strategies Archives

Tech Optimizer

April 13, 2025

Springtail: $2.5 Million (Pre-Seed) Raised To Scale PostgreSQL Performance

Springtail has secured a million pre-seed funding round led by Gradient, Google's early-stage AI fund, with contributions from Octave and various angel investors. The company offers a cloud-based distributed database solution that integrates with Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL, addressing scalability challenges by offloading and scaling read execution without requiring extensive application changes or data migrations. Springtail's architecture allows for horizontal scaling of read-heavy workloads through on-demand read replicas that share a common storage layer, enabling independent scaling of compute resources. The co-founders, Craig Soules and Garth Goodson, have backgrounds in distributed systems and previous experience in successful software enterprises. Springtail claims to potentially save developers up to 58% on PostgreSQL read replication costs compared to Amazon RDS.

Tech Optimizer

April 12, 2025

I abandoned third-party antivirus tools, and here’s what I do instead

The author has transitioned from using third-party antivirus solutions to relying on Windows Security, which is built into Windows 10 and 11, due to its effectiveness and lack of cost. They emphasize the importance of keeping Windows Security updated and performing regular virus scans for added peace of mind. Ransomware protection features, such as Controlled Folder Access, are highlighted as essential. The Microsoft PC Manager app is recommended for optimizing system performance and security. The author advocates for good security hygiene, including avoiding suspicious emails and enabling two-factor authentication, as effective practices to maintain security without third-party antivirus software.

AppWizard

April 12, 2025

The 20 best games on PC

XCOM 2: War of the Chosen is a strategy game that revitalized the original XCOM 2, which faced criticism for technical issues and gameplay frustrations. The game involves defending against extraterrestrial invaders in a turn-based tactical format, where players command a squad of soldiers and face the possibility of permadeath. The War of the Chosen expansion introduces new enemy types, allied factions, unique soldier classes, formidable bosses, and a variety of mission types, enhancing the gameplay experience. The game emphasizes player-driven storytelling, where decisions impact the narrative, and offers high replayability due to its tactical depth and evolving challenges.

AppWizard

April 12, 2025

Signal App reveals need for more secure channels

Mike Waltz, national security adviser under President Trump, accidentally included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, in a confidential military chat on Signal that involved senior officials discussing imminent U.S. military strikes on Yemen. This incident raised concerns about the administration's secure communication practices, particularly as it involved sensitive military strategies. Despite Signal's encryption, critics argue that public group chats should not be used for classified discussions, highlighting vulnerabilities in communication protocols. Secure rooms are designed for classified discussions with strict protocols, which were not followed in this case.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Majesty, Tokaido, Plancon, and more

The Google Pixel 9a pre-order includes a complimentary credit offer. The Google Play Store has various deals for Android users, including discounts on the wireless Google Nest Video Doorbell and the Galaxy Tab A9+ tablet. Samsung's 2025 3D and OLED Odyssey monitors are also available with free credit offers. "Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom" is an Android game where players manage a kingdom without directly controlling citizens, who act independently and require rewards to follow commands.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

PC Players Spend More On Microtransactions Than Actual Games

Newzoo's report reveals that in 2024, microtransactions account for over 58 percent of spending in the PC gaming sector, while only 28 percent is allocated to full game purchases, reflecting a 2.6 percent decline from the previous year. Players dedicated only 8 percent of their gaming time to new releases, with over 60 percent spent on titles released more than six years ago. In contrast, console gaming shows microtransactions at 32 percent of player spending, a 4.5 percent increase year-over-year, while full game purchases still dominate. Subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus Extra capture about 16 percent of the console market.

Tech Optimizer

April 10, 2025

Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases now supports hybrid search for Aurora PostgreSQL and MongoDB Atlas vector stores

Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases has expanded to support hybrid search for knowledge bases created with Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL and MongoDB Atlas vector stores. This enhancement allows for a dual-query approach that combines semantic and full-text search methodologies, improving the relevance of search results. Users can access hybrid search through the Knowledge Base APIs or the Bedrock console, where they can select hybrid search as their preferred method. Hybrid search functionality with Aurora PostgreSQL is available in all AWS Regions except Europe (Zurich) and GovCloud (US) Regions, while for MongoDB Atlas, it is available in the US West (Oregon) and US East (N. Virginia) AWS Regions.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

How Gaming Is Regulated On Android’s App Store

The Google Play Store offers millions of mobile games and enforces strict regulations to ensure user safety and legal compliance. These regulations cover content policies, monetization practices, data protection, technical requirements, and regional compliance. Games must adhere to content policies that prohibit hate speech, excessive violence, and misrepresentation, and must be rated by the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC). Monetization strategies require developers to use Google’s payment system for in-app purchases and disclose pricing and refund policies. Gambling games must have the necessary licenses and disclose odds for loot boxes. Data privacy guidelines mandate clear communication about data collection and user consent. Technical standards require games to function well across devices and be free from security threats. Google employs automated and manual reviews to enforce compliance, with consequences for violations ranging from warnings to permanent bans. Regional compliance is necessary, particularly in areas with strict regulations like China and the EU.

Tech Optimizer

April 10, 2025

6 overlooked security practices I implemented at home and I regret not using sooner

- Safeguarding technology is crucial in the digital age due to potential threats from various devices. - Two-factor authentication (2FA) enhances online account security by requiring a second code sent to a phone, email, or authentication app. - Biometric verification methods and hardware authentication devices like YubiKeys can further enhance security. - Backup codes should be printed when setting up 2FA, and passkeys offer a passwordless solution for securing accounts. - Ransomware can lock users out of data until a ransom is paid, and Windows 10 and 11 have a feature called Controlled Folder Access (CFA) to protect essential folders. - Windows Security provides baseline protection for PCs, and users should regularly check for updates and conduct manual scans. - Microsoft's PC Manager utility enhances system security by offering features for storage and app management alongside virus scanning. - Securing web browsers is vital, with unique settings available in browsers like Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Chrome to improve privacy and security. - Regularly clearing browsing history and keeping browsers updated helps mitigate risks from malware and phishing attacks. - Securing Wi-Fi routers involves changing the default admin password and SSID, using strong encryption like WPA3, and regularly updating firmware. - Custom firmware like DD-WRT or OpenWrt can enhance router security and functionality.

BetaBeacon

April 9, 2025

Download Goose Goose Duck (free) for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS

Goose Goose Duck is a free game available on multiple platforms, including mobile devices and PCs. Optional in-game purchases offer visual accessories and skins, but do not affect gameplay.