writing Archives

Tech Optimizer

September 4, 2026

Object Storage + WAL: Lakebase Postgres for the agentic era

Agents interacting with traditional OLTP databases face bottlenecks at the storage layer due to data movement required for operations like deploying instances and managing replicas. Object storage solutions, such as Amazon S3, provide a more efficient and cost-effective alternative. The text discusses two OLTP models: data-centric and transaction-centric. The transaction-centric model emphasizes the importance of transaction history, which Postgres retains through its write-ahead log (WAL). The WAL records every modification before it is committed, allowing for the reconstruction of the database state as of a specific point in time. Lakebase Postgres introduces a two-layer architecture separating compute and storage. The compute layer handles SQL operations, while the storage layer ensures data durability and historical integrity. The WAL is streamed to safekeepers for replication, and the pageserver transforms WAL into materialized pages stored in object storage. This architecture allows for efficient read and write operations without direct interaction with object storage during queries. Key features of Lakebase Postgres include branching, which allows agents to create pointers to specific LSNs without copying data; instant restore capabilities that enable point-in-time recovery; time travel queries for accessing historical data; and read replicas that do not require data duplication. The system also supports scaling down idle compute nodes and eliminates the need for separate copies of data for transactional and analytical processing by storing a single durable copy in object storage. Overall, Lakebase Postgres enhances agent interactions with the database by leveraging object storage as a foundational element.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

PC gamers can grab a sci-fi hit in 7 day time-limited free offer

The Epic Games Store offers a selection of free games every Thursday. This week, players can claim the game Alone With You for free until 4 PM BST on Thursday, September 10. Alone With You, developed by BancyCo and launched in 2017, is an adventure game set in a doomed space colony, featuring a robot AI companion. The game typically retails for .99 and takes approximately 6.5 hours to complete the main storyline, or 11.5 hours for full exploration. It has a 'Mostly Positive' rating of 78% on Steam, with players praising its puzzle elements and narrative. Once claimed, the game remains in the player's library, but it is only available for PC.

BetaBeacon

September 3, 2026

Building Tetris on Android With One Prompt and No Laptop

An AI coding agent called Gotcha can generate games and tools on Android phones by writing real code and running a local server. It can create games like Tetris and a 3D Angry Birds clone with features such as touch controls, score displays, and sound effects. Gotcha can also fix bugs in the game logic based on vague feedback. The autonomy and local capabilities of Gotcha make it a unique tool for developers, allowing for quick iteration and precise bug reporting.

Winsage

September 2, 2026

Fake Microsoft Edge, Kaspersky and Razer Installers Used to Compromise Windows Systems

An ongoing malware campaign is targeting Windows devices through counterfeit download pages for well-known software brands like Microsoft Edge, Kaspersky, and Razer. The campaign affects various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, gaming, technology, logistics, government, and education. It utilizes high-fidelity fraudulent websites that closely mimic legitimate vendors, with observed lure domains such as app-microsoft-edge[.]com[.]cn and kaspersky-lab[.]hl[.]cn. Attackers employ evasion tactics like server-side payload regeneration and create multiple copies of the same archive in quick succession. Victims are lured into downloading ZIP files that contain a bundled wrapper installer, which activates a stage-one executable in randomized directories. The malware often masquerades as legitimate software, with some payloads impersonating known applications. Persistence is achieved through scheduled tasks with unusual names, and the malware employs various evasion techniques, including deleting shadow copies and altering file permissions. Microsoft Defender has identified activity across multiple stages of the attack, including delivery, execution, and command-and-control communications. To mitigate risks, organizations are advised to block downloads from unofficial sources, enforce Tamper Protection, and implement Attack Surface Reduction rules. Indicators of compromise (IOCs) include specific lure domains and URLs associated with the campaign.

AppWizard

September 1, 2026

Get the best of MMAmania.com on SB Nation’s new app

The author aimed to read at least two books each month but has already read three notable titles. The first book is "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion, which details the sudden cardiac arrest of Didion's husband and her emotional response. The second book is "Erasure" by Percival Everett, focusing on Theolonius Ellison, a Black author who critiques the publishing industry's exploitative narratives by writing a satirical book under a pseudonym. The third book is the "Copenhagen Trilogy" by Tove Ditlevsen, a memoir about her life from poverty to becoming a poet, highlighting her struggles with addiction and societal attitudes in early 20th-century Europe. The author also enjoyed "Mother Night" by Kurt Vonnegut and "Intermezzo" by Sally Rooney earlier in the year.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

Minecraft animated series is still in development – Netflix and Mojang deny rumors of cancellation

The animated series based on Minecraft was announced in May 2024 to coincide with the game's 15th anniversary, with Netflix and Mojang collaborating on the project. Kevin Adams and Joe Xander were appointed as showrunners, and Ashley Bradley was brought in as the writer, with animation by Flying Bark Productions. Updates about the series have been sparse, leading to concerns about its potential cancellation, especially after a reveal at the Annecy Festival in 2026 did not occur. However, representatives from Netflix and Mojang have confirmed that the series is still in production, with development progressing as planned. The timeline for completion is uncertain, with reports suggesting production could extend until 2028, and no official release date has been announced.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

