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Avast VPN: An in-depth review of its speed, security and value
Tech Optimizer
March 21, 2026

Avast VPN: An in-depth review of its speed, security and value

Avast launched its VPN service, Avast Secureline VPN, in 2017, focusing on encryption, a no-logs policy, and DNS leak protection. The company operates outside the 5, 9, or 14 Eyes alliances, which limits data-sharing with intelligence agencies. In January 2020, Avast faced criticism for collecting user data for its subsidiary, Jumpshot, but ceased this practice shortly after. The VPN offers dedicated servers for streaming and torrenting, basic split tunneling, and a kill switch, but lacks comprehensive features compared to competitors. Supported protocols include WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IPsec, with encryption standards generally secure. Avast claims to operate 700 servers across 27 countries, with a limited selection of streaming-optimized servers. The app supports various platforms but lacks support for Linux or routers. Speed tests showed an average download speed of 275.69 Mbps, but performance in unblocking content was disappointing, with limited success on streaming services. Avast's privacy policy indicates extensive data collection, despite claims of addressing past issues. Customer support includes 24/7 access for paying customers. Pricing tiers include a 60-day free trial, with competitive rates but limited features. Pros include decent speeds and reasonable pricing, while cons highlight controversial data practices, limited information, poor streaming performance, and fewer features compared to competitors.
Microsoft promises all-in-one database wrangling hub on Fabric
Tech Optimizer
March 18, 2026

Microsoft promises all-in-one database wrangling hub on Fabric

Microsoft has launched a new database management tool called Database Hub, which is part of its Fabric data platform. This tool allows for the management of multiple databases using a single SQL engine and serves as a centralized location for overseeing various database services, including Azure SQL Server, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Database for PostgreSQL, SQL Server with Azure Arc, and Azure Database for MySQL. Currently in early access, Database Hub aims to provide a unified management experience across on-premises, PaaS, and SaaS environments. The tool will incorporate AI capabilities to enhance database management, featuring "agent-assisted" and "human-in-the-loop" approaches for analyzing estate-wide signals. Microsoft’s LLM tool, Copilot, will offer insights into the database estate's status, including aggregate health views and trend analysis. However, specific details on the Database Hub's database tuning and optimization capabilities were not provided. Additionally, a study from Carnegie Mellon University indicated that vector embedding algorithms could improve the performance of PostgreSQL services significantly. Microsoft has also launched various database systems, including a document database platform based on PostgreSQL and a distributed PostgreSQL database service. Other vendors like Databricks and Snowflake have introduced their own transactional database services within their platforms.
Microsoft Quietly Retreats from Copilot Push in Windows 11
Winsage
March 17, 2026

Microsoft Quietly Retreats from Copilot Push in Windows 11

Microsoft is scaling back the integration of Copilot AI into Windows 11 due to user feedback and privacy concerns. Plans for features like Copilot notifications have been canceled, and AI tools will now be optional, primarily available on Copilot+ PCs, with more data processing occurring locally. The company aims to reduce AI complexity and focus on performance and user control. Microsoft has also removed Copilot branding from some applications and is shifting towards standalone AI tools rather than system-wide integration. The lukewarm market response to Copilot+ PCs has further influenced this strategic change.
This tiny app exposes a massive problem at Microsoft — and shows how smooth Windows could be
Winsage
February 24, 2026

This tiny app exposes a massive problem at Microsoft — and shows how smooth Windows could be

Markerpad is a native, offline whiteboard app designed for Surface devices and compatible with all Windows platforms, offering a smooth and responsive drawing experience. It launches instantly, contrasting with the slower loading times of web-based applications like Microsoft Whiteboard, which require constant internet connectivity and consume significant system resources. Users express a preference for lightweight, native applications that prioritize efficiency and simplicity. Future updates for Markerpad may include features like text boxes, PDF import/export capabilities, and shape recognition.
Microsoft rolls out tables in Notepad for all Windows 11 users, though I'd feel happier about this if I knew this was the final addition to my favorite little app
Winsage
January 17, 2026

Microsoft rolls out tables in Notepad for all Windows 11 users, though I’d feel happier about this if I knew this was the final addition to my favorite little app

