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  • Steam Weekly Global Top Sellers for the week of 22 Jul — 29 July …

    Steam Weekly Global Top Sellers for the week of 22 Jul — 29 July …

    [Top selling games on Steam by revenue for week of 22 Jul — 29 July 2025](https://steamdb.info/topsellers/2025W31/?utm_source=Discord)
    *(excluding free items, follow link for top 100)*

    #1 – Steam Deck
    #2 – Killing Floor 3
    #3 – PEAK
    #4 – WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers
    #5 – Ready or Not
    #6 – Wildgate
    #7 – Dead by Daylight
    #8 – RimWorld
    #9 – Abiotic Factor
    #10 – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

  • FREE Cyber Core Profile Background on Steam

    FREE Cyber Core Profile Background on Steam

    Limited Time Offer: Snag a Free Steam Profile Background and Enhance Your Look!

    Steam users, get ready to refresh your profile’s aesthetic! For a limited time, you have the chance to claim a free profile background, allowing you to personalize your Steam presence without spending a dime.


    Just want the free link? China Advertising Cyber Core profile background

    While specific free backgrounds can vary and are often tied to events or promotions, now is the perfect opportunity to check the Steam Points Shop and the broader Steam Community for available items. Keep an eye out for potential tie-ins with ongoing events or game promotions that might offer complimentary customization options.


    Free Cyber core profile background for steam

    Limited Time Offer: Snag a Free Steam Profile Background and Enhance Your Look!

    Steam users, get ready to refresh your profile’s aesthetic! For a limited time, you have the chance to claim a free profile background, allowing you to personalize your Steam presence without spending a dime.

    While specific free backgrounds can vary and are often tied to events or promotions, now is the perfect opportunity to check the Steam Points Shop and the broader Steam Community for available items. Keep an eye out for potential tie-ins with ongoing events or game promotions that might offer complimentary customization options.

    How to Check for Free Backgrounds:

    • Steam Points Shop: Head over to the Steam Points Shop. Sometimes, special events or new game releases can bring temporary free items.
    • Community Market & Badges: While many backgrounds are available for purchase or crafted through game badges, occasionally community events or specific game promotions can offer a background as a reward.

    Boost Your Profile with the “Cyber Core” Look (Check for Availability!):

    If you’re aiming for a sleek, futuristic vibe, the “Cyber Core” profile background is a highly sought-after item. While it’s typically available through the Steam Market or the Points Shop, keep an eye out for any potential limited-time offers or bundles that might include it for free. Customizing your profile with this kind of background can truly make your Steam presence stand out.

    Steam China Advertising App: A Glimpse into Community Items

    Explore Free Background Options Today:

    For those interested in the broader ecosystem of Steam community items, the “Steam China Advertising App” (App ID 3080480) on Steam DB provides an interesting look at various items, including profile backgrounds, associated with specific applications. While this particular app primarily serves as a record of community items, it highlights the vast array of cosmetic options available on Steam.

    Don’t miss out on this chance to enhance your Steam profile. Log in, explore the latest offerings, and grab your free background while it lasts! A new profile is just a few clicks away.

  • Google Cloud’s New Tricks: Don’t Just Trust It, Prove It! Attestation, Live Migration on Google Cloud

    Google Cloud’s New Tricks: Don’t Just Trust It, Prove It! Attestation, Live Migration on Google Cloud

    Attestation, Live Migration on Google Cloud

    Ever feel like your data in the cloud has trust issues? It’s not surprising. You send your important information off to a server somewhere, and you just have to hope it’s being kept safe. Well, Google Cloud is working hard to make that trust a little less blind and a lot more verifiable.

    In the world of Confidential Computing—which is basically a super-secure VIP lounge for your data—Google Cloud just announced some cool new features that boil down to two main things: proving your stuff is secure, and moving it around without shutting it down.

    Let’s break it down.

    Meet Attestation: Your Cloud’s Security ID

    So, how do you really know your sensitive data is running in a protected, tamper-proof environment? You could just take Google’s word for it, but they’d rather you have solid proof. That’s where Attestation comes in.

    Think of Attestation as a bouncer for your data’s VIP lounge. Before anything happens, it checks the ID of the hardware and the environment. It verifies a few key things:

    • Is the hardware legit? It confirms you’re running on real, authentic Google Cloud hardware, not some knock-off.
    • Has anyone messed with it? It checks that the secure environment (the “Trusted Execution Environment” or TEE) hasn’t been compromised.
    • Is it following the rules? It ensures everything inside that secure bubble is sticking to the highest security standards.

    Once the check is complete, Google gives you a cryptographically signed “claims token.” It’s like a digital certificate of authenticity that you can show to other services to prove your workload is secure. You can even get a “second opinion” from a third party like the Intel Tiber Trust Authority, which is great for industries like finance and healthcare that need to be extra careful. It’s so trustworthy, it comes with its own references!

