open-source tool Archives

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.

AppWizard

April 25, 2026

10 awesome Shizuku apps I use to level up my Android experience

Shizuku is an open-source tool that connects elevated Android functionalities with third-party applications, enabling access to previously restricted features. Canta allows users to uninstall any app, including bloatware and system applications, on devices like Samsung, providing guidance on safe uninstallation. ColorBlendr enhances control over Android's color-picking system, allowing users to select colors from wallpapers and standard palettes. Essentials is a toolkit for Pixel and other Android devices that unlocks hidden settings for granular adjustments and includes tools like a real-time distance calculator. Smartspacer extends the At A Glance widget's functionality beyond Pixel devices, integrating information from various sources. ShizuWall is a firewall that prevents selected apps from accessing the internet without needing a VPN or Private DNS. aShell You allows users to run ADB commands directly on their device, featuring a list of commands and bookmark support. Install With Options streamlines APK installation with modifications like bypassing SDK limits and downgrading apps. Adaptive Theme automatically switches between Dark and Light modes based on ambient light levels. SD Maid SE is a storage-cleanup tool that identifies and removes unnecessary files, with enhanced capabilities when used with Shizuku. Shappky enables users to terminate any running app, including system apps, with a simple tap.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

NGate Android malware uses HandyPay NFC app to steal card data

A new variant of the NGate malware targets Android users by disguising itself within a trojanized version of the HandyPay app, which is a legitimate mobile payment processing application. This malware, documented since mid-2024, siphons payment card information through the mobile device's near-field communication (NFC) chip and sends the stolen data directly to attackers, who create virtual cards for unauthorized purchases or cash withdrawals from NFC-enabled ATMs. The new variant has been injected with malicious code into the HandyPay app, which has been available on Google Play since 2021. The code includes emojis, indicating the possible use of a generative AI tool in its development. The shift from previous iterations, which used an open-source tool named NFCGate, to HandyPay is likely motivated by financial considerations and the need for evasion, as HandyPay is more affordable and requires fewer permissions. This NGate variant has been active since November 2025, primarily targeting Android devices in Brazil. It employs two main distribution methods: a counterfeit app named “Proteção Cartão” hosted on a fraudulent Google Play page and a fake lottery website that redirects users to WhatsApp to download the malicious APK. Upon installation, the app prompts users to set it as their default NFC payment application, requests their card PIN, and instructs them to tap their card on the phone for reading, transmitting all collected information to an attacker's email address. To protect against such threats, Android users are advised to avoid downloading APKs from outside Google Play, disable NFC when not in use, and use Play Protect to scan for threats.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

Find your home in Minecraft: here’s how to see your real-life city in incredible detail

Minecraft has evolved into a platform that allows users to create playable maps of real-world locations through an open-source tool called Arnis, developed by the user louis-e. This tool replicates cities, roads, and landscapes using geospatial data from OpenStreetMap, functioning on both Java and Bedrock versions of the game. Arnis is built in Rust and features a user-friendly graphical interface with a command-line mode available. Users can select a location to transform it into a Minecraft world without needing mods or advanced programming skills. The project is open-source, inviting contributions from users. Arnis effectively turns Minecraft into a "playable Google Maps," enabling exploration of real locations while adhering to the game's rules.

Winsage

March 30, 2026

Microsoft VP Signals Windows 11 Forced Account Requirement Could Be Removed

Scott Hanselman, Vice President at Microsoft, discussed the mandatory Microsoft account requirement for setting up Windows 11, which applies to both Home and Pro editions. This requirement was introduced with the 22H2 update in 2023 and has faced criticism as it prevents the creation of local accounts without an internet connection. There are unofficial workarounds to bypass this requirement, but they are not officially supported by Microsoft. Internal debates at Microsoft exist regarding the necessity of this account requirement, with some advocating for its removal while others support its continuation. No definitive timeline or commitment for changes to the account requirement has been provided by Hanselman or Microsoft.

Winsage

March 20, 2026

How I’ve improved Windows 11 with a 30-year-old tool

Microsoft PowerToys is a utility that enhances the Windows experience with additional features. It was first introduced with Windows 95, revived in 2019 as an open-source tool, and is available for free download from the Microsoft Store or GitHub. Key features of PowerToys include: - Pin important windows on top: Users can pin active windows above others using the shortcut Win+Ctrl+T, allowing for better focus on key tasks. - Resize images: The Image Resizer tool allows users to resize images to specific dimensions through right-click options, with presets for Fill, Fit, or Stretch. - Extract text from the screen: The Text Extractor uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to copy text directly from anywhere on the screen by selecting the area with Win+T. - Control multiple computers: The Mouse Without Borders feature enables users to control up to four computers with a single set of peripherals and share clipboard and files. - Customize shortcuts: The Keyboard Manager allows users to remap keys and shortcuts, though some keys are reserved for system functions. - Batch rename files: PowerRename enables users to rename multiple files at once through a right-click option, with a preview of changes. - Thumbnail and preview pane previews: PowerToys enhances file previews in File Explorer for additional file types and adds thumbnail support for files that Windows Explorer does not natively generate thumbnails for. - Crop and Lock: This feature allows users to crop application windows to focus on specific content, with two modes: Thumbnail mode for static previews and Reparent mode for functional cropped windows. PowerToys continues to be a valuable tool for enhancing productivity on Windows.

