recognition Archives

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Watch: Fetal development model created in Minecraft

Sara Leonard's video, "The Cubed Sphere," which models fetal development using Minecraft, won the top honor in the 3D visual art category of the 2024 "Create | Encounter" contest hosted by Rehumanize International. Rehumanize International is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting peace and human dignity. The "Create | Encounter" contest invites artists to engage with issues surrounding human dignity and encourages dialogue through creative works.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Microsoft patches the patch that put Windows 11 in a coma

Microsoft has released a fix for a recent patch that caused some Windows 11 PCs to enter recovery mode due to an error code linked to the May Patch Tuesday update. The issue primarily affected virtual boxes and some physical devices, displaying the message: "Your PC/Device needs to be repaired. The operating system couldn't be loaded because a required file is missing or contains errors. File: ACPI.sys. Error code: 0xc0000098." The fix, identified as KB5062170, does not address an ongoing issue with Noto fonts, where CJK characters appear blurry in Chromium browsers at 100 percent scaling. Users can temporarily adjust the scaling to 125 or 150 percent to mitigate this problem. Microsoft has faced similar challenges with out-of-band fixes in the past, affecting both Windows 10 and Windows Server.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

The worst part of Elden Ring Nightreign, like all multiplayer games, is that you need to rely on the kindness and intelligence of strangers

A player in Elden Ring reflected on their gaming experience while lying in the sand, feeling defeated after their teammates focused on attacking Gnoster, leaving them behind. They expressed a desire for a voice chat feature to communicate with their last standing teammate and noted the challenges of multiplayer dynamics. The player acknowledged both the frustrations and joys of teamwork, emphasizing the benefits of strategizing with friends during boss encounters. They mentioned FromSoftware's efforts to address single-player mode difficulties and remained hopeful for improved communication options in the game. The player continues their quest, seeking friends to share the gaming experience.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

89-year-old Skyrim Grandma starts streaming Oblivion Remastered, has to deal with its mystifying lockpicking minigame and ‘absolutely ugly movement’ just like we did in 2006

Shirley Curry, known as Skyrim Grandma, has started playing Oblivion at the age of 87, having been a prominent figure in the Skyrim YouTube community for over a decade. Born in 1936, she has gained recognition from Bethesda for her engaging roleplaying videos. In her new adventure through Cyrodiil, she showcases her spirited approach to gaming, exploring gameplay mechanics and sharing her experiences with viewers. Her journey reflects a nostalgic return to a game she first played in 2006. Curry's enthusiasm and unique perspective foster a sense of camaraderie among her audience, highlighting that age does not limit one's passion for gaming.

AppWizard

June 1, 2025

Painkiller RTX is a path-traced upgrade to a classic but almost forgotten shooter

Nvidia's RTX Remix is a tool that allows game modders to enhance classic PC games with path-traced visuals. One notable project is the transformation of the 2004 game Painkiller into Painkiller RTX, currently at version 0.1.6. This project utilizes a custom rendering technology called PainEngine, replacing the original Direct X 8.1 rendering with a path tracer, resulting in improved visuals such as real-time shadows and moving lights. The gameplay retains its fast-paced action focus, with enhanced mechanics through Havok physics, allowing for dynamic interactions with the environment. Painkiller RTX features significant upgrades in lighting, including dynamic lighting that interacts with moving objects and improved texture quality using Quixel megascan assets. However, the path-tracing technology requires robust hardware for optimal performance, and even mid-range GPUs like the RTX 4060 may struggle with frame rates during intense gameplay.

Tech Optimizer

June 1, 2025

Bitdefender vs. Norton: Which Antivirus Titan Reigns Supreme for Your Digital Safety?

Bitdefender was established in 1996 and rebranded in 2001, becoming the most popular mobile antivirus in North and South America in 2022. Norton was founded in 1982 and became well-known after Symantec's acquisition. Bitdefender achieves over 98% detection rates online and offline, with five false positives in tests, while Norton exceeds 99% online and 97% offline but has a higher false positive rate. Bitdefender offers a configurable firewall in its Total Security package, while Norton provides a customizable firewall across all products. Bitdefender lacks identity theft protection in its core offerings but offers a separate service, while Norton includes comprehensive identity theft protection in its highest tier. Bitdefender includes a VPN with a 200MB daily cap, while Norton offers an unlimited VPN in most tiers. Bitdefender features an integrated password manager without two-factor authentication, while Norton allows credential sharing and has standalone options. Bitdefender provides basic parental controls, while Norton includes additional features like GPS tracking. Bitdefender enhances its packages with a file shredder and vulnerability scanner, while Norton offers SafeCam and Dark Web Monitoring. Bitdefender is known for resource efficiency, receiving awards for performance, while Norton also received recognition for its performance. Bitdefender has an easy-to-navigate interface, while Norton has a more complex interface. In AV-Comparatives tests, Bitdefender slightly surpassed Norton in offline detection and online protection rates. Bitdefender pricing starts at approximately .99/year for one device, while Norton starts at .99/year for one device as well.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

Epic Games is giving away two great PC games for free! Have you picked them up yet?

The Epic Games Store is offering free PC games this week, including Limbo and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, available until next Thursday at 16:59 p.m. Limbo features black and white graphics, minimalistic storytelling without text or dialogue, and a tense atmosphere as players navigate traps and puzzles. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands is set in the Borderlands universe with a fantasy twist, combining shooter and RPG elements, featuring colorful gameplay, absurd enemies, and humor, with Ashly Burch voicing Tiny Tina.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

The best password managers for Android of 2025: Expert tested

Safeguarding personal information like login credentials and credit card details is crucial for Android users, and a password manager is essential for generating and securely storing strong, unique passwords. Bitwarden is highlighted as the best free password manager due to its open-source nature and robust encryption, allowing unlimited credential syncing across devices. It features autofill, secure note storage, a password generator, encrypted sharing, biometric unlock, and passkey support. 1Password is recommended for its user-friendly interface and security features, offering a library of over 20 credential types, autofill capabilities, and a feature called Watchtower for security alerts. It requires a subscription after a 14-day trial. Keeper is noted for its user-friendly onboarding process and enterprise-level security, accommodating various record types and offering features like account recovery and offline access, but it may be less appealing for budget-conscious users. Proton Pass, an open-source option from the creators of Proton VPN and Proton Mail, emphasizes privacy and offers features like password health alerts and hide-my-email aliases, although it currently lacks some functionalities of more established managers. Overall, Bitwarden is the top choice for cost-effective password management, while 1Password is recognized for its user experience.

Winsage

May 24, 2025

Best Windows apps this week

Microsoft has open-sourced the Windows Subsystem for Linux to improve Linux integration within the Windows environment. This week, there are various discounts on new applications and games available on the Microsoft Store. Notable new or improved applications include: - Edit: An open-source application from Microsoft, currently available as a standalone tool, designed for 64-bit Windows users with basic functionality and support for multiple file operations. - Everything: A search application that outperforms Windows Search, with the latest version enhancing defenses against DLL hijacking. - Fixyfier: A lightweight utility that provides access to essential repair features for troubleshooting and optimizing Windows systems.

Winsage

May 24, 2025

Tired of lag? Get Windows 11 Pro for life for just $15.

A lifetime license for Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, offering a discount off the standard retail price. The promotion ends on June 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Windows 11 Pro features improved voice typing, enhanced search experience, Snap Layouts, DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming, virtual desktops, and an AI assistant called Copilot. It includes advanced security features such as biometric login, smart app control, encrypted authentication, and advanced antivirus defenses. System requirements include a minimum of 4GB of RAM, 40GB of hard drive space, an existing operating system of Windows 10 or higher, and a processor speed of at least 1GHz.