performance

AppWizard
June 21, 2026
Steam has released a new collection of free games, including: - The Unrealtor: A couch co-op puzzle adventure for two players involving perspective-based puzzles. - Operation P.L.U.S.H: A horde defender game for 1-4 players where dream-powered plushies protect a child's nightlight. - Cave Of Treats: A Halloween-themed arcade game where players control a skeleton disguised as a mummy to battle creatures. - Dragon Kisser: A third-person soulslike game where players charm a dragon to save their village. - Moon River: A short RPG adventure focused on music and exploration. - Tarot Spell: A typing survival game that involves learning about Tarot cards to cast spells. - Once Upon A Card: A card-based game where players help a royal child navigate dreams and face challenges. - Bloxzer: A puzzle game that involves rolling blocks into holes and activating bridges, with the first 15 levels free. - Without Sanctuary: An underground fighting game set in a nightclub, featuring brutal combat. - Tumble Type: A word puzzle game where players spell quickly to rescue keys and climb leaderboards. - eXSert: A Dieselpunk 3D beat 'em up game where players confront a genocidal AI. Players should check their PC hardware specifications for optimal performance.
AppWizard
June 21, 2026
The review of Dishonored in PC Gamer issue #246 (December 2012) highlights the game's immersive experience, customization options, and technical execution. The reviewer describes a gameplay moment where they successfully eliminate an enemy after a miscalculated leap. The PC version offers extensive customization, including field-of-view adjustments and graphics settings. The game runs smoothly on a 2.8GHz Core i7 with a 2GB GeForce GTX 670 graphics card. Dishonored is noted for its originality as a major title that is neither a sequel nor a remake, and it avoids unskippable boss fights, enhancing player freedom and engagement.
Winsage
June 21, 2026
Microsoft has launched a public preview of DirectX Dump Files, designed to improve the debugging process for GPU crashes on Windows. The .dxdmp files are created when a hardware error is detected and contain hardware snapshots, driver data, Direct3D runtime context, and application user data. Developers need to meet specific requirements, including using Windows 24H2 or 25H2 with update KB5089573 or later, Windows 26H1 with update KB5089570 or later, Agility SDK Update Package 1.721.1-preview, and enabling developer mode. Additionally, AMD Software AgilitySDK Developer Preview Edition 26.10.07.02 is required for AMD graphics cards, along with compatible benchmark drivers from Intel, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm, and PIX version 2606.18-preview for analyzing dump files. The tool is currently focused on gathering developer feedback and is not intended for retail game integration. Developers can choose between three operational modes: NOOVERHEAD, MEDIUMOVERHEAD, and HIGH_OVERHEAD. The full launch is expected in fall 2026.
AppWizard
June 21, 2026
The Epic Games Store is undergoing a significant transformation, with a roadmap for new features and a redesign of its digital storefront. Upcoming updates include Fortnite chunked installation, third-party patch notes, pre-registration for free-to-play games, storefront rearchitecture, and library management improvements. Additional features like player profiles, user-written reviews, publisher-funded coupons, and enhanced search capabilities are planned for a later phase. The store, launched in 2018, has faced challenges in competing with platforms like Steam and has not yet achieved profitability. A "ground-up rebuild" of the launcher is expected to improve performance significantly.
Winsage
June 20, 2026
Microsoft has shifted its focus towards generative AI, beginning with its investment in OpenAI in 2019. CEO Satya Nadella has indicated a departure from the company's traditional software-centric vision, emphasizing the need for transformation in light of the AI revolution. The adoption of Windows 11 has been slow, with a survey showing that 30% of HP PCs still run Windows 10, which will reach the end of support on October 14, 2025. Organizations like The Restart Project are helping users transition to Windows 11, while critics argue that Microsoft's upgrade requirements lead to premature obsolescence of functional PCs. Microsoft has launched the Windows K2 program to address user feedback and is exploring an agentic AI operating system. In response to potential EU antitrust fines, Microsoft has unbundled Teams from Office 365, offering a lower-cost option without the collaboration tool. This move has led to a lawsuit from Salesforce, alleging anticompetitive practices. Alternatives like LibreOffice and Euro-Office are emerging, but experts believe they pose limited immediate threats. Additionally, the French government plans to shift from Windows to Linux and replace Microsoft Teams with a domestic platform by 2027. Microsoft's AI initiatives have faced challenges, including backlash over the automatic installation of the Copilot AI app, which was temporarily suspended due to user complaints. Shareholders have filed a class action lawsuit, claiming the company overstated Copilot's success and failed to disclose a revenue decline in Azure. Analysts warn that continued investment in AI without meeting expectations may lead to significant challenges for Microsoft. Reports suggest that Azure was rushed to market, resulting in talent loss and performance issues.
Tech Optimizer
June 20, 2026
EnterpriseDB (EDB) reported increased global adoption of its EDB Postgres AI (EDB PG AI) platform for managing mission-critical workloads. Research by MIT Technology Review Insights found that organizations prioritizing AI and data sovereignty achieve five times the return on investment. The Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) migrated 15 core systems to EDB PG AI, reducing licensing costs and enhancing operational flexibility. Shinhan EZ Insurance transitioned its core system to the public cloud using EDB PG AI, achieving 24/7 service and scalability for AI workloads. Other companies like MNTN, Euronext FX, and Kyobo Book Centre are also leveraging EDB PG AI for various applications. EDB has received industry recognition, including being named among the most innovative companies in data and awarded for its data management solutions. EDB PG AI integrates transactional, analytical, and AI workloads, providing a secure and scalable platform for enterprises.
Tech Optimizer
June 20, 2026
PostgreSQL version 18 has deprecated MD5 password authentication in favor of SCRAM-SHA-256, with a new parameter, md5_password_warnings, enabled by default to log deprecation warnings. It has enhanced monitoring capabilities by adding columns to pg_stat_database and pg_stat_statements to track parallel worker activity, with the default max_parallel_workers_per_gather set to 0 in Aurora PostgreSQL. The pg_stat_subscription_stats view now includes new columns for tracking conflict types in logical replication. Optimizer statistics are automatically transferred during upgrades, while uuidv7() generates timestamp-ordered UUIDs. The default streaming option for CREATE SUBSCRIPTION has changed to parallel, and the idle_replication_slot_timeout parameter automatically invalidates inactive replication slots. Enhancements to the COPY command include REJECT_LIMIT for error tolerance and a silent LOG_VERBOSITY level. OLD and NEW aliases have been introduced in RETURNING clauses for various DML commands.
Winsage
June 20, 2026
Microsoft has introduced two versions of Outlook in Windows 11: Outlook Classic (a Win32 desktop application) and the New Outlook. Users have reported significant performance issues with the New Outlook, noting a lag of approximately 10 seconds for tasks that Outlook Classic performs instantly. The New Outlook operates on WebView2, which involves multiple processes and higher memory consumption, while Outlook Classic runs as a single process. Microsoft is aware of these performance challenges and is testing a new API called 'Delayed Message Timing' to address them. Users find Outlook Classic to be more reliable and faster, particularly for businesses that need efficient notification processing.
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