Notepad has undergone significant enhancements since 2022, including spell checking, dark mode, tabbed windows, state preservation, basic formatting capabilities, and the introduction of tables. The AI text streaming feature is currently available only on Copilot+ PCs but will eventually be rolled out to all Windows 11 systems. Users appreciate Notepad's simplicity and minimalistic design, though there are concerns that adding too many features may compromise its core functionality.
Wine 11 runs Windows apps in Linux and macOS better than ever
Winsage
January 15, 2026

Wine 11 runs Windows apps in Linux and macOS better than ever

Wine 11.0 has been released, allowing users to run 16-bit, 32-bit, and 64-bit Windows x86 binaries on Unix-like operating systems without distinguishing between 32-bit and 64-bit commands. It introduces support for the Linux kernel's NT synchronization primitive, enhancing performance for Windows binaries. Wine 11 is compatible with older kernels, though with reduced performance. It supports x86-to-Arm translation on Arm64 Linux systems through FEX-Emu and works on Apple Silicon Macs via Rosetta 2. The version simplifies command usage to a single wine command and eliminates 32-bit support libraries. Enhancements include improved clipboard handling over Wayland, full-screen mode functionality, Direct3D support, native Vulkan video decoding for H.264, and better handling of SCSI devices and game controllers. Wine 11 downloads are available for Linux and macOS, with a FreeBSD port expected. Testing on Ubuntu 25.10 under GNOME using Wayland showed positive results for both 32-bit and 64-bit applications.
Microsoft’s Surface Pro 12-inch delivers rich Windows‑on‑Arm performance at a new low price — now under $760 for New Year’s
Winsage
January 3, 2026

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 12-inch delivers rich Windows‑on‑Arm performance at a new low price — now under $760 for New Year’s

In 2026, Amazon is offering a 16% discount on the Microsoft Surface Pro 12-inch laptop, reducing its price to .99 from the original .99. The laptop features a Snapdragon X Plus (8 Core) processor, 16GB of RAM, a 12-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 2196x1464, a refresh rate of 90Hz, and a brightness of 400 nits. It has 512GB of storage, a battery life averaging around 16 hours, and supports Windows on ARM. Additionally, a 256GB version is available for .99, down from .99, with various color options for the 512GB model.
WinBoat is an open source tool that lets you seamlessly run Windows applications on Linux.
Winsage
January 1, 2026

WinBoat is an open source tool that lets you seamlessly run Windows applications on Linux.

WinBoat is an open-source tool that enables users to run Windows applications natively on Linux systems through virtualization technology. It can be tested on an Ubuntu 24.04 Linux PC using Docker and FreeRDP. Users can download WinBoat as an AppImage, grant execution permissions, and follow installation steps that include specifying installation location, Windows version, language, and system resource allocation. Key features include a refined interface, automatic installation, universal application support, file system integration, USB pass-through support, future GPU support plans, and compatibility with Podman. As of December 2025, WinBoat is in beta and may have bugs. User feedback has been mixed, with some comparing it to a Windows virtual machine and noting issues like browser freezing and the need for a Windows license.
Better Relevance for AI Apps With BM25 Algorithm in PostgreSQL
Tech Optimizer
December 23, 2025

Better Relevance for AI Apps With BM25 Algorithm in PostgreSQL

Tiger Data, formerly known as Timescale, has released a preview version of pg_textsearch, an open-source extension for PostgreSQL that uses the BM25 algorithm to improve keyword search relevance and performance. The project quickly gained over 1,800 stars on GitHub. The rebranding reflects a strategic shift from a focus on time-series databases to a broader scope, including cloud offerings and PostgreSQL for various applications. The pg_textsearch extension addresses the need for enhanced search capabilities in PostgreSQL, particularly for AI applications, as customers sought a general-purpose search primitive. The BM25 algorithm improves relevance ranking in information retrieval systems, offering features like inverse document frequency and term frequency saturation. The extension is compatible with PostgreSQL versions 17 and 18 and enhances performance for large datasets. Development of pg_textsearch began in October, utilizing AI tools to streamline the process, with a production-ready version expected early next year.
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