insights Archives

Winsage

May 3, 2025

Here’s why Windows 7 took so long to boot with solid color backgrounds in 2009

Some users of Windows 7 experienced a 30-second boot delay when using solid color desktop backgrounds shortly after its launch in October 2009. This issue arose because Windows waited for system components, including desktop icons and the background, to report readiness. If any element was absent, the operating system paused for up to 30 seconds. The problem was also linked to group policies that hid desktop icons. Microsoft addressed the glitch by November 2009. As of recent data, Windows 7's market share has decreased to 2.5 percent, and Microsoft has ceased support for the operating system.

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

Photo appears to shows Mike Waltz using Signal-like app that can archive messages

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly confirmed that the encrypted messaging application Signal is officially sanctioned for government use and installed on government-issued devices. The National Security Council has not commented on the related app, TeleMessage, which is derived from Signal and designed to help government entities comply with records retention laws. TeleMessage was founded in 1999, acquired by Smarsh in 2024, and has been involved in government contracts, including a .1 million contract with the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA that began in February 2023 and will conclude in August 2025. Tom Padgett, Smarsh’s president for enterprise business, stated that like Signal, messages sent through TeleMessage are encrypted, but the app does not address security issues raised by a recent incident involving Signal. The specifics of how government officials utilize TeleMessage remain unclear, and five cybersecurity experts admitted they were unfamiliar with the app prior to recent developments. TeleMessage licenses parts of its technology, including its encryption protocol, to other companies, but Signal clarified there is no formal agreement with TeleMessage and expressed concerns about the privacy and security of unofficial versions of their app.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

This ‘narrative simulator’ about a delivery driver in deeply rural Russia is giving me serious Mudrunner meets Disco Elysium vibes

The upcoming game Zarya is a narrative simulator set in a rural post-Soviet backdrop, where players control Vasily, who navigates life while helping friends. Although available on Steam for over a year, it gained attention with a new gameplay trailer. Players will drive Soviet-era vehicles and engage in activities like grilling, fishing, and shopping. The game emphasizes storytelling, allowing players to assist villagers, transport harvests, and experience authentic post-Soviet life. Interested players can sign up for a playtest on Steam, but as of September 2024, no invites have been sent out yet.

Winsage

May 2, 2025

Microsoft : Special Windows 365 offer helps secure organizations against changing conditions

In 2025, 82% of leaders consider the year crucial for reevaluating fundamental strategies and operational frameworks due to economic volatility and supply chain disruptions. Organizations are encouraged to embrace artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency and decision-making, reassess existing strategies for alignment with market realities, and foster a culture of innovation to create new opportunities. The ability to pivot and innovate is identified as a key determinant of success in the evolving business landscape.

Winsage

May 2, 2025

Pushing passkeys forward: Microsoft’s latest updates for simpler, safer sign-ins

The tech community is celebrating the first "World Passkey Day," moving away from "World Password Day," with Microsoft and other organizations committing to the Passkey Pledge to promote passkey adoption. Microsoft has developed passkeys as a secure authentication method, replacing traditional passwords and allowing access via facial recognition, fingerprints, or PINs. Over 99% of users now prefer Windows Hello for sign-ins, and hundreds of websites support passkeys, which are resistant to phishing. Last year, there were 7,000 password attacks every second, highlighting the urgency of this transition. Microsoft has introduced passkey support for consumer applications, achieving nearly a million registrations daily, with passkey sign-ins being three times more successful and eight times faster than traditional methods. New Microsoft accounts will be created without passwords by default, and the sign-in process will prioritize passwordless methods. Currently, over 15 billion user accounts can use passkeys, with a goal to transition billions more.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

The Incredible Evolution of MINECRAFT’s Chicken Jockey

The phrase "Chicken Jockey!" has gained popularity due to Jack Black's performance in A Minecraft Movie, directed by Jared Hess. The film is nearing a billion at the box office and features a standout character, the Chicken Jockey, which is a baby zombie riding a chicken. This character has become iconic, with its introduction being one of the most quoted moments in the film. Starting May 2, fans can participate in A Minecraft Movie: Block Party Edition, a sing-and-meme-along event celebrating the film's elements.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

