, photographer, and writer. Most recently, he was co-founder and product designer at Carrot Fertility. He writes at arun.is.   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:49 - BMI 40b x4 tape measure: http://www.bmitools.com/ads/products/categories/steeltapemeasures/window-tape.html 6:26 - BMI Inklinat level: https://www.bmi.de/en/products-spirit-levels-682-inklinat.php 10:00 - Merco packing tape dispenser: https://mercotape.com/products/merco-dtn 15:00 - Pinecil soldering iron: https://www.pine64.org/pinecil/   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Mu8HC75K78M   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/arun-venkatesan-product-designer/

Joseph Wright is a fullstack software engineer and data sensemaker in Pittsburgh. You can find Joseph on Twitter @joegle. His website is joegle.com.   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:44 - Benchmade Mini Bugout 533 Folding Knife: https://geni.us/kh2DivE 5:42 - County Comm Glow-in-the-dark parts tray: https://countycomm.com/products/glow-jumbo-parts-tray-armorer-non-slip?_pos=9&_sid=9c8bbb078&_ss=r 10:31 - Snow Peak double walled mugs (for seasoning with coffee): https://geni.us/gGOd 16:24 - Analog chess clock (my fav is Seiko BZ361L): https://geni.us/9jfbJ   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yGgYzW-gDes   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/joseph-wright-fullstack-software-engineer/  

Ethan Stone has been a business lawyer for over twenty-five years, practicing in large and small firms and in-house. He has been a solo practitioner since 2011. He has represented clients in raising angel and venture capital, selling and acquiring businesses, technology licensing, executive hirings and departures and a wide variety of strategic partnerships, joint ventures, revenue sharing, service outsourcing and technology development agreements. He and his four parrots live in Berkeley, California.   Website: https://www.stonebusinesslaw.com   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 1:02 - Voter registration (and other information) cards: https://www.vistaprint.com/business-cards 4:11 - Reusable can tops: https://geni.us/l0AvG 7:54 - Stainless steel cocktail shaker (aka Farraday cage): https://www.target.com/p/stainless-steel-hammered-cocktail-shaker-threshold-8482/-/A-50973212#lnk=sametab 12:59 - The compare feature in Microsoft Word: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/compare-and-merge-two-versions-of-a-document-f50

Jason Swihart is a freelance digital product strategist with 30 years of experience developing sites and products for the internet. He specializes in providing product development leadership for clients who need guidance and advocacy through the product development life-cycle. Jason works in wood, metal, and plastic, making furniture and other objects for the home as well as collecting and restoring mid-century furniture; he is a champion swing dancer, event organizer, and founder of Pacific Swing Dance Foundation; he is also a vintage menswear enthusiast and lifelong skier. He lives in Altadena, CA with his wife, Shana, two dogs, Hampton and Benny, and entirely too many unfinished projects.   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mobilhomme/ Website: http://mobilhomme.com   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:51 - FastCap Laminate Tape: https://geni.us/wHcLu 8:19 - Milwaukee M12 Fuel Drill/Driver Kit: https://geni.us/ZGTz 20:12 - Harbor Freight 4' x 8’ utility trailer: https://www.harborfreight.com/1720-lb-capacity-48-in-

Jonathan Whitaker is a deep learning researcher and consultant working on generative AI. He also makes and shares tutorials and courses on the latest AI techniques through his YouTube channel and blog, Data Science Castnet.   Blog: https://datasciencecastnet.home.blog/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@datasciencecastnet Twitter: twitter.com/johnowhitaker   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:39 - Battery powered jigsaw: https://geni.us/WiFgssh 5:43 - Raynox macro 'lens' adapter: https://geni.us/WiFgssh 13:20 - Roli Seaboard Rise 2: https://roli.com/products/seaboard/rise2 18:22 - Google colab: colab.research.google.com   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XNYi2X0HawQ   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/jonathan-whitaker-data-science-castnet/

Graham Briggs was born in northern England in the fishing town of Grimsby. For most of the last 2 decades he's lived in Japan, both in Tokyo and on the Pacific Coast. Most of his career has been in different engineering fields and currently works for a web marketplace company. Hobbies include motorcycling, snowboarding and photography. Website: https://www.nanikore.net/   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:43 - Pinlock Motorcycle Visor: https://pinlock.com/ 5:35 - Nelson Rigg motorbike cover: https://www.nelsonrigg.com/motorcycle-covers/defender-extreme-motorcycle-cover-detail 9:36 - Manfrotto Monopod: https://www.manfrotto.com/global/294-aluminum-monopod-4-sections-mm294a4/ 14:05 - Kuriviger Online Map and Route Tool: https://kurviger.de/en   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HhqcRAHR6gE   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/graham-briggs-nanikore-net/

