outdated technology Archives

Winsage

March 24, 2025

Why Windows End of Life deadlines require a change of mindset

Organizations are increasingly concerned about the impending End of Life (EoL) deadlines for Microsoft applications and systems, with many large enterprises seeking advice on upgrading Microsoft Teams and legacy technologies. Key products like Windows 10, Office 2019, and Exchange Server 2019 will reach end-of-support by October 2025, prompting urgent decisions to mitigate operational, security, and compliance risks. Statistics show that as of January 2025, Windows 10 and Windows 11 each hold a 49.4% market share in the UK, indicating that half of all desktops are nearing their EoL. Dedicated EoL hotlines have been established to assist companies with migration strategies for applications approaching EoL, emphasizing the need for internal resources and expertise to manage transitions effectively. The industry-standard ‘R approach’ includes methods like rehosting and retiring applications to facilitate migrations. Organizations are encouraged to migrate out-of-support applications into secure environments rather than directly altering them, while remaining vigilant about EoL deadlines and the complexities of legacy systems.

Tech Optimizer

February 20, 2025

EDB Postgres® AI Significantly Outperforms Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB, and MySQL in New Benchmark Study

EnterpriseDB (EDB) has released findings from a benchmark study by McKnight Consulting Group, showing that EDB Postgres AI outperforms Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB, and MySQL in various workloads, including transactional, analytical, and AI tasks. Key performance metrics include being 150 times faster than MongoDB in processing JSON data, 4 times faster than MySQL in handling insert operations, and outperforming Oracle by 17% and SQL Server by 30% in processing New Orders Per Minute (NOPM). EDB Postgres AI also offers 7 times better price performance than Oracle and 6 times better than SQL Server. The study highlights the challenges enterprises face with legacy systems consuming 55% of IT budgets, which hampers modernization efforts. EDB Postgres AI aims to address these challenges by streamlining data infrastructure, reducing total cost of ownership, and facilitating AI capabilities in a secure environment.

AppWizard

February 6, 2025

GOG players are trying to get Diablo 2, Fable, and other classic games onto PC using this voting system

CD Projekt Red is known for its role-playing games, particularly The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, and owns the DRM-free platform Good Old Games (GOG). GOG recently added Dino Crisis 1 and 2, which received modern enhancements like 4K support. The platform launched the Dreamlist feature, allowing users to suggest games for addition, with over 3,000 suggestions received. Popular requests include the Fable series and Black & White games, which are only available in physical formats. The Fable franchise is seeing renewed interest due to an upcoming reboot. Command and Conquer: The Ultimate Collection and Resident Evil CODE: Veronica X are also highly requested on the Dreamlist. Additionally, there is a strong desire for a DRM-free version of the original Diablo 2. The Dreamlist reflects the community's enthusiasm for reviving classic games, although some titles may present technical challenges for GOG.

Tech Optimizer

December 24, 2024

PostgreSQL vs. the Cloud for GenAI? 4 Things To Consider

Generative AI (GenAI) is expected to transform industries by improving productivity and revenue. A Deloitte report states that 80% of enterprises with advanced AI capabilities plan to increase AI investments. Companies must modernize legacy systems and tackle data challenges to implement GenAI, but many still use outdated technology, leading to costly transitions and downtime. Nearly half of US generative AI decision-makers expect returns on their investments within three years, which may underestimate the complexities of AI implementation. While cloud computing offers scalability, managing costs can be difficult, prompting many enterprises to adopt financial operations frameworks (FinOps). Concerns about third-party cloud services are leading businesses to consider on-premises and hybrid solutions, with predictions that by 2025, half of enterprises will use on-premises models for AI development. Choosing the right database is crucial for GenAI development, with PostgreSQL being a strong option due to its extensibility, seamless integration, open-source benefits, and deployment flexibility. Successful GenAI strategies focus on rapid development, cost-effective failures, and effective scaling, with Percona offering support to help organizations achieve these goals.

Winsage

December 13, 2024

Why upgrading from Windows 10 is now urgent

Microsoft will cease free support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Continuing to use Windows 10 after this date will incur significant additional support costs through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which doubles fees each subsequent year. A one-year ESU option extends support only until October 2026. Organizations face challenges such as increased support costs, outdated technology, cybersecurity risks, and lack of AI integration. Transitioning to Windows 11 Pro devices with advanced technology is essential for maintaining competitiveness and productivity. A seamless device refresh strategy should include assessing current assets, budget planning, establishing an implementation timeline, and providing training and support for staff.

Tech Optimizer

December 11, 2024

Top 5 Reasons Cybersecurity Is a Huge Problem in Minnesota

Minnesota ranks 39th in the number of cybercrime victims per 100,000 residents and 8th in average loss per victim, indicating significant financial damage from cyber incidents. Many residents lack sufficient insurance for cyber-related losses, leaving them to bear recovery costs. Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to phishing and ransomware attacks, often unprepared for recovery. There is a lack of diversity in cybersecurity tools, with many relying solely on antivirus software and free solutions that offer inadequate protection. Awareness of essential tools like VPNs and anti-ransomware software is low. Limited public education on online safety leaves individuals and employees of small businesses susceptible to scams. The healthcare sector is frequently targeted by ransomware attacks, and local industries face unique cyber challenges due to outdated systems. Reliance on outdated technology increases vulnerabilities, as these systems often lack necessary security features and are incompatible with modern cybersecurity tools.

Winsage

December 8, 2024

Do more with a new Windows 11 PC

Support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025, prompting users to consider upgrading to Windows 11 PCs. Windows 11 offers enhanced security, improved productivity, and advanced features. It is designed for exceptional performance with powerful processors, rapid storage, high-speed memory, and stunning displays. On Copilot+ PCs, Windows 11 operates up to five times faster than five-year-old Windows machines and provides extended battery life. Microsoft aims for zero waste by 2023, promoting energy efficiency and recycling programs. Currys, as the UK's largest tech recycler, collects and recycles around 60,000 tonnes of outdated technology annually. Currys offers a diverse selection of Windows 11 PCs suitable for various needs and budgets.

Winsage

December 1, 2024

The best Cyber Monday Surface Laptop and Surface Pro deals already available

Cyber Monday features significant deals on Microsoft Surface devices. - Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13.5-inch Refurbished: 0, 38% off, Intel Evo Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 18 hours battery life. - Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 15-inch Refurbished: 0, 38% off, Intel Evo Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 17 hours battery life. - Microsoft Surface Pro 13-inch: ,350, 33% off, Snapdragon X Plus CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, includes keyboard. - Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 14.4-inch: ,282, 11% off, Intel Core i7-13800H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU. The Surface Pro is a tablet with a detachable keyboard, while the Surface Laptop offers a traditional laptop experience.

Winsage

October 14, 2024

Exactly One Year to Go Until Support Ends for Windows 10

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, ending free system updates, technical assistance, and critical security patches. Approximately 240 million computers globally, or one in five running Windows 10, may be at risk of obsolescence due to hardware incompatibility with Windows 11. Businesses are advised to verify device compatibility, develop an upgrade plan, and consider alternatives like Linux or Google’s OS Flex. It is also recommended to back up sensitive data before transitioning and to invest in third-party security software if continuing to use Windows 10 after the support deadline.

Winsage

July 20, 2024

How Windows 3.1 is saving Southwest’s butt | Digital Trends

Southwest Airlines is still operating smoothly during a widespread system update error affecting other major airlines, due to its use of the outdated Windows 3.1 operating system. Southwest's decision to stick with antiquated technology has proven beneficial in this crisis, while other airlines are facing disruptions and chaos.