setup Archives

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Windows 11 is getting some big upgrades to tackle dreaded boot failures – and help novices set up their new PC

Windows 11 has released a new preview build, 26200.5622, in the Dev channel, introducing several features aimed at improving user experience. Key additions include Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) for recovering from boot failures, a PC-to-PC migration feature for easier transitions to new devices, a new option in Phone Link to mirror Android phone screens from the Start menu, enhancements to the widgets board with a navigation bar, and a Click to Do feature for drafting text in Word using Copilot on Copilot+ PCs. These features are in early testing and may be included in the upcoming Windows 11 25H2 release.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

I created a Samsung Routine to fix the Google Play Store’s biggest failure

Trust in the Google Play Store's ability to update Android apps has decreased among users due to inconsistent update frequencies. Samsung phone users can utilize the Modes and Routines feature to automate app updates. To set this up, users need to download the Good Lock app and its Routines+ module, then create a routine that records actions in the Play Store to update apps automatically. Users can specify a trigger time for the routine to run daily. While effective, users should monitor the routine's performance and adjust as needed, as it may not always function perfectly.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

So You’re Thinking About Starting a Minecraft Server… Here’s Why You Should

In Minecraft, sharing the experience with friends enhances gameplay, making dedicated servers, like those from Apex Hosting, valuable for multiplayer interactions. Players are increasingly interested in creating their own servers for collaborative play and customization. Hosting a server allows players to set their own rules, choose between public or private access, and introduce various mods and plugins for enhanced gameplay. With a personal server, the world remains accessible even when the host is offline, enabling continuous play and regular backups. Building a community takes time, but it can lead to shared experiences and memorable interactions. Apex Hosting offers an easy setup process and support for players looking to create their ideal Minecraft server.

Tech Optimizer

June 2, 2025

Postgres Pro OpenTelemetry сollector

Alexey has developed the pgpro-otel-collector, an OpenTelemetry collector by PostgresPro, designed to gather metrics and logs from PostgreSQL databases. It collects PostgreSQL metrics using an internal metrics library, OS-level metrics such as CPU and memory usage, and PostgreSQL logs in CSV and JSON formats. The collector includes internal processors for batch processing and supports exporting to OTLP-compatible backends like Elasticsearch and Prometheus. Installation is straightforward, requiring configuration of the Postgres connection and data destination. The collector can gather a range of PostgreSQL statistics and supports advanced features like CFS and pg_wait_sampling. Future enhancements include support for additional system views, integration with Shardman and BiHA, collection of custom query-based metrics, and a Grafana dashboard. Alexey's background includes experience with various monitoring tools and a focus on PostgreSQL, leading to the creation of this collector.

BetaBeacon

June 2, 2025

The best Nintendo 3DS emulator on Android just got even better

The update brings performance and compatibility gains on all platforms.

Tech Optimizer

June 1, 2025

Supercharging vector search performance and relevance with pgvector 0.8.0 on Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL

The Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition has integrated support for pgvector 0.8.0, enhancing vector search capabilities significantly. This version achieves up to 9x faster query processing and delivers 100x more relevant search results compared to previous iterations. Key improvements in pgvector 0.8.0 include: - Up to 5.7x improvement in query performance for specific patterns. - Introduction of the iterative_scan feature, enhancing recall for filter queries requiring approximate nearest neighbor (ANN) index searches. - Improved cost estimation for more efficient query planning, allowing the selection of traditional indexes for complex filtered searches. - Flexible performance tuning with two modes for iterative_scan: relaxed_order and strict_order. Previous versions faced challenges with overfiltering, where combining vector similarity search with traditional SQL filters resulted in fewer results than expected. The HNSW indexing algorithm accelerates vector similarity searches by creating a multi-layered graph structure for efficient navigation. Iterative index scans in pgvector 0.8.0 improve query reliability and performance by applying filters during the scanning process, reducing false negatives and enhancing performance. The configuration options for iterative scanning include off, strict_order, and relaxed_order, with relaxed_order providing the best balance between performance and accuracy. In performance tests, pgvector 0.8.0 demonstrated substantial improvements across various query patterns, with significant enhancements in result completeness and recall. The database can now efficiently handle enterprise-scale applications, such as e-commerce and recommendation systems, with high performance and result quality even as product catalogs expand. Best practices for deploying pgvector 0.8.0 include using HNSW with recommended parameters, creating additional indexes on commonly filtered metadata columns, and tuning query parameters based on specific use cases. Operational best practices involve using Graviton4-based instances for optimal performance, monitoring and tuning slow vector queries, and considering partitioning for very large tables.

Winsage

June 1, 2025

We installed SteamOS on our ROG Ally and Legion Go Windows handhelds and we don’t want to go back

SteamOS has been released for non-Steam Deck gaming handhelds, including the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. To install SteamOS, users need a USB-C stick and the SteamOS recovery image, which can be downloaded from Steam's website. The installation process involves creating a bootable USB drive using the Rufus utility, adjusting BIOS settings to disable Secure Boot, and following specific steps to wipe the device and install SteamOS. After installation, users can set up their Steam account and check for updates. The transition to SteamOS enhances performance and visual fidelity for these devices.

Winsage

June 1, 2025

A week of hell with my Windows 11 PC really makes me appreciate the simplicity of Google’s Chromebook laptops

The author's PC experienced significant issues while trying to run DOOM: The Dark Ages, primarily due to problems with NVIDIA RTX graphics drivers on a system equipped with an Intel Core i7-14700K and NVIDIA RTX 5080. The Windows 11 Start Menu became unresponsive, leading to a complete system failure despite attempts to roll back and update drivers. The author used a USB drive with a Linux installer as a temporary solution but continued to face crashes. Attempts to reinstall Windows were complicated by an incorrectly formatted USB stick, which needed to be exFAT. Ultimately, the author resolved the issues by wiping both SSDs and creating fresh partitions. The author also noted the complexity and bloat of Windows 11 compared to the simplicity of ChromeOS, which has become a reliable alternative for tasks and gaming.

AppWizard

June 1, 2025

My top 5 must-play PC games for the second half of 2025 — Will they live up to the hype?

PC gamers are looking forward to several upcoming titles in 2025. - The Outer Worlds 2 is anticipated to launch in 2025 on PC, Xbox, and PS5, featuring a new colony and an Earth Directorate agent unraveling a mystery. - Hades II is in Early Access and is expected to be fully released by late 2025. - ARC Raiders, a PvPvE extraction shooter, is rumored to launch in 2025 on PC, Xbox, and PS5. - Escape from Tarkov has been in closed beta since 2017 and aims for a version 1.0 release in 2025. - Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is set to launch on July 15, 2025, with enhancements including new units and larger maps. - Path of Exile 2 entered Early Access on December 6, 2024, and will be free to play upon its full release, though a specific date has not been announced.

Winsage

May 31, 2025

Resize your windows the right way on macOS using MacsyZones

The user transitioned from Windows to Mac and found macOS generally positive but lacking certain productivity features, particularly a built-in window snapping function similar to Windows' FancyZones. A third-party application called MacsyZones has been introduced, which allows users to create custom layouts for window snapping, enhancing workflow. The installation of MacsyZones is straightforward, and it resides in the menu bar with a minimalist interface. Users can create layouts by naming them and resizing windows, with each layout assigned a snap key for easy activation. MacsyZones allows for asymmetrical layouts, enabling one window to occupy a larger portion of the screen while others take up smaller spaces. This customization is beneficial for multitasking and improves productivity, especially for users with multiple applications or secondary monitors.