Python Archives

Winsage

August 6, 2025

Microsoft brings OpenAI’s smallest open model to Windows users

Microsoft has integrated OpenAI’s GPT model, gpt-oss-20b, into its Windows AI Foundry platform, allowing Windows 11 users to access advanced AI capabilities from their desktops. The model is optimized for agentic tasks and is compatible with consumer PCs and laptops with a minimum of 16GB of VRAM. gpt-oss-20b is a text-only model with a 53% hallucination rate on OpenAI’s PersonQA benchmark. Microsoft plans to extend its availability to macOS and other devices, and both gpt-oss-20b and its predecessor will be accessible through Microsoft’s Azure AI Foundry and Amazon’s AWS.

Winsage

August 6, 2025

OpenAI open weight models now available on AWS

AWS has introduced two new OpenAI models with open weights, the gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b, available through Amazon Bedrock and Amazon SageMaker JumpStart. These models are designed for text generation and reasoning tasks, excelling in coding, scientific analysis, and mathematical reasoning, with performance comparable to leading alternatives. They support a context window of 128K and adjustable reasoning levels (low, medium, high). Users can access these models via an OpenAI-compatible endpoint in Bedrock, utilizing the OpenAI SDK or Bedrock APIs for integration. To access the models in Amazon Bedrock, users must request access through the console and can evaluate them using the Chat/Test playground. The process for using the OpenAI SDK involves configuring the API endpoint and authentication with an Amazon Bedrock API key. Users can build AI agents using frameworks that support the Amazon Bedrock API or OpenAI API, with deployment facilitated by Amazon Bedrock AgentCore. The OpenAI models are available in the US West (Oregon) region through Amazon Bedrock and in the US East (Ohio, N. Virginia) and Asia Pacific (Mumbai, Tokyo) regions via SageMaker JumpStart. Each model provides full chain-of-thought output capabilities for enhanced interpretability. They can be modified and customized to meet specific needs, and security measures are in place to ensure robust evaluation processes. Compatibility with the standard GPT-4 tokenizer is also included. For cost details, users can refer to the Amazon Bedrock and SageMaker AI pricing pages.

Tech Optimizer

August 5, 2025

Building a job search engine with PostgreSQL’s advanced search features

Job search platforms connect employers and candidates through advanced search engines that analyze structured and unstructured data. These platforms require robust database technologies for executing complex queries, full-text and semantic searches, and geospatial functionalities. A modern job search engine consists of a data repository that stores job listings and candidate profiles, and a search engine that facilitates bidirectional searches. Key features of an effective job search engine include: - **Full-text search**: Provides lexical matching for job titles and skills, supporting exact phrase matching and typo-tolerant searches. - **Semantic search**: Uses vector-based similarity to understand context and relationships beyond literal terms. - **Geospatial search**: Incorporates geographic considerations to find opportunities within specific distances. PostgreSQL serves as both a data repository and search engine, supporting full-text search, semantic search via the pgvector extension, and geospatial queries using the PostGIS extension. The job search engine utilizes PostgreSQL to manage job listings and candidate profiles, enabling real-time searches across millions of entries. The data model for a job search engine includes tables for jobs and resumes, with columns for full-text search vectors, semantic vectors, and geographical locations. PostgreSQL's full-text search capabilities include tokenization, dictionaries for language-aware parsing, and ranking functions for relevance. Advanced features such as proximity search, simple and weighted ranking, and fuzzy matching enhance search accuracy. Vector embeddings represent text in high-dimensional space, allowing for semantic searches that recognize similar roles or skills. PostgreSQL supports vector similarity searches with specialized indexing methods like IVFFlat and HNSW for efficient querying. Geospatial search capabilities in PostgreSQL enable location-aware job searches, allowing candidates to find jobs within commuting distances. Combining different search techniques, such as full-text and semantic searches, provides more relevant results. Performance optimization features in PostgreSQL address challenges related to computational complexity, indexing overhead, and concurrent query loads. The architecture discussed is applicable to various applications beyond job search platforms, including e-commerce, real estate, content recommendation systems, travel, and healthcare provider matching.

Winsage

July 13, 2025

Windows-MCP does everything Copilot+ wishes it did, without Microsoft (and it’s not even good)

Microsoft's Copilot has transformed into a conventional AI assistant, disappointing some users who expected seamless integration with Windows. In response, a third-party solution called Windows-MCP has emerged, utilizing advanced language models like Anthropic's Claude to help users manage their PCs. Setting up Windows-MCP requires Python 3.13 or newer, the Claude desktop app, the UV package manager for Python, Node.js, and Git. Once installed, users can execute commands using text, but Claude's permission requirements can disrupt command flow. During testing, Claude successfully opened and closed browsers, launched applications, and summarized web content, though the free plan limits interactions. Users have reported that the time taken for Claude to execute commands can be longer than performing tasks manually, and bugs have been noted, including issues with browser profiles. Despite its current limitations, Windows-MCP showcases the potential for AI to enhance user interaction with technology.

AppWizard

July 11, 2025

6 free Android apps I use to learn something new every day

Megan Ellis reflects on her educational journey, transitioning from a childhood interest in encyclopedias to using modern learning apps. She navigates various platforms to learn in bite-sized lessons due to time constraints. In a poll, 75% of respondents use only one learning app at a time, with none using multiple simultaneously, and 25% do not use any learning apps. 1. Mimo is a coding app that offers concise lessons tailored to individual learning paths. Ellis is taking an introductory Python course to enhance her coding skills. 2. Drops is a vocabulary app for language learning that allows users to select specific topics. It has a daily time limit unless users subscribe to a premium version. Ellis uses it to supplement her Mandarin vocabulary. 3. The Vocabulary app helps users expand their English vocabulary by allowing them to choose types of words to learn, including slang. It sends daily notifications and has a home screen widget for reminders. 4. Primer requires a subscription or scholarship for access. Ellis received a scholarship and explores short lessons in computer science and other topics of interest. 5. Reddit provides value through its communities, where Ellis joins subreddits related to her professional interests and other topics like zoology and history. 6. The Facts app offers daily trivia tailored to user interests, with customizable topics and a widget for easy access. Some content is subscription-based, but it aligns with her desire for quick learning experiences.

Tech Optimizer

July 9, 2025

Query Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL using Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases structured data

Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases has introduced a fully managed Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) feature that connects large language models (LLMs) with internal data sources, enhancing the relevance and accuracy of responses by integrating contextual information from private datasets. During AWS re:Invent 2024, it was announced that this feature now supports natural language querying for structured data retrieval from Amazon Redshift and Amazon SageMaker Lakehouse, allowing generative AI applications to access both structured and unstructured data sources. The system converts user queries into SQL queries using natural language processing, enabling data retrieval without requiring users to know SQL syntax. Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases currently supports structured data retrieval from Amazon Redshift and SageMaker Lakehouse. Although direct support for Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible is not available, users can utilize zero-ETL integration between Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible and Amazon Redshift to make their data accessible. This integration replicates Aurora PostgreSQL tables to Amazon Redshift in near real-time, simplifying data management. To enable natural language querying of structured application data stored in Aurora, organizations can set up an Aurora PostgreSQL database, create a schema with interconnected tables (products, customers, and orders), and populate these tables with sample data while maintaining referential integrity. Subsequently, they can establish zero-ETL integration with Amazon Redshift, which involves creating a Redshift Serverless workgroup and mapping the database for synchronization. Once the zero-ETL integration is verified, organizations can create an Amazon Bedrock knowledge base for natural language querying. This requires granting appropriate permissions to the Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) role and ensuring the knowledge base is synchronized with Amazon Redshift. After setting up the knowledge base, users can execute natural language queries, which are translated into SQL and processed to generate human-readable responses. Examples of queries include counting unique customers and identifying customers who have purchased the most products. Finally, it is recommended to clean up resources after use to avoid ongoing charges.

