Image: Nintendo LifeIf a glance at most of our Nintendo Switch Year in Review stats is anything to go by, then more than a few of us have spent a good bit of time with Balatro this year. We've spent so long with it, in fact, that its iconography is pretty much burned into our minds by this point. It sure would be a shame if one joke tweet made us see the whole thing differently, huh?Well, we're sorry, but that's exactly what has happened. It all started with a tweet by @JacobJanerka, who shared that he sees the game's mascot, Jimbo, not as a clown wearing a blue ruffle collar but as a guy with a giant head wearing a blue jumpsuit it's the KFC Colonel all over againSubscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube789kWatch on YouTube Yep, we had to see it, so we're putting you through it too. Here's the mock-up that started it all:We Nintendo Lifers had a chuckle about this when we first laid eyes on it this morning, amused by the idea that someone could possibly see it as anything other than a clown in some fancy neckwear. A reply from Balatro developer LocalThunk that simply read "Delete this" made us smugly assume that we were in the right after all, nobody else could possibly think the same thing, right?Wrong. A closer inspection of the thread reveals that the original poster was not alone in his point of view and, after a swift poll in Nintendo Life Towers, there are even some among our rank who have long seen the mascot in the same tiny-bodied way.We were agog. We were aghast. But now we're starting to wonder if we on Team Ruff are the ones in the wrong. When we saw Ben Starr take on the role in a recent 'Friends of Jimbo' trailer, he certainly opted for the collar look, but who's to say that's the 'correct' interpretation?Help us settle this, dear readers is the Balatro mascot a clown in a ruff or a dude with a giant head and tiny body? You can cast your vote in the poll below. Please, we need to know.How do you see the Balatro mascot? (191 votes)Team Ruff85%Team Tiny Body14%Other (comment below) 0.5%Ruff or tiny body? Which side are you on? Let us know in the comments. While games with real-life gambling are 3+Hello JimBen (Starr)[source x.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:01 Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels (yes, really), he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related Articles'Hyperdimension Neptunia' & 'Death End' Switch Releases Scrapped For "Not Complying With Nintendo Guidelines"Death end re;Quest: Code Z still on for PS5/4, thoughToby Fox Shares Another Development Update On Deltarune Chapter 3, 4 & 5"Progress has still been steady"46 Games You Should Pick Up In The Nintendo Switch eShop Holiday Sale (Europe)Every game we scored 9/10 or higher

What happens when a chemical engineer, whos previously built a hydrogen-powered drone, becomes a venture capitalist? Energy Revolution Ventures, thats what. The VC has now closed an $18 million Seed and Series A fund to invest in deeptech, such as energy storage, carbon capture, and, yes, hydrogen technologies.Marcus Clover, Co-Founder and Partner at ERV told TechCrunch: I studied at Cambridge, and thought I was going into oil and gas. I ended up getting hired as employee number one for an aerospace startup. We were building a hydrogen-powered drone for telecoms application.After doing that for five years he joined another firm putting hydrogen fuel cells in heavy-duty vehicles: I saw firsthand, as an engineer working this space, how much innovation was happening in the energy sector. I realized I had to get into it from the investment side. Thats when I teamed up with two of my partners.The 2023 vintage fund includes LPs from family offices in the metals and energy sector, high-net-worth individuals, and Bidra Innovation Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Moroccos OCP Group. ERV already has a portfolio of nine companies, including Green Li-ion (lithium-ion battery recycling), Anthro (structural, safe batteries), and Oort Energy (low-cost renewable H).ERV has both a fund and a venture builder, dubbed Prosemino. The idea is that the fund can both invest in independent startups as well as spin up new ventures, based on its in-house technical expertise. It draws on a network of advisors, spread across the University of Oxford and University College London. It has also built some specialist laboratories to assist its startups.We have 4,000 square feet of wet chemistry and dry lab space here in London. We believe its the only lab of its kind outside of Europe, not related to a university, said Clover.ERVs strategy is based on the idea that a lot of innovation is about to happen in chemistry, especially in the area of energy.When I was working hydrogen, back in 2015/2016, way before the latest hydrogen hype cycles, the most advanced tech was in the space sector. We were trying to repurpose it for aircraft. Doing that work teaches you a lot about how to redesign stuff from first principles and how to operate in small teams with tight budgets. So I can relate to a lot of the companies which weve now invested in, said Clover.He added that the firms thesis is not just about decarbonization, but also electrification: Its more than just electrical generation. You still need to store the power, transmit it to where its needed, and then electrify huge parts of the economy We are literally rewiring the economy, and we need huge amounts of technology to do that. We saw how software made launching space rockets cheaper and better. I believe the same thing is going to happen with energy, and thats the really exciting part of the story.TechCrunch has covered two of the investee companies in ERVs portfolio, in the past. Anthro Energy had their $7.2m seed round partly led by ERV.Divigas, also covered by TechCrunch, is also in the portfolio.He said that while some investors are focusing on decarbonization, the growth through electrification is even more exciting from a market perspective.?To date ERV Fund 1 has made nine investments, including:Blixt Developers of software-enabled power electronics. The startup has been selected to join NATOs Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) program.Ecolectro Innovators of novel polymers designed for the next generation of electrolyzers in the hydrogen industry.Immaterial Creators of cheap and durable Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) designed for carbon capture, gas separation, and purification purposes.

