Meta’s Oversight Board is looking into transparency around disabling accounts


Meta has a lot of work to do when it comes to limiting hate speech on its platforms. Now, its Oversight Board is looking into the company’s decision to ban an account for, among other things, posting visual violent threats and harassment against a journalist — and it wants the public’s advice.

In the year prior to the ban, Meta referred five posts due to violations of its hateful conduct, bullying and harassment, violence and incitement and adult nudity and sexual activity community standards. In addition to the posts harassing the woman journalist, the user also shared “anti-gay slurs against prominent politicians and content depicting a sex act, alleging misconduct against minorities.”

Meta’s internal review experts decided to permanently disable the account due to the consistent violations and calls for violence. This action was taken despite the number of strikes not reaching the ban threshold — Meta’s guidance states that even seven strikes only get users a one-day ban. However, its account integrity page lays out examples of when it will disable accounts, including violating its community standards through “risk of imminent harm” to an individual.

The Board is now looking for insight from the public until 11:59PM PT on Tuesday, February 3. The Board is specifically seeking comments from individuals who can “contribute valuable perspectives” on the following topics:

  • How best to ensure due process and fairness to people whose accounts are penalized or permanently disabled.

  • The effectiveness of measures used by social media platforms to protect public figures and journalists from accounts engaged in repeated abuse and threats of violence, in particular against women in the public eye.

  • Challenges in identifying and considering off-platform context when assessing threats against public figures and journalists.

  • Research into the efficacy of punitive measures to shape online behaviors, and the efficacy of alternative or complementary interventions.

  • Good industry practices in transparency reporting on account enforcement decisions and related appeals.

This instance marks the first time the Board has looked into Meta permanently disabling an account. It stated that this “represents a significant opportunity to provide users with greater transparency on Meta’s account enforcement policies and practices, make recommendations for improvement, and expand the types of cases the Board can review.”

Philna Fantasy Free Download (v1.0.2)


Philna Fantasy Pre-Installed Worldofpcgames

Philna Fantasy Direct Download:

When an adventurer from an alien planet crash-lands on the continent of Votland, an unexpected journey begins. Explore a vibrant pixel world filled with dungeons, puzzles, crafting, and secrets as you uncover the truth behind the Void slowly consuming the land. Step into nine large, hand-crafted dungeons—each one not only a battlefield but a maze full of secrets. Hidden chests, clever mechanisms, secret passages… only by using your wits and special abilities unlocked along the way can you solve every puzzle and uncover treasures meant only for true explorers. Every breakthrough delivers that satisfying ‘aha’ moment of discovery. The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon

In Philna Fantasy, combat isn’t just about swinging swords, it’s about defining your own playstyle. Choose your path: become a Berserker tearing through the battlefield, a Ranger picking off enemies from afar, a Chrono Mage controlling the flow of battle, or an Assassin striking from the shadows. Each class has a deep skill tree that lets you mix and match abilities to create your own unique playstyle. Whether you seek hardcore challenges or a laid-back adventure, the four difficulty settings will pave the way for a journey that’s both thrilling and fun.

Features and System Requirements:

  • Explore the mystical land of Philna, filled with ancient ruins, enchanted forests, and forgotten kingdoms brought to life through rich lore and atmospheric environments.
  • Experience a deep narrative shaped by prophecy, conflict, and personal choice, where your decisions influence characters, alliances, and the fate of the realm.
  • Engage in fast-paced, tactical battles that blend magic, melee, and strategy, rewarding skillful timing and creative ability combinations.

Screenshots

System Requirements

Recommended
OS *: Windows7/8/10/11(64)
Processor: Intel i5
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia GTX 750 Ti
Storage: 5 GB available space
Support the game developers by purchasing the game on Steam

Installation Guide

Turn Off Your Antivirus Before Installing Any Game

1 :: Download Game
2 :: Extract Game
3 :: Launch The Game
4 :: Have Fun 🙂

Cyberpunk 2077 VR mod disappears after mod maker decides he’d rather take it down than make it free



The maker of the popular R.E.A.L. VR mod for Cyberpunk 2077 has accused CD Projekt of “iron-clad corpo logic” after the studio issued a DMCA demanding the mod’s removal.

