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Valve has been funding Windows on ARM emulation "since the beginning" as it aims to "expand PC gaming"
AppWizard
December 4, 2025

Valve has been funding Windows on ARM emulation “since the beginning” as it aims to “expand PC gaming”

Valve has been funding the open-source emulator FEX since its inception, which enables Windows games to run on ARM Linux devices. FEX recently celebrated its seventh anniversary and acknowledged Valve's crucial support. Pierre-Loup Griffais, a software engineer at Valve, stated that all core FEX developers have been funded by Valve, highlighting the project's significance for the gaming ecosystem and SteamOS. Griffais expressed optimism about the future of FEX, anticipating nearly a decade of development before it becomes reliable for widespread use. He emphasized the goal of providing a consistent gaming experience across different architectures without users needing to worry about compatibility. Valve's tools, including Proton, Lepton, and FEX, are expected to enhance the gaming experience, with a focus on living room, handheld, and desktop devices.
SereneDB lands $2.1M to fuse search, analytics and Postgres into one engine
Tech Optimizer
December 3, 2025

SereneDB lands $2.1M to fuse search, analytics and Postgres into one engine

Berlin-based startup SereneDB has completed its Pre-Seed funding round, raising .1 million from venture funds Entourage and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF). The company aims to improve traditional search and analytics tools, which struggle with dynamic datasets. SereneDB integrates live data and analysis within a single system, combining a search engine with OLAP execution under PostgreSQL for real-time data ingestion and updates. The platform allows for rapid retrieval of complex results and supports insightful queries from both human users and AI agents. CEO Alexander Malandin and CTO Andrey Abramov lead the company, drawing on their extensive experience in IT and database design. They aim to create a unified engine that integrates search and database functionalities, addressing the limitations of existing enterprise search technologies. The initial response from the developer community has been positive, with interest in SereneDB's capabilities, particularly among startups and existing search users. The funding will help expand the team and support open-source development.
Ex-engineer blasts Microsoft – argues it must fix Windows 11 'until it doesn't suck', never mind about AI
Winsage
December 3, 2025

Ex-engineer blasts Microsoft – argues it must fix Windows 11 ‘until it doesn’t suck’, never mind about AI

Dave Plummer, a former Microsoft software engineer, has expressed concerns about Windows 11's direction, advocating for a focus on stabilizing and enhancing performance rather than adding new features, particularly AI-related ones. He compares the current situation to the response to the Blaster worm in 2003, when Microsoft halted feature development to address security vulnerabilities and bugs. Plummer believes Microsoft should prioritize improving Windows 11's performance and usability for power users before introducing new features. He notes that the current emphasis on AI capabilities may detract from addressing core functionalities and that shareholder value seems prioritized over user experience. There is a call for Microsoft to refine Windows 11's underlying code and resolve performance issues, although the feasibility of pausing feature development for an entire release cycle is questioned.
Win 11 needs an XP SP2 moment, says ex-Microsoft engineer
Winsage
December 1, 2025

Win 11 needs an XP SP2 moment, says ex-Microsoft engineer

The Windows operating system is currently criticized for prioritizing artificial intelligence features over user satisfaction. Retired Microsoft engineer Dave Plummer, who contributed to Windows XP, suggests that Microsoft should reflect on its approach, recalling a pivotal moment in 2003 when the company focused solely on improving security after the Blaster worm incident. Plummer argues that this focus on fixing existing issues rather than adding new features led to a more stable operating system. He believes that Windows 11 should similarly prioritize stability and performance over new features, recommending that Microsoft dedicate one release cycle exclusively to these improvements. Recent comments from Windows chief Pavan Davuluri and AI chief Mustafa Suleyman indicate that there has been negative feedback from users regarding AI integration.
Inside the GTA mod that was so well-written its creators axed it to make their own game—and then returned to finish the job due to public demand
AppWizard
December 1, 2025

Inside the GTA mod that was so well-written its creators axed it to make their own game—and then returned to finish the job due to public demand

A duo of modders, Blue & Blood, is creating a total conversion mod for Grand Theft Auto that shifts the narrative focus from a young gangster to a police officer dealing with corruption. The project is led by modder Cascavel and software engineer giacobbe. Their inspiration came from a game called Schedule I, which demonstrated the potential of a single developer to create a resonant world. They are also developing GTA Palmline, a reimagining of Vice City that incorporates mechanics from San Andreas. The modders are managing multiple projects, including a secret indie project influenced by various games. They aim to maintain a high level of polish in their work while balancing their ambitions with achievable goals.
Netflix consolidates relational database infrastructure on Amazon Aurora, achieving up to 75% improved performance
Tech Optimizer
November 30, 2025

Netflix consolidates relational database infrastructure on Amazon Aurora, achieving up to 75% improved performance

Netflix operates a global streaming service using a distributed microservices architecture, with the Online Data Stores (ODS) team managing persistent data store solutions. The ODS team aims to enhance developer productivity and operational efficiency but faced challenges due to a fragmented relational database strategy involving multiple PostgreSQL-compatible engines, leading to operational inefficiencies and increased overhead for both infrastructure and application teams. To address these challenges, Netflix evaluated database solutions based on criteria focused on developer productivity, operational efficiency, performance reliability, and scalability. After thorough evaluation, Netflix selected Aurora PostgreSQL as the preferred database solution for relational workloads. Key reasons for choosing Aurora include its ability to handle single-Region and multi-Region workloads effectively, employing asynchronous storage-based replication for low-latency operations. Aurora's log-based write operations and shared storage architecture provide higher write throughput and lower latency. As a fully managed service, Aurora eliminates the manual operational overhead associated with self-managed databases, allowing developers to leverage existing PostgreSQL expertise with minimal code changes. Post-migration results for applications like Front50 and the Policy Engine showed significant improvements in latency and stability. Front50 experienced a 50% reduction in average latency and a 70% reduction in maximum latency. The Policy Engine noted overall latency improvements across all endpoints, with specific reductions in key functions, enhancing responsiveness and operational efficiency.
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