western

TrendTechie
December 23, 2024
Crimea has been discussed as a potential hub for computer piracy, particularly after the imposition of sanctions in 2022, which created opportunities for a resurgence in digital piracy. Experts suggest that lifting sanctions might lead to a decline in piracy as the region could shift towards legitimate digital content distribution. In 2018, Yatsenko, the Minister of Information for the Donetsk People's Republic, proposed creating a digital ecosystem to rival Western offerings, though implementation faced challenges. The ongoing conflict and prioritization of traditional industries over the tech sector may hinder progress in fostering a digital piracy landscape. Historical examples, such as lobbying by Latvian fishing interests in Moscow, raise questions about the potential for IT sector lobbying in Crimea. There is speculation about the possibility of a virtual pirate republic or a unique Russian iteration reflecting local culture and identity.
Winsage
December 23, 2024
On October 1, Microsoft released the 2024 update for Windows 11, named Windows 11 24H2, which includes an upgraded Copilot AI, a revamped File Explorer, and performance improvements. The update is available through the Windows Update screen or can be downloaded from Microsoft's website. However, the rollout has encountered several bugs, prompting Microsoft to temporarily halt the update for certain devices. Key issues reported include: 1. Conflicts with Ubisoft games, causing freezes or crashes. 2. Problems with the Auto HDR feature leading to incorrect color displays or unresponsive games. 3. Incompatibility with Easy Anti-Cheat software, resulting in blue screens for users with Intel's Alder Lake+ processors. 4. Blue screens due to driver incompatibilities, particularly with Intel's Smart Sound Technology and certain hardware configurations. 5. A bug causing the mouse pointer to disappear in Chromium-based applications. 6. Erratic internet connectivity issues, with some devices unable to obtain a valid IP address. 7. A time zone setting issue preventing users without administrative privileges from changing their time zone. 8. Problems with the clipboard history feature appearing empty despite copied items. 9. Network sharing issues where devices fail to appear in the network list. 10. Printer setup difficulties for users of Copilot+ PCs, particularly with HP, Canon, and Brother printers. 11. Audio output issues for users utilizing Dirac Audio technology. 12. Microsoft Outlook failing to launch for users relying on Google Workspace Sync. Microsoft has acknowledged these issues and is working on patches and solutions. Users are advised to delay upgrading to the 2024 version until these problems are resolved.
AppWizard
December 23, 2024
Japan's Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) is set to find Google in violation of the nation's competition laws, marking its first order against a major US technology firm. The JFTC plans to issue a cease-and-desist order requiring Google to stop monopolistic practices in the internet search sector, specifically related to agreements with Android smartphone manufacturers that mandate the installation of its search and Chrome browser applications to access app stores. This ruling is part of a broader trend, as Google is also facing scrutiny in other markets, including a recent argument from the US Department of Justice for drastic measures against the company. The JFTC has informed Google of its intended actions and will finalize its decision after considering the company's response. Google has not publicly commented on the situation.
TrendTechie
December 21, 2024
On November 20, GSC Game World will release S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, which will not include Denuvo anti-piracy protection and will be available on the GOG digital store without DRM. It is expected that pirated versions of the game will appear on torrent sites within hours of its release. The minimum system requirements for the game are Windows 10, Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580, 8 GB RAM, and 150 GB disk space (SSD recommended). The recommended requirements are Windows 10/11, Intel Core i7-9700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super or AMD RX 5700 XT, 16 GB RAM, and 150 GB disk space (SSD required). Initial impressions from major publications and gaming expos are positive, highlighting the game's visual fidelity, mechanics, NPC intelligence, nonlinear quests, and expansive map, though some concerns were raised about a lengthy introduction and technical glitches. Journalists were not allowed to record gameplay footage, which has led to apprehensions about the unfiltered gameplay experience.
Winsage
December 20, 2024
Microsoft's 24H2 update for Windows 11 has caused various issues for users, including game stuttering, unexpected crashes, and disappearing audio devices. The update has led to problems with Auto HDR, resulting in incorrect game colors and crashes, particularly affecting certain display configurations. Audio issues have been reported with devices using Dirac Audio, but others have experienced similar problems without it. Users have also faced driver disruptions, notification glitches, animation issues, and browser freezing. The update has been withheld from machines with certain Ubisoft games installed to prevent crashes, and previous issues included an audio bug and a BSOD bug related to Western Digital SSDs.
AppWizard
December 7, 2024
Everstone Games announced that Where Winds Meet will be released on PC on December 27th, initially exclusive to the Chinese market. The game features a hero molded by chaos, emphasizing skill development with paths as a doctor, merchant, or NPC explorer. Combat includes Wuxia-inspired skills and Tai Chi techniques. It has a construction system with 600 antique components and an interactive environmental system. The game is open-world with detailed landscapes. There is no confirmed timeline for a Western release, but speculation suggests it could be in 2025. The game is not currently available on Steam or the Epic Games Store.
AppWizard
December 4, 2024
A fresh patch for Red Dead Redemption was released by Rockstar Games on December 3, 2024, coinciding with a Christmas-themed event in Red Dead Online. This update includes fixes for exterior lighting during interior cutscenes, improved frame pacing during cutscenes, enhanced Dynamic Resolution Scaling (DRS) functionality, and general stability improvements. The patch does not apply to the PS4, PS5, or Switch versions of the game. The PC version has shown strong performance on Steam and received positive feedback, particularly from Steam Deck users.
AppWizard
November 28, 2024
Kay and Tony Maccione run a not-for-profit internet radio station called MITE Radio in Western Australia, which caters to older Australians by combining nostalgic music with technology advice. The station provides a playlist of timeless hits while offering easy-to-understand information about using smartphones, social media, and other digital tools, helping listeners navigate technological changes. MITE Radio aims to create a supportive community for older Australians, blending nostalgia with education.
AppWizard
November 25, 2024
Microsoft has paused the deployment of the Windows 11 update 24H2 due to significant issues affecting users playing select Ubisoft games, including Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Assassin’s Creed Origins, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Star Wars Outlaws, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Players have reported problems such as black screens, freezing, and unresponsiveness during gameplay. Ubisoft has provided a temporary fix for Star Wars Outlaws, but Microsoft advises users against manually installing the 24H2 update and suggests using Task Manager to close unresponsive games. Microsoft is working with Ubisoft and other developers to resolve these issues, but no specific timeline for a fix has been provided. Previous compatibility challenges with the 24H2 update included issues with multiplayer games using Epic’s Easy Anti-Cheat software and certain Western Digital SSDs.
Search