western Archives

TrendTechie

August 3, 2025

Главное за 3 августа ⟩ Заблокирован популярный торрент-трекер, черный день на дорогах и роскошная яхта в Риге

The National Council for Electronic Media (NEPLP) blocked access to the Russian torrent site kinozal.tv. The cruise yacht Ilma made its inaugural visit to the Port of Riga on August 2. A traffic accident resulted in two fatalities. A Riga resident, Lana, faced discomfort during her hotel stay in Ventspils and received a request from hotel management to stop public commentary after her negative review. The Prosecutor's Office charged a man with sexual assault against minors at a closed children's home in Kurzeme. Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies uncovered a corruption scheme involving a Rada member and military administration heads. Kremlin propagandists claimed Ukraine is a pawn in a larger conflict. A two-year-old girl died in an accident at the Aquagan water park in Croatia. Former President Trump announced the deployment of two nuclear submarines. The Krašennikov volcano erupted for the first time in recorded history without affecting populated areas. The Summer Sound festival in Liepāja is the largest beach festival in the Baltic region. Travelers faced flight cancellations from airBaltic. RUS TVNET covers celebrity gossip and relationship dynamics, particularly regarding narcissistic behavior.

AppWizard

July 27, 2025

Inside Putin’s attempt to construct a ‘digital gulag’ spy app to snoop on Russians

The new messenger app Max, developed by VK, will be a standard feature on all new digital devices sold in Russia starting this September. It aims to integrate messaging, video calls, government services, and mobile payments. Experts express concerns that Max could enhance Kremlin surveillance capabilities, as its servers will be governed by local laws allowing the FSB to access user data. There is an increasing likelihood of a ban on WhatsApp, which is currently used by over 70% of Russians, as part of a strategy to promote Max. Opposition journalist Andrey Okun describes Max as a tool for creating a "digital gulag," while experts note it normalizes state surveillance of internet usage in Russia. The Russian government has designated WhatsApp as an extremist organization, and tactics may be employed to transition users to Max. Although the shift may not change the organized opposition landscape significantly, it could discourage casual dissent. Historically, the government has attempted to block services like Telegram, with renewed efforts expected by the end of the year.

Winsage

July 26, 2025

How to Fix Windows 11 24H2 BSOD and Crashes

The Windows 11 24H2 update has caused complications, leading Microsoft to compile a list of affected hardware and software along with potential fixes. Users experiencing crashes can try the following solutions: 1. Remove Windows Hello: Users with laptops that have integrated cameras may experience system freezes. To fix this, navigate to Settings > Accounts > Sign in options, expand the Facial Recognition section, and click Remove. Optionally, remove fingerprint and PIN settings and set up a password. 2. Change Registry Settings for SSDs: The update has made certain SSDs from Western Digital and SanDisk incompatible. A temporary fix involves modifying the registry. Open the Registry Editor, navigate to ComputerHKEYLOCALMACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlStorPort, locate or create the DWORD HmbAllocationPolicy, modify its value to 0 or 2, and restart the PC. 3. Perform Windows Updates Again: Subsequent updates may resolve existing issues. Check for updates in Windows Update, download all related to the 24H2 version, and restart the PC as necessary. 4. Reroll Windows 11: Users can revert to the previous version within 10 days of the update if the option is available. Go to Settings > System > Recovery and select Go back. If the option is greyed out, users can download Windows 11 23H2 from Microsoft’s website for a clean installation, ensuring to back up data first.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Putin’s ‘digital gulag’: Inside the Kremlin’s attempt to construct a spy app to snoop on Russians

A new messenger app named Max, developed by Russian tech company VK, will be pre-installed on all new digital devices sold in Russia starting September. Analysts express concerns that Max, which integrates messaging, video calls, government services, and mobile payments, could be used as a surveillance tool by the Kremlin due to its architecture and local server location. There are fears that it may enable the government to monitor citizens closely, with a potential ban on popular apps like WhatsApp to steer users towards Max. Russian opposition journalist Andrey Okun has described Max as part of a "digital gulag" that allows for strict government oversight of citizens. Experts suggest that the introduction of Max is part of a broader initiative to enhance state surveillance capabilities. The Russian government has previously expressed frustration with foreign apps complicating surveillance, and attempts to block platforms like Telegram have had limited success, indicating a potential increase in efforts to control messaging services in the future.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

Russia Launches An App That Could Spy On Its Citizens, Likely To Ban WhatsApp

Russia will launch a new digital device featuring a messenger app named Max in September, which will include messaging, video calls, government services, and mobile payment options. The app will be pre-installed on all new devices in the country, and its servers will be located in Russia, potentially allowing the FSB access to user data. Experts express concerns that Max may facilitate state surveillance and could lead to the banning of global messaging platforms like WhatsApp. The development of Max is reportedly linked to President Vladimir Putin's orders and reflects the Kremlin's ongoing efforts to monitor digital communications and assert control over the online environment in Russia.

