Programming Archives

Winsage

August 6, 2025

OpenAI’s New Open Models Accelerated Locally on NVIDIA GeForce RTX and RTX PRO GPUs

NVIDIA has partnered with OpenAI to enhance the gpt-oss models for NVIDIA GPUs, enabling rapid inference and supporting millions of users on NVIDIA RTX AI PCs. The gpt-oss-20b and gpt-oss-120b models, trained on NVIDIA H100 GPUs, feature open-weight reasoning and can handle context lengths of up to 131,072 tokens. Users can utilize these models through frameworks like Ollama, which provides a user-friendly interface for experimentation. The models are optimized for RTX GPUs and support applications such as web search and coding assistance. Developers can also access the models via Microsoft AI Foundry Local and other frameworks, with NVIDIA contributing to open-source projects to enhance performance.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

FPS legend John Romero says Wolfenstein 3D was the first game id Software took its time with⁠—a luxurious 4-month development instead of just 2

John Romero discussed the early 1990s transformation of PC gaming during a Nightdive Studios podcast, highlighting id Software's rapid development cycles and innovative technology. He noted that John Carmack's programming breakthroughs in September 1990 were pivotal, and that id Software's initial pitch to Nintendo for a Super Mario 3 port was rejected, leading to the creation of Commander Keen. In 1991, id released three Commander Keen sequels and Catacomb 3D. Romero emphasized a shift in development practices with Wolfenstein 3D, allowing for a four-month development period focused on quality. He contrasted the simpler processes of that time with today's complex game development landscape. Additionally, he mentioned the rise of the hunting game genre and the potential of indie developers, while noting that Romero Games is seeking a new publisher after Microsoft withdrew funding for a triple-A shooter project.

Winsage

August 3, 2025

5 Windows PowerShell commands every power user should know

Microsoft has transitioned from the traditional command prompt to Windows PowerShell, a command-line interface tool designed for scripting and task automation. Key commands in PowerShell include: 1. Get-Process: Retrieves information about processes running on a local computer or a remote server, including process names, IDs, CPU usage, and memory consumption. Example usage includes filtering processes by memory usage or specific applications. 2. Get-Command: Lists all available commands within PowerShell, including cmdlets, functions, aliases, and scripts. It helps users discover commands for specific tasks. 3. Set-ExecutionPolicy: Configures the PowerShell script execution policy, determining whether scripts can run and under what conditions. It allows power users to adjust policies for executing custom scripts. 4. Get-EventLog: Accesses detailed system logs for troubleshooting errors or auditing system activity, including warnings and security breaches. It can filter logs based on criteria like log name and entry type. 5. Where-Object: Filters objects in a pipeline based on specified conditions, allowing users to narrow down results for analysis, reporting, and automation. It can be combined with other commands for enhanced functionality.

AppWizard

August 2, 2025

From Pixels To Paychecks: How Minecraft Is Launching Gen Z’s Careers

Minecraft has sold over 350 million copies, making it the best-selling video game of all time. Colin McDonald, who started playing Minecraft at age 13, now leads a software development company called Moonsworth, which has created a popular modpack for the game. Many players have turned their passion for Minecraft into successful careers, including operating servers and creating YouTube channels. The Minecraft Partner Program, initiated in 2017, has generated over 0 million in revenue and rewarded 43 partners with payouts exceeding million. Players are developing problem-solving, technical, and entrepreneurial skills through Minecraft, leading to a shift from a degree-based economy to a skills-based one. Lauri Lifljandski, founder of WiseHosting, credits his programming skills and entrepreneurial spirit to his experiences in Minecraft, highlighting the game's role in fostering resilience and creativity.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

6 best streaming apps for Android phones: our picks for TV, anime, film, and more

Android users have numerous options for streaming films and TV shows. A VPN can enhance the streaming experience by providing access to more content while ensuring privacy. Netflix offers a vast library of films and series, including games, with an entry-level plan starting at .99 and a premium tier for Ultra HD at .99. Disney Plus features exclusive Marvel content and family-friendly classics, with an ad-supported tier at .99 and a premium plan at .99. BBC iPlayer is a free service supported by a license fee, offering classic shows and live TV, including major sporting events. Mubi curates cult films and provides a unique viewing experience, along with Mubi Go, which includes weekly cinema tickets. Crunchyroll is the leading platform for anime, offering new episodes on the same day they air in Japan, with a premium tier priced at .99 per month. Apple TV+ focuses on original content with high production values, priced at .99 per month.

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

How to survive as an indie developer for 20 years

Dan Marshall began his game development journey at 24 while learning C++. Over two decades, he created three games that received over 80% review scores in PC Gamer, despite facing challenges such as a 26% rating for Behold the Kickmen. His company, Size Five Games, started as a hobby, and he developed games like Ben There, Dan That! and Time Gentlemen, Please! with minimal financial risk. One notable game, The Swindle, featured a unique design that limited players to 100 attempts, leading to mixed reactions but ultimately became Size Five's most financially successful title. Marshall has kept overhead costs low by hiring external talent for short projects and has navigated the industry's volatility without significant expenses. Despite critical acclaim for Lair of the Clockwork God, its sales did not match expectations, and he speculated that a change in protagonists might have affected its performance. Marshall expresses anxiety about the future of his projects and the possibility of needing a traditional job, yet he remains committed to game development regardless of financial circumstances.

AppWizard

July 17, 2025

Java for mobile app development: How to create Android apps in 2025 – London Business News

Java is a key programming language in mobile application development, particularly for Android, and is expected to remain relevant in 2025. It is officially supported in Android development, with a significant portion of Android applications built using Java. Java continues to be integrated into Android Studio and is favored for its comprehensive documentation, backward compatibility, and strong community support. Java's ecosystem is characterized by its mature tools and best practices, making it suitable for both simple and enterprise-level applications. Core components of Android apps built with Java include Activities, Services, Broadcast Receivers, and Content Providers. The development process involves setting up the environment with Android Studio, designing user interfaces with XML, implementing app logic in Java, testing the application, and deploying it via the Google Play Store. Best practices in 2025 include modular architecture, dependency management with libraries like Dagger and Hilt, asynchronous programming techniques, and the use of version control systems like Git. Java remains a viable option alongside Kotlin, especially for legacy codebases and its perceived accessibility for new programmers. Modern tools supporting Java development include Room for data storage, Retrofit for API calls, Glide for image loading, Firebase for cloud services, and Crashlytics for crash monitoring. Outsourcing Java development is a common strategy for companies looking to scale their mobile projects efficiently. Java continues to evolve, accommodating advancements in machine learning, IoT, and edge computing.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

How does your phone know so many private details? How thousands of apps are exploiting mysterious indoor location tracking

In 2023, a family at an amusement park experienced technology's impact on privacy when the park's app used geolocation to notify a waiting parent about fast-track entry. Spanish researchers investigated how apps exploit Bluetooth and Wi-Fi permissions to track users indoors, even without GPS. Their findings, to be presented at the Pets privacy conference, reveal that 86% of 9,976 analyzed Android apps collect sensitive data, including location coordinates. The study highlights ethical concerns regarding data sharing and potential misuse, as information can track individuals' movements and identify sensitive activities. Many apps use software development kits (SDKs) that include hidden location tracking features, with 52 SDKs identified in nearly 10,000 apps installed on around 55 billion devices. The Android Advertising ID allows companies to track users and create detailed profiles based on location data, raising ethical dilemmas about privacy and the commodification of personal information.

AppWizard

July 14, 2025

KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO and Kazuhide Oka announce psychological space exploration adventure game PLATONICA SPACE for PC

KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO, in collaboration with developer Kazuhide Oka, has announced a new game titled PLATONICA SPACE, a psychological space exploration adventure for PC on Steam. The game will be showcased at BitSummit the 13th from July 18 to 20 in Kyoto, Japan. Players navigate a labyrinth of interconnected rooms representing lost memories, encountering other girls who are also searching for their identities. The game involves restoring memories by placing items in specific locations, with the environment changing each time the player sleeps. Actions contribute to a Sleepiness gauge that can lead to losing items. The game features a team including Moe Katakura for art and agehasprings for music.

Tech Optimizer

July 14, 2025

The performance engineer: a detective licensed to kill… bottlenecks

A SQL query initially took fifteen hours to process, but after performance engineering adjustments by Vadim Laktushin, it was reduced to two minutes. Performance engineers (PEs) work to enhance IT system efficiency by identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks in application code, database management systems, configurations, and hardware. Vadim transitioned from a developer to a performance specialist at Postgres Professional after exploring benchmarks and system tuning. Performance issues often require complex solutions rather than straightforward fixes. For example, a client migrating from Oracle to PostgreSQL faced delays due to the Write-Ahead Log (WAL), which became a bottleneck during heavy write operations. PEs adhere to principles such as proactive analysis, reliance on data, and caution against quick fixes. Essential skills for PEs include programming, Linux expertise, understanding algorithms, statistical thinking, and effective communication. The future of performance engineering may involve specialization, and while AI can assist, it cannot replace human expertise in optimization tasks.