#Computers online store UK

[ayeforscotland]

Ad | Some Humble Bundle Goodies

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Money raised goes towards Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

For those who dabble in Virtual Reality, the Upload VR Showcase with Devolver Digital has a bunch of Serious Sam VR games as well as the Talos Principle, a really solid puzzle game.

Money raised goes to Special Effect which helps people with disabilities enjoy games via accessible controllers. I've seen the stuff they do and it's honestly great.

Want to get into programming but don't know where to start? The Learn to Program bundle has a tonne of resources covering everything from HTML and CSS through to Python, C# and Ruby.

Money raised goes towards Code.org which seeks to expand participation in computing science by helping women and students of colour.

The Future Tech Innovators Toolkit is a software bundle with courses on Robotics, Electronics and programming with Raspberry Pi and Arduino.

Money raised goes towards Alzheimers Research UK.

The Home How-To Guides bundle offers a complete set of books for home improvements and projects. Want to know more about plumbing, home repair, bathrooms, wiring or carpentry? This bundle has you covered.

Money raised goes to It Gets Better, a charity that supports LGBT Youth.

Want to pick up the latest Elden Ring DLC? It's also available on the Humble Store with the key being redeemable on Steam.

[cyberstudious]

hiii, i am also interested in cybersecurity but don't know how to gain skills to start it as a career after graduation next year

Hi! First of all, good luck with your last year before graduation! it can be kinda hectic and kinda scary, but there are lots of good things in store!

The cool thing about cybersecurity (and computer science in general tbh) is that there are lots of opportunities to learn things on your own!

(Brief side note: my recommendations are U.S.-centric, just because that's where I am and where my experience is. The industry may be a bit different if you're in a different country, but lots of things should be the same.)

This got very long, so I'm putting it under a read more. The tl;dr is:

play CTFs

get an entry-level certification (or even just study for one!) - the CompTIA Security+ is a great choice

join or start a cybersecurity club on campus (or join a professional organization like Women in Cybersecurity)

stay up to date with cybersecurity news

learn some skills on your own time: networking, programming, general IT skills, etc.

If anyone wants more information about any of these suggestions, let me know & I'd love to make a separate post about them!

CTFs Capture the Flag games are how I initially got into cybersecurity and they're a fantastic way to practice new skills in a fun, real-world kind of environment. If you've never done one, you absolutely should! Here are a few of my faves:

Cyber FastTrack is my top recommendation. It's only available to current college students in the U.S. (and requires U.S. citizenship), but the challenges are fantastic & they have awesome learning materials. It generally runs October-April each year. I did well in this CTF and got a scholarship for the SANS.edu Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity - that's 4 certifications & nearly $19k of free training. It's ridiculous and I love it. Highly recommend.

CyberStart is the same set of challenges, but you have to pay to access all of it. It also has programs similar to Cyber FastTrack for high school students, high school girls, and UK and Canadian students - check their about page.

picoCTF - I haven't done this one before but it's constantly recommended as a good beginner CTF. It looks like you can practice online at any time, but they also do a yearly high school competition.

OverTheWire Bandit - This site has several different wargames (similar to CTFs) that teach you different topics, but Bandit is the one to start with. It teaches you lots of Linux things & will give you the skills to play the others.

Certifications Certifications are a recommendation or a requirement for many (if not the majority) of cybersecurity jobs. They're not a replacement for experience, but getting one as a student demonstrates that you have the passion and work ethic to pursue cybersecurity on your own. Studying for an entry-level certification is also a fantastic way to get a general understanding of the field and pick up some essential knowledge.

The main one I see recommended is the CompTIA Security+. I studied for this certification very slowly for a long period of time, because I was using it to learn cybersecurity in general. It covers a lot of material but it also goes very in-depth in places. I got this cert because I knew it could get my foot in the door in lots of places, and just telling people that I was studying for it was a way to impress potential employers!

Professor Messer has a ton of fantastic, 100% free training material for the CompTIA certifications. In addition, you can use all the free resources that you have as a student to study for this. I used LinkedIn Learning courses, check if your college or local library give you free access to this.

In addition, there are technically 2 CompTIA certifications you should have before you get the Security+: the A+ and the Network+. The A+ is just general IT knowledge, and you can probably skip it if you're decent with computers. Having a solid understanding of networking is super important, so it's worth going through the material for the Network+ even if you're not going to pay to take the exam.

(Also, taking the Security+ exam while you're a student lets you get the academic discount! I think that saved me $100-$150.)

Clubs and Professional Organizations Join a cybersecurity club at your school if there is one. It's a great way to meet other students interested in the same things and get advice. They may also have tech talks, run CTF events, or have local professionals come and speak. If there's no cybersecurity club at your campus, consider starting one!

You can also join a professional organization. The only one that I know of is Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS), and they do lots of great stuff. Student membership is $20/year, and then you get access to their webinars, a mentorship program, their member community, and student scholarships to the WiCyS conference. I was lucky enough to get a scholarship to the conference this past March and it was a really fantastic experience. I was also the president of my campus's student WiCyS chapter! If you're looking to start a cybersecurity club, WiCyS has good support and resources for their student chapters.

Stay Informed About Cybersecurity News Cybersecurity is always evolving, so it's important to have current knowledge of what's happening in the industry. This gives you real-world examples that you can keep in your mind while you're learning new concepts, and it's also a way to impress employers during interviews. These are a few of my favorite sources:

SANS Internet Storm Center StormCast Podcast - 5 minutes of security news every weekday morning

Blogs:

Krebs on Security

Schneier on Security

Malwarebytes Labs

Learn Skills on Your Own Cybersecurity involves working with lots of different technologies. Having solid foundations in these areas will help you a lot:

computer networking (OSI model, ports & protocols, how the internet works, firewalls, etc.)

Linux commands & Windows PowerShell

programming/scripting

cryptography basics

"everyday" security: if you're the IT person for your friends & family, know how to answer questions like:

"How do I set a good password?"

"Should I use a password manager?" (yes.)

"Where should I use MFA?" (everywhere.)

"How do I keep my home network secure?"

"How can I avoid getting scammed?"

This DIY Feminist Cybersecurity Guide is one of my favorites for general security hygiene information.

This got really long (over 1k words! wow!), but I hope it was helpful! Please feel free to send me any more questions you might have, whether specific or broad! I think cybersecurity is a great place to be and I love sharing resources and talking about it!

[captaincoffeegirl515]

Okay

So

I finally got to watch Unicorns

The movie was good

But SO NOT WORTH all the fuckery I had to go through just to be able to watch it on my laptop

Like. Jesus fucking Christ

I felt like I was looking for an actual unicorn just to be able to watch it.

They think WAYYYY too highly of themselves man.

You can only stream it if you live in the UK and Northern Ireland, which I don't.

So I bought the Bluray like they wanted us to bc that's the only way anyone who lives anywhere else other than those two countries could watch their movie.

And then! They went through all the trouble putting all this extra encrypting and whatever on the Bluray disc that made it virtually unreadable AND unplayable on my laptop.

I needed buy a new DVD player that can specifically play Bluray discs because nobody had one that could play it. And jfc it was a pain. I went to multiple malls and multiple appliance and computer stores and literally NOBODY had a bluray disc player bc people don't do discs anymore nowadays. They do streaming. I could only get one online which I did.

And then! Literally no software could play their Bluray. VLC doesn't work because of some AACS decoding issue. Like when the disc is open I can see it has an aacs folder but I guess they encrypted that shit to hell and back bc VLC keeps giving me an error that it cant decode the aacs.