“Many of you have noticed that two of my recent posts disappeared about a week ago,” mod maker Luke Ross wrote over the weekend on his Patreon. “I apologize that I could not comment personally about the fact, because there was an ongoing legal exchange.

visual studio – Nuget isn’t returning all versions


I’m trying to install the Nuget Package:

dotnet add package Python.Runtime --version 3.0.4

In VS2026 for one of my projects, and it fails stating that the nearest version available is 2.7.9.

If I go to a browser window and enter: https://api.nuget.org/v3-flatcontainer/python.runtime/index.json
Sure enough it only shows 2.7.9 even though there are later versions of this package available.

This suggests that I’m not really getting out to Nuget for some reason even though from developer powershell command if I do:

dotnet nuget list source

Registered Sources:
  1.  nuget.org [Enabled]
      https://api.nuget.org/v3/index.json
  2.  Microsoft Visual Studio Offline Packages [Enabled]
      C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\NuGetPackages\

Any sugestions on how to get out to the Nuget Server would be appreciated.

ESA Publishes ‘Zero Debris’ Framework Amid Effort to Deorbit Dangerous Space Junk


Published Thursday, the European Space Agency’s Zero Debris Technical Booklet outlines a framework for the world’s space-faring nations to deorbit the most dangerous space junk, making low Earth orbit a safer place to transit. If followed, the ESA believes it would create a debris-neutral LEO, safeguarding access to the orbital zone and the space beyond it for decades to come.

The problem of orbital debris buildup is one that the entire space-faring world has been aware of for decades. Kessler Syndrome was proposed in 1978, and though there have been some efforts to deorbit a limited quantity of problematic space debris, the issue has only grown more acute in recent years. It was just last November that Chinese taikonauts were stranded on the Tiangong space station after debris damaged their return capsule.

The ESA’s new technical document projects the problem will only worsen, too. With over 12,000 active satellites currently in orbit, the ESA projects that number will rise to over 40,000 by the 2030s. That makes space ever more crowded, and with every launch, there is the potential for additional debris.

ESA debris deorbit goals.


Credit: ESA

Even if there were no more launches, though, that wouldn’t stop debris from multiplying. It suggests there could be as many as 140 million fragments smaller than a centimeter now orbiting Earth at various orbits, and most of them will stay there for decades or even centuries. Very few of them can be tracked reliably, making LEO increasingly dangerous and unpredictable.

To deal with this issue, the ESA’s framework proposes a number of policies and agreements among space-faring nations and companies:

  • Mandated clean up at a satellite’s end of life.

  • Improved surveillance for debris and active satellites.

  • Developing reliable deorbit systems.

  • Improved, lighter shielding for spacecraft and additional redundancy to reduce fragmentation in the event of damage.

  • Better data sharing between countries for greater transparency on launches and debris tracking.

Ultimately, it’s about tracking the debris that we can see and shielding against what we can’t. But getting anyone, let alone everyone, to pay for this is complicated and hard to imagine. Meanwhile, the financial costs of debris will continue to rise. As of 2025, they were causing around $100 million worth of damage per year, but that will only grow, and exponentially so if there’s any form of debris cascade.

In theory, Kessler Syndrome could become a reality, making space nearly inaccessible without incredible cost.

The ESA calls on all countries to make these changes within the next 24 months, or face a very different space environment in the 2030s.

Service-Based Business vs Product-Based Business


service-based business sells expertise, judgment, and execution. Consulting, marketing services, coaching, development, and local professional services all fall into this category.

From experience, this model rewards sellers who are comfortable leading conversations. You sell before you deliver. Trust closes the deal. I built early revenue faster in services than anywhere else because I could control the outcome of every meeting.

The advantage is speed. You can monetize your skill immediately. Cash flow starts early. Feedback is direct. The downside is capacity. When you stop selling or delivering, revenue slows. Strong sellers learn to price, scope, and qualify better rather than work more hours.

