insights Archives

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Bernard O’Shea: Five things I learned from the Minecraft movie

Many parents, especially those with children under 12, have not experienced solo trips to the cinema in over a decade. Family cinema outings are often driven by necessity, such as rainy days, and involve extensive preparation, including snacks and supplies. The cost of these trips can be high, sometimes reaching €57 before the film starts. Inside the theater, children frequently ask about the film's start time and need bathroom breaks, creating a chaotic environment. However, moments of genuine joy can emerge, as seen during a screening of A Minecraft Movie, where a group of boys expressed their enthusiasm through applause and cheers. This shared joy among children, regardless of gender, highlights the cultural significance of Minecraft in their lives. The experience emphasizes that cinema can serve as a valuable shared time, fostering connections and creativity, even if adults may not fully understand the content.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

CraftCells: 3D Cell Biology Reaches Broad Audiences with Minecraft

Zaida Luthey-Schulten and her team at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign developed CraftCells, a project that transforms 3D cell data into interactive objects in Minecraft. This initiative originated from Luthey-Schulten's research on cellular life, where her team created software to segment cells into a grid for studying reactions in specific regions. Inspired by a conference remark about the resemblance of their software to Minecraft's blocky objects, they began converting imaging data into schematic files for the game. Players can download CraftCells from GitHub, allowing them to explore various cellular structures, including bacterial and yeast cells, and experience a rollercoaster ride along a DNA strand. The team plans to collaborate with science educators for feedback on enhancing the platform and aims to incorporate dynamic elements to illustrate cellular processes and expand the variety of cell types available.

Winsage

April 30, 2025

5 alternatives to the Windows Task Manager that you should be using

Windows Task Manager has been enhanced in Windows 11, featuring a streamlined interface and improved functionality. Alternatives to Task Manager include: - System Informer: A free, open-source tool that monitors system resources with real-time performance graphs and detailed process information. It displays CPU, memory, and disk usage, tracks file access, and offers advanced features like call stack traces. - System Explorer: Integrates system monitoring with security features, providing a clean interface for exploring processes, modules, and network connections. It includes a built-in file database and VirusTotal integration for security assessments. - Process Lasso: Extends Task Manager capabilities by allowing users to adjust CPU priority and core affinities. Features include ProBalance for automatic CPU adjustments, performance mode for optimizing CPU usage, IdleSaver for power management, and SmartTrim for memory optimization. - Process Explorer: A Sysinternals tool that offers a detailed view of running processes in a hierarchical tree format, showing user, PID, and resource usage. It includes a search capability for identifying resource usage and integrates with VirusTotal for security checks. - Task Manager DeLuxe (TMX): A portable task management tool that consolidates system stats across multiple tabs, providing quick access to CPU and memory usage, along with graphical representations of network and disk activity. It allows filtering and searching for processes and can be run from a USB drive.

Winsage

April 30, 2025

Microsoft engineer reveals more details about Janet Jackson song that used to mysteriously crash Windows XP PCs

A bug affecting Windows XP caused crashes when playing Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" on certain systems, linked to a natural resonant frequency that interfered with 5400rpm hard drives. Microsoft and an OEM developed a custom audio filter to eliminate the problematic frequency, which remained in place until Windows 7 introduced new rules allowing users to disable audio filters. This posed a risk of hardware damage for those unaware of the bug. The OEM received an exemption from the new rule to keep the audio filter active, protecting both their reputation and Microsoft's. The identity of the OEM remains undisclosed, referred to as "Fabrikam" in documentation.

Tech Optimizer

April 30, 2025

PostgreSQL 18: Part 4, or CommitFest 2025-01

PostgreSQL 18 includes significant enhancements in monitoring capabilities and new features. Key updates include: - Buffer information in EXPLAIN ANALYZE is now enabled by default, providing detailed buffer statistics for better query performance insights. - The pg_stat_io view tracks I/O statistics in bytes (read_bytes, write_bytes, extend_bytes), simplifying monitoring of I/O operations. - Enhanced monitoring of Write-Ahead Logging (WAL) statistics is introduced, allowing tracking of WAL operations and new WAL segment initialization. - The pg_stat_get_backend_io function provides I/O statistics for specific client processes, aiding in performance tuning. - The VACUUM (verbose) command now includes visibility map information, detailing all-visible pages after a vacuum operation. - The pg_stat_all_table view tracks total vacuum and analysis times per table, and users can adjust autovacuum workers without server restarts. - A new uuidv7 function generates UUIDs with a Unix-epoch timestamp for ordered identifiers. - The passwordcheck extension enforces a minimum password length for better security practices. - Improvements to the jsonb type ensure correct handling of null conversions. - The casefold function facilitates case-insensitive searches. - The RETURNING clause in DML commands now supports returning both old and new values. - The to_number function can convert Roman numerals to numeric values.