So I had to buy a full license for a different video playing software called PowerDVD that can specifically play Bluray discs bc the free version of the only software that could play their disc can't fucking play Blurays. Only the licensed one could. And this was AFTER I tried a bunch of different other video playing softwares, none of which could play the disc.

So yeah. Anyways definitely going to avoid Signature Entertainment especially when it comes to Blurays bc jfc if that's what it's like to watch one of their movies then I don't ever want to deal with any of their other movies.

Anyways if anyone wants spoilers feel free to message me

[daisyachain]

On the topic of steampunk, we might be far enough from the 2008-2012 mainstream emergence to look back on it as a completed cycle and try and diagnose why all that happened. You could say it was one of the last full English-language subcultures (integrated music, literature, aesthetic, ideology, public discussion) to have its moment before the post-social media proliferation of microcultures. Off the top of my head, you could see the last wave crest in the 2010s with: the Atlanta-based trap scene, the west-coat hipster agglomeration, and then intercontinental shut-in steampunk.

This is speaking from the location of shut-in central, so there are probs other mainstream waves that I'm missing, but, defining mainstream as something that might reach a resident of Nothing, Nowhere, you could argue that it's less than mainstream. Grime? Big in the UK, not so much across the Anglosphere. Soundcloud/mumble rap? Influential on a younger generation, doesn't quite have the same established cross-media cultural complex associated with it as trap....as far as I'm aware..........feel free to chime in on what I've missed.........

Back to steampunk, it didn't absorb into/influence the mainstream the way that trap and hipster scenes did. The key crossover has been the visual aesthetic associated with the movement rather than the music or ideology--your average person most likely saw something with gears in an online store without ever hearing the kind of associated corset cabaret or reading China Mieville (I also haven't read China Mieville). That seems to leave it as a subculture without a centre, a recurring visual motif still apparently going strong without any kind of emotional/philosophical backing for good or for bad. Still, it's not just gears, begging the question: how on earth can steampunk music exist, if it's not experimental noise?

The basis of steampunk is alternate history and alternate technology: could the tools around which 'modern' life is structured have been developed using a different underlying technology, and would that difference in technology have altered the way that the massive historical distortion of the Industrial Revolution played out? If steam technology (implemented ~1800) were the basis of transport development rather than the internal combustion engine (~1860), would the suite of technologies that followed have skipped out on important developments such as electrified appliances/digital computing/etc.?

There are works published through the 20th century that could fit with the idea, but the genre and terminology come up alongside cyberpunk--not after it, since The Anubis Gates (1983) predates the broader discussion of cyberpunk that followed Neuromancer (1984). The genre builds in anglo sci-fi/fantasy spaces through the '80s before having a mainstream breakthrough in the late 00s.

Steampunk looks back and melds Industrial/Victorian aesthetics with modern ideas right after the goth rock scene emerges. Hard to say whether steampunk was born out of goth aesthetics, but there is some interplay between the subcultures. Goth rock looks back to the romantic impulses of the 19th century, seeking a heightened emotional world that reacts to modern science and commerce the way that Romantics reacted to Enlightenment science and physiocracy/early capitalism.

On the other hand, steampunk seeks to place those modern ideas within the past, not rejecting the clarity of 'modern' ideas for the mystery of magic, but rather making 'modern' ideas seem more compelling by dressing them up in antiquated aesthetics. A car? Banal. A steam-powered car? Cool. A steam-powered car with a carriage body? Cooler. Steampunk renders the ordinary alien, making it appealing to romantic impulses without discarding enlightenment ideology*

*Heavy caveat.

To try and sum it up: steampunk is about how people/societies unfamiliar with 'modern' ways of living would react to and interact with modern technology. It's about how technology shapes patterns of movement, thought, and living, and how a mix-up in the order of technological development could throw off the social order that we're familiar with. Or, it can be about how the tendency for a society to organize in certain ways will manifest itself no matter what technology is available to use, and how familiar patterns might emerge with distinctly unfamiliar technology. Did the Industrial Revolution shape us*, or did we* shape the Industrial Revolution? Was the single defining era of social and technological development (NOT IN A GOOD WAY) set in stone, or was it an accident of chance?

The caveat is that the use of the Industrial Revolution as the focal point for steampunk stories means that most of them ignore, elide, or positively portray the imperialist war, torture, murder, chattel slavery, genocide, and theft carried out by European states to fund industrial developments (with some exceptions, e.g. Everfair). Most steampunk stories are written by upper/middle-class Anglophone US or British writers, imagining the implementation of alternate technologies within white/European/English society to create an alternate version of the author's personal sphere. Rather than looking at the integrated systems that enabled/drove technological development, steampunk has a habit of considering technological discovery as pure chance and then going from there.

An offshoot/parallel evolution of Anglosphere steampunk is Japanese steampunk, which I don't have as much experience with. Taking a surface-level look with Miyazaki and Anno, steampunk aesthetics come out in stories where destructive industry is encroaching on pre-industrial areas. These works are less focused on the consequences of different technologies or different paths of development so much as they are focused on the impact of technological development in general--industrialization is industrialization, whether by steam, gasoline, genetic engineering, or anything else. Rather than standing in for an alternate historical path, steampunk creations are used to more clearly mark the line between 'old' and 'modern', isolation and integration, pre-Perry and post-.

Side note: I'd classify dieselpunk/biopunk/dungeonpunk as steampunk, while cyberpunk stays separate. Cyberpunk asks: how will our current society shape the implementation of future technologies (i.e. if space ships and time travel are invented in a highly stratified, monopolistic commercial society, would they ever be used for good)? Steampunk+ asks: how would our current society have come about with different technologies? One takes the present as given and looks forward, the other looks backward and tries to alter or erase the present.

Now that that's out of the way: what are the actual artifacts of steampunk that we have? Why are they steampunk?

The word 'steampunk' comes about to describe literature, but it's steampunk construction projects that are the proof of concept for this movement. They show what could have been accomplished by chance with technology available in the time preceding 'modern' developments. More importantly, they're physical hobbies with a defined, challenging-but-not-impossible endpoint and they're a fun thing to do that you can show off to your friends. Unlike some subcultures where you must 'be', steampunk is something you can 'do.' I'd bet that it's the building aspect of the subculture that has kept it alive this long, when the aesthetic/ideological part of the subculture can come into/fall out of fashion. People get into baking or woodworking in a much longer-term and fulfilling way than they get into black leather. For the most part.

Steampunk literature, then, is a harder part of the movement to pin down. Earlier works like The Anubis Gate and The Difference Engine are more on the social scifi/speculative fiction side of things while later (kids') books like the Alexander Pryor series/Leviathan/hell, even RQG use the technology to facilitate old-fashioned rip-roaring adventure. There is a pretty even split between steampunk books that lean into the alternate history/specfic part of the genre and books that use the concept to replicate the aesthetics of pulp without seeming outdated. I say confidently. The thorny questions of tech and society that drove early steampunk die off in favour of looking cool, leaving a relatively slim canon. For all its flaws, there remains a consistent stream of specfic cyberpunk coming out through the 21st century in a way that doesn't happen with steampunk.

Steampunk fashion is pretty self-explanatory: it takes the stripped-down pre-injection-moulding look of early machinery and applies it to everything, with a healthy injection of bronze spray paint. The griminess of faded dyes, coal smoke, or ink illustrations is applied over a fairly colourful moment in fashion history in a sort of offshot of the Victorian goth movement. Not much to say here apart from corsets, gears, and goggles, fashion is fashion.