    Smooth Moves with Live Migration

    Security is great, but what about when you need to do maintenance? In the past, updating the server your secure workload was running on often meant… well, turning it off. That’s a bit of a party foul for any business that needs to be online 24/7.

    Enter Live Migration for Confidential GKE Nodes.

    This is the digital equivalent of pulling the tablecloth out from under a full set of dishes without a single thing rattling. Google can now move your entire running, secure application from one physical server to another without any downtime.

    The best part? Your data stays encrypted the whole time, even while it’s in transit between the two machines. It’s all handled automatically in the background. If you’re using the right kind of Confidential GKE nodes (the AMD-based ones), this feature is now on by default. It’s security that doesn’t get in the way of business.

    So there you have it. Google Cloud is making it easier to not only keep your secrets secret but also to prove it to anyone who asks, all while keeping the lights on.


    Summary of Key Points

    • Google Cloud Attestation: A new service that provides verifiable proof that your workloads are running in a genuine, secure, and untampered Trusted Execution Environment (TEE).
    • Third-Party Verification: For customers needing separation of duties, Google now supports third-party attestation through the Intel Tiber Trust Authority (ITA) for certain virtual machines.
    • Live Migration for Confidential GKE: Secure container workloads running on Confidential GKE Nodes can now be moved to a different host machine for maintenance without any service interruption or downtime.
    • Continuous Encryption: During Live Migration, the memory of the virtual machine remains encrypted, ensuring data is protected even while in transit between physical hosts.
    • General Availability: Live Migration for AMD-SEV based Confidential GKE Nodes is now generally available and enabled by default on supported GKE versions.

    Relevance to Primary Users

    • For Chief Security/Information Officers (CSOs/CIOs): These updates provide a clear, verifiable way to meet stringent compliance and regulatory requirements. The ability to prove the integrity of the cloud environment to auditors is a major benefit.
    • For IT and Operations Teams: Live Migration is a game-changer. It dramatically reduces operational overhead by eliminating the need for planned downtime during host maintenance, increasing application uptime and reliability.
    • For Developers: With security features like Attestation and Live Migration working seamlessly in the background, developers can focus on building applications without having to become deep security experts.
    • For Businesses in Regulated Industries (e.g., Healthcare, Finance, Web3): The addition of operator-independent attestation via Intel provides the “separation of duties” required to build trust and operate confidently in a Zero Trust framework.
    • For All Cloud Users: These innovations make the cloud a safer and more agile place for sensitive data, building confidence that information processed in Google Cloud is protected by default, in use, and now, even when it’s on the move.
  • What is NotebookLM? The Unsung AI Hero to Organize Your Life

    What is NotebookLM? The Unsung AI Hero to Organize Your Life

    You’ve heard of Gemini, you’ve probably had a chinwag with ChatGPT, but what if I told you there’s a secret AI weapon hiding in plain sight? It’s called NotebookLM, and no, I didn’t just make it up. While the big-name AIs are busy trying to write sonnets and plan world domination, this quiet hero is ready to actually organize your life.

    So, what is NotebookLM? Think of it as your own personal AI expert that’s only interested in your stuff. You provide the source material – documents, web links, PDFs, your own notes – and it becomes a specialist on that information. It’s like having a super-smart assistant who has read all your important documents and is ready to give you answers with citations, sticking only to the script you gave it. This makes it an incredibly powerful and reliable productivity tool.

    Still not seeing how this fits into your day-to-day? Well, let me tell you, this tool is more versatile than a dad at a BBQ with a new multi-tool.

    For the Students (and the Eternally Curious)

    Remember those late-night study sessions, surrounded by a fortress of textbooks and scribbled notes? With NotebookLM, you can upload all your course materials – lecture notes, research papers, and essential PDFs. Then, the magic happens. Ask it to create flashcards, whip up a practice quiz, or explain a complex topic simply. It’s like having a tutor who never gets tired of your questions and always shows you where it found the answer.

    For the Homeowner Who Can’t Find Anything

    Where’s the manual for the washing machine? Is it in that mystery drawer with the random batteries? Instead of an archaeological dig through 200 pages of warnings, just upload your manuals to NotebookLM. Next time you have an issue, simply ask, “How do I clean the filter?” and get a straight answer. You’ll have more time for important things, like wondering where the TV remote went this time.

    For the Creative Genius (and Weekend Hobbyist)

    Are you writing a novel, developing a game, or meticulously planning your model railway? NotebookLM is a creator’s dream. Upload all your world-building notes, character backstories, and plot outlines. You can then ask it things like, “What is the main character’s primary motivation?” or “Remind me of the key events in Chapter 3.” It keeps your lore consistent so you can focus on creating. It’s also perfect for hobbyists; upload schematics, historical articles, or project plans to keep your passion project on track.

