certainly entertaining and hopefully helpful we strive to cover the topics at the heart of the Linux gamer. From Proton to Vulkan, from Linux native to voiding the warranty. We discuss news and updates from the Linux community, our gaming habits and wanderings along with reviewing a game each week.
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October 9, 202549 min
Episode 60: Reviewing Your Homelab, Sick, and Sleep-Deprived
This week on Crowbar Kernel Panic, we’re reviewing your homelab… while sick, sleep-deprived, and running on cough drops.
Bo’s been fighting off a plague for two weeks, but we didn’t want to skip an episode — so we’re keeping it chill, catching up on community comments, and checking out an absolutely insane listener-submitted homelab from Levix that puts both of ours to shame.
We also talk about hitting 400 subscribers (!!!), home server efficiency, Proxmox and TrueNAS setups, and Josh’s continuing saga of cursed motherboards and mysterious reboots.
If you’ve got a homelab — big or small — send it in! We’d love to feature it on a future episode.
📩 Submit your homelab: crowbarkernelpanic@pm.me
💬 Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/qbV6eqkA
🎥 Watch the vlog: https://youtu.be/E0297HU2zsk
Thanks for 400 subs, and for letting us hang out and be ridiculous every week. See you next episode — hopefully less sick, but just as sleep-deprived.
September 22, 20251 hr 3 min
Episode 59: Homelab Hardware Showdown: Rack Servers vs Workstations vs Mini Clusters
Welcome back to Crowbar Kernel Panic! 🚀
In this episode, we dive into the three main “lanes” of homelab hardware and help you decide which one makes sense for your space, budget, and goals:
Lane 1: Refurb Enterprise Rack — the loud, hot, datacenter monster 🏢
Lane 2: Workstation Builds — the “Goldilocks” option for power and sanity ⚖️
Lane 3: Low-Power Mini Clusters — silent bookshelf datacenters 📚
We compare cost, noise, power draw, expandability, and real-world use cases. Plus, we talk through subscriber comments, Kubernetes setups, and share some personal homelab stories (including when things go hilariously wrong).
If you’re thinking about building your own homelab, or just want to hear about the trade-offs, this episode is for you.
👉 Join the Discord for discussion and advice: https://discord.gg/Nx6HgaAuZ3
👉 Follow along with the GitHub configs: https://github.com/bomccoy/homelab-proxmox-k3s
September 8, 20251 hr 7 min
Episode 58: Homelab Projects That Will Boost Your IT Career
In this episode of Crowbar Kernel Panic, Bo and Josh break down the Top 5 homelab projects that aren’t just fun — they actually build real skills that can help you land (and grow in) an IT or DevOps career.
We cover:
How networking projects like Pi-hole, Unbound, and OpenSense teach fundamentals you’ll use in every IT job.
Why virtualization with Proxmox and VMware is the gateway to enterprise-level skills.
The power of containers with Docker and Podman (and why they’re unavoidable).
Why Kubernetes is worth learning at home, even if it feels overkill.
The often-forgotten importance of backups and disaster recovery — with real stories of failure and recovery.
This isn’t just tinkering — these are the homelab projects that can set you apart in interviews and build confidence for real-world IT challenges.
👉 Which homelab project taught you the most (or burned you the hardest)? Tell us in the comments!
August 18, 20251 hr 33 min
Episode 57: We Let AI Join Our Podcast (Chaos Ensued)
What happens when two Linux nerds invite AI as a guest on their podcast? In this episode, Bo and Josh kick things off with some Capture the Flag war stories and home lab adventures before welcoming ChatGPT onto the show for a one-of-a-kind conversation. Together, they dive into AI ethics, open-source, digital privacy, and even ask a few ridiculous rapid-fire questions.
Whether you’re here for cybersecurity banter, retro tech nostalgia, or the future of AI, this episode has something for you.
