Monthly Archives: April 2018

Web Browsers, Windows

Windows 10 April 2018 Update released on April 30th 2018

Windows 10 April 2018 Update version 1803  (formerly known as Windows 10 Spring Creators Update) was released by Microsoft on April 30th 2018 and will be installed as part of Windows 10 updates.  Some of the new features include:

  • Timeline (shows recent activity and accessed by clicking the Windows key + Tab key.)
  • Focus Assist (set a time period without notifications and accessed under Settings –> System –> Focus assist. This feature was formerly known as Quiet Hours.)
  • Near Share (sharing of files between devices using Bluetooth.)
  • Microsoft Edge browser enhancements

    Some Windows features were removed or selected for future removal in version 1803, including Windows Help Viewer.
Apps and Utilities, Security, Windows

OpenSSH for Windows

OpenSSH is a fee open source set of security-related utilities based on the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol that runs on Linux and other operating systems.   Microsoft has made available OpenSSH for Windows (Beta version) as part of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update and Windows Server 2017 version 1709.  Microsoft does not recommend using OpenSSH for Windows in production environments while it is still in Beta.

To install OpenSSH for Windows, select the Start Button –> Settings –> Apps –> Manage optional features –> Add a feature –> OpenSSH

Windows Open SSH

A reboot is required after installation to enable this feature.

BleepingComputer.com has extensive instructions on how to configure OpenSSH Server for Windows (Beta).

Update: OpenSSH is now fully available as part of Windows 10 April 2018 update version 1803.

Android, Apple, Apps and Utilities, Entertainment Media, iOS, iPhone, Linux, Smartphones, Windows

Kodi – a free open source media player for multiple platforms

Kodi is a free open source media player and entertainment center for multiple platforms, including Android, Linux, MacOS X, iOS, Windows, and Xbox One.   It is also available as a downloadable app from Google Play and Microsoft Store.

Kodi was originally known as Xbox Media Center (XBMC) and developed by the XBMC Foundation, a non-profit technology consortium.   It plays audio, video, and image files, and third-party plugins are available to add additional features.  The Kodi Wiki page lists more details about configurations and options for this app.

Azure, Cloud, Databases, SQL Server

Azure SQL Database Managed Instances offer greater SQL Server compatibility

Microsoft has made Azure SQL Database Managed Instances available.  These instances offer much greater compatibility with traditional SQL Server when compared with Azure SQL databases.

A free Azure account can be created at azure.microsoft.com/free.

More documentation can be found at:

Azure, Cloud, Databases, Google, Linux, Oracle, PowerShell, Programming Languages, SQL Server, Visual Studio

Visual Studio Extensions Marketplace

Extensions for the Microsoft Visual Studio suite of products can be found at marketplace.visualstudio.com.  Extensions add support for languages not included in Visual Studio, aid in IDE development, or perform a specific task.

Some current popular extensions are:

Extensions can be free, preview, or paid.  Paid extensions are often charged per user per month.  Preview extensions are eventually converted to paid extensions. Extensions are either written by Microsoft, third party vendors, or individual developers.

More information can be found at code.visualstudio.com/docs/extensions/overview.