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Windows K2 tracker: Keeping tabs on Microsoft's promises to fix Windows 11
Winsage
April 29, 2026

Windows K2 tracker: Keeping tabs on Microsoft’s promises to fix Windows 11

Microsoft has outlined a roadmap for Windows 11 as part of its Windows K2 initiative, focusing on enhancements to user experience by addressing longstanding issues and responding to user feedback. A table detailing Microsoft's commitments includes the following: - Taskbar Repositioning: Allow taskbar at top, left, and right - Status: Preview expected imminently. - Taskbar Customization: More personalization options including smaller taskbar - Status: Preview expected this year. - AI Integration: Reduce unnecessary Copilot entry points in various tools - Status: Copilot in Snipping Tool removed; Notepad Copilot button replaced with AI writing tools. - Windows Update Control: Skip updates during setup; restart/shutdown without forced updates; pause longer - Status: Rolling out now. - File Explorer: Faster launch, reduced flicker, smoother navigation - Status: Work in progress; faster launch times already in testing. - Widgets: Quieter defaults, more control, better personalization - Status: No preview yet. - Windows Insider Program: Simpler channels, clearer definitions, higher-quality builds - Status: Rolling out now. - Feedback Hub: Largest redesign yet - Status: Rolling out now. - System Performance: Reduced resource usage, improved responsiveness - Status: Work underway; some early improvements noted. - WinUI 3 Migration: Move more Windows experiences to WinUI 3 - Status: In progress; Start menu migration confirmed but not yet shipping. - File Explorer Fundamentals: Lower latency for search, navigation, context menus - Status: Committed, not yet being previewed. The Windows K2 initiative aims to improve performance, reliability, and craftsmanship in Windows 11, addressing user feedback to enhance competitiveness against macOS and Linux. The project seeks to reshape internal perspectives on product development to be more user-centric. Regular updates will reflect the latest progress.
"GitHub is failing me, every single day, and it is personal": After Xbox and Windows, now GITHUB is in crisis — Microsoft, what are you doing?
Winsage
April 29, 2026

“GitHub is failing me, every single day, and it is personal”: After Xbox and Windows, now GITHUB is in crisis — Microsoft, what are you doing?

Microsoft acquired GitHub in 2018 for .5 billion in stock. As of April 25, 2026, GitHub has failed to meet its service level agreements (SLAs), reporting an uptime of only 90.21%, significantly lower than the promised 99.9%. Developer Mitchell Hashimoto has documented these outages, which have led to user frustrations, including issues like disappearing code commits. GitHub's Chief Customer Officer, Kyle Daigle, acknowledged the concerns but failed to alleviate user dissatisfaction. Hashimoto announced his departure from GitHub, citing ongoing outages that hindered his work. Additionally, the programming language Zig has migrated to competitor Codeberg, criticizing GitHub's engineering culture. GitHub's struggles are linked to Microsoft's focus on artificial intelligence, which has diverted resources and raised concerns about service quality across Microsoft's products.
Telangana Migrates MeeSeva to Open-Source PostgreSQL, Cuts ₹10 Crore Annual Cost
Tech Optimizer
April 25, 2026

Telangana Migrates MeeSeva to Open-Source PostgreSQL, Cuts ₹10 Crore Annual Cost

The Telangana government has transitioned its MeeSeva platform from Oracle to the open-source PostgreSQL database, announced by Ravikiran Tirumala, Commissioner of Electronic Services Delivery. MeeSeva processes over 80,000 government-to-citizen transactions daily, totaling nearly 20 crore transactions since its inception. The migration, using the open-source tool “ora2pg,” took less than four hours of downtime. The annual cost of Oracle licensing and maintenance was around ₹10 crore, while the migration cost was under ₹1 crore, leading to estimated recurring annual savings of about ₹10 crore. PostgreSQL has effectively managed high transaction volumes without performance issues. Telangana plans to document and share its migration process to encourage the adoption of open-source technologies in other government systems.
Microsoft to End Support for Windows Server 2016 in 2027
Winsage
April 22, 2026

Microsoft to End Support for Windows Server 2016 in 2027

Support for Windows Server 2016 will officially end on January 12, 2027, ceasing security updates and bug fixes. Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows Server 2019 or later to maintain support and security. Businesses are advised to assess their IT infrastructure and develop a migration strategy to ensure continuity and security. Engaging with IT professionals is recommended for managing the transition effectively.
Minecraft Crafting Essentials: How to Craft Paper | Attack of the Fanboy
AppWizard
April 21, 2026

