#Future of Data Migration

[websyn]

A Strategic Approach to Cloud Migration: How Web Synergies Ensures a Seamless Transition

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses are increasingly recognising the need for a well-planned cloud migration strategy. Moving operations to the cloud isn’t just about upgrading technology—it’s a critical step towards improving efficiency, scalability, and resilience. However, without expert guidance, this transition can present unforeseen challenges. At Web Synergies, we’ve fine-tuned our approach to ensure that cloud migration is a smooth, secure, and beneficial process for businesses of all sizes.

Why Cloud Migration Matters

As industries embrace digital transformation, cloud adoption has become essential for organisations to remain competitive. A successful cloud migration enables:

Increased Operational Efficiency: Cloud solutions allow businesses to streamline operations, reduce downtime, and eliminate costly on-premises hardware.

Enhanced Data Security: Today’s cloud platforms come with advanced security measures to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Scalability and Flexibility: With cloud infrastructure, businesses can effortlessly scale resources to meet changing demands and support growth.

However, the journey to the cloud requires careful planning and a tailored approach. That’s where Web Synergies stands out.

Web Synergies’ Proven Cloud Migration Strategy

Our team at Web Synergies understands that every business has unique requirements and goals. By focusing on a strategy-driven migration process, we ensure that each step aligns with your specific business objectives. Here’s how we do it:

Assessment and Planning The foundation of a successful migration is a thorough assessment. We begin by evaluating your existing infrastructure, identifying critical applications, and pinpointing potential challenges. Our team creates a migration roadmap that prioritises business continuity and minimises disruption.

Customised Migration Pathway Whether you’re moving to a public, private, or hybrid cloud, Web Synergies tailors the migration pathway to best suit your organisational needs. Our customised approach ensures that your business enjoys the full benefits of the cloud without unnecessary complications.

Data Security and Compliance In today’s digital age, data security is paramount. Web Synergies employs the latest security protocols, ensuring your data remains safe throughout the migration. Our compliance-focused solutions meet industry standards, offering peace of mind that your information is protected.

Optimising and Testing A seamless transition means thorough testing. Before the full migration, we conduct rigorous testing to identify and resolve any issues. This ensures a stable and optimised cloud environment tailored to your specific needs.

Post-Migration Support Our commitment doesn’t end once the migration is complete. We provide ongoing support to help you navigate your new cloud environment, optimise costs, and leverage advanced cloud features for enhanced productivity.

Benefits of Choosing Web Synergies for Cloud Migration

Partnering with Web Synergies means more than just moving to the cloud. It’s about setting your business up for success in a digital-first world. Here’s what sets us apart:

Proven Expertise: Our seasoned team has a wealth of experience across various industries, ensuring a smooth migration that fits your needs.

Future-Ready Solutions: We design scalable cloud solutions that not only support your current requirements but are flexible enough to adapt to future demands.

Enhanced Agility: With our cloud migration services, your business gains the agility to respond quickly to market changes, fostering innovation and growth.

Embrace the Cloud with Confidence

Migrating to the cloud is a significant step in your business’s digital journey. With Web Synergies’ strategic approach, you can make this transition confidently, knowing you have a partner committed to your success. From assessment and planning to post-migration support, we’re here to ensure that your journey to the cloud is seamless and secure.

Ready to take your business to new heights with cloud migration? Partner with Web Synergies today to experience a smooth, strategic, and secure move to the cloud.

[fusiondynamics]

Secure Cloud Backups for Business Data- Fusion Dynamics -2024

Fusion Dynamics offers advanced data protection solutions with scalable, secure cloud storage to safeguard your business-critical information from cyber threats, system failures, or disasters. With their solutions, businesses can ensure data integrity and access it remotely whenever needed. Elevate your business’s data protection strategy with seamless, reliable cloud backup services.

Cloud Backups for Business

Leverage our prowess in every aspect of computing technology to build a modern data center.

Choose us as your technology partner to ride the next wave of digital evolution!

Datacom

Therefore, high-performing and resilient Datacom products are essential for the smooth operation of numerous industries, such as banking, healthcare, retail, transportation, telecommunication, and entertainment.

Advantages of our DATACOM product offerings

Exhaustive Product Portfolio

Therefore, organizations and establishments can select the networking solution best suited to their needs in terms of transmission range, cost, and acceptable attenuation levels.

Ease of Deployment

We ensure ease of installation and maintenance with our carefully curated toolkits and lightweight, compact, and robust products.

High Performance and Reliability

Furthermore, our products are compliant with the latest design standards to build state-of-the-art data infrastructures.