On the weekend, as most students were stumbling back from the bars, Songyee Yoon was rushing across her South Korean campus. Around dinner time, she would run some programs on her colleges supercomputer and then, as the computer chugged through her program, shed wait sleepless in her dorm. I woke up at like 2 am, 3 am to walk down the campus because I was so curious to see the result, she said.She was such an oddity on campus that a writer used her as inspiration for a TV show about her college.The intention was not to create characters based off of a real character, she said. But as the writer talked to students to get material, she kind of kept hearing about this weird girl.And so Yoon became the inspiration behind Genius Girl on the Korean TV show KAIST.Today, if writers were going to make a show about Yoons life, itd look more like HBOs Silicon Valley. After completing a PhD from MIT, she climbed her way to becoming president of South Korean video game developer NCSoft, and today, shes announcing Principle Venture Partners (PVP), a $100 million fund to back AI startups. The fund will write early-stage checks anywhere from $100,000 to single digit millions and has already invested in six startups, including model maker Liquid AI.Her fellow partners include a whos-who of AI academia: theres Daniela Rus, a renowned researcher that Yoon met through Yoons work on MITs board; Dawn Song, a MacArthur Fellow whos published extensively on computer security; and Jeremy Nixon, the founder of the AGI House, a AI hacker house thats made headlines for attracting young talented founders.PVP is one of the few investment firms with such a deep bench of academic powerhouses something that Yoon sees as an advantage when the firm is trying to win deals.I think founders would like to have a diversified set of advisors who can bring different perspectives, she said. Soon believes that the research backgrounds of the PVP team give them a profound understanding of how AI has evolved over time and where it might be headed.The team is betting that the next generation of unicorns will be AI-native companies, meaning they were built with AI in mind from the start, not with AI applications jerry-rigged onto the platform after the fact. Yoons not worried that they may have missed the boat on investing in foundational companies like OpenAI or Anthropic. If you look at the top 10 NASDAQ companies, more than half of them are digital native companies who started after the introduction of broadband, she said.Yoon said the firm will invest across sectors. Shes particularly excited about the potential for AI to transform the insurance industry, whether that means using AI to help people understand what their plans cover, or insurance companies that specialize in underwriting autonomous robots.Yoon is also worried about the issue of AIs potential to exacerbate cultural colonialism, a topic she wrote about last year. She gave the example of large model makers proclaiming, oh, we train this AI using all the data in the world.But if you think about it, 35% of the worlds population do not even have access to broadband, Yoon said. And they cannot be authors of the data that has been used for training this AI. So its inevitable that those kinds of cultures and viewpoints cannot be reflected.She admits its a complicated problem that can only begin to be solved through continuous conversations and increased representation through the industry like, say, an AI-focused fund with three female partners.We dont say its a female fund, but I think I see a lot of the female founders come to us because they know that well have more sympathy, Yoon said. And that we can see their real strength and real super power.

Breakdown & ShowreelsCivil War: Lincoln Memorial VFX Breakdown by FramestoreBy Vincent Frei - 20/12/2024 After showcasing their work on Washington, Framestore now unveils their visual effects expertise on the Lincoln Memorial in Civil War. Watch the new VFX Breakdown for an inside look at how they recreated this iconic landmark for the big screen!WANT TO KNOW MORE?Framestore: Dedicated page about Civil War on Framestore website.David Simpson: Heres my interview of Production VFX Supervisor David Simpson. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2024

The Forgotten Barn | Petr PolkThe Forgotten Barn is hidden behind a row of townhouses, located in a quiet courtyard in Dob, Czech Republic. This unique project exemplifies how architecture can intertwine heritage and modernity. Originally a weathered stone barn dating back to 1912, the structure was transformed into a stunning family home by Karnet Architekti.The Forgotten Barn Technical InformationArchitects1-5: Karnet ArchitektiLocation: Dob, Czech RepublicArea: 240 m2 | 2,580 Sq. Ft.Project Year: 2020 2022Photographs: Petr PolkThe new has woven itself through history, and today its difficult to determine where the inside begins and the outside ends. Karnet ArchitektiThe Forgotten Barn PhotographsAerial View | Petr PolkExterior View | Petr Polk Petr Polk Petr Polk Petr Polk Petr Polk Petr Polk Petr Polk Petr PolkArchitectural Strategy: Bridging Past and PresentThe Forgotten Barn tells a compelling story of adaptive reuse. Rather than demolishing the old barn, Karnet Architekti preserved its original stone shell, weaving a prefabricated timber structure into its fabric. This deliberate approach ensures that the spirit of the historic building endures, creating a seamless dialogue between the past and the present.The barns original features, such as its arched stone passages and ventilation openings, were retained and celebrated. By blending these elements with modern design, the architects dissolved the boundary between interior and exterior spaces, allowing history to inform every corner of the home.Preserving the structural integrity of the barns aged stone walls posed significant challenges. The design team stabilized the walls with concrete overlays and cladding, safeguarding them against further deterioration. A steel bracing structure replaced an internal vertical wall, ensuring durability without altering the barns aesthetic.The prefabricated timber frame, chosen for its lightweight and adaptability, was inserted without compromising the foundation. The innovative roof designfeaturing generous overhangs and slender raftersprotected the walls while maintaining a cohesive lookFunctional Layout and Material PaletteThe barns layout splits the plot into two gardens with distinct uses. One side offers privacy and relaxation, while the other serves practical purposes. These outdoor spaces are directly tied to the timber structures internal