Last thing, music. Where the lit/aesthetic starts in the 1980s, the music develops more into the late 90s and 00s. Steampunk-associated music tends to use the cello, upright bass, harpsichord, violin, and other 'classical' or 'classy' instruments; tends to have operetta-type vocals (clean, enunciated, sung spoken-word), tends to have a straightforward 4/4 rhythm coming out of goth rock. By using acoustic instruments and avoiding guitar (acoustic or electric) and drums, it follows the same alt-history philosophy where post-80s (big, glitzy, synthy) songwriting is implemented with non-pop instruments.

In contrast to the regressive tendencies of steampunk lit, steampunk music has a female presence and draws from third-wave feminist readings of Victorian social mores. Associated artists like Emilie Autumn try to apply modern conceptions of liberation to characters in their lyrics who chafe against the strictures of the steampunk era. Alternately, bands like Steam Powered Giraffe or Whatever The Hell That Obscure Guy Was That Sheetghosting Mentioned (I Forget) use steampunk contraptions in their stage shows, integrating the technological rather than ideological steampunk into their music.

So: (anglophone) steampunk has a philosophy of 'what if?' set out mostly by 1980s sci-fi, an aesthetic that develops in conversation with the new romantics/goth scene, a crafting subculture that is mostly disconnected from the ideology of steampunk due to functioning as a fun hobby, and a lit scene that doesn't really get off the ground due to a lack of willingness by majority-white authors to engage with the foundations of our world. Because you can't go too far into 19th century alt history without running into imperialism and slavery, the genre in general has turned away from substance and towards style. The thread that connects the various iterations/expressions of steampunk is the desire to recreate a familiar song/society/contraption with an unfamiliar technology, a wish to re-evaluate the current/accepted/modern by pulling it apart and recreating it from its constituent bits, but mostly a desire to dress up cool and imagine if you were a guy in a top hat who made eight hundred thousand pound sterling from your father's cousin's exploitation of people in an unimaginably cruel suffering machine

[i-am-the-oyster]

Accessing the Stowe School Recording

What is the Stowe School Recording?

On the 4th of April 1963 (two weeks after the release of Please Please Me) the Beatles played a gig at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire. One of the students present (John Bloomfield) recorded the gig, and recently rediscovered that recording. He donated it to the British Library, which means anyone can go and listen to it (see below for details).

Is it worth it?

Obviously your mileage may vary, but for me that answer is definitely yes. I wasn't expecting the recording to be over an hour long, but I stayed and listened to the whole thing. I reckon I'll go back again if I can fit it in next time I'm in London.

Alright, how do I listen to it?

The recording is free to listen to, and is available in the Sound Archive at the British Library in London. The building is about 2 minutes walk from King's Cross St Pancras. (map)

You need a Reader Pass to access the room. If you're a UK citizen you can just get one on the day, but if you're not then I recommend starting the process online before you go.

You will need:

Photo ID

Proof of address

They give you an ID card that's valid for 3 years. The process was pretty straightforward and the staff are very helpful. They have very good cloakroom facilities and free secure lockers, so if you have carry-on sized luggage with you, you can store it there while you visit.

They're very strict about what's allowed into the reading rooms, so plan to use the lockers.

Once you have your card, go to the Rare Books and Music reading room on Floor 1. Marvel at the ancient tomes people are carefully examining. Find a computer with a set of headphones attached (towards the back right of the room) and set yourself up. If you have your own laptop you can use one of the empty spots in that area.

Search the catalogue for something like "Stowe Beatles". There are pages and pages of other recordings you might also like to listen to.

What's the playlist?

I Saw Her Standing There Too Much Monkey Business Love Me Do Some Other Guy Misery I Just Don’t Understand A Shot of Rhythm and Blues Boys! Matchbox From Me To You Thank You Girl Memphis Tennessee A Taste of Honey Twist and Shout Anna Please Please Me Hippy Hippy Shake I’m Talking About You Ask Me Why Till There Was You Money (there's a section here where the tape got recorded over with an incredibly annoying song) I Saw Her Standing There (reprise)

My highlights

Stowe School was an all-boys school at the time, but it's clear from the recording that there are girls at the gig.

Boys! gets a huge response, and I'm pretty sure it's Ringo singing Matchbox immediately after. Later (around 55m) the crowd starts chanting for Ringo to sing again.

There's a good amount of banter between John and Paul, not all of it very clear. I'd love a chance to sit and listen to those parts over and over again, and see what I can make out. Alas I didn't have time, and I only had the in-browser audio player, which made it basically impossible to hop around.

The crowd starts shouting out requests at some point, and some boys shout for A Taste of Honey. There's some laughter, and the timing of it sounds to me like John is mugging.

Towards the end someone shouts for How Do You Do It and one or John or Paul sings the opening phrase, with an audible smile, but they don't sing it.

Anything else?

If you can, I recommend bringing your own laptop and headphones. There are computers and headphones there, but the browser interface is not ideal for going to specific timestamps, you have limited control over volume, and I think you'd get more out of it with medium to high end headphones.

If you want to skip the truly awful song that got recorded over a section of the tape, the original comes back in around 1:01:25.

In the same building they have some of Hunter Davies's donation on display in the Treasures Gallery. This was a small selection on the day I went, and I was pretty disappointed, but they do rotate those displays every six months. It may also be possible to access the other items for research purposes, I haven't investigated that yet.

[mariacallous]

Meta’s online ad library shows the company is hosting thousands of ads for AI-generated, NSFW companion or “girlfriend” apps on Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. They promote chatbots offering sexually explicit images and text, using NSFW chat samples and AI images of partially clothed, unbelievably shaped, simulated women.

Many of the virtual women seen in ads reviewed by WIRED are lifelike—if somewhat uncanny—young, and stereotypically pornographic. Prospective customers are invited to role-play with an AI “stepmom,” connect with a computer-generated teen in a hijab, or chat with avatars who promise to “get you off in one minute.”

The ads appear to be thriving despite Meta’s ad policies clearly barring “adult content,” including “depictions of people in explicit or suggestive positions, or activities that are overly suggestive or sexually provocative.”

That’s created a new front in debates over the clash between AI and conventional labor. Some human sex workers complain that Meta is letting chatbots multiply, while unfairly shutting their older profession out of its platforms by over-enforcing rules about adult content.

“As a sex worker, if I put anything like ‘I will do anything for you, I will make you come in a minute’ I would be deleted in an instant,” says Gemma Rose, director of the Pole Dance Stripper Movement, a UK-based sex-worker rights and pole-dance event organization.

Meta’s policies forbid users from showing nudity or sexual activity and selling sex, including sexting. Rose and other sex-worker advocates say the company seems to apply a double standard in permitting chatbot apps to promote NSFW experiences while barring human sex workers from doing the same.

People who post about sex education, sex positivity, or sex work have for years complained the platform unfairly quashes their content. Meta has limited some of Rose’s posts from being shown to non-followers, screenshots seen by WIRED show. Her personal Instagram account and one for her organization have previously been suspended for violating Meta policies.

“Not that I agree with a lot of the community guidelines and rules and regulations, but these [ads] blatantly go against their own policies,” says Rose of the sexual chatbots promoted on Meta platforms. “And yet we’re not allowed to be uncensored on the internet or just exist and make a living.”

