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Which came first, Windows 95's taskbar or NeXT's Dock? Neither
Winsage
September 4, 2026

Which came first, Windows 95’s taskbar or NeXT’s Dock? Neither

The tech community recently celebrated the 31st anniversary of Windows 95, sparking discussions about its design influences, particularly regarding the potential British roots of its interface. Former Microsoft engineer Dave Plummer's post on X led to exchanges among ex-Microsoft employees, including Joe Belfiore, who clarified that the Windows taskbar was not inspired by the NeXT dock but rather by developments from the Cairo team, specifically a persistent "tray" for file transfers. The debate references Paul Fellows, who led the Arthur project at Acorn, which introduced the first "icon bar" in 1987, influencing both NeXTstep and Windows. Acorn's Arthur, initially a BASIC demo, became RISC OS by 1989, maintaining its foundational design elements. The timeline shows that Acorn's icon bar predated NeXTstep's dock and the Windows taskbar, with Windows 2.0 and OS/2 1.1 released in late 1987 and 1988, respectively, showing visual similarities to NeXTstep. The Microsoft Cairo project, which ran from 1991 to 1996, coincided with Windows NT 4 development. The Windows 95 taskbar and NeXT's dock served different functions, but their historical context is significant.
Minecraft 26.3 Pre-Release 1 patch notes: Number system overhaul, bug fixes and more
AppWizard
September 2, 2026

Minecraft 26.3 Pre-Release 1 patch notes: Number system overhaul, bug fixes and more

Mojang has launched the pre-release phase for Minecraft Java Edition 26.3, introducing the Wilderness Drop. The pre-release includes extensive bug fixes and a technical upgrade to the Number Provider system, which has been restructured into separate registries for integer and float calculations. Key changes include new integer-specific providers and float-specific providers, as well as mandatory cooking times for recipes. Block State Providers can now be defined as standalone types. Notable bug fixes address issues with Blast Furnaces, Endermen, Drowned, music events, ore generation, and more. Players can download the pre-release to explore the new features.
Windows 95's Start menu was invented by a chimpanzee-lab psychologist: 'Even a rocket scientist couldn't figure out Windows'
Winsage
September 2, 2026

Windows 95’s Start menu was invented by a chimpanzee-lab psychologist: ‘Even a rocket scientist couldn’t figure out Windows’

A user on X highlighted their new 5K Dell UltraSharp monitor, leading to a discussion about the Windows 11 taskbar's alignment. Dave Plummer, a former Microsoft engineer, expressed his preference for a left-aligned taskbar, which he viewed as a stand against center alignment. The Start button's creation is attributed to Danny Oran, a behavioral psychologist who joined Microsoft in 1992. Oran's background included teaching chimpanzees to communicate, which informed his approach to user interface design. He observed users struggling with Windows 3.1 and proposed a single button for access to all features, initially called "System" but later renamed "Start." The placement of the Start button in the bottom-left corner was influenced by Fitts's law, which suggests users can quickly click targets in screen corners. Joe Belfiore confirmed this placement aligned with reading habits. The initial implementation of the Start button in Windows 95 had an issue with padding that was corrected in Windows 98. Oran also designed the taskbar, which was ultimately placed at the bottom of the screen to differentiate it from Apple's macOS. Oran holds the original patent for both the Start menu and the taskbar introduced in Windows 95.
Microsoft just rebuilt one of Windows 11's oldest tools in modern UI, rollout starts in the next few days
Winsage
August 17, 2026

Microsoft just rebuilt one of Windows 11’s oldest tools in modern UI, rollout starts in the next few days

Microsoft has transitioned its newly designed Print Management tool into the Release Preview channel for Windows 11, moving it closer to general availability after initial appearances in Beta and Experimental builds. The new Print Management app, built on WinUI 3, replaces the outdated MMC-style console and features a modern layout with a user-friendly interface. It serves as a comprehensive management system for administrators, allowing oversight of printers, print queues, drivers, ports, and print servers. The rollout schedule includes an optional update anticipated for late August and integration into the regular September cumulative update. However, the timeline may be subject to delays. The updated application maintains essential administrative functionality while simplifying tasks such as renaming printers and customizing displayed information. Some legacy elements remain, requiring administrative privileges to launch the app. Microsoft is actively modernizing Windows 11's user interface, including the Print Management tool, as part of a broader initiative to replace outdated components.
Intego ONE
Tech Optimizer
May 5, 2026

Intego ONE

Intego has released Intego ONE, a rebranded antivirus solution for Mac users that combines antivirus capabilities with a firewall. The product has received a 97.1% malware detection score in independent lab tests, although it lacks phishing protection, a feature offered by competitors like Norton and Bitdefender. Intego ONE has a tiered pricing structure, with the Essential tier costing .99 annually and providing antivirus and firewall protection, while the Advanced tier, which includes the SmartClean system cleanup tool, costs .99. The top-tier Complete subscription, which includes a VPN, is priced at .99 annually. Intego offers a 7-day free trial for potential customers. The software installation is straightforward, requiring Full Disk Access for optimal functionality. Intego's firewall is integrated into the main application for easier user interaction. The SmartClean feature aims to optimize system performance but may not justify its additional cost for all users. The VPN included in the Complete tier is user-friendly but may be priced higher than standalone options.
How to Install & Use Stream Cinema App on Android/Google TV
AppWizard
March 26, 2026

How to Install & Use Stream Cinema App on Android/Google TV

Stream Cinema is a media center application that enables users to stream Video on Demand content and supports various Stremio Addons. It can be installed on devices like the Onn 4K Pro, NVIDIA SHIELD, and Google TV Streamer, but currently does not have an APK for Firestick or Fire TV. The free version offers robust features, while the Premium version costs .99 per year or .99 for a lifetime subscription, providing additional benefits like favorites management and trailer access. The installation process involves downloading the app from the Google Play Store, enabling external sources, and configuring third-party addons. Users can connect to TorrentsDB for streaming links and are advised to use a VPN for privacy. The app features a modern user interface, quick playback, and limited settings. While its legality is uncertain, its presence on Google Play suggests some vetting.
Microsoft explores bringing Linux-like top menu bar to Windows 11 with new PowerToys feature
Winsage
January 31, 2026

Microsoft explores bringing Linux-like top menu bar to Windows 11 with new PowerToys feature

The PowerToys team at Microsoft is developing a new feature that introduces a menu bar for the Windows desktop, providing glanceable system information and music controls. This dock can be pinned to any edge of the screen and allows users to pin existing PowerToys extensions without code modifications. It can be enabled from Command Palette settings and aims to enhance quick awareness of system metrics like RAM usage and CPU temperatures. User feedback is encouraged to shape its development, and developers can test this feature in a dedicated branch, although it is not yet part of the main PowerToys release.
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