Minecraft Crafting Essentials: How to Craft Paper | Attack of the Fanboy

Paper is an essential resource in Minecraft, particularly highlighted in the 1.21 Tricky Trials update. Players can craft paper by arranging three sugar cane in a horizontal row on a crafting table. Sugar cane can be found near water sources, thriving in deserts and swamps, and can be planted on various surfaces. The introduction of the Crafter block in the 1.21 update allows for automated paper production, enhancing efficiency. Sugar cane growth is influenced by random ticks, with Java Edition experiencing updates every eighteen minutes and Bedrock Edition every fifty-four minutes. Trading paper with villagers can yield emeralds, with a potential to reduce the trade cost to one sheet per emerald by curing zombie villagers. Additionally, the lore of the game connects paper to the Ancient Builders and their libraries, emphasizing its historical significance.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
April 19, 2026

Zorin OS 18.1 adds guided migrations, stronger app compatibility and wider hardware support, making switching from Windows far more practical for millions [clone]

Zorin OS has released version 18.1, enhancing hardware compatibility and introducing fingerprint reader support for older devices. The update recommends native Linux alternatives when detecting Windows applications, making it easier for users transitioning from Windows. Since the end of support for Windows 10, Zorin OS has gained popularity, reaching 3.3 million downloads. The update supports over 240 Windows applications, suggesting compatible Linux versions, and includes improvements to desktop features and pre-installed applications. Zorin Lite has also been updated to version 17.3 with fingerprint reader support and a redesigned File Manager. Meanwhile, Windows 11 is facing challenges in adoption due to hardware requirements and design issues, prompting discussions about the potential need for Windows 12. Alternative operating systems like Zorin OS are becoming more appealing to users dissatisfied with Windows.
France has ditched Windows 11 for Linux on 2.5 million government PCs — here's why Microsoft should worry that millions more could follow by the end of 2026
Winsage
April 18, 2026

France has ditched Windows 11 for Linux on 2.5 million government PCs — here’s why Microsoft should worry that millions more could follow by the end of 2026

Dissatisfaction with Windows 11 is widespread, prompting the French government to transition from Windows to Linux for its computer systems, aiming for 'digital sovereignty.' French officials, including Minister David Amiel, emphasize the need to reduce reliance on American tools and regain control over digital infrastructure. The transition is mandated to be completed by fall 2026, with GendBuntu, a variant of Ubuntu, likely being adopted. Over 100,000 PCs currently run GendBuntu, and an additional 2.5 million government workstations will migrate from Windows. Other regions, such as Schleswig-Holstein in Germany and Denmark, are also moving away from Windows. Users have reported issues with Windows 11, leading to a backlash and prompting Microsoft to promise fixes. However, the effectiveness of these improvements remains uncertain, and if unresolved, users may increasingly consider alternatives like Linux or macOS. Microsoft has revamped its Windows Insider program to gather user feedback but lacks clarity on internal quality assurance improvements. The company's ability to regain user trust hinges on addressing ongoing concerns effectively.
Why Postgres wants NVMe on the hot path, and S3 everywhere else
Tech Optimizer
April 17, 2026

Why Postgres wants NVMe on the hot path, and S3 everywhere else

Efforts to merge storage roles into a single solution are ongoing, particularly with Amazon S3's durability and cost-effectiveness. In PostgreSQL, achieving a durable commit requires flushing the Write-Ahead Log (WAL) before signaling transaction completion, which can take tens of microseconds on high-performance NVMe drives but extend to milliseconds on slower storage. This latency impacts Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) systems and user response times. Benchmark studies show that systems with faster local storage outperform those with slower alternatives as workloads exceed memory capacity. The fsync operation in PostgreSQL is a commitment rather than a simple write, with enterprise-grade SSDs performing better due to power-loss protection. Read operations also face challenges, as PostgreSQL's need for small, latency-sensitive reads conflicts with S3's design for larger, higher-latency requests. As the working set exceeds memory, storage latency becomes a critical performance factor. Modern managed PostgreSQL systems typically do not place object storage in the critical commit path, instead maintaining a fast log or cache close to the database while relegating colder data to remote storage. Recent PostgreSQL developments, such as asynchronous I/O support in version 18, aim to leverage fast storage more effectively. S3 is valuable for tasks like WAL archiving and backups, but these should be kept separate from the commit path to avoid resource contention. The solution involves using both NVMe and S3, with fast storage managing commits and cache misses, while object storage handles archives and backups. PostgreSQL performs best when hot and cold storage functions are clearly delineated.
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