#Car app development cost

[harshathusm]

How Much Does It Cost To Develop a Car Parking App?

The cost to develop a car parking app depends on various factors such as features, platform (iOS or Android), and the complexity of the app. Basic features like GPS tracking and parking spot availability will cost less, while advanced features like real-time updates, payment integrations, and user ratings will increase the price. On average, developing a car parking app can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the scope of the project.

For the best car parking app development, USM Business Systems is the leading mobile app development company.

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[appsdevelopmentservice]

Looking for car wash app development services? Discover the cost, benefits, and valuable insights for creating your car wash app. From streamlined operations to customer convenience, this blog reveals the immense potential of car wash apps.

Read more details here: Car wash app development cost

[user211201]

Chronivac Coworkers

--- Originally posted on 2022-09-19 by davidrodge ---

You sit down at your desk and rub your eyes. Another day of paper pushing and number crunching to get through. It wasn’t like you had done anything particularly interesting the previous night. You had stayed up a little later playing some mediocre matches of online gaming - but when I guess when you get to be around 40, your body constantly feels like it’s been dragged behind a car down the high way. Not that you didn’t take care of yourself, in fact you’d say you looked pretty good for your age…

You stretch in your seat, and reach for your coffee as your computer powers on. The few windows illuminating the office show the first few morning beams of scorching July sunlight. Behind you, the door opens and your Coworker David strides in.

“Morning Adam!” He says in a strangely cheerful voice. You put your coffee down from your lips and give him a stare. Normally David was about 20 minutes later than he already was, and usually he walked into the office with the same enthusiasm you’d see in a man walking towards a guillotine.

“Morning Davo,” you say, typing in your far too long corporate password. “You seem less Zombie-like today, what are you so excited about?”

David Smiled as he sat down in his chair opposite from yours. You were techniqually Davids senior Manager, but the two of you had developed a decent friendship between Friday drinking and the occasional tennis match.

“Oh Nothing Adam, I just got to the top of the waitlist for this super cool Software, and I was finally able to download it!”

You nodded, half listening as you began logging into all your engineering system.

“Very Interesting, what’s the program called? Is it like a Gaming platform?” David opened up his laptop and started to type furiously.

“No it’s not a game at all, It’s an app called the Chronivac. It’s supposed to be a reality altering software. I had a friend in the UK that sent me the information for it, He said that it completely changed his life.”

You paused from your coffee long enough to lean over and roll your eyes at him.

“I hope you didn’t have to pay any money for it.” You moaned, “This Job doesn’t pay you enough for you to be wasting your time on Overseas Scams.”

David was absolutely transfixed on his laptop. A wide, slightly crazed looking grin spreading over his face.

“It actually ended up costing me thousands of dollars,” he said, now in a far quieter voice, “but it was completely worth it.”

“THousands Of DoLLARS!” You exploded, immediately turning the heads of the fellow desk jockeys nearby,

“SHut UP man,” David hissed, half closing his laptop defensively. You simmered as the both of you waited for the rest of your colleagues to return back to their work. David narrowed his Eyes at you, smile creeping back onto his face.

“It wasn’t a waste of money and I can prove it too you. Just let me find your profile really quick.”

“Wait, this thing has a profile for me on it?” You said, now even more concerned then before. “David, This seems like some really dangerous software And I definitely thing that you shou-“

Davids Computer cut you off with a cheerful beep, and immediately you felt a strange sensation course through your body.

“What the hell!” You shout as you start the world around you starts to grow. You feel a strange tightening sensation in your body, as you glance downward. Your clothing seemed to liquify, shifting from a smart suit and dress shirt into a casual tee. In shock you glance at the bay window and catch a reflection of yourself. There you were…. Or rather, there you were 20 years ago! You lift your hands up too your face and feel your skin. Wrinkle free, young, and real!

“ there’s no way this is real,” you say in a whisper. This has to be a dream you think, as you continue to explore your now unfamiliar body.

David leaned over the edge of his desk beaming,

“ See I told you man! This program is incredible!” He looked you over, seeming to be proud of his work. “Dang it’s crazy what taking 20 years off a man can do!”

You take a brief pause from reveling at your new found youth.

“ this is incredible David! How is this even possible?!”

“It’s the chronivac man! Like I said it’s freaking amazing and can change anything!” The wild grin still fresh on his face.

You stand up, coursing with a newfound energy.

“WE HAVE TO TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THIS!” You say ecstatically. The grin drops from David’s face.

“What?”

You begin to jog away from the desks, heading straight for the break room where you knew, most of your coworkers would still be gathered.

“We can change anything with this! This is going to be the coolest thing any of these morons have ever heard about!”

“Wait! No stop! Aww shit-“ you hear David shout as you continued running. You barely processed his voice or cared. You felt so alive! The excitement in your chest was all you could feel or even think of right now. You slid around the corner, breaking into a sprint down the hallway. You could hardly wait to introduce your new younger self to your coworkers and tell them about this amazing new device.

“GUYS, YOU WOULDNT BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED TO-“

Suddenly your voice catches In your throat, as your mouth dries out In an instant. You keep running, starting to trip over yourself on the concrete floor.

“ what the” you gasp through a dry mouth. Your tongue feels like a pillow in your mouth as you tumble to the floor. You are vaguely aware of the sight of your hands, which appear to be changing color and texture. Your vision fades with the sight of your fingers turning bright blue and seeming to collapse in on themselves.

You can’t seem to find your voice, or be able to move as you feel yourself shrinking. You feel an indescribable softening sensation on all sides as you slide to a stop. Suddenly, it’s over as quickly as it started, and there you lay on the floor. Your brain slows down, filled only with the most basic thoughts now.

“ what….. happened…” you think to yourself with great effort. Your aware of footsteps coming towards you from your position on the floor.

“ Sorry about that man, I just couldn’t have you sharing my new toy with the rest of the world. It’s kind of like a private club, ya know?

….David? You think through fuzzy thoughts.

“ I’m still learning how to use the program haha, but you did turn out to be a nice pair of underwear Adam.”

You feel your now small form being lifted from the floor, then shoved into a pocket. David’s pocket.

“Don’t worry man, we’ll get you sorted out. I think you’ll make a really good practice for me before I start changing myself.”

You couldn’t respond at all, but felt almost at home In the musky warm pocket you were haphazardly shoved into.

….so … nice… you find yourself thinking. You try to shake the fuzz out of your primitive mind. Trying to remember anything besides the new world you found yourself in. You faintly hear David through his clothing.

“ alright, I think the first thing we should do is get you home so we can have some fun.” You feel yourself being lifted from his pocket and placed back on the ground. You felt a longing to be back in the warm musky dark.

“this time however, I think we’ll turn your awareness off.”

David smiled punching his new specifications into the chronivac program. Adam wouldn’t remember any of what just happened, and also be open to his suggestions. The underwear on the pavement started to expand, shifting and changing until Adam once again stood in front of him with a slightly dazed look on his face.

“is it weird that that kind of turned me on…” David muttered to himself.

“Dave… what the hell is going on? Adam said In a bewildered voice. His voice echoed in the parking garage that they now stood in. David smiled, and typed into the chronivac.

“you were about to give me a ride home, remember big guy?”

Adam, still looking confused, but seemingly unaware of the last 20 minutes of his life shrugged and fished for his car keys.

“Alright man but don’t judge about the mess in my car.” He smiled and clicked his horn. The two of you walked over to the old SUV Adam drove and stepped inside, scooting aside the old take out bags and random junk. Adam sheepishly got In and fastened his seatbelt.

“Thanks for taking me home man, I wasn’t feeling the best.” David said hiding a smile while still typing in his computer. Adam started the car and began to pull out of the parking lot.

“no problem man, it’s been a boring day for me anyway.”