arrangement, ensuring harmony between the building and its surroundings.The houses main living area occupies the southern portion, framed by vaulted passages and flanked by two terraces. These terraces provide versatile spaces for enjoying morning or afternoon sunlight, eliminating the need for additional structures like pergolas. Upstairs, the bedrooms, study, and gym are bathed in natural light, thanks to strategically placed east-facing windows and glazed roof sections.Every material was chosen to enhance the relationship between the old and the new. Silicate plaster, larch wood, and oak flooring blend rustic and modern textures, while pine veneer furniture adds warmth. Biophilic elements, like natural ventilation and slender wall assemblies, ensure the home breathes naturally and efficiently.Lessons in Adaptive ReuseThe Forgotten Barn demonstrates how adaptive reuse can preserve a sense of place and memory. By stabilizing the barns historic shell and inserting a modern timber structure, the architects honored the buildings past while creating a functional, contemporary home. The result is a living space that fosters connectionsbetween family members and between generations.This project highlights the importance of thoughtful design in adaptive reuse. Preserving the barns character required innovative solutions, from prefabrication to the delicate stabilization of historic masonry. Architects can draw inspiration from The Forgotten Barns success in balancing heritage conservation with modern functionality.The project also underscores the environmental benefits of adaptive reuse by using sustainable materials and preserving the barns embodied energy. For architects, this is a reminder that sustainability often begins with preserving what already exists.The Forgotten Barn PlansGround Floor | Karnet ArchitektiFirst Floor | Karnet ArchitektiSections | Karnet ArchitektiWest Elevation | Karnet ArchitektiAxonometry | Karnet ArchitektiFacade Section | Karnet ArchitektiThe Forgotten Barn Image GalleryAbout Michael KarnetMichael Karnet, the visionary architect behind The Forgotten Barn, founded Karnet Architekti, a Czech-based architecture studio known for its innovative approach to adaptive reuse and sustainable design. With a strong focus on preserving cultural heritage, Michael seamlessly integrates historical elements into contemporary projects. His work is characterized by meticulous attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and a commitment to sustainability.Notes & Additional CreditsDesign Team: Michael Karnet (Lead Architect), Vojtch Kram, Filip Rajman (Interiors), Ji Luk (Concept Design & Visualizations)Engineering: Martinice GroupClient: Vclav and MarieUsable Floor Area: 287 mPlot Size: 1001 m

An international contest is being held to reconstruct the war-damaged State Tax University (STU) in Irpin, Ukraine (Deadline: 1 February)The competition organised by STU in partnership with the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine and Irpin City Council seeks innovative, bright, and comfortable proposals to redesign the universitys main campus which was destroyed at the start of Russias invasion in 2022.The call for concepts aims to identify a range of innovative solutions to create a new dream campus for STU which is located in the suburb of Irpin on the north-west fringes of the Kyiv where heavy fighting took place in the opening weeks of the conflict.Competition: State Tax University, UkraineAccording to the brief: STU and its partners announce an Open Competition for the best architectural solution for the design of the main campus building of the Irpin University (or State Tax University), which was almost completely destroyed in the first days of the Russian invasion in 2022.We welcome participants from all over the world! Participation is completely free of charge and is open to all design bureaus, architectural firms and individual architects from every corner of the globe.We believe that opening this competition internationally will allow a truly multicultural exchange of ideas in the field of architecture and design. Whether you are an established firm or a solo architect, this competition provides an excellent opportunity to showcase your talent on a global stage.The Russian invasion of Ukraine started more than two years ago on 24 February 2022 and has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties, the displacement of millions of people and the destruction of large areas of the country.The latest contest comes just three months after the Norman Foster Foundation launched an open international contest to reimagine Freedom Square in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The foundation announced the winner of a separate contest to rebuild housing and public spaces in the city in November.Competition: State Tax University, UkraineThe competition invites architects and individuals from around the world to draw up concepts to renew the historic educational building which is currently partially destroyed and open to the elements.Judges will include Wendy Hillis; Assistant Vice Chancellor & Campus Architect at UC Berkeley; Antonina Kaplya, Architect & Founder at TSEH Architectural Group; SergiiMarchenko, Ukraines Minister of Finance; and Steve Wiesenthal, Campus Environments Principal Architect at Studio Gang.The overall winner of the competition due to be announced in April will be invited to proceed to the next stage and to participate in designing the full project documentation for the reconstruction of the campus.How to applyDeadline: 1 February 2025Competition funding source: Not suppliedProject funding source: Not suppliedOwner of site(s): Not suppliedContact details: 11.02@dpu.edu.uaVisit the https://competition.dpu.edu.ua/