WIRED surveyed chatbot ads using Meta’s ad library, a transparency tool that can be used to see all the ads currently running across its platforms, all ads shown in the EU in the past year, and past ads from the past seven years related to elections, politics, or social issues. Searches showed that at least 29,000 ads had been published on Meta platforms for explicit AI “girlfriends,” with most using suggestive, sex-related messaging. There were also at least 19,000 ads using the term “NSFW” and 14,000 offering “NSFW AI.”

Some 2,700 ads were active when WIRED contacted Meta last week. A few days later Meta spokesperson Ryan Daniels said that the company prohibits ads that contain adult content and was reviewing the ads and removing those that violated its policies. “When we identify violating ads we work quickly to remove them, as we’re doing here,” he said. “We continue to improve our systems, including how we detect ads and behavior that go against our policies.”

However, 3,000 ads for “AI girlfriends” and 1,100 containing “NSFW” were live on April 23, according to Meta’s ad library.

WIRED’s initial review found that Hush, an AI girlfriend app downloaded more than 100,000 times from Google’s Play store, had published 1,700 ads across Meta platforms, several of which promise “NSFW” chats and “secret photos” from a range of lifelike female characters, anime women, and cartoon animals.

One shows an AI woman locked into medieval prison stocks by the neck and wrists, pledging, “Help me, I will do anything for you.” Another ad, targeted using Meta’s technology at men aged 18 to 65, features an anime character and the text “Want to see more of NSFW pics?”

Several of the 980 Meta ads WIRED found for “personalized AI companion” app Rosytalk promise around-the-clock chats with very-young-looking AI-generated women. They used tags including “#barelylegal,” “#goodgirls,” and “teens.” Rosytalk also ran 990 ads under at least nine brand names on Meta platforms, including Rosygirl, Rosy Role Play Chat, and AI Chat GPT.

At least 13 other apps for AI “girlfriends” have promoted similar services in Meta ads, including “nudifying” features that allow a user to “undress” their AI girlfriend and download the images. A handful of the girlfriend ads had already been removed for violating Meta’s advertising standards. “Undressing” apps have also been marketed on mainstream social platforms, according to social media research firm Graphika, and on LinkedIn, the Daily Mail recently reported.

Some users of so-called AI companions say they can help combat loneliness, with others reporting them feeling like a real partner. Not all of the ads found by WIRED promote only titillation, with some also suggesting that an explicit AI chatbot could provide emotional support. “Talk to anyone! You’re not alone!” reads one of Hush’s ads on Meta platforms.

Carolina Are, an innovation fellow researching social media censorship at the Center for Digital Citizens at Northumbria University in the UK, says that Meta makes it extremely difficult for human sex workers to advertise on its platforms, she says. “When people are trying to work through and profit off their own body, they are forbidden,” says Are, who has helped sex workers reactivate lost and unfairly suspended accounts on Meta platforms. “While AI companies mostly powered by bros that exploit images already out there are able to do that.”

Are says the sexually suggestive AI girlfriends remind her of the unsophisticated and generic early days of internet porn. “Sex workers engage with their customers, subscribers, and followers in a way that is more personalized,” she says. “This is a lot of work and emotional labor beyond the sharing of nude images.”

Limited information is available about how the AI apps are built or the underlying text or image-generation algorithms trained. One used the name Sora, apparently to suggest a connection to OpenAI’s video generator of that name, which has not been publicly released.

The developers behind the apps advertising explicit AI girlfriends are shadowy. None of the developers listed on Google Play or Facebook as creating the apps promoted on Meta’s platforms responded to requests for comment.

Mike Stabile, director of public affairs at the Free Speech Coalition, an adult-industry nonprofit trade association, sees the apps promising explicit AI girlfriends and their advertising tactics as “scammy.” While the adult industry is banned from advertising online, AI apps are “flooding the zone,” he says. “That’s the paradox of censorship: You end up censoring or silencing an actual sex worker and allowing all these weeds to flourish in their place.”

Anti-sex-trafficking legislation signed into US law in 2018 called FOSTA-SESTA made platforms responsible for what is posted online, vastly limiting adult content. However, it resulted in consensual sex work being treated as trafficking in the digital world, shutting adult content creators out of online life and making already marginalized sex workers more vulnerable.

If Meta wipes the AI girlfriend ads from its platforms, it might emulate past sweeps of human sex workers. Despite diligently trying to follow Meta’s guidelines, the Pole Dance Stripper Movement’s account was banned “without warning” during a wave of removals of at least 45 sexuality-related accounts in June 2023, Rose says. Meta eventually rolled back some of the deletions, citing an error. But for sex workers on social media, such events are a recurring feature.

Rose’s personal account and its backup were also deleted in June 2021 during the Covid pandemic after she shared a photo, she says, of a pole-dancing workshop. She was hosting online pole-dancing classes and posting on the adult subscription site OnlyFans at the time. “My business was gone overnight,” she says. “I didn’t have a way to sustain myself.”

“OK, so I got deleted,” Rose adds. “But these companies are allowed to put out this kind of shit that sex workers aren’t allowed to? It makes no sense.”

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

Today (May 7), I’m in Berkeley at the Bay Area Book Festival for an 11AM event with Wendy Liu for my book Chokepoint Capitalism.

Weds (May 10), I’m in Vancouver for a keynote at the Open Source Summit and a book event for Red Team Blues at Heritage Hall and Thu (May 11), I’m in Calgary for Wordfest.

#20yrsago Future of Music coalition open letter on media consolidation https://web.archive.org/web/20030504023803/http://www.futureofmusic.org/news/fccmusicianletter.cfm

#20yrsago The Web makes writing better https://web.archive.org/web/20030509221227/http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/story/0,3605,950915,00.html

#20yrsago A (dangerous) primer on hardware hacking https://hackingthexbox.com

#15yrsago House passes bill that will let the RIAA take away your home for downloading music https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-110hr4279rh/pdf/BILLS-110hr4279rh.pdf

#15yrsago Using a record-cutter to turn old CDs into 45RPM singles https://web.archive.org/web/20080502021126/http://www.futuresonic.com/08/art/cdrecycled/

#15yrsago BBC sends legal threat over fan’s Dr Who knitting patterns https://www.openrightsgroup.org/blog/bbc-removes-doctor-who-fans-knitting-patterns-from-the-web/

#15yrsago Band “shoots” video by sending Data Protection Act requests to CCTVs that caught them performing https://web.archive.org/web/20080510192510/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/1938076/The-Get-Out-Clause%2C-Manchester's-stars-of-CCTV-cameras.html

#15yrsago RIAA says DRM is coming back — in the future, you won’t own music https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2008/05/if-music-drm-is-dead-the-riaa-expects-its-resurrection/

#15yrsago UK blacklist of “suspicious” store clerks includes people never charged or convicted https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7389547.stm

#15yrsago HOWTO detect hidden video cameras https://www.instructables.com/How-to-locate-pinhole-cameras

#10yrsago Hedge fund managers suck at making money (for you) https://www.cnbc.com/id/100718881

#10yrsago HOWTO build a working digital computer out of paperclips (and stuff) https://memex.craphound.com/2013/05/08/howto-build-a-working-digital-computer-out-of-paperclips-and-stuff/

#10yrsago Disney files trademark application for “Dia de Los Muertos” https://web.archive.org/web/20130508212616/http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-dia-de-los-muertos-trademark-62484/

#10yrsago Faced with excommunication threat, Irish PM explains separation of church and state to Cardinal https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politicians-have-responsibility-to-legislate-on-abortion-issue-1.1383262

#5yrsago Georgia’s governor has vetoed SB 315, the state’s catastrophically stupid cybersecurity law https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/05/victory-georgia-governor-vetoes-short-sighted-computer-crime-law