I’m sure it was… David thought pulling up Adams profile again. David pulled up Adams profile. He continued to explore it as they got on the highway - passing the braves stadium. Now it was time to really see what this program could do. He clicked on the occupation section and replaced senior engineer with Uber driver and hit enter. The cars interior suddenly shifted, quickly becoming neater and tidier. An Uber sticker appeared on the windshield. David smiled and Adam glanced over at him.

“Hey you owe me tho David,” he smiled “I could be making money right now instead of driving your ass around.”

“for sure man, I’ll make it up to you.” David grinned. He clicked onto Adams body specifications.

Alright let’s slide that age way down… maybe 22? He looked good like that, but let’s pump up his muscle mass by 80 pounds and increase his attractiveness level. David pulled open Adams identity profile and messed around with a few things. Instead of being a work friend, Adams new relationship to David was a complete stranger. David deleted Adams previous educational experience tab and input college fraternity brother into his profile. He dropped the IQ level down to one of the lower settings. It might be nice for Adam to worry about less right? He input “easygoing” into his profile. He hit shuffle on race, just for some added fun and eagerly hit enter.

the change was immediate. Adam shifted in his seat, losing a few inches of height but gaining a ridiculous amount of mass everywhere. His legs filled in his pants so quickly David thought they might burst. His arms ballooned outwards and his face shifted to a cocky smirk. His pecs jutted out against his shirt, bouncing with the cars motion. The clothes he previously wore liquified and stretched tight against his body - becoming a simple tee shirt and short shorts. His hair styled itself into a skin fade, and a tan crept over his body. A backwards cap materialized on his head, and a stud In his ear as he glanced over at David.

“What? You like what you see man haha?”

The new Adam raised his arm and flexed his now massive bicep.

You both laughed as you felt a mixture of pride and arousal. Adam put a beefy arm on the dash of his car and started typing into the gps, stopping at an intersection .

“Where was it you said you wanted to be dropped off again sir?”

David rattled off his address, trying to hide the growing… excitement that was beginning to show In his crotch. The new Adam glanced down and smirked at David, but continued driving. David smiled, reviewing Adams profile again.

“ So what do you have going on in your life… Adam right?” David asked, trying for conversation with his previous boss.

“We’ll I’m just chilling at the university right now…” Adam said with a dull laugh, “spending a lot of time at the gym and with the boys right now.”

David nodded absentmindedly, sliding Adams sexuality to nearly 100 Percent gay. Just to see what would happen. He slid the Libido curser to high and glanced back up at Adam. A distracted look now plastered on his face, one hand on the wheel, one hand now migrating down to his shorts.

“… and you know… spending time… with the boys.”

David could barely contain his excitement as the two pulled up to his house. Adam threw the vehicle in park and shifted his Adonis frame in his seat to face David.

“Hey man, don’t even worry about the ride today, it was nice meeting you. I’ll void the bill In the app.” He said with a smile. David met his gaze and blushed. Oh my god, was he flexing?

“Oh that’s really too nice of you man, there’s really no need.” David stuttered

Adam smiled and bit his lip, he hopped out of the car to get David’s door.

“No I insist. I Really enjoyed being your driver today.”

David stepped out of the car, amazed by what he had been able to do to his friend. The new Adam held out his hand for a solid high five. He winked and said,

“Message me if you ever need a ride again bro.” With that, he strutted back to his car, then got in and sped down the road - blasting music.

David stood on the edge of the driveway. Clutching his lap top and trying to calm himself. He began to stride into his house, weighing his options. People had warned him, that the chronivacs power could really go to your head if you didn’t have a handle on it. He unlocked the door and paced into his living room. David hadn’t thought much about it, but man had he really surprised himself. In the space of 1 hour he had changed his boss into a horny college himbo without so much as a blink.

He through himself onto the couch and started up at the ceiling. David smiled, thinking of the limitless possibilities that now awaited him. He could literally become whatever he wanted to. Could change the world in whatever way he wanted. The possibilities were so endless p, he had no idea what to do.

After a moment of watching the rotating fan David grinned. He didn’t know all the things he wanted to change, but he did know what he wanted right now. He pulled his laptop back up and fired up the chronivac. Adams profile still displayed on screen. David clicked into Adams relationship status and began clicking around. It took a second to find the option, “willing to sleep with any man.” But David aggressively slammed the enter button and pulled out his phone, finding an Uber text string with the new Adam.

“Thanks again for the free ride today man. Was wondering if you wanted to ride anything else tonight? 😘🍆”

He waited breathlessly for a moment before three dots appeared on his screen, and then a message. Apparently a picture the new Adam had taken at the gym.

“on my way back big guy”

David slammed his laptop closed and ran to change into some more relaxed clothes. That was enough messing with the chronivac for the day. It was amazing what a horny stud he had been able to change his boss into. And ridiculous how quickly David had fallen for him.

David wrestled with his tie and glanced out the bedroom window as a car raced up. The new and improved Adam jumped out and started sauntering towards the door, already removing his shirt. David could only stares as he felt himself begin to go hard. He and Adam were going to have a lot of fun tonight.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Canada shouldn’t retaliate with its US tariffs

Picks and Shovels is a new, standalone technothriller starring Marty Hench, my two-fisted, hard-fighting, tech-scam-busting forensic accountant. You can pre-order it on my latest Kickstarter, which features a brilliant audiobook read by Wil Wheaton.

Five years ago, Trump touted his "big, beautiful" replacement for NAFTA, the "free trade agreement" between the US, Mexico and Canada. Trump's NAFTA-2 was called the USMCA (US-Mexico-Canada Agreement) and it was pretty similar to NAFTA, to be honest.

That tells you a couple things: first, NAFTA was, broadly speaking a good thing for Trump and the ultra-wealthy donors who backed him (and got far richer as a result). That's why he kept it intact. NAFTA and USMCA are, at root, a way to make rich people richer by making poorer people poorer. Trump's base hated NAFTA because they (correctly) believed that it was being used to erode wages by chasing cheaper labor and more lax environmental controls in other countries. Neither NAFTA nor USMCA have any stipulations requiring exported goods to be manufactured by unionized workers, or in factories with robust environmental and workplace safety rules.

The point of NAFTA/USMCA is to goose profits by despoiling the environment, maiming workers, stealing their wages, paying them less, all while poisoning the Earth. Trump's "new" NAFTA was just the old NAFTA with some largely cosmetic changes so that Trump's base could be (temporarily) fooled into thinking Trump was righting the historic wrong of NAFTA.

However, there was one part of USMCA that marked a huge departure from NAFTA: the "IP" chapter. USCMA bound Canada and Mexico to implementing brutal new IP laws. For example, Mexico was forced to pass an anti-circumvention law that makes it a crime to tamper with "digital locks." This means that Mexican mechanics can't bypass the locks US car companies use to lock-out third party repair. Mexican farmers can't fix their own tractors. And, of course, Mexican software developers can't make alternative app stores for games consoles and mobile devices – they must sell their software through US Big Tech companies that take 30% of every sale:

https://pluralistic.net/2020/09/09/free-sample/#que-viva

Shamefully, Canada had already capitulated to most of these demands. Two Canadian Conservative Party politicians, Tony Clement and James Moore, had sold the country out in 2012, throwing away 6,138 negative responses to a consultation on a new DRM law (on the grounds that they were "babyish" views of "radical extremists"), siding instead with the 54 cranks and industry shills who supported their proposal:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/11/15/radical-extremists/#sex-pest

When Canadian politicians are pressed on why these anti-interoperability policies are good for Canada, they'll say that it's a condition of free trade, and the benefits of being able to export Canadian goods to the US without tariffs outweigh the costs of having to pay rents to American companies for consumables (like car parts or printer ink), repair, and software sales.

Sure, when Canadian software authors sell iPhone apps to Canadian customers, the payments take a round trip through Cupertino, California and return 30% short. But Canadian consumers get to buy iPhones without paying tariffs on them, and the oil, timber, and minerals we rip out of the ground can be sent to America without tariffs, either (oh, also, a few things that are still manufactured in Canada can do this, too).