Contact Us

+91 95388 99792

aditya@fusiondynamics.io

Explore Fusion Dynamics’ offerings here: Cloud Backups for Business.

[primepaginequotidiani]

PRIMA PAGINA Usa Today di Oggi giovedì, 17 ottobre 2024

[mobio-solutions]

Hey everyone! 👋 Just wanted to share something cool. Imagine a journey where every step is perfectly tailored for you. That's what we're talking about with 'Data Detour: Your Tailored Path to Cloud Supremacy.' This is where precision meets innovation, guiding you to smarter decisions and unparalleled efficiency in the cloud. Join us in mastering the cloud your way.

[jcmarchi]

How to Plan a Smooth NetSuite ERP Implementation Process - Technology Org

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/how-to-plan-a-smooth-netsuite-erp-implementation-process-technology-org/

How to Plan a Smooth NetSuite ERP Implementation Process - Technology Org

NetSuite ERP implementation can significantly impact an organization’s operations and efficiency. No matter what type of business you’re in, when it comes to NetSuite implementation, the process requires concise planning and execution. Regarding cost, ROI, and resource allocation, ERP implementation efforts need a commitment to ensure project success. 55% of ERP system implementations fail to meet their objectives, and 35% of ERP system implementations go over budget.

Therefore, successful implementations depend on selecting the proper implementation process and following best practices for a smooth and successful transition.

ERP software simplifies many processes in modern enterprises. Associative photo by Luis Villasmil via Unsplash, free license

NetSuite ERP implementation options for businesses

There are three options for the NetSuite implementation process, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s delve deeper into these options:

Self-implementation

 Self-implementation involves an organization responsible for deploying NetSuite without external assistance. While it is technically possible, it is only recommended if the organization has prior experience in successfully architecting, configuring, and deploying complex business applications.

To embark on a self-implementation, an organization needs to have an in-house team with extensive knowledge of NetSuite and ERP systems. This team will guide the entire implementation process from start to finish. Remember that during the NetSuite ERP implementation period, the in-house team’s entire focus will be on the project, potentially reducing their capacity to handle regular business operations.

Benefits:

Complete control over the NetSuite ERP implementation.

Potentially lower costs compared to hiring external consultants.

Drawbacks:

High level of expertise is required, which may not be available in-house.

Risk of errors or delays due to lack of experience.

Diversion of resources from regular business tasks.

NetSuite Direct Implementation

NetSuite Direct Implementation involves utilizing NetSuite’s internal team to assist with the implementation. Since NetSuite’s team is intimately familiar with the software’s capabilities and features, this option is best suited for standard installations with minimal customization or complexity.

It’s important to note that NetSuite Direct Implementation may not offer post-installation support as a standard offering, so organizations should consider whether they require ongoing assistance beyond the initial implementation.

Benefits:

Expertise from the creators of the software.

Familiarity with standard installations and best practices.

Drawbacks:

Limited support for post-go-live maintenance and assistance.

May not be suitable for complex or highly customized implementations.

Partner Implementation

Partner Implementation involves working with an external NetSuite implementation partner, which consists of experienced contractors specializing in ERP deployments, including NetSuite.

Choosing the right NetSuite partner is crucial for a successful implementation. These partners often offer deeper expertise than the other options and can handle more complex and industry-specific use cases. They can also provide post-go-live maintenance and support, ensuring the organization’s long-term success with NetSuite.

Benefits:

Specialized expertise in the NetSuite implementation process.

Post-go-live maintenance and support.

Industry-specific knowledge for tailored solutions.

Drawbacks:

Higher implementation costs compared to self or direct implementation.

Potential variability in partner quality, requiring thorough evaluation.

NetSuite Implementation Process

Managers need to follow These success-proven best practices for a smooth NetSuite implementation process.

Project Planning and Management: Start with a well-defined project plan that outlines the scope, objectives, timeline, and resources required for the implementation. Assign a dedicated project manager and assemble a competent team to handle different implementation aspects.

Business Process Analysis: Thoroughly analyze your existing business processes and identify areas that can be improved or streamlined with NetSuite ERP. This step will help you customize NetSuite to meet your organization’s needs.

Data Migration and Integration: Plan for a seamless data transfer from your old systems to NetSuite. Ensure data accuracy and consistency by cleansing and validating the data before migration. Additionally, integrate NetSuite with other essential applications to maintain data flow and avoid silos.

Customization vs. Configuration: NetSuite offers a high level of flexibility through configuration and customization. Prioritize configuration over customization to minimize complexity and future upgrade issues. Only opt for customization when necessary.

User Training and Change Management: Investing in comprehensive user training is crucial to maximize adoption and minimize resistance to change. Engage employees throughout the process, communicate NetSuite’s benefits, and proactively address concerns.