#5yrsago Equifax finally publishes a tally of what got breached when it left 146.6 million credit files unsecured https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/05/equifax-breach-exposed-millions-of-drivers-licenses-phone-numbers-emails/

#5yrsago Over 55,000 security camera DVRs are vulnerable to an exploit so simple it fits in a tweet https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-hacking-tool-lets-users-access-a-bunch-of-dvrs-and-their-video-feeds/

#5yrsago Jeff Sessions tells border guards to separate children from their parents https://www.alternet.org/2018/05/jeff-sessions-says-border-agents-will-separate-undocumented-kids-their-families

#5yrsago An upcoming Supreme Court ruling could force all workers into forced arbitration, deprived of the right to class lawsuits https://www.epi.org/blog/the-supreme-court-is-poised-to-make-forced-arbitration-nearly-inescapable/

#5yrsago Welsh police deployed facial recognition tech with a 92% false positive rate, but they’re sure it’s fine https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/05/uk-police-say-92-percent-false-positive-facial-recognition-is-no-big-deal/

#5yrsago Should I use an algorithm here? EFF’s 5-point checklist https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/05/math-cant-solve-everything-questions-we-need-be-asking-deciding-algorithm-answer

#5yrsago Google announces ad-ban for sleazy bail-bonds companies https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/05/first-google-banned-payday-loan-ads-now-it-will-ban-bail-bond-ads/

#5yrsago AT&T to the Supreme Court: “Fuck the FTC” https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/05/att-will-ask-supreme-court-to-cripple-the-ftcs-authority-over-broadband/

#5yrsago Here’s why everyone in the world just emailed you a new privacy policy https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/05/why-am-i-getting-all-these-terms-service-update-emails

Catch me on tour with Red Team Blues in Berkeley, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, DC, Gaithersburg, Oxford, Hay, Manchester, Nottingham, London, and Berlin!

[sentro-knittingmachinecom]

These machines can be used for various knitting techniques, including plain knitting, ribbing, and intricate patterns "wwwsentro-knittingmachinecom_2023" circular sock machine for sale

Knitting machines are devices used to automate the process of knitting fabric or garments. They come in various types, such as manual knitting machines, punch card machines, and electronic machines. These machines can be used for various knitting techniques, including plain knitting, ribbing, and intricate patterns "wwwsentro-knittingmachinecom_2023" circular sock machine for sale.

If the Sentro knitting machine is a new product, I recommend searching for up-to-date information online, checking manufacturer websites, or reaching out to knitting machine suppliers or manufacturers for more details about its features and capabilities.

A knitting machine is a device that automates the process of knitting fabric or garments. It allows you to create knitted items quickly and efficiently. Knitting machines come in various types and sizes sentro knitting machine uk, ranging from small portable models to large industrial machines. They can be categorized into three main types:

1 knitting maching.Manual Knitting Machines: These machines are operated by hand and require manual manipulation of the needles and yarn. They usually consist of a bed with latch hooks or needles that hold the yarn and create the stitches. Manual knitting machines are popular among hobbyists and individuals who enjoy hand-operated crafting.

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3.Electronic Knitting Machines: These machines are more advanced and utilize electronic components to control the knitting process. They often have built-in computers or programmable interfaces that allow you to create and store custom patterns. Electronic knitting machines offer a wide range of features and functionalities, including stitch manipulation, pattern design, and automatic stitch counting.

Knitting machines can be used to create various knitted items, such as sweaters, scarves, hats, blankets, and more. They can significantly speed up the knitting process and enable you to experiment with different stitch patterns and designs. Relate Articles: hat knit machine

[mitita255]

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[marketresreasrch]

Feminine Hygiene Products Market: Driving Innovation in Women’s Health and Wellness

Feminine Hygiene Products Market Values : 

The global Feminine Hygiene Products Market Size was valued at USD XX Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach from USD XX Billion billion in 2024 to USD XX Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period.

Feminine Hygiene Products Market Report Scope and Research Methodology

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the global landscape of the Feminine Hygiene Products Market, focusing on current industry trends, key players, and emerging technologies. It aims to deliver a thorough understanding of the market dynamics, including the drivers, challenges, opportunities, and risks that are shaping the growth of the computer vision industry. To ensure accuracy and reliability, the research methodology combines both primary and secondary data sources.

Request for a sample of this research report : https://straitsresearch.com/report/feminine-hygiene-products-market/request-sample 

The report offers a detailed examination of the leading companies within the Feminine Hygiene Products Market. It discusses their strategies to enhance market share and maintain a competitive edge in various sectors, utilizing approaches such as strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographic expansion, and the launch of new products. This analysis provides insights into the strategic initiatives, product offerings, performance, and operational divisions of these companies, offering a clear view of the competitive landscape.

Global Feminine Hygiene Products Market Growth

Furthermore, the report helps decision-makers by providing a comprehensive view of the industry through Porter's Five Forces and PESTEL analyses, which assess both external and internal factors. These tools provide valuable insights into the industry's future outlook and guide informed decision-making.

Feminine Hygiene Products Market Regional Insights

The Regional Insights section of the report presents a detailed analysis of regional trends and dynamics influencing market growth in various parts of the world. It highlights key regional developments, infrastructure projects, and demographic shifts that are driving demand for the Feminine Hygiene Products Market. The report segments the market into five key regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. It also discusses the role of major regional players and their contributions to the overall market expansion.

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Segmental Analysis

By Usage Pattern

Disposable

Reusable

By Type

Sanitary Pads

Tampons

Panty Liners

Menstrual Cups

Others

By Distribution Channel

B2B

B2C

Store-Based Retail

Hypermarket & Supermarket

Pharmacy Stores

Convenient Stores

Specialty Stores

Others

Online Retail

Feminine Hygiene Products Market Key Players

Procter and Gamble

Unicharm Corporation

Johnson and Johnson

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget

Edgewell Personal Care

Seventh Generation

Vivanion

Lil-Lets UK Ltd.

Essity

Kao Corporation

Glenmark

Hengan International Group Company Limited

Get Access to The Full Market TOC : https://straitsresearch.com/report/feminine-hygiene-products-market/toc  

Frequently Asked Questions:

How big is the Feminine Hygiene Products Market?

Which region has the highest growth rate in the global market?

Which are the key verticals adopting the global Feminine Hygiene Products Market ?

What are the key drivers supporting the growth of the global Feminine Hygiene Products Market?

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[tafkarfanfic]

That transition to electric light and autos was slower than previous poster states, but as the transformation rolled on it accelerated, and that’s what we are experiencing now.

My mom was born in 1947. Her earliest memories were of going to the Haymarket in Boston with her mom to get groceries. A few of the farmers still came with a horse and cart. That was probably 1949 or 1950.

I think the transition moved faster in some ways in Europe, just because so many horses were killed in World War I. If all your horses had been requisitioned by the army and slaughtered on the battlefield, why not move on to a motorcar for that empty barn?

People were not all using candles in 1890. Candles had been phasing out for decades by then. Gas lighting started in the late 1700s. There are still old Victorians in San Francisco that survived the 1906 earthquake with functional gas lighting; my friends live in one. I used to live in a house that still had live gas lines that led to where the light fixtures used to be. (They’d run electric lines along them. The insulation was rolled-up newspapers from the 1800s. Old houses have problems.) If a house was built between 1850 and 1890 in an urban area of the US, it was probably outfitted for gas lighting.