Enter Trump, carrying a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods, which he has vowed to impose on his first day in office. Obviously, this demands a policy response. What should Canada do when Trump tears up his "big, beautiful" trade deal and whacks Canadian exporters? One obvious response is to impose a 25% retaliatory tariff on American exporters:

https://mishtalk.com/economics/canada-says-it-will-match-us-tariffs-if-trump-launches-trade-war/

After all, Canada and the US are one another's mutual largest trading partners. American businesses rely on selling things to Canadians, so a massive tariff on US goods will certainly make some of Trump's business-lobby backers feel pain, and maybe they'll talk some sense into him.

I think this would be a huge mistake. The most potent political lesson of the past four years is that politicians who preside over rising prices – regardless of their role in causing them – will swiftly feel the wrath of their voters. The public is furious about inflation, whether it comes from transient covid supply chain shocks, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, or cartels using "inflation" as cover for illegal, collusive price-gouging.

Canadians are very reliant on American imports of finished goods. That's another legacy of NAFTA: it crashed Canada's manufacturing sector. Canadian manufacturing companies treated the US as a "nearshore" source of non-union labor and weak environmental and safety rules, and shipped Canadian union jobs to American scabs. Canada's economy is supposedly now all about "services" but what we really export is stuff we tear out of the Earth.

Countries that are organized around resource extraction don't need fancy social safety nets or an educational system capable of producing a high-tech workforce. All you need to extract resources is a hole in the ground surrounded by guns, which explains a lot about shifts to the Canadian political climate since the Mulroney years.

Since Canada is now substantially reorganized as an open-pit mine for American manufacturers, cutting off American imports would drive the prices of everyday good sky-high, and would be political suicide.

But there's another way.

Because, of course, Canada – like any other country – has the capacity to make all kinds of things, including high-tech things. Sure, it's unlikely that Canada will launch another Research in Motion with a Blackberry smart-phone that will put the iPhone and Android in the shade. The mobile duopoly has the market sewn up, and can use predatory pricing, refusal to deal, and other anticompetitive tactics to strangle any competitor in its cradle.

But you know what Canada could make? A Canadian App Store. That's a store that Canadian software authors could use to sell Canadian apps to Canadian customers, charging, say, the standard payment processing fee of 5% rather than Apple's 30%. Canada could make app stores for the Android, Playstation and Xbox, too.

There's no reason that a Canadian app store would have to confine itself to Canadian software authors, either. Canadian app stores could offer 5% commissions on sales to US and global software authors, and provide jailbreaking kits that allows device owners all around the world to install the Canadian app stores where software authors don't get ripped off by American Big Tech companies.

Canadian companies like Honeybee already make "front-ends" for John Deere tractors – these are the components that turn a tractor into a plow, or a thresher, or another piece of heavy agricultural equipment. Honeybee struggles constantly to get its products to interface with Deere tractors, because Deere uses digital locks to block its products:

https://honeybee.ca/

Canada could produce jailbreaking kits for John Deere tractors, too – not just for Honeybee. Every ag-tech company in the world would benefit from commercially available, professionally supported John Deere jailbreaking kits. So would farmers, because these kits would restore farmers' Right to Repair their own tractors:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/05/08/about-those-kill-switched-ukrainian-tractors/

Speaking of repair: Canadian companies could jailbreak every make and model of every US automobile, and make independent, constantly updated diagnostic tools that every mechanic in the world could buy for hundreds of dollars, rather than paying the five-figure ransom that car makers charge for their own underpowered, junk versions of these tools.

Jailbreaking cars doesn't stop with repair, either. Cars like the Tesla are basically giant rent-extraction machines. If you want to use all the "features" your Tesla ships with – like access to the full charge on your battery – you have to pay tens of thousands of dollars in subscription fees over the life of the car, and when you sell your car, all that "downloadable content" is clawed back. No one will pay extra to buy your used Tesla just because you spent thousands on manufacturer upgrades, because they're all downgraded when you sign over the pink slip.

But Canadian companies could make jailbreaking kits for Teslas that unlock all the features in the car for a single low price – and again, they could sell these to every Tesla owner in the world.

Elon Musk doesn't invent anything, he just takes credit for other people's ideas, and that's as true of bad ideas as it is for good ones. Musk didn't invent the extractive Tesla rip-off: he stole it from inkjet printer companies like HP, who have used the fact that jailbreaking is illegal to turn printer ink into the most expensive fluid in the world, selling for more than $10,000/gallon.

Canadian companies could sell jailbreaking kits for inkjet printers that disconnect them from "subscription" services and disable the anti-features that check for and reject third party ink. People all over the world would buy these.

What's standing in the way of a Canadian industrial policy that focuses on raiding the sky-high margins of American monopolists with third-party add-ons, mods and jailbreaks?

Only the IP laws that Canada has agreed to in order to get tariff-free access to American markets. You know, the access that Trump has promised to end in less than a week's time?

Canada should tear up these laws – and not impose tariffs on American goods. That way, Canadians can still buy cheap American goods, and then they can save billions of dollars every year on the consumables, parts, software, and service for those goods.

This is hurting American big business where it hurts – in the ongoing rents it extracts from Canadians through IP laws like Bill C-11 (the law that bans jailbreaking). Canada could become a global high-tech export powerhouse, selling "complementary" goods that disenshittify all the worst practices of US tech monopolists, from car parts to insulin pumps.

It's the only kind of trade war that Canadian politicians can win against Americans: the kind where prices for Canadians don't go up because of tariffs; where the price of apps, repair, parts, and upgrades goes way down; and where a new, high-tech manufacturing sector pulls in vast sums from customers all over the world.

Canada can win this kind of war, even against a country as big and powerful as the USA. After all, we did it once before:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CK3EDncjGI

Check out my Kickstarter to pre-order copies of my next novel, Picks and Shovels!

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/01/15/beauty-eh/#its-the-only-war-the-yankees-lost-except-for-vietnam-and-also-the-alamo-and-the-bay-of-ham

[plasticlung]

uber eddie diaz \ season one evan buckley au [ 08x12 inspo ] ,, prologue \ aka writing this before i forget about the idea .

This wasn’t really what Eddie planned when he upped and left El Paso with his son. He jumped to Los Angeles for no reason other than to leave his parents behind. He got lucky with the house he was renting—his landlord was nice, professional but nice. But after three weeks without a job, he knew he couldn’t go another week.

Costs, as always, stacked up against him, and there was only so much in his savings account. He decided on Uber driving after yet another failed job interview. And it was… it was fine. It wasn’t life-threatening, and that’s all he needed after being discharged. It also meant he picked his own hours and could be there for Christopher.

It was just… frankly, it was boring. Eddie had developed a parasocial relationship with radio show producers, heard all the pop hits despite not really liking the genre, and had drowned more five-hour energy bottles than he had before in his whole life. He memorized street names and shortcuts, learned the ebb and flow of LA traffic at different times of the night, and figured out which areas were best to avoid when the bars let out.

The first time it happened, Eddie hardly thought twice about it. Just another passenger, just another late-night ride through the bright neon streets of LA. The guy was the first in. Blond, drunk, face flushed. Then the woman came barreling in, wearing a sequined dress that didn’t seem too comfortable. She rattled off an address with laughter, and Eddie took off, letting the hum of the engine fill the silence.

He turned up the radio, but it didn’t really hide the sounds of an obvious make-out session happening behind him. At least the guy mumbled a light “Not now” when she tried to take things further. Thankfully, Eddie had already kicked someone out of the car today and needed the money to meet his daily quota. He adjusted his mirror and caught a glimpse of blue eyes and a carefree grin right before the two tumbled out of the car with a breathless “Thanks, man.” Eddie watched as the guy was dragged up the stairs to the apartment. When he glanced at his phone, he saw a $10 tip, and a quick check over the back seats showed no stains. So overall pretty good.