Testing and Quality Assurance: Rigorously test the system before going live to identify and rectify any issues. Conduct test scenarios to ensure that NetSuite functions as expected and aligns with your business requirements.

Data Security and Access Controls: Pay special attention to data security and access controls. Define roles and permissions clearly, ensuring that users have access only to the information they need to perform their duties.

Continuous Support and Maintenance: After the implementation, provide ongoing support to address any post-go-live issues and optimize system performance. Stay updated with NetSuite upgrades and patches to exploit new features and bug fixes.

Engage with NetSuite Partners or Consultants: Consider working with experienced NetSuite partner or consultants to guide you through the implementation process. Their expertise can help you avoid common pitfalls and make the most of the ERP system.

Conclusion

With all the above-mentioned best practices, you can enhance the chances of a successful NetSuite ERP implementation, improving efficiency, better data management, and overall business growth. Remember that every organization is unique, so tailor the implementation process to your needs and goals.

[mapsontheweb]

Projected population growth rate for 2024, based on births, deaths, and migration.

How many people are alive today? How many are born; how many die? What do we expect populations to look like in the future? The United Nations updates its big dataset — the World Population Prospects — every two years to answer these questions. It just released its latest edition. These maps show the UN’s projected population growth rate for 2024 based on births, deaths, and migration flows. In the first map, you can see the world at a glance; in subsequent maps, you can view each continent. These projections are based on the UN’s “medium scenario”, in which assumptions about birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns are used to build a picture of demographic change over time. 🔗 Click the link in our bio to explore key findings from the UN’s 2024 World Population Prospects. Data source: World Population Prospects (2024)

by ourworldindata

[reasonsforhope]

"There’s something deeply comical about suggesting that seagulls are smart enough to wait for you to look away before stealing your french fries, but dumb enough to fly into wind turbine blades.

A two-year study on the interactions of several seabird species at an offshore wind farm found that not a single case of birdstrike was recorded over the study period or in the 10,000 videos taken.

Looking at herring gulls, gannets, kittiwakes, and great black-backed gulls, Swedish state wind company Vattenfall found that most of the birds maintained a 50 to 230-yard distance between themselves and the radius of the spinning turbines.

“This is the first time that any kind of bird species has been studied this closely and in detail at an offshore wind farm,” said study author Henrik Skov. “And these birds are really good at avoiding the turbines. Now we need studies on more varieties.”

The study was conducted on a wind farm consisting of 11 offshore turbines near Aberdeen, Scotland. It used radar surveys and mounted video cameras to gather data.

Why these seabirds avoided the turbines could be down to the individual species observed since other studies have shown seabirds tend to rank high in offshore wind turbine mortality, and of medium risk for land-based wind turbine mortality.

Skov also offered that it could be the turbines are, for one reason or another, outside of prominent flight corridors, and therefore aren’t where birds have historically flown either for migration and nesting purposes, or feeding.

The study is a big milestone in scientists’ attempts to learn how and where to build wind turbines so that they don’t interfere with birds’ flight patterns. If there is something in the data of this study or future observations that could reveal the secret as to why there was no mortality at the Aberdeen wind farm, it could mean that hundreds of thousands of birds could be saved in the future."

-Good News Network, 3/31/23

[probablyasocialecologist]

Scaling up afforestation could be beautiful. The same goes for soil carbon sequestration—using methods like no-till, crop rotation, and/or regenerative grazing to store more carbon in soils. Agroforestry, or growing crops along with trees, can be a win-win for farmers seeking to diversify their crops. Blue carbon, or sequestering carbon in coastal ecosystems like sea-grasses and mangroves, could double as coastal protection for communities and support adaptation.

These strategies to remove carbon could also be dystopian, depending on who goes about them and how. Imagine a network of satellites and sensors feeding data to platforms 24/7, optimizing each square meter of land to sequester carbon. That could be great—but now imagine it’s run by a mega platform whose main aim is to allocate lowest cost carbon removals to algorithmic bidders. Companies procure carbon removals as needed based upon their changing forecasts, and speculators also exchange carbon removal futures, reserving vast areas of land from food production. The land is optimized for carbon, not grasshoppers, birds, or salamanders. Formerly forest-dwelling communities have long since left or been forced away, migrating to megacities, their cultural practices threatened with erasure. Despite early gestures toward vague “co-benefits,” the discourse of climate emergency has led the lands of the world to be optimized for a sole purpose. This is one extreme end-of-the-century scenario, but it could be the direction that carbon logics + artificial intelligence + a state of climate emergency + a lack of socioecological systems thinking points us toward.

