snapshot Archives

Winsage

June 8, 2026

Meet the hidden Windows 11 tool that reveals what Task Manager misses

Microsoft has integrated Sysmon into Windows 11 through a system update, allowing it to operate in the background and log activities in the Windows Event Log. Indicators of suspicious processes include the absence of icons or descriptions, incorrect parent processes, spelling errors in names, unsigned executable files, packed executables, suspicious DLLs or services, open TCP/IP endpoints, and unusual URLs or character strings. To install Sysmon, users must access the Control Panel, enable Sysmon, and restart their PC. Activation requires running a command in the Command Prompt. Sysmon logs can be viewed in the Event Viewer under Microsoft > Windows > Sysmon > Operational. Users can filter events using an XML configuration file. After analysis, suspicious processes should be scanned with antivirus software, and files can be uploaded to VirusTotal for further examination. Sysmon continuously logs events, while Process Monitor captures snapshots of running processes, and both tools are available for free from Microsoft.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

Average pocket money received by children revealed by money app

Children aged seven to 18 received an average of £9.90 per week in pocket money from January to April 2026, reflecting a 1.2% increase from £9.78 in 2025. Girls earned an average of £9.89, while boys received £9.91. The consumer prices index (CPI) inflation rate was 2.8% in April 2026. Children in the South East of England had the highest average weekly pocket money at £12.88, while those in the East of England had the lowest at £8.57. The most common task for earning pocket money was tidying bedrooms, averaging £1.14, with music practice being the highest-paying chore at £1.84. The most popular savings goals among children were holidays, birthdays, and electronics. Grocery stores and supermarkets were the primary spending venues, followed by restaurants, clothing shops, transport, and health and beauty outlets. Children saved an average of £3.93 per week. The average weekly pocket money payments by age for 2026 were as follows: - Seven: £4.30 - Eight: £4.44 - Nine: £4.78 - Ten: £5.38 - Eleven: £6.46 - Twelve: £8.12 - Thirteen: £10.68 - Fourteen: £12.86 - Fifteen: £14.54 - Sixteen: £16.66 - Seventeen: £18.61 - Eighteen: £16.57 Average weekly pocket money payments by region from January to April 2026 were: - East Midlands: £9.47 - East of England: £8.57 - London: £10.02 - North East: £8.75 - North West: £9.74 - Scotland: £10.67 - South East: £12.88 - South West: £8.69 - Wales: £8.89 - West Midlands: £9.90 - Yorkshire and the Humber: £8.93 Popular tasks for pocket money payments in 2026 included: - Tidying bedroom: £1.14 - Helping around the house: £1.21 - Brushing teeth: £1.31 - Doing homework: £1.39 - Looking after pets: £1.42

Tech Optimizer

June 6, 2026

PostgreSQL Dump and Restore: The Complete pg_dump Guide

pg_dump is a utility for exporting a PostgreSQL database into a file, which can be restored on the same or different servers. It exports a single database's tables, views, sequences, functions, indexes, triggers, and in-database grants but does not include roles, tablespaces, or server-level configurations. To capture global objects, pg_dumpall --globals-only should be executed prior to the per-database dump. pg_dump requires CONNECT and SELECT privileges on all tables and sequences within the target database, and a dedicated backup role is sufficient for single-database dumps, while superuser access is needed for global objects. pg_dump supports various output formats: plain SQL (.sql), custom binary (.dump), directory of files, and tar archive (.tar), each with different capabilities for restoration and compression. The custom format allows for selective and parallel restoration. For non-interactive use, credentials can be stored in a .pgpass file or passed via the PGPASSWORD environment variable. Restoration methods depend on the dump format: psql is used for plain SQL files, while pg_restore is used for custom and directory formats. The restoration process requires the target database to be created beforehand. Version mismatches between pg_dump and pg_restore can lead to failures, so it's essential to ensure that the binaries are version-matched. In Docker, pg_dump and pg_restore can be executed within containers, but care must be taken to manage credentials and ensure version compatibility. Exit codes from pg_dump should be checked to confirm successful operations.

Tech Optimizer

June 6, 2026

Implementing real-time change data capture with Debezium for Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL and Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL

Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition and Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL support native streaming replication, allowing data changes to flow from source databases. Organizations often struggle with real-time data capture and dissemination, leading to outdated information due to traditional batch ETL pipelines. Debezium is an open-source platform for change data capture (CDC) that streams database changes to applications or data pipelines in real time. The CDC solution utilizes PostgreSQL's logical replication capabilities and Debezium's framework. Key components include Amazon Aurora for PostgreSQL as the source database, a Debezium PostgreSQL connector on MSK Connect, Amazon MSK for message streaming, and an Amazon EC2 instance for testing. To implement the solution, users must enable logical replication on Amazon Aurora, create an Amazon MSK cluster, set up an EC2 instance with Kafka, and create a custom plugin for MSK Connect. The process involves configuring IAM roles and policies, connecting to the database, and creating an Amazon MSK connector to stream changes. Testing the solution includes verifying real-time changes by inserting, updating, and deleting records in PostgreSQL, with events appearing in Kafka. Monitoring tools are available through CloudWatch for troubleshooting issues like replication slot lag and connector failures. To clean up resources after testing, users should delete the MSK Connect connector, custom plugin, Amazon MSK cluster, Aurora PostgreSQL database instance, EC2 instance, IAM role and policy, Secrets Manager secrets, CloudWatch Logs log group, and S3 bucket.

