# The Spark Gap - Episode 24

- Show: [The Spark Gap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap)
- Published: 2015-01-07
- Length: 42m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-01-07-the-spark-gap-episode-24
- Listen: https://thesparkgap.net/the-spark-gap-episode-24

## Summary

Hosts Carl and Corey discuss their 2015 resolutions, including revisiting basic electronics design and exploring open-source EDA tools like KiCad and Altium CircuitMaker. They announce a shift to a bi-weekly release schedule to allow for more guest interviews and higher-quality content. The episode then explores the topic of reverse engineering old hardware, citing examples like the original Xbox, cable modems, and Kinect sensors to demonstrate how discarded electronics can be repurposed or studied.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-01-07-the-spark-gap-episode-24#t=0) Introduction and New Year's Resolutions
- [1:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-01-07-the-spark-gap-episode-24#t=64) Revisiting Electronics Basics and EDA Tools
- [12:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-01-07-the-spark-gap-episode-24#t=763) Podcast Format Changes and Future Goals
- [19:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-01-07-the-spark-gap-episode-24#t=1152) Reverse Engineering: Definition and Learning Resources
- [26:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-01-07-the-spark-gap-episode-24#t=1576) Famous Reverse Engineering Examples: Xbox, Cable Modems, and Kinect

## Topics

- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [Creator business](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/creator-business)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- KiCad (tool)
- Altium CircuitMaker (tool)
- Eagle (tool)
- Xbox (product)
- Kinect (product)
- HackRF (product)
- DEF CON (other)
- Black Hat (other)
- Adafruit (company)
- SparkFun (company)
- DigiKey (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 375: Rebuilding Tech on Our Terms and the Hero Nerd](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-06-26-ep-375-rebuilding-tech-on-our-terms-and-the-hero-nerd) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Recycle All Your Microcontrollers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-08-07-recycle-all-your-microcontrollers) (The Amp Hour)
- [058 - Technically Met the Specs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2022-06-15-058-technically-met-the-specs) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [062 - Keymap Rain Dance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2022-12-30-062-keymap-rain-dance) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [Motivational Speaker](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-05-05-motivational-speaker) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-01-07-the-spark-gap-episode-24. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Spark Gap.