resource usage Archives

Tech Optimizer

April 5, 2025

I put Trend Micro and McAfee antivirus in a head to head showdown – here’s how it went

McAfee and Trend Micro are two antivirus software options with distinct features. Specifications: - McAfee costs per year for a single user; Trend Micro starts at per year for 2 adults and 4 children. - McAfee supports Windows 10 and 11; Trend Micro supports Windows 8.1 to 11. - Malware protection is rated as good for McAfee and adequate for Trend Micro. - Both do not offer backup software. - System resource usage is light to heavy for both. Costs and Coverage: - Both do not have a free tier but offer a 30-day trial. - Trend Micro's entry-level Antivirus + Security is priced at , while McAfee's Basic plan typically retails for for a single device. - Trend Micro offers packages for 3 devices, 5 systems, and 10 systems, while McAfee's plans cover up to two adults and four children. Antivirus Protection: - Trend Micro uses heuristic behavioral analysis, while McAfee employs cloud-based infrastructure and machine learning. - Both provide periodic updates, but McAfee features Ransom Guard for monitoring file changes. Antivirus Performance: - McAfee has a 99.8% protection rate; Trend Micro has a 98.1% rate. - McAfee has fewer false positives (10) compared to Trend Micro (76). Security and Privacy Features: - Trend Micro includes a Firewall Booster; McAfee emphasizes phishing protection and personal data privacy. Performance and System Impact: - Trend Micro has minimal impact on system resources; McAfee uses more resources during scans. Interface: - Trend Micro's interface is user-friendly; McAfee's interface is simplified but less customizable. Installation and Support: - McAfee's installation takes under five minutes; Trend Micro's takes over twelve minutes. - McAfee offers 24/7 support; Trend Micro's support is limited to business hours unless on a premium plan. Overall, McAfee is rated higher in performance and features, while Trend Micro is noted for its efficient resource management and user-friendly interface.

Tech Optimizer

March 19, 2025

7 Reasons PostgreSQL is a Great Choice for AI Projects

PostgreSQL, or Postgres, is increasingly recognized as a leading choice for AI projects due to its strong integration capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. It supports vector similarity search essential for AI tasks through extensions like pgvector, which simplifies storage and querying of vectors. The latest pgvector version 0.8.0 introduced enhancements such as iterative index scans and improved cost estimation. PostgreSQL optimizes query performance with various index types, including B-tree, Hash, BRIN, GiST, and SP-GiST indexes, and allows for custom index creation. It also features native JSON and NoSQL capabilities, enabling efficient handling of semi-structured data. Parallel processing and query execution are supported, allowing faster data processing on multi-core machines. Scalable and distributed computing options are available, including Multi-Master Asynchronous Replication and Multi-Master Sharded PostgreSQL, catering to the growing demand for AI applications. PostgreSQL ensures AI data security and compliance through Access Control Lists, Row Level Security, and Transparent Data Encryption. Its open-source nature allows for flexibility and integration with AI frameworks, making it a cost-effective alternative to proprietary databases. PostgreSQL was recognized as the Most Popular Database in the 2024 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, reflecting its strong adoption and evolving capabilities in AI projects.

Tech Optimizer

March 13, 2025

Maximize Your Data Security With the Best Antivirus for Windows in 2025

Antivirus software should effectively block malware threats and receive regular updates. It is advisable to choose software with high ratings from reputable labs like AV-Test. The software should not consume excessive system resources, and personal testing through free trials is recommended. Antivirus solutions monitor user activities to identify and neutralize threats, prioritizing user privacy by anonymizing data and not selling it. Many providers offer bundled services, including ransomware protection, phishing protection, password managers, VPNs, safe browsing tools, parental controls, and identity theft protection. While bundles can save time and money, individual tools may be more suitable for specific needs. Leading antivirus solutions for Windows often extend protection to Android, iOS, and MacOS, though some features may be limited on non-Windows platforms. Initial discounts for antivirus solutions may lead to higher renewal prices, and plans typically cater to multiple devices, with options for single or dual-device plans available.