Then came the second time.

It was the same guy, different girl. This one was brunette, leaning against him, murmuring something into his ear. Eddie only intervened when she tried to climb into his lap. Safety was an important thing.

The third time was the same.

The fourth time was with a guy, but the pattern didn’t change. So did the fifth, and the sixth, and the seventh time. Every three or four days, Eddie would arrive at a bar, and there he was—the same blond guy, the same ridiculous smile, always with someone new.

Eddie wasn’t going to judge; he was too busy trying to make ends meet to spend time worrying about some stranger’s love life. It was weird that he was often the one to pick him up, but the app was randomized, and the guy tipped well, so Eddie stayed quiet about it.

Still, after enough trips, Eddie started to pay more attention.

Evan Buckley, according to the Uber app, was always charming– obnoxiously so. Even when he was drunk, he was friendly, quick with a laugh, generous with compliments. He flirted effortlessly from what Eddie overheard. 

Obviously he’d have to be good to have a high success rate with going home with someone, but there was something strangely methodical about it, too, like he was playing a role. The people he brought home seemed enamored, but Eddie noticed that Buck never seemed all that invested. Not really.

He’d joke, sure, and he’d play the part, but there was a flicker of something hollow in his eyes when he thought no one was looking. It didn’t last long, not when he pulls his partner into another kiss.

[coochiequeens]

'It stains your brain': How social media algorithms show violence to boys." Make no mistake boys and young men were disgusting before they had access to smart phones but this and parents not willing to admit there's an issue are creating a whole new problem.

Cai says violent and disturbing material appeared on his feeds "out of nowhere"

By Marianna Spring BBC Panorama

It was 2022 and Cai, then 16, was scrolling on his phone. He says one of the first videos he saw on his social media feeds was of a cute dog. But then, it all took a turn.

He says “out of nowhere” he was recommended videos of someone being hit by a car, a monologue from an influencer sharing misogynistic views, and clips of violent fights. He found himself asking - why me?

Over in Dublin, Andrew Kaung was working as an analyst on user safety at TikTok, a role he held for 19 months from December 2020 to June 2022.

He says he and a colleague decided to examine what users in the UK were being recommended by the app’s algorithms, including some 16-year-olds. Not long before, he had worked for rival company Meta, which owns Instagram - another of the sites Cai uses.

When Andrew looked at the TikTok content, he was alarmed to find how some teenage boys were being shown posts featuring violence and pornography, and promoting misogynistic views, he tells BBC Panorama. He says, in general, teenage girls were recommended very different content based on their interests.

TikTok and other social media companies use AI tools to remove the vast majority of harmful content and to flag other content for review by human moderators, regardless of the number of views they have had. But the AI tools cannot identify everything.

Andrew Kaung says that during the time he worked at TikTok, all videos that were not removed or flagged to human moderators by AI - or reported by other users to moderators - would only then be reviewed again manually if they reached a certain threshold.

He says at one point this was set to 10,000 views or more. He feared this meant some younger users were being exposed to harmful videos. Most major social media companies allow people aged 13 or above to sign up.

TikTok says 99% of content it removes for violating its rules is taken down by AI or human moderators before it reaches 10,000 views. It also says it undertakes proactive investigations on videos with fewer than this number of views.

Andrew Kaung says he raised concerns that teenage boys were being pushed violent, misogynistic content

When he worked at Meta between 2019 and December 2020, Andrew Kaung says there was a different problem. He says that, while the majority of videos were removed or flagged to moderators by AI tools, the site relied on users to report other videos once they had already seen them.

He says he raised concerns while at both companies, but was met mainly with inaction because, he says, of fears about the amount of work involved or the cost. He says subsequently some improvements were made at TikTok and Meta, but he says younger users, such as Cai, were left at risk in the meantime.

Several former employees from the social media companies have told the BBC Andrew Kaung’s concerns were consistent with their own knowledge and experience.

Algorithms from all the major social media companies have been recommending harmful content to children, even if unintentionally, UK regulator Ofcom tells the BBC.

“Companies have been turning a blind eye and have been treating children as they treat adults,” says Almudena Lara, Ofcom's online safety policy development director.

'My friend needed a reality check'

TikTok told the BBC it has “industry-leading” safety settings for teens and employs more than 40,000 people working to keep users safe. It said this year alone it expects to invest “more than $2bn (£1.5bn) on safety”, and of the content it removes for breaking its rules it finds 98% proactively.

Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, says it has more than 50 different tools, resources and features to give teens “positive and age-appropriate experiences”.

Cai told the BBC he tried to use one of Instagram’s tools and a similar one on TikTok to say he was not interested in violent or misogynistic content - but he says he continued to be recommended it.

He is interested in UFC - the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He also found himself watching videos from controversial influencers when they were sent his way, but he says he did not want to be recommended this more extreme content.

“You get the picture in your head and you can't get it out. [It] stains your brain. And so you think about it for the rest of the day,” he says.

Girls he knows who are the same age have been recommended videos about topics such as music and make-up rather than violence, he says.

Cai says one of his friends became drawn into content from a controversial influencer

Meanwhile Cai, now 18, says he is still being pushed violent and misogynistic content on both Instagram and TikTok.

When we scroll through his Instagram Reels, they include an image making light of domestic violence. It shows two characters side by side, one of whom has bruises, with the caption: “My Love Language”. Another shows a person being run over by a lorry.

Cai says he has noticed that videos with millions of likes can be persuasive to other young men his age.

For example, he says one of his friends became drawn into content from a controversial influencer - and started to adopt misogynistic views.

His friend “took it too far”, Cai says. “He started saying things about women. It’s like you have to give your friend a reality check.”

Cai says he has commented on posts to say that he doesn’t like them, and when he has accidentally liked videos, he has tried to undo it, hoping it will reset the algorithms. But he says he has ended up with more videos taking over his feeds.

Ofcom says social media companies recommend harmful content to children, even if unintentionally

So, how do TikTok’s algorithms actually work?

According to Andrew Kaung, the algorithms' fuel is engagement, regardless of whether the engagement is positive or negative. That could explain in part why Cai’s efforts to manipulate the algorithms weren’t working.

The first step for users is to specify some likes and interests when they sign up. Andrew says some of the content initially served up by the algorithms to, say, a 16-year-old, is based on the preferences they give and the preferences of other users of a similar age in a similar location.

According to TikTok, the algorithms are not informed by a user’s gender. But Andrew says the interests teenagers express when they sign up often have the effect of dividing them up along gender lines.

The former TikTok employee says some 16-year-old boys could be exposed to violent content “right away”, because other teenage users with similar preferences have expressed an interest in this type of content - even if that just means spending more time on a video that grabs their attention for that little bit longer.

The interests indicated by many teenage girls in profiles he examined - “pop singers, songs, make-up” - meant they were not recommended this violent content, he says.

He says the algorithms use “reinforcement learning” - a method where AI systems learn by trial and error - and train themselves to detect behaviour towards different videos.

Andrew Kaung says they are designed to maximise engagement by showing you videos they expect you to spend longer watching, comment on, or like - all to keep you coming back for more.

The algorithm recommending content to TikTok's “For You Page”, he says, does not always differentiate between harmful and non-harmful content.

According to Andrew, one of the problems he identified when he worked at TikTok was that the teams involved in training and coding that algorithm did not always know the exact nature of the videos it was recommending.

“They see the number of viewers, the age, the trend, that sort of very abstract data. They wouldn't necessarily be actually exposed to the content,” the former TikTok analyst tells me.

That was why, in 2022, he and a colleague decided to take a look at what kinds of videos were being recommended to a range of users, including some 16-year-olds.

He says they were concerned about violent and harmful content being served to some teenagers, and proposed to TikTok that it should update its moderation system.