Holly Jean Buck, Ending Fossil Fuels: Why Net Zero is Not Enough

[aidoubackster]

Twitter's ToS update summary

It's a bit of a long post, but there's also spacing and it's divided in sections. There's a TL;DR at the end. Recently (around the 17th of October of 2024) Twitter has changed its Terms of Service (ToS) and announced a change in how the blocking feature will work now. Updating and changing a platform's ToS is normal; the problem comes from what changed, specially for users from outside the European Union, in regards of how the content they upload on Twitter can be used. By using the platform you agree that your content can be used to train Twitter's AI and there's no way of opting out. For now, any Twitter's users in Europe are safe of their content automatically being used as data training for AI due to data protection laws. This article explains the situation better and links to Twitter's current and coming ToS: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-updates-terms-service/730223/

But there's also another update, about the blocking feature. "Soon we’ll be launching a change to how the block function works. If your posts are set to public, accounts you have blocked will be able to view them, but they will not be able to engage (like, reply, repost, etc.)." From here: https://x.com/XEng/status/1846605254864888180 or see it from a Twitter front-end like Nitter to see the full thread and replies without having a Twitter account: https://nitter.poast.org/XEng/status/1846605254864888180 This makes it easier to stalk someone, it makes impossible for NSFW accounts to block minors and it raises questions about what use has now blocking. If I block a user does that mean that the algorithm will show me their posts too?

If these changes are not something you want, you might be considering changing platforms. But there are some things to consider or plan before doing it:

An alternative to Twitter (in the format sense) can be Bluesky or Mastodon. There are more but these two seem to be the most popular ones so they will have more users to interact with.

If you plan to migrate, it's better to not abandon and delete your Twitter account immediately or even delete it at all. Instead, announce your decision and give a chance to your followers to follow you again on the new platform.

Also pin a post on Twitter saying why you left. By declaring why are you leaving there's record of why the platform is losing traffic and engagement (losing money for the business and investors), so it's something that it might be noted in future and get reversed.

Before leaving, due to the new changes on the blocking feature, you can report the app on the Google Store and possibly the Apple Store. This user explains how to do it on the Google Store: https://nitter.poast.org/RepinWolf/status/1846802988318224876

You can always use a RSS feed to check accounts on Twitter or other social media without making an account to subscribe or follow the user. Feeder is a good RSS feed aggregator app for mobile

Consider what you want to delete. Maybe key content or maybe mostly everything (besides the statement and "Where can you find me" posts).

There are scripts and apps that help you mass delete tweets, replies and remove likes. Note: I am linking two of each that seem good and are free, but I haven't been able to confirm if they are 100% trustworthy. Proceed at your own risk and investigate further before trying them: Scripts to delete Tweets and more:

https://github.com/lucahammer/tweetXer

https://github.com/Lyfhael/DeleteTweets Apps that delete Tweets with a free plan available (with limitations!)

CircleBloom: https://circleboom.com/twitter-management-tool/plans-and-pricing

Redact: https://redact.dev/pricing

TL;DR: There are two main changes in Twitter as of the 17th of October of 2024. By using the platform you agree that your content can be used to train Twitter's AI and there's no way of opting out, except for European users. The blocking feature will change. Users that you block will still be able to see your content. If you want to leave Twitter, there are alternatives like Mastodon or Bluesky. It's also good to not do it right away; instead, let your followers know that you are leaving, make a pined post saying why you left and other places to find you. Also consider what you want to delete (so the AI doesn't have training material). There are scripts and apps that can mass delete your account's content for free. This post is a summary from another post, (that can be found here), without the screenshot and extra information. The wonderful star dividers are done by @enchanthings

[pangolin-404]

little (big) announcement

Well, looks like Tumblr has taken the turn to sell data to Midjourney.

According to my archive, I've been in here for 6 or so years. I've stuck with this site for a long time, and believe it or not I'd call this hellsite a net positive for my life. I never intended to leave, even when Tumblr was boiled down to its skeleton crew. I thought I'd go out with the whole site when the servers rotted away. I've heard rumors that the CEO was taking a gander at AI but I never thought it'd pull through since the Tumblr userbase is vocally anti-AI. And, lo and behold, they slipped it as an opt-out thing into the settings very casually.

I want to hold out hope that the resulting backlash will urge Tumblr's CEO (as I don't blame most of the staff for this) to back out, but the trust has been damaged greatly over the past few months.

I do not want my art or writing or anything to be used to feed AI. As for my art, I am hesitant to keep posting here. I don't know what I'm waiting for. But if that nebulous reckoning of the end times comes, I will log out. I think I'm too emotionally attached to delete my account.

I have a Bