Simon Upton says no new carbon forests should be registered with vast tracts of land already converted. Read...

If you don’t keep Teams updated on your computer, Microsoft will block your access to the communication app, Neowin reports. When Microsoft releases a new version of the Teams app, you have 90 days to install the update or you’ll start seeing a “blocking page” that requires you to install the update before you can resume using the app. Teams will start sending you recurring update reminders at the 30-day mark. If you don’t want to update, you can switch to the web app. Microsoft explains that the reason for the block is to ensure that all users stay safe with the latest security updates and compliance measures. The company first made this announcement back in November 2024, with a message posted to the Microsoft 365 Message Center: “Keeping Microsoft Teams up to date is critical to ensure your devices are secure and compliant. By default, and as designed, Teams updates automatically which successfully updates most clients in the world without additional overhead for customers. Microsoft Teams is governed by the Modern Lifecycle Policy which requires that the Teams desktop client be kept up to date. […] As documented, when a client falls out of date, the user will see: Recurring in-app alerts, if the app is between 30d-90d out of date. A blocking page in Teams, if the app is greater than 90 days out of date. At this point, the app will show options to update, to contact their IT administrator, or continue to Teams on the web. As an example, if the Teams app is hypothetically on a version released on January 1 and the next update is fully available on January 15, an in-app alert would be shown on February 14th (30 days after the January 15th update).” A more recent message gave specific dates for when you’ll start seeing the blocking page in Teams. If you’re on the Windows desktop app, you’ll start seeing it on April 11, 2025. For Teams in a VDI environment, the start date is May 6, 2025. For the macOS app, it’ll start on May 15, 2025. Read...

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Peter Scott says his regional council colleagues are “wasting money” by allowing staff to continue planning work in the face of legislative change. Read...

Do you primarily use Windows 11 but want to have a quick look at a Linux distribution like Linux Mint? Well, booting from a live DVD or USB stick is a convenient solution. The advantage of this is that nothing needs to be installed, and your Windows configuration remains unchanged. When you remove the DVD or USB stick, your PC will restart normally into its installed operating system. Live system: Start Linux Mint from a USB stick or DVD to try it out without making any changes to your PC. IDG If you want to have the full Linux Mint experience, then a virtual computer is the way to go. A virtual computer behaves more or less like a real PC, allowing you to exchange data with the host system (usually your Windows computer) or other devices in the network. However, since virtual Windows or Linux guests are isolated from the host and network by default, it’s primarily suitable for software tests and surfing potentially dangerous websites. One major advantage is the ability to freeze the system and restore it to a previous backup with a single click. Another option is the parallel installation of two or more operating systems on a hard drive or SSD, otherwise known as multibooting. Installation: If Linux Mint is installed in parallel with Windows, select the desired system when booting. IDG Once you’ve booted up the PC, select the operating system in the boot manager. This lets you use Windows 11 and Linux Mint at the same time, allowing you to access stored data whether it’s on your local drive or a network share. For an in-depth look at how virtualization works, check out our guide here. Advantages and disadvantages of virtual PCs Virtualization technology has been a part of everyday life in company networks and data centers since the 2000s. It allows the number of dedicated computers to be reduced and the existing hardware to be optimally utilized. Many other virtual servers can run independently of each other on a host server, which ultimately saves energy and administration costs. For home users, desktop virtualization solutions offer a sophisticated way of testing different operating systems, using Linux under Windows or even Windows under Linux without a large PC base. The biggest advantage of virtualization is that you always have a clean guest system, no matter what you do with it. Ideally, your host system remains completely untouched in the event of accidents and infections in the virtual machine. You can also make changes to the settings within the virtual machine to your heart’s content. With one click, you can return to the original state. On a real PC, a major crash can result in costly repair work. That said, virtualization has its limits. Virtual PC: Whether live system or installation – Linux Mint runs isolated in a Virtualbox environment. IDG While virtualization environments can translate the commands of the guest operating system to CPUs and memory with little loss of speed, this is not so easy with other hardware components. The graphics performance is not sufficient for complex games, as the memory is usually limited to 128 MB in the virtualization software, even if much more is available. Advantages and disadvantages of multiboot With a multiboot setup–whether with a live system or a permanently installed operating system–you can take advantage of your PC’s resources. The processor, RAM, and graphics memory are available without restriction. The same goes for other hardware components such as the printer, webcam, and scanner. A multi-boot system can be used in combination with Windows 11 and Linux Mint, for example, if the installation of Windows 11 fails due to the lack of hardware requirements. It also allows you to divide different tasks, effectively keeping work and personal use separate on the same machine. However, the disadvantage here is the double administration effort. Read...

Wired headphones are a more practical and reliable option than the wireless variety. You don’t have to recharge them and they deliver better audio quality because they don’t have to compress sound like Bluetooth models. They’re also more affordable, as they lack the complex components that make up wireless models. Whether you’re looking for superior sound or a more sustainable option, wired headphones are a great choice. You don’t have to worry about battery life Wired headphones eliminate the need to worry about battery life, as the power comes directly from the audio source. This is especially convenient for those who want to avoid constantly recharging devices. Superior audio quality Wired headphones deliver superior audio quality. Wireless Bluetooth has to compress audio data, which compromises sound quality, especially in terms of dynamics and detail. With wired headphones, you can enjoy music at a high bit rate, ideal for music lovers who value every detail. Low latency advantage While Bluetooth connections can lead to delays due to the wireless transmission, wired headphones deliver sound with almost no delay. This is particularly important for films, videos, or video games, where precise synchronization of image and sound is crucial to ensure the best experience. Less expensive than wireless Wired models are often cheaper as they are simpler in design and do not require expensive components such as transmitters, receivers, and batteries. They’re also available in different price ranges, so there’s something for every budget, from affordable entry-level models to high-quality audio solutions for demanding users. No signal interruptions or connection problems Wired headphones have the edge when it comes to reliability. There are no signal interruptions or connection problems like with wireless models. If connection problems do occur, they can usually be solved simply by replacing the cable. They’re better for the environment Wired headphones are a more eco-friendly choice because they don’t have rechargeable batteries, which have a limited lifespan and are difficult to recycle. With good care, they often last for decades, as there’s no battery to wear out. This also reduces electronic waste and contributes to more sustainable use. Many corded models are also easy to repair, further extending their service life. Read...

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Iwi Maori protectors of Rotokakahi are deeply disappointed in the Environment Court`s decision to resume construction of the remaining sewerage pipeline. Read...

Microsoft is expanding the toolbox of recovery options for Windows 11. After recently adding the ability to reinstall Windows via Windows Update—at least in version 24H2—the company is now introducing Quick Machine Recovery (QMR). The new feature currently being tested in the Windows Insider Program’s Beta Channel. Quick Machine Recovery is the first tangible result of Microsoft’s work following the massive CrowdStrike incident of 2024, which knocked out large parts of the global IT infrastructure. QMR allows IT administrators to fix boot problems remotely, even when a problem is so grave that the computer can no longer boot as usual. The recovery is done via the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), where the system connects to the internet and sends diagnostic data to Microsoft. Based on this, targeted updates can be sent back to the computer via Windows Update, Thurrott reports. Previously, the feature was mainly aimed at business users, but now Microsoft confirms that private individuals will also have access to it—and it will be enabled by default. In managed IT environments, administrators will be able to control availability. QMR is available in the Windows recovery menu as an option under “Advanced Options.” According to Microsoft, the feature contributes to increased system resilience by automatically detecting errors and applying solutions, without any manual troubleshooting. Read...