Winsage

March 13, 2026

These 4 open-source apps fixed Windows’ biggest problems

Windows operating system has evolved over the years, but initially, it often required external tools for tasks like video playback, file compression, secure connections, and file transfers. VLC Media Player addressed the issue of codec compatibility in video playback by bundling its own codecs, making it a widely used media player. 7-Zip improved file compression on Windows by offering superior efficiency, extensive format support, and user-friendly features, becoming essential for archiving tasks. PuTTY provided Windows users with their first effective SSH client, allowing secure terminal connections to remote servers, and remains popular despite Microsoft integrating OpenSSH. FileZilla simplified the process of uploading files to servers with its user-friendly graphical interface, becoming a staple for web developers. Despite improvements in Windows, many users continue to install these open-source applications out of habit due to their reliability and effectiveness.

AppWizard

March 6, 2026

Building realistic Minecraft worlds with Open Data on AWS: How Arnis uses elevation datasets at scale

Arnis is an open-source tool that transforms real-world locations into Minecraft experiences using geospatial data from Amazon Web Services (AWS). It recently migrated to Terrain Tiles, a global elevation dataset, which has reduced data retrieval costs and improved accessibility for nearly 300,000 users. Users can select geographic regions and customize parameters to generate locations in Minecraft, with the conversion process occurring locally on their machines. The integration of elevation data was a key feature, achieved through a processing pipeline designed by contributors after consulting GIS specialists. This pipeline allows accurate terrain rendering globally, even in areas with significant elevation variations. The transition to Terrain Tiles eliminated the need for a commercial provider, simplifying the codebase and removing account-bound authentication for data access. Previously, users made around 2,000,000 elevation tile requests over three months, incurring substantial costs. Now, users benefit from free access to the Terrain Tiles dataset, enhancing the elevation feature's reliability and accessibility. The Arnis processing pipeline operates on the client’s machine without backend services or API keys, involving steps such as calculating tile coordinates, fetching terrain tiles from AWS, decoding them, applying smoothing, and voxelizing the map data. A local cache is used to minimize redundant reads, and the system defaults to flat terrain if the endpoint is temporarily unavailable. Future developments include a public Minecraft server for exploring generated worlds without downloading the application, automatic region selection for optimized data retrieval, expanded landform detection for better representations, and a terrain-only mode for custom city planning and adventure map creation.

Winsage

February 13, 2026

Microsoft: New Windows LNK spoofing issues aren’t vulnerabilities

Security researcher Wietze Beukema revealed vulnerabilities in Windows LK shortcut files at the Wild West Hackin' Fest, which could allow attackers to deploy harmful payloads. He identified four undocumented techniques that manipulate these shortcut files, obscuring malicious targets from users. The vulnerabilities exploit inconsistencies in how Windows Explorer handles conflicting target paths, allowing for deceptive file properties. One technique involves using forbidden Windows path characters to create misleading paths, while another manipulates LinkTargetIDList values. The most sophisticated method alters the EnvironmentVariableDataBlock structure to present a false target in the properties window while executing malicious commands in the background. Microsoft declined to classify the EnvironmentVariableDataBlock issue as a security vulnerability, stating that exploitation requires user interaction and does not breach security boundaries. They emphasized that Windows recognizes shortcut files as potentially dangerous and provides warnings when opening them. However, Beukema noted that users often ignore these warnings. The vulnerabilities share similarities with CVE-2025-9491, which has been exploited by various state-sponsored and cybercrime groups. Microsoft initially did not address CVE-2025-9491 but later modified LNK files to mitigate the vulnerability after it was widely exploited.

Winsage

January 10, 2026

How to edit text files directly from Command Prompt and PowerShell on Windows 11 — using Microsoft Edit just like Linux’s Nano

Windows 11 includes the Microsoft Edit command-line tool for editing text files directly within Command Prompt or PowerShell. The tool is under 250KB in size. To install Microsoft Edit, users can open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command: winget install --id Microsoft.Edit. Alternatively, it can be downloaded from GitHub, but manual configuration is required. To use Microsoft Edit, users can launch it by typing PLACEHOLDERb167be8248c505bb in Command Prompt or PLACEHOLDER4905f66b5f26fc6f for administrator access. Existing text files can be edited using the command edit filename.txt, and new files can be created with the same command. Basic editing options include undo, redo, cut, copy, paste, and find and replace. Files can be saved with "Ctrl + S" and exited with "Ctrl + Q". The tool is designed for straightforward text editing without the need to switch applications.