Trending Articles, Demos and tech notes
The Absurd Complexity of the Directory Structure of Roaming Profiles vs OneDrive Document Folders
Microsoft Word, particularly in its 2024 iteration, projects an image of user-friendliness and intelligent defaults. The ribbon UI, autosave, and cloud integrations imply a seamless experience. Underneath that polish is a brutal tangle of legacy architecture, operating system quirks, and cloud sync mechanics.
TL:DR – The complexity isn’t accidental. It is the cumulative result of decades of small, reasonable decisions layered atop each other without ever stepping back. The baffling difficulty of changing the default template in Microsoft Word 2024 reflects this perfectly. What appears to be a trivial task is, in fact, a product of legacy behaviours, invisible redirections, and unspoken assumptions. For anyone not steeped in the history of Windows profiles, Office defaults, and sync mechanics, it’s completely inscrutable.
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What is the best deal on Refurbished iPad Pros in the UK
When searching for the ideal refurbished iPad Pro in the UK, consumers face choices influenced by budget, specifications, and the condition of the devices on offer. Numerous retailers provide refurbished products in the UK, but the most reputable sources are the major chains. It is important to understand the differences between genuinely refurbished and just second-hand options, and evaluate the features of various models. This article will provide insights into purchasing refurbished iPads, emphasising the advantages, key considerations, and the best options available in the market today.
TL:DR – You can save 47% on refurbished iPad Pro's in the UK on the cost when new. The same iPad model can be over £300 cheaper on Amazon renewed than certified refurbished from Apple.
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Generation Z's seem to have a preference for Google Workspace Over Microsoft 365
Recent trends indicate that Generation Z is increasingly favouring Google Workspace over Microsoft 365 for their productivity and collaboration needs. This preference can be attributed to several factors, including user-friendliness, cost efficiency, and perhaps negatively, the ongoing integration of artificial intelligence. As such, understanding the implications of this shift is crucial for businesses and educators alike. In this analysis, we will explore the reasons behind this transition and how companies can respond.
TL:DR – Gen Z's preference for Google Workspace can be attributed to various differences, including greater storage capacities, ease of collaboration, and a user-centric approach plus familiarity through education use. As organisations take on Generation Z staff, acknowledging these preferences will be essential to remain relevant and inspire productivity.
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RCS Messaging between iPhone and Android
Rich Communication Services (RCS) support in iOS and from your mobile operator means you can send texts, high resolution photos and videos, and links to both Apple and non-Apple devices. Historically, Apple's messaging system has differentiated itself with features linked to iMessage, and its reluctance to embrace RCS or even acknowldge its existence had raised questions about its strategy regarding cross-platform communication. Now, Apple aims to enhance the messaging experience by integrating RCS support which significantly improves multimedia communication interoperability between iPhone and Android users.
TL:DR – The integration of RCS in iOS broadens the messaging capabilities for iPhone users by allowing for higher quality multimedia exchanges, emoji reactions, and more with Android devices. However, end-to-end encryption remains absent, limiting the security of RCS messages compared to established alternatives like iMessage. Apple has committed to collaboration with the GSMA which is the industry organisation that represents the interests of mobile network operators, to address encryption concerns associated with RCS.
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Local Development 101: Create an Apache Server for Joomla on macOS Sequoia Using Homebrew
Setting up an Apache server with Homebrew on macOS Sequoia 15 can enhance your local development and testing capabilities significantly. This guide serves to walk you through the necessary steps to install Apache, make the required configuration adjustments, and enable your environment for local testing of websites. Importantly this method does not interfere with the system version of Apache which is made complex by Apple. If you have not yet installed Homebrew, you may first want to do so as it simplifies package management on macOS.
TL:DR – The installation of Apache on macOS Sequoia 15 with Homebrew is straightforward and involves editing configuration files, setting permissions, and ultimately testing your server. This setup is designed for local development, allowing you to test your websites, and in my case Joomla content management system extensions, before deployment. Follow each step diligently, and you’ll have your server operational in no time. I wouldn't recommend macOS for production web site hosting anymore though. Best to use a hosting provider for that.
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UK MacBook pick of the week
The UK refurbished MacBook market continues to adjust in response to Apple’s recent M4 MacBook and MacBook Pro release. Supply is healthy, but standout deals remain elusive. This week, Amazon Renewed listings reflect a modest price reduction—on average, £40 off most configurations.
The refurbished inventory is saturated with base models. 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD specification machines dominate the listings but are quite constrained. These are sufficient for light tasks but ill-suited for development, design, or any performance-intensive workflows.
16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD configurations offer significantly better longevity and maintain higher resale value, particularly among professional users seeking balanced capability. An emerging trend worth noting appears to be the increased availability of 1 TB models which provide ample storage for most use cases and are rapidly becoming the new baseline for informed buyers.
For buyers focused on future-proofing, thermal efficiency, and post-purchase value retention, avoiding base specs is no longer optional, it has become essential!
