resources Archives

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

PCSO offers new phone app to public

The Pike County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has launched a new smartphone application and an updated website to improve communication with the community. The app, developed by TheSheriffApp.com, includes features such as a welcome message, inmate and jail information, registered sex offenders, school safety resources, pistol permit applications, cyber safety tips, crime tip submissions, and contact information for the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Russell Thomas stated that the app serves as an educational tool and enhances public safety engagement. The app allows citizens to access information conveniently on their smartphones, especially during emergencies or for updates like road closures.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

6 reasons why I think Microsoft should keep the ‘local account’ option in Windows 11

Microsoft has updated Windows 11 to make it more difficult for users to bypass internet and Microsoft account requirements during installation, specifically in builds 26120.3653 and 26200.5516. The "BypassNRO.cmd" script, which allowed the creation of local accounts without an internet connection, has been removed. Local accounts provide enhanced privacy by storing data locally, simplify the setup process without needing an internet connection, and allow unrestricted access to systems in offline environments. Users can choose meaningful folder names with local accounts, and they facilitate smoother Remote Desktop connections compared to Microsoft accounts. Although local accounts can still be created post-installation, there are concerns about their availability in future updates, especially for the Home edition.

Tech Optimizer

April 2, 2025

Thousands of PostgreSQL servers are being hijacked to mine crypto

Researchers at Wiz have identified a cryptojacking campaign by a group called JINX-0126, targeting over 1,500 misconfigured PostgreSQL servers by exploiting weak login credentials. The attackers deploy the XMRig-C3 miner to mine Monero, consuming nearly all computing resources and increasing electricity usage for victims. Each compromised device is assigned a unique mining worker for tracking. The campaign has evolved to include defensive measures and fileless deployment to evade detection. Nearly 90% of cloud environments host PostgreSQL instances, with about one-third publicly accessible, highlighting security vulnerabilities.

AppWizard

April 2, 2025

Disney, Jagex, Codemasters vets found new publisher The CoLab

Three professionals from the UK gaming industry, Darren Newnham, Mark Faulkner, and John Lewis, have launched an indie publishing house called The CoLab. They have experience from companies such as United Label, Fnatic, Disney Interactive, Jagex, PlayFusion, Bossa, Codemasters, and Criterion. The CoLab has three projects in development: a cozy game called Campfire, a cyberpunk shooter named DeadWire, and a strategy game titled Counter Clash. The company has partnered with the charity Safe in Our World to support mental wellbeing in the gaming industry. The CoLab aims to support indie developers during challenging times in the sector, advocating for cooperation and collaboration while addressing issues like mass redundancies and the prioritization of shareholder value over gamers' needs. Their vision includes uniting game creators, sharing resources, and fostering a supportive environment for developers.

AppWizard

April 2, 2025

Minecraft’s Aprils Fool’s Day 2025 updates take crafting to the next level

Minecraft has introduced a new mode called Craftmine for April Fool's Day 2025, allowing players to design and construct personalized mines. Players can generate a mine by selecting resources and using the Mine Crafter, which provides additional resources for crafting. To access Craftmine, players must enable "Enable Snapshots" in the Minecraft Launcher and select the latest snapshot. In Craftmine mode, players start at a room with the Craftminer block and can craft items by collecting wood, converting it to planks, and arranging them in a 2x2 grid. Players are advised to back up their worlds as snapshots can corrupt them.

AppWizard

April 2, 2025

The history of the video game that inspired ‘A Minecraft Movie’

On April 4, "A Minecraft Movie" will be released, featuring a cast that includes Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Emma Myers, and Jennifer Coolidge. The film follows four misfits who are transported to a block-based realm and must unite with Steve, played by Black, to protect their world. "Minecraft" is a sandbox game that allows players to explore and create in a limitless environment, rated Everyone 10+ by the ESRB. It has two main modes: Creative, which offers unlimited resources and immortality, and Survival, which involves resource gathering and managing health. Markus "Notch" Persson created "Minecraft" in 2009, launching it officially in November 2011 after successful testing. He sold the game to Microsoft in 2014 for .5 billion, after which Jens "Jeb" Bergensten took over as lead designer. As of 2023, "Minecraft" is the second highest-selling video game, behind Tetris, and has received numerous updates, with the latest being the "Trials and Tales Update."

Winsage

April 1, 2025

Microsoft’s Windows 98 can run Meta’s Llama AI model on just 128MB of RAM: “We could have been talking to our computers for 30 years now.”

Generative AI is being integrated into modern technology, with Microsoft incorporating its Copilot AI into Windows 11. Marc Andreessen revealed that a small Llama AI model from Meta operated on a Windows 98 PC with 128MB of RAM. Although the specific Meta AI model was not disclosed, it suggests older technology could have supported generative AI capabilities. Andreessen noted that running Llama AI on a 26-year-old Dell PC could have enabled human-like interactions with computers decades ago. An experiment by Exo Labs successfully ran a modified version of Meta's Llama 2 on a Pentium II-based Windows 98 PC, overcoming challenges related to sourcing compatible peripherals and transferring files. The team used Borland C++ 5.02 for compiling modern code but eventually switched to an older version of the C programming language due to compatibility issues. The project required developing a streamlined version of the AI model to function within the hardware limitations of the legacy PC. This illustrates that even older PCs had the potential to support generative AI.

AppWizard

April 1, 2025

The Last of Us Part II Remastered Coming to PC On April 3, 2025

“The Last of Us Part II Remastered” will be released on PC on April 3, 2025, available on Steam and the Epic Games Store. This marks the first time Windows users can access the game, which previously received over 300 Game of the Year awards on PlayStation. The remastered edition includes enhancements such as improved graphics, performance, and new content, including a roguelike mode called “No Return.” Pre-orders are currently available. The PC version will support customizable graphics settings, ultrawide monitor support, and full DualSense controller features. New playable characters Bill and Marlene will be introduced in the “No Return” mode, alongside a Guitar Free Play mode and restored cut content. The game will require a minimum of an Intel Core i3-8100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1300x processor and 16GB RAM.

AppWizard

March 31, 2025

Open-world survival crafting game RuneScape: Dragonwilds announced for PC

Jagex has announced RuneScape: Dragonwilds, an open-world survival crafting game set to launch in Early Access on PC via Steam in spring 2025. The game takes place on the continent of Ashenfall, where players will gather resources, build structures, and craft tools to survive against awakened dragons. It supports cooperative gameplay for one to four players, focusing on mastering survival skills and uncovering secrets to confront the Dragon Queen. The development team is incorporating player feedback from closed alpha tests to shape the game's evolution. The game features quests, skill leveling, and rune-wielding, integrating elements of high fantasy and RPG within the RuneScape lore.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

Microsoft kills the iconic Blue Screen of Death. It looks like this now

Microsoft is redesigning the "Blue Screen of Death" (BSOD) in Windows 11 24H2, changing it from a blue screen to a black display. For Windows Insiders, the error screen will appear in green. The new design removes the sad smiley face and QR code, replacing the text with "Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart," and uses "device" instead of "PC." The specific error code and reason for the crash will be in smaller text at the bottom. This redesign has been in development since the early stages of Windows 11, but its motivation is speculative. The new error screen's public debut date is unclear, though it may be introduced in an upcoming Patch Tuesday.