But electric lighting was also happening as early as the 1840s, mostly outdoors. Joseph Swan, working for Thomas Edison, invented the commercial incandescent light bulb in 1870, and then electrified the part of New York that housed the wealthiest and most influential people. Once they had electric everyone wanted it. By the mid-1890s it was common for a house to be built with knob and tube electricity in urban areas of the US. This synced with a population explosion in cities like Boston, New York and San Francisco (so a lot of older homes still have this kind of wiring which is…not great!) And that’s why you had a drastic sudden switch to electrically wired houses in the 1890s - the technology advanced in sync with an enormous building boom. In the UK it was a lot slower (mostly post-WWI, I think).

The transition to the internet has taken longer than people think. I was online in 1988 and I have friends who were online even earlier. We didn’t have the Web yet; everything was text (including ASCII art). Think of this as the “early incandescent bulb” era.

(Please note that none of the below applies to France, which had Minitel from the early 1980s. If you don’t know what Minitel was I beg you to look it up; it’s really interesting.)

The first inflection point was the web browser, which made things easier to navigate. You typed in an address, you pointed and clicked. This is like the incandescent bulb. But it took a while before it got there.

The second inflection point was the iPhone.

Before that, mobile phones existed that had Internet access, but it was really rudimentary and mostly good for email. I remember the day the iPhone launched (June 29, 2007) because I stood in line all night in front of the Apple Store in Santa Monica to get one. Not for me, for my boss. I couldn’t afford one. Much like Edison, Steve Jobs got this device in the hands of wealthy and influential people, who created the demand for him.

What no one remembers now is how difficult it was to connect your phone and your computer up until then. Apple made it easy. They made it easy to email photos and to send them to your laptop. (If you had a Mac.) And that big screen made it possible to browse the Web like you would on a laptop. And you could just use your finger rather than having to use arrow keys or a tiny trackball to move from link to link. This may not sound like an innovation, but it was. Especially if your job meant you had to look at websites while on the go.

Everyone had to have a phone with a big screen after that, and BlackBerry, which had been dominant because it made email easy, got crushed really fast.

It also rapidly led to the always-on work thing we are in now. I worked for a startup in 2007, and when we left the office that was it. We weren’t expected to keep an eye on our work when we left the office, because our jobs were on the Web, and how would we access that unless we were on a laptop or computer? (I mean, the answer to that was we routinely worked 12-14 hour days in the office, but when we left we were GONE.)

Anyway. Transition starts slow and then moves really fast. In the past 15 years we just went through a fast bit.

we were the liminal kids. alive before the internet, just long enough we remember when things really were different.

when i work in preschools, the hand signal kids make for phone is a flat palm, their fingers like brackets. i still make the pinky-and-thumb octave stretch when i "pick up" to respond to them.

the symbol to save a file is a floppy disc. the other day while cleaning out my parents' house, i found a collection of over a hundred CDs, my mom's handwriting on each of them. first day of kindergarten. playlist for beach trip '94. i don't have a device that can play any of these anymore - none of my electronics are compatible. there are pieces of my childhood buried under these, and i cannot access them. but they do exist, which feels special.

my siblings and i recently spent hours digitizing our family's photos as a present for my mom's birthday. there's a year where the pictures just. stop. cameras on phones got to be too good. it didn't make sense to keep getting them developed. and there are a quite a few years that are lost to us. when we were younger, mementos were lost to floods. and again, while i was in middle school, google drive wasn't "a thing". somewhere out there, there are lost memories on dead laptops. which is to say - i lost it to the flood twice, kind of.

when i teach undergrad, i always feel kind of slapped-in-the-face. they're over 18, and they don't remember a classroom without laptops. i remember when my school put in the first smartboard, and how it was a huge privilege. i used the word walkman once, and had to explain myself. we are only separated by a decade. it feels like we are separated by so much more than that.

and something about ... being half-in half-out of the world after. it marks you. i don't know why. but "real adults" see us as lost children, even though many of us are old enough to have a mortgage. my little sister grew up with more access to the internet than i did - and she's only got 4 years of difference. i know how to write cursive, and i actually think it's good practice for kids to learn too - it helps their motor development. but i also know they have to be able to touch-type way faster than was ever required from me.

in between, i guess. i still like to hand-write most things, even though typing is way faster and more accessible for me. i still wear a pj shirt from when i was like 18. i don't really understand how to operate my parents' smart tv. the other day when i got seriously injured, i used hey siri to call my brother. but if you asked me - honestly, i prefer calling to texting. a life in anachronisms. in being a little out-of-phase. never quite in synchronicity.

[gadgetsboy]

From a certain point of view, Apple's recent launch of the 2024 Mac Mini seemed like somewhat of a challenge to rival manufacturers, which almost seems to say "this is how you do compact premium computing hardware." Of course Apple isn't the first company to do compact computing hardware (and it certainly won't be the last), but as far as the product segment goes there's not a lot of products from the usual mainstream brands. CHECK OUT: Apple Drops the 2024 Mac Mini: New Look, New Chip, and More! What is it Exactly? With that in mind, Microsoft's new "Windows 365 Link" (that's quite a name) brings to mind all the hallmark traits of a compact computer, such as a rather portable design, all the essential ports and connectivity options, and of course support for a variety of hardware peripherals. Unlike the Mac Mini however, Microsoft says that the 365 Link is more of a cloud-based computing solution for business and enterprise users. As per its name, the 365 Link is designed to connect to Windows 365 online, allowing businesses to setup "hot desks" for employees to log in with their details, from anywhere at anytime. It's a cloud-based approach, as we mentioned earlier. As such, it's not exactly something you'd get for more "mainstream" use such as gaming and content creation, for example. There is a bit of computing power, although it's mostly used for video decoding and encoding for video calls. Hardware and Software The 365 Link can support up to two 4K monitors (with HDMI and DisplayPort connections), and users can go online via the built-in gigabit Ethernet port, or wirelessly with Wi-Fi 6E. For external hardware and peripherals, Microsoft has included four USB ports consisting of three USB-A 3.2 and a single USB-C 3.2 port. For audio, there are options for wired audio with a 3.5mm headphone jack, as well as Bluetooth 5.3. As for its design, the 365 Link relies on passive cooling, so there are no fans inside; the chassis is made from a combination of recycled aluminium, Being that this is a device that's meant for business and enterprise solutions, the 365 Link's operating system is mostly locked down - this means that there are no locally-installed apps or user accounts, no locally-stored data and files, leaving everything to the cloud. Microsoft wasn't kidding when it said that this was an online-only device, and it's explicitly designed the 365 Link to work exactly as such. This now brings us to security - the computer comes with support for user authentication with Microsoft Entra ID, the Microsoft Authenticator app, QR code-based passkeys and even FIDO USB security keys. There's no need for passwords, which reduces the likelihood of the device being compromised. Pricing and Availability The Windows 365 Link will be available via preview by December 15th, 2024, with wider availability planned for the first half of 2025. It will initially launch in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan in April 2025. Priced at $350, the Windows 365 Link will require a Windows 365 Enterprise, Frontline, or Business subscription. Read the full article

[globalmediajournal]

Best Reliable IPTV Service Provider in the USA, UK (2024)

Find the best  reliable IPTV service provider in the USA and UK for 2024. Enjoy seamless stream full seasons  with trusted services and premium features.