WHAT PRODUCT-BASED BUSINESSES DEMAND FROM SELLERS

A product business sells consistency, not conversation. Physical products, software, and digital tools all live here. The sale happens without you present. That sounds appealing until you realize how unforgiving it can be. Weak positioning lingers. Poor messaging compounds. Early mistakes are expensive to unwind.

CONTROL VERSUS SCALE

Control is where services shine. Scale is where products tempt. In a service based business, you control pricing, delivery, and client relationships. You can adjust quickly. You can fix problems in real time. Sellers who enjoy managing relationships often thrive here.

Product businesses offer scale, but they remove control early. Manufacturing delays, platform rules, ad costs, and fulfillment issues introduce variables you cannot talk your way out of. Some sellers love that challenge. Others burn out fighting systems instead of having conversations.

At this point, many experienced sellers quietly reassess which problems they actually enjoy solving.

REVENUE PREDICTABILITY AND EFFORT

Services tie income more closely to effort. Products delay reward but can multiply it.

I have found that a service based business rewards discipline quickly. Follow up, clear proposals, and tight delivery create predictable income. Products require patience. The upside arrives later, often after lengthy testing.

Neither model is easy. They are difficult in different ways. Good sellers choose the level of difficulty they can consistently tolerate.

SKILL LEVERAGE VERSUS SYSTEM LEVERAGE

Services leverage personal skills. Products leverage systems. In a service based business, reputation compounds. Referrals stack. Pricing improves with confidence. You get better by doing the work. That feedback loop suits sellers who like constant interaction.

Products rely on systems working together. Marketing, logistics, support, and operations must align. When they do, growth accelerates. When they do not, selling harder does not help.

I have seen top closers struggle here because persuasion could not fix broken systems.

THE HYBRID PATH MANY SELLERS MISS

Many experienced sellers eventually blend both. They start with a service-based business to generate cash flow and insight. Then they productize parts of what works. Frameworks. Tools. Training. Software.

Selling services taught us what people actually pays for. Turning that into products reduced delivery load while preserving authority. This path rewards patience and observation more than ambition. If you are already selling daily, this hybrid approach often feels natural once you stop forcing scale too early.

CHOOSING BASED ON SELLING IDENTITY

The real question is not which model is better. It is the model that fits your selling approach.

If you like leading conversations, handling objections live, and adjusting on the fly, a service based business aligns well with your strengths. If you prefer building once and selling repeatedly, products may suit you better.

Strong sellers do not chase models. They choose alignment.

CLOSING PERSPECTIVE

Choosing between a service based business and a product-based business is a strategic decision, not a motivational one. Sellers who respect this choice build calmer, more controllable income over time.

At some point, comparison stops being productive. Commitment starts performance.

If you are serious about building a service based business or transitioning into products, take time to audit how you actually sell. Review where you win consistently.

Choose the model that amplifies those strengths instead of fighting them. The right decision now saves years of friction later.

Don’t use your router’s USB port when these alternatives exist, a PC expert explains


asus-rt-be58-go-router-ports

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.


ZDNET’s key takeaways

  • Your router may have USB ports on the back, but I don’t recommend using them.
  • These inputs often run on outdated, vulnerable protocols that could give cybercriminals access to sensitive files and information on your network.
  • If you’re interested in a central storage platform, there are better options out there.

Ever wondered what the USB-A port on the back of your Wi-Fi router is for? Several things, depending on the model. For example, the port on the Asus RT-BE86U router can be used for basic file sharing across your network, charging small devices, and as a waypoint for backing up your computer to an external drive. 

But here’s the truth: I don’t recommend using it. Having a USB port on the router sounds convenient, but there are a few problems.

Also: The right way to run an internet speed tests (and how to use the results for faster Wi-Fi)

The fact is that USB ports on routers aren’t secure. Many of them operate on outdated protocols, creating vulnerabilities that can be exploited by bad actors. This doesn’t mean the entire router is compromised, but the USB port can be a weak link. Using it is not a risk worth taking, especially when safer alternatives are available.