Winsage

March 11, 2025

8 reasons to stop using Windows Search and use Everything instead

The search functionality in Windows 11 has been improved, but users may still experience slow performance or difficulty finding files. An alternative is Everything, a free utility by Voidtools that efficiently finds files and folders by indexing their names and continuously tracking changes. It has a lightweight design that minimizes resource usage, making it suitable for older PCs. Everything provides almost instantaneous search results by indexing the entire local drive, displays hidden files by default, and offers easy installation. It features real-time indexing, allowing immediate updates when files are modified, and has a portable version for use on different computers. Additionally, Everything can index network drives for efficient searches across shared devices. It is free to use, ad-free, and does not contain bloatware, with donations accepted to support the developer.

Winsage

March 4, 2025

Available today: DeepSeek R1 7B & 14B distilled models for Copilot+ PCs via Azure AI Foundry – further expanding AI on the edge

Microsoft is launching the DeepSeek R1 7B and 14B distilled models via Azure AI Foundry, following the introduction of NPU-optimized versions of the DeepSeek-R1 1.5B model for Copilot+ PCs. These models will be available on Copilot+ PCs powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X, Intel Core Ultra 200V, and AMD Ryzen processors. The NPUs in these PCs can execute over 40 trillion operations per second and are designed for efficient local AI model execution, minimizing battery and resource consumption. The DeepSeek models utilize 4-bit block-wise quantization and int4 per-channel quantization for enhanced performance. Developers can access all distilled variants of the DeepSeek models through the AI Toolkit VS Code extension, allowing for local deployment and experimentation. Copilot+ PCs combine local computing capabilities with Azure's resources, facilitating a new paradigm of continuous computing for AI applications.

Winsage

March 3, 2025

5 reasons to use Process Explorer instead of the default Task Manager on Windows

Process Explorer is a tool from the Sysinternals Suite that serves as an alternative to the Windows Task Manager, providing advanced system monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities. It offers detailed information about processes, including paths and descriptions, and allows users to inspect or delete files. The tool integrates with VirusTotal to scan running processes for malware, provides real-time monitoring of CPU, GPU, RAM, and I/O activity with precise graphs, and enables users to forcefully kill stubborn processes or terminate entire process trees. Additionally, it helps users identify which processes are using locked files, facilitating better file management.

Tech Optimizer

February 27, 2025

What’s New in Postgres Pro Enterprise 17: From Proxima to Intelligent Data Management

Proxima integrates connection pooling, query proxying, and load balancing into the Postgres Pro Enterprise DBMS, enhancing efficiency and minimizing latency. It establishes multiple connections for client sessions, optimizes resource usage, and alleviates server burdens. Proxima redirects client queries to the leader node in a BiHA cluster, automating cluster topology management. Load balancing is under development to prevent overload on replicas. The pgpro_queue extension facilitates asynchronous message processing directly within the database, ensuring transactionality, prioritization, filtering, and reliable message storage. Postgres Pro 17 Enterprise introduces enhanced query plan management tools, including the pgpro_multiplan extension for storing multiple execution plans and a query registration assistant for managing queries. Adaptive Query Execution (AQE) and Adaptive Query Optimization (AQO Enterprise) improve complex query execution by dynamically rescheduling long-running queries and correcting planner errors based on execution history. Security enhancements include the pgpro_usage extension for tracking database object usage and identifying unnecessary access rights. The pgpro_ilm extension automates storage optimization by relocating rarely accessed data and compressing it. Infrastructure improvements include BiHA enhancements, multimaster support, and improved management of partitioned tables, along with the updated PPEM 2.0 for better UI and automatic instance tuning.