jijomathai - stock.adobe.comNewsGovernment review of denied datacentre builds sees Iver project get green lightThe government has granted the developers of a proposed datacentre in Iver, Buckinghamshire, permission to press ahead with the project after the local council blocked the plans on Green Belt protection groundsByCaroline Donnelly,Senior Editor, UKPublished: 20 Dec 2024 13:27 A government review of a local councils decision to block a US-based company from building a hyperscale datacentre in Iver, Buckinghamshire, has concluded the project should proceed.Buckinghamshire Council refused permission in November 2022 for US investment company Affinius Capital to proceed with its plans to redevelop an industrial estate in Court Lane, Iver, Buckinghamshire and build a 65,000m2 datacentre on the site instead.The reason given by the council for the refusal is that the project would be an inappropriate use of Green Belt Land, which are protected pieces of land that are intended to prevent the onset of urban sprawl.Shortly after coming to power in July 2024, the Labour government pledged to review the councils decision to block the project in support of its strategy to stimulate the UKs economic growth by accelerating the delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects.The developer had raised an appeal against the councils decision, and a month before the governments intervention a public local inquiry was held over four days in June 2024.Following a review of the councils decision and the local inquiry, the government has now granted Affinius Capital permission to proceed with the project, with a letter dated 6 December 2024, outlining the reasons why.The letter states that the decision to overturn Buckinghamshire Councils decision to block the build was made by the minister of state for Housing and Planning Matthew Pennycook, on behalf of the secretary of state Angela Rayner.Weighing in favour of the proposal are the need for new datacentres, reduction in HGV movements, heritage benefits, reuse of previously developed land, and investment and job creation, which each carry significant weight, the letter stated.Weighing against the proposal are harm to Green Belt, which carries substantial weight; harm to [a nearby] listed building, which carries great weight; and landscape harm and visual harm, which carries moderate weight.The letter also goes on to state that, in Rayners view, there are very special circumstances to justify this development in the Green Belt, adding:The secretary of state therefore concludes that the appeal should be allowed and planning permission granted.The letter also states that the secretary of states decision on this matter can be challenged in the High Court, provided an application to do so is received within six weeks from the date of the letter.Computer Weekly contacted Affinius Capital for comment on this story, but no response was received by the time of publication.The Affinius Capital project was one of two datacentre developments the government placed under review in July 2024. The other is being overseen by Oxford-based developer Greystoke Land, after its bid to build a 1bn datacentre in Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire, was denied in January 2024. That decision is being appealed.At the time of writing, Computer Weekly understands a decision at government level on whether that build will go ahead remains pending.Read more about datacentre developmentsApple is set to hear at the end of this month whether its much-delayed Irish datacentrebuild can go ahead. Computer Weekly examines the ins and outs of this complex case.Reports citing the rapid rise of West London as a major datacentre hub as the cause of a potentialban on new housing developments in the area have not gone down well with industry watchers.In The Current Issue:What do the home secretarys policing reforms mean for the future of the Police Digital Service?What are the security risks of bring your own AI?Download Current IssueMicrosoft Copilot: A Year of Learning Write side up - by Freeform DynamicsPrint Industry Trends, 2025 Quocirca InsightsView All Blogs

In my personal experience, there are certain institutional barriers to productive and successful delivery of major projects in government. Indeed it may be that the mechanisms that are put in place to reduce the risk of delivery failure and wasted money may in many cases be the very things that are significantly increasing the risk of that failure.At the heart of many of the challenges facing major government IT programmes is the fundamental disconnect between the bottom-up Agile approaches encouraged by the Government Digital Service (GDS) and followed by most IT programmes and the top-down nature of the project approval, funding and oversight mechanisms.This approach frequently demands an agreed up-front design, a fully defined set of outputs and benefits at the start of the project and a business case setting out in great detail the budget required for delivery. These are all fundamentally based on Waterfall-type project planning.As an ex-Treasury official myself I fully understand the need to ration spending and to allocate it to where it is most useful, however the way this is currently configured does not align with Agile project delivery.At best these are simply slightly spurious formalities that projects must go through before they can start the Agile approach to delivery. At worst they undermine the delivery approach needed and distract the project team from the iterative, fast-paced and flexible approach that is needed for successful delivery. This needs to change in the current governments vision to emulate a start ups test and learn mantra.But this approach will also falter if another tendency of government IT is allowed to prevail. Many departments focus on delivering all, or certainly most, projects almost exclusively in-house using bespoke code to build the necessary solutions. This is often done because of the complexity, or at least the perceived complexity, of government processes and how much they differ from those in private sector organisations.However, this focus on building systems using bespoke code is time-consuming, expensive and hard to manage, and still all too often fails to deliver. It also often ends up with a disconnect between the frequently huge IT team and the business staff who are ultimately going to own and use the system, and with massive amounts of design documentation being passed back and forth between them.To deliver Keir Starmers vision of re-wiring Whitehall, there does need to be an approach that looks to how government can apply low-code software development intelligently and in the right areas. This can revolutionise the way the government designs and builds IT by significantly reducing the amount of custom code creation needed and by transforming the way business people are involved in the process.The new government is right in how its choosing small discrete projects. A more iterative, less big bang approach to government transformation should be adopted. Starting small and picking one or two key processes in any given area, to begin with, and adopting an approach such as Agile low-code development that reduces reliance on scarce and expensive technical skills while compelling business and IT teams to work together in an integrated way.This lets you get to the stage where the outcomes can be assessed much sooner, providing the basis on which to move onto the next mini-project. Ulitimately you end up ticking off a lot of stages and achieve sweeping but sustainable transformation but with the problems of more traditional approaches minimised.Alex Case, is a former senior civil servant at Downing Street and a now government industry principal at Pegasystems, which develops applications for low-code