Let’s break down the biggest reasons you should avoid using the USB port on your router and what to do instead.

1. It’s a security risk

Netgear Orbi 5G WiFi 6 Mesh System: router

Cliff Joseph / ZDNet

When I say “outdated protocols”, I am mostly referring to FTP or File Transfer Protocol. It’s an old protocol from the 1970s that doesn’t use any sort of encryption; even transmitting passwords in plain text. FTP has been widely replaced by the HTTPS protocol, but even recent routers, like the Asus RT-BE86U, have ports that use it. 

 As Progress Software points out, a bad actor could easily take those credentials with the right technical know-how, even possibly gaining access to your network. 

Also: Should you upgrade your traditional Wi-Fi router to mesh? I compared the two, and here’s my take

Another one to watch out for is SMBv1 (Server Message Block version 1). It’s another file-sharing protocol that was notably exploited by the WannaCry ransomware in 2017, infecting hundreds of thousands of systems worldwide. 

Microsoft has been urging companies and IT professionals to disable the legacy protocols — and their usage has indeed dropped — but they still exist on devices in people’s homes. Add the fact that malware becomes more sophisticated year after year, and it’s too risky to rely on these protocols for file transfer over a router.

2. It’s unreliable

Eero Pro 7

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

This is going to sound obvious, but the primary purpose of a router is to establish and manage a wireless network. That’s what the hardware and software are optimized for. It’s when once a router deviates from its primary purpose, that the quality of the technology deteriorates.

Also: Your home Wi-Fi isn’t nearly as private as it should be – 6 free ways to lock it down

Most consumer models don’t have the processing power to handle both their normal networking tasks and file transfers simultaneously. When the router is juggling multiple workloads, you may encounter:

  • Slow wireless speeds
  • Latency spikes
  • Connection drops
  • File transfer failures

That last entry can come in multiple forms. It’s possible that only part of the file will transfer, that it gets dropped, or worse, corrupted. To ensure that connections stay stable, avoid using the USB port, especially if you own an older router.

Also: Forget burner phones – you can join this new carrier with just a ZIP code (no ID necessary)

Articles from as far back as 2013 point out that the USB 3.0 standard interferes with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signals. Technology has improved dramatically since then, but it’s still something to be mindful of.

Another potential issue is overheating. The added electrical load puts extra strain on the hardware, increasing internal temperatures, which can then result in performance throttling. High heat doesn’t just affect the router in the moment; it can also shorten the device’s lifespan.

What I recommend instead

If you want reliable file sharing and media storage for your house, there are far safer and better alternatives.

Buy a NAS

Synology DS723+ 2-bay Diskstation NAS

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Your best option is to invest in a NAS (Network-Attached Storage), which is essentially a mini server for your home. While an external hardware drive can do something similar, a NAS provides one major advantage: strong data protection.

NAS devices commonly support AES-256 encryption to safeguard sensitive files and data. Many models also support RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks). This technology distributes data across multiple NAS drives, ensuring your files remain safe even if one of the drives fails unexpectedly. 

Also: Looking for a capable NAS? Here’s one I recommend (but it’s not for beginners)

If you’re interested, I highly recommend checking out ZDNET’s list of the best network-attached storage devices you can buy. The TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus currently holds the top recommendation due to its quiet operation, good performance, and compact size. It does cost over $800, though. For a more budget-friendly option, the QNAP TS-233-US 2-Bay is your best choice.

Invest in cloud storage

Proton Drive

Proton

Another good alternative is to use cloud storage rather than relying on local drives. These platforms securely store files, photos, and videos online, making them accessible on just about any device with an internet connection. Even better: most providers have free storage plans. 

Google has one of the best, giving users 15GB at no cost, while Apple’s iCloud and Microsoft’s OneDrive each provide 5GB of space. As great as these plans are, they fill up quickly. All three offer paid subscriptions that expand your available space.