Winsage

February 18, 2025

5 reasons you shouldn’t use Windows as a NAS OS

The author transformed a mini PC into a basic Network Attached Storage (NAS) solution using a standard Windows installation. While Windows can work for simple setups, it is generally inefficient for NAS due to its resource usage, lack of native ZFS support, forced updates, complicated Docker and VM management, and clunky remote access. Windows runs unnecessary background services that consume RAM and storage, while dedicated NAS software optimizes performance. Windows does not support ZFS natively, which is beneficial for data integrity and features like compression and encryption. Windows updates can disrupt services due to their unpredictable nature, unlike dedicated NAS systems that allow for scheduled updates. Managing Docker containers or virtual machines is more complex on Windows compared to Linux, which is better suited for these tasks. Remote access on Windows requires cumbersome setups, while Linux offers easier SSH access and web interfaces for management.

Winsage

February 12, 2025

Windows 11 Patch Tuesday tweaks taskbar and adds handy icon in system tray for AI effects

Windows 11's latest Patch Tuesday updates include several enhancements and fixes: - Taskbar: Improved visual previews and smoother animations for taskbar applications. - Windows Studio Effects: New system tray icon for applications using Windows Studio Effects, with access to the Studio Effects page in Quick Settings. - Fonts: Introduction of Simsun-ExtG, a new simplified Chinese font supporting 9,753 ideographs. - File Explorer: New "New Folder" option in the context menu, restoration of previously open tabs, automatic activation of specific settings, and several fixes related to search functionality and icon updates. - Settings: Users can change time zones without administrative privileges. - Mouse: Fixed issues with cursor disappearance, transparency, and performance. - Pinyin IME: Bug fix for language switching. - Snipping Tool: Resolved distortion issues for multi-monitor screenshots. - Microsoft Excel 2016: Fixed loading screen issue for certain files. - Game Bar: Fixed recording failure issue. - HDR: Corrected oversaturation issues in some games. - DAC: Fixed playback issues with USB audio devices. - USB audio device drivers: Resolved code 10 error message. - Chinese Pinyin IME: Bing no longer provides automatic suggestions for certain search engines. - USB cameras: Fixed recognition issues post-January 2025 security update. - Passkey: Eliminated one-minute timeout for mobile device passkeys. - Power: Improved shutdown times with connected controllers. - Wi-Fi: Resolved unresponsive Windows Security dialog when signing into certain networks.

Winsage

February 11, 2025

9 SysInternals tools that should be built into Windows

Windows is a popular operating system known for its versatility but often lacks advanced troubleshooting and system monitoring tools. SysInternals is a suite of utilities developed by Microsoft for power users and IT professionals, offering enhanced control over systems. Key tools in the SysInternals suite include: - Process Explorer (procexp.exe): Provides a detailed overview of running processes, including resource usage and file access, and allows users to identify locked files and potential malware. - Process Monitor (procmon.exe): Records file system, registry, and process activities in real-time, with filtering options to diagnose performance issues and application errors. - Autoruns (autoruns.exe): Displays all startup programs and processes, allowing users to disable or delete unnecessary entries to improve performance and security. - TCPView (tcpview.exe): Shows active TCP and UDP connections, detailing which processes are using network connections, enabling users to manage network activity. - SDelete (sdelete.exe): A command-line tool for secure file deletion that overwrites data to prevent recovery, useful for safeguarding sensitive information. - ZoomIt (zoomit.exe): Enhances presentations by allowing users to zoom in on screen areas and annotate, beneficial for educators and IT professionals. - RamMap (rammap.exe): Analyzes physical memory allocation, helping identify memory leaks and inefficient usage. - PendMoves (pendmoves.exe): Lists files scheduled for movement or deletion upon reboot, aiding in troubleshooting file modification issues. - BgInfo (bginfo.exe): Generates a desktop background displaying vital system information, customizable for user needs. The integration of these tools into Windows would enhance its diagnostic and troubleshooting capabilities, benefiting both everyday and power users.