They wanted TikTok to clearly label videos so everyone working there could see why they were harmful - extreme violence, abuse, pornography and so on - and to hire more moderators who specialised in these different areas. Andrew says their suggestions were rejected at that time.

TikTok says it had specialist moderators at the time and, as the platform has grown, it has continued to hire more. It also said it separated out different types of harmful content - into what it calls queues - for moderators.

'Asking a tiger not to eat you'

Andrew Kaung says that from the inside of TikTok and Meta it felt really difficult to make the changes he thought were necessary.

“We are asking a private company whose interest is to promote their products to moderate themselves, which is like asking a tiger not to eat you,” he says.

He also says he thinks children’s and teenagers’ lives would be better if they stopped using their smartphones.

But for Cai, banning phones or social media for teenagers is not the solution. His phone is integral to his life - a really important way of chatting to friends, navigating when he is out and about, and paying for stuff.

Instead, he wants the social media companies to listen more to what teenagers don’t want to see. He wants the firms to make the tools that let users indicate their preferences more effective.

“I feel like social media companies don't respect your opinion, as long as it makes them money,” Cai tells me.

In the UK, a new law will force social media firms to verify children’s ages and stop the sites recommending porn or other harmful content to young people. UK media regulator Ofcom is in charge of enforcing it.

Almudena Lara, Ofcom's online safety policy development director, says that while harmful content that predominantly affects young women - such as videos promoting eating disorders and self-harm - have rightly been in the spotlight, the algorithmic pathways driving hate and violence to mainly teenage boys and young men have received less attention.

“It tends to be a minority of [children] that get exposed to the most harmful content. But we know, however, that once you are exposed to that harmful content, it becomes unavoidable,” says Ms Lara.

Ofcom says it can fine companies and could bring criminal prosecutions if they do not do enough, but the measures will not come in to force until 2025.

TikTok says it uses “innovative technology” and provides “industry-leading” safety and privacy settings for teens, including systems to block content that may not be suitable, and that it does not allow extreme violence or misogyny.

Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, says it has more than “50 different tools, resources and features” to give teens “positive and age-appropriate experiences”. According to Meta, it seeks feedback from its own teams and potential policy changes go through robust process.

[talkingtothetallman]

Swirls, adapters, film, and other stuff

Hi-ho! It's been awhile. Life has been busy to say the least! Christmas is here in the cold whirlwind that is December, and with it the icy windshields, low-hanging frigid mist, and the blasting of both the car heater and Christmas songs. But enough about what's been happening in life, let's talk about my newest hobby.

Vintage Lenses. Oh yeah, the good stuff.

Years ago in July of 2019, I purchased a Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 from a swap meet for $10-15. I looked up what it would take to use on my Sony a7iii, and turns out it was a little metal adapter that cost about the same. Pretty simple!

So that's where it started! I didn't really pursue anything else beyond it since, after all, they didn't have autofocus and weren't as convenient (or sharp) as modern glass. Just a fun little exploration into using old tech on the new stuff!

But a few months later, I watched a video about an infamous Russian lens, the Helios 44-2. Based on the Carl Zeiss Biotar lens design that they stole from the Germans during WWII, the Russians began pumping out their own version of the Biotar, the Helios 44 series, with the most recognizable one of the line being the aforementioned 44-2. Its signature? Producing a swirly effect to the bokeh (out of focus part of the image). And so being curious, I picked one up for under $50. And that swirl effect... yeah, it's pretty cool!

But still again, I didn't really pursue anything else beyond it. They were cool, no doubt about it, just not something that totally piqued my interest.

Flash forward nearly five years later, and it's safe to say that my interest has be piqued! I now have acquired eight lenses to my collection, and yes I most am certainly shopping of more, how nice you to ask!

Okay, so I know it’s not a lot at the moment. But that’s okay, because at the end of the day, they are just buckets of fun. Cliché as it may sound if you are a photographer like me, but having a more tactile experience while doing photography is really cool and rewarding. It isn't better, and it isn't somehow an elitist claim per say, but it’s still indeed pretty rad and adds an extra element to your photography, causing (or enabling, depending on how you want to look at it) you to slow down and take more time to make your images.

Speaking of taking more time, let's talk about good ol' 35mm film. For awhile now, I've had a hankering to at least try shooting a roll of film. It isn't a thing that a lot of my generation has experience with as digicams, point-and-shoots, and now smartphones, have been the photography experience for 95% of people my age. Nonetheless, film photography had this sense of mystery behind it, keeping your photos tucked away from you, often times for weeks, without you knowing how perfect that shot actually looks.... or more likely how you actually messed up and will be kicking yourself over it for the next few weeks! So naturally, when I had the opportunity to purchase a Minolta SRT-201 and a few lenses for $30 from a local on OfferUp, I went out and bought my first roll of film; some Kodak Portra 400, regarded by film enthusiasts as one of the great film stocks for about every kind of photography.

The next few weeks consisted of me filling up that roll and sending it off to Gelatin Labs in New Jersey to get developed and scanned into TIFFs for any further editing on my part. Not gonna lie, I was nervous for how they were going to turn out, especially since I was exposing the film based on a light meter app from iPhone (the one on the camera isn't functioning at the moment; would like to get it fixed). But they turned out beautiful! Aaaaaaand now I want to shoot more film lol

But yeah, this year has been a journey in terms of my photography career/passion! A lot of highlights (no pun intended) that I'm excited to reflect on as the weeks wind down in this year. My photo-a-day-lets-me-use-my-camera-okay?! challenge is going strong, and I've only missed a few days total this year. I'm looking forward to pouring over those photos, sharing them with you, and taking what learned this year into next year!

[kosher-martian]

Ain't got no use for AI.

Look, I get it. I work in IT (if indirectly), but I think we need to kill this AI thing in its crib before it results in a majority of the US workforce doing back-breaking non-automatable jobs for pittance.

My job is 70% procurement and 30% e-waste disposal.

My job exists because:

Our procurement software has a UI that I would describe charitably as "openly hostile".

Far too many employees have access to the procurement software.

The finance department does not hold regular trainings on how to use the software and there's no process to notify finance of new employees who have been granted procurement access so the new employees can be trained.

Until recently, there was nothing built into the software to stop people from buying things with money they don't have or that is allocated to other projects. (A janitor could buy a high-spec Mac Studio using another department's money or simply not pay for it after it arrives.) Technically "not paying" is still very much an issue I have to solve.

Until recently, there was nothing built into the software to stop people from buying things without approval. After a few high-profile issues, we finally broke down and bought a plugin to correct this issue.

There is nothing built into the software to prevent people from buying devices that do not comply with our standards or are wildly inappropriate for their work tasks. (Secretaries getting high-spec gaming PCs just because they had the money in their budgets.)

Until I pointed it out, there was no policy in place to divert newly-delivered IT equipment to the IT department for set up and endpoint management. Until I pushed for a policy change, IT equipment could (and often would) be purchased and delivered directly to the department unmanaged or in a few cases a less-scrupulous employee's home address for personal use.

Our inventory system is arcane and there are a sum total of three people with access to it. And that's the system we primarily use for IT lifecycle management!

All of these things could be fixed by just buying better procurement software, let alone procurement software enhanced by AI. The only reason my employers haven't liquidated me is because right now the annual cost of having a human clean up all the human errors caused by the cheap lousy software they bought is still lower than the annual cost of software that would prevent the human errors from happening in the first place. But for how long?

What about all the jobs AI is already taking? All the writing and editing and media production jobs that simply won't exist because it was easier to let a machine do it? (Ignore that all the CGI people have four thumbs and 12 toes, human. Watch our slop content and enjoy it! You aren't worth real art.)

All the marketing jobs that will be liquidated because the algorithm knows us better than we know ourselves. Where are they supposed to go?

What about all the programmers and developers being laid off because ChatGPT does a decent enough job and if you lower our expectations enough, people will just accept a lousy app to purchase their burritos and yell at the human driver when the burrito is wrong?

