email communication Archives

Tech Optimizer

December 12, 2025

Friday tickets and 6 TB of WAL: a day in the life of a Postgres Professional support engineer

Technical support at Postgres Professional involves both troubleshooting and engineering tasks, requiring deep product knowledge and the ability to replicate issues in test environments. A notable incident involved a client whose pg_wal directory grew to 6 TB due to a checkpoint process failure, which was resolved by disabling the archive_timeout parameter. Clients typically have a strong technical background, but support engineers must also communicate effectively, especially with stressed clients. Essential skills for support engineers include a thorough understanding of Postgres Pro, operating systems, networking, and programming. Opportunities for growth within technical support are abundant, and the future may see AI taking on simpler tasks while complex cases remain for human engineers.

Winsage

November 29, 2025

Finally, be a true professional with the full Microsoft suite for just $35

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows is available for .97, reduced from its suggested retail price of 9.99. The software suite includes Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Access, Publisher, and OneNote. It offers a lifetime license, ensuring no expiration dates. The discount represents an 84% reduction from the MSRP.

Winsage

September 23, 2025

Don’t miss Office 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for just $55

A bundle featuring Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, down from 8.99. Microsoft Office Professional 2021 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Publisher, Teams, and OneNote, providing lifetime access with a one-time payment. Windows 11 Pro offers enhanced multitasking, robust security features including BitLocker encryption, improved antivirus defenses, and AI tools for summarizing web content and generating text.

Tech Optimizer

August 1, 2025

Yes, You Can Bundle Other Cybersecurity Services With Some VPNs. But Is It a Good Idea

Relying solely on a VPN and personal vigilance may leave individuals exposed to online threats such as phishing, malware, identity theft, and ransomware. A VPN enhances online privacy by encrypting internet traffic and concealing the user's IP address, but it is only one part of a broader security strategy. Additional tools like password managers, antivirus software, encrypted cloud storage, secure email, and identity protection services are recommended for optimal protection. Many VPN providers now offer bundled services, which can include these additional tools, making it easier for users to manage their online security. Bundling services can provide convenience, easy access to various tools, and potential cost savings. However, there are also reasons to consider an á la carte approach, such as the possibility of lower costs with individual subscriptions, concerns about trusting a single provider with all services, and the need for specific services that may not be included in a VPN bundle.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

‘Scary’ Android change sparks fears as Google warns AI will ‘control’ WhatsApp

Google is integrating its Gemini AI tools into various smartphone applications, including Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities. Users have been informed that Gemini will assist with these applications regardless of whether the Gemini Apps Activity is activated or deactivated. Users who have opted out of these features will retain their settings, but the lack of clear instructions on disabling the features has caused confusion and concern among users. The rollout of these changes is set to begin on July 7. Gemini will offer capabilities such as brainstorming ideas, connecting with Google apps, studying with interactive visuals, providing tailored information, planning trips, creating AI-generated images, and summarizing content.

Winsage

June 22, 2025

Get all the power of MS Office for life—and for less than $30

Microsoft Office 2019 is available for a one-time payment of .97, representing an 86% discount off the regular price of 9.99. This package includes Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows, which features Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, and OneNote, but does not include Microsoft Teams. The purchase grants lifetime access, future updates, and customer support, and is valid for installation on one Windows PC. Upon purchase, users receive links and software license keys via email for downloading within seven days.

Winsage

March 19, 2025

Microsoft gets into the spam game by again emailing Windows 10 users to prod them to upgrade to Windows 11 – is the nagging going too far now?

Microsoft is emailing Windows 10 users to encourage them to upgrade to Windows 11 before support for Windows 10 ends on October 14, 2025. The email includes suggestions for trading in or recycling old PCs and a link to check eligibility for the Windows 11 upgrade. While Microsoft states that PCs will still function after support ends, it warns that software updates will cease, leaving systems vulnerable to security threats. Users can pay for extended support if they choose to remain on Windows 10. The email has received scrutiny for not adequately warning about the risks of using an unsupported operating system and for promoting other Microsoft products.

AppWizard

December 20, 2024

7 Android widgets to make your phone or tablet more useful

Widgets on Android devices enhance the home screen by providing quick access to information and functionalities from apps. - Google Calendar: Allows users to view the entire month or daily events, with easy event addition through a + button. Separate widgets are needed for multiple calendars. - Email Widget: Displays incoming messages and enables quick email composition. It can be used with Gmail or other email apps like Thunderbird. - Keep Notes: Offers options for scrolling through existing notes or quickly creating new notes via text, voice, or images. Widget size can be adjusted for tablets or phones. - Arc Search: Enables users to initiate searches directly through Arc Search instead of the Google search bar. - Battery Widget: Provides real-time updates on charge levels for connected devices, including smartwatches and headphones. - Pixel Weather: Exclusive to Pixel devices, it presents weather information in an accessible format, allowing quick checks without switching apps. - Spotify: Grants access to playlists and current tracks, allowing users to launch playlists and control playback easily. To add a widget, long-press on a blank area of the home screen, select Widgets, browse for the desired widget, and drag it onto the screen. Widgets can be resized and repositioned.

Winsage

December 6, 2024

Best Windows apps this week

Microsoft has reiterated its non-negotiable requirement for TPM 2.0 for Windows 11, which poses challenges for Windows 10 users with unsupported devices. The Microsoft Store has been enhanced for a better user experience, now offering improved organization and support for Win32 applications. New or notably improved Windows apps include Handbrake 1.9.0, which adds support for lossless VP9 encoding and Intel QSV VVC video decoding; Media Squeeze, which optimizes storage through compression of image and video files; and PixTidy, a free app for photo organization that helps create folders based on location and time, and identifies redundant photos and videos.

Winsage

November 10, 2024

Microsoft Windows Mail and Calendar Apps to Stop Working After This Date..

Microsoft has announced that its Windows Mail, Calendar, and People applications will stop functioning after December 31, 2024, as part of a strategy to encourage users to transition to the new Outlook for Windows. The Windows Mail apps will no longer support email communication after this date. Microsoft is providing a migration pathway for users to export their emails, contacts, and calendar events to Outlook before the deadline. Users are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Outlook, which is being promoted as a free solution, although some users have expressed concerns about its performance.