    For the Savvy Job Seeker

    The job hunt can be a grind. Level up your strategy by uploading the job description and your CV into NotebookLM. You can then ask it to identify key skills the employer is looking for or “Generate interview questions based on this job spec and my resume.” It helps you tailor your application and walk into that interview more prepared than ever. Why did the scarecrow get the job? He was outstanding in his field. You will be too.

    Decoding the Fine Print of Life

    Insurance policies are famously as clear as mud. Are you covered for an accidental karate kick to the garden gnome? Upload your policy to NotebookLM to quickly search and ask questions in plain English. This isn’t just for insurance; think mortgage agreements, rental contracts, or any dense legal document you need to understand.

    Holiday & Event Planning Made Easy

    Planning a family trip or a big event can feel like herding cats. With NotebookLM, create a central hub for all your details: flight confirmations, hotel bookings, schedules, and guest lists. Now, everyone involved can access the “what” and “where” without having to ask you for the hundredth time. It might just save your sanity.

    Keeping Your Wheels on the Road

    Your car is more than a car; it’s a rolling collection of paperwork. Upload your insurance, MOT certificates, tax reminders, and the manual. Quickly check when your tax is due, find out what that weird light on the dashboard means, or get a summary of your service history. It’s like having a personal mechanic who lives in your computer.

    For the World of Work

    Imagine your engineers are on-site. Instead of lugging around bulky manuals, they can access all installation instructions via NotebookLM on their device. Better yet, they can add their own notes and tips for future jobs, creating a living document that helps new starters get up to speed in no time. For website managers, you can upload privacy policies, content guidelines, and site structures to keep the whole team on the same page.

    So, the next time you’re talking about AI, don’t forget to mention the incredibly practical, endlessly useful, and refreshingly simple NotebookLM. It might not be the flashiest tool in the box, but it’s the one you’ll find yourself using day in and day out to make your life easier. Give it a try—you might just find it’s the AI sidekick you never knew you needed. And that’s no joke.

  • Google Drive gets Gemini assistance to organise your files but does it work in reality?

    Google Drive gets Gemini assistance to organise your files but does it work in reality?

    Ever stared at your Google Drive and felt like you’re digitally hoarding?

    You’ve got “Untitled Document (7),” a dozen vacation photos, and that one PDF you swear you’ll read someday, all mingling in a chaotic digital mess. Well, Google’s AI, Gemini, has a new trick up its sleeve: it can now help you tidy up your Drive by moving files and creating folders.

    But is it actually helpful? I mean, I’ve got two hands and a mouse. Is typing a sentence really faster than a good old-fashioned drag-and-drop? Let’s get into it.

    Google Drive

    So, What’s the Big Deal?

    Google recently announced that Gemini, its AI assistant, can now understand commands to organize your Google Drive. You can tell it things like, “Create a new folder called ‘Top Secret Dad Jokes’” or “Move my ‘Quarterly Report’ into the ‘Stuff I’ll Look at Later’ folder.”

    This new feature is rolling out to folks on specific plans:

    • Google Workspace: Business Standard and Plus, Enterprise Standard and Plus
    • Education: If you have the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on
    • Personal Accounts: If you’re subscribed to the Google One AI Premium, Google AI Pro, or Ultra plans

    Think of it as having a digital butler for your files. Instead of manually clicking around, you can just tell your butler what to do. Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field… of documents!

    Is Typing Really Faster Than Dragging?

    I know what you’re thinking. “I can drag a file faster than I can type all that out!” And for a single file, you’re probably right. If you’ve got the muscle memory of a pro gamer, dragging and dropping is second nature.

    But think about those times you’re already deep in a workflow. You’re typing away in a document and realize you need to save it somewhere specific. Instead of breaking your flow, opening new tabs, and navigating through folders, you can just use the Gemini side panel to fire off a quick command. It’s about keeping you in the zone. It’s not about replacing a simple action, but about integrating organization into your natural way of working.

    For those of us who think better with words, it can be a game-changer. It’s like telling your car to navigate home instead of fiddling with the GPS. It’s just…smoother.

    The Real-World Perks (and a Few Hiccups)

    Google Gemini

    So how does this help you in the real world? Imagine you’ve just finished a bunch of documents for a project. Instead of dragging each one individually, you can select them and tell Gemini, “Move these files to the ‘Project Alpha’ folder.” It’s a small time-saver, but those seconds add up!

    Now for the big question: can you go full-on automation genius and tell it to “move all my MP3s to the ‘Audio’ folder and all my JPEGs to the ‘Pictures’ folder”?

