sense Archives

AppWizard

September 28, 2026

I turned off these 8 Google Messages features, and the app is so much better now

Google Messages has evolved to include features such as read receipts, Gemini integration, typing indicators, and chat bubbles. Some users find these enhancements beneficial, while others view them as intrusive. The author disabled several features for a more streamlined experience, leading to less clutter and fewer distractions. The features disabled include: 1. Gemini Button: A floating icon for AI-assisted messaging, which can be disabled in Message settings. 2. Profile Sharing: Allows visibility of name and photo to contacts, with customizable privacy settings available. 3. Outgoing Message Sounds: Can be turned off to create a quieter messaging environment. 4. Floating Chat Heads (Bubbles): Can be disabled to avoid distractions and protect sensitive information. 5. Follow-Up Reminders: Prompts to respond to message threads, which can be turned off in Message settings. 6. Read Receipts and Typing Indicators: Create pressure to respond quickly and can be disabled in Message settings. 7. Sensitive Content Warnings: Can misidentify benign images and can be turned off for a smoother experience. 8. Smart Reply and Suggested Actions: Offers quick responses that may not fit all conversations and can be disabled. These adjustments have improved the author's messaging experience, allowing for more personal and less stressful interactions.

AppWizard

September 28, 2026

Fans React To Minecraft’s Upcoming New Dimension ‘The Sift’

Mojang hosted Minecraft Live, revealing developments including Minecraft Dungeons II and new icy biomes. The most notable announcement was the introduction of a new dimension called "the Sift," which will be added after 14 years. The Sift features a vibrant, cotton candy-colored aesthetic with elements like pink weeds and a blue bunny, contrasting with the darker themes of previous updates. It will be included in the core game in 2027 but will first appear in Dungeons II. Discussions among players are mixed, with some expressing excitement and others skepticism about its design.

Winsage

September 28, 2026

Microsoft was better at software in the ’90s, and these still-useful Windows utilities prove it

Microsoft PowerToys originated during the development of Windows 95 as small programs created by engineers to test concepts and ease workloads. The first collection of PowerToys included tools like FindX, Send To X, and Tweak UI. System Configuration (MSConfig) helps isolate configuration and startup issues by allowing selective loading of services and startup components, remaining useful despite modern management shifting to Task Manager. Disk Cleanup was launched with Windows 98 to help users reclaim disk space, featuring commands that allow saving cleanup profiles, a functionality that persists in Windows 11. Task Scheduler, introduced in 1995 as System Agent in the Microsoft Plus! pack for Windows 95, automates tasks based on specific triggers. System File Checker (SFC), dating back to Windows 98, scans and repairs protected Windows resources, evolving from a graphical utility to a command-line tool. Device Manager provides an expandable tree of hardware components and reflects advancements in Microsoft's Plug and Play system from Windows 95, continuing to assist users in hardware inspection and troubleshooting. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DxDiag) was created for gamers in the late '90s to examine hardware and software configurations related to DirectX and remains available in Windows 11.

AppWizard

September 27, 2026

After 8 years, Monster Hunter: World gets seamless co-op on PC thanks to a modder

Players of Monster Hunter: World can now experience a new seamless cooperative mode introduced by modder huntardy. This modification allows players to embark on quests, explore expeditions, and engage in story cutscenes together. A demonstration of the mod showcases its functionality, enhancing the monster hunting experience. Users are advised that each game launch with the modification creates a backup of the save file in a specific folder, preserving the last ten saves. The modification is available for free on Nexus Mods, and an in-game panel appears in Steam to guide users through the new features.

AppWizard

September 27, 2026

After 12 years, Dark Souls 2 is finally playable in co-op without interruptions

Yui, a modder, has released an alpha version of a mod called Dark Souls 2: Seamless Co-op, which allows players to team up with up to five others without interruptions from fog walls. The mod enables a full playthrough from the tutorial to the final boss in one co-op session, with synchronized progression and respawning at the last bonfire after dying. Unique items like "Pharros' Heliograph" and "Petrified Fingers" have been added to maintain some of the game's traditional challenge. Yui is actively supporting the mod and addressing performance issues, particularly for players using Intel processors.

