IT

4sysops

1. Install tar-based Ubuntu on Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
   Canonical has launched a tar-based Ubuntu distribution, coinciding with a WSL update that supports such distributionsfrom version 2.4.4 onward. This new format streamlines deployment by permitting direct installations from tar files, provides enterprise-grade control via self-hosted image management, and allows advanced customization with native cloud-init support. However, to ensure optimal performance, the new Ubuntu version requires Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 2.4.8 or later.

   Source

2. Debloat Windows 11 with WinScript
   Each Windows edition comes with pre-installed third-party apps, such as Spotify and Netflix. Regrettably, this roster continues to grow with each update. Moreover, the many default configurations for privacy, telemetry, and other Microsoft services, such as Copilot, are not advantageous for Windows users. WinScript is an open-source utility that is available in installable and portable formats for optimizing Windows. It provides privacy, telemetry, and performance settings and allows you to debloat Windows 11.

   Source

3. Automating IT administration with Warp’s new fully autonomous AI agent
   A few weeks back, I reviewed the new AI features of Warp, the best terminal app out there. Now, Warp has taken the next step, transforming the terminal into a fully autonomous AI agent.

   Source

4. Limit logon for users and services with Active Directory authentication policies
   By default, Active Directory imposes limited restrictions on the protocols or devices a user or service can use to log in. You can implement authentication policies and enforce specific limitations and restrictions to enhance login security. Active Directory offers several methods to disable outdated protocols, such as NTLMv1, or to restrict user logins to particular workstations. This can be achieved through various Group Policy settings, and the Protected Users group automatically enforces a set of security restrictions.

   Source

5. Access Amazon Bedrock AI models from Cursor or VS Code
   In my previous post, I detailed the process of importing open-source models, such as DeepSeek R1 from Hugging Face, into Amazon Bedrock, a fully managed service offered by AWS that gives users access to foundational models from top AI firms and Amazon. This post will explain how to access the AI models through the Bedrock API from third-party apps like VS Code or Cursor. Specifically, when using AI models like Claude Sonnet 3.5 for coding, accessing it through Amazon Bedrock offers enhanced security compared to Anthropic or model hub APIs such as OpenRouter.

   Source

6. Docker Bake – Manage complex build configurations using declarative files
   With the release of Docker Desktop 4.38, Docker Bake is now generally available, which brings a powerful way of defining complex builds with declarative files. In this guide, we'll go through the fundamentals of Docker Bake, create a simple Python app, set up a Bake file, and demonstrate how to use it. If you're familiar with docker build and docker compose, you'll find Docker Bake to be wrapper that improves build efficiency.

   Source

7. Import DeepSeek R1 or any other open source model in Amazon Bedrock from Hugging Face with hf-bedrock-import
   In a previous post, I demonstrated how to run DeepSeek R1 on your Mac or PC. Today, I will guide you through importing the Chinese open-source model that has outperformed OpenAI’s top models in various benchmarks from Hugging Face—the GitHub equivalent for hosting, sharing, and deploying open-source AI models. Hugging Face provides the hf-bedrock-import tool for this purpose, which is more straightforward than the aws bedrock create-model-import-job command.

   Source

8. Install an iSCSI Server on Windows Server 2025
   Installing an iSCSI server on Windows Server 2025 enables the creation of scalable and flexible storage solutions by presenting remote drives as locally accessible resources. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to deploying an iSCSI server, configuring iSCSI virtual disks, and establishing connections to iSCSI targets from a client. Additionally, it examines the advantages and potential limitations of the iSCSI protocol.

   Source

9. New in GitHub Copilot: Agent mode, Vision, Next Edit Suggestions
   To keep pace with Cursor, Microsoft has integrated several valuable features from the VS Code fork into its GitHub Copilot extension. The February update introduces three new features: Agent Mode, Vision, and Next Edit Suggestions (NES). You'll appreciate these latest additions if you prefer VS Code over Cursor for some reason.

   Source

10. Cline vs. Roo Code – Which VS Code extension is better for the AI-augmented IT pro?
    In a prior article, I showcased automating PowerShell management in natural language using the VS Code extension Cline. Roo Code (formerly Roo Cline) is a Cline fork that provides extra valuable features for the AI-enhanced IT pro. Roo Code remains comparable, and the insights I shared about working with MCP servers in Cline also apply to Roo Code. The main difference is that Roo Code serves system administrators more effectively, as it provides a mode more suitable for natural language use in a CLI. Additionally, Roo Code's support of VS Code's Code Actions feature makes it perfect for understanding and modifying a colleague's scripts.

    Source