TL:DR – My pick of the week is a Macbook Pro (14-inch, M1, 2021) 16GB / 1TB at £869 on Amazon because it is a Pro equipped with the M1 Pro chip and was £1899 new! Always read the fine print and compare prices widely before deciding.
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UK Online Safety Act Compliance: What You Must Do Now
Introduction and a Warning About Illegal Harm
The UK Online Safety Act is a transformative piece of legislation designed to make online spaces safer for users. Platforms that fail to comply risk hefty fines, reputational damage, and, in extreme cases, criminal liability. Illegal harm online, including child sexual abuse material (CSAM), terrorist content, and hate speech, is now under tighter scrutiny.
The regulations are international in their reach and apply to online services that have links with the UK, regardless of where the provider of the service is based or registered.
TL:DR – The deadline has passed for completing a risk assessment. You should still complete one immediately because if your business provides an online service (a service made available over the internet), such as a website or an app, the Act may apply. The Act introduces new regulations for online service providers to help keep people in the UK – especially children – safe from illegal and harmful content online.
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VMware Fusion and Workstation are Free Now – Moving a Virtual Machine from Mac to PC is Easy
VMware’s decision to make VMware Workstation and VMWare Fusion free for all users has opened up new possibilities for developers, IT professionals, and businesses. This move simplifies virtualisation, allowing users to run and manage virtual machines (VMs) on Windows and Linux without additional costs. One of the biggest advantages is the ease of moving virtual machines between different platforms, particularly from macOS (using VMware Fusion) to a Windows or Linux PC running VMware Workstation.
TL:DR – Moving virtual machines in VMware virtual machine format is easier than ever between Intel based Mac; computers, Windows PC's and Linux desktops.
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Why the Enshittification of Notepad on Windows Matters to You
The term "Enshittification" coined in recent discussions has become a focal point for critics of Microsoft's latest updates, particularly to Notepad in Windows 11. The addition of AI features indicates a broader strategy shifting from a minimalist approach of over 40 years to a more complicated interface with added tools that may confuse the average user. This article laments the enshittification of the Notepad application, and ponders the implications of integrating AI features, and what that means for the future of user experience for Windows users.
TL:DR – The integration of AI features into Windows Notepad represents either a compelling or contentious evolution of one of the most straightforward applications included in the Microsoft suite, depending on your point of view. While AI can enhance productivity, the fundamental nature of Notepad as the basic text editor for Windows conflicts with its use as an AI enhanced advanced tool and this raises questions about future usability and user intention. Without a doubt, substantial changes are afoot, and users are advised to prepare for an AI tidal wave of impending adjustments to everything in Windows.
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Better SEO in Joomla by eliminating duplicate canonicals
If you're grappling with the perplexing issue of "Duplicate, Google chose different canonical than user" flagged in Google Search Console, you are not alone! This article aims to demystify the problem and provide actionable solutions. You may be left wondering why Google appears to ignore your canonical settings; this guide tackles that inquiry. Ultimately, the goal is to regain control over which URLs are indexed by Google and ensure your intended content is recognised, thereby improving the overall performance of your Joomla site.
The problem originates from Google's habit of selecting alternative URLs when faced with duplicate or similar content. It can result in significant dips in organic traffic and can be detrimental to your website’s SEO rankings. To enhance your understanding and remedy this situation, we will look into the underlying factors contributing to this issue, the steps required to resolve it, and practical monitoring techniques you can employ to ensure your canonical tags perform as expected.
TL:DR – The "Duplicate, Google chose different canonical than user" status affects the indexing of your preferred URL, leading to a potential loss in traffic. Focusing on aligning your canonical tags with other technical indications across your site is crucial to resolve this issue efficiently and maintain a healthy site performance. You can take action to minimise this issue.
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Tips for Choosing the Right Specification of M4 Mac Mini to Buy
With the recent launch of the M4 Mac Mini, buyers will be faced with a perplexing array of specifications and configurations. This guide aims to clarify which variants and configurations of the M4 Mac Mini are best suited for varying user workloads. Whether you're a professional seeking extreme performance or a casual user needing basic functionality, this article answers your questions with details on the differences between the M4 and M4 Pro chips, memory configurations, and connectivity options.
Is it even worth considering the specifications? Absolutely! The choice between the standard M4 and the M4 Pro willhave profound implications for your user experience and productivity over time and it will affect the future resale/trade-in value. Read on to discover crucial insights that will guide your decision.
TL:DR – The primary factors distinguishing the M4 from the M4 Pro are performance power, memory configurations, graphical capabilities, and Thunderbolt connectivity differences. The Apple Mac mini Desktop Computer with M4 Pro chip with 12 core CPU and 16 core GPU: Built for Apple Intelligence, 24GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage, Gigabit Ethernet on Amazon UK and also now available refurbished from Apple is, we believe, the most future proof model.
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