    Hold your horses. For now, Gemini can only move up to five files at a time, and it can’t yet perform complex conditional sorting based on file type or name. So, you can’t quite unleash it to organize your entire 200-file “Downloads” folder in one go. It’s more of a helpful apprentice than a master organizer at this stage.

    Is AI Solving Problems We Don’t Have?

    This brings us to the big-picture question. Are we just creating fancy tech for the sake of it? Is this a solution in search of a problem?

    In its current state, you could argue that it’s a “nice to have” rather than a “must-have.” The five-file limit feels a bit like being given a spoon to dig a tunnel.

    But here’s the thing: this is just the beginning. The goal isn’t just to move a few files. It’s about changing how we interact with our digital spaces. In the future, you might be able to say, “Gemini, find all my receipts from last month, turn them into a PDF, and put it in my ‘Taxes 2025’ folder.” Now that would be something.

    So, while today it might just be a neat party trick, it’s laying the groundwork for a much smarter and more intuitive way to manage the digital clutter in our lives. And let’s be honest, my Google Drive could definitely use a little more intelligence. It’s so messy, it’s starting to look like my garage. I told my wife I’m going to organize it. She said, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” I said, “You’ll see it… eventually.”

  • The New Kid on the AI Block: Is Grok-4 All That

    The New Kid on the AI Block: Is Grok-4 All That

    So, there’s another new face in the ever-expanding family of AI chatbots. This one’s called Grok-4, and it’s the latest creation from Elon Musk’s xAI. It rolled up to the party on July 9, 2025, and it’s already making some waves.

    But is it the cool new kid that everyone wants to hang out with, or is it just trying a little too hard to fit in with the likes of ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and the rest of the gang?

    Let’s break it down, and I promise to keep the technical jargon to a minimum. I wouldn’t want to be a Grok-star about it.

    What’s Grok-4 Bragging About?

    Grok-4 comes in two flavors: the regular Grok-4 and a super-powered version called Grok-4 Heavy. The big selling point is its massive “context window.” Think of it like the AI’s short-term memory. Grok-4 can remember a whole lot more of your conversation, which is handy for complex tasks. We’re talking about the ability to digest a small novel’s worth of information in one go.

    The other thing Grok-4 has going for it is its connection to X (the platform formerly known as Twitter). This gives it a real-time pulse on what’s happening in the world. While some other AIs are stuck in the past, Grok can tell you what’s trending right now. It’s so up-to-the-minute, it probably knows what you’re having for lunch tomorrow.

    And in a rather unique, and some might say, quirky, move, Grok has been known to use Elon Musk’s own X posts as a source of information. So, if you’ve ever wondered what the billionaire thinks about a particular topic, Grok might just tell you.

    How Does it Stack Up Against the Competition?

    Now, for the main event. How does Grok-4 fare against the current champions of the AI world?

    ChatGPT: Still the reigning champ of versatility. It’s like a Swiss Army knife – good at a little bit of everything. From writing a poem to debugging code, it’s a solid all-rounder.

    Claude: The bookworm of the bunch. If you need to summarize a long report or get insights from a hefty document, Claude’s your go-to.

    Perplexity: The researcher. It’s great at finding and citing sources from the web, so you know it’s not just making things up.

    Copilot: The Microsoft loyalist. If you live in the world of Word, Excel, and other Microsoft products, Copilot is your best friend.

    Gemini: The creative one from Google. It’s known for its imaginative responses and is a great tool for brainstorming ideas.

    So where does Grok-4 fit in?

    It’s trying to be the witty, up-to-the-minute conversationalist. For day-to-day tasks, it holds its own. It can draft that email for your boss or help you plan a weekend getaway.

    However, some users have noted that while it’s quick with the latest news, its “common sense” can sometimes be a bit… well, artificial.

    The Price of Admission

    Here’s where things get a little complicated. To get your hands on Grok, you’ll generally need a subscription to X Premium+.

    There are also standalone “SuperGrok” plans with a monthly fee. For the developers out there, API access comes with its own price tag.

    This is a bit different from its competitors. Many, like ChatGPT and Gemini, offer very capable free versions. This leads us to a crucial piece of advice…Try Before You Buy (Even if it’s Not Grok-4)

    The world of AI is moving at lightning speed. The best chatbot for you really depends on what you need it for. Before you open your wallet for any of these services, take advantage of the free trials and basic plans.

    See which one “gets” you. Does it understand your questions? Is its personality a good fit for you? You might find that the free version of one AI is perfectly adequate for your needs. Or you might discover that the specific strengths of a paid plan are worth the investment. Think of it like test-driving a car. You wouldn’t buy one without taking it for a spin, right?

    So, go ahead, have a chat with a few of them. You might just find your new digital sidekick.