Wayne Williams

At its Ignite 2024 conference, Microsoft today introduced a raft of new features for Copilot, its AI assistant. These include AI agents in Microsoft 365 that can take on unique roles, and Copilot Actions that let users delegate repetitive tasks.

For many people, however, the most exciting updates will likely be the new AI tools for creating custom content and managing tasks more efficiently in Microsoft 365 which are being introduced to Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.

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The AI Value Playbook is a crucial resource for those who want to understand how to leverage AI to drive business value, drawn from the firsthand experience of those who have been implementing this technology successfully.

The book focuses on questions frequently posed by leaders and boards. How can businesses adapt to these emerging technologies? How can they start building and deploying AI as a strategic asset to drive efficiency? What risks or threats need to be considered? How quickly can value be created? This book is a response to those demands.

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If you've ever tried to save a file in Windows and ended up playing a game of "hide and seek" with your own folders, you're not alone. It seems Microsoft has a grand vision for where our files should live, even if it has little to do with what we actually need.

Open the "Save As" dialog, and you'll find that Windows is practically begging you to save in its favorite spots -- like OneDrive, the Documents folder, or any other “default” that Microsoft has deemed worthy of your files.

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Fully updated to reflect modern developments in the field, the Fifth Edition of An Introduction to Optimization fills the need for an accessible, yet rigorous, introduction to optimization theory and methods, featuring innovative coverage and a straightforward approach. The book begins with a review of basic definitions and notations while also providing the related fundamental background of linear algebra, geometry, and calculus.

With this foundation, the authors explore the essential topics of unconstrained optimization problems, linear programming problems, and nonlinear constrained optimization. In addition, the book includes an introduction to artificial neural networks, convex optimization, multi-objective optimization, and applications of optimization in machine learning.

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Practical Cyber Intelligence provides a thorough and practical introduction to the different tactics, techniques, and procedures that exist in the field of cyber investigation and cyber forensics to collect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence, enabling readers to understand the digital landscape and analyze legacy devices, current models, and models that may be created in the future. Readers will learn how to determine what evidence exists and how to find it on a device, as well as what story it tells about the activities on the device.

Over 100 images and tables are included to aid in reader comprehension, and case studies are included at the end of the book to elucidate core concepts throughout the text.

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Streamline data preprocessing and feature engineering in your machine learning project with this third edition of the Python Feature Engineering Cookbook to make your data preparation more efficient. This guide addresses common challenges, such as imputing missing values and encoding categorical variables using practical solutions and open source Python libraries.

You’ll learn advanced techniques for transforming numerical variables, discretizing variables, and dealing with outliers. Each chapter offers step-by-step instructions and real-world examples, helping you understand when and how to apply various transformations for well-prepared data.

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Learn how to simplify your life with AI in The ChatGPT Revolution -- now fully updated and revised, with even more ideas to spark creativity and boost efficiency.

The ChatGPT Revolution is the ultimate quick-start guide to unlocking the power of generative AI. We’re on the edge of an AI revolution… but what does that mean for you? It’s time to get curious about how the latest tech can help you handle your everyday load, at work and at home! Whether you’re overwhelmed by repetitive, time-consuming tasks or you’re simply looking for a fresh injection of creativity, ChatGPT has got your back.

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Despite Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to improve Windows 11 with updates and new features, the operating system still has issues. Users often report glitches, usability problems, and design inconsistencies that combine modern elements with outdated visuals.

To bridge this gap, many turn to tweaks, customization tools, and third-party projects for a smoother Windows experience.

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Missing the days of Windows 95, but not the endless dial-up tones or the struggle of fitting everything on a floppy disk? Today’s tech may move faster, but there was something magical about those simpler, pixelated beginnings. Chicago95 is a nostalgic Linux theme that gives your modern desktop environment the classic look of Microsoft’s nearly three-decade-old Windows 95.

Developed by grassmunk on GitHub, this theme offers an accurate recreation of the Win95 aesthetic, complete with the familiar icons, colors, and fonts that defined the classic interface style.

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UnattendedWinstall is a simple tool for automating and customizing Windows 10 and 11 installations. It uses Microsoft’s answer files, to allow users to modify Windows settings and packages directly during setup. It's ideal for deploying Windows efficiently across multiple devices, saving time that would otherwise be spent on repetitive installations.

The tool defaults to installing Windows Pro, bypasses Windows 11 system requirements, and can disable Windows Defender and User Account Control (with options to re-enable them after installation). It also skips Microsoft account setup, removes unnecessary apps (keeping essential tools like Edge, Notepad, and Calculator), and includes privacy-focused registry tweaks to reduce telemetry. For smooth operation, UnattendedWinstall limits updates to security patches for the first year.

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Remote.It has launched ScreenView for Raspberry Pi, providing remote access and control across a wide range of applications. Currently available in beta (with the full version expected in 2-3 weeks), ScreenView allows users to view and control Raspberry Pi screens from any browser interface, making it a versatile solution for developers, students, IoT vendors, and others.

ScreenView for Raspberry Pi supports real-time connectivity and remote management, allowing users to perform tasks such as screen sharing, troubleshooting, and collaboration directly through their web browser.

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Begin your journey into the fascinating world of computational thinking with Introduction to Algorithms. Starting with a comprehensive guide to the basics, you will learn about pseudocode and flowcharts, the fundamental tools for representing algorithms.

As you progress, you'll delve into the efficiency of algorithms, understanding how to evaluate and optimize them for better performance. The course will also cover various basic algorithm types, providing a solid foundation for further exploration. You will explore specific categories of algorithms, including search and sort algorithms, which are crucial for managing and retrieving data efficiently.

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While cloud storage offers convenience and accessibility, it may not always provide the level of security some users require, especially if you have private data that you can’t afford to have fall into the wrong hands. If security is paramount, you should definitely consider a PIN authenticated hardware encrypted portable USB drive like iStorage’s excellent diskAshur3.

Available with HDD and SDD storage in a choice of capacities, diskAshur3 is designed with portability in mind, Measuring just 130mm x 80mm x 20mm, its sleek and sturdy build makes it easy to carry, whether you're traveling for business or managing data on the go. The device is compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iPadOS and more. It comes with both USB Type-A and Type-C cables, so you can connect it to most devices. Additionally, a protective carry case is included to keep the drive safe during transport and you get a free one year license of Nero BackItUp and iStorage DriveSecurity.

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With so much data being generated, there is immense scope to extract meaningful information that’ll boost business productivity and profitability. By learning to convert raw data into game-changing insights, you’ll open new career paths and opportunities.

The Data Science Workshop begins by introducing different types of projects and showing you how to incorporate machine learning algorithms in them. You’ll learn to select a relevant metric and even assess the performance of your model. To tune the hyperparameters of an algorithm and improve its accuracy, you’ll get hands-on with approaches such as grid search and random search.

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Discover the future of cybersecurity through the eyes of the world's first augmented ethical hacker. In Human Hacked: My Life and Lessons as the World's First Augmented Ethical Hacker by Len Noe, a pioneering cyborg with ten microchips implanted in his body, you'll find a startlingly insightful take on the fusion of biology and technology. The author provides a groundbreaking discussion of bio-implants, cybersecurity threats, and defenses.

Human Hacked offers a comprehensive guide to understanding an existing threat that is virtually unknown. How to implement personal and enterprise cybersecurity measures in an age where technology transcends human limits and any person you meet might be augmented. The book provides:

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