unpredictability Archives

Tech Optimizer

June 13, 2025

Microsoft Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Tips to Protect Your Business Following the Latest Outage

Microsoft attributed a recent global outage affecting various digital infrastructures to a "CrowdStrike update," which disrupted multiple applications including OneDrive, OneNote, Outlook, PowerBI, Microsoft Teams, and others. Users experienced issues such as synchronization failures and access difficulties. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in supply chains that organizations rely on for managing sensitive data, which can be targeted by cyber threats. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a feature within Microsoft Purview designed to protect sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure. DLP policies can monitor user activity and take protective actions like alerting users about inappropriate sharing, blocking sharing attempts, or relocating data to secure locations. DLP can be applied across various platforms, including Office 365 applications and Windows endpoints. The DLP lifecycle includes planning and deployment phases, where organizations assess data to be monitored and ensure policies do not disrupt workflows. Monitoring and reporting tools provide insights into policy matches and incidents, helping organizations refine their DLP efforts. However, DLP has limitations, including false positives, user resistance, and challenges in detecting data leakages through new communication channels.

AppWizard

June 12, 2025

The Alters review

Players navigate a treacherous alien planet in "The Alters," a game by 11 bit studios that combines survival mechanics with a sci-fi narrative. The protagonist, Jan, is the sole survivor of a failed intergalactic mining operation and must repair his base, manage resources, and make strategic decisions to survive. The game introduces a unique element called rapidium, allowing players to create altered versions of Jan with different skills and personalities. Interactions with these Alters and other characters can lead to cooperation or conflict, impacting morale and mission success. Exploration involves gathering resources and managing environmental hazards, with a fast travel system facilitating navigation. The game emphasizes the importance of player choices, creating a deeply personal and immersive experience.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

A new Game of Thrones RTS is coming to PC in 2026

Playside Studios has announced a new real-time strategy game titled Game of Thrones: War for Westeros, set to launch on Steam in 2026. Players can take command of Great Houses or the Night King to conquer the Seven Kingdoms in solo or multiplayer modes. The game is available for wishlist on Steam. Playside Studios is Australia's largest video game developer, known for titles like Dumb Ways to Die and Age of Darkness: Final Stand. Game director Ryan McMahon emphasized the game's focus on themes of trust, power, and betrayal, aiming to capture the emotional weight and unpredictability of the Game of Thrones universe.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

Deltarune’s new chapters defy every rule of RPG logic

In Chapter 4 of Deltarune, players control Kris, who encounters a locked door, a step stool, and a green book. The intended solution involves using the step stool to reach the book and activate a switch, but players cannot interact with the stool. Instead, Ralsei acts as a step stool, allowing Suzie to hit the switch. The game features turn-based combat combined with bullet hell mechanics, encouraging creative, pacifist solutions. Emotional responses from enemies vary based on player actions. Notable moments include a turtle shouting at enemies and a battle that transforms into a roulette-style game. Humor subverts RPG conventions, such as a water cooler becoming an enemy and a game show hosted by a character with a CRT TV head. Players can design their hero, but the narrator humorously reminds them that they cannot fully project themselves onto Kris. The game consistently surprises players with its inventive mechanics and narrative twists.

Winsage

June 2, 2025

Microsoft issues out-of-band patches for Windows 11 startup failure

Microsoft invests significant resources into patch testing prior to software release, but the complexity of modern software makes it nearly impossible to account for every potential scenario. Tyler Reguly, associate director of security R&D at Fortra, states that human intervention is required at large scales, and humans are fallible. The transparency of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) reports is limited, leaving stakeholders with only swift resolutions. When human error is identified, changes in processes or policies may be necessary, while edge cases can arise from various factors, especially in environments where hardware and virtualization intersect. Reguly notes the unpredictability of such systems and emphasizes the limitations of expecting comprehensive coverage in a complex technological landscape.

Winsage

June 2, 2025

The Tech Circus: AI’s Grand Finale, Elon Musk’s Punchline, and Microsoft’s Notepad Bold Move

Mary Meeker has released a comprehensive 340-page AI report highlighting rapid advancements and widespread adoption of artificial intelligence. Venture capitalists are heavily investing in AI across various sectors, including healthcare and coffee shops. Elon Musk recently left Washington, D.C. with a black eye from a playful encounter with his son, reflecting his unpredictable standing. The DOGE project has left behind issues such as water damage and pests. Microsoft has updated Notepad to include text formatting features like bold, italics, hyperlinks, and Markdown support, currently available for Windows 11 Canary and Dev Channel testers.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

Planet Coaster 2’s latest update introduces crime and punishment to your theme park, adding pickpockets, vandals, and security guards to stop them

The latest update for Planet Coaster 2 introduces several new features, including the presence of pickpockets and vandalism by dissatisfied visitors, adding unpredictability to park interactions. Players can now hire security guards to manage these issues. The update also reintroduces a sci-fi theme, expands customization options, and improves pathing tools. Bug fixes and visual enhancements, particularly for water rides, have been implemented, alongside a more detailed breakdown of ride prestige and guest moods. Player reception has been mostly positive, with many expressing satisfaction with the updates despite the game's mixed overall rating on Steam.

Winsage

May 29, 2025

Microsoft is ruining Windows customization

Customizing a Windows PC has become increasingly complex and frustrating due to several factors. Microsoft has introduced more locked-down UI elements with Windows 10 and 11, which complicates the customization process. Frequent and substantial updates alter UI elements and introduce new features, creating challenges for developers of customization tools to maintain compatibility. Microsoft has also removed certain legacy features that facilitated customization, limiting the capabilities of these applications. Additionally, some customization apps are labeled as malware, discouraging users from installing them and hindering the customization ecosystem. As a result, many users feel that the joy of customizing their Windows experience has diminished, as streamlined interfaces lack the flair and personality of earlier versions.

Tech Optimizer

May 29, 2025

How to turn off antivirus

Antivirus software is crucial for digital security, providing protection against malware threats. Users may need to disable antivirus temporarily for reasons such as system resource consumption, particularly during resource-intensive tasks like gaming, or to bypass false positives when installing applications. Disabling antivirus software poses risks, especially when browsing the internet, as even legitimate sites can be compromised. Precautions to take when disabling antivirus include disconnecting from the internet, avoiding USB drives, using trusted networks, closing non-essential applications, verifying the legitimacy of downloaded files, and limiting browsing to secure websites. Users should promptly re-enable their antivirus after completing necessary tasks.

Winsage

May 1, 2025

Secure your organization against changing conditions with a special offer from Windows 365

82% of business leaders view 2023 as critical for reevaluating strategic and operational frameworks. Windows 10 support will end in October 2025, prompting organizations to consider strategies for transitioning to Windows 11 or Windows 365. Microsoft is offering a 20% discount on all Windows 365 plans for new customers from May 1, 2025, to October 31, 2025. Windows 365 provides a secure Windows 11 experience via a Cloud PC and is designed with Zero Trust principles for enhanced security. Transitioning to Windows 365 can lower carbon footprints and align with sustainability goals. Crocs reported annual cost savings of 0,000 after switching to Windows 365. Dnata Travel Group chose Windows 365 for secure access for their mobile workforce. Hamburg Commercial Bank plans to expand its use of Windows 365 for sustainability improvements. The promotional offer is available for new customers and has specific terms and conditions, including a deadline for processing transactions.