I Called It 12 Years Ago - WAN Show June 10, 2022

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: This WAN Show episode spans a major retrospective on SSD adoption versus hard drives, a public response to controversy around an LTT Dream server build, reactions to gaming announcements from Summer Game Fest, and a long policy discussion about Canada’s Bill C-11. It also covers LTT product updates (screwdriver changes, backpacks, shorts, notebooks), Shorts strategy, Floatplane growth, EV pricing, and ambitious lab/pool/LAN event plans.

Main Topics: Hard drives vs. SSDs and Microsoft’s boot-drive push: The hosts argue that SSD superiority was obvious in practice long before the market fully accepted it, and discuss Microsoft’s move to end booting from hard drives. They revisit old comments and reactions showing past skepticism about SSD benefits and note that manufacturers kept shipping HDDs mainly for larger advertised capacities. Dream server build controversy and creator collaborations: They address backlash over collaborating with Dream, explain what they knew about Dream’s cheating controversy beforehand, and argue the build was done for capability and content value rather than endorsement or money. They also reflect on how audience feedback differs across platforms and how they should disclose polarizing collabs earlier. Bill C-11 and Canadian content regulation: A substantial segment critiques Canadian efforts to regulate online platforms like broadcast media, arguing it would be a ham-fisted, outdated attempt that could clutter recommendations, fund low-view content, and set a precedent for other governments. They contrast this with the internet’s existing ability to surface local and niche content organically. Summer Game Fest and game announcements: Luke and Linus react to several new game reveals, including Modern Warfare 2 remaster, Cuphead DLC, TMNT Shredder’s Revenge, a Dead Space successor, and Stormgate. Their enthusiasm is mixed but generally positive, with particular excitement around RTS revival and co-op features. LTT product pipeline and screwdriver design decisions: They discuss the black-vs-silver screwdriver shaft debate, deciding toward silver for durability because black coating wore off in testing. They also mention backpacks entering mass production, upcoming shorts, notebooks, swimwear, and a store promo tied to mousepads and tote bags. Floatplane, shorts, and platform strategy: They defend Shorts as an important reach and discovery format despite personal dislike, saying it generates massive views and is necessary for staying competitive on YouTube. They also mention Floatplane creator growth plans being delayed by staffing issues and improving current creator features first. Projects, facilities, and event ambitions: The hosts outline plans for Lab 2 as a pop-up shop and LAN venue, possibly with sponsor booths, tournaments, Steam cache testing, and an overnight community event. They also brainstorm unusual engineering ideas like pool heating using solar/server waste heat and discuss AC costs and infrastructure challenges.

Key Arguments: SSD adoption was delayed less by technical limits than by manufacturers prioritizing larger advertised capacities and avoiding consumer education. The Dream build was not an endorsement but a response to a creator requesting a server setup that LTT was qualified to deliver; criticism was acknowledged but the project had already progressed. Bill C-11 tries to solve a discoverability problem with regulation that could distort recommendations, burden creators, and fail to reflect how internet discovery already works. Short-form video is a strategic necessity on YouTube because it reaches new audiences and drives major view counts even if some longtime fans dislike the format. The screwdriver’s black finish was abandoned because daily use showed coating wear; durability and long-term appearance matter more than day-one aesthetics. LTT’s business model depends on a portfolio of products with different margins, and inflation is real but often used as cover for unrelated profiteering. Lab 2 and future events are being shaped as both community spaces and engineering testbeds, with real infrastructure needs such as power, cooling, networking, and safety planning.

Data Points: Hard drive boot-device cutoff target: 2023 - Microsoft reportedly aimed to stop shipping Windows devices that boot from hard drives. Old MacBook Air base storage: 64 GB - Linus recalls the early MacBook Air as an SSD-only machine with very limited storage. WAN Show team/corporate size: almost 80 people - Linus cites company growth, including Floatplane, while discussing time constraints and culture. Time per employee at 80 people: 400 minutes - He calculates that five minutes with each employee would consume an entire day per week. Dream build like-dislike ratio: about 90% - He notes the Dream video’s ratio was not unusually bad compared with channel norms. TooMad collab like-dislike ratio: 95% on first day - Used as a comparison point showing the Dream video was not the worst-performing collab. Channel average like ratio: around 87–90% - They repeatedly reference this as a typical benchmark for LTT videos/shorts. Shorts reach example: 3 million additional views - A short on the 12900KS IHS copper mod reportedly added millions of views. Another Shorts reach example: 4 million views - They mention the VR glove project getting major exposure through Shorts. Summer Game Fest reference: 2022 - The discussion centers on game announcements from that year’s event. Lab 2 event seating: 200 seats - Chase estimates the venue could host about 200 attendees while preserving space for other activities. Lab 2 power capacity: 300,000 watts - They cite the building’s electrical capacity when brainstorming event uses. AC quote for creator warehouse: $100,000 - Linus recounts an HVAC quote for a small creator warehouse as an example of inflated pricing. AC cost estimate for Lab 2: $100,000 to $200,000 - They say air-conditioning the larger lab would be very expensive. Mini-split quote: about one quarter of the bad quote - A revised HVAC approach using mini-splits was much cheaper than the initial ducted proposal. Corporate margins: 30% to 65% gross margin range - Linus describes Creator Warehouse margins as varying by product type and price point. Ukraine GPU auction fundraising: $8,000 USD raised - The auction for Ivan’s GPU collection had raised this amount so far. Ukraine project estimate: 20,000 euro - The targeted children’s aid project had a top-down estimate including six months of operating costs. LAN event cooling idea: 200 people - They discuss a future LAN/event test case with hundreds of gamers, sponsor booths, and networked play.

Pivotal Quotes: "The hard drive is officially dead. Dead, dead, and buried." — Linus: Opening hook for the storage discussion and Microsoft’s push to end HDD boot drives. "I owe her everything." — Linus: His explanation of how Yvonne enabled his personal and professional life, including LMG’s founding. "We didn’t glorify anything about him in the video." — Linus: Defense of the Dream server build amid backlash and accusations of endorsement.

Implications: The show frames internet discovery, creator responsibility, and hardware evolution as fundamentally changed: SSDs and Shorts are now strategic realities, while regulation and old-school media assumptions risk misfiring. For LTT, it signals a more mature, infrastructure-heavy company balancing community trust, product durability, and expansion.