Where are these people (and many, many more) supposed to work?

We closed the factories. We didn't find new high-quality jobs for the factory workers, did we?

All the factory workers went to work in low-paying retail and service economy jobs. Oh wait, they've been laid off from those jobs too because we had to have self-checkout and self-service kiosks and now entire Dollar Generals are staffed by one employee.

Drive a taxi? Sorry that was replaced by sharing your car with strangers (Uber). Oh no wait sorry, the self-driving cars are taking that too.

Call centers? We shipped those overseas and then shuttered them because a phone tree with a realistic human voice and intentionally vexatious wait times will take care of the pesky callers.

Gig work? If AI hasn't taken them already, they will soon.

Agricultural work? Slaves Prison labor will replace that soon enough (and frankly prison laborers will likely also take many other menial tasks like package delivery or fulfillment warehouse jobs soon)

Again, what are the vast majority of people on this earth supposed to do? Because if you think we're getting UBI in the US, you are deluded.

When the car replaced the horse as the primary means of transportation and other machines took the place of horse labor, the population of equines declined. They weren't needed anymore.

Between 1915 and 2006/7 the horse and mule population declined 63.07% in the United States. The US equine population in 1915 was 26,493,000 (horses and mules). In 2006, the United States had around 9,500,000 horses (1), and the United States Census of Agriculture for 2007 (table 31) counted 283,806 mules and burros (2).

And while the horse population has rebounded in the years since, it's because of enthusiasts wanting to breed more horses for entertainment and luxury purposes.

No one found the horses new jobs when the horse jobs disappeared. We simply stopped breeding horses. (And that's assuming, charitably, that we didn't juice the decline by culling the horse population.)

When our jobs disappear, do you think our overlords will just keep us around? I mean sure we're taking care of the population problem for them (a little too well actually, thus the anti-abortion laws), so they likely won't turn us into glue.

They'll still need people to fix the machines when they break and to continue building and creating better and better AI and machines to take care of their every whim.

And they'll need some people to do all the work the AI and robots cannot do yet.

And they'll want people for entertainment and luxury: Actors, singers, athletes, and playthings they can use as they please.

But ultimately what all these "tech-bros", "technocrats", "effective altruists", and "techno-progressivists" really really want is world that caters exclusively to their needs and all the inconvenient people who have needs of their own are swept into the recycle bin and discarded without a second thought. All problems are easily solved when you eliminate all the people:

Littering? No people, no litter. You, glorious techno-overlord, would never litter.

Climate Change? Less people, less carbon. You'll still be here, though, don't worry my liege!

Economy? The robots do all the work you used to have to pay people to do. And all the profits go to you, sire!

Taxes? LOL you don't have to pay taxes. Taxes are for the peasants.

You get my point.

The techno-overlords are tired of negotiating with us because they don't believe they should have to. We aren't their equals, if they even consider us human. They need some of us to do their bidding and some of us to keep around to torture and dominate to make them feel like gods. Beyond that, the rest of us are just excess people breathing up all the air.

AI has to go, not because the AI itself is dangerous, but because the people whom the AI ultimately serves have told us time and time again who they really are. It's time for us to believe them. We know their vision for the world, and it's a world without us. 1. This figure comes from a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and is often cited in writings about horse population decline, but I could not locate the actual report on their website.

2. https://agcensus.library.cornell.edu/census_parts/2007-united-states/

[digitaldetoxworld]

Commuting Made Easy: Understanding Delhi Metro Timings

However, Delhi Metro Timings vary by line and station, so it's always a good idea to check the official Delhi Metro website or app for the most accurate and up-to-date information before traveling.

The Delhi Metro, a crucial component of the National Capital Region's transportation infrastructure, stands as a testament to India's speedy urbanization and technological advancement. Since its inception in 2002, the metro has transformed the manner in which residents navigate the bustling streets of Delhi, assuaging site visitors' congestion and supplying a reliable means of transportation for millions. This article explores the records, development, effect, and future of the Delhi Metro.

Historical Background

As the city grew, so did the need for an efficient public transport system. In 1995, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was established, marking the start of a large urban development project. The first line, spanning 8.7 kilometers from Shahdara to Tis Hazari, was inaugurated in December 2002. This initial segment laid the foundation for what could come to be an intensive network of metro lines.

Expansion and Growth

Since its launch, the Delhi Metro has multiplied exponentially. As of 2023, the community covers over 390 kilometers, connecting more than 290 stations across more than one strain. The gadget's increase may be attributed to strategic planning, authorities' guide, and public calls for. New strains had been constructed to reach numerous components of the city, consisting of the outskirts, ensuring accessibility for citizens in both urban and suburban areas.

Each new line has delivered its progressive features and improvements. The creation of the Airport Express Line in 2010 extensively improved connectivity to Indira Gandhi International Airport, permitting vacationers a swift and comfortable transit alternative. Moreover, the implementation of modern technologies along with Automatic Train Control Systems and RFID-based total ticketing has in addition streamlined operations.

Impact on Urban Life

The impact of the Delhi Metro on the city's everyday lifestyles is profound. Before its advent, Delhi's streets had been notorious for visitor jams and pollution. The metro has no longer eased congestion however has also contributed to a great discount in vehicular emissions. Studies estimate that the metro gadget allows to get rid of hundreds of tons of carbon dioxide annually, promoting a purifier in urban surroundings.

Additionally, the metro has revolutionized commuting habits. With a dependable frequency of trains and minimal ready instances, many citizens have shifted from private cars to public transport. This transition now not handiest saves charges for people but also fosters an extra communal technique to city living. The metro's affordability and efficiency have made it a favored desire for day-by-day commuters, students, and tourists alike.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Stations are designed to deal with passengers with disabilities, with ramps, lifts, and tactile pathways in location. Moreover, the creation of women-best coaches during height hours has more advantageous protection and comfort for girl commuters, reflecting a sensitive approach to city transport in a numerous society.

The metro additionally affords an array of offerings catering to numerous passenger desires. The integration of digital ticketing and cellular apps has made the journey simpler, permitting customers to devise their trips in advance. Moreover, the supply of kiosks and data desks guarantees that tourists acquire vital help

Economic Contributions

The monetary implications of the Delhi Metro are sizeable. By improving connectivity, it has spurred a boom in areas adjacent to its stations. Real property costs in those regions have visible an extensive rise, leading to elevated investments and development opportunities. Shopping complexes, workplace areas, and residential buildings have sprung up close to metro stations, creating a vibrant urban surroundings.

Furthermore, the metro device has generated employment opportunities, now not simply inside DMRC but also in sectors consisting of creation, renovation, and service. It performs a crucial position in assisting the livelihoods of hundreds, thereby contributing to the neighborhood economic system.

Challenges Faced

Rapid urbanization and population increase have caused accelerated ridership, every now and then overwhelming the gadget at some point of height hours. Ensuring protection and performance amidst such excessive demand requires steady monitoring and strategic making of plans.

Maintenance and growth of the existing infrastructure present any other hurdle. Aging lines and stations necessitate everyday protection to ensure safety and reliability. Additionally, the economic sustainability of the metro gadget is a challenge, as operational costs hold to an upward push.

The Future of the Delhi Metro

Looking in advance, the Delhi Metro is poised for similar growth and innovation. Plans are underway for new strains that will join underserved areas of the town, to make an extra complete and inclusive network. The integration of the metro with different modes of delivery, along with buses and regional rail offerings, is also a priority to create a continuing travel experience.

Sustainability will play an important position in the metro's destiny. The DMRC has committed to incorporating renewable energy resources, along with sun power, into its operations. This not only aligns with worldwide efforts to combat climate alternate but additionally complements the metro's energy performance.