🚀 Stay Connected:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/3R1rYNJw1_Q
Send us an email at CrowbarKernelPanic@pm.me
Join us on Discord. https://discord.gg/Nx6HgaAuZ3
July 14, 20251 hr 22 min
Episode 56: Stop Killing Games: Who Really Owns What You Buy?
In this episode of Crowbar Kernel Panic, we dive headfirst into the Stop Killing Games initiative — a global pushback from gamers, preservationists, and developers against the increasing trend of publishers shutting down games, removing them from stores, or making them unplayable even after purchase.
From Ubisoft delisting The Crew to the short lifespans of live-service games like Rumbleverse and Knockout City, we explore the big question:
Do you really own a game once you’ve paid for it?
We break down:
The origins of the Stop Killing Games movement
High-profile shutdowns and delistings
What happens to single-player games with always-online DRM
Publisher ethics: Should they patch games to work offline before decommissioning?
Legal and moral questions around cracking and emulation
The role of the modding community and emulators in digital preservation
How platforms like Steam, GOG, and Epic compare in this landscape
Why indie developers and players alike should care about this trend
Along the way, we share our personal takes on digital ownership, recall games we lost to shutdowns, and ask if we’re headed toward a future where even single-player experiences come with an expiration date.
To close the show, Bo gives a quick update on his ongoing Godot card game project, ShadowLight — a solo dungeon-crawler inspired by dark fantasy themes, with a twist on time, memory, and resource management.
If you care about preserving games, owning what you buy, or just want to hear what it’s like to build a game from scratch while the industry melts down around you — this episode’s for you.
🚀 Stay Connected:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/3R1rYNJw1_Q
Send us an email at CrowbarKernelPanic@pm.me
Join us on Discord. https://discord.gg/Nx6HgaAuZ3
Music from this episode
"Bit Quest" and "Basic Implosion" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
April 26, 202550 min
Episode 55: We Didn't See This Coming: Oblivion Remaster Drops + AI Life Hacks
In this episode of CKP, our plans got absolutely wrecked — but in the best way possible!
We dive headfirst into the surprise announcement and release of Oblivion Remastered. From our nostalgic memories of the original release to first impressions of the remaster’s visuals, performance, and subtle changes, we cover it all.
Plus, we go off the rails brainstorming how to use AI (specifically ChatGPT) to transform everything — from meal planning and workouts to fishing trips and even podcast show notes.
We also joke about existential crises, AI accountability shock collars, and why nostalgia lighting is so important.
If you love Elder Scrolls, tech experiments, or just chaotic good energy, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
—
🎮 Topics:
Oblivion Remastered impressions
The impact of surprise releases
Using ChatGPT as a life coach
Nostalgia vs realism in remakes
Steam Deck performance thoughts
🔥 Stay tuned for next episode: Top 5 PlayStation Era Games!
February 19, 20251 hr 21 min
Episode 54: This episode could have been an email
Welcome back to Crowbar Kernel Panic, your favorite tech, gaming, and Linux podcast! This episode is live on YouTube and will be available on iTunes and other podcast platforms. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment to support the show!
In This Episode:
🔥 How Fast Can You Build a PC? – Kicking things off with a discussion on PC building speed and efficiency.
https://www.pcworld.com/article/2605289/the-winner-of-newegg-pc-building-race-finished-in-under-5-minutes.html
⚔️ WoW Classic Guild Disaster – A personal story about a guild gone wrong. What should I do next?
🎉 New Year, New CKP! – We're going live every episode and expanding our discussions to more general tech topics while keeping our Linux nerd roots! Could this finally be the year we dive deep into game development?
Tech & Gaming Topics:
🖥️ Josh’s New GPU & Frame Generation – Thoughts on the AMD 7800XT and frame generation improvements.
💰 AMD 9070XT Price Leaks – What do the latest rumors tell us about AMD’s upcoming GPU pricing?
https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/us-retailer-lists-rx-9070-and-rx-9070-xt-starting-at-usd649-and-usd749-march-6-launch-date-confirmed
💀 RTX 5090 Dying After Driver Installation?! – Recent reports suggest driver issues might be killing RTX 5090 & 5080 cards. We break down the news. (Source: PCWorld)
https://www.pcworld.com/article/2597674/rtx-5090-and-5080-cards-are-dying-likely-due-to-recent-driver-update.html
00:00:00 - When was the last time we went live?
