corporations Archives

Winsage

June 13, 2025

LibreOffice maker urges Windows 10 users to defect in viral ‘Go Linux, not Windows 11’ campaign

The Document Foundation (TDF) is advocating for users to transition from Windows 10 to Linux, emphasizing its benefits as a free and open operating system. The deadline for Windows 10 support is October 14, 2025. TDF argues that users are not required to upgrade to Windows 11, which has new hardware requirements that may make many existing PCs obsolete. TDF promotes Linux and LibreOffice as a privacy-centric alternative that allows users to maintain their current hardware while accessing a suite of applications. Other Linux advocates, including KDE, have criticized Microsoft for its subscription model. Transitioning to Linux may be challenging for less tech-savvy users due to the learning curve and potential software compatibility issues. TDF suggests testing Linux on secondary partitions, but acknowledges that this may be difficult for some users.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

I switched to indie apps for privacy, and now my workflow is a mess

The attempt to send a file from an Android device to a Windows 11 PC highlighted the challenges of using independent applications instead of major tech tools. The user replaced several Google services with alternatives, including Sync for cloud storage, Obsidian for note-taking, ToDoist for task management, Elemental for chat, Kobo for ebooks, VLC for music, Firefox for browsing, Ecosia for search, and Fastmail for email. Fastmail was noted for its efficiency and privacy, while Sync was criticized for its reliability. The user found the experience of using multiple independent apps to be fragmented and cumbersome, leading to higher costs than anticipated. Despite ethical concerns about Big Tech, the integration and convenience they offer were acknowledged as significant advantages. Ultimately, Fastmail and ToDoist were retained, while the user returned to Google for some services, illustrating the difficulties of maintaining a fully independent digital life.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Perspective – Why online privacy is vital: Insights from messaging app Signal’s president

Meredith Whittaker, president of Signal, emphasized the need for enhanced personal data protection and criticized major tech companies for their pervasive data collection practices with minimal oversight. She called for structural reforms to regulate user data management and highlighted that a few tech giants dominate data collection without adequate transparency. Whittaker advocated for comprehensive regulations to safeguard user privacy and protect free speech, reflecting growing concerns among consumers and privacy advocates about the balance between technology and individual rights.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Brian Eno Criticizes Microsoft for Support of Israeli Military

Brian Eno has written an open letter to Microsoft titled “Not in My Name,” urging the company to stop providing artificial intelligence and cloud services to the Israeli military. He expresses concern that Microsoft's technological contributions could enable war crimes, stating that the company has acknowledged its support for Israel’s Ministry of Defense. Eno plans to donate his fee from the Windows 95 project to aid victims of the conflict in Gaza. He references a Microsoft blog post about the company's software and services being used by the Israeli government in ways condemned by legal scholars and human rights organizations. Eno emphasizes that selling advanced AI and cloud services to a government involved in systemic ethnic cleansing constitutes complicity and calls for a reevaluation of corporate ethics. He commends Microsoft employees who have spoken out against the company's actions and invites others to join his call for accountability.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Windows 95 chime composer Brian Eno denounces Microsoft for its ties to Israeli government

Renowned musician Brian Eno announced he will donate the earnings from his Windows 95 startup chime to support those affected in Gaza. This decision follows scrutiny of Microsoft’s contracts with the Israeli government amid ongoing humanitarian crises. Eno criticized Microsoft for its involvement in operations contributing to violations of international law and called for the company to suspend services supporting such actions. Microsoft acknowledged its contracts with Israel’s Ministry of Defense but claimed an internal review found no evidence of its technologies targeting civilians in Gaza. Following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, significant casualties have been reported in Gaza, with estimates of over 52,000 to as high as 109,000 deaths. Human rights organizations have accused Israel of war crimes. Protests by Microsoft employees have occurred, demanding accountability for the company's actions. Eno emphasized the need for artists and corporations to consider the implications of their contributions.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

Android users lose key Nextcloud feature because Google said so, and the reason doesn’t add up

Google has restricted file upload capabilities for the Nextcloud Files Android app by revoking the "All files access" permission, which has been essential for the app since 2011. This change prevents Android users from uploading various file types to their Nextcloud accounts. Nextcloud has expressed frustration over this decision, suggesting it is a strategic move by Google to maintain dominance in the cloud storage market and favor its own applications. The alternatives proposed by Google, such as the MediaStore API or Storage Access Framework (SAF), do not meet Nextcloud's functionality needs. Nextcloud draws parallels to past corporate tactics that limited competition and highlights ongoing concerns regarding fair competition and regulatory responses.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

TeleMessage suspends services after hackers claim breach

TeleMessage has temporarily suspended all services due to a reported security breach, with the parent company Smarsh investigating the incident. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has discontinued using the app as a precaution. A hacker claimed to have accessed a centralized TeleMessage server and downloaded data, including a screenshot of the contact list for employees at Coinbase, which confirmed the authenticity of the screenshot but stated that customer data remained secure. Multiple U.S. government agencies have contracts with TeleMessage or related entities. Another hacker also claimed to have breached TeleMessage, providing evidence of their claims. The investigation into the breach is ongoing, and it is unclear if sensitive communications from U.S. officials were compromised.

BetaBeacon

May 2, 2025

The retro gaming and emulation community needs to take a deep breath

- The development of Winlator was officially put on pause following harassment due to a Trojan found in the APK file after version 10.0 was released.

Winsage

April 29, 2025

Windows isn’t an OS, it’s a bad habit bordering on addiction

Microsoft's Windows operating system has approximately 1.5 billion users globally, but faces stagnation as many users find Windows 10 satisfactory and are reluctant to upgrade to Windows 11. Microsoft is pushing Windows 11 aggressively, incorporating AI features and nudging users toward paid services, which raises concerns about user experience. The company is uncertain about its future direction, with Project Hudson Valley fading away and the potential for a subscription-based licensing model. In corporate environments, IT departments often prioritize compliance over user needs, leaving employees with limited choices. Some users are exploring alternatives like macOS or Linux, seeking better alignment with their values. Resources are available to help users transition gradually from Windows 10 to alternatives, and maintaining a dual-system approach can ease this process.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Bethesda gave Oblivion Remastered game keys to the entire Skyblivion development team and ‘made it clear that they have no intention of shutting down our project’

Bethesda did not terminate the Skyblivion project and instead provided game keys for Oblivion Remastered to the modding team. The Skyblivion team expressed gratitude for this support. Despite the competition from Oblivion Remastered, they maintained a positive outlook. Oblivion Remastered launched successfully, surpassing 150,000 concurrent players on Steam within 12 hours and receiving overwhelmingly positive user reviews.