environments Archives

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

Mobile apps to continue your birding

Deb Nofzinger and Dave Wilkins recommend several mobile applications for birding enthusiasts, including eBird and Merlin Bird ID, both associated with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. eBird operates on a donation model and allows users to maintain detailed bird lists, track sightings, and utilize a Hotspot function for prime birding locations. It has recorded 149 species at Earth Heart Farms since its addition, with 78 species identified this year. Wilkins has completed 239 checklists at Creek Bend Farm Park and observed 137 species there. The Merlin Bird ID app offers a sound identification feature for 1,382 bird species and is noted for its accuracy in familiar environments. Other suggested apps include BirdCast for migration updates and the Sibley Birds v2 app, priced at .99.

AppWizard

May 18, 2025

How to Build an Automatic Crop Farm in Minecraft (2025 Guide)

In Minecraft, players can create automated farming systems to enhance productivity. To build a basic automated crop farm using wheat, follow these steps: 1. Collection System: Excavate a 9x9 area, lay powered rails activated by redstone torches, and place a hopper connected to a chest at one end. Use a hopper minecart to collect crops. 2. Farming Platform: Build a 9x9 dirt platform above the rails, place a water source block on a bottom slab in the center, till the soil, and sow seeds. 3. Villager Introduction: Enclose three sides of the farm, add a villager with seeds, and seal the area for the villager to plant and harvest crops. 4. Farmer Assignment: Place a composter on the water slab to designate the villager as a farmer for continuous planting and harvesting. 5. Lighting: Use torches to illuminate the farm for consistent crop growth. Notable community builds for inspiration include Shulkercraft's Auto Wheat Farm, JC Playz's Compact Farm, Shulkercraft's Potato/Carrot Variant, and CaptainOwl's TNT Tree Farm. Automated farms significantly reduce resource generation time and encourage experimentation with redstone mechanics and crop diversity.

Tech Optimizer

May 17, 2025

Databricks to Acquire Database Startup Neon for $1 Billion

Databricks plans to acquire Neon, a serverless Postgres provider, for billion. Neon's platform supports AI agents, with over 80% of databases provisioned automatically by them. The architecture allows rapid database spin-up in under 500 milliseconds and is compatible with the open-source Postgres ecosystem. Neon was founded in 2021 by Nikita Shamgunov, Heikki Linnakangas, and Stas Kelvich, and features a design that separates storage and compute for instant provisioning and auto-scaling. Databricks aims to integrate Neon’s technology into its Data Intelligence Platform to enhance AI workloads. Following the acquisition, Neon’s team will join Databricks while continuing to support the existing community. This acquisition is expected to impact the 0 billion database market. Databricks has also acquired Fennel and Tabular to enhance its capabilities in the tech landscape.

Winsage

May 17, 2025

Windows 11 Home vs Pro for Gaming: Which One Should You Choose?

Upgrading from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro does not yield significant benefits in gaming performance, compatibility, or features for most gamers. Both editions provide identical gaming performance, supporting the same core gaming technologies such as DirectStorage, Auto HDR, and Game Mode. Windows 11 Home supports up to 128 GB of RAM and one CPU socket with 64 cores, while Windows 11 Pro supports up to 2 TB of RAM and two CPU sockets with 128 cores. Pro includes additional features like BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop hosting, Hyper-V virtualization, and Group Policy management, which are not typically utilized by gamers. The price of Windows 11 Home is lower than that of Pro, making it a more cost-effective choice for gaming. Both editions meet the hardware requirements for modern gaming, and compatibility with major games and platforms is consistent across both versions.

Winsage

May 16, 2025

Windows 10 PCs are locking and crashing after May’s security update

Microsoft's KB5058379 update has caused issues for Windows 10 users, prompting unexpected requests for the BitLocker recovery key during startup. This problem is affecting users in Germany and the United States, impacting both corporate and personal devices. Users without the recovery key find their systems locked, leading some to perform system recoveries. Additionally, some users experience blue screen crashes after booting into Windows 10. A potential workaround is to disable the “Intel Trusted Execution Technology (Intel TXT)” option in the BIOS/UEFI. The issue primarily affects devices from Dell, HP, and Lenovo running Windows 10 versions 22H2 or 21H2 Enterprise. Microsoft has not yet acknowledged these issues related to the update.

