records Archives

Tech Optimizer

May 21, 2025

Achieve up to 1.7 times higher write throughput and 1.38 times better price performance with Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL on AWS Graviton4-based R8g instances

Upgrading to Graviton4-based R8g instances with Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible 17.4 in an Aurora I/O-Optimized cluster configuration results in significant performance improvements. The new instances provide up to 1.7 times higher write throughput, 1.38 times better price-performance, and reduce commit latency by up to 46% on r8g.16xlarge instances and 38% on r8g.2xlarge instances compared to Graviton2-based R6g instances. The Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition now supports AWS Graviton4-based R8g instances and PostgreSQL 17.4, which introduces performance enhancements for I/O-Optimized configurations, optimizing write operations and batch processing. R8g instances offer up to 192 vCPUs and 1.5 TB of memory, supporting larger configurations and providing up to 50 Gbps of network bandwidth. PostgreSQL 17 includes vacuum improvements, eliminates the need to drop logical replication slots during upgrades, and expands SQL/JSON standards. Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible separates compute from storage, enabling independent scaling and maintaining six-way replication for durability, while processing changes as log records to reduce I/O operations. Performance benchmarks using HammerDB show improvements in throughput and commit latency across various workloads. For small workloads on 2xlarge instance size, throughput increased by 50.25% and commit latency improved by 33.87%. For medium workloads on 16xlarge instance size, throughput increased by 30% and commit latency improved by 17.44%. The most significant performance benefits arise from combining hardware upgrades from Graviton2 to Graviton4 with database engine upgrades from PostgreSQL 15.10 to 17.4. For small workloads, throughput increased by 70% and commit latency improved by 38.71%. For medium workloads, throughput increased by 70% and commit latency improved by 46.67%. Cost efficiency is also enhanced, with a 38% improvement in price performance and a 61.26% improvement in price-performance ratio when comparing Graviton2 and Graviton4 instances. Reserved Instances for Graviton4-based R8g instances offer additional cost-optimization opportunities.

Winsage

May 21, 2025

Announcing new Microsoft Dataverse capabilities for multi-agent operations

Microsoft Dataverse is a secure and scalable platform that integrates enterprise data with agent functionalities, serving as the backbone for organizations to manage business and operational data. It powers Microsoft Copilot Studio, enabling developers to create agents that execute adaptive tasks while ensuring human oversight. Key features include AI-powered search, prompt columns for embedding generative AI, and the Dataverse Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, which transforms structured data into interactive knowledge for agents. The MCP server offers capabilities such as querying data, engaging with knowledge sources, creating/updating records, and executing custom prompts. Dataverse knowledge is integrated into Copilot Studio, connecting structured and unstructured data from various sources to create a unified knowledge network. Data in Dataverse is pre-indexed for near-real-time analytics, and integration with Microsoft Fabric allows for easy exploration of this data. Dynamics 365 data is now accessible within Microsoft 365 Copilot, streamlining workflows. New knowledge sources and connectors have been introduced, including Snowflake, SAP, and Confluence, enhancing agent capabilities. The Power Platform connector SDK simplifies the integration of external structured data into Power Apps and Dataverse. A centralized Tools hub in Copilot Studio allows for the management of reusable functionalities across agents. Additionally, three new managed agents are available in preview, designed to automate document workflows, generate executive briefs, and process inbound leads, facilitating quick implementation and scalability for organizations.

AppWizard

May 18, 2025

Czech mayor gifts $200 Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 collector’s edition to country’s Prime Minister, elevating the game alongside the Witcher 2 in the company of CRPG state gifts

Warhorse Studios, known for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, received recognition during a government visit in Kuttenberg, where Mayor Lukáš Seifert presented Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala with a Collector’s Edition of the game. This edition includes a detailed cloth map, a letter opener, a statue of the protagonist Henry on horseback, enamel pins, a crafted letter, and illuminated manuscript collectible cards. The presentation drew comparisons to a similar gift of The Witcher 2 given to former President Barack Obama, which included a bust of Geralt, a dice poker set, and an art book, all signed by the development team at CD Projekt Red. Prime Minister Fiala received a PS5 version of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, while Obama received a PC version. The game has been well-received, earning a 90% rating from PCG, which described it as "a new RPG classic."