[thomedwards-blog]

Mobile development has revolutionized the efficiency and reliable the car transporters industry, making it easier than ever to book and track shipments, receive real-time updates on shipment status, compare costs between different companies, and communicate seamlessly with shipping providers. If you're looking to maximize the impact of mobile development in this industry, there are a few key features and functionalities you should be on the lookout for.

First and foremost, easy booking and tracking are essential. A mobile app that allows customers to quickly and effortlessly book shipments directly from their smartphones is a game-changer. Gone are the days of having to make phone calls or visit physical offices to schedule a shipment. With just a few taps on your screen, you can have your shipment booked and ready to go.

Real-time updates on shipment status are also crucial. Being able to track your shipment's progress in real-time gives you peace of mind and allows you to plan accordingly. Whether it's an important delivery or a time-sensitive shipment, having access to up-to-date information ensures that you're always in the loop.

Cost comparison between different companies is another feature to consider. The ability to easily compare prices and services offered by various shipping providers can save you both time and money. Instead of individually reaching out to each company for quotes, you can simply use the app to compare rates and make an informed decision.

Streamlined communication between customers and shipping providers is also a must-have feature. A mobile app that allows for direct and efficient communication eliminates the need for push emails or phone calls. Whether it's requesting additional information, providing special instructions, or resolving any issues that may arise, having a seamless communication channel within the app is invaluable.

In conclusion, maximizing the impact of mobile development on efficiency and car transportation requires finding an app that offers easy booking and tracking, real-time updates on shipment status, cost comparison between different companies, and streamlined communication between customers and shipping providers. These features not only enhance the overall experience for both customers and shipping providers but also boost efficiency and productivity in the transportation industry.

[travelrajkot]

taxi in rajkot - Radhekrishnatravel

The vibrant energy in Surat bustles with the cultural and commerce tapestry. Navigating the 'Diamond City of Gujarat' offers reliable taxi services and daily commutes the tourists with expeditions comfortable for them. Radhe Krishna Travel Taxi Services in Surat caters various experiences to customers and bustles with the cultural & commerce tapestry. In this article we will give a comprehensive overview on Surat's taxi services by exploring its types, factors, services, etc in the dynamic city of Gujarat.  Types of Taxi Services:  1. Aggregator Apps: Taxi Service in Rajkot The user-friendly apps for instant car booking like Ola, Uber etc may raise the urban mobility in Surat. It provides best customer services and offers a variety of cars according to individuals comfort with reasonable budgets. This taxi service in rajkot also offers some additional features like ride- sharing, cashless payments, add convence, real time tracking, transparent fares, etc. 

Traditional Taxis: Taxis in Rajkot The streets of Surat are personalised with traditional Taxis in Rajkot stands and independent operators and offer a variety of services dotted with the offers of competitive fares especially for local commuters with special attention. The fares can be negotiated by ensuring required metre usage.  3. Radio Cabs: Cabs in Rajkot Surat operates several radio cabs in Rajkot companies mainly known for its reliable & stable drivers with well maintained cars like Savaari and Meru Cabs. The cars can be booked through the companies website or phone apps with seamless experience and fixed fares for specific routes.  4. Airport Taxis: Airport Cab Near Me Pre-paid booths for dedicated taxis at the airport provide convenient transportation options at International Airport of Surat may offer fixed fares according to locations and can be booked easily through the customised phone apps or online platforms in advance.  Factors Affecting Your Ride:  Time of Day: During the rush hours like morning or evening app based taxis can surge higher demand of pricing, in these times it is good to book a taxi in advance or opt for a traditional taxi can be cost-effective. 

Distance and Route: Rajkot to Ahmedabad Distance and Route comprises Longer journeys or outstation trips might require different pricing fares according to location as Rajkot to Ahmedabad compared to short local rides. Some taxis may offer different deals and packages for outstation trips, while others charge per kilometre according to taxi rules.  3. Type of Vehicle: Best Taxi Service in Rajkot The budget is crucial in every type of vehicle so it is necessary to choose a car according to budget, whereas Best Taxi Service in Rajkot premium cars may come at a higher cost as compared to other cars. 

Additional Services: Car Rental in rajkot Taxi Services in Surat may offer certain services like Car rental in Rajkot add ons, luggage assistance, meet and greet and child seats for free if you are required for that. 

Local Knowledge: The local knowledge of Surat's taxi drivers is invaluable because of its intricate lanes and traffic. The local taxi drivers of Surat are familiar with shortcuts and less congested routes can save your valuable time.  Beyond the Ride:  Rajkot Cab Technologies are emerging in Surat's taxi services with new players constantly evolving the sustainability initiatives like electric Rajkot cabs are also gaining traction in car entertainment systems, cashless payments and GPS navigation are constantly increasing and becoming increasingly common. The Future of RadheKrishnaTravel Services in Surat: The future of Surat Radhe Krishna Travel taxi services are growing and modernise for further innovations and poised for taxi service integration with public transport systems by the adoption of AI-Powered accessibility for differently abled passengers potential for future development.  Conclusion:  The taxi services of Surat are vibrant with diverse options comfortable for all passengers with many add ons services, stable and comfortable rides in the evolving landscape of Surat ' The Diamond City of Gujarat' where the wheels outstanding Radhe Krishna Travel taxis may ride you safely with full protection at your destination and offers you various deals and services to fulfil your comfortable rides & trusted rides according to your budget. So in conclusion, the taxi services in Surat are the best choice for passengers to opt for a comfortable and secure ride with different types of car booked by customised mobile apps and websites and are easy to use with several additional options available. So if you are local or a visitor in Surat these taxis help you to derive the cultural landscape of the city in Gujarat.

[nividawebsolutions]

The Impact of 5G on Android App Development: Opportunities and Challenges

With the advent of 5G technology, the world is witnessing a significant transformation in various industries.  One such area that is experiencing a profound impact is Android app development.  As the demand for faster and more reliable connectivity grows, Android app developers and companies are presented with new opportunities and challenges.  This article by Nivida Web Solutions explores the impact of 5G on Android app development, specifically focusing on the opportunities it brings and the challenges it poses for Android App Development Company in Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

Opportunities for Android App Development Companies: 

Enhanced Speed and Performance:

The most notable advantage of 5G technology is its exceptional speed and reduced latency.  With faster download and upload speeds, Android app developers can create apps that deliver high-quality content and provide seamless user experiences.  This opens up possibilities for resource-intensive applications such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and video streaming apps, which can take full advantage of 5G speeds to provide immersive experiences. 

Improved User Engagement:

The low latency of 5G enables real-time interactions between users and applications.  An excellent Android App development company in India like Nivida Web Solutions Pvt. Ltd. can leverage this capability to create highly responsive apps that react instantaneously to user actions.  This can significantly enhance user engagement and satisfaction, leading to increased user retention and app popularity. 

IoT Integration:

5G technology offers robust support for the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem.  Android app developers can leverage the high bandwidth and low latency of 5G to seamlessly integrate IoT devices with mobile applications.  This integration opens up avenues for developing innovative applications in areas such as smart homes, connected cars, and healthcare, where real-time data exchange between devices is crucial. 

Edge Computing:

5G enables edge computing, which allows data processing and storage to occur closer to the end user, reducing latency and improving response times.  Android app development companies like Nivida Web Solutions can leverage edge computing to offload computational tasks from mobile devices to edge servers.  These results in faster app performance, reduced battery consumption, and improved security, ultimately enhancing the user experience.

Challenges for Android App Development Companies: 

Network Fragmentation:

While 5G promises high-speed connectivity, it also introduces network fragmentation challenges.  Different regions and carriers may adopt different 5G frequencies and standards, resulting in fragmentation in terms of coverage and compatibility.  Android app developers need to account for these variations and ensure their apps are compatible with different 5G networks to reach a broader user base. 

Increased Data Consumption:

With faster download and upload speeds, users are likely to consume more data when using 5G networks.  This poses a challenge for Android app development companies as they need to optimize their apps to minimize data usage.  Efficient data handlings techniques such as data compression, intelligent caching, and content delivery network integration become crucial to provide a cost-effective and data-friendly experience to users. 

