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Tech Optimizer

July 9, 2025

Query Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL using Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases structured data

Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases has introduced a fully managed Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) feature that connects large language models (LLMs) with internal data sources, enhancing the relevance and accuracy of responses by integrating contextual information from private datasets. During AWS re:Invent 2024, it was announced that this feature now supports natural language querying for structured data retrieval from Amazon Redshift and Amazon SageMaker Lakehouse, allowing generative AI applications to access both structured and unstructured data sources. The system converts user queries into SQL queries using natural language processing, enabling data retrieval without requiring users to know SQL syntax. Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases currently supports structured data retrieval from Amazon Redshift and SageMaker Lakehouse. Although direct support for Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible is not available, users can utilize zero-ETL integration between Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible and Amazon Redshift to make their data accessible. This integration replicates Aurora PostgreSQL tables to Amazon Redshift in near real-time, simplifying data management. To enable natural language querying of structured application data stored in Aurora, organizations can set up an Aurora PostgreSQL database, create a schema with interconnected tables (products, customers, and orders), and populate these tables with sample data while maintaining referential integrity. Subsequently, they can establish zero-ETL integration with Amazon Redshift, which involves creating a Redshift Serverless workgroup and mapping the database for synchronization. Once the zero-ETL integration is verified, organizations can create an Amazon Bedrock knowledge base for natural language querying. This requires granting appropriate permissions to the Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) role and ensuring the knowledge base is synchronized with Amazon Redshift. After setting up the knowledge base, users can execute natural language queries, which are translated into SQL and processed to generate human-readable responses. Examples of queries include counting unique customers and identifying customers who have purchased the most products. Finally, it is recommended to clean up resources after use to avoid ongoing charges.

Winsage

July 9, 2025

How to delete the Microsoft account that Windows made you set up

Microsoft requires users to log in with an online account during the installation of Home versions of Windows 10 and 11. Users can bypass this requirement or modify their account settings after installation. To delete a Microsoft account, users should access the Settings app, navigate to the 'Accounts' section, select their account information, and follow prompts to remove the account. After removal, users can create a local account that does not require an online login.

AppWizard

July 9, 2025

9 best apps for the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s large display

Foldable smartphones have evolved into functional devices, with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 featuring a book-style design and a large display. Notion is a productivity tool that benefits from the Fold 7's screen space for note-taking and managing tasks. The Kindle app enhances the reading experience by utilizing the larger display for e-books. Samsung's Good Lock app allows for device customization, including features tailored for foldable devices. The Dolphin Emulator takes advantage of the Fold 7's Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset for gaming, allowing users to play GameCube and Wii titles. Super Display enables the Fold 7 to function as a portable monitor for Windows PCs. Canva's photo editor benefits from the larger display for designing graphics. Octopi Launcher allows users to customize app layouts for different screen orientations. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the thinnest and lightest of Samsung's book-style foldables, enhancing the mobile app experience.

Tech Optimizer

July 8, 2025

How TimescaleDB helped us scale analytics and reporting

At Cloudflare, PostgreSQL and ClickHouse are used as primary databases for transactional and analytical workloads. PostgreSQL is preferred for product development due to its speed, versatility, and reliability, with hundreds of instances running in various configurations. ClickHouse, introduced in 2017, allows ingestion of tens of millions of rows per second with millisecond-level query performance but comes with trade-offs. The Digital Experience Monitoring (DEX) product was developed with a focus on simplicity and rapid shipping, utilizing a team of three engineers and collaboration with other teams. DEX's initial launch included fleet status logs uploaded every two minutes and synthetic tests with usage caps, leading to a successful MVP launch ahead of schedule. The architecture included an HTTP API, PostgreSQL for storing configurations, and a React UI in the Cloudflare Dashboard. PostgreSQL was chosen for analytics due to its ability to handle structured logs, with a table created for device state logs lacking a primary key but optimized with unique and standard indexes for common queries. The UPSERT query was used for data insertion, and the order of columns in multicolumn indexes was optimized for performance. After launching DEX, the system scaled to 1,000 inserts per second, leading to performance degradation. Precomputed aggregates were implemented to improve query performance, resulting in up to a 1000x improvement. Table partitioning was considered but ultimately not pursued due to its manual management requirements. TimescaleDB was explored as an alternative to enhance query performance, offering features like automatic partition management, continuous aggregates, and compression. A side-by-side comparison with PostgreSQL showed significant performance improvements, particularly for longer time windows. TimescaleDB's integration allowed for efficient data retention and aggregation, simplifying the infrastructure. Following the success of DEX, other teams at Cloudflare began using TimescaleDB for analytics and reporting, consolidating data from various sources and managing high ingestion rates effectively by optimizing data handling techniques such as switching to COPY for bulk inserts and adjusting replication settings.

Winsage

July 8, 2025

Microsoft Deprecates PowerShell 2.0 in Windows 11 Over Security Flaws

Microsoft has rolled out Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27891 to the Canary Channel, which includes the removal of Windows PowerShell 2.0. The update features several critical system fixes, including: - Correction of the “Reset this PC” feature under Settings > System > Recovery. - Resolution of an issue affecting the taskbar's acrylic material effect. - Fix for Windows Update downloads that stalled at 2%. - Correction of character rendering problems for languages like Vietnamese and Arabic. Enhancements in File Explorer include a dropdown menu in the address bar that shows the complete folder path. Stability improvements in Settings aim to prevent crashes when accessing microphone properties or Bluetooth settings, although a new known issue may cause crashes in Settings > System > Power & Battery. Task Manager now features updated CPU utility calculations. The Microsoft Store has been updated to allow users to install apps and games directly from the top featured sections. Known issues include potential loss of Windows Hello PIN on Copilot+ PCs, graphical distortion for Remote Desktop users on Arm64 PCs, and incomplete localization of some features. Transitioning out of the Canary Channel requires a clean installation of Windows 11.

AppWizard

July 4, 2025

4 idle games I play while working on my PC

Idle games are designed for those working from home, allowing for minimal interaction and automated progress. They provide engaging yet low-maintenance entertainment, often developed by indie creators. Examples include: - Rusty's Retirement: A farm simulation where players set up their farm while automated assistants manage daily tasks. - Cauldron: An idle game featuring turn-based battles and resource gathering from five mini-games for upgrades. - Cast n Chill: A fishing game that allows players to actively fish or switch to an idle mode for automated fishing. - Bao Bao's Cozy Laundromat: Players manage a laundromat for pandas, with a focus timer to maintain productivity while engaging in gameplay. These games offer non-intrusive experiences, allowing players to check in at their convenience without the pressure of failure.

Winsage

July 2, 2025

How to secure your printer with Windows 11’s new Protected Print mode

Nine percent of Windows security issues are attributed to its printing system. In 2021, a flaw in the printer spooler, known as "Print Nightmare," was discovered, allowing attackers elevated system rights. Microsoft introduced Windows Protected Print mode (WPP) in the Windows 11 24H2 update to address these vulnerabilities. WPP replaces manufacturer-specific drivers and prevents the installation of new printer drivers, limiting printer spooler tasks to user rights. WPP is based on the Internet Print Protocol (IPP) and is compatible with printers certified by the Mobile Printing Alliance. Users must manually enable WPP through the Settings menu. Once activated, Windows manages print jobs using its WPP driver, and users can find additional tools in the Microsoft Store. To deactivate WPP, users can return to the Settings and remove it, which requires reinstalling the original manufacturer’s drivers.

Tech Optimizer

July 1, 2025

Fluent Commerce’s approach to near-zero downtime Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL upgrade at 32 TB scale using snapshots and AWS DMS ongoing replication

Fluent Commerce utilizes Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition as its OLTP database engine to manage complex customer search queries. The company migrated to AWS Graviton instances to enhance performance and cost-efficiency, requiring a major version upgrade from Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible 10.14 to 12.4 or higher. The migration involved upgrading over 350 production databases, some as large as 32 TB, using AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) and various upgrade strategies to minimize downtime. The migration process included configuring replication slots, creating snapshots, and validating data between source and target databases. AWS DMS was chosen for its cost-effectiveness, seamless integration with AWS services, and capabilities for ongoing data replication with minimal downtime. The cutover process involved updating application configurations, managing sequence numbers, and ensuring optimal performance through vacuuming and analyzing tables.

AppWizard

July 1, 2025

6 Android phone features that boost productivity

- Android phones, particularly the Google Pixel 6 Pro running on Android 15, offer features that enhance productivity and work-life balance. - The camera can be accessed quickly by double-pressing the power button, and photos can be taken using the Volume Down button. - Bedtime Mode silences the phone, dims the wallpaper, and allows only alarms and essential calls, which can be set up in Settings > Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls > Bedtime Mode. - Google Messages can be connected to a web browser for easier access to texts and sending messages using a full keyboard by visiting the Google Messages page and following the QR code pairing process. - Important text messages can be pinned to the top of the message list by pressing and holding the conversation and tapping the Pin icon. - App Pin locks the phone screen to a specific app to prevent accidental navigation, which can be enabled in Settings > Security and privacy > More security & privacy > App pinning. - Do Not Disturb can be scheduled for a specific time period by swiping down from the home screen, tapping on Mode, selecting Do Not Disturb, and setting the desired duration.

Winsage

June 30, 2025

Microsoft quietly implies Windows has LOST almost half a billion users since Windows 11 debut — bleak outlook suggests Windows is haemorrhaging users

Windows is currently operational on over a billion devices, a decline from 1.4 billion reported in 2022. Windows has experienced a 15% decline in its user base over the past decade. Microsoft introduced AI-powered devices known as Copilot+ PCs in 2024, but the reception has been lukewarm. Users are concerned about the requirement for an online account to set up a new PC and the presence of ads and bloatware in Windows 11. Windows 11 is gaining market share and is expected to surpass Windows 10 as the most widely used version, but it is unlikely to achieve the same popularity as Windows 10.