Wayne Williams

Microsoft has introduced features like “News and Interests” and the “Copilot” AI assistant to its operating systems. The aim is to provide quick access to information and productivity tools, but not everyone appreciates those tools and plenty of people would prefer a cleaner taskbar, like we had with the likes of Windows 7.

Disabling these features can streamline the desktop interface and potentially improve system performance. This guide will show you how to remove News and Interests on Windows 10 and disable Copilot and the Widgets feature on Windows 11.

Continue reading →

Python is the go-to language for developers, engineers, data scientists, and hobbyists worldwide.  Known for its versatility, Python can efficiently power applications, offering remarkable speed, safety, and scalability.

Modern Python Cookbook distills Python into a collection of straightforward recipes, providing insights into specific language features within various contexts, making it an indispensable resource for mastering Python and using it to handle real-world use cases.

Continue reading →

In Deep Learning: A Practical Introduction, a team of distinguished researchers delivers a book complete with coverage of the theoretical and practical elements of deep learning. The book includes extensive examples, end-of-chapter exercises, homework, exam material, and a GitHub repository containing code and data for all provided examples.

Combining contemporary deep learning theory with state-of-the-art tools, the chapters are structured to maximize accessibility for both beginning and intermediate students. The authors have included coverage of TensorFlow, Keras, and Pytorch.

Continue reading →

Building high performance into your applications is key to creating an optimal user experience, although it is not the only consideration for the performant nature of your apps.

High performance applications can lead to cost-effective resource utilization, especially when scalability and cloud computing are involved. They can also provide highly reliable systems that are easier to maintain. High Performance with Java begins by helping you explore the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and understand how to push it to its limits to further optimize your programs.

Continue reading →

Mastering PowerShell Scripting, Fifth Edition, can help you overcome any fears and become proficient in navigating PowerShell's capabilities. This edition includes new chapters on debugging, troubleshooting, and creating GUIs.

You will learn about the latest features of PowerShell 7.3, including working with parameters, objects, and .NET classes.

Continue reading →

Although Microsoft has tried to improve Windows 11 with new features and updates, many users still find the operating system lacks polish and consistency. This is where Rebound 11 comes in. Created by Ivirius to address the aesthetic and usability gaps left by Microsoft, Rebound 11 provides a third-party solution that improves the overall look and feel of the OS.

Unlike other tools, such as Rectify11, which replace core files to create a more cohesive look, Rebound 11 doesn’t alter essential system components or impact Windows functionality. Instead, it focuses on enhancing the appearance and usability of classic Win32 applications while incorporating modern UI elements like WinUI 3.

Continue reading →

AI + The New Human Frontier: Reimagining the Future of Time, Trust + Truth by Erica Orange, a renowned futurist, offers a compelling exploration of generative AI's potential to enhance human creativity rather than replace it. This pivotal book navigates how AI tools will help shape the human experience, and aid in augmenting human ingenuity and imagination.

The author eloquently argues that the essence of human intelligence -- our curiosity, critical thinking, empathy, and more -- is not only irreplaceable but will become increasingly valuable as AI evolves to take on routine tasks. AI + the New Human Frontier is a clarion call for embedding trust, human oversight and judgement into AI development, ensuring that the technology amplifies our most human capabilities. At a time when the lines between what is real, fake, true and false are becoming more blurred, reliance on human-centric solutions, not just technological ones, will become more critical.

Continue reading →

Running Android games on a PC is straightforward with emulators like Bluestacks or NoxPlayer. If you want to play popular AAA Windows PC games on an Android device, things get a bit trickier.

This is where Winlator comes in. Winlator is a free Android app that allows users to run Windows (x86_64) games using Wine 9.2 (custom) and Box64 (0.3.0), and it has just received an update to version 8.0 which includes a lot of new features and improvements.

Continue reading →

Kodi has long been a favorite for media enthusiasts, offering a customizable, open-source platform for streaming and managing media libraries, but it's not without its frustrations. The setup process, particularly installing and managing add-ons, isn't as intuitive as it could be, add-ons frequently break or becoming unsupported, and performance problems like buffering and crashes are common, especially on older devices.

If you’re searching for Kodi alternatives, you're in luck. There are several media center platforms that provide excellent options for streaming and managing your content. Here’s a look at the top 7 Kodi alternatives, along with key features to watch out for, and the download links you'll need.

Continue reading →

Struggling to free up enough space for the latest iOS upgrade or worried about losing data when switching to a new iPhone?

Get a licensed copy of WinX MediaTrans V8.0 for free (regularly priced at $39.95) and seamlessly transfer data between your iPhone, iPad, and computer with no risk of data loss or leakage. WinX MediaTrans makes it easy to back up your iPhone data, freeing up storage space for upgrades, switching devices, or simply for daily file management. It’s fast, secure, and user-friendly!

Continue reading →

Mastering Spring Boot 3.0 is your gateway to building scalable and robust backend systems using the latest techniques. Penned by a seasoned software developer with 20+ years of experience in the tech industry, this book follows a hands-on, step-by-step approach to helping you understand Spring Boot concepts and apply them to real-world projects.

You’ll start by exploring key architectural patterns such as DDD, CQRS, and event sourcing. Next, you’ll focus on the nuances of reactive REST development, delve into advanced testing strategies, and fortify your applications' security. You’ll also discover the power of containerization and orchestration with Spring Boot 3.0 and unlock its potential for smooth deployments.

Continue reading →

With the right knowledge and resources, you can take action to start the online business you’ve been dreaming of. This comprehensive guide provides tips and tricks for turning your dream into a reality.

The sixth edition of Starting an Online Business: All-in-One For Dummies will teach you the basics and beyond. It will prepare you to set up your business website, offer your products in an online store, and keep accurate books. The authors help you navigate the primary legal, accounting, and security challenges related to running an online business.

Continue reading →

Windows 11, much like its predecessor Windows 10, has been criticized for various design inconsistencies. From outdated interface elements to uneven system-wide aesthetics, these issues have led to the development of tools like Rectify11, which streamline and improve the visual design of the operating system.

Windows Moon Valley takes this a step further by addressing not only Windows’ design shortcomings but also enhancing its overall functionality. The project is essentially a cross between Windows 10X (a streamlined version of Windows 10 originally designed for dual-screen and foldable devices, later adapted for single-screen devices) and Windows 11.

Continue reading →

Minesweeper is a classic puzzle game that has been included in Windows operating systems for decades. The objective is to clear a grid of hidden mines using numerical clues to determine how many mines are adjacent to each square, requiring strategy and logical thinking to avoid detonating them.

But what if losing a game of Minesweeper actually destroyed your PC? That’s exactly what a new video shows.

Continue reading →

In Not With A Bug, But With A Sticker: Attacks on Machine Learning Systems and What To Do About Them, a team of distinguished adversarial machine learning researchers deliver a riveting account of the most significant risk to currently deployed artificial intelligence systems: cybersecurity threats. The authors take you on a sweeping tour -- from inside secretive government organizations to academic workshops at ski chalets to Google’s cafeteria -- recounting how major AI systems remain vulnerable to the exploits of bad actors of all stripes.

Based on hundreds of interviews of academic researchers, policy makers, business leaders and national security experts, the authors compile the complex science of attacking AI systems with color and flourish and provide a front row seat to those who championed this change. Grounded in real world examples of previous attacks, you will learn how adversaries can upend the reliability of otherwise robust AI systems with straightforward exploits.

Continue reading →