engine Archives

Tech Optimizer

May 3, 2025

Understanding transaction visibility in PostgreSQL clusters with read replicas

On April 29, 2025, Jepsen released a report on transaction visibility behavior in Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL and its Multi-AZ clusters, which has been acknowledged since at least 2013. The report identifies a Long Fork anomaly affecting the visibility order of transactions between primary and replica nodes in cluster configurations, which does not lead to data loss or corruption and is absent in Single-AZ deployments. This anomaly allows two readers to see transactions in different sequences, breaching Snapshot Isolation. It affects all isolation levels in community PostgreSQL and can also occur in self-managed deployments. The issue has been discussed extensively in the PostgreSQL community, and potential solutions, including synchronizing visibility with commit order using Commit Sequence Numbers, have been proposed. AWS has established the PostgreSQL Contributors Team to address this anomaly and enhance PostgreSQL's capabilities.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

The best Oblivion Remastered mods

The modding community has become essential to the experience of Bethesda RPGs, particularly with the launch of Oblivion Remastered. Modders are updating existing mods and creating new ones, although the introduction of Unreal Engine 5 alongside Gamebryo may slow the maturation of the modding scene. Key mods include: - Oblivion Script Extender: A crucial tool expected to support complex customizations. - Ultimate Engine Tweaks: Helps alleviate performance issues by allowing players to disable certain visual effects. - Universal Achievement Unblocker: Prevents mods or console commands from blocking achievements. - Better HUD: Provides smaller compass options and minimalist designs for a more immersive experience. - No HUD No Effects: Toggles off UI elements and visual effects for distraction-free gameplay. - Unleveled Item Rewards: Ensures players receive optimal quest reward items. - Difficulty Slider Fixed: Balances difficulty settings for a consistent challenge. - Auto Local Map: Automatically opens the local map when entering an interior space. - First Person Horse: Allows first-person riding, despite some clipping issues. - Faster Sleep and Wait: Speeds up the waiting process for players.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

The Story Of Ecstatica, The Groundbreaking Survival Horror With Plenty Of Balls

In the early 1990s, the video game industry was transitioning from 2D to 3D gaming, with titles like Star Fox and Doom emerging. The small UK studio, founded by Andrew Spencer and Alain Maindron, released the groundbreaking game Ecstatica in 1994 after five years of development. Spencer created a unique game engine using ellipsoid graphics, which provided a lifelike quality to characters, inspired by traditional animation techniques. The game received an 8/10 rating from EDGE magazine for its emotional engagement. Spencer expressed ambitions for sequels using his innovative engine to explore new gaming landscapes, but challenges, including the departure of key personnel, led to the shelving of the sequel. Spencer later shifted his career towards academia and research, hinting at ongoing ideas for new projects that have not materialized.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Bernard O’Shea: Five things I learned from the Minecraft movie

Many parents, especially those with children under 12, have not experienced solo trips to the cinema in over a decade. Family cinema outings are often driven by necessity, such as rainy days, and involve extensive preparation, including snacks and supplies. The cost of these trips can be high, sometimes reaching €57 before the film starts. Inside the theater, children frequently ask about the film's start time and need bathroom breaks, creating a chaotic environment. However, moments of genuine joy can emerge, as seen during a screening of A Minecraft Movie, where a group of boys expressed their enthusiasm through applause and cheers. This shared joy among children, regardless of gender, highlights the cultural significance of Minecraft in their lives. The experience emphasizes that cinema can serve as a valuable shared time, fostering connections and creativity, even if adults may not fully understand the content.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

The Best PC Games of 2025 So Far (Spring Edition)

Spring 2025 has seen the release of several notable PC games, including: - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Released on April 24, 2025, by Sandfall Interactive, it sold over 1 million copies in three days and features a blend of French art nouveau aesthetics and JRPG combat mechanics. - Monster Hunter Wilds: Released on February 28, 2025, by Capcom, it introduces full narrative integration and dynamic monster interactions. - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered: Released on April 22, 2025, by Bethesda Game Studios, it attracted over 4 million players shortly after launch and features enhanced visuals and gameplay updates. Other early 2025 releases include: - Blue Prince (April 10, 2025) - Split Fiction (March 6, 2025) - Atomfall (March 27, 2025) - Assassin’s Creed Shadows (March 20, 2025) - Two Point Museum (March 5, 2025) - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (January 23, 2025) - Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist (January 22, 2025) - Ninja Gaiden II Black (January 23, 2025) - The Talos Principle: Reawakened (April 10, 2025) Highly anticipated titles for later in 2025 include: - Grand Theft Auto VI (Late 2025) - Doom: The Dark Ages (May 15, 2025) - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (August 28, 2025) - The Outer Worlds 2 (Expected 2025) - Borderlands 4 (September 12, 2025) - Marvel’s Blade (TBA 2025) - Hades II (Full Release later 2025) - Frostpunk 2 (Summer 2025) - Slay the Spire 2 (Early Access Expected 2025) - Anno 117: Pax Romana (Expected 2025) - Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (October 2025) - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Expected 2025) - Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Expected 2025) In 2024, top-rated PC games included: 1. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree 2. Metaphor: ReFantazio 3. UFO 50 4. Tekken 8 5. Caves of Qud 6. Animal Well 7. Satisfactory 8. Balatro 9. Thank Goodness You’re Here! 10. The Last of Us Part II Remastered The PC gaming landscape in 2024 was characterized by significant hardware advancements, improved game integration and compatibility, and thriving online communities.

