reliable systems Archives

Winsage

May 28, 2026

InPost locker caught shipping unactivated Windows

An InPost locker in High Wycombe displayed an "Activate Windows" message, indicating it was running an unactivated version of Windows. InPost, a Polish logistics company, operates over 14,000 automated lockers in the UK for parcel drop-off and collection. The incident highlights potential issues with software compatibility and the need for regular updates, as the locker may be vulnerable to bugs without activation.

Tech Optimizer

July 17, 2025

AWS Open-Sources pgactive PostgreSQL Extension

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched pgactive, an open-source extension for PostgreSQL that enables active-active replication, allowing databases to stream data asynchronously between instances. Announced in June 2025, pgactive was previously proprietary within AWS's Relational Database Service (RDS) and first appeared in late 2023. The extension supports conflict resolution and bidirectional data syncing, enhancing resiliency for high-availability applications. It is available under the Apache 2.0 license, encouraging community contributions and customization. Pgactive's architecture includes logical replication slots and customizable conflict handlers, essential for fault-tolerant systems. The open-source model promotes transparency and peer review, with potential integrations discussed in developer communities. The initiative aims to transform enterprise database replication and empower developers to innovate without vendor lock-in.

Winsage

April 4, 2024

“What we did here gives me goosebumps. We have shown that error correction is repeatable, it is working, and it is reliable”: Microsoft and Quantinuum scale new heights in quantum computing and error correction

Microsoft and Quantinuum successfully completed over 14,000 error-free experiments on a quantum computer, showcasing the potential for reliable quantum computations in future applications.