reliability Archives

Winsage

June 23, 2025

Fixing your broken Windows 11 PC is about to get even harder

Windows 11, version 24H2, now retains System Restore points for up to 60 days after the June 2025 security update, an increase from the previous retention period of 10 days. This change aims to provide users with more time to address issues following installations or updates. Users can create a System Restore point by accessing the System Protection tab in the System Properties menu, enabling the feature, and naming the restore point. System Restore points allow users to revert their system to a previous state, offering a comprehensive backup solution for applications, files, and settings.

Tech Optimizer

June 21, 2025

New OLTP: Postgres With Separate Compute and Storage

Reynold Xin, co-founder of Databricks, highlighted the outdated nature of online transaction processing (OLTP) databases, which have not evolved significantly since the 1990s and face issues like over-provisioning and performance challenges. Databricks is introducing Lakebase, a product that separates compute from storage to enhance the efficiency of transactional databases, particularly for AI applications. Lakebase allows for instantaneous branching of databases, significantly improving workflow efficiency. Built on open-source Postgres, it supports various open storage formats and offers a copy-on-write capability to reduce costs. The separation of compute and storage is essential as streaming data becomes more integral to enterprises, enabling scalability and timely insights. Databricks aims to manage the entire data lifecycle, ensuring data remains within its ecosystem for rapid reporting and analytics. The integration of Lakebase with existing infrastructure enhances developer experience and operational maturity. The architecture supports extensive experimentation at minimal cost, fostering innovation. As AI agents become more prevalent, the focus on data evaluation and reliability will grow, necessitating a deeper examination of model accuracy.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Microsoft Axes Old Drivers, Sparks Compatibility Debate

Microsoft is removing outdated drivers from Windows Update to enhance system reliability and reduce security vulnerabilities. This initiative may disrupt users who rely on legacy hardware, as many older devices lack updated driver support from manufacturers. IT administrators face challenges in finding alternative drivers or workarounds for critical systems, as not all hardware vendors provide timely updates. The move reflects a broader trend of prioritizing security and efficiency over backward compatibility, raising concerns about the implications for users with integrated legacy systems. Critics suggest that Microsoft should offer clearer guidance and transitional support for affected users.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

Can we trust Google Maps to get us anywhere anymore?

The author experienced issues with Google Maps while driving home from a weekend retreat, where the app suggested two incorrect routes that would have taken them significantly off course. This raised concerns about the reliability of Google Maps, particularly in unfamiliar areas. A poll indicated that 6% of respondents felt Google Maps consistently gets them lost, 46% reported occasional issues, 39% found it reliable, and 9% do not use the app while driving.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

How Uniphore achieved 30% cost savings by modernizing Windows servers on AWS

Uniphore is an AI innovation company that faced challenges with its legacy Windows Server infrastructure, which was costly and raised security concerns due to its end-of-support status. To modernize, Uniphore utilized Amazon Web Services (AWS) for containerization and cloud-native solutions, achieving a 30% reduction in costs and improved operational capabilities. The migration involved transitioning from 50 bare-metal Windows Server 2008 R2 instances to a Linux environment on AWS, optimizing call-center analytics workloads and enabling better training of large language models. The modernization strategy included three key areas: application modernization through refactoring and containerization, a custom data migration solution using Type 2 hypervisor technology, and a cloud infrastructure setup with Amazon EC2, Amazon EKS, Amazon EFS, and Amazon S3. The migration was executed in three phases: deploying the hypervisor and DataSync agent, secure data migration and validation, and production cutover with application deployment. Best practices adopted during the process included Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with Terraform, CI/CD pipelines using GitLab, comprehensive monitoring with DATADOG and CloudWatch, and enforcement of AWS Backup policies. The modernization resulted in benefits such as improved scalability and performance, flexibility and portability of applications, enhanced security and compliance, efficient data management, reduced operational overhead, and significant cost savings.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