Device Compatibility:

While 5G technology is rapidly expanding, not all Android devices support it. This presents a challenge for Android app developers as they need to ensure their apps are compatible with both 5G-enabled devices and devices operating on older networks.  Creating apps that can seamlessly transition between different network technologies without sacrificing functionality or performance becomes essential. 

Increased Complexity:

The introduction of 5G brings new complexities to Android app development. Developers need to understand the technical intricacies of 5G networks and integrate the necessary protocols and APIs into their apps.  This requires specialized knowledge and expertise in 5G technologies, which may require additional training and resources for Android app development companies. 

Conclusion: 

5G technology is revolutionizing the Android app development landscape, offering numerous opportunities for innovation and growth.  The enhanced speed, improved user engagement, IoT integration, and edge computing capabilities of 5G present exciting possibilities for Android app developers.  However, the challenges of network fragmentation, increased data consumption, device compatibility, and increased complexity cannot be overlooked.  Android app Development Company like Nivida Web Solutions located in Vadodara, Gujarat, India delivers exceptional app experiences to users in the 5G era.

[oharetaxi]

The Future of Public Transportation

As we stand at the precipice of a new era, the future of public transportation promises to redefine the way we move, commute, and explore our cities. Rapid technological advancements, coupled with increasing concerns for sustainability, efficiency, and urban congestion, have paved the way for transformative changes in the transportation landscape. From autonomous vehicles to hyperloop systems, the future of public transportation holds immense potential for creating accessible, convenient, and environmentally friendly mobility options for all. In this article, we will delve into the exciting developments and possibilities that lie ahead.

Electric Mobility

One of the most significant advancements in the future of public transportation is the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Electric buses, trams, trains, and even bicycles are poised to replace their fossil fuel-powered counterparts, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality in urban areas. With ongoing advancements in battery technology, charging infrastructure, and affordability, EVs will become the go-to mode of transportation for both short and long distances, offering sustainable and efficient options for commuters.

2. Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are set to revolutionize the public transportation landscape by eliminating the need for human drivers. These self-driving vehicles have the potential to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and optimize routes for maximum efficiency. Commuters will be able to summon an AV through their smartphones, eliminating the need for car ownership and reducing parking requirements. Shared AVs can create a seamless and cost-effective transportation network, allowing people to travel conveniently while minimizing the number of vehicles on the road.

3. Hyperloop and Maglev Systems

Hyperloop and magnetic levitation (maglev) technologies offer a glimpse into the future of high-speed, long-distance transportation. Hyperloop, a system of near-vacuum tubes, will enable pods to travel at incredible speeds, potentially exceeding 600 miles per hour. This mode of transportation will dramatically reduce travel times between cities, making intercity commuting more efficient than ever before. Maglev trains, which use magnetic fields to levitate and propel the train cars, will provide a similar experience, allowing for smooth and fast travel across vast distances.

4. Mobility as a Service (MaaS)

The concept of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) will transform public transportation into an integrated and seamless experience. MaaS platforms will consolidate various modes of transportation, including buses, trains, taxis, and shared bikes, into a single app or platform. Commuters will have access to real-time information, personalized route planning, and the ability to pay for their entire journey through a single transaction. MaaS will encourage multimodal transportation, empowering users to choose the most efficient and sustainable option for their specific needs.

5. Sustainable Infrastructure and Smart Cities

The future of public transportation goes hand in hand with the development of sustainable infrastructure and smart cities. Investments in charging stations for EVs, smart traffic management systems, and connected infrastructure will enable a smooth transition to greener and more efficient transportation networks. Smart cities will leverage real-time data and advanced analytics to optimize routes, minimize congestion, and enhance the overall efficiency of public transportation systems.

Conclusion

The future of public transportation promises a revolutionary shift in how we navigate our cities. From electric mobility and autonomous vehicles to hyperloop systems and MaaS platforms, the coming decades will witness remarkable transformations that prioritize sustainability, accessibility, and convenience. Embracing these technological advancements and fostering a collaborative approach among stakeholders, governments, and innovators will be crucial to harnessing the full potential of public transportation for the benefit of all. As we embark on this exciting journey, the future holds the promise of a greener, more connected, and efficient world of mobility.

[realcleverscience]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I see things a bit differently. allow me to share what I hope to be a thoughtful reply as well:

In terms of plagiarism, I think there are two different issues at play: firstly, training on data one doesn't own, and secondly, reproducing that data and presenting it as original data.

I agree that these are both issues but I don't think they're of equal concern or frequency. In particular, I see "plagiarism" as representing the second issue more than the first. Reproducing other people's works is not ok. That is plagiarism. That has occasionally happened with AI and must be sorted out. No questions there. However, that represents a fraction of a fraction of results. It is a very small and niche issue which is already being addressed.

That said, the first problem - using unowned data - is more nebulous, legally and ethically speaking. On one hand, AI is doing basically the same thing that humans do, which is learn and imitate from others. On the other hand, AI can do this with a level of detail and speed which humans can't. Then there's also issues with the data. For instance, if google uses youtube to train their AI, they probably have some legal right to that as a result of hosting the video. Whenever people use "free" websites, there are usually "costs" which we agree to. (Is that fair? idk. personally, it's ok with me. I think it's a fair trade.) That said, I also expect legal frameworks to develop which make it easier for people to opt-in or opt-out or get compensation as these systems grow. Lastly, it's not clear to me that it's bad for AI to learn from these sources in general - again, much like how humans do. I only really see a problem when it starts to produce actual plagiarism, as discussed above.

Also, in terms of data, I agree with some of your points. I do want to point out, though, that data isn't a finite resource. Just the opposite. We put more and more data on the web each year. in 2010, it got around 2 zetabytes; in 2015 it was 15 zetabytes, in 2020, 64 zetabytes, in 2024, we're expected to have put online nearly 150 zetabytes. And with the growth of things like smartphones, video apps (youtube, tiktok, etc), augmented reality glasses, autonomous robots, self-driving cars, and people engaging with their AIs - these companies are going to get ever growing amounts of rich data, about the world, environments, movement, conversation, and more.

"And that gets to the part of your closer that I wanted to talk about. With "AI" as it is, we are not going to get to a post-labor world like you want. Replacing artists and writers and other creatives will instead create a post-art world... But in such a world, humans aren't just sitting on their asses doing nothing - a lot of people will be creating, not because they have to, but because they want to. Art should be the last job replaced in the process of creating such a world, but the people in charge are trying to make it the first, because their ideal world is nowhere near in line with yours."

To be clear, I'm not interested in replacing artists more or less than any other profession bc I see all professions as valuable. I want to see *all* jobs get automated as much as is possible to get us all to a post-labor society. And yes, it is my hope and expectation that everyone will pursue their hobbies and interests once we no longer have to work. I also know that there's a lot of public focus on AI-Art since a lot of the semi-decent AI products right now are art generators. however, that's only bc art has more wiggle room in its results. But AI is coming for ALL jobs. And I think that's good.

That said, I agree that the rich see AI as a way to get even richer and not necessarily to benefit society. However, I also think that massive unemployment will steer the country (and all countries) toward post-labor systems, such as increasingly shortened work-weeks, UBI, and other changes. I am concerned about how difficult that transition period will be. But that's largely on us and how we vote. (literally one of the reasons I told people not to vote for trump. he dgaf about anyone.)

AI is not a bad technology. It is a major boon for the world. The fight is with capitalism.

'People are panicking about AI tools the same way they did when the calculator was invented, stop worrying' cannot stress enough the calculator did not forcibly pervade every aspect of our lives, has such a low error rate it's a statistical anomaly when it does happen, isn't built on mass plagiarism, and does not obliterate the fucking environment when you use it. Be so fucking serious right now

[taxiwaala1]

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