insights Archives

Tech Optimizer

May 3, 2026

Absurd Delivers Durable Workflows On Postgres

On April 4, 2026, Earendil reported on Absurd, an execution system built solely on Postgres, which has been in production for five months and has received several updates. Recent developments include the introduction of Software Development Kits (SDKs) for TypeScript, Python, and an experimental Go SDK, as well as a command-line interface (CLI) called absurdctl and a Habitat dashboard for monitoring and management. Absurd's architecture is resilient, utilizing a checkpointed step model for durable agent workflows, but currently lacks features like partitioning and built-in push scheduling, focusing on reliability and simplicity.

Tech Optimizer

May 3, 2026

PostgreSQL 18 Enables AI-Ready Data Systems

PostgreSQL 18 addresses the challenges of data quality and integration in artificial intelligence, emphasizing the importance of the relationship between AI embeddings and relational data. It features pgvector, a tool that helps maintain this relationship and reduces reliance on fragile code. The accompanying resources include working schemas, implementation scripts, and a demo showcasing the system's capabilities with evidence rows and explanations from a large language model. The approach combines semantic candidate retrieval with SQL filtering and business rule enforcement, enhancing the reliability of AI outputs and ensuring data accuracy.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Steam Freebie Turns Your Backlog Into Enemies In Vampire Survivors-Like Game

Steam has introduced a free indie game called Game Quest: The Backlog Battler, which allows players to confront their unplayed games as adversaries in an arcade-style hack and slash format. The game humorously suggests that neglected titles can attack players, with the difficulty of these games increasing based on the amount spent on them. Players use their keyboards as weapons to fend off these games, while also gaining insights into their gaming habits, such as playtime and costs. The game is currently in early access, with a free demo available on the Steam store.

Winsage

May 3, 2026

You shouldn’t delay your Windows 11 updates, experts reveal

Experts advise against postponing Windows updates, as Microsoft has introduced features allowing users to control when updates occur. Users can pause updates for up to 35 days indefinitely, but delaying updates can lead to security vulnerabilities. Microsoft releases several types of updates: security updates, feature updates, quality updates, driver updates, optional updates, out-of-band updates, and zero-day updates. Zero-day updates are critical and should be installed immediately to avoid exploitation. Recent reports indicate that critical OS patching for Windows 10 and 11 is lagging by an average of 256 days, increasing the risk of cyber incidents.

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

Mojang shares the story of Minecraft player who spent 14 years walking to the ‘Far Lands’

KurtJMac began his quest to reach the Far Lands in Minecraft in 2014 and arrived there on October 4, 2025, after traveling 12.5 million blocks over 14 years. He documented his journey on YouTube and Twitch, raising over 0,000 for charity and fostering a global community of players. The Far Lands feature bizarre terrain due to Minecraft's earlier Java rendering system.

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

Blood pressure too low? Try our quiz about the most freakishly out-of-touch things tech CEOs have ever said

- "Innovation is not just about technology; it’s about creating experiences." - "We’re not just building games; we’re crafting worlds." - "Data is the new oil, but creativity is the engine." - "The future is not something we enter; the future is something we create." - "Every setback is a setup for a comeback." - "We’re not just in the business of gaming; we’re in the business of joy." - "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - "Our competitors are not just other companies; they’re the limits of imagination." - "In a world of noise, clarity is the ultimate luxury." - "The best ideas come from the most unexpected places."

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

FF7 Remake Part 3 director Naoki Hamaguchi has already beaten the final game over 40 times

Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3, has completed over 40 full playthroughs of the game and is excited about its progress, indicating that the team is nearing a significant milestone. He balances work and leisure to fuel his creativity and has adopted a routine of walking home to clear his mind. Hamaguchi acknowledges the challenges of expanding the original FF7 into a trilogy, focusing on balancing nostalgia and innovation while ensuring the game's presentation resonates with new audiences. He expresses confidence that the final installment will provide a rewarding experience for fans. A concrete announcement regarding the release date is expected soon.

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

Quartet 1.4 with New Game Plus, Nightmare difficulty, and Dev commentary targeting end of the month for PC

Something Classic Games is set to release the 1.4 update for its RPG, Quartet, at the end of this month. The update will introduce a New Game Plus mode, a Nightmare difficulty setting, and developer commentary. After its debut on Steam, the update will also be available on consoles. Quartet will launch on May 12 for the Nintendo Switch at a price of .99. The game is currently available on multiple platforms, including Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store.

Winsage

May 2, 2026

“Xbox mode is easily the headline feature”: In May’s Windows 11 update, I walk through the 11 upgrades that change how we use the OS, and why some of them surprised me

Microsoft will begin rolling out the May 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 on May 12, 2026. Key features of this update include: 1. Xbox Mode: Transforms PCs into a console-like experience, prioritizing system resources for gaming and freeing up to 2GB of memory. 2. Voice Typing Improvements: Redesign of Voice Typing elements on the touch keyboard. 3. New Arabic 101 Legacy Keyboard Layout: Available for addition from the Region page in Settings. 4. Drop Tray Changes: Renamed from Drag Tray and can be disabled in Settings > System > Multitasking. 5. Taskbar AI Agents Support: Allows monitoring of AI agents directly from the Taskbar, starting with the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. 6. Debloat Policy with Dynamic List Support: Enables administrators to specify additional apps for removal beyond the default list. 7. Windows Driver Policy Update: Changes how the kernel manages trust for third-party drivers, eliminating default trust for cross-signed drivers. 8. Batch File Security Changes: Enhances security for batch files and Command Prompt scripts, with an option for a hardened processing mode. 9. Format FAT32 up to 2TB: The format command-line tool now supports formatting volumes up to 2TB using FAT32.