Haunted Chocolatier’s development has been ‘very productive’ in recent months, Eric Barone says: ‘Working on Haunted Chocolatier is what I’m most eager and driven to do’

Eric Barone, known as ConcernedApe, is actively working on his game Haunted Chocolatier and has expressed satisfaction with the progress made despite his busy schedule. He emphasizes his commitment to quality, stating he will not rush the game's release. Barone enjoys playing the game in its unfinished state and believes players will enjoy it when completed. He has not provided a timeline for the game's launch and acknowledges the challenge of maintaining enthusiasm during the wait. Barone previously mentioned that Haunted Chocolatier is significantly larger than Stardew Valley, featuring extensive maps, diverse monsters, and enhanced item systems.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

‘Sidequests are almost my reason for doing videogames in the first place:’ The dev behind one of the coolest upcoming RPGs says its word count is ballooning because they just love side stories so much

Entropy is an early access role-playing game featuring experimental, JRPG-style combat in a bizarre, fallen world. It is developed by Lovely Hellplace, the team behind the acclaimed Dread Delusion. Dread Delusion was praised for its first-person gameplay and engaging side quests, including themes of ethical dilemmas and memory. The writer Harry Tuffs contributed significantly to the game's narrative, while Io Brindle returns to help with Entropy. Initially intended to have a shorter narrative, the game's writing expanded due to rich character development. Entropy features a diverse party system with permadeath for all characters and is available on Steam for £8.99, along with a demo.

Tech Optimizer

August 26, 2026

How to Protect Against Ransomware: 13 Steps [2026]

Global ransomware attacks increased by 0.8% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2026. The group Qilin has 279 confirmed victims, maintaining its position as the leading threat actor for four consecutive quarters. The rival group The Gentlemen saw a 62% increase in victims, reaching 269. Checkpoint Research's report indicates a shift in the ransomware landscape, challenging the narrative of declining attacks. IBM's analysis shows breaches within supply chains and third-party vendors have quadrupled over the past five years. Effective ransomware protection requires administrative access to endpoints, firewalls, and backup systems, along with specific software versions and tools. The 3-2-1-1-0 backup strategy is recommended, emphasizing offline, immutable backups. Organizations should implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all access points and actively patch known vulnerabilities. Network segmentation is crucial to limit ransomware spread, and canary files can provide early warnings of attacks. Regular phishing simulations and a well-documented incident response plan are essential for preparedness.

AppWizard

August 26, 2026

GBA Emulator Android: My Boy! vs John GBAC vs RetroArch

Game Boy Advance emulation on Android has gained significant traction in 2026, with key applications like My Boy! priced at .99, John GBAC receiving an update on May 19, 2026, and RetroArch enhancing its mGBA core for free use. The search term "gba emulator android" sees around 8,100 monthly searches in the U.S., reflecting a resurgence in interest, particularly among former GBA owners now in their late 20s and 30s who prefer using their smartphones for gaming. All five apps—My Boy!, GBA.emu, John GBAC, RetroArch, and Lemuroid—can run the entire GBA library at full speed on devices from the last six years. The main differences lie in software quality, including save state management, cheat code reliability, controller mapping, and update frequency. My Boy! and GBA.emu utilize cores derived from VisualBoyAdvance (VBA), while John GBAC uses a custom core, and RetroArch and Lemuroid rely on the mGBA core. In terms of features, all apps support save states, but My Boy! offers multiple named slots with thumbnail previews, while RetroArch has a more complex system. Cheat code support is available across the board, with My Boy! and GBA.emu accepting GameShark and CodeBreaker formats, and RetroArch providing a built-in cheat database. My Boy! stands out for its link-cable emulation, allowing local multiplayer connections, whereas RetroArch's netplay is designed for online gaming. All apps support external controllers, but RetroArch excels in visual enhancements with its extensive shader options. The setup process for all five apps is similar and typically takes under ten minutes. GBA ROMs are small, ranging from 4MB to 32MB, making them easy to store on modern devices without significant battery drain. Common issues include save files not loading, audio problems, and cheat codes failing to apply, with solutions often involving file management and settings adjustments. Users can migrate save files between emulators by ensuring the correct file naming and directory structure. Pros and cons of each app include: - My Boy!: Ad-free, strong multiplayer support, but lower rating and closed-source. - GBA.emu: High rating and broad support, but outdated and lacks a free trial. - John GBAC: Free and recently updated, but lower rating and ad-supported. - RetroArch: Free and feature-rich, but complex setup. - Lemuroid: User-friendly and actively maintained, but limited shader options. All five apps are legally available on Google Play, as they do not distribute copyrighted ROM files. Users are advised to source their ROMs legally, ideally by dumping from their own physical cartridges. GBA emulation remains an accessible entry point into retro gaming on Android, especially compared to more demanding systems like the PS2 or GameCube.