Winsage

September 27, 2026

Google researcher explains why Windows NT “puts Linux to shame,” and imagines an alternate history where it won

Laurie Kirk, a Google researcher and former Microsoft reverse engineer, argues that the Windows NT kernel is superior to Linux in several aspects, particularly in its architecture for managing resources and access permissions. She emphasizes that her critique focuses on the system architecture rather than the user interface of Windows 11. Kirk raises concerns about Linux's suitability for AI agents due to its complex security model, while praising NT's object-based design and security framework. She speculates on an alternate history where Microsoft had created an "Open NT," allowing for customizable components, but acknowledges the challenges of maintaining forks in operating systems. Critics of NT highlight its performance and reliability issues, while Linux's open-source nature has contributed to its dominance in servers and cloud computing. Kirk suggests that future operating systems may need to balance the defined resource types of NT with the flexibility of Linux, especially as AI technology evolves.

AppWizard

September 26, 2026

After Warcraft 3’s first new campaign in 23 years, let’s normalize releasing new DLC for ancient RTS games

The gaming landscape is experiencing renewed interest in older titles, as seen with expansions for classics like Songs of the Past for The Witcher 3. Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur's Gate 3 are expected to remain relevant for years, making them candidates for future downloadable content. Quake has added a new episode, and Nightdive is remastering Thief. At BlizzCon 2026, the Warcraft 3 Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom expansion was announced, highlighting nostalgia for RTS games. Microsoft has revitalized the Age of Empires series with updates, while newer titles like Age of Empires 4 have struggled. Relic's Dawn of War: Definitive Edition has sold 750,000 copies, indicating demand for remastered RTS games. The remaster of Command & Conquer and Red Alert in 2020 shows the potential for nostalgia-driven content. Expanding existing titles like Rise of Nations and Supreme Commander could be beneficial, and while reactions to new content may be mixed, the concept has promise. The RTS genre has an opportunity to leverage its history while innovating for the future.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

14 days in Dragon Shelter: A play by play of my first season in the Stardew-style farm sim where dragons help bake pies

Dragon Shelter features a vibrant art style that combines cooking and dragon-themed gameplay. The player arrives at their grandfather's cottage, where they begin learning survival skills and gathering resources. The town is in decline, and the player must earn the townsfolk's trust by completing tasks like delivering baked potatoes. Daily activities include watering crops, cooking, and assisting villagers with various requests. Despite the engaging gameplay, the player feels the world is small and lacks depth, with shops having no interiors and villagers lacking distinct personalities. The game focuses on chores and cooking but may not meet all players' expectations for complex storytelling or mechanics.

Winsage

September 24, 2026

uBlock Origin finally broke for me on Microsoft Edge, so I switched to Brave

Microsoft Edge users recently experienced a significant change as advertisements flooded the interface following the discontinuation of support for the uBlock Origin ad-blocking extension. This shift resulted from the transition away from Manifest Version 2 (MV2) extensions to Manifest Version 3 (MV3), which diminishes the effectiveness of ad blockers. As a result, users are considering alternative solutions or switching browsers. Brave has emerged as a viable option, maintaining support for MV2 extensions and offering effective ad-blocking features through its Brave Shields. Users can selectively block elements easily, although it lacks some features of uBlock Origin. The author plans to use Brave Shields for browsing while keeping the option to revert to uBlock Origin if needed.

AppWizard

September 24, 2026

Dutch foundation sues Epic Games over Fortnite’s “pressure” tactics that drive spending

The Massaschade & Consument Foundation has filed a lawsuit against Epic Games, alleging that Fortnite uses deceptive marketing tactics targeting younger players. The foundation claims that countdown clocks during gameplay create a false sense of urgency for limited-time offers, which often remain available after the timers expire, leading to confusion and potential overspending. The lawsuit raises ethical concerns about the responsibility of game developers to protect young gamers. The outcome could impact marketing strategies and consumer protection laws in the gaming industry.