programming skills Archives

Tech Optimizer

December 25, 2025

Bernardo Quintero Uncovers Creator of Virus Málaga and Cybersecurity Legacy | Ukraine news

Bernardo Quintero sought to find the programmer behind the Virus Málaga, which had a significant impact on his life and career in cybersecurity. The virus, initially a piece of malware, sparked Quintero's interest in the field and led to the creation of VirusTotal, which was acquired by Google in 2012. This acquisition helped elevate Málaga as a tech hub in Europe. Quintero revisited the virus code and discovered a clue linking it to a programmer named Enrique, who was affectionately known as Kiki. He learned from Antonio Astorga, a source who passed away, that the virus contained a hidden message against the Basque terrorist group ETA. Astorga's legacy continues through his son, Serhiy, who has aspirations in cybersecurity and quantum computing.

AppWizard

December 7, 2025

This relaxing take on Civilization wrapped in Windows 2000 style just hit 1.0, it’s completely free, and I’m mesmerized

Civilization 7 has received 'mixed' reviews on Steam, contrasting with its predecessor's 'very positive' rating from over 100,000 reviews. CivIdle, developed by FishPond at Fish Pond Studio, is a leisurely version of Sid Meier's Civilization that allows players to guide civilizations through tech trees and engage in trade and warfare. It recently transitioned from patch 0.28 to 1.0. CivIdle features a minimalist aesthetic with a muted color palette and hex-based world, evoking nostalgia for early 2000s software. The game has nearly 50 recent reviews pushing it closer to a 'very positive' rating and is free to play, with optional purchases available for supporting the developer and unlocking cross-platform cloud saves. Future expansions are hinted at, including an interplanetary version.

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

Legendary game designer, programmer, Space Invaders champion, and LGBTQ trailblazer Rebecca Heineman has died

Rebecca Heineman, a pioneering figure in the gaming industry, passed away at the age of 62 following a recent cancer diagnosis. She was the first officially recognized U.S. champion of a video game, winning a national Space Invaders tournament in 1980. Over her career, she contributed to 67 games and was known for her programming skills, including porting titles like Wolfenstein 3D and Baldur's Gate. Heineman publicly embraced her identity as a transgender woman and was an advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion and diversity in technology. She faced an aggressive cancer diagnosis in early 2024, prompting her to seek support through GoFundMe for treatment costs. After her passing, tributes from the gaming community highlighted her contributions to foundational games and her kindness towards others.

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

February 13, 2025

Minecraft Engine Ported To GameCube & Dreamcast

The Flock of Meese's engine is designed to revitalize older gaming consoles like the Dreamcast, GameCube, and Wii by replicating the mechanics of Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 and evolving into a unique block-based game. The Dreamcast version operates at 30 FPS, while the GameCube version achieves 60 FPS, demonstrating performance optimization despite hardware limitations. The project aims to push programming boundaries and explore classic gaming systems, with plans for a distinct PC version that utilizes modern technology. Key features include optimized performance for older hardware, faithful replication of Minecraft mechanics, unique gameplay experiences, and enhanced graphics for the PC version.

AppWizard

April 17, 2024

Coding for Everyone: Android Apps Fuel Global Digital Literacy Boom

- The landscape of digital education is experiencing a transformation with an increase in Android apps designed to teach coding. - These apps offer courses in various programming languages and cater to users at different proficiency levels. - Popular Android coding apps include Mimo, Sololearn, Programming Hub, Programming Hero, Enki, Learn Python Programming, and GeeksforGeeks. - These apps have millions of downloads and offer comprehensive learning experiences in coding. - The popularity of educational Android apps for coding reflects a global movement towards digital literacy and the importance of programming skills in the modern world.