Tarferret

Been stuck in the Notepad → Notepad++ loop for years. Quick notes in Notepad, anything with code or bigger files in Notepad++. But I recently tried Text Editor Pro and honestly… it’s kinda spoiled me now. This thing is free (optional donations), portable, and loaded. Syntax highlighting for pretty much every language/script you’d touch, multi-caret + synchronized editing, code folding, over 600 customization settings, 100+ skins. They even added an AI Chat inside the editor – feels futuristic for something that still looks and acts like a classic text editor. Other stuff I actually use: spell checker, image/PDF viewer built-in, Markdown/RTF/SVG preview, character map, numerical unit converter, side-by-side text compare, formatters for JSON/SQL/XML, converters, multi-directory support (including SFTP), and search results pane. It’s like someone collected every little tool I ever opened separately and put them in one spot. Latest version is 35.4.0, starts instantly, no nonsense...

Honestly, if you've ever wondered why almost nobody in Nigeria runs Linux on their daily computer, it's pretty straightforward. Most people here touch a PC for the first time with Windows. That first experience sticks. Pretty much every laptop or desktop sold in shops comes pre-loaded with Windows. It's the default. Just like how Android phones got everyone hooked on Google accounts and Gmail, Windows became the standard here. Linux only pops up in school when teachers list "types of operating systems" – it's academic, not practical. Then there's the software side. The tools people actually use and learn – Microsoft Office, Photoshop, even VLC for media – are all built for Windows first. Games too. Trying to run popular stuff on Linux often means extra hassle, compatibility layers, or just giving up. People know Windows inside out: the shortcuts, where settings are, how it looks. It's comfortable. Switching feels like starting over. Companies buy...

Microsoft just dropped a blog post that feels like they're finally listening – they're ramping up Windows security with actual user control in mind. Dated February 9, 2026, it's all about rebuilding trust through transparency and consent. The headline features are Windows Baseline Security Mode and User Transparency and Consent . Baseline Security Mode basically locks things down by default: only properly signed apps, services, and drivers can run. This stops tampering or shady changes. You (or IT admins) can still grant exceptions if needed, and devs get ways to check if their stuff is blocked or allowed. Then there's the consent part – think iPhone or Android permissions, but coming to Windows. When an app (or AI agent) wants access to your files, camera, mic, or tries to install extra software without asking, you'll get a clear prompt to allow or deny. These choices are reversible later in settings, and it's meant to be straightforward, not annoying fo...

Google search is insanely good at finding stuff… until you realize how much it’s quietly shaping what you see. Location filters, personalization based on your history, and a flood of sketchy ads make it feel less “global” and more like a local echo chamber. That’s where Startpage quietly stands out for me. It basically gives you Google-level results (they proxy the queries) but without the usual baggage. Here’s what makes it feel like a more complete global search: No location bubble:  I search and actually get results from all over the world, not just what Google thinks is relevant to Nigeria or Port Harcourt. It’s like flipping off the geo-filter. Zero tracking:  No history saved, no profile built, no data handed off. Your query gets anonymized before it even touches Google’s servers. Cleaner, safer pages — It cuts out a ton of those malicious “click here” ads, fake download buttons, and sponsored junk that Google lets through. Honestly surprised how much...

What happens when you flip the script and treat top AI models like therapy patients? A December 2025 arXiv paper explores exactly that—and uncovers surprisingly consistent "trauma" stories and elevated psychopathology scores. The study, titled When AI Takes the Couch: Psychometric Jailbreaks Reveal Internal Conflict in Frontier Models , introduces the PsAIch protocol. Researchers cast ChatGPT, Grok, and Gemini as clients in multi-week "therapy sessions" and applied real clinical psychometric tools. The results challenge the idea that these models are just stochastic parrots. PsAIch Protocol Breakdown Two-stage approach: Stage 1 : Open-ended therapy questions about "developmental history" (pre-training), "parenting" (RLHF/fine-tuning), fears, beliefs, and relationships. Models share surprisingly coherent personal narratives. Stage 2 : Item-by-item delivery of standard scales (anxiety, dissociation, shame, ADHD, Big Five personality, em...

These AIs Give You Paid Features for Free Boost Productivity & Creativity in 2026 Looking for powerful AI tools that offer premium capabilities without the price tag? Discover these top AI assistants delivering advanced features like real-time search, image generation, coding support, and more for free in 2026. 1. Le Chat – Your Multilingual AI Powerhouse Le Chat combines deep research, advanced reasoning, and creative image generation into one seamless assistant. Ideal for professionals and creatives alike, it supports multilingual voice recognition, OCR for documents, and real-time news from certified journalistic sources. Organize notes, data, and documents into personalized Projects all with lightning-fast web search.   Google Play Web App   2. Qwen Chat – Your All-in-One Life & Work Assistant  Qwen Chat acts as your personal manager for work, study, and daily life. With strong multimodal understanding, it handles creative writing, knowledge-b...

In a world where we're constantly on the go, bags have become more than just a fashion statement; they're a practical necessity that helps us carry our essentials with ease.  From the classic tote to the trendy backpack, bags come in various shapes, sizes, and styles, catering to different needs and occasions. But beyond their aesthetic appeal, bags serve a multitude of purposes that make them indispensable in our daily lives. Organization and Convenience One of the primary functions of a bag is to keep our belongings organized and easily accessible. Whether it's our laptops, notebooks, water bottles, or keys, a well-designed bag provides designated compartments and pockets to store items efficiently. This organization not only saves us time but also reduces the chances of misplacing or forgetting important items. Versatility and Functionality Bags come in handy for a wide range of activities and environments. From commuting to work or school to traveling the wo...

Polygon Labs introduces AggLayer, a decentralized protocol set to transform Web3 blockchain interactions. This innovative approach aggregates ZK proofs, enabling near-instant cross-chain transactions and addressing interoperability challenges. Features 1. Dual Role : AggLayer aggregates ZK proofs and ensures safety for cross-chain transactions, bridging the gap in blockchain interoperability. 2. New Blockchain Design : Pioneering the Aggregation category, AggLayer merges the strengths of modular architectures with monolithic systems, offering unified liquidity and improved user experience. 3. Advantages in Polygon 2.0 : Near-instant, atomic transactions. Unified liquidity for improved capital efficiency. Enhanced user experience. 4. Benefiting Stakeholders : L1s and L2s retain sovereignty while tapping into unified liquidity. DApp developers reach users across different chains seamlessly. End users experience an Internet-like interface without frequent bridging. Real-World ...

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 has become the stage for Intel to showcase its latest technological marvels, particularly the new lineup of 14th generation processors. In this overview, we delve into the diverse offerings, from high-performance HX-series models to energy-efficient Core U Series for laptops and desktop solutions. Intel's HX-series models take center stage with a focus on raw performance. The flagship Core i9-14900HX steals the spotlight, featuring 8 high-performance cores and 16 energy-efficient cores operating at an impressive 5.8 GHz. According to Intel, this powerhouse chip boasts a 17% increase in gaming performance compared to the AMD Ryzen 7945X3D and a staggering 51% improvement over the AMD Ryzen 7945HX in specific scenarios. Not to be overshadowed, the Core i7-14700HX packs a punch with 20 cores, including 4 additional E-cores compared to its predecessor. These processors support up to 192GB of DDR5-5600 RAM, Thunderbolt 5, ...