Also: Which cloud storage service should you buy in 2025? I compared the best options, and here’s my pick

I also want to give a word of warning, here. You may come across less-known cloud storage providers advertising an unusually large amount of free space, up to 1TB. While many of these services deliver the storage they promise, they raise a lot of red flags. You’ll find many forum posts questioning the legitimacy and safety of these services, so I urge caution. 

How to use the the USB port safely

If you insist on using your router’s USB port, there are two important precautions to follow. First, only use it for non-critical files. Don’t share or transfer anything sensitive through the port. Stick to low-risk content, such as movies you want to share with others in your household.

Secondly, install firmware updates as soon as they become available to patch up any security issues and maintain stability. That’s assuming your router is still receiving updates. Router manufacturers will drop support for older models. If your device is no longer supported, check out my list of the five products I recommend to improve your Wi-Fi.

I’ve spent nearly a decade reviewing hardware, software, and various types of consumer tech — including Wi-Fi routers. As part of my work, I push routers to their limits in an effort to see if they’re worth recommending. I pay attention to any changes in speed that may occur, as well as learn what they can or can’t handle. Sometimes a feature, such as a USB port, may seem like it’ll come in handy, but in practice, it isn’t worth using due to key flaws.

Also: Should you be afraid of smart home hacking? 6 ways experts keep their devices protected

I then share those findings so you can avoid the pitfalls that I discovered or ran into. So when I say that the USB port is more trouble than it’s worth, it’s because I’ve seen the slow performance, and I’ve seen the security issues firsthand. My goal is to provide guidance rooted in real testing, so you can make smart choices for your home network. I also aim to foster the confidence to manage your network effectively. With the right information, you’ll identify problems before they arise.

Another thing: keep in mind that these aren’t rigid rules. Think of them as a foundation you can build upon based on your setup and needs.


Show more



Marathon’s full voice cast includes talent from Deus Ex, Baldur’s Gate 3, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Red Dead Redemption and loads more



Marathon got a release date earlier today, confirming a March 5 launch for Bungie’s extraction shooter. The studio hasn’t skimped where voice talent is concerned: actors from pretty much every successful game from the last decade are present, though it’s yet to be confirmed what roles each will play (and how big they’ll be).

Among the biggest names is Ben Starr, nowadays best known for playing Verso in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, as well as prominent roles in Final Fantasy 16 and Hades 2. Starr has won two Golden Joystick awards and garnered several big nominations at the Game Awards.

Halo: Campaign Evolved is a faithful remake tasked with relaunching a legendary franchise for a new generation of players


Halo: Campaign Evolved may be the most important Xbox Game Studios release of 2026. When executive producer Damon Conn says that this “is an opportunity to pave the way for the future of Halo” he isn’t being hyperbolic. “We’re building a game in Unreal Engine 5, on a platform that we’ve never supported, while offering more ways for players to play with each other than ever before. We’re excited to reignite the spark that started it all,” he says, “but we don’t take it lightly.”

Halo: Campaign Evolved is pitched as a “faithful and modernized remake” of Master Chief’s most iconic adventure, “and a celebration of Combat Evolved” ahead of its incoming 25th anniversary. Creative director Max Szlagor stresses that Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) “has been careful to craft the game in such a way that it stays true to the original’s tone, atmosphere, feel, and emotional impact” as it grapples with the complexities of recapturing Chief’s bounding momentum in a new game engine.

Agentic AI: A New Era for Financial Services


salesforce

Agentic AI: A New Era for Financial Services

Agentic AI grows revenue and enhances customer experience for financial services

Imagine transforming your firm with agentic AI to grow new revenue streams and customer wallet share all while providing a better customer experience. This playbook provides the blueprint for

  • Risk-managed AI strategy
  • Helping you drive 15% revenue growth
  • Increase efficiency, and reduce costs

Questions? Talk to an expert: 1-800-664-9073

agentic-ai-a-new-era-for-financial-services

Get the guide

Get the guide

Error: Contact form not found.

The post Agentic AI: A New Era for Financial Services appeared first on Tech Research Online.