00:03:22 - Focusrite audio issues
00:04:55 - How fast can you build a PC
00:11:35 - Show intro (should we stream to Twitch?)
00:14:20 - What browser should Bo use?
00:16:19 - Wow Classic guild disaster
00:28:00 - CKP plans for 2025
00:41:00 - New GPU and GPU prices are wild
00:59:00 - Speculation on the GPU market
01:06:00 - Bo buying his first GPU
01:10:00 - GPUs are a speculative market now
01:12:20 - AI both helps and hurts the GPU market
01:16:00 - Nvidia driver update bricks 50 series GPUs
01:20:00 - Episode outro
Let us know your thoughts in the comments! What’s your dream PC build speed? Have you had WoW Classic guild drama? Are you excited about upcoming GPUs? Drop your opinions below!
🔗 Join the Conversation:
💬 Discord:
📧 Email Us: CrowbarKernelPanic@pm.me
🔔 Like, Subscribe & Hit the Notification Bell for More!
December 28, 20241 hr 16 min
Episode 53: Gaming Stats and Gritty Graphics: A Year in Review
Steam Replay 2024: Our Year in Gaming & New Intel GPUs!
Join us as we reflect on our gaming experiences throughout 2024 with Steam Replay. We're diving into the top games we've played, our gaming habits, and the challenges faced, including our experiment with different Linux operating systems and desktop environments like Hyperland and KDE Plasma. We also uncover the latest buzz in tech with Intel's new ARC B580 GPUs, comparing their performance and value. Plus, discover our thoughts on ButterFS vs ext4, favorite terminal emulators, and the endless quest for the perfect web browser. Is Intel about to change the graphics card game? Find out in this packed episode!
October 20, 20241 hr 21 min
Episode 52: Microsoft Recall And Silent Hill 2 Review
Exploring Steam Deck, Game Reviews, and Microsoft's Latest Tech drama
🔥 In This Week's Episode:
we take a deep dive into the new OLED Steam Deck, sharing experiences and discussing game compatibility, performance, and accessories. We also cover Microsoft's Recall and snapshot features, scrutinizing their privacy implications. Additionally, we provide in-depth reviews of popular games like Silent Hill 2, analyzing its remake, combat mechanics, and fan reception. Don't miss our exploration of Linux alternatives, troubleshooting tips, and recommendations for optimizing your gaming experience on various systems!
🚀 Stay Connected:
Email: CrowbarKernelPanic@pm.me
Discord: https://discord.gg/rmFr4s9J
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@crowbarkernelpanic2081
September 15, 20241 hr 12 min
Episode 51: The Great Copycat Conundrum: Ethics in Indie Game Development
In this exciting episode of Crowbar Kernel Panic, the tech, gaming, and Linux podcast, the hosts share amusing and thought-provoking stories from their hiatus, including visits to ranches and cabins. They delve into indie game development, examining the line between homage and copying through game cloning case studies. The episode also updates listeners on game development resources and highlights titles like 'Alone in the Dark' and 'Cassette Beasts'. Additionally, the host narrates their journey of upgrading to the Nintendo Switch OLED amidst unexpected financial challenges, concluding with a schedule update due to an upcoming cabin trip. Tune in for a mix of gaming insights, development discussions, and life’s unexpected twists.
Indie dev copies work a little too closely
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/card-games/dire-decks-wildcard-clone/
MakeRoom vs Flora Corner
https://www.gamesradar.com/games/simulation/indie-game-dev-known-as-asset-jesus-has-their-the-sims-style-cozy-game-copied-by-another-developer-please-dont-just-copy-my-game/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3071970/Flora_Corner/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2212670/MakeRoom/
https://kenney.nl/assets/page:6
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