Best IPTV Provider 2024 in USA, Canada, UK, Europe

In an age where streaming has become the go-to choice for television and entertainment, finding a reliable IPTV service provider is essential for an uninterrupted, high-quality viewing experience. The best IPTV services in the USA and UK for 2024 not only offer a vast selection of channels but also deliver consistency, top-notch picture quality, and smooth streaming. From accessing live sports and blockbuster movies to watching your favorite TV shows on-demand, a premium IPTV service can transform how you enjoy content at home. This guide explores the top reliable IPTV service providers in the USA and UK, showcasing what makes each one stand out and how they can enhance your streaming experience in 2024.

What is IPTV and How Does It Work?

IPTV, or Internet Protocol Television, is a digital television broadcasting method that delivers content over the internet, rather than through traditional terrestrial, satellite, or cable television formats. Instead of relying on cable wires or satellite signals, IPTV uses your internet connection to stream media directly to your device, offering viewers more flexibility and control over what they watch and when they watch it. This technology has gained significant popularity as internet speeds improve and more people shift away from traditional TV models.

How IPTV Works

At its core, IPTV works by transmitting video content over the same protocol used for transmitting information over the internet. Here’s a breakdown of the key components of how IPTV functions:

Content Acquisition and Encoding: First, IPTV providers acquire TV shows, movies, and live broadcasts, which are then encoded for online streaming. This encoding process compresses the files to reduce their size while maintaining quality, making it easier to deliver over the internet.

Content Delivery Network (CDN): To ensure smooth playback, IPTV providers use a CDN, which is a network of servers distributed across various locations. The CDN stores the video content, allowing for faster access and reducing buffering by delivering the data from a nearby server.

Streaming Protocol: IPTV uses various streaming protocols like HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) or Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) to deliver content to users’ devices. These protocols allow the media to be streamed in small chunks, meaning users don’t need to download an entire video file before they can start watching it.

User Interface and Middleware: The IPTV service interface allows users to browse and select content. Middleware acts as the “middleman,” managing user accounts, subscriptions, and the interface where users access content.

Internet-Connected Device: IPTV works on a range of devices, including smart TVs, set-top boxes, computers, and smartphones. By simply connecting to the internet, users can stream content on-demand or watch live channels.

Types of IPTV Services

There are three main types of IPTV services:

Live Television: Similar to traditional TV broadcasts, this allows you to watch real-time channels as they are broadcasted.

Video on Demand (VOD): VOD allows users to select and watch content whenever they want, similar to streaming services like Netflix.

Time-Shifted Media: This service lets users watch shows they missed by recording them or accessing recent broadcasts, allowing for flexible viewing.

Why Reliability Matters in IPTV Services

In the world of digital streaming, reliability is one of the most critical factors that determine a viewer’s experience. For IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) services, reliability ensures that subscribers can enjoy their favorite shows, sports events, and movies without interruptions, buffering, or poor-quality visuals. Here’s why reliability should be at the top of your checklist when choosing an IPTV service provider.

Seamless Viewing Experience

One of the biggest benefits of a reliable IPTV service is the ability to stream content smoothly without frequent buffering or lag. Unreliable services can result in frustrating interruptions, especially during live events, leaving viewers disappointed and potentially missing crucial moments. A reliable IPTV provider uses high-quality servers, stable streaming protocols, and advanced Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to ensure a seamless experience, allowing viewers to watch uninterrupted from start to finish.

High-Quality Picture and Sound

Reliable IPTV providers invest in technologies that maintain video and audio quality, even during high-traffic times. With HD and 4K content increasingly in demand, a dependable service ensures you receive these quality levels consistently. This means clearer pictures, sharper sound, and a more immersive experience overall.

Consistent Access to Channels and Content

A trustworthy IPTV service provides consistent access to a wide variety of channels and on-demand content. Unreliable providers may experience outages or lose access to certain channels, leaving users without access to content they expect. When you subscribe to a reliable IPTV service, you can trust that your favorite channels will be available whenever you want to watch.

Better Customer Support

Reliable IPTV providers tend to offer better customer support, which is essential when technical issues arise. Prompt support can quickly resolve any issues that may interrupt your streaming experience. A reliable service has a support team that’s responsive, knowledgeable, and able to address user needs efficiently.

Key Features to Look for in a Reliable IPTV Service Provider

With the growing popularity of IPTV (Internet Protocol Television), choosing a reliable provider is essential for a seamless and enjoyable viewing experience. As the demand for diverse streaming options increases, it’s important to know which features set a reliable IPTV service apart. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting an IPTV provider.

Stable and High-Quality Streaming

A top IPTV provider should deliver content smoothly, without frequent buffering or interruptions. Look for services that offer HD or 4K quality streaming, as well as adaptive bitrate technology, which adjusts the video quality based on your internet speed to ensure a continuous viewing experience. A reliable provider should also have a robust Content Delivery Network (CDN) to prevent slowdowns during peak usage times.

Comprehensive Channel Selection

An IPTV service is only as good as the content it provides. Ensure that the provider offers a wide range of channels, including local, international, and premium channels that suit your interests. Additionally, if you’re interested in niche categories like sports, news, or entertainment, the best IPTV service  provider will have dedicated packages or add-ons for these.

User-Friendly Interface

A reliable IPTV service should be easy to navigate. Look for providers that offer an intuitive user interface with features like an electronic program guide (EPG) for scheduling and recording shows, on-demand content for flexibility, and a search function to quickly find channels or shows. An easy-to-use interface can greatly enhance your streaming experience.

Compatibility with Multiple Devices

Versatility is essential in an IPTV service. Look for  IPTV service providers that support multiple devices, such as smart TVs, Android and iOS devices, computers, and streaming boxes. Being able to watch your favorite content on various devices adds convenience and flexibility to your viewing options.

Reliable Customer Support

Technical issues can arise with any service, and quick access to support can make a big difference. A reliable IPTV provider will offer 24/7 customer support with various contact options, such as live chat, phone, and email. Check reviews to ensure the provider is known for its prompt and effective support.

Flexible Subscription Options

Different users have different needs, so a good IPTV provider will offer flexible subscription plans. Whether you want monthly, quarterly, or yearly options, having a range of choices ensures you can pick a plan that suits your budget and viewing habits.

Best Reliable IPTV Service Providers in the USA and UK (2024)

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) services are more popular than ever, providing viewers with a flexible, cost-effective way to access live TV, on-demand content, and exclusive channels. With options expanding in both the USA and UK, finding a reliable IPTV provider can be key to enjoying uninterrupted, high-quality streaming. Here’s a look at some of the best and most dependable  IPTV service providers in the USA and UK this year.

Aris IPTV

the demand for high-quality IPTV services continues to rise, with users seeking seamless streaming experiences and access to diverse content. Aris IPTV has emerged as one of the top contenders in both the USA and UK markets, offering reliability, a broad range of channels, and a smooth viewing experience that stands out in a competitive landscape. Whether you're in the USA or the UK, Aris IPTV proves to be a solid choice for those looking for an affordable yet premium IPTV service.

Why Aris IPTV?

Wide Channel Selection Aris IPTV offers an extensive lineup of channels, including sports, entertainment, news, and international content. This diversity ensures there’s something for everyone, whether you're a fan of global sports, local news, or international series. In both the USA and the UK, users can access premium content from major networks and exclusive channels, ensuring a comprehensive viewing experience.

High-Quality Streaming One of the key benefits of Aris IPTV is its focus on high-quality streaming. With support for HD and 4K content, subscribers can enjoy a crisp and clear picture, even during fast-paced live sports events. Aris IPTV ensures minimal buffering, even during peak usage times, providing an uninterrupted viewing experience that many competitors struggle to match.

