stability Archives

Winsage

May 20, 2025

Microsoft revives DOS-era Edit in a modern shell

Microsoft has reintroduced Edit, a text editor originally from the MS-DOS era, as an open-source tool available on GitHub. It weighs under 250 KB and is designed for the modern command line, featuring mouse support, Unicode compatibility, and various editing functionalities like word wrap and Find & Replace. Edit will be integrated into Windows 11, with a preview version available for Windows Insiders. The application is noted for its speed and stability, providing a practical solution for text file edits directly from the command line.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

How to use Bluetooth audio sharing on a Google Pixel phone

Android 16 will introduce Auracast, allowing Google Pixel users with compatible devices to connect multiple Bluetooth headphones to a single Pixel phone for audio sharing. This feature can be accessed on Google Pixel 8 series or newer devices, and it relies on Auracast technology. Users can enable audio sharing through Developer Options, which is also available on Android 15 devices. Compatible earbuds or headphones must support Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio, with examples including Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and 3 Pro. To initiate audio sharing, users must access the Audio sharing page in the Settings app and follow specific steps to create a broadcast. The public debut of this feature is confirmed for Pixel phones with the release of Android 16, but the exact timeline is uncertain.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

I did Liberation Day tariffs in Victoria 3, and it all went well until the famine in Colorado, the 2 lost wars with Canada, and the president beating a man to death with a stick

An individual used the video game Victoria 3 to explore economic policies related to the U.S. Liberation Day tariffs. They adopted a strategy of extreme protectionism by imposing 100% tariffs, which initially increased cash flow but led to shortages and famine. In an attempt to address these issues, the player invested in maize farms, which drained the treasury and worsened the financial crisis. The protagonist then decided to invade Canada to rally national pride and boost the economy, achieving initial military success but ultimately facing setbacks due to British reinforcements and internal insurrection. The invasion resulted in a costly peace settlement, further destabilizing the economy and government legitimacy. The game ended with a crash, prompting reflections on the complexities of economic policy and governance.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Why KakaoTalk’s typing indicator is getting on some Koreans’ nerves

KakaoTalk introduced a beta feature called a typing indicator, which displays a three-dot animation when someone is composing a message. This feature has received mixed reactions from users, with many expressing discomfort about sharing their typing status, comparing it to formal communication tools. Users have voiced their dissatisfaction online, with some questioning the necessity of this update and expressing concerns about the platform evolving into one similar to workplace messaging applications. KakaoTalk allows users to disable the typing indicator in the Settings under the Kakao Lab section. Additionally, Kakao Lab includes other features like AI tools for summarizing chat conversations.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

This hidden Windows 11 feature lets you force an emergency restart — how it works and where to find it

Windows 11 includes an emergency restart feature that serves as a safer alternative to forcefully pressing the power button when a PC is unresponsive, reducing the risk of file corruption and system instability. For installing Windows 11 on unsupported PCs, users should assess hardware compatibility, utilize workarounds, back up data, explore community forums, stay updated on patches, consider hardware upgrades, and familiarize themselves with new features. To enhance security, users should enable two-factor authentication, regularly update software, use strong passwords, install antivirus software, be cautious with email attachments, back up data, and educate themselves about phishing scams.

Tech Optimizer

May 12, 2025

Database performance analysis using pg_profile and pgpro_pwr

pgpro_pwr is a database workload monitoring tool for database administrators (DBAs) to identify resource-demanding operations. It was launched in 2017 as pg_profile by Andrey Zubkov, who moved from being a DBA to an engineer at Postgres Professional. pg_profile is compatible with open-source PostgreSQL and has been integrated into PostgreSQL 17 as of 2024, while pgpro_pwr offers advanced statistical insights and is included in Postgres Pro releases. Both tools monitor database workload metrics through continuously incrementing counters, capturing values at intervals and archiving differences. They do not provide alerting capabilities but are useful for assessing system stability, analyzing load testing outcomes, and identifying system-intensive activities. The tools consist of repository tables, data collection functions, reporting functions, and service tables. To use them, one must install the extension, configure roles, and set up parameters. Reports can be generated for workload statistics over time and comparisons between different time intervals. Examples of report types include wait event statistics and advanced vacuum statistics. Future plans include submitting a patch to introduce vacuum statistics to vanilla PostgreSQL.

Winsage

May 10, 2025

Best Windows apps this week

Windows 11, version 24H2 has officially rolled out, but some devices may face installation issues due to unresolved problems. This week features discounts on various apps, with users encouraged to check the Store for offers. BleachBit 5.0 has been updated, enhancing its functionality as a temporary file cleaner and secure file deleter, while discontinuing support for Windows 7 and earlier versions and addressing several DLL vulnerabilities. Sucrose is a new open-source wallpaper tool for Windows that allows users to download animated wallpapers or create their own, including transforming websites into dynamic wallpapers. Winhance 5 is a free utility for customizing Windows, allowing changes to system settings and removal of system apps, with a more intuitive graphical user interface compared to its predecessor.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

Minecraft Bedrock 1.21.80 Update Unveils Thrilling, Game-Changing New Features

The Minecraft Bedrock Edition 1.21.80 update introduces enhancements, bug fixes, and new features to improve player experience. Key modifications include reduced latency in populated worlds, improved chunk loading, and increased stability for multiplayer sessions. Bug fixes address issues with pistons, disappearing villagers, and crashes on Android devices. The update features new structures, encourages updating texture packs, and includes a "Drop 2 2025" toggle for testing new mobs like the Dried Ghast and Ghastling in the Nether. Players are advised to back up their worlds before updating.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Mojang’s big Minecraft VR mistake

Mojang has officially discontinued VR support for the Bedrock version of Minecraft on PCs, ending a VR initiative that began in April 2016. The Gear VR version was initially available on devices like the Oculus Go and original Oculus Quest, but support for older games on the Oculus Quest 2 rendered these experiences obsolete. Modders, particularly through the Vivecraft mod, have filled the gap left by Mojang, with QuestCraft being a notable port for Meta Quest headsets. Despite Mojang's claims of lacking resources for VR, the company has over 55 million daily active players and a workforce of more than 600 employees, indicating financial stability. The demographics of the Meta Quest user base suggest a strong potential interest in Minecraft if officially supported. Recent collaborations between Meta and Microsoft hint at potential opportunities for an official Minecraft VR port, yet progress remains stagnant. The QuestCraft Discord server has 80,000 members, indicating significant interest in a VR version of Minecraft, which could attract hundreds of thousands of active users.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

Windows 11 24H2 may now automatically install itself, whether you want it or not

Microsoft has announced that Windows 11 version 24H2 has officially entered the final phase of its gradual rollout, making it available to all users. This automatic installation applies to individual users of Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 versions 23H2, 22H2, and 21H2, excluding managed organizations or enterprises. Devices blocked due to known bugs are exempt from the update. Users can choose when to restart their devices or postpone the update, and they can also pause updates for one to five weeks. Users can manually check for the update by navigating to Settings and selecting Windows Update. Since its release, Windows 11 24H2 has faced various bugs and compatibility issues, leading to some updates being blocked and creating a cycle of fixes and new problems. As Windows 10 approaches its end of support in October, the need for stability in Windows 11 is becoming increasingly important.