Windows 10 usage on Steam falls again for the second month in a row

Bored gamer

Yesterday, I reported on how Windows 10 usage had fallen in February according to the latest figures from NetMarketShare.

Today, Steam releases its hardware survey for February, and that shows that Windows 10 usage has fallen on the gaming platform too, and not for the first time. Usage in January was also down from the month before. Is it the start of a downward trend?

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FriendlyElec releases Ubuntu Linux-ready NanoPi M1 Plus -- a $30 Raspberry Pi killer

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The Raspberry Pi line of mini computers -- including the all-new Pi Zero W -- are wonderful devices for what they are. Quite frankly, they have inspired many young people to learn about programming, while helping makers to create some really cool projects. With that said, the Pi computers are not the only System on a Chip solutions on the market. Actually, there are more powerful ARM-based offerings available. The problem? They are often radically more expensive than Raspberry Pi.

However, there is a new Raspberry Pi competitor that is quite affordable. In fact, some folks may view it as a Pi-killer. The $30 FriendlyElec NanoPi M1 Plus has an arguably superior design and layout, plus important integrated features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It even has an IR receiver, onboard microphone, 8GB storage, and both power and reset buttons. Best of all? It is ready to run Debian, Ubuntu Core, and Ubuntu Mate from the start.

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Why Microsoft Office 365 adoption keeps rising

Office 365

In the fast paced digital world we inhabit, there are a million different programs and apps vying for our attention. In fact, our time is so taxed these days that the market for apps that help you organize your life, manage your business, and otherwise help you keep your head from falling from your shoulders is booming.

Office 365 is a perfect example of a collection of cloud-based programs on offer to both the layperson and businesses, intent on helping people stave off chaos. It can be hard to whittle down just what program suits you and your business’s needs (that’s why handy sites like ITProPortal help with some of the heavy lifting), but Office 365 is looking to create further separation over the competition with every new iteration.

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Docker launches new enterprise platform

Docker

Containerization specialist Docker is releasing a new commercial platform for enterprise development and IT ops teams that build, run, and operate business-critical applications.

Docker Enterprise Edition (EE) is made up of a container runtime with integrated and multi-tenant orchestration, security and management, in addition to an ecosystem of certified technologies.

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Microsoft Surface gets Wake on LAN support with Dock, Docking Station and Ethernet Adapter

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To make it easier for enterprises to install Windows 10 updates and perform maintenance tasks during off-hours, Microsoft has introduced Wake on LAN support on Surface devices connected to wired networks through a Surface Dock, Surface Docking Station or Surface Ethernet Adapter.

The Wake on LAN support can be leveraged through device management tools like System Center Configuration Manager, and is available for the Surface 3, Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book, paired with any of the aforementioned accessories.

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Hidden backdoor discovered in Chinese IoT devices

Backdoor vulnerability

Researchers at Trustwave have uncovered a backdoor in IoT devices from a Chinese manufacturer that could leave them open to exploitation.

The backdoor is present in almost all devices produced by VoIP specialist DBLTek, and appears to have been purposely built in for use by the vendor.

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Why are enterprises embracing DevOps?

DevOps

DevOps is seeing a mainstream push right now. More organizations have started to embrace DevOps practices across IT operations, services and app delivery, seeking to transform their business. DevOps has traditionally been the domain of early IT adopters. However, as previously held assumptions are dispelled -- from security through to benefits -- we’re seeing more risk-averse companies recognizing the need to shift their thinking. So, why are more organizations coming round to the critical opportunity that DevOps can bring into their business?

The DevOps Start Line

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Mobile app use could boost charity giving

Mobile cash

We're all spending more and more via mobile apps, and giving to charity could be the next area to benefit from the shift to mobile payments.

A new study carried out by social payment app Moneymailme finds that 72 percent of 18-25 year-olds would give to charity via a mobile app if given the chance. 48 percent of this generation believe physical money will be obsolete within 20 years so the ability to donate via apps will become key.

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Companies need to work together to combat malvertising

Scam advert

Advertising agencies, search engines and cybersecurity specialists should work collectively to tackle the security threat from rising malvertising.

According to Ben Williams, head of operations and communications at Adblock Plus unless this happens more users will be exposed to potential security compromises such as malware and phishing, and this will drive further adoption of adblockers as a solution to these threats.

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Wox is a versatile launcher for Windows

Wox.200.175

Wox is a versatile Alfred-like launcher which supports file and web searching, and can be extended with more than 100 plugins.

Activate the program by pressing Alt+Space and a simple command bar appears. Start typing a program,  file name or something else, Wox displays matches and you choose whatever you need.

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Marissa Mayer misses out on Yahoo bonus as true scale of forged cookies security breach is revealed

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Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer is not going to receive her annual bonus this year as the company punishes her for failing to react quickly enough to a security breach in 2014. Her bonus is to be shared between staff instead.

The security breach, followed by another in 2016 involving the use of forged cookies, meant Yahoo's sale to Verizon had to be renegotiated, slashing millions of dollars from the price. The company has revealed that around 32 million user accounts were accessed using forged cookies, and while this is nothing like the 500 million accounts affected by the 2014 breach, it rocked faith in Yahoo and Mayer felt it best to also pass on her stock award.

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Microsoft renames Windows Holographic to Windows Mixed Reality as dev kits start to ship

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It seems like a little while since we heard anything about Windows Holographic, and that's not something that's going to change any time soon. Microsoft is not killing off the project (and HoloLens lives on), but has revealed that it is now going under a new, more descriptive name: Windows Mixed Reality.

The company says that the change of name is a reflection of the fact that there is a broader vision for the platform. It also helps to convey the idea of virtual-reality-meets-augmented-reality that Windows Holographic/Windows Mixed Reality represents. Microsoft also says that the Acer Windows Mixed Reality Development Edition headset is on the verge of shipping.

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Google increases Gmail attachment limit to 50MB for recipients

overflowing-mailbag

Over the years, as the number of megapixels boasted by cameras spirals upwards, file sizes have generally increased. Despite this, many email providers still place a strangely low limit on the size of files that can be sent and received as attachments. With Gmail you can now receive attachments up to 50MB in size.

It's important to note that the new attachment limit only applies to incoming email. Google would much rather you make use of Google Drive if you want to send large files to people.

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Google Chrome users on Apple macOS get enhanced Safe Browsing protection

Protect_Web_Threat

Thanks to its Unix foundation, macOS is a rock-solid desktop operating system. While it is not infallible, there are far fewer malware threats for Apple's OS compared to, say, Windows 10. With that said, Microsoft's desktop offering is more targeted due to its monstrous market share.

As more and more consumers buy Mac computers, evildoers will have increased incentive to write malware for macOS. Luckily, users of Apple's operating system that choose to use Google Chrome for web surfing will soon be safer. You see, the search giant is improving its Safe Browsing initiative to better warn macOS users of malicious websites and attempts to alter browser settings.

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Twitter cracks down on eggs as part of its anti-abuse measures

cracked-egg

Twitter's assault on abusive accounts and its famous problem with trolling was stepped up a gear today as the company announced a series of new measures designed to crack down on harassment.

Having recently introduced account timeouts and refinements to blocking and muting, the company today said it was making it possible to block tweets from Twitter eggs -- those with no profile picture which therefore default to an image of an egg. Other filtering options are available, and algorithms are to be used to automatically identify abusive content.

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