Tech Optimizer

June 6, 2026

PostgreSQL vs SQL Server 2026: $0 vs $15K License

PostgreSQL has become the most utilized database for developers for two consecutive years as of 2026, while SQL Server has introduced native AI capabilities and vector search functionalities in its latest release. PostgreSQL is favored for new projects due to its permissive licensing, cross-platform operation, and extensive ecosystem of extensions, whereas SQL Server is preferred by organizations already using Microsoft products for its robust tooling and enterprise support. As of June 2026, SQL Server ranks third in the DB-Engines popularity ranking with a score of 698, while PostgreSQL ranks fourth with a score of 688. Developer adoption trends show that 49% of respondents in the Stack Overflow 2024 Developer Survey use PostgreSQL, compared to 27% for SQL Server. The latest stable version of PostgreSQL is 18.4, released on May 14, 2026, while SQL Server 2025 (version 17.x) became generally available on November 18, 2025. PostgreSQL is free under a permissive license, while SQL Server's Enterprise Edition can cost upwards of ,123 per two-core pack, with an eight-core minimum. PostgreSQL supports various operating systems, including Linux, Windows, macOS, and BSD, while SQL Server operates on Windows and Linux. PostgreSQL uses PL/pgSQL as its primary procedural language, allowing for multiple procedural languages, whereas SQL Server uses T-SQL. PostgreSQL's JSONB type offers rich indexing, while SQL Server added native JSON support in its 2025 release. Both databases are capable of handling high transaction volumes, but PostgreSQL excels in read-heavy scenarios due to its multi-version concurrency control, while SQL Server's columnstore indexes provide advantages for analytical workloads. PostgreSQL supports tables up to 32 TB, while SQL Server can handle a maximum database size of 524 PB. SQL Server's high availability technology includes Always On Availability Groups, while PostgreSQL offers built-in streaming and logical replication. The security features of both databases meet enterprise standards, with PostgreSQL providing a transparent patching process and SQL Server integrating with Microsoft tools. Real-world usage examples include Stack Overflow using SQL Server, while Instagram and Reddit utilize PostgreSQL. Developer sentiment increasingly favors PostgreSQL for new projects, emphasizing flexibility and open-source solutions. For new startups or greenfield projects, PostgreSQL is recommended due to its zero license cost and compatibility. Existing Microsoft enterprises are advised to stick with SQL Server for its integration benefits. Migration from SQL Server to PostgreSQL is becoming common, with a structured approach required for successful transitions.

Tech Optimizer

June 5, 2026

Microsoft quietly deletes Windows 11 guide that claimed you don’t need third-party antivirus

In April 2026, a blog post from Microsoft's Windows Learning Center claimed that most Windows 11 users could rely solely on Windows Security (Defender) for antivirus protection, citing features like Microsoft Defender Antivirus, SmartScreen, and ransomware mitigation. The blog was later removed without explanation, leading to speculation about its definitive claims. Microsoft stated that Windows Defender was sufficient for typical users with default settings and regular updates, while cautioning against using multiple antivirus engines. Independent testing from AV-Test consistently ranks Microsoft Defender highly, but AV-Comparatives noted limitations in offline protection and the reliance on cloud-based intelligence. The blog's removal was viewed by some as a constructive step towards realistic security guidance. Microsoft continues to provide third-party antivirus vendors with significant access to Windows, and the rise of AI-generated threats is complicating the cybersecurity landscape. Despite the controversies, Microsoft has made significant advancements in Windows Security, making it a viable option for many users.

Winsage

June 5, 2026

Linux is losing ground on Steam as Windows 11 continues its rise among PC gamers — is Microsoft repairing its reputation?

In May 2026, Linux accounts for 3.99% of Steam users, down from a peak of 5.33% in March and a decline from 4.52% in April. This decline follows a period of growth when Microsoft faced challenges with Windows. Despite being higher than sub-2% levels previously, the continuous decrease is notable. Microsoft is increasing its focus on gaming performance, likely in response to competition from Linux, especially with the upcoming launch of Project Helix, a hybrid of PC and console gaming.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

Samsung Health app is all new: preps features to take the guesswork out of your wellbeing

The Samsung Health app will undergo a significant redesign on June 8, introducing new features such as the Vitals feature, which combines five health metrics, Daily Cardio Load, Heart Health Score, an updated Antioxidant Index, AGEs Index, and a new Hearing Health feature. The upgrade aims to provide a holistic view of health data, simplifying complex biometric information into actionable guidance. This redesign aligns with the upcoming Galaxy Watch 9, reinforcing Samsung's focus on promoting a health-centric lifestyle.

Tech Optimizer

June 2, 2026

Microsoft no longer claims that Windows 11 has all the protection that you need

In April, Microsoft published a blog post discussing the security features of Windows 11, emphasizing that its built-in protections, such as Microsoft Defender Antivirus and SmartScreen, may eliminate the need for third-party antivirus solutions for many users. The blog highlighted that adequate security could be maintained with default settings, regular updates, and intentional software downloads. However, it also noted that users with specific needs, like managing multiple devices or requiring additional features, might still consider third-party software. The blog post was removed from the Microsoft Learning Center without formal announcement, raising questions about the company's communication strategy.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

The Witcher 3 reveals new system requirements and it’s now Windows 11 or nothing

CD Projekt has announced a new expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt titled Songs of the Past, set for release in 2027. The studio will update the game's system requirements to improve performance and compatibility due to the discontinuation of support for Windows 7 and 8 in 2023 and challenges with Windows 10. The original minimum specifications included an Intel Core i5-2500K CPU, Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 GPU, 6 GB RAM, and 50 GB of storage. While updated specifications may require more modern hardware, older setups may still run the game, but players will need to upgrade for compatibility with the new expansion. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Classic is available as a beta option, but it is unclear if it will support the expansion, and players on the Epic Games Store do not have access to older builds.