Winsage

May 16, 2025

Microsoft finally squashed a Windows bug that’s been around since last year

Microsoft has resolved a dual-booting issue caused by a patch released in 2024 that incorrectly applied Secure Boot Advanced Targeting (SBAT) settings to custom dual-boot configurations, preventing users from booting into Linux. This issue has been fixed in the May 2025 Windows 11 update (version 24H2), allowing seamless dual-booting. Additionally, Microsoft launched a new 13-inch Surface Laptop, which is the lightest and thinnest laptop the company has produced, weighing 2.7 lbs and featuring enhanced performance and advanced AI capabilities.

Tech Optimizer

May 16, 2025

Databricks to acquire Neon for AI-driven serverless Postgres

Databricks plans to acquire Neon, a company specializing in serverless Postgres technology, to enhance its AI-driven database offerings and developer workflows. The acquisition reflects Databricks' commitment to the evolving database market, which is increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence. Neon’s technology is designed for AI agents, with over 80% of databases on its platform provisioned automatically by AI. Key features of Neon's platform include rapid provisioning of Postgres instances, cost efficiency through separated compute and storage, and full compatibility with the open-source Postgres ecosystem. The integration aims to address limitations of traditional databases, streamline infrastructure, and support the development of AI agent systems. Upon completion of the acquisition, Neon's team will join Databricks, and both companies aim to simplify data architecture and enhance AI agent capabilities. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals. Neon was founded in 2021 and focuses on serverless Postgres solutions, while Databricks serves over 10,000 organizations globally with its Data Intelligence Platform.

Tech Optimizer

May 16, 2025

The $1 Billion database bet: What Databricks’ Neon acquisition means for your AI strategy

Databricks acquired the privately held serverless PostgreSQL startup Neon for approximately billion. Neon, founded in 2022, had previously raised million in a Series B funding round. Over 80% of the databases generated on Neon's platform were initiated by AI agents. PostgreSQL, an established relational database platform, is ranked as the fourth most popular database as of 2025. Serverless PostgreSQL offers operational simplicity, allowing on-demand resource allocation, which is particularly beneficial for AI-centric projects. Major cloud providers, including Google, Microsoft, and AWS, offer serverless PostgreSQL services. Databricks aims to build a developer and AI-agent-friendly database platform with this acquisition. Serverless architectures excel in handling short bursts and smaller workloads, providing rapid scalability, but may present challenges in data management. Neon’s model enhances appeal for developers by distinguishing between storage and compute, facilitating automated scaling. The acquisition indicates a shift in infrastructure requirements for successful AI implementation, highlighting the need for flexible, instantly scalable serverless solutions.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Windows 10 is dying, hardware is pricey, and Citrix says VDI will save you

Citrix is promoting its virtualization platforms to address rising hardware costs and upcoming U.S. tariffs effective April 2025. Vice President Philipp Benkler suggested that organizations could extend the lifespan of existing hardware by using eLux, an operating system acquired from Unicon. As businesses face the end-of-life for Windows 10 and the transition to Windows 11, Citrix advocates for deploying centrally managed remote desktops from existing endpoints through its virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) platform. However, VDI implementation can face challenges such as "boot storms," which may lead to performance issues. Citrix recommends its NetScaler platform to manage these challenges without requiring additional hardware. While Citrix's approach aims to mitigate tariff-related costs, the company has increased its licensing prices, necessitating careful evaluation by organizations considering VDI. Security concerns also arise with NetScaler, as it is often targeted by cybercriminals, potentially introducing vulnerabilities. The effectiveness of Citrix's solution depends on each organization's IT landscape, budget, and ability to manage technical complexities.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

The ‘End of 10’ is nigh, but don’t bury your PC just yet

The "End of 10" website is a collaborative initiative aimed at educating users about alternatives to purchasing new computers as Windows 10 approaches its end of life. The official launch is set for May 28, and the site features a comprehensive list of over 70 locations worldwide for Linux support, with a significant concentration in Germany. Recent data shows that Windows 11 has a market share of 16.5%, while Windows 10 has 15.5%. Approximately 400 million Windows 10 machines cannot upgrade due to hardware limitations. The UK's Consumer Association magazine suggests converting to ChromeOS Flex for those unable to upgrade or purchase new hardware. Which? recommends Ubuntu for users willing to learn a new system, and alternatives like Linux Mint or Ubuntu flavors are suggested for those transitioning from Windows. The discussion also mentions the longevity of Windows 10 LTSC and the maturity of tools like Snap and systemd in recent years.