community engagement Archives

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

PCSO offers new phone app to public

The Pike County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has launched a new smartphone application and an updated website to improve communication with the community. The app, developed by TheSheriffApp.com, includes features such as a welcome message, inmate and jail information, registered sex offenders, school safety resources, pistol permit applications, cyber safety tips, crime tip submissions, and contact information for the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Russell Thomas stated that the app serves as an educational tool and enhances public safety engagement. The app allows citizens to access information conveniently on their smartphones, especially during emergencies or for updates like road closures.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

CrystalMark Retro 2.0.0 brings retro benchmarking to systems from Windows 95 to Windows 11

Crystal Dew World has released version 2.0.0 of its benchmarking tool, CrystalMark Retro, which now supports Windows 95, 98, and Me systems, in addition to Windows XP and later versions. The update was developed in response to user feedback and includes a new benchmark score comparison site, crystalmarkdb.com/retro. Users can benchmark a variety of systems, from vintage Windows versions to modern ones, including Windows 11 and various server editions. Windows NT 3.51 and its successors are also supported with a necessary patch.

AppWizard

March 29, 2025

We Demand a Translucent Xbox – Unlocked 686

Hosts Miranda and Michael discuss announcements from Minecraft Live 2025, focusing on new mobs and their potential to enhance gameplay and community engagement. They also talk about the Backbone One Xbox Edition, highlighting its innovative design and potential impact on user experience. Lastly, they mention two upcoming games from Nintendo Direct that will be available on Xbox, speculating on their impact on the Xbox ecosystem.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

Discord revamps overlay and desktop to make PC gaming easier

Discord has released updates for its desktop application to improve the gaming experience for PC players. The new Game Overlay has been redesigned for better performance and now includes individual widgets for easier access to voice and video controls, as well as the ability to view friends' game streams. The update supports a wider range of games and includes a help section for users. Additionally, the desktop interface has been refreshed with new customization options, including four free themes and three UI Density settings. Users can now resize the channel list for better navigation, and there are improved controls for voice and video during calls, along with enhanced visual indicators for active devices. These updates aim to enhance legibility and reduce visual clutter, with ongoing improvements planned throughout the year.

Tech Optimizer

March 19, 2025

7 Reasons PostgreSQL is a Great Choice for AI Projects

PostgreSQL, or Postgres, is increasingly recognized as a leading choice for AI projects due to its strong integration capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. It supports vector similarity search essential for AI tasks through extensions like pgvector, which simplifies storage and querying of vectors. The latest pgvector version 0.8.0 introduced enhancements such as iterative index scans and improved cost estimation. PostgreSQL optimizes query performance with various index types, including B-tree, Hash, BRIN, GiST, and SP-GiST indexes, and allows for custom index creation. It also features native JSON and NoSQL capabilities, enabling efficient handling of semi-structured data. Parallel processing and query execution are supported, allowing faster data processing on multi-core machines. Scalable and distributed computing options are available, including Multi-Master Asynchronous Replication and Multi-Master Sharded PostgreSQL, catering to the growing demand for AI applications. PostgreSQL ensures AI data security and compliance through Access Control Lists, Row Level Security, and Transparent Data Encryption. Its open-source nature allows for flexibility and integration with AI frameworks, making it a cost-effective alternative to proprietary databases. PostgreSQL was recognized as the Most Popular Database in the 2024 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, reflecting its strong adoption and evolving capabilities in AI projects.

AppWizard

March 19, 2025

Minecraft recreates NZ’s most popular tourism destinations

Gamers will be able to explore six iconic New Zealand locations, including Abel Tasman National Park and Lake Tekapo, in Minecraft, thanks to a collaboration with Tourism New Zealand. This initiative aims to introduce New Zealand and Te Ao Māori to millions of players worldwide and inspire them to visit in real life. The six locations—Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, Kāpiti Island, Abel Tasman National Park, Lake Tekapo, and Doubtful Sound—were selected for their cultural significance and representation of New Zealand's landscapes. Minecraft, created by Mojang Studios and acquired by Microsoft, has sold over 300 million copies and has more than 100 million active users monthly. The collaboration includes input from local iwi to ensure respectful representation of Māori culture.

Winsage

March 18, 2025

Windows 11 Makes Gaming More Accessible: Xbox Controller Typing is Here

Microsoft is introducing Copilot for Gaming, an AI-powered assistant aimed at enhancing the Xbox experience by providing support such as tutorials, in-game guidance, and automating tasks like game installations and updates. The assistant utilizes natural language processing for user interaction through spoken and written commands and will initially be available on smartphones for Xbox Insiders. Fatima Kardar, Corporate Vice President of Gaming AI at Xbox, emphasized that Copilot will personalize the gaming experience by adapting to individual player preferences, assisting with game setup, recommending titles, and fostering social connections among gamers.

AppWizard

March 15, 2025

The best Battlefield game of the last decade is 95% off until Thursday

Steam's spring sale features significant discounts, including Battlefield 1 at a 95% discount, now priced at £1.50, down from its typical retail value of £35. The game, released in 2016, has a vibrant community with over 20,000 players active in the last 24 hours. The 'Revolution' edition includes four premium expansion packs. Other discounted titles include Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4 for £1.74, and Battlefield 5 for £2.24. Battlefield 2042 is discounted by 92%, now priced at £4.79. The sale lasts until March 20. EA is developing Battlefield 6, with a return to modern warfare hinted.

Winsage

March 12, 2025

Free95 claims to be a GPL 3 Windows clone

Kap Petrov announced Free95, a free Windows 95-compatible operating system, which is currently more of a concept than a developed project. It has gained attention on Reddit and GitHub, accumulating 330 stars, but lacks a formal license and substantial development. The project consists of low-resolution screenshots and limited source code, with a removed file named malware.c raising concerns about its quality. Critics on forums have expressed skepticism, comparing it to a rudimentary concept. Petrov has a local version 0.2.1 that he has not uploaded, and only two out of over 400 functions from Microsoft’s WinUser.h have been implemented.

AppWizard

March 9, 2025

Dream teases fan-centric idea for new Minecraft tech as he doesn’t plan to sell

Dream, a popular YouTuber, showcased innovative technology at Orlando's MegaCon that allows players to insert their own images into Minecraft using 360 cameras and virtual reality techniques. He aims to foster community engagement rather than seeking financial gain, envisioning virtual conventions or meet-and-greets within the game. Despite technical difficulties during the demonstration, he remained positive and emphasized the importance of preparation. Dream plans to expand the technology's capabilities, potentially incorporating an omnidirectional treadmill, and noted that the setup operates on a consumer-friendly 4090 PC with accessible alternatives for cameras. He also highlighted the significance of accessible learning, sharing his self-taught journey in coding and camera calibration.