Tech Optimizer

April 30, 2025

Jim Rossman: Do you really need separate antivirus software? Probably not

A conversation between two friends during a workout revealed insights into personal computing and cybersecurity. One friend was considering purchasing a new Windows PC and evaluating updated antivirus software after using a well-known suite for over a decade. He expressed concerns about the annual subscription model of his previous antivirus, feeling it was a recurring expense without a tangible return. The other friend informed him about the trend of one-time purchase antivirus software, which offers robust protection without ongoing fees, alleviating financial pressure and allowing users to maintain control over their software choices. Key points discussed included the cost-effectiveness of one-time purchases, flexibility in choosing or upgrading software, and enhanced features in newer antivirus programs.

Winsage

April 30, 2025

Microsoft acknowledges problem with Windows 11 24H2 update

Windows 11 version 24H2 has been facing rollout challenges due to compatibility issues, leading Microsoft to implement a new block identified by protection number 56318982. The removal of such blocks can take time, similar to the previous ID 52754008 case. Current problems with Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) are preventing devices on Windows 11 versions 23H2 and 22H2 from accessing the 24H2 update. Users attempting to download version 24H2 may encounter error code 0x80240069, attributed to the April 2025 security update (KB5055528). This error obstructs the download process, and there is no temporary workaround available from Microsoft at this time. The issue is also affecting the System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM). Error code 0x80240069 is not documented in Microsoft's resources.

BetaBeacon

April 30, 2025

One Championship MMA Game on Sui Blockchain Hits iOS and Android

One Fight Arena is a new mobile game by One Championship that combines puzzle and fighting gameplay. It features One Championship fighters and offers SUI token rewards through blockchain integrations.

Tech Optimizer

April 29, 2025

Intego Mac Internet Security

PCs were introduced before Apple’s Macintosh, leading to the emergence of PC viruses and the establishment of antivirus companies, with Macintosh protection being less prioritized. Intego focused on Macintosh security from the start, offering Intego Mac Internet Security, which includes a firewall that manages network permissions and defends against external attacks. Intego has been effective against Mac malware, achieving a 99.1% malware detection score in independent lab tests, although it lacks phishing protection, a feature offered by competitors Norton 360 Deluxe and Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. Intego's pricing is competitive, with a standard annual fee of .99 for a single license and .99 for three licenses. A five-device subscription costs .99, while the Mac Premium Bundle starts at .99 annually and includes additional features. A 14-day free trial is available, and free alternatives like Avast and AVG are also on the market. Intego supports older macOS versions back to Mavericks (10.9), but the latest version requires High Sierra (10.13) or later. The installation process for Intego is straightforward, requiring a restart and granting necessary permissions. The main interface includes components for updates, firewall, and antivirus, with user-friendly access to scanning options. Intego has received certification from AV-Comparatives and detected 100% of Windows malware samples in tests. Its quick scan takes about two and a half minutes, while a full system scan takes seven minutes. Intego's Safe Browsing feature checks existing browser protections but lacks a dedicated antiphishing solution. The NetBarrier firewall allows users to classify their network and manage traffic permissions effectively, although it may be complex for some users.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

How ‘Minecraft’ and ‘Sinners’ went viral in completely different ways

Two films, “A Minecraft Movie” and “Sinners,” have achieved notable box office success, largely due to their viral presence on social media. “Minecraft” has grossed 6 million globally with a production budget of approximately million, while “Sinners” has earned 2 million with a budget of million. “Sinners” experienced a 6% drop in domestic earnings in its second weekend, indicating growing popularity. The interactive atmosphere of “Minecraft” screenings has drawn comparisons to the “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” with audience engagement being a significant factor in its success. Warner Bros. has responded to audience feedback by adapting marketing strategies for both films, including collaborations with influencers and in-game activations with Mojang Studios. Influencers played a key role in promoting both films, with a focus on engaging diverse demographics. The successes highlight a shift in audience expectations towards interactive and emotionally resonant theater experiences.