Tech Optimizer

April 30, 2025

5 Free Antivirus Programs To Eliminate Malware and Viruses (2025)

Users are increasingly seeking effective malware protection without the cost of premium software, leading to the emergence of free antivirus programs that offer robust security features. This trend is particularly beneficial for Windows 11 users who want real-time protection while staying within budget. Several leading cybersecurity firms provide free antivirus solutions equipped with advanced features such as real-time scanning, phishing defenses, cloud-based malware detection, and system optimization tools. These free programs can adequately protect a diverse audience, including gamers, remote workers, students, and casual users. Top free antivirus programs for Windows 11 in 2025 include: 1. Bitdefender Antivirus Free: Utilizes the same malware engine as its paid version, offers real-time detection, anti-phishing protection, and is ultra-light on system resources. 2. Microsoft Defender Antivirus: Integrated into Windows 11, provides cloud-delivered protection and built-in ransomware mitigation without ads. 3. Avast Free Antivirus: Offers additional tools like network scanning and a Do Not Disturb mode for gaming. 4. AVG AntiVirus Free: Features a simpler interface, link and attachment protection, and fewer pop-ups. 5. TotalAV Free Antivirus: A newer option with a clean interface, real-time protection, and a junk file cleaner. Key factors to consider when selecting free antivirus software include real-time protection, low resource usage, minimal intrusion, and extra security tools. While free solutions are suitable for most users, premium protection may be necessary for small businesses or those handling sensitive data. For gamers, Bitdefender and Avast are recommended for their low system impact and gaming modes. For remote workers, Microsoft Defender and TotalAV are highlighted for their ease of use and integrated protections. Essential features of effective antivirus programs include robust virus protection, real-time scanning, and a behavior shield to detect new threats. Performance should not significantly slow down the system, and the interface should be user-friendly. Experts recommend Windows Defender for basic protection, with AVG and Avast receiving endorsements for their feature balance, while Bitdefender Free is noted for its detection rates and minimal system impact. Free antivirus programs may lack advanced features and technical support compared to paid versions.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers Gets Official PC Requirements

505 Games has outlined the PC system requirements for WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers. The minimum requirements are an Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600, 16GB of RAM, and either an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or an AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT. The recommended specifications include an Intel Core i5-12600KF or AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, 32GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT. The game is scheduled for release on July 24th and features a narrative set during the late Ming Dynasty, where players assume the role of Wuchang, a pirate warrior with amnesia. Players will explore the world, enhance their arsenal, and make choices that affect the game's multiple endings. A Discord channel and social media platforms are available for community engagement.

TrendTechie

April 29, 2025

Новые версии открытых Torrent-клиентов

Two open-source torrent clients, Deluge and qBittorrent, have released updated versions. Deluge 2.2 features a cross-platform BitTorrent client developed in Python, utilizing the libtorrent library and Twisted framework. It offers multiple interface options, operates on a client-server model, and supports modern torrenting capabilities such as DHT, UPnP, NAT-PMP, traffic encryption, and proxy connections. The new version includes support for the BitTorrent v2 format, enhancing hash calculations and improving file integrity with SHA2-256 and Merkle hash trees. The minimum required Python version is now 3.7. qBittorrent, developed in C++ using the Qt library, is compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS. It allows users to search for torrents, manage downloads, set priorities, and configure network settings. The latest version introduces enhancements like drag-and-drop functionality, improved random number generation, and upgraded search capabilities, along with significant improvements to the web interface.

TrendTechie

April 29, 2025

Релиз qBittorrent 5.1

On April 27, 2025, qBittorrent version 5.1 was released, developed using the Qt toolkit and available on GitHub under the GPLv2+ license. It supports Linux, Windows, and macOS. Key features include an integrated search engine, RSS feed subscription, remote management, and advanced torrent settings. The 5.1 release includes enhancements such as bug fixes, drag-and-drop support, external IP address display, configurable statistics saving, improved pseudorandom number generation, a new magnet link setting, tracker extraction from URLs, an announce_port setting, an enhanced search interface, over 50 web interface modifications, support for the Thunar file manager, and localization updates. Prior to this, version 5.0.1 was released in late October 2024, fixing a long-standing SSL/TLS certificate validation bug that posed a vulnerability to man-in-the-middle attacks.

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

The ever-gorgeous Capcom classic Breath of Fire 4 is back on PC, alongside a little sprucing up

Breath of Fire 4, originally launched on PlayStation 1 in 2000 and released on PC in 2003 in Japan and Europe, has been revived through GOG's preservation program, making it accessible on Windows 10 and 11. GOG has enhanced the game with new display options, upgraded the audio engine, and ensured it is DRM-free. GOG's preservation program has also revived other classic titles such as Ultima Underworld 1+2, Worms: Armageddon, and Tex Murphy: Under a Killing Moon.