methods Archives

Tech Optimizer

July 4, 2025

Percona launches free open source encryption for PostgreSQL data

Percona has introduced Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) for PostgreSQL as a fully open-source and production-ready solution, enabling organizations to encrypt data at rest and comply with regulations like PCI DSS v4.0 without incurring licensing fees. The TDE extension, named pg_tde, is now part of the Percona Distribution for PostgreSQL and addresses barriers to adopting enterprise-level data encryption in open-source environments. Key features include encryption of all database files on disk, granular encryption policies, seamless integration into existing systems, and streamlined key management with major Key Management Services. The solution supports online key rotation and has minimal performance impact. Percona also provides 24/7 assistance for setup and management, making the solution accessible to organizations of all sizes.

AppWizard

July 3, 2025

Human adaptability explained through a Minecraft experiment

Researchers from the Technical University of Berlin conducted a study using the video game Minecraft to explore how individuals learn both independently and collaboratively in changing environments. Participants engaged in a virtual foraging task, alternating between solo and group efforts to find hidden resources. The study manipulated environments to create "patchy" and "random" settings, examining when players chose to explore alone versus follow others. Data on players' visual attention and movements allowed the researchers to develop a behavioral model predicting actions based on individual and social learning strategies. Findings indicated that adaptability—switching between learning modes based on context—was crucial for success, highlighting that individuals are capable of adjusting their strategies rather than strictly imitating others or working independently. The research suggests that personal rewards influence learning types and emphasizes the importance of flexibility in decision-making.

AppWizard

July 2, 2025

How to unlock Inferno, Serenith, and Stellaris in Mecha Break

Players can unlock the mechs Inferno, Serenith, and Stellaris in Mecha Break by using Mission Tokens, which can be earned through gameplay activities like Operation VERGE, Ace Arena, and Mashmak Battles. Each mech costs 15,000 Mission Tokens and can be found in the Matrix Selections menu under "Logistics." Players can also trial the mechs for a week. Alternatively, purchasing the Matrix Contract (battle pass) grants immediate access to Inferno and provides 15,000 Mission Tokens if Inferno is already owned, which can be used to unlock Serenith or Stellaris. The mechs belong to different classes: Inferno is an Ultra-Heavy Attacker, Serenith is a Light Support, and Stellaris is a Light Brawler. The Matrix Contract also offers a Merit Boost Bonus that increases Mission Token earnings by 200%.

Tech Optimizer

July 1, 2025

Fluent Commerce’s approach to near-zero downtime Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL upgrade at 32 TB scale using snapshots and AWS DMS ongoing replication

Fluent Commerce utilizes Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition as its OLTP database engine to manage complex customer search queries. The company migrated to AWS Graviton instances to enhance performance and cost-efficiency, requiring a major version upgrade from Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible 10.14 to 12.4 or higher. The migration involved upgrading over 350 production databases, some as large as 32 TB, using AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) and various upgrade strategies to minimize downtime. The migration process included configuring replication slots, creating snapshots, and validating data between source and target databases. AWS DMS was chosen for its cost-effectiveness, seamless integration with AWS services, and capabilities for ongoing data replication with minimal downtime. The cutover process involved updating application configurations, managing sequence numbers, and ensuring optimal performance through vacuuming and analyzing tables.

AppWizard

July 1, 2025

Steam adds an in-game performance monitor so you can brag about hitting 900 FPS in Deus Ex

A recent update to Steam has introduced a fully integrated in-game performance monitor, transitioning from its beta phase. This upgraded tool enhances the previous frame counter with additional features, allowing users to activate it through Steam settings for real-time insights into system performance. It displays frame rate values, differentiates between frames generated by technologies like DLSS or FSR, and provides analysis of minimum and maximum frame values along with a graph of frame rate fluctuations. The monitor also tracks CPU performance, GPU performance, and system memory usage, streamlining the assessment of these metrics. Users can choose from four levels of detail and customize the display options. Future enhancements are planned, including automatic detection of common hardware performance issues. Currently, the focus is on Windows users and commonly used GPUs, with broader support expected in future updates.

Winsage

July 1, 2025

Fix Error 0xc00d36c4 in Windows 10/11: 5 Working Methods

Error code 0xc00d36c4 is a common media playback issue in Windows 10 and 11, occurring when the operating system cannot open certain video or audio files. This error can appear in applications like Windows Media Player, Groove Music, and the Movies & TV app, and is often associated with file corruption, unsupported formats, external storage issues, DRM restrictions, or outdated software. Five solutions to fix the error include using 4DDiG Video Repair for corrupted files, converting files to supported formats with a converter, trying a different media player like VLC, updating media components, and checking external storage devices. 4DDiG Video Repair supports various formats such as MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, M4V, FLV, 3GP, and MP3 and WAV.

AppWizard

June 30, 2025

Urgent money requests on messaging apps? Stay alart!

Ensuring safety in the digital realm involves protecting one's entire online presence, especially from breaches of smartphone applications like social media and messaging platforms. Such breaches can lead to fraudulent activities, where scammers impersonate individuals to request money from their contacts. It is crucial to verify the authenticity of urgent financial requests received through messaging apps before taking action. Individuals should exercise caution when sharing personal information online, particularly in messaging groups where information can spread quickly. A real-life example involves a university student whose messaging app was compromised, leading to fraudulent money requests sent to his contacts. To stay safe, individuals should verify requests through different channels, be wary of unusual payment methods, scrutinize messages for odd language, avoid clicking suspicious links, and never share personal or banking details. They should also be aware that requests may originate from compromised accounts and report suspicious messages to the app and authorities. Maintaining awareness and skepticism is essential to avoid falling victim to fraud.

AppWizard

June 28, 2025

Stardew Valley’s ConcernedApe reportedly says he could “possibly” step in to save cancelled Minecraft-like Hytale, but he’d need to know “why it failed” first

Eric 'ConcernedApe' Barone has shown tentative interest in investing to revive Hytale, which was recently canceled after years of development. He requires further information about the project's initial failures and future plans before making any commitments. Hytale garnered over 61 million views on its trailer and was acquired by Riot Games, which decided to halt the project due to the team's inability to realize its full potential. Simon Collins-Laflamme, the original founder of Hypixel Studios, has suggested a buy-back from Riot Games. During development, the Hytale team faced significant financial pressures, reportedly spending as much as 0,000 a month. Collins-Laflamme had turned down "way more money" before partnering with Riot.

Winsage

June 28, 2025

Microsoft is testing tighter integration with 1Password’s passkeys in Windows.

Microsoft is integrating 1Password’s passkeys within the Windows ecosystem to enhance user experience. This feature is currently in the testing phase and is available to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel who install the beta version of 1Password.

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

5 apps I recommend to every savvy investor

Rita El Khoury recommends several investment apps based on her extensive experience in finance: - Koyfin: Her favorite for comprehensive market data, including financial records and analyst projections. It is user-friendly and free, with a subscription for additional features. - Yahoo Finance: A widely used app known for its extensive financial data and robust news section, crucial for timely market reactions. It offers a free version and an ad-free premium plan. - TradingView: Best for technical analysis, featuring superior charting capabilities and a community for sharing insights. While Rita focuses on a buy-and-hold strategy, it is valuable for active traders. - Investing.com: Covers a wide range of assets and includes features like watchlists, fundamental data, and alert notifications. It offers a free version and a premium option. - MarketWatch: Provides timely news and analysis, particularly on earnings announcements. It combines news, financial data, and charting but is less robust than Koyfin. It is free, with a premium subscription for more articles. Rita has also tried other services like FinViz and TIKR but found them limited due to the lack of dedicated mobile apps.