X Rolls Out XChat: New Messaging to Challenge WhatsApp

XChat is an integrated instant messaging feature within X (formerly Twitter) designed to offer various communication options, including voice and video calls, file sharing, image sending, voice messages, and vanishing messages. It is accessible on mobile for both free users and X Premium subscribers, although some advanced features require a subscription. XChat includes encryption, disappearing messages, and the ability to send any file type. Unlike existing direct messages (DMs) on X, XChat offers more advanced features such as unsending messages and group chats. Security is emphasized, with XChat built on Rust and utilizing a "Bitcoin-style encryption system," though it does not guarantee end-to-end encryption. Key features of XChat include disappearing messages, message unsending, group chats, and audio/video calls without the need for a phone number. Currently in beta, XChat aims to enhance connectivity for brands and digital marketers on the platform. The unique advantage of XChat is its integration with X, allowing for a centralized experience combining social media and messaging functionalities.

Winsage

June 18, 2025

Microsoft broke DHCP for Windows Server last Patch Tuesday

Microsoft has acknowledged that the updates released on June 10 during Patch Tuesday may disrupt the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) service on Windows Server versions 2025, 2022, 2019, and 2016. The DHCP Server service might intermittently stop responding after installing this security update, causing issues for network administrators as clients may be unable to renew their IP addresses. There is currently no viable workaround for affected users other than rolling back the patch, which is not ideal due to the critical security fixes included in the update. The impact of this issue varies among users, with some experiencing significant problems while others report no disruptions. Microsoft is working on a resolution and will provide further information soon. Additionally, Microsoft has faced challenges with its Surface Hub v1 devices, requiring an out-of-band update.

Winsage

June 16, 2025

Microsoft has disabled a ‘key feature’ to enhance Windows security – The Times of India

Microsoft updated the Windows Hello face unlock functionality in April, which now fails to operate in low-light environments due to a strategic decision aimed at addressing a spoofing vulnerability. Users of Surface Laptops have reported frustrations as they can no longer access their devices using facial recognition in dark rooms. The update requires color cameras to see a visible face when signing in. Researchers from Nanyang Technological University identified a vulnerability in the system that allowed unauthorized access, although Microsoft categorized it as "important" and stated the likelihood of exploitation remains low. A temporary workaround for users is to disable the webcam through Windows 11's Device Manager, but this renders the camera unusable for other applications.

AppWizard

June 15, 2025

These are the subscriptions I actually don’t mind paying for

FlightRadar24 offers a Gold subscription that provides features like bookmarking flights, accessing airport and flight histories for up to a year, and real-time weather layers. Meteogram Weather Widget's Pro version allows extensive customization and monitoring of weather conditions over various time frames, making it valuable for unpredictable weather. NordVPN is favored for its ease of use and reliability across multiple devices, justifying its annual fee for online privacy. F1TV provides access to live races and past events, with the Pro tier offering enhanced viewing features like timing and telemetry. Netflix's 4K tier enhances the viewing experience, maintaining its status as a popular streaming service despite rising costs. Spotify is a leading music streaming service, with the Duo plan allowing two users to share a subscription, catering to diverse musical tastes. Google One offers a 200GB plan for backing up files and photos, which can be shared within a family group, making it a convenient choice. OsmAnd Maps+ Annual is an open-source app beneficial for exploring off-the-beaten-path routes, with its annual fee justified by its functionality during road trips.

Tech Optimizer

June 14, 2025

Striim Announces Neon Serverless Postgres Support with Databricks

The integration of real-time data for AI applications is crucial, but traditional ETL processes can introduce latency and complexity. Open-source Postgres is a popular choice for developers, and Neon has developed an AI-driven approach to database creation. Databricks has launched Lakebase, a managed Postgres database, after acquiring Neon. Striim has expanded its Postgres offerings to facilitate high-throughput ingestion from Neon into Databricks for real-time analytics and enables rapid data delivery from legacy systems into Neon. This allows for seamless data flow for AI applications, including support for real-time ingestion, Change Data Capture (CDC), and event streaming from Apache Kafka. Striim's platform supports operational data replication from various traditional systems and upholds data governance with AI-driven PII detection. This expansion enhances partnerships with Databricks and supports real-time SQL Server data access.