upgrade path Archives

Tech Optimizer

January 28, 2026

Strategies for upgrading Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL and Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL from version 13

Standard support for PostgreSQL version 13 will end on February 28, 2026. Upgrading to newer PostgreSQL versions can enhance database performance and introduce new features. Notable enhancements in recent versions include: - Vacuum emergency mode (v14+) to manage old row versions. - Improved I/O performance (v17) with better write throughput. - Enhanced query optimization (v17+) for IN clauses and parallel BRIN index builds. - Memory efficiency improvements (v17) reducing vacuum memory usage. - Advanced monitoring features like pg_stat_io (v16+) and pg_wait_events (v17+). - Logical replication improvements such as failover support and slot migration (v17+). - Developer experience enhancements including JSONB subscripting (v14+) and SQL/JSON JSON_TABLE (v17+). - Security enhancements with new roles for access control (v14+) and maintenance tasks (v17+). For Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible, upgrading to versions v14.9+, v15.4+, v16.1+, and higher can yield performance optimizations, including faster query latency and cost savings. Changes in system catalog views and configuration parameters have occurred in PostgreSQL versions 14 to 17, impacting application compatibility. Upgrade strategies include in-place upgrades, blue/green deployments, logical replication, and using AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS). If an immediate upgrade is not possible, Amazon RDS Extended Support offers up to three years of continued security patches and bug fixes beyond the standard support end date.

AppWizard

January 18, 2026

Sci-fi survival game Once Human’s got a new set of dangerous creatures, and one will haunt my nightmares for weeks

Once Human is a free-to-play sci-fi survival game that has introduced a new update featuring three new adversaries: the Devourer, the Hoarder, and the Sonivore. The Devourer is a 45-meter-long creature that resembles a subway train and consumes Stardust-enriched ores. It can be interacted with by feeding it minerals, but if players fail to satisfy it, it may burrow underground with valuable materials. The Hoarder is a creature that resembles a shopping cart on legs, collecting items and leading players to its nest, which can be raided at a risk. The Sonivore is a gel-like entity that targets sound and high-value supplies, requiring players to use distractions to escape. The update also includes two new weapons, the EBR-14 rifle and the TEC-9, along with a new gear set and the Deviant Sprout upgrade path. The update is set to launch on January 21.

Winsage

January 6, 2026

Windows 11 Trails Older OS Versions in ThinkPad X220 Speed Tests

Windows 11 has been tested on a Lenovo ThinkPad X220, revealing it to perform poorly compared to its predecessors, particularly Windows 8.1, which excelled in benchmarks for boot times and application launches. The test involved various Windows versions (XP, Vista, 7, 8.1, 10, and 11) on the same aging hardware, highlighting that Windows 11 consistently finished last in most categories. The ThinkPad X220 does not meet Windows 11’s minimum requirements, lacking essential components like TPM 2.0 and a compatible processor, which may have skewed the results. Critics argue that using outdated hardware for testing is not representative, suggesting that a fair comparison would involve flagship devices from each generation. Windows 11's architecture is designed for modern multicore CPUs and SSDs, which may struggle on older hardware. Additionally, Windows 11 has heavier overheads due to advanced security features, which consume resources that older operating systems do not. User feedback indicates frustration with Windows 11's performance on legacy hardware compared to leaner alternatives like Linux. Despite Microsoft promoting optimizations in Windows 11, these did not manifest in the ThinkPad test, and the findings raise concerns for businesses considering upgrades as Windows 10 approaches its end-of-support date in 2025.

Winsage

January 5, 2026

Microsoft Ends Windows 11 SE Support in 2026 Amid Low Adoption

Microsoft will conclude support for Windows 11 SE in 2026, ceasing security updates and feature enhancements after October 2026. Launched in late 2021 for K-8 classrooms, Windows 11 SE struggled with adoption due to hardware limitations and competition from alternatives like Google’s Chrome OS. The final feature release for SE will be Windows 11 version 24H2. Schools will face challenges in transitioning to new systems, as devices running SE may become vulnerable to cyber threats without ongoing support. Microsoft is shifting its focus to integrating educational tools into its main operating system rather than maintaining a separate edition. The end of support for Windows 11 SE may accelerate hardware refresh cycles in schools, posing financial burdens on underfunded districts.

Winsage

December 23, 2025

Has 2025 seen a successful refresh to Windows 11?

Windows 11 has a market share of 53.7%, while Windows 10 has 42.7%. Approximately 700 million devices are running Windows 11. Microsoft has urged users to upgrade from Windows 10, which officially ended support in October 2025, leaving users without updates or security patches. Users on Windows 10 may need to purchase an extended security package for protection until October 2026. Hardware compatibility issues, particularly with the Trusted Platform Module 2.0 requirement, may prevent some users from upgrading. The 25H2 update for Windows 11 introduced various enhancements but also created new issues. Windows 12's release is uncertain, with expectations for AI advancements, but details are speculative.

Tech Optimizer

December 18, 2025

Improve Aurora PostgreSQL throughput by up to 165% and price-performance ratio by up to 120% using Optimized Reads on AWS Graviton4-based R8gd instances

AWS has introduced Graviton4-based R8gd instances for Amazon Aurora, which offer significant performance enhancements over Graviton2-based db.r6g instances. Users can expect up to 165% higher throughput, a 120% improvement in price-performance ratio, and an 80% enhancement in application response time. The integration of an Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache allows for expanded database caching capacity, minimizing network storage access and improving query response times. Organizations like Mindbody and Claroty have reported substantial performance improvements and cost savings after implementing these features. Aurora PostgreSQL 17 has introduced smarter storage batching algorithms and optimized writes, further enhancing performance for I/O-intensive applications. The db.r8gd instances allow for scaling up to 48xl, providing 192 vCPUs, 50 Gigabits of network bandwidth, and 10.4 TiB of local NVMe capacity. The benchmark testing using HammerDB demonstrated significant improvements in throughput, price-performance ratio, and response times when upgrading from db.r6g to db.r8gd instances. The Aurora Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache is available for Aurora PostgreSQL versions 17.4 and higher, among others.

Winsage

December 5, 2025

Steam hardware survey shows how Linux is slowly eating into Windows market share

Valve's hardware survey report from November 2025 indicates a rise in Linux adoption among Steam users, increasing by 0.15% to 3.2%, surpassing macOS at 2.02%. Windows 10's share has dropped to 29%, while Windows 11 has grown to 65%. SteamOS represents 26.42% of the Linux user base. AMD holds a CPU market share of 43.56%, with Intel at 56.44%. Nvidia's 60-class GPUs remain popular among gamers.

Winsage

December 1, 2025

‘Security Disaster’—500 Million Microsoft Users Say No To Windows 11

Microsoft revealed that one billion PCs are still operating on Windows 10, with 500 million being older models ineligible for upgrades and another 500 million capable of upgrading to Windows 11 but opting not to. Microsoft will provide free security updates for Windows 10 home users until October 2026, raising concerns about the vulnerability of many aging systems. There is a potential crisis looming with 500 million outdated PCs, which may lead to environmental issues, prompting suggestions for users to consider alternatives like Linux or ChromeOS.

Winsage

November 24, 2025

In wake of Windows 10 retirement, over 780,000 Windows users skip Win 11 for Linux, says Zorin OS developers — distro hits unprecedented 1 million downloads in five weeks

Zorin OS 18 has surpassed one million downloads, with over 78% of these coming from Windows systems. The latest version features a redesigned interface that combines elements of Windows 11 and MacOS, introduces Windows-style window tiling, and allows web-app integration for services like Office 365 and Google Docs. It includes a "Search Everywhere" function in the Files app, RDP remote-login support, and improved Bluetooth audio through the PipeWire audio stack. Zorin OS 18 is a Long Term Support release, guaranteeing updates until 2029. The release coincides with the end of support for Windows 10, leading to increased interest in alternatives among Windows users.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

Move fast if you want to snag this excellent Cities Skylines rival with a Minecraft twist for less than $4

Urbek: City Builder is a city-building game that emphasizes tangible resource management instead of traditional monetary systems. Players manage finite materials like wood, coal, and iron, making strategic choices that affect their city's dynamics. The game features no straightforward upgrade path for buildings, requiring players to balance living standards with resource demand. It allows for industrial growth at the expense of environmental quality and encourages strategic placement of buildings to optimize resource flow. Currently, Urbek is available for under during a limited-time Steam sale, with an 80% discount until November 17, priced at .79 / £3.25, and has a 90% approval rating on Steam.