Flexible Pricing Plans Aris IPTV offers flexible pricing plans tailored to different budgets. Whether you’re looking for a basic package with essential channels or a premium package with all the bells and whistles, Aris IPTV provides a range of options to fit your viewing habits. The cost-effectiveness of Aris IPTV makes it an appealing option for both casual viewers and TV enthusiasts who want access to a wide range of channels at an affordable price.

Device Compatibility Aris IPTV is compatible with a wide array of devices, including smart TVs, streaming boxes, smartphones, and tablets. This versatility allows users to access their favorite content anytime, anywhere, and on their preferred devices, making it a great option for households with multiple users or those who enjoy streaming on the go.

Reliability and Customer Support Aris IPTV stands out for its reliability and customer service. With 24/7 customer support available and a strong reputation for minimal downtime, users can trust that their service will be up and running whenever they need it. Aris IPTV ensures that any technical issues are swiftly addressed, providing peace of mind to subscribers.

fuboTV has earned a strong reputation among sports enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive lineup of sports channels in addition to entertainment, news, and lifestyle options. Known for high-quality streams, fuboTV supports HD and even 4K content for live events, making it a premium choice for those who want a seamless viewing experience during high-profile matches.

NOW TV 

NOW TV is one of the most popular IPTV services in the UK, offering access to a broad range of live channels, movies, and exclusive content. With flexible packages that allow users to pick entertainment, sports, or movie bundles, NOW TV caters to various preferences. Its reliability and streaming quality make it a standout option, supported across multiple devices.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV has become a leading IPTV service in the USA and has recently expanded into the UK market, making it an attractive option on both sides of the Atlantic. Known for its clean interface, unlimited DVR storage, and broad channel selection, it covers news, sports, entertainment, and more. With reliable HD streaming and Google’s robust infrastructure, YouTube TV offers smooth playback and strong customer support.

IPTV SMARTERS 

IPTV SMARTERS is a versatile service available in both the USA and UK, providing a customizable IPTV experience. It supports live TV, on-demand, and catch-up options, with compatibility across multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. IPTV SMARTERS is known for its stability and user-friendly interface, making it a popular choice for subscribers who value quality and convenience.

Comparing IPTV Services Between the USA and UK

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) has changed how people watch TV worldwide, offering viewers access to live channels, on-demand shows, and a wide range of content online. While both the USA and UK are big markets for IPTV services, each country has unique preferences, regulations, and options that impact what IPTV services offer to subscribers. Here’s a closer look at the differences and similarities between IPTV services in the USA and UK.

Sports Content Availability

Sports content is a priority for many IPTV users, but the approach differs between the USA and UK. US providers like Aris IPTV offer extensive sports channels, including NFL, NBA, and MLB networks. In the UK, sports are often dominated by football (soccer) and rugby, with platforms like BT Sport and Sky Sports being go-to options. UK providers cater heavily to football fans, offering live coverage of the Premier League, Champions League, and other regional leagues.

Streaming Quality and Compatibility

Both markets prioritize high-quality streaming, with most IPTV services supporting HD and 4K content. Device compatibility is also similar, with most services available on smart TVs, streaming boxes, smartphones, and tablets. However, UK providers tend to have stronger integration with native devices, like supporting BBC iPlayer and other region-specific apps, while US providers focus on broader compatibility across platforms.

How to Choose the Right IPTV Provider for You

With the increasing popularity of IPTV (Internet Protocol Television), choosing the right provider can seem overwhelming. IPTV services offer a flexible and cost-effective way to watch live TV, sports, movies, and on-demand content, but with so many options available, it’s important to select a provider that best suits your viewing habits and preferences. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing the right IPTV provider for you.

Channel Selection and Content

One of the first things to consider when selecting an IPTV provider is the channel lineup. Look for a service that offers the content you’re most interested in—whether it’s sports, news, entertainment, or local channels. Some IPTV services provide comprehensive packages with a wide range of channels, while others may specialize in niche categories like sports or international content. Make sure the provider offers the specific channels and genres that match your preferences.

Streaming Quality

The quality of streaming is another essential factor. A good IPTV service should provide clear, high-definition (HD) or 4K content, especially for live events, sports, or movies. Check whether the service supports adaptive streaming, which adjusts the video quality based on your internet speed. Stability is key—look for providers known for minimal buffering or lag during peak usage times.

Device Compatibility

In today’s digital world, you’ll likely want to access your IPTV content on multiple devices. Whether you’re using a smart TV, streaming box, smartphone, or tablet, ensure that the IPTV provider is compatible with the devices you use most often. Many IPTV services offer apps for a variety of platforms, but it’s important to confirm that the service works with your preferred devices and operating systems.

Customer Support and Reliability

Lastly, reliable customer support and a good reputation for service uptime are vital. Look for IPTV providers that offer 24/7 customer support and have positive reviews for their responsiveness. A trustworthy provider will also have a strong track record for minimal downtime and quality service, ensuring you have access to content whenever you need it.

Conclusion

IPTV services have solidified their position as a leading alternative to traditional cable and satellite TV, offering flexibility, affordability, and an extensive range of content. Whether you’re in the USA or the UK, choosing a reliable IPTV service provider is essential for a seamless and enjoyable viewing experience. Ultimately, the best IPTV service provider for you will depend on your specific preferences, such as content availability, pricing, streaming quality, and device compatibility. By choosing a reliable provider that aligns with your entertainment needs, you can enjoy uninterrupted access to your favorite channels, shows, and movies—whether you're in the USA or the UK.

[rocketonthemoon]

I went and found the paper just to see what they found a little more than CBS' paywall would let me see.

"For this study, we chose a variety of disposable tampon products, representing multiple manufacturers, brands, product lines, and absorbencies. We tested a total of 24 unique brand-product line-absorbency combinations (hereafter called “products”), representing 14 brands, 18 product lines, and five absorbencies [...]. We generally selected products that were listed as top sellers on a major online retailer, as well as “store-brand” products (products with the brand name of the store where purchased or made specifically for that store) from several large chain retailers in the US. We also generally selected products with greater absorbencies to ensure there was enough material for multiple tests. We purchased tampons between September 2022 and March 2023 from brick-and-mortar stores in the US (New York City), the European Union (EU: Athens, Greece), and the United Kingdom (UK: London, England), and from two major online retailers. Tampons purchased in the EU and UK were not the same products as purchased in the US, although there was overlap for one brand [...]. Within the 24 unique products, we tested 60 tampon subsamples (hereafter called “samples”) representing 30 individual tampons (duplicate samples were prepared from each tampon)"

The paper just identifies the brands as "brand A" "brand B" and so on, so odds are it's the brand you're thinking of.

And then the summary the University of Berkeley gives says:

Researchers evaluated levels of 16 metals (arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc) in 30 tampons from 14 different brands. The metal concentrations varied by where the tampons were purchased (US vs. EU/UK), organic vs. non-organic, and store- vs. name-brand. However, they found that metals were present in all types of tampons; no category had consistently lower concentrations of all or most metals. Lead concentrations were higher in non-organic tampons but arsenic was higher in organic tampons.

For the moment, it’s unclear if the metals detected by this study are contributing to any negative health effects. Future research will test how much of these metals can leach out of the tampons and be absorbed by the body; as well as measuring the presence of other chemicals in tampons

edit: it was my computer being silly. the CBS article isn't paywalled but I'm still glad I went and read the paper!

OH FFS WHAT NOW!!!

...This isn't something I need to worry about any more, but I pass it on here for the attention of those who use these...