Stack Archives

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Windows 11 Pro is under $10 until July 16

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is currently available for .97, reduced from its regular price of 9. This limited-time offer expires on July 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Windows 11 Pro includes features such as BitLocker for data encryption, Remote Desktop for accessing work PCs, Hyper-V for creating virtual machines, and Windows Sandbox for safely testing software. The Pro edition has received a 4/5 rating from PC Magazine and TechRadar.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

MS Office Pro Plus 2019 and Windows 11 Pro are now just $26

The All-in-One Microsoft Office Pro 2019 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle is priced at .99, reduced from its regular price of 9.99. It includes Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019, which offers offline access to applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, along with updates for improved functionality. The bundle also features Windows 11 Pro, which includes tools for multitasking and organization, as well as advanced options for business network management and device security.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

How to craft and use Straw Bed in Minecraft

Mojang has released Minecraft 26.3, introducing the Straw Bed, a single-use sleeping item that allows players to sleep through the night or during thunderstorms without changing their spawn point. The Straw Bed can be crafted using 3 Hay Bales in a horizontal line, yielding four beds per crafting. Hay Bales can be made from nine Wheat or found in villages. Once used, the Straw Bed is destroyed and cannot be placed in the Nether or The End. It is particularly useful for long explorations away from a base, as it allows players to skip the night without the risk of setting a new spawn point.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Expert anglers, can you name all of these videogames with fishing in them after seeing just one screenshot of a successful catch?

Engaging card games and fishing minigames can significantly extend playtime in video games. Fishing minigames are popular for their charm and the blend of patience and excitement they offer, despite the challenging controls and frantic button-mashing involved. A quiz is available that challenges players to identify fish from 21 different games within a 16-minute time limit.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Minecraft finally adds seats after 17 years, but the potential for builders is even bigger

Mojang has released a significant update for Minecraft, introducing the ability to craft a Cushion using three Wool Slabs of any color. This new item allows players to sit and can be placed on supporting blocks, transforming Wood Stairs into stylish chairs without collision issues. The update also includes the Dappled Forest biome, new materials like the Poplar Wood set, Wool Stairs and Slabs, and bouncy Shelf Mushrooms. Additionally, players can craft Straw Beds from three Hay Bales, which stack up to 16 and allow for a quick sleep without establishing a spawn point. The Minecraft Java 26.3 Snapshot 3 and Bedrock Preview 26.40.30 are now available for players to test these new features.

Tech Optimizer

July 6, 2026

Why most AI projects fail: It’s infrastructure and people

AI technology faces significant criticism for its low success rates in delivering business results, with studies indicating a 95% failure rate for enterprise AI solutions and only 9% of organizations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa achieving measurable outcomes from AI initiatives. Four main shortcomings hinder the transition of AI prototypes to production: 1. Deployment Flexibility: Prototyping environments often lack the necessary flexibility for large-scale production deployment, particularly in regulated sectors. 2. Data Sovereignty: Production transitions can complicate data sovereignty at enterprise and regional levels. 3. Reliability: High availability is crucial for production environments, but vendor-managed platforms may not guarantee seamless upgrades or hardware swaps without downtime. 4. Disconnect in Tool Selection: Developers often choose tools for prototyping without considering production implications, leading to difficulties in scaling. The shortage of database administrators (DBAs) is exacerbated by the increasing use of AI tools, with 84% of developers utilizing them according to a 2025 survey. To address these challenges, Merrick suggests leveraging AI DBA agents to support human DBAs and improve database management efficiency. He emphasizes the need for both robust data infrastructure and enhanced operational support to improve the success rates of AI prototypes.

AppWizard

July 6, 2026

Circle Generator Minecraft: Build With a Circle Chart

Building a circle in Minecraft involves using a block grid, which can be challenging due to the need for specific block patterns for different diameters. A Minecraft circle graph visually represents a circle on this grid, where filled cells indicate placed blocks and empty cells are unoccupied. The Bresenham circle algorithm is used to create these graphs, making it a standard method for rendering curves in the game. A circle generator allows players to input a desired diameter and receive a grid layout to follow, ensuring accuracy in construction. To read a circle chart, players look at a square grid filled with filled and empty squares, placing blocks according to the layout row by row. For three-dimensional builds, the pattern is replicated across height layers. Odd diameters have a single center block, while even diameters have a 2x2 center, simplifying calculations. Optimal circle sizes for aesthetic results start from 15 blocks, with smaller circles often appearing more octagonal. Recommended diameters include 15-25 blocks for towers, 40-60 blocks for arenas, and starting from 30 blocks for domes. Errors can be corrected by comparing the current row with the generator's output and making adjustments. Large circles, such as those with a 60-block diameter, can strain server resources, making it essential to use a stable server for accurate block placement.

Winsage

July 3, 2026

Intel’s major driver update for Windows 11 delivers performance boost, ships with Microsoft’s quality promise

Microsoft's Driver Quality Initiative (DQI) aims to enhance driver stability and predictability for Windows 11, with Intel recently releasing Bluetooth and Wi-Fi driver updates (version 24.50.0) that align with this initiative. The DQI, discussed at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in May 2026, involves collaboration with major tech companies like Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm to improve driver reliability. Microsoft has mandated OEMs to follow strict security policies and adopt Microsoft-authored class drivers to reduce kernel interference and enhance performance and security. The initiative includes quality benchmarks focused on stability, functionality, performance, and reduced power impact. Intel is the first to adopt these changes, with AMD also committing to high-quality driver collaboration.

Winsage

July 2, 2026

Microsoft’s new Azure Linux 4.0 is here, and it could replace Windows Server in the enterprise

Microsoft has released Azure Linux 4.0, transitioning it from an internal tool to a server operating system that users can install on their own servers and virtual machines. Azure Linux 4.0 is built on Fedora Linux, allowing the use of RPMs and ensuring compatibility with Azure's cloud platform. The beta version features a hardened Linux kernel 6.18, optimized for performance on Hyper-V and Azure virtual machines, and incorporates SELinux-based security measures without a graphical user interface. In the Azure Marketplace, it is marketed as a "Microsoft-built Linux distribution for Azure," with formal support available for deployments on Azure but not for standalone hardware. The Azure Linux GitHub repository provides transparency into the distribution, encouraging community engagement while Microsoft retains control over the base image's contents. Azure Linux is positioned as a free, Azure-optimized server operating system for hybrid environments, potentially signaling a shift away from Windows Server.

Winsage

July 1, 2026

🚨 Windows users, don’t let a $9.97 Pro upgrade pass you by

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, down from 9, as part of the Extended Deal Days event, valid until 11:59 p.m. PT today. Key features include BitLocker, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and Azure AD Support. User experience enhancements include Snap Layouts, Copilot, DirectX 12 Ultimate, and Biometric Sign-In. The purchase is a one-time fee, and users should verify compatibility with Microsoft's PC Health Check app.