The Bootloader

Feb 03 2025 19 ep. 22 mins 20
The Bootloader Podcast artwork

A monthly podcast loading you up with news, project updates and product talk from the CircuitPython and maker communities. Hosted by Tod Kurt and Paul Cutler.

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Bamboozled

Feb 03 2025 22 mins  
Paul and Tod discuss drama in the world of 3D printing, oscilloscope music, inventory management for makers, and more. Follow the show on Mastodon or Bluesky and sign up for ad-free, spam-free, tracking-free monthly newsletter. Show Notes bamboozle: To deceive or dupe; hoodwink. synonym: deceive. 00:00 Welcome 00:14 Drama in the world of 3D printing Bambu Firmware Update Introduc

Sunsets, Synths, and Pinball!

Jan 06 2025 23 mins  
Happy New Year! Tod and Paul are back, each with three things to share. They discuss sunsetting a popular IDE, Tod’s favorite synth (which does so much more), 3D printing, pinball, and more. We’re now on Bluesky! Follow us on Bluesky or subscribe to our newsletter. Visit The Bootloader.net for detailed show notes, links, transcripts, and more. 00:00 Welcome 00:19 Sunsetting Mu

Supercon 2024

Dec 02 2024 29 mins  
Tod and Paul discuss the recent Hackaday Supercon. They share some of their favorite talks, the Supercon badge, and notable add-ons for the badge. For detailed show notes, including pictures, visit TheBootloader.net. And while you’re there, sign up for our newsletter! 00:00 Welcome 00:25 What is Supercon? 3:23 The Supercon badge 5:25 Supercon badge simple add-ons 6:44 The 2024 Su

Welcome Kevin Santo Cappuccio

Nov 04 2024 29 mins  
Welcome to the show For detailed show notes and a transcript, visit TheBootloader.net Join our newsletter! Keep up with the show and what Paul and Tod are up to. Visit The Bootloader’s newsletter page to browse the archives or subscribe. Welcome to our second guest, Kevin Santo Cappuccio, the creator of Jumperless. 6:20 The UNO Plus+ (Kevin #1) The UNO Plus+ from John Loeffler is

Welcome Liz Clark

Oct 07 2024 25 mins  
Paul and Tod welcome their first ever guest, Liz Clark aka BlitzCityDIY. They chat about the itsaSNAP iOS app from Adafruit, the new Raspberry Pi AI camera, maker skill trees, and more. Join our newsletter! Keep up with the show and what Paul and Tod are up to. Visit The Bootloader’s newsletter page to browse the archives or subscribe. Show Notes 00:25 Adafruit itsaSNAP iOS App (

From Arcade to Synth

Sep 02 2024 22 mins  
Welcome to a new episode of The Bootloader. For detailed show notes and transcripts, check out TheBootloader.net. Join our new newsletter or check out the archives. 00:00 Welcome 00:26 Recap: The Bootloader live on CircuitPython Day 3:00 MICRORACK (Tod #1) 08:16: Pimoroni’s Picade Max (Paul #1) Paradise Arcade Shop 13:17 A bug in the Raspberry Pi RP2350 (Tod #2) Hackster ar

Teardown 2024 with Debra Ansell

Aug 05 2024 30 mins  
In this episode of The Bootloader, Paul and Tod are joined by Debra Ansell who recaps Teardown 2024. Tod and Paul share a few interesting things including the Tulip Creative Computer, code editors, metal 3D printing, and more. Stay until the end for a special announcement about CircuitPython Day on August 16, 2024. For detailed show notes, transcripts, and to join our newsletter, v

Four Topics and an Interview

Jul 01 2024 24 mins  
Paul and Tod chat about Professor Gallaugher’s CircuitPython tutorial videos, Embedded Swift, a special interview with Justin Myers, the author of the new CircuitPython ConnectionManager library, and more. For detailed show notes and transcripts visit The Bootloader.net Show Notes: 00:21 CircuitPython videos by Professor John Gallaugher Professor Gallaugher interview on The Circ

Beautiful Bezier Curves

Jun 03 2024 26 mins  
In episode 9, Paul and Tod chat about the M5Stack Cardputer, RadioFreeFedi, migrating to Kicad, the CircuitPython Online IDE, and more. For detailed show notes, visit TheBootloader.net. 00:00 Welcome 00:20 The M5Stack Cardputer - Tod #1 2:10 CircuitPython build for the Cardputer 2:40 Available from Electromaker.io 4:29 RadioFreeFedi.net - Paul #1 5:57 FediVision 6:20 Bandcamp Frida

Built from the ground up

Apr 29 2024 29 mins  
In this episode, Paul and Tod each share three interesting things from learn to solder kits to programming ARM in assembly and more. Visit TheBootloader.net for more information including detailed show notes and transcripts. 00:22 Meet the Maker: Carrie Sundra of Alpenglow Industries. (Paul #1) 1:29 SMT Garden - surface mount soldering kit 3:51 Building a synthesizer with the Daisy