clouds Archives

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

Minecraft runs on 8MB of VRAM using a 20-year-old GPU

The gaming community has revived underperforming hardware, successfully running Minecraft on a 20-year-old GPU, the 3D Phantom XP-2800, with only 8MB of VRAM. A video from Budget-Builds Official details this achievement using an antiquated desktop with Windows XP. Initially, Minecraft Alpha 1.2.6 faced OpenGL compatibility issues, which were resolved by using Microsoft-provided SiS drivers for the card, allowing it to display the game on a CRT monitor. After updates, the game ran, but attempts to run Minecraft 1.6.4 resulted in it loading at one frame per second before crashing. The team optimized performance by removing visual effects, lowering the resolution, and hosting the world server on a nearby laptop, along with using an 8x8 texture pack to stabilize the game.

Tech Optimizer

April 22, 2025

VIPRE Security Crushes Competition with 99.93% Protection Rate in Latest Test

VIPRE® Advanced Security received the Advanced+ distinction from AV-Comparatives in their March 2025 Malware Protection Test, demonstrating strong capabilities against cyber threats. The test evaluated 19 security products using 10,030 malware samples and included both online and offline scenarios. VIPRE achieved a 98.7% detection rate and a 99.93% overall protection rate during execution testing, with one of the lowest false positive counts among the products tested. VIPRE's security solutions also enhance other Ziff Davis consumer security products, utilizing its threat intelligence cloud to block malicious sites and improve overall protection.

Tech Optimizer

April 22, 2025

VIPRE Security Crushes Competition with 99.93% Protection Rate in Latest Test

VIPRE® Advanced Security received the Advanced+ distinction from AV-Comparatives in their March 2025 Malware Protection Test for its exceptional performance in detecting and preventing malware threats. The test evaluated 19 security products using 10,030 malware samples on a Windows 11 system, focusing on both online and offline threats. VIPRE achieved a 98.7% detection rate in all scenarios, a 99.93% overall protection rate during execution testing, and had one of the lowest false positive counts. VIPRE's security features also enhance other Ziff Davis products, utilizing its threat intelligence cloud to improve protection across various platforms. VIPRE is a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc., and has over 25 years of experience in cybersecurity solutions.

AppWizard

April 22, 2025

Samsung’s weather app in One UI 8 is getting a dramatic makeover

Samsung is redesigning its Weather app in the upcoming One UI 8, introducing immersive, full-screen animations that illustrate real-time weather conditions. The app will feature animated scenes with characters interacting with the environment, such as tiny figures using umbrellas during rain and sunlight breaking through clouds on sunny days. Other weather phenomena like snow and wind will also be animated. The app allows for seamless transitions as weather conditions change. The updated Weather app is currently available for download via an APK for compatible devices.

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

’Minecraft’, Jesus Lead Box Office Resurgence

Rory McIlroy won The Masters, achieving his career Grand Slam. Paramount is experiencing a strong start to Q2, with Cooper Flagg helping Duke achieve an 8-year ratings high and the men's championship game attracting 18.1 million viewers. The Naked Gun debuted successfully at CinemaCon, and MI:8 is projected for a record opening. 60 Minutes is performing well despite political challenges, and MobLand garnered 8.8 million global viewers in its first week on Paramount+. WBD paid its top 5 executives over million in compensation in 2024, while its stock was down approximately 7%. The source of autism is expected to be discovered by September, according to RFK Jr. Cosmopolitan is launching a sports content outlet called Cosmo Sports, and OpenAI is offering free ChatGPT Plus to college students through May. Disney is discounting at Disney World this summer, likely due to the upcoming opening of Universal's Epic theme park. Director Don Mischer passed away at the age of 85.

Tech Optimizer

April 10, 2025

How Heroku migrated hundreds of thousands of self-managed PostgreSQL databases to Amazon Aurora

Heroku has migrated its multi-tenant PostgreSQL database fleet from a self-managed environment on Amazon EC2 to the Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition, improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction without impacting customers. This transition involved moving over 200,000 databases, utilizing a dual control plane approach and specialized transfer systems for efficient data migration. The new architecture allows Heroku to leverage AWS Cloud services more effectively, alleviating the operational burdens on engineering teams and enabling a focus on customer value. The migration also positions Heroku to introduce advanced features such as AI-enabled database administration and enhanced security measures.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

Free PC Games This Week: Epic Games Is Offering Cat Quest II, While Amazon Prime Gaming Has 5 Titles Available for Grabs

Gamers can access offers from the Epic Games Store and Amazon Prime Gaming. The Epic Games Store is offering Cat Quest II for free, an open-world action-RPG where players control a cat and a dog on a quest to reclaim their thrones. Amazon Prime Gaming subscribers can access five titles: Mafia III: Definitive Edition, Minecraft Legends (PC), Minecraft Legends (Xbox), Gravity Circuit, Paleo Pines, and Clouds & Sheep 2, with an active subscription costing ₹1,499 annually. Mafia III: Definitive Edition is set in 1968 New Bordeaux, featuring Lincoln Clay in an open-world environment with enhanced gameplay and additional DLC.

AppWizard

April 1, 2025

‘Minecraft’ movie-themed meals, collectibles coming to a McDonald’s near you. What to know

McDonald's will launch "Collector's Meals," also known as adult Happy Meals, on April 1, coinciding with the release of “A Minecraft Movie.” The meals will include options for adults and children, featuring a Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, fries, a drink, and a collectible item. A limited-edition condiment, Nether Flame Sauce, will accompany the Chicken McNuggets meal. The Happy Meal will include a choice of a Hamburger or Chicken McNuggets, fries, apple slices, a drink, and one of 12 film-inspired figurines, along with a scannable code for an exclusive digital game. Customers will receive one of 12 Block World toys or six exclusive collectibles, each with a matching card and a redeemable code for the Minecraft Marketplace. Additionally, purchasing a meal through the McDonald's app will provide a code for the McDonald’s Add-On pack in Minecraft.

AppWizard

March 31, 2025

No, you’re not going crazy: One of the best Pixel Weather app features is now missing

Google has removed the Weather Map feature from its Pixel Weather app across all Pixel devices through a server-side adjustment. The Weather Map, introduced in August 2024, provided a radar map experience with a six-hour precipitation forecast and cloud movement tracking. Users can no longer find the Weather Map in city views or locations, even during rainfall. Other features of the app, such as the AI Weather Report, Hourly Forecast, 10-day Forecast, and Wind and Precipitation Data, remain unchanged.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

From pixels to pinot: The Windows XP ‘Bliss’ wallpaper hill was real and this is what it looks like now

Windows XP is celebrated for its user-friendly interface and vibrant aesthetics, particularly the "Bliss" wallpaper, which features a real location in Sonoma County, California. The photograph was taken by Charles O’Rear in 1996 and sold to Microsoft before the operating system's launch in 2001. The original image has a resolution of 4,510 by 3,627 pixels, compared to the 800 by 600 pixel version included with Windows XP. Over time, the depicted hill transformed into a vineyard, reflecting Sonoma County's role in California's wine production, which contributed approximately 6% of the state's output in 2021. Microsoft ended support for Windows XP in 2014, with the last version ceasing in 2019. Windows XP was a significant advancement over its predecessors and was used on the International Space Station until it was replaced by Linux in 2013. Windows 11 was released in 2021, with indications that 2025 will focus on a "Windows 11 PC refresh."