TrendTechie

July 23, 2025

Overclockers.ru: Как я перестал экономить ресурс SSD, стал качать на него торренты и убрал все HDD из игрового ПК

The author began using personal computers in the early 2000s, starting with a 4.3 GB hard drive and upgrading to larger capacities over time, including a 20 GB, 80 GB, and a 320 GB drive in 2007. By 2009, they acquired a 1 TB Western Digital Caviar Green drive and subsequently added more drives. Data loss incidents, including one involving a 3 TB Western Digital Red drive, emphasized the importance of backing up critical information. Managing multiple hard drives in a gaming PC introduced challenges such as noise, vibration, and cable management, particularly with a maximum of seven hard drives and an SSD. Heat generation from multiple drives raised concerns about optimal operating temperatures, leading the author to prefer lower RPM models for long-term storage. The market for reliable hard drives has become complicated due to rebranded drives, making replacements harder to find. Attempts to transition to a dedicated file server faced difficulties due to rapid drive failures in a standard case without proper dampening.

AppWizard

July 19, 2025

Kremlin may ban popular messaging app to tighten control over internet resources

Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have noted an increase in the Kremlin's censorship efforts to control the digital landscape in Russia. On July 18, Anton Gorelkin, First Deputy Chairperson of the Russian State Duma Committee on Information Policy, warned that WhatsApp may face restrictions in the Russian market and indicated that the Kremlin-backed messaging app, MAX, is intended to replace it. Committee member Anton Nemkin labeled WhatsApp a national security threat, suggesting Telegram as an alternative, but acknowledged MAX as the preferred option. WhatsApp is currently the most popular messaging app in Russia, with about 84 million daily users, but a ban on it is seen as likely. Insiders believe Telegram will remain operational due to its support of Kremlin-affiliated channels. Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, has been classified as an extremist organization by the Russian government. ISW has previously reported on the Kremlin's plans for MAX as a national messenger, and if successful, Telegram and other Western social media platforms may also face bans. The Kremlin's strategy aims to isolate and censor Russian citizens while promoting its narratives.

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

Russia Moves to Ban WhatsApp and Launch State Messenger.

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is widely used in Russia, but the government has raised concerns about its compliance with local data localization laws due to its servers being outside the country. As a result, state-owned employees are prohibited from using WhatsApp for official communications starting in 2025, and a complete ban could be imposed if Meta does not comply with regulations. The Russian government is developing a domestic messaging service, informally called “Vlad’s App,” expected to launch by the end of 2025, to enhance control over information and ensure compliance with local laws. While the current ban affects only government and state employees, broader restrictions on WhatsApp may occur, potentially impacting private users. The government's push for digital sovereignty aims to reduce reliance on foreign technology and promote domestic alternatives, raising concerns about freedom of expression and the isolation of Russia's internet from the global community.

Winsage

July 12, 2025

Russian Developers Urge Ban on Microsoft Windows for School Exams

The Domestic Software Association, representing over 300 Russian IT companies, is advocating for a ban on Microsoft’s Windows operating system during school examinations, citing a conflict with a presidential decree banning foreign software in government institutions starting January 2025. The association expressed concerns in a letter to the Digital Development Ministry, the Education Ministry, and Rosobrnadzor regarding a directive that mandates the Unified State Exam be conducted solely on Windows. They are promoting the use of domestic operating systems like Astra Linux and urging revisions to exam preparation guidelines to include Russian office software suites. New federal regulations restrict foreign software procurement and incentivize Russian alternatives, with a law effective September 1 requiring only software registered with the Digital Development Ministry for critical national infrastructure. The initiative to replace foreign software began in 2023, but as of August 2024, only about 60% of schools and universities had transitioned to domestic solutions, with complete transition expected to take several more years.

AppWizard

July 5, 2025

Cladun X3 Announced For PC & Console Release This Year

NIS America has announced the release of Cladun X3 for PC and consoles, set to launch before the end of the year. In the game, players assume the role of a villain in the realm of Arcanus Cella, participating in a death game for world peace. Players can customize their experience with six weapon types, ten jobs, and the Magic Circle System, which allows for strategic character enhancements. The game features both a story mode and randomly-generated dungeons called Ran-geons.