Amber Dohrenwend is an American artist based in Marquette, Michigan. She constructs post-consumer cardboard sculptures, costuming and installations. You can find Amber on Instagram @cardboardcollect.   Personal Website: www.amberdohrenwend.com The Cardboard Collective: www.thecardboardcollective.com   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 1:44 - Bostitch B8 Heavy Duty Stapler: https://geni.us/IV5a9Uk 7:10 - Offset Metal snips: https://geni.us/dEv7fkR 12:54 - Nejisaurus: https://geni.us/IfL8P 15:07 - Awl: https://geni.us/1m43o 17:12 - Art Week 2023 sculpture: https://www.mqtcompass.com/blog/art-week-2023/art-week-2023-community-built-art-installation/   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/42NirmKMUXE   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/amber-dohrenwend-artist/

Rob Ray is an artist and Associate Professor of Design at California State University, San Bernardino, where he is currently researching the intersections of site-specific mixed-reality technologies and experimental documentary storytelling. He is also a DJ at KDZU, a fictional real radio station possibly based in Goldfield, Nevada. Rob was previously a lead designer for ProtoSpace, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s mixed-reality collaboration platform. Rob has also worked as a technical experience designer building mobile interfaces for Electronic Arts and Industrial Toys. From 1999 to 2008, Rob was the founding curator of the DEADTECH, a proto-hackerspace and electronic arts center in Chicago, IL.   Rob's Links: https://post.lurk.org/@shimmeringtrashpile https://www.youtube.com/@shimmeringtrashpile http://shimmeringtrashpile.com http://kdzu.org http://robray.net   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:35 - Chessex dice set: https://store.chessex.com:11552/IW_Products.m4p.pvx?;products_no_tree?company=chx 8:45 - Thrift s

Joe Richards is a Summer Camp Director, Maker and thinker on the future of summer camps. Joe speaks on Creativity, Leadership, and Life. Joe has spoken across North America with a variety of youth, camping, and corporate organizations. Joe has been the Executive Director at Pearce Williams Summer Camp & Retreat Facility, in Fingal, Ontario, for 19 years – doing what needs to be done to make sure campers have the most amazing experience. You can find him on TikTok @campyoyojoe.   Website: https://www.yoyojoe.com/   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:48 - Picquic screwdriver: http://picquic.ca/ 7:32 - UJK Parf Guide System Mark II: https://tsoproducts.com/jigs-fixtures-guides/parf-guide-system/ujk-parf-guide-system-mark-ii/ 13:31 - Tool Box Drawer Organizer Bins: https://www.schallercorporation.com/tool-box-drawer-organizer-bins/ 24:55 - Gridded Cutting Mat for workshop Table: https://www.joann.com/36x59-cutting-mat/2622033.html   Watch on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/SNbFSphP5N0   For show notes and transcript visi

Ben Gold is a product designer based in New York City who has a mild obsession with tools. He’s worked on at places like Tumblr, Google, and currently Microsoft. His newsletter is called The Consumerist, a weekly digest of products that you might find interesting or useful.   Newsletter: https://consumerist.substack.com/   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:52 - Swann Morton Retractaway Premium Scalpel: https://www.craftknives.co.uk/product/retractawaypremium 6:50 - Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen: https://geni.us/DA9va8G 14:31 - Woodpecker’s Paolini Pocket Rules: https://www.woodpeck.com/ppr-2019.html 18:48 - Knax 8 Wall Coat Stand: https://knaxshop.com/en/accessories/knax-wall-coat-stand   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k5wCUYaucvY   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/ben-gold-product-designer/

Jeremy Shorr is a STEM education and workforce consultant and futurist who is passionate about innovating the instructional experience for learners of all ages. Jeremy has been recognized as one of the National School Boards Association’s “20 to Watch”, as the Ohio Technology Administrator of the Year, the Ohio Educational Leader Innovator, one of the Center for Digital Education’s “Top 30 Technologists, Transformers and Trailblazers”, as one of the Crain’s Cleveland Business “Forty under 40”, ISTE’s Making It Happen award, and was recognized by Ohio Governor John Kasich for service to Ohio’s students. Jeremy is a Certified Educational Technology Leader (CETL), a Google Certified Innovator, an Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE), a Raspberry Pi Certified Educator, and received his MBA in Executive Leadership. Jeremy was an Educational Policy Fellow with the Institute for Educational Leadership in 2015-2016. Jeremy, his wife Kimberly, and his daughters Lila, Lucy, and Luna live in Twinsburg, Ohio. You can find