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6 features worth enabling God Mode in Windows 11 for
Winsage
April 3, 2025

6 features worth enabling God Mode in Windows 11 for

God Mode in Windows grants access to over 200 settings and functionalities, many of which are typically hidden. Users can pin the God Mode folder to the Start menu or Quick Access in File Explorer for easy access. Key features include: - BitLocker: A disk encryption tool that protects data on drives using AES encryption, accessible via password, PIN, or Windows Hello. - Network Management: Simplifies access to network settings for connecting, checking status, and troubleshooting connectivity issues. - Power Management: Allows quick adjustments to power plans, battery settings, and actions for closing the laptop lid or pressing power buttons. - Accessibility: Offers extensive settings for users with disabilities, including tools like Narrator and Magnifier. - File Type Options: Enables users to manage file type associations and visibility of files and folders. - Windows Tools: Centralizes access to built-in maintenance tools like Disk Cleanup and Task Scheduler. God Mode enhances the user experience by providing a more efficient way to navigate system features compared to the traditional Control Panel.
Improve PostgreSQL performance using the pgstattuple extension
Tech Optimizer
April 2, 2025

Improve PostgreSQL performance using the pgstattuple extension

PostgreSQL is an open-source relational database management system known for its extensibility, which allows developers to enhance its capabilities through various extensions and plugins. The pgstattuple extension provides detailed statistics at the tuple level from PostgreSQL tables and indexes, revealing key metrics such as the number of live tuples, dead tuples, average length of live tuples, total free space, and percentages of free space and dead tuples. These metrics help database administrators identify potential health and performance issues, such as excessive table bloat or index fragmentation. Both Amazon Aurora and Amazon RDS support the pgstattuple extension, which can be activated using the command CREATE EXTENSION pgstattuple;. Functions like pgstattuple(relation) and pgstatindex(index) can be used to analyze physical storage and index statistics. Bloat occurs when unused space is left behind after UPDATE and DELETE operations, and the autovacuum process in PostgreSQL automates the cleanup of dead tuples. However, if autovacuum fails, manual intervention may be necessary. Regular monitoring of bloat is essential for maintaining performance, and metrics from pgstattuple can help optimize autovacuum settings. The pg_cron extension can automate VACUUM operations to manage bloat proactively. Index bloat can also be detected using pgstatindex, and significantly bloated indexes can be rebuilt using REINDEX or pg_repack. Best practices for using pgstattuple include estimating bloat with check_postgres, analyzing physical storage, monitoring dead_tuple_percent, and avoiding interference on highly active tables.
Crunchy Data Warehouse, a Modern Postgres Analytics Platform for the Hybrid Cloud
Tech Optimizer
April 1, 2025

Crunchy Data Warehouse, a Modern Postgres Analytics Platform for the Hybrid Cloud

Crunchy Data has released an optimized version of its Crunchy Data Warehouse for Kubernetes, integrating Postgres-native Apache Iceberg for enhanced analytics. This version supports both analytical and operational workloads by combining traditional Postgres tables with transactional Iceberg tables. Key features include managed Iceberg tables in PostgreSQL, high-performance analytics through DuckDB integration, the ability to query raw data files in S3, flexible data import/export options, and seamless integration with various analytics tools. The system is designed to be developer-friendly and supports automated, scalable deployments across different infrastructures.
Why SQL Server Is Still Worth It -- Redmondmag.com
Tech Optimizer
March 28, 2025

Why SQL Server Is Still Worth It — Redmondmag.com

SQL Server Enterprise Edition costs approximately ,000 per CPU core, with an additional 23 percent for Software Assurance. SQL Server provides a mature solution for high availability and backups, integrating seamlessly with Windows Server Failover Clustering. PostgreSQL offers three primary backup methods: SQL dump, file system-level backup (requiring database shutdown), and continuous archiving, with the latter being complex to implement. SQL Server typically offers more integrated features out of the box, such as temporal tables and graph databases, while PostgreSQL requires extensions. SQL Server caches execution plans, which can reduce CPU usage but may lead to suboptimal plans. SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) provides a superior user experience compared to PGAdmin. SQLPackage for SQL Server is considered better than available options for PostgreSQL, and the SQL Server community is noted for its support and engagement.
Windows 10 Support is Ending; Here's What You Need to Do Next
Winsage
March 24, 2025

Windows 10 Support is Ending; Here’s What You Need to Do Next

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. After this date, Windows 10 PCs will still function but will not receive security updates or bug fixes, leading to potential vulnerabilities and compatibility issues. Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11, which currently has a market share of 38%. Users can maintain security by keeping antivirus software and browsers updated, and Google Chrome will continue to receive updates on Windows 10. Microsoft offers an Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 10, providing critical updates for a fee, with the first year starting on November 11, 2025, and ending on October 13, 2026. Consumers will need to upgrade to Windows 11 by October 2026 unless further extensions are announced. There are methods to bypass Windows 11's hardware requirements, such as using tools like Rufus or Registry workarounds. Alternatives to upgrading include Chrome OS Flex and Linux Mint, both of which offer user-friendly environments for continued computing tasks.
Best Windows apps this week
Winsage
March 22, 2025

Best Windows apps this week

This week, a cumulative update for Windows has led to the uninstallation of the Copilot application for some users, and Microsoft is working to resolve the issue, advising affected users to reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store. New applications include FullUpdatesHistoryView, a Nirsoft tool that provides detailed information about installed Windows updates; GIMP 3.0, an updated open-source image editor with a new user interface and enhanced features; and the Perplexity AI application, which offers advanced search capabilities and supports text and voice input.
7 Reasons PostgreSQL is a Great Choice for AI Projects
Tech Optimizer
March 19, 2025

7 Reasons PostgreSQL is a Great Choice for AI Projects

PostgreSQL, or Postgres, is increasingly recognized as a leading choice for AI projects due to its strong integration capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. It supports vector similarity search essential for AI tasks through extensions like pgvector, which simplifies storage and querying of vectors. The latest pgvector version 0.8.0 introduced enhancements such as iterative index scans and improved cost estimation. PostgreSQL optimizes query performance with various index types, including B-tree, Hash, BRIN, GiST, and SP-GiST indexes, and allows for custom index creation. It also features native JSON and NoSQL capabilities, enabling efficient handling of semi-structured data. Parallel processing and query execution are supported, allowing faster data processing on multi-core machines. Scalable and distributed computing options are available, including Multi-Master Asynchronous Replication and Multi-Master Sharded PostgreSQL, catering to the growing demand for AI applications. PostgreSQL ensures AI data security and compliance through Access Control Lists, Row Level Security, and Transparent Data Encryption. Its open-source nature allows for flexibility and integration with AI frameworks, making it a cost-effective alternative to proprietary databases. PostgreSQL was recognized as the Most Popular Database in the 2024 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, reflecting its strong adoption and evolving capabilities in AI projects.
Enough with the game launchers! It's dragging PC gaming down
AppWizard
March 19, 2025

Enough with the game launchers! It’s dragging PC gaming down

The proliferation of game launchers such as EA, Steam, Blizzard, Epic, Xbox, and Ubisoft Connect has created frustration for PC gamers, making it difficult to locate games and manage multiple platforms. Issues include lengthy installation processes, problems with game registration, unexpected logouts, and complications in co-op game menus. The gaming experience has become convoluted, with some launchers requiring multiple platforms or external authentication. The gaming industry has shifted from a simpler model, exemplified by Battle.net in 1997, to a fragmented ecosystem driven by financial motivations, leading to a lack of collaboration between platforms.
Microsoft Warns Windows Users—Change Your Browser As New Attacks Underway
Winsage
March 18, 2025

Microsoft Warns Windows Users—Change Your Browser As New Attacks Underway

Microsoft has issued a warning to Chrome users about a new remote access trojan called StilachiRAT, which can exfiltrate sensitive information such as stored credentials and digital wallet data. StilachiRAT can scan for configuration data across 20 cryptocurrency wallet extensions in Chrome and can extract and decrypt saved usernames and passwords. The malware can also monitor Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) sessions, capture active window information, and impersonate users to gain unauthorized access to networks. Microsoft recommends that users switch to its Edge browser or other browsers with SmartScreen technology to enhance security. Additionally, users are advised to install software from official sources, utilize Safe Links and Safe Attachments in Office 365, and enable network protection features in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Despite this, Chrome remains the dominant browser among Windows users.
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