How to use Gemini Live’s camera and screen sharing features

Gemini Live has transitioned from a voice-based AI assistant to a multimodal platform that can process camera feeds and screen-sharing inputs, enhancing user interactions with visual context. It requires an Android device with at least 2 GB of RAM and Android 10 or later, along with a Google One AI Premium subscription for access to camera and screen-sharing features. These features are complimentary for Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25 users, and newer Pixel devices may offer a trial for Gemini Advanced. To share a live video feed, users must launch Gemini, tap the Live icon, select the Camera button, and ensure the desired items are visible. For screen sharing, users open the relevant app or screen, activate Gemini, and select Share screen with Live. Gemini can summarize content and answer questions based on the shared screen. The multimodal capabilities are particularly beneficial for scenarios requiring detailed descriptions, positioning Gemini Live competitively alongside other AI platforms.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

Google finally reveals NotebookLM Android app, but you can’t use it yet

Google launched NotebookLM in 2023 as a web-based platform for document management, utilizing advanced AI models for information retrieval and analysis. The company plans to introduce a dedicated Android app, which is currently available for preview and pre-registration on the Play Store, with an official release expected during the Google I/O event in late May. NotebookLM specializes in processing various file types, including text documents, websites, and videos, with a context window of 500,000 tokens and the capability to handle document uploads up to 200MB.

Tech Optimizer

May 2, 2025

15 PostgreSQL Monitoring Tools

PostgreSQL monitoring tools are essential for database administrators to ensure optimal performance, availability, and reliability of databases. They provide real-time insights into performance metrics such as query execution times, CPU usage, memory consumption, and disk I/O, helping identify potential bottlenecks. Popular monitoring solutions include: - **DynaTrace**: AI-powered full-stack monitoring with real-time anomaly detection and performance insights. - **pgAdmin**: Comprehensive management tool with a graphical interface for database design and performance monitoring. - **Paessler PRTG**: All-in-one network monitoring solution with customizable PostgreSQL sensors and real-time tracking. - **Pganalyze**: Offers deep insights, automated query analysis, and visualizations for optimizing database operations. - **Sematext PostgreSQL Monitoring**: Cloud-based monitoring with detailed metrics, anomaly detection, and alerts. - **SolarWinds**: Database performance analyzer providing profound insights and real-time monitoring. - **Nagios**: Open-source system with PostgreSQL plugins for performance tracking and alerting. - **Pgwatch2**: Lightweight monitoring tool offering dashboards and real-time metrics. - **ManageEngine Application Manager**: Full-stack monitoring with detailed PostgreSQL metrics and alerts. - **DataDog**: Cloud-based platform with comprehensive metrics, anomaly detection, and customizable dashboards. - **Prometheus and Grafana**: Open-source stack with powerful query language, alerting, and customizable dashboards. - **PGObserver**: Tool offering detailed performance statistics, historical data analysis, and alerts. - **ClusterControl**: Management tool with monitoring, backups, and performance tuning. - **AppOptics APM**: Application performance monitoring with real-time metrics and anomaly detection. - **AppDynamics**: Enterprise-grade APM tool with advanced monitoring and root-cause analysis. These tools provide unique features tailored to the needs of PostgreSQL database administrators, facilitating real-time monitoring and advanced analytics for maintaining database performance and reliability.

Winsage

May 2, 2025

Amid the slow death of Windows 10, Microsoft’s CEO reveals a bold stat about Windows 11

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, meaning no more security patches will be provided. As of April 2024, Windows 10 comprised 70% of Windows users, but this dropped to 54% by April 2025. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reported a nearly 75% increase in commercial deployments of Windows 11 year over year. Transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free, but Windows 11 requires more RAM and memory, which may not be compatible with older hardware. Microsoft continues to release updates for Windows 11, with the latest security update on April 25 and the anticipated 24H2 version released in October 2024. The next version, Windows 11 25H2, is expected between September and October 2025.