AppWizard

May 15, 2025

Valve refutes reports of massive Steam hack

Valve addressed concerns about alleged breaches of user data, refuting claims of a significant hack involving Steam account information. The company clarified that reports of leaked two-factor authentication text messages do not indicate any compromise of its internal systems. The source of the leak is under investigation, and it involved older text messages containing one-time codes valid for 15 minutes, without linking phone numbers to Steam accounts or exposing sensitive information like passwords or payment details. Valve emphasized that old text messages cannot compromise account security and that attempts to change account details via SMS will trigger additional confirmation steps. Allegations from Underdark.ai about a dataset containing over 89 million Steam user records are questioned due to the low asking price for the data.

Tech Optimizer

May 14, 2025

Databricks buys serverless database startup Neon for reported $1B

Databricks Inc. has confirmed its acquisition of Neon Inc. for approximately billion. Databricks, based in San Francisco, was valued at billion after its last funding round. Neon specializes in managed cloud databases, has raised over million in funding, and utilizes a proprietary storage engine built on PostgreSQL. Neon's architecture allows for rapid deployment of database instances in under a second, which enhances performance for AI agents. The acquisition is expected to be finalized by July 31.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

PC gamers urged to change Steam password following breach of 89 million users’ data

Steam is facing a potential data breach that may affect millions of users, reportedly linked to a third-party company associated with Valve, its parent organization. Discussions indicate that Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) data may have been leaked, with a user claiming to sell over 89 million user records on a dark web forum for ,000. Twilio, a company mentioned in connection with the breach, has denied any wrongdoing, stating there is no evidence of a breach on their end. Users are advised to enable 2FA, change passwords, and monitor email accounts for suspicious activity to protect against potential phishing attacks and account takeovers.

Winsage

May 14, 2025

Microsoft Confirms Windows Upgrade Choice—You Must Now Decide

Microsoft has released a mandatory update for Windows 11, identified as “KB5058411,” which includes essential security fixes and introduces a new feature called Recall. Recall uses artificial intelligence to capture snapshots of the user's screen at regular intervals, creating a photographic memory of digital interactions. Users will be prompted to enable Recall during the installation of the May 2025 Windows 11 24H2 update, and opting in for the first time simplifies future re-enabling. However, enabling Recall raises privacy concerns, as it records activities and communications from secure messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Signal, potentially exposing sensitive information. A user reported that someone was able to access his entire PC history, including deleted messages, highlighting the vulnerabilities associated with the feature. Users are advised to carefully consider the implications of opting into Recall.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Waltz’s Use of Messaging Platform Raises New Security Questions

Michael Waltz, the former national security adviser, mistakenly included a journalist in a sensitive chat on Signal during a cabinet meeting, raising concerns about communication practices among senior officials. A photograph captured him using a different messaging app that promotes archiving for record-keeping, which raises compliance questions with federal regulations. Visible contacts on his screen included Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The use of encrypted messaging apps like Signal complicates the National Archives' role in preserving governmental records, highlighting the tension between secure communication and the need for transparency in government operations.

Winsage

May 9, 2025

Microsoft Confirms Upgrade Options For Windows Users With Old PCs

Microsoft has issued a warning to the 240 million Windows users still on Windows 10 that they will lose all security support for their PCs, urging them to upgrade to a secure Windows 11 PC, preferably the Copilot+ PC. While 500 million Windows 10 users can upgrade to Windows 11 for free, many face the choice of buying new hardware or operating without security updates. The deadline for Windows 10 support is set for October 14, 2025. Microsoft has been using full-screen pop-ups to encourage users to reconsider their setups, as only 20 million users engage with Copilot weekly compared to 400 million using ChatGPT. Despite this, Microsoft claims strong early reception for Copilot+ PCs, with 15% of premium laptops sold in the U.S. during the holiday quarter being Copilot+ models. A feature called Recall, which tracks user activity, raises privacy concerns for those considering the upgrade.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Waltz used Signal-like app at White House day before ouster as national security advisor

U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz was seen using a modified version of the messaging app Signal during a Cabinet meeting, despite President Donald Trump's prior discouragement of its use after the "Signalgate" controversy. A photograph showed Waltz with the app active and conversations involving at least six officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, indicating ongoing discussions. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly confirmed that Signal is an approved application for government use, and the modified version appeared to be associated with TeleMessage, a company that provides archiving services for messaging applications. This adaptation raises concerns about the integrity of Signal's end-to-end encryption due to potential external storage of messages, which could compromise privacy. TeleMessage has ties to military intelligence and was recently acquired by Smarsh. The use of Signal by Trump administration officials has been controversial in the past, particularly regarding military discussions that inadvertently involved a journalist.