architecture

Tech Optimizer
July 3, 2025
PostgreSQL supports 36% of all database workloads on Kubernetes, an increase of 6 percentage points since 2022. Managing PostgreSQL workloads on Kubernetes involves complexities related to StatefulSets, deployments, and performance optimization. Two deployment options for PostgreSQL workloads are available: Azure Container Storage for low-latency, high-IOPS requirements using local NVMe, and Premium SSD v2 for price-performance optimization. Azure Container Storage is a managed solution that dynamically provisions storage backed by local NVMe drives. Benchmark results show PostgreSQL can achieve nearly 15,000 transactions per second (TPS) with low latency using Standard_L16s_v3 VM, and up to 26,000 TPS with larger VMs. Premium SSD v2 supports up to 80,000 IOPS and 1,200 MB/s per volume. Benchmark tests indicated local NVMe achieved 14,812 TPS at 4.321 milliseconds latency, while Premium SSD v2 recorded 8,600 TPS at 7.417 milliseconds latency. The CloudNativePG operator simplifies high availability PostgreSQL deployment on Azure Kubernetes Service, offering built-in replication, automated failover, and application-consistent backups.
Winsage
July 1, 2025
Jace, the host of the YouTube channel MetraByte, attempted to install Windows 95 and run Doom on a Sony PlayStation 2. He faced significant challenges due to the differences in architecture between the PS2's MIPS processor and the x86 code of Windows 95. Initially using DOSBox, he made "47 attempts" before switching to Bochs, an emulator for x86. The process was fraught with technical difficulties, including limited I/O capabilities, read and write errors, and missing files. After approximately "14 hours," he successfully reached the Windows 95 setup screen and launched Paint, but was unable to run Doom95.
Winsage
June 29, 2025
Explorer 7 is a customization tool designed to restore the Windows 7 taskbar and Start menu for users of Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11. It allows users to modify accent colors and integrates familiar Windows 7 UI elements, although it lacks the Aero effect in app windows and retains a modern appearance in File Explorer. Setting up Explorer 7 requires registry edits and Windows 7 installation files, with no built-in method to revert changes. Limitations include compatibility issues with UWP apps, lack of support for multiple taskbars on different monitors, and potential inconsistencies with autoplay features. The project is aimed at enthusiasts seeking a Windows 7 experience, but its compatibility with future updates of Windows 10 and 11 may be uncertain.
Winsage
June 27, 2025
Microsoft has introduced an AI assistant named Mu for Windows 11’s Settings, allowing users to ask questions in natural language through the search bar. Users can issue commands like “turn on dark mode” or “disable notifications for Teams,” and Mu will either navigate to the settings or execute the changes. Mu has 330 million parameters and is trained on 3.6 million examples, processing requests in under 500 milliseconds. It operates on a device’s Neural Processing Unit (NPU), requiring a Copilot+ PC for full functionality, and handles data locally, enhancing privacy and security.
Winsage
June 26, 2025
Microsoft is preparing to initiate a private preview of new Windows changes aimed at relocating antivirus (AV) and endpoint detection and response (EDR) applications away from the Windows kernel. This initiative follows a significant incident involving a faulty update from CrowdStrike that disrupted 8.5 million Windows-based machines globally. Microsoft is collaborating with industry leaders such as CrowdStrike, Bitdefender, ESET, and Trend Micro to develop a new endpoint security platform. The company is engaging its top engineers, including original architects of Windows, to work on these security enhancements. The upcoming private preview will allow security vendors to suggest modifications, with several iterations anticipated before the final version is ready. Microsoft is also addressing concerns related to kernel-level drivers in anti-cheating engines for gaming and is engaging with game developers on minimizing kernel usage. A forthcoming Windows update will introduce a Quick Machine Recovery feature to expedite restoration of machines encountering boot issues. Additionally, Microsoft is redesigning the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) from blue to black as part of its commitment to enhancing user experience and system reliability.
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