ZDNETAs someone who's been around the block a few hundred times with technology, planned obsolescence has long bothered me.Consider this: With Windows 10 nearing the end of its life, you have two choices. You can hope your computer supports the upgrade to Windows 11, or you can go another route. When Microsoft released Windows 11, it became clear that a lot of hardware (capable of running the previous iteration) wouldn't support the new version of Windows. Many people ended up having to purchase new systems if they wanted to stick with Windows. For some, that wasn't an option, so they had to continue using a Windows operating system that would eventually fall out of support. That meant no more security updates, which can leave users -- and their data -- vulnerable.Also:When Windows 10 support runs out, you have 5 options but only 2 are worth consideringIf you've found yourself in such a situation, there's hope in the form of a handful of Linux distributions designed specifically for older or less-powerful hardware. With these operating systems, you can revive an old machine and make it run as though it were new.Here are six Linux distributions that are perfectly at home on older (and even newer) hardware.1. Bodhi LinuxGreat for those willing to learn new things The Bodhi Linux desktop offers a unique way of interacting with your computer. Image: Jack WallenFor about five years,Bodhi Linuxwas my go-to operating system. It's not just perfectly suited for older hardware, but it also offers a unique take on the user interface. The Moksha Desktop is similar to that of Enlightenment (another old-school favorite of mine) and includes plenty of features to make it a full-fledged desktop operating system.The one caveat to using Bodhi Linux is that you will have to rethink the way you interact with the desktop, as it's quite different. That doesn't make it challenging (it's not), but know that Moksha will take a bit of getting used to. One of my favorite features of Moksha (which also appears in Enlightenment) is that you can access the desktop menu by clicking anywhere on the desktop. That makes for a very efficient workflow.The recommended system requirements for Bodhi Linux are:64-bit, 1.0GHz processor768MB of RAM10GB of drive spaceWith just a minimal system, you'll have a desktop computer that not only runs like a champ but also looks really cool as it does.2. Linux LiteVery user-friendly, highly customizable, and blazingly fast The Linux Lite desktop includes all the features to which you're accustomed. Image: Jack WallenIf you're looking for a more standard desktop interface,Linux Litemight be your best bet. Linux Lite uses a custom Xfce desktop environment to create an interface that should be immediately familiar to all user types.Even better, Linux Lite was designed to be very user-friendly. So, even if you aren't familiar with Linux, you should be able to get up to speed with the operating system quickly. Linux Lite comes with the Chrome web browser, Thunderbird email client, GIMP image editor, VLC media player, the LibreOffice office suite, and more pre-installed. Linux Lite is fairly customizable, so if you don't like the default desktop layout, you can change it.The minimum system requirements for Linux Lite are:1GHz CPU768MB of RAM (1GB is recommended)8GB of drive space (minimum)3. Puppy LinuxBest for use as a live distribution The Puppy Linux default desktop. Image: Jack WallenPuppy Linuxis a bit of an outlier here, as it's not nearly as easy to install as the other distributions. In fact, Puppy Linux is rather challenging on this front, so it's often best to simply use it as a live distribution. With that, you can "install" it to a USB flash drive (and even do so with persistent file storage) and boot as needed. This way, you can carry Puppy Linux around with you and boot it on any machine you like, without making a single change to what's installed on the local drive.Also:The best Linux laptopsYou'll find more than enough installed software, such as the Palemoon web browser, Claws Mail email client, AbiWord word processor, Gnumeric spreadsheet tool, and plenty more. The Puppy Linux desktop is a bit cluttered, but it's still very straightforward to use.The minimum system requirements for Puppy Linux are:CPU: Pentium 900 MHzRAM: 300MBHard Drive: OptionalDVD-ROM: 20x and up or USBJust remember, even though Puppy Linux can do wonders to revive your old hardware, you'll need a bit more Linux experience to get the most out of this distribution.4. Tiny Core LinuxBetter for experienced users The Tiny Core Linux default desktop offers side title bars similar to those you can configure with AfterStep. Image: Jack WallenTiny Core Linuxcouldn't have a more apropos name. It's very small. Tiny Core is another distribution that you don't really need to install on your hard drive. You boot it, add only the applications you need (using a GUI installer), and interact with the bare minimum desktop (based on BusyBox and FLTK).Like Puppy Linux, I don't recommend Tiny Core Linux to those who are new to Linux, as it's not nearly as straightforward as you might think.Tiny Core does support virtual desktops, sticky windows, and includes a Control Panel for configuring backup/restore, services, date/time, mouse, network, and more.The minimum system requirements for Tiny Core Linux are:i486DX CPU46MB of RAMThe recommended minimum configuration for Tiny Core Linux is, however, a Pentium II CPU and 128MB of RAM. There are also three different versions on thedownload page: Core (the base system), Tiny Core (the recommended option), and CorePlus (an installation image that includes the choice of seven different window managers).Of all the lightweight Linux distributions, Tiny Core can run on the oldest hardware.5. LXLE LinuxWorks on ancient hardware The LXLE Linux desktop interface makes using Linux a breeze. Image: Jack WallenLXLE Linuxis built on the most recent version of Ubuntu Linux and uses the LXLE desktop environment to create an operating system that's very lightweight, simple to install, and easy to use. LXLE offers quite a nice desktop (especially for a lightweight distribution) that includes all the software you need to be productive or entertain yourself.The latest release of LXLE Linux (Focal) can be completely installed (from start to finish) in less than five minutes. On top of that, the