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Easterly helms RSAC, Windows update problems, Police Copilot gaffe
Winsage
January 16, 2026

Easterly helms RSAC, Windows update problems, Police Copilot gaffe

Jen Easterly has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the RSA Conference. She is a cybersecurity expert and former Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Palo Alto Networks has released security updates for a vulnerability (CVE-2026-0227) with a CVSS score of 7.7 affecting its GlobalProtect Gateway and Portal, which can cause a denial-of-service condition in PAN-OS software. The January 2026 security update from Microsoft has caused connection and authentication failures in Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365, affecting users across various Windows versions. Microsoft is working on a resolution. The chief constable of West Midlands Police acknowledged an error by Microsoft’s Copilot AI in generating a fictional intelligence report. Microsoft has not confirmed Copilot's involvement. Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has collaborated with Five Eyes partners to provide guidance on securing industrial operational technology, highlighting risks associated with remotely monitored systems. Kyowon, a South Korean conglomerate, confirmed a ransomware attack on January 10 that may have compromised customer information, affecting approximately 5.5 million members. Researchers at Varonis have identified a new attack technique called "Reprompt" that allows data exfiltration from Microsoft Copilot via a malicious link, exploiting a Parameter 2 Prompt (P2P) injection technique. Central Maine Healthcare is notifying over 145,000 patients about a data breach that compromised personal, treatment, and health insurance information, discovered on June 1.
Running Factorio from over 1,000 floppy disks is a masochistically manual process that surely sets a new record for game load times
AppWizard
January 16, 2026

Running Factorio from over 1,000 floppy disks is a masochistically manual process that surely sets a new record for game load times

YouTuber DocJade is running the game Factorio on 1,000 3.5-inch floppy disks instead of a conventional hard drive. He developed a custom file system called Fluster using the RUST programming language, which divides each floppy disk into 512-byte blocks, allowing for a total of 2,880 blocks per disk and approximately 90 GB of storage. Fluster is open-sourced and available on DocJade's GitHub. Factorio's design allows it to load most content before the title screen, making it suitable for this unconventional method.
Introducing PostgREST, a REST API for any PostgreSQL database written in Haskell
Tech Optimizer
January 14, 2026

Introducing PostgREST, a REST API for any PostgreSQL database written in Haskell

PostgREST is a web server developed in Haskell that converts PostgreSQL databases into RESTful APIs, offering a more efficient and standards-compliant alternative to manual CRUD programming. It achieves subsecond response times for up to 2000 requests per second, utilizing the Warp HTTP server and offloading tasks like JSON serialization and data validation to the database. Authentication is managed through JSON Web Tokens (JWT), with authorization based on database-defined roles. PostgREST avoids using Object Relational Mappers (ORMs) and encourages declarative constraints in databases to maintain data integrity. User feedback has been mostly positive, although some have expressed concerns about complexities in production environments.
Is Minecraft colonial?
AppWizard
January 12, 2026

Is Minecraft colonial?

In a Minecraft world, approximately 50 villagers are confined in a basement, contrasting with the idyllic town above. Players manage villagers by using fishing rods to guide them into trading halls, where they can be traded with for resources. The game, launched in 2009 by Mojang Studios, allows players to explore and build in an open-world environment. The construction of villager trading halls reflects themes of exploitation, likened to chattel slavery, as players seek enchantments through trading. Critics note that the game's mechanics mirror colonial ideologies and contemporary global supply chains. Techniques like update suppression enhance farming efficiency, suggesting a deeper layer of exploitation in gameplay. The villager trading hall serves as a processing puzzle, emphasizing the functional role of villagers rather than their individuality. The game encourages innovation and manipulation of reality within its grid-based structure, reflecting broader societal trends in technology and information.
A dev on Minecraft-like Hytale has already used its creative tools to make a homebrew side-scroller
AppWizard
January 12, 2026

A dev on Minecraft-like Hytale has already used its creative tools to make a homebrew side-scroller

Hytale, a standalone game inspired by Minecraft, is set to enter early access on January 13. It is developed by Hypixel Studios, founded by Simon Collins-Laflamme, and aims to provide players with extensive custom game creation tools. A level designer at the studio created a 2D side-scroller as a demonstration of the game's potential. The game will feature mechanics for object placement similar to an MMO housing system and include machinima-making tools. Hytale's development has been tumultuous, but it is expected to unleash a wave of creativity in the gaming community upon its launch.
Microsoft’s Windows 11 AI Integration Draws Backlash on Performance, Privacy Woes
Winsage
January 8, 2026

Microsoft’s Windows 11 AI Integration Draws Backlash on Performance, Privacy Woes

Microsoft's integration of artificial intelligence into Windows 11 has led to significant user dissatisfaction, with reports of sluggish performance, software bloating, and increased hardware strain. Users have experienced issues such as longer boot times, higher memory usage, and frequent glitches, particularly with features like Copilot, which disrupt multitasking. Outage trackers indicate surges in complaints about Microsoft Copilot, highlighting reliability issues. Concerns have also been raised about AI agents exhibiting hallucinations and security vulnerabilities, with users reporting risks of data leaks. Microsoft's claim that 30% of new Windows code is AI-generated has been met with skepticism due to persistent bugs. Hardware partners, such as Dell, have noted consumer disinterest in AI PCs, reflecting broader market hesitance. Privacy concerns have emerged regarding AI scanning user data, and internal reliance on AI for coding has led to notable errors. Security experts warn that deep AI integration could introduce new attack vectors. User feedback mechanisms have been criticized for slow responses, and there is a general call for AI tools that enhance rather than hinder user experience. Microsoft has adjusted its internal goals due to low demand for AI products, signaling a potential shift towards more user-centric updates.
"This new approach to world generation will redefine the block-game genre": Hytale lead declares "fundamental shift" in how artists and game designers tackle Minecraft-style worlds
AppWizard
January 6, 2026

“This new approach to world generation will redefine the block-game genre”: Hytale lead declares “fundamental shift” in how artists and game designers tackle Minecraft-style worlds

Hytale will enter early access next week, featuring a new "V1" world generation system developed from 2016 to 2020, with a "V2" system in progress since 2021. The V2 system aims to provide modders with intuitive tools for custom world generation without programming knowledge, using a node-based editor for real-time adjustments. The Hytale team is hiring over 15 world designers to enhance the game's handcrafted feel while maintaining procedural generation. The lead developer noted the project's remarkable turnaround from cancellation to a playable state in a short time.
'I'm over making other people really wealthy with my own creations': Fallout co-creator Tim Cain isn't interested in making a new IP or a sequel to one of his classic RPGs and, at this point, he's 'exasperated with the question'
AppWizard
January 4, 2026

‘I’m over making other people really wealthy with my own creations’: Fallout co-creator Tim Cain isn’t interested in making a new IP or a sequel to one of his classic RPGs and, at this point, he’s ‘exasperated with the question’

Tim Cain, the creator of the original Fallout, has been asked about the possibility of developing a new RPG or revisiting the Fallout franchise, as well as sequels to his other games like Arcanum and Temple of Elemental Evil. He has been active in the gaming industry since the 1990s, co-founding Troika Games and contributing to various projects, including Obsidian Entertainment's The Outer Worlds. Recently, he rejoined Obsidian full-time after previously serving as a consultant for The Outer Worlds 2. Currently, he is involved in non-lead design roles for several Obsidian titles and has contributed to games like South Park: The Stick of Truth, Tyranny, and Pillars of Eternity.
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