AppWizard

July 7, 2025

I stored files inside of Minecraft, and here’s how it works

Files are collections of data stored in a single container, often identified by their extensions. In Minecraft, data can be represented using wool blocks, where each block corresponds to a specific hex digit, allowing for the storage of bytes. A mapping was created to associate hex digits with wool colors, enabling data encoding and decoding within the game. An encoder script generates an "mcfunction" file for efficient block placement, while a decoder reads the wool matrix from the game world using the Amulet library. The process involves defining coordinates and dimensions for the wool matrix, and successful decoding reveals the original encoded message. This project demonstrates the versatility of data representation, though it is not intended for practical use.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Microsoft’s big lie: Your computer is fine (and you don’t need to buy a new one)

Microsoft is set to end support for Windows 10 on October 14, despite it being the most widely used version of the operating system, with a market share of 52.94%. Windows 11, which has stricter installation requirements, is being promoted as the necessary upgrade, leaving many users feeling pressured to transition or risk their computers becoming non-functional. The upgrade prompts lack a "Never show again" option, which has raised concerns about user trust. Microsoft’s push for new hardware contributes to the growing issue of electronic waste. Alternatives for users include Linux Mint, which is user-friendly and can run on older hardware, and methods to bypass Windows 11's installation requirements. Tools like Windows 11 Debloat and O&O ShutUp can help users regain control over their systems.

AppWizard

June 21, 2025

Final Destination: Bloodlines, A Minecraft Movie, Love Me, and every new movie to watch this weekend

Polygon has curated a selection of new streaming and video-on-demand releases. - Final Destination: Bloodlines marks the return of the horror franchise after nearly 15 years, directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, and is now available for rent. - A Minecraft Movie, a fantasy comedy directed by Jared Hess, features Jason Momoa and is available on Max. - KPop Demon Hunters, a family musical directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, introduces a K-pop trio as demon hunters and is available on Netflix. - Out Come the Wolves, a horror thriller directed by Adam MacDonald, involves a couples hunting trip gone wrong and is available on Hulu. - The Quiet Ones, an action thriller directed by Frederik Louis Hviid, is based on Denmark's largest heist. - Love Me, a post-apocalyptic romance directed by Sam Zuchero and Andy Zuchero, features Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun and is available on Paramount Plus. - Monty Python and the Holy Grail celebrates its 50th anniversary with a special event, featuring a 24-hour stream on Shout TV and Shout Movies. - Ash, a science fiction horror film directed by Flying Lotus, stars Eiza González and Aaron Paul and is available on Shudder. - Eye for an Eye, a horror film directed by Colin Tilley, follows a teenager facing a vengeful spirit. - Friendship, a black comedy directed by Andrew DeYoung, explores adult relationships through the experiences of two neighbors. - A psychological thriller featuring Willem Dafoe as an art thief trapped in a penthouse unfolds as a darkly humorous reflection on survival.

Tech Optimizer

June 3, 2025

Misspell one word and you’re infected: New malware campaign fools developers on both Windows and Linux

Cybersecurity experts have highlighted the risks of typosquatting, where developers accidentally download malicious packages due to typographical errors. A report from Checkmarx reveals that attackers exploit this trust by creating counterfeit packages that can grant unauthorized access to systems. Malicious packages have been found in the Python Package Index (PyPI) and can enable remote control, posing serious threats to system integrity. Attackers employ a cross-platform strategy, mixing names from different programming environments to target unsuspecting users. On Windows, malware can create scheduled tasks and disable antivirus protections, while on Linux, certain packages facilitate encrypted reverse shells for data exfiltration. Although the malicious packages have been removed, the threat remains, prompting developers to verify package sources and spellings. Checkmarx recommends organizations conduct audits of deployed packages and scrutinize application code to enhance security.