default desktop should be quite familiar to anyone who's used any kind of desktop interface. If, during the installation, you configure it to upgrade, you'll probably run into a moment during the process where it seems like things have stopped (when it says "Retrieving file 100 of 101"). Have patience because it will complete and continue.The system requirements for LXLE are about as minimal as you can get:512MB of RAMP3 CPU or betterYes, you read that correctly, a Pentium 3 CPU. That means you can revive ancient hardware with this distribution.LXLE does ship with apps like LibreOffice, Bookworm, HomeBank, LibreWolf, and ClawsMail installed by default, so even though it's a tiny distribution, you'll find it has everything you need to get up and running.6. Bunson Labs LinuxA more modern flare Bunson Labs Linux is as beautiful as it is easy to use. Jack Wallen/ZDNETBuson Labs Linuxuses the Xfce desktop to create a lightweight Linux distribution. However, this isn't your grandmother's Xfce, as the developers have given it a rather modern twist. Instead of looking like an old-school Linux desktop, Buson Labs Linux has a more modern flair. And because Buson Labs Linux is based on Debian, you can be sure that it's as rock-solid and reliable as any operating system on the market. This Linux distribution's desktop takes a nod from Ubuntu, with a vertical panel and loads of personality. And with a right-click desktop menu, you can bet this distribution is incredibly efficient to use.As far as system requirements, here's what they look like:CPU: 32- or 64-bitRAM: 1 GB minimum and 2 GB+ recommendedStorage: 20 GB recommendedWith these six different lightweight Linux distributions that can help give old computers new life, you can save some money and the environment by keeping hardware around that cannot run the most modern operating systems, and feel good about doing a good deed for the planet and yourself.See also

In our tech-fueled era dominated by portable devices, microSD cards are the unsung champions of data storage. These tiny shards of plastic are, in reality, veritable titans of storage capable of adding gigabytes to a wide array of devices -- from smartphones and tablets to action cameras, dashcams, and drones. Whether you're snapping selfies or capturing the wildest of adventures, these storage cards are likely an integral part of your digital existence, perhaps without you even realizing it.But beware! The market is a minefield of low-quality and counterfeit pretenders that threaten to sabotage your data and throttle your device's performance. The specter of losing priceless files or enduring sluggish operations is an ever-present worry. But fear not, as top-tier microSD cards are astonishingly affordable. Investing in genuine, high-quality cards isn't merely a wise choice; it's an absolute must, as premium cards deliver unrivaled performance, steadfast reliability, and rock-solid data integrity, ensuring your digital escapades remain seamless and your tech life hums along with efficiency.So, choose wisely because when it comes to microSD cards, quality reigns supreme.Also:What do all those microSD and SD card numbers and letters mean?What is the best microSD card right now?Over the years, I've conducted hands-on testing on numerous microSD cards, evaluating features like capacity, price, and performance. My extensive use of dozens of microSD cards across a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, drones, and action cameras, has given me a comprehensive understanding of their performance in real-world scenarios.Based on my testing, here are my top picks for the best microSD cards, with the SanDisk Extreme microSDXCstanding out as the best overall choice for its consistent quality, performance, and reasonable price. Sort by All The best microSD cards of 2024 Show less View now at B&H Photo-Video Tell me you need a microSD card, and chances are,this is the one I'll recommend. I've been using SanDisk microSD cards in smartphones, tablets, action cams, dashcams and drones for years now, and I've not had one let me down.Quality doesn't have to come at a price, eitheryou can pick up a 1TB card for under $100.This is consistently one of the highest-rated microSD cards in online reviews.SanDisk Extreme microSDXC UHS-I tech specs:Capacity: From 32GB to 1TB |Offload speed: Up to 190MB/s|Write speed: Up to 130MB/s |Performance rating: 4K and 5K UHD-ready with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30) |In-app performance rating: A2 (up to 4000 read IOPS, 2000 write IOPS) Pros Great, consistent quality Great value Comes with a microSD to SD card adapter Cons Lots of counterfeits out there Capacities peak at 1TB Tell me you need a microSD card, and chances are,this is the one I'll recommend. I've been using SanDisk microSD cards in smartphones, tablets, action cams, dashcams and drones for years now, and I've not had one let me down.Quality doesn't have to come at a price, eitheryou can pick up a 1TB card for under $100.This is consistently one of the highest-rated microSD cards in online reviews.SanDisk Extreme microSDXC UHS-I tech specs:Capacity: From 32GB to 1TB |Offload speed: Up to 190MB/s|Write speed: Up to 130MB/s |Performance rating: 4K and 5K UHD-ready with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30) |In-app performance rating: A2 (up to 4000 read IOPS, 2000 write IOPS) Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less Lexar, a brand I've trusted for well over a decade, has released a new microSD card -- the Lexar Professional Silver Plus microSDXC. The storage card combines professional-grade performance and reliability at a budget-friendly price, and I recently put it to the test. The card is rated with a video class speed of V30 and a UHS speed rating of U3, meaning it can achieve a minimum of 30 MB/s. It also boasts an Application Performance Rating of A2, indicating it can handle 4000 IOPS minimum random reads, 2000 IOPS minimum random writes, and 10 MB/s minimum sustained sequential writes. In terms of performance, this card is perfect for 4K video capture in H.265 format, which is more than enough for most people's needs. It's solid and reliable, and it comes with a great warranty and free recovery software in case you accidentally delete important footage. Review: Lexar Professional Silver Plus microSDXC For a new card, the user reviews on online stores are very positive, indeed, which means this card is a winner. Lexar Professional Silver Plus microSDXC Memory Card tech specs: Capacity: From 128GB to 512GB |Offload speed: Up to 205MB/s |Write speed: Up to 150MB/s |Performance rating: 4K and 5K UHD-ready with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30) Pros A professional-grade card for a mainstream price Comes with an SD card adapter Cons For some who like massive cards, the capacity ceiling of 512GB will feel limited Lexar, a brand I've trusted for well over a decade, has released a new microSD card -- the Lexar Professional Silver Plus microSDXC. The storage card combines professional-grade performance and reliability at a budget-friendly price, and I recently put it to the test. The card is rated with a video class speed of V30 and a UHS speed rating of U3, meaning it can achieve a minimum of 30 MB/s. It also boasts an Application Performance Rating of A2, indicating it can handle 4000 IOPS minimum random reads, 2000 IOPS minimum random writes, and 10 MB/s minimum sustained sequential writes. In terms of performance, this card is perfect for 4K video capture in H.265 format, which is more than enough for most people's needs. It's solid and reliable, and it comes with a great warranty and free recovery software in case you accidentally delete important footage. Review: Lexar Professional Silver Plus microSDXC For a new card, the user reviews on online stores are very positive, indeed, which means this card is a winner. Lexar Professional Silver Plus microSDXC Memory Card tech specs: Capacity: From 128GB to 512GB |Offload speed: Up to 205MB/s |Write speed: Up to 150MB/s |Performance rating: 4K and 5K UHD-ready with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30) Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon This is the card I recommend to those who either are in love with the Amazon Basics brand, or who are scared to buy another brand for fear of getting a counterfeit card.I've used these cards a lot in applications where speed is not a concern -- such as dashcams -- and they've all performed as advertised.Reviews on outlets such as Amazon are highly positive, with buyers being surprised that something on the Amazon Basics brand can be so good.Amazon Basics Micro SDXC Memory Card tech specs:Capacity: From 32GB to 1TB |Offload speed: Up to 100MB/s |Write speed: Up to 60MB/s |Performance rating: 4K and 5K UHD-ready with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30) Pros An easy buy for those who like the Amazon brand Comes with microSD to SD card adapter Not come across a counterfeit of this brand Cons Can be pricier than other options Not as fast as some of the other cards This is the card I recommend to those who either are in love with the Amazon Basics brand, or who are scared to buy another brand for fear of getting a counterfeit card.I've used these cards a lot in applications where speed is not a concern -- such as dashcams -- and they've all performed as advertised.Reviews on outlets such as Amazon are highly positive, with buyers being surprised that something on the Amazon Basics brand can be so good.Amazon Basics Micro SDXC Memory Card tech specs:Capacity: From 32GB to 1TB |Offload speed: Up to 100MB/s |Write speed: Up to 60MB/s |Performance rating: 4K and 5K UHD-ready with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30) Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less When I want speed, these are the cards that I turn to when I need to record a lot of data. With write speeds topping at 130MB/s, these are the cards I choose when I'm working with 5K video, either on the ground in action cameras or in the air with a drone.With 89 percent of Amazon reviewers giving this card 4 or 5 stars, this is a card you can trust.ProGrade Digital UHS-II microSD Card tech specs: Capacity: From 64GB to 256GB |Offload speed: Up to 250MB/s|Write speed: Up to 130MB/s |Performance rating: 4K and 5K UHD-ready with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 60 (V60) Pros High performance Laser-etched serial number to reduce on counterfeits 3-year warranty Advanced Recovery Pro Software to restore damaged files included Cons Capacity tops out at 256GB Pricey When I want speed, these are the cards that I turn to when I need to record a lot of data. With write speeds topping at 130MB/s, these are the cards I choose when I'm working with 5K video, either on the ground in action cameras or in the air with a drone.With 89 percent of Amazon reviewers giving this card 4 or 5 stars, this is a card you can trust.ProGrade Digital UHS-II microSD Card tech specs: Capacity: From 64GB to 256GB |Offload speed: Up to 250MB/s|Write speed: Up to 130MB/s |Performance rating: 4K and 5K UHD-ready with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 60 (V60) Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less If you're going to be doing a lot of writing to a microSD card, these are the cards for you as they are designed to offer up to 16 years -- an incredible 140,160 hours -- of continuous recording time for the 256GB version, while offering read and write speeds of up to 100 megabytes per second (MB/s) and 40 MB/s, respectively.Review:Samsung PRO Endurance MicroSDXC CardI've read countless reviews on Reddit and Amazon for these cards, and the claims of high endurance seem to translate into real-world usage.Samsung PRO Endurance MicroSDXC Card tech specs:Capacity: From 32GB to 256GB |Offload speed: Up to 100MB/s|Write speed: Up to 40MB/s |Performance rating: 4K and 5K UHD-ready with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30) Pros High endurance Fast enough for 4K video 5-year warranty Cons Capacity tops out at 256GB If you're going to be doing a lot of writing to a microSD card, these are the cards for you as they are designed to offer up to 16 years -- an incredible 140,160 hours -- of continuous recording time for the 256GB version, while offering read and write speeds of up to 100 megabytes per second (MB/s) and 40 MB/s, respectively.Review:Samsung PRO Endurance MicroSDXC CardI've read countless reviews on Reddit and Amazon for these cards, and the claims of high endurance seem to translate into real-world usage.Samsung PRO Endurance MicroSDXC Card tech specs:Capacity: From 32GB to 256GB |Offload speed: Up to 100MB/s|Write speed: Up to 40MB/s |Performance rating: 4K and 5K UHD-ready with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30) Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less It's impossible to cover storage media for cameras without including Lexar, as it's one of those brands that's been around since the dawn of storage. Great performance, an excellent limited lifetime warranty, and another brand that's not let me down.Another brand of microSD cards that has tens of hundreds of positive reviews on outlets and Reddit.Lexar Professional microSDXC UHS-I microSD Card tech specs:Capacity: From 64GB to 1TB |Offload speed: Up to 160MB/s|Write speed: Up to 130MB/s |Performance rating: 4K and 5K UHD-ready with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30) |In-app performance rating: A2 (up to 4000 read IOPS, 2000 write IOPS) Pros Trusted brand Excellent track record Lifetime warranty Cons Pricier than the competition It's impossible to cover storage media for cameras without including Lexar, as it's one of those brands that's been around since the dawn of storage. Great performance, an excellent limited lifetime warranty, and another brand that's not let me down.Another brand of microSD cards that has tens of hundreds of positive reviews on outlets and Reddit.Lexar Professional microSDXC UHS-I microSD Card tech specs:Capacity: From 64GB to 1TB |Offload speed: Up to 160MB/s|Write speed: Up to 130MB/s |Performance rating: 4K and 5K UHD-ready with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30) |In-app performance rating: A2 (up to 4000 read IOPS, 2000 write IOPS) Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best microSD card? ZDNET's pick for the best overall microSD card is theSanDisk Extreme, but narrowing down the best microSD card isn't an easy task. That's because you can have different cards for different applications. For example, one person might favor performance, while another might want high endurance, and another be budget conscious. Thankfully, there are numerous options for extra storage that can range from just a few dollars to over a hundred, with different storage offerings and read and write speeds. BrandPriceRead speed (MB/s)Write speed (MB/s)SanDisk Extreme From $10 190 130 Lexar Professional Silver PlusFrom $14205150 Amazon Basics From $11 100 60 ProGrade Digital From $50 250 130 Samsung PRO Endurance From $19 100 40 Lexar Professional From $12 160 130 *MSRP at the time of writing. Please note that actual prices may vary depending on available sales, deals, discounts, and coupons. Show more Which is the right microSD card for you? ZDNET's pick for the best overall microSD card is theSanDisk Extreme, but narrowing down the best microSD card isn't an easy task. Check out our other top picks and see how they compare to each other, and to your needs. Choose thismicroSD card brandIf youSanDisk Extreme Want a fantastic all-rounder suitable for most applications. Lexar Professional Silver Plus Want a professional, pro-grade card without the eye-watering cost. Amazon Basics Are worried about counterfeit cards with more prominent brands. ProGrade Digital Record lots of video and want blistering fast write speeds. Samsung PRO Endurance Are recording 24/7/365 to the card with CCTV or use it in a body cam or dash cam. Lexar Professional Are a professional and you want a brand that's been around for ages and a limited lifetime warranty. Show more How we test microSD cards ZDNET only recommends products we ourselves have tested or researched, and while there are many microSD options on the market, not every card is built the same. Here are some other factors I considered when testing and curating my top selections.Real-world use: When I test microSD cards, I use them in a variety of systems from cameras and drones to CCTV systems under both easy and harsh conditions, to get a feel for how they actually work in the real world.Brand trust: I've been a photographer and videographer for a couple of decades, and a drone operator for close to ten years, and during that time I've had the chance to use all these microSD cards in real-world situations. These are the brands of cards that I use and trust.Benchmarks: I'm also quite a nerd, and have carried out both real world and synthetic benchmarks on these storage cards. For benchmarking I use AmorphousDiskMark and BlackMagic Disk Speed Test. Show more FAQs on microSD cards What's the difference between an SD card and a microSD card? The main difference between an SD card and a microSD card is size. SD cards are larger, measuring 32mm x 24mm x 2.1mm, while microSD cards measure 15mm x 11mm x 1mm.Both types of cards come in similar capacity ranges and performance classes.SD cards are found in devices with larger form factors such as digital cameras, camcorders, and older laptops, while the smaller microSD cards find a place in smaller devices such as smartphones, tablets, drones, and action cameras. Show more Should you always go for the biggest microSD card you can buy? No. In fact, I've seen people run into troubles and lose a lot of data doing this, not so much because of the microSD card, but because of their own bad practices. A terabyte microSD card can hold a lot of data, but that can lead to problem if you don't regularly empty it and one day your camera falls into the sea or your drone flies away never to be seen again.This is why I prefer having a handful of smaller cards. This way I change them regularly, and if the worst happens and I do lose data, the loss is limited. Show more How robust are microSD cards? Very robust!I've been using microSD cards for closer to two decades now, and they're incredibly durable. MicroSD cards are built to withstand extreme weather conditions, and are temperature-proof, waterproof, drop-proof, shockproof, and even X-ray proof. Show more How do you spot a counterfeit microSD card? It can be hard to do this. The way many find out is that their card either dies or doesn't have anywhere near the stated capacity. Other, more subtle giveaways include the printing on the card being poor quality or wrong, and cheap packaging.Windows users can also use software tools to check the validity of their microSD cards, tools such as h2testw, USB Flash Drive Tester, and ChipGenius.Another way it to carry out a speed check test using a tool such as BlackMagic Disk Speed Test or CrystalDiskMark and checking your results against the specs on the card's packaging or the internet. If they are dramatically different -- say by 20% or more -- then you could have a fake card (or something is wrong with your test system or card reader).The best way to avoid counterfeits is to buy from a reputable outlet. Show more Are there alternative microSD cards worth considering?Yes, but I'm going to steer away from cheap or budget microSD cards simply because my listing above has some great cards at a great price, and going cheaper is a false economy.But here are a couple of cards that might interest you -- a 1.5TB card and a great value 3-pack of 128GB cards. Show less PNY 32GB Elite Class 10 U1 V10 SDHC Flash Memory Card 5-Pack Here's a 5-pack of 32GB microSD cards for under $20. A bargain! Read More Show Expert Take Show less Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends