healthy Archives

Tech Optimizer

May 20, 2026

PostgreSQL backup tool gets some backup of its own after sole maintainer sounds alarm

A coalition of companies, including AWS, Percona, Supabase, pgEdge, and Tiger Data, has formed to support the maintenance of pgBackRest, an extension for the PostgreSQL database, after its long-time maintainer, David Steele, could no longer continue due to a lack of sponsorship following the acquisition of Crunchy Data by Snowflake. pgBackRest is a backup and restore solution for PostgreSQL, which is widely used by major cloud service providers. Steele had been seeking sponsorship to maintain the project but was unsuccessful, prompting concerns about its future. The coalition aims to provide stability and reduce reliance on a single sponsor by onboarding a new maintainer and seeking additional support. Percona's CEO emphasized the importance of collaboration to ensure the project's health for the community.

Tech Optimizer

May 19, 2026

Open Source Stays Open: Percona Sponsors pgBackRest to Keep PostgreSQL Backups Running

Percona has become a sponsor of pgBackRest following the departure of its primary maintainer due to funding challenges. This sponsorship aims to revitalize pgBackRest, a critical backup and recovery tool for PostgreSQL, ensuring its continued development and support. Percona's CEO, Peter Farkas, highlighted the importance of pgBackRest and the decision to coordinate with other companies to maintain its health. The plan for pgBackRest's future includes dedicated time from David Steele for bug fixes and feature enhancements, assistance from Percona's engineering team in onboarding a new maintainer, and efforts to attract additional sponsorship to diversify support. Percona's investment aims to prevent future uncertainties associated with reliance on a single maintainer.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Free Steam game Beyond the Dark turns out to be malware, but this isn’t the first time we’ve seen it

The indie horror game, Beyond The Dark, was initially launched as Rodent Race in December 2024 and underwent a branding and gameplay overhaul, emerging in its current form a few weeks ago. The transition began on May 4, raising concerns about Steam's review process. Cybersecurity expert Eric Parker noted that Beyond The Dark disguised its true intentions by appearing as a standard horror game while collecting personal data from players. The game was ultimately removed from Steam due to community reports. The trend of 'vibe coding' using AI tools poses a risk for malware-infested games on Steam, prompting a need for reevaluation of Valve's protocols. Gamers are advised to remain vigilant and skeptical of enticing offers, especially free-to-play games.

Winsage

May 19, 2026

Your SSD has built-in maintenance tools that Windows keeps hidden from you

Modern SSDs are highly reliable and require minimal maintenance. Windows includes tools for SSD health management, such as the TRIM command, which helps optimize performance by allowing the SSD to clean unnecessary data blocks. Users can check if TRIM is active using the Command Prompt. The "Optimize Drives" utility schedules SSD optimization routines and sends ReTrim commands. S.M.A.R.T. technology monitors SSD health, but the information is not easily accessible. Third-party tools like CrystalDiskInfo offer more detailed insights. Windows' Storage Sense feature helps manage storage on smaller SSDs by cleaning temporary files and freeing up space. The write caching policy in Device Manager enhances SSD performance, and users can adjust settings in the BIOS for optimization. Windows reserves SSD space for virtual memory and hibernation, which can be managed to reclaim storage. Overall, Windows provides built-in features to help maintain SSD performance and longevity.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

Subnautica 2 has sold 2 million copies in 12 hours, with 9x the players as the first, and at this point I figure that Krafton CEO is already on his second bottle

Subnautica 2 sold two million copies within 12 hours of its launch, with one million copies sold in the first hour. Peak concurrent players exceeded 651,000 across platforms, with over 467,000 on Steam. A judge ordered the reinstatement of former CEO Ted Gill due to a breach of contract by Krafton, which must fulfill its financial commitments. The rapid sales of Subnautica 2 may help meet the criteria for the reinstated leadership's payout.

AppWizard

May 9, 2026

America is about to get tougher on VPNs

Numerous countries have implemented restrictions on online access, requiring users to verify their identities to view adult content. In Utah, Bill S.B. 73 has taken effect to prevent children from using VPNs to bypass age verification for adult content. The bill prohibits commercial entities from facilitating or encouraging the use of VPNs to circumvent age verification requirements. It lacks clarity on what constitutes "material harmful to minors," leading to varied interpretations. The bill also states that individuals are considered to be accessing a website from Utah if they are physically located in the state, regardless of VPN use, which poses challenges for website operators in determining user locations.

Winsage

May 8, 2026

Microsoft’s rumored ‘Low Latency Profile’ CPU trick could make Windows 11’s menus and apps load up to 70% faster

Windows 11 will introduce the Low Latency Profile feature to enhance system performance during demanding tasks by temporarily boosting CPU frequency for one to three seconds. This feature aims to improve loading times for applications and menus, with reports suggesting that Microsoft applications like Edge and Outlook could see launch times improve by up to 40% and menu loading speeds increase by as much as 70%. The feature operates automatically in the background, but it is unclear if users can toggle it on or off. Initial testing indicates a significant increase in responsiveness, although concerns about its impact on battery life for laptop users have been raised, with expectations that any effect will be minimal.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Fallout designer Tim Cain thinks influencers have changed how people make and play games: ‘more people seem to be abdicating their own judgement to that of people they see online’

Tim Cain discussed the evolution of game development and the impact of the internet on the gaming community in a recent YouTube video. He noted a shift from a culture of possibility in the 1980s to one of restriction for developers, highlighting concerns about closed-mindedness among gamers and polarized discussions. Cain observed that players often focus on metrics of games they do not engage with, which can pressure developers to cater to influencers rather than the essence of their games. He expressed uncertainty about the future of the gaming industry in the 2030s, contemplating whether it will see further entrenchment or a pushback from consumers. Cain humorously suggested that gamers should consider informed opinions from knowledgeable writers at PC Gamer.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Why PC Gaming Has Never Been More Accessible Than In 2026

The entry point into PC gaming has become significantly easier, moving away from complex installation issues and compatibility challenges. Platforms now prioritize convenience, allowing players to transition from download to gameplay with minimal friction through pre-configured installations and one-click launchers. This evolution has attracted casual gamers who previously avoided PC gaming due to technical barriers. The variety of PC games available has expanded, with a focus on user-friendly platforms that feature large, organized libraries and straightforward download processes. Curation has become essential for accessibility, helping players discover new titles easily. There has been notable growth in simulation and survival genres, while open-world RPGs remain popular. The modding community has also contributed to the longevity of older titles by introducing new content. Overall, the trend toward accessibility and convenience in PC gaming continues to grow, making it an inviting time for new players.

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

As Steam player counts continue to dominate conversations around multiple games, it turns out 45% of you don’t actually care that much for the metric

Nearly 45% of respondents prefer to enjoy their gaming experience without focusing on player counts. About 32% pay attention to these figures, with 15% humorously claiming to be Gabe Newell. Additionally, 13% only monitor player counts when concerned about a game's potential closure, and 10% check them to provoke reactions among fans. The author enjoys tracking player counts but maintains skepticism about their significance in the overall gaming experience.