user prompts Archives

Winsage

May 31, 2025

Windows 11 Pro Is Going for Pennies on the Dollar, a 92% Price Drop Makes It Almost Free

Windows 11 Pro offers enhanced networking and security features compared to Windows 11 Home. A lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro is currently available at a discounted price on StackSocial. It includes tools like snap layouts, virtual desktops, improved voice typing, and the AI assistant Copilot, which aids in navigation and productivity. Windows 11 Pro also features essential Microsoft applications, advanced security measures, and enhancements for gaming with DirectX 12 Ultimate.

Winsage

May 25, 2025

Microsoft Notepad’s latest AI trick churns out custom text for you

Microsoft's Notepad app has been updated to include AI capabilities that allow users to generate custom content based on prompts, available to Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro subscribers. Users can refine generated text through follow-up prompts and access the Copilot menu for content creation. Other Microsoft apps, such as Paint and the Snipping Tool, have also received AI enhancements, with Paint allowing for custom sticker creation and the Snipping Tool offering an automatic editing feature for screenshots. These updates will initially be available to Windows Insiders before wider release.

Tech Optimizer

May 24, 2025

Connect Amazon Bedrock Agents with Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL using Amazon RDS Data API

Generative AI applications are being integrated with relational databases, allowing organizations to utilize structured data for training AI models. This integration involves using the RDS Data API with Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition and Amazon Bedrock for AI model access and automation. The solution enables natural language queries to be converted into SQL statements, executed against the database, and returns results in a user-friendly format. The architecture includes several steps: invoking the Amazon Bedrock agent with natural language input, generating SQL queries using large language models (LLMs), executing those queries via the Data API, and returning formatted results. Security measures are in place to restrict operations to read-only, preventing modifications that could compromise data integrity. To implement this solution, prerequisites include deploying an Aurora PostgreSQL cluster using AWS CDK and setting up the necessary Lambda functions and IAM roles. The agent is designed to convert natural language prompts into SQL queries and execute them securely. Testing can be conducted through the Amazon Bedrock console or the InvokeAgent API, with options for tracing the agent's steps. Key considerations for this integration include limiting it to read-only workloads, implementing parameter validation to prevent SQL injection, and ensuring comprehensive logging and auditing. For multi-tenant applications, appropriate isolation controls should be established. To avoid future charges, all resources created through CDK should be deleted after use.

Winsage

May 23, 2025

Microsoft dumps AI into Notepad

Microsoft has updated Notepad to include the Copilot feature for text generation, requiring users to sign in with their Microsoft account to access the Write feature. Users can generate text by selecting the Write option from the Copilot menu, which can then be reviewed, saved, or refined. Microsoft has also introduced AI-driven features in Paint, including a sticker generator and a smart selection tool. These updates reflect Microsoft's efforts to innovate its built-in Windows applications, although some users question the necessity of AI in simpler tools like Notepad.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

You’ll never manually crop screenshots again thanks to this new Snipping Tool feature

Microsoft is updating the Snipping Tool to version 11.2504.38.0, introducing a Perfect screenshot feature that uses AI to intelligently resize selections for precise screenshots. Users can access this feature by selecting the Perfect screenshot button or by holding the Ctrl key while selecting a region. Additionally, a color picker feature will allow users to obtain exact color values from their screen. Both features are available exclusively on Copilot+ PCs. Furthermore, Paint will receive an AI-powered sticker generator and an Object select tool, while Notepad will introduce an AI-powered Write function for text drafting. Access to these functionalities requires a Microsoft account and a subscription to Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, Enterprise, or Copilot Pro.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Microsoft Notepad can now write for you using generative AI

Microsoft is testing updates to Notepad and Paint for Windows Insiders, focusing on integrating artificial intelligence into these applications. Notepad's new Write feature assists users in generating text based on prompts and enhances existing content with AI support. Users can insert new text or select existing text for reference, and the AI-generated text can be accepted, discarded, or refined. Notepad also includes features like Summarize, which condenses content, and Rewrite, which modifies tone and structure. Paint is receiving AI enhancements, including a Sticker generator for creating custom stickers by describing designs and an Object select tool for smart selections in images. The Snipping Tool is improving with a Perfect screenshot button that resizes screenshots intelligently and a new Color picker for precise color selection. To use Notepad's Write feature, users must sign into their Microsoft accounts, which will operate under a credits system. Pricing for these credits has not been disclosed.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad updates with new features begin rolling out to Windows Insiders

Windows 11 has rolled out updates for Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad for users in the Canary and Dev Channels. Paint (version 11.2504.451.0) introduces three features: 1. A sticker generator that creates custom stickers based on user prompts, accessible via the Copilot menu. 2. An object select tool that uses AI to isolate and edit elements within images. 3. A new welcome experience that guides users through the app's features. Snipping Tool (version 11.2504.38.0) adds: 1. A perfect screenshot feature that captures content precisely without needing cropping or resizing. 2. A color picker tool that allows users to inspect or select color codes from their screen. Notepad (version 11.2504.46.0) features: 1. An AI write feature that helps users draft text based on prompts, with options to keep or discard generated content. Access to the sticker generator, object select, and AI features requires signing in with a Microsoft account, and some features are exclusive to Copilot+ PCs.

Tech Optimizer

May 16, 2025

The $1 Billion database bet: What Databricks’ Neon acquisition means for your AI strategy

Databricks acquired the privately held serverless PostgreSQL startup Neon for approximately billion. Neon, founded in 2022, had previously raised million in a Series B funding round. Over 80% of the databases generated on Neon's platform were initiated by AI agents. PostgreSQL, an established relational database platform, is ranked as the fourth most popular database as of 2025. Serverless PostgreSQL offers operational simplicity, allowing on-demand resource allocation, which is particularly beneficial for AI-centric projects. Major cloud providers, including Google, Microsoft, and AWS, offer serverless PostgreSQL services. Databricks aims to build a developer and AI-agent-friendly database platform with this acquisition. Serverless architectures excel in handling short bursts and smaller workloads, providing rapid scalability, but may present challenges in data management. Neon’s model enhances appeal for developers by distinguishing between storage and compute, facilitating automated scaling. The acquisition indicates a shift in infrastructure requirements for successful AI implementation, highlighting the need for flexible, instantly scalable serverless solutions.

AppWizard

March 17, 2025

ChatGPT could be set as ‘default’ assistant on Android phones

ChatGPT can now be set as the default assistant on Android phones, as revealed in the beta version v1.2025.070 of the app. Users can wake ChatGPT by long pressing the home button or using other gestures, but it cannot be invoked with a voice command or hot word. To set ChatGPT as the default assistant, users must go to device settings and select it under the "Default Digital Assistant App" option. Additionally, ChatGPT has introduced advanced AI tools for Pro users that can enhance productivity by reducing research time, while Gemini's Deep Research feature is limited to a few prompts.

Winsage

February 20, 2025

Microsoft is paywalling these features in Notepad and Paint

Microsoft has announced that Notepad and Paint will have certain features locked behind a paid Microsoft 365 subscription. Users can still access Notepad and Paint without a subscription, but they will miss out on the latest features. In Notepad, spell checks will remain available, but features such as AI rewriting of text selections, AI generation of alternative versions of text selections, and AI shortening or lengthening of text selections will require a subscription. In Paint, the Image Creator feature, which uses OpenAI’s Dall-E for image generation, will be behind the paywall, while the background removal tool will remain accessible to all users. The subscription for Microsoft 365 starts at .99 per month or .99 annually.