expenses

AppWizard
May 3, 2026
A substantial update for Sins of a Solar Empire 2, named 'UI Horizons,' has been released, removing AI-generated art and replacing it with portraits created by human artists. The update includes a redesigned front-end menu, the return of an in-game map editor, and a new faction selection screen with detailed faction information. Enhancements have been made to single-player and multiplayer lobby screens, along with improved customization options for the random map function. New defensive tools for all factions and balance adjustments have been implemented, including increased costs for certain Vasari capital ships and construction expenses. The Advent faction's AI has received improvements for better strategic use of abilities. Save game files have been compressed by over 70%, and engine improvements have enhanced missile targeting and unit formation handling. Modders will need to update existing mods for compatibility, and players can revert to earlier game versions through Steam if needed.
Winsage
May 1, 2026
Leo, Richard, and Paul discussed developments in the Windows Insider Program, Snapdragon X2 gaming, artificial intelligence, and Xbox. Two changes in the Insider Program were noted. Microsoft has open-sourced early MS-DOS source code. Intel reported a .7 billion loss, which Paul attributes to 'collusion.' Microsoft and OpenAI are revising their partnership, with Microsoft 365 Copilot gaining enhanced AI features in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and GitHub Copilot moving to a usage-based billing model starting June 1. OpenAI is reportedly entering the mobile phone market, while Adobe's Firefly AI Assistant is in preview, and Anthropic is increasing its creator space involvement. Microsoft Gaming has rebranded to Xbox, with new leadership focused on future plans, including a mobile game store pending changes in Apple's policies. Valve will release its Steam Controller next week. A listener inquired about purchasing Windows 11 on Arm for Mac virtualization, leading to suggestions for cost-saving options. PowerToys 0.99 introduces new utilities and improvements. This week’s episode of RunAs Radio compares M365 Copilot and Claude Cowork. Reifel Rye is recommended as the brown liquor of the week.
AppWizard
April 27, 2026
Samsung is enhancing its Wallet app with a new feature called "Trips," which organizes travel-related information into a single timeline. This timeline will display essential details such as plane tickets, train rides, and theme park tickets with start and end times. Recent updates to the Wallet app also include split in-store payments and a "Digital Home Key." The Trips feature aims to alleviate the confusion of scattered travel plans by providing a clear view of itineraries. Additionally, Samsung has partnered with Aliro to enable Galaxy users to unlock smart locks using their phones through UWB and NFC technologies.
AppWizard
April 24, 2026
Facepunch has revealed that its upcoming title, s&box, has turned a profit after five years of development. The game, described as the "spiritual successor to Garry's Mod," is built on the Source 2 engine and focuses on community-driven creations. In April 2026, Facepunch recorded a profit of 8,400, with a gross income of .1 million, largely due to successful item sales. The company faces ongoing expenses such as staff salaries and server maintenance. S&box is set to launch globally on April 28, and players can wishlist it on Steam.
AppWizard
April 16, 2026
Steven Sharif, former founder and game director of Intrepid Studios, alleges a "deliberate misinformation and defamation campaign" against him amid ongoing legal battles with investors led by Robert Dawson. He claims to have received a 0 million acquisition offer from Riot Games, which he was advised to reject. Sharif posted a 3,700-word statement on Reddit, including court filings with witness declarations from former staff and statements from investors. Riot Games co-founder Marc Merrill clarified that while they considered acquiring Intrepid, they ultimately decided not to proceed. Sharif accuses Dawson of orchestrating a defamation effort and claims that investor Jason Caramanis sought to intimidate him. Additionally, TFE Games Holdings has filed a separate lawsuit against Sharif for allegedly misappropriating funds. Sharif asserts that he believed the company was financially stable before its shutdown and that access to financial details was limited after a control shift in 2024.
Tech Optimizer
April 11, 2026
Enterprises in Malaysia are transitioning from legacy systems to modern infrastructure to facilitate AI deployment. A roundtable discussion highlighted the challenges of AI integration, emphasizing the need to reduce costs associated with outdated systems. Organizations are adopting hybrid cloud approaches and utilizing various databases to manage extensive data across multiple applications. The push for AI is driven by management and customer expectations, but employee willingness to upskill remains a challenge. Not all challenges require AI solutions, and starting with smaller use cases can lead to successful scaling. The adoption of open-source database systems like Postgres is increasing, necessitating reliable support to address issues and ensure application availability. Data sovereignty is a concern for enterprises operating in mixed environments, and EDB Postgres AI offers a platform that combines security with cloud agility. Reducing infrastructure costs is essential for freeing up resources for new initiatives.
AppWizard
April 9, 2026
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 is priced at 9, which is a [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: The announcement of the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 price has stirred interest among tech enthusiasts and gamers alike. This latest flagship CPU, an enhancement of the already formidable Ryzen 9 9950X3D, introduces a second 3D V-Cache die, positioning itself as AMD's most premium AM5 gaming CPU to date, with a price tag of 9. This marks a 0 increase over its predecessor, the 9950X3D. Interestingly, AMD has acknowledged that the performance leap in gaming may not be substantial compared to the 9950X3D. Both the 9950X3D and the 9850X3D are expected to remain the top contenders for gamers seeking optimal performance. However, for those who desire a CPU that excels across a broad spectrum of tasks and relish the prestige of owning such a powerhouse, the price is now clear. Specifications and Performance Insights The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition, as it is fully named, represents the pinnacle of the Ryzen X3D series, crafted using AMD's current technological advancements. This CPU configuration maximizes the potential of two eight-core dies within an AM5 package, each paired with a 64MB cache die. This setup ensures that every core benefits from a substantial and rapid data supply. Historically, AMD has opted to include only one additional cache die in its X3D CPUs. This decision stems from two primary considerations: Cost Implications: The addition of a second cache die incurs significant expenses, both in terms of the die itself and the intricate placement process required to stack the CPU die atop the cache. Performance Gains: The performance enhancement from adding a second cache die is marginal for most gaming and applications that utilize fewer than eight cores. For these scenarios, a single cache die suffices to enhance performance, provided that games and Windows are optimized to leverage the faster X3D cores. For applications that harness more than eight cores, some performance improvement is evident, but it remains limited. The second cache die does not create a cumulative performance boost; rather, a core either benefits from the additional cache or it does not. Despite these nuances, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 is anticipated to deliver impressive speed across various applications. It stands poised to be the go-to choice for those seeking the pinnacle of CPU performance. As the release date approaches on April 22, potential buyers are advised to consider their current setups carefully. Upgrading from a 9800X3D, 9850X3D, or 9950X3D may not yield noticeable improvements in gaming performance." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] increase over its predecessor, the 9950X3D. It features a second 3D V-Cache die and is designed for optimal performance with two eight-core dies and a 64MB cache die. AMD has indicated that the performance improvement in gaming may not be significant compared to the 9950X3D. The CPU is expected to perform well across various applications, but upgrading from previous models like the 9800X3D, 9850X3D, or 9950X3D may not result in noticeable gaming performance enhancements. The release date is set for April 22.
Tech Optimizer
April 8, 2026
Discussions on digital sovereignty are shifting from infrastructure to databases, driven by geopolitical pressures in Europe. Hyperscalers like Amazon and Microsoft are investing heavily to comply with new regulations, prompting organizations to reconsider their reliance on managed cloud services. Many enterprises are now viewing PostgreSQL as a portable, cloud-neutral foundation to ensure consistent behavior across various environments, leading to interest in Sovereign DBaaS. Gabriele Bartolini, VP and Chief Architect of Kubernetes at EDB, emphasizes that true sovereignty starts with the database and that portability enhances negotiating leverage and compliance. Bartolini warns that while managed cloud services offer convenience, they often sacrifice control. He notes that transitioning away from these services can provide long-term leverage, as evidenced by Microsoft's encouragement for customers to run self-managed PostgreSQL. The Operator Pattern in Kubernetes enables better database management and lifecycle control, with CloudNativePG exemplifying this approach. Bartolini asserts that owning hardware allows organizations to better manage costs, especially for resource-intensive AI workloads, and that moving to bare metal can significantly enhance performance. A cultural shift is necessary for success, with DBAs needing to adapt to cloud-native environments. Bartolini encourages DBAs to develop a broader understanding of Kubernetes to enhance collaboration across teams. He warns that the database team cannot drive change alone and must align with the entire infrastructure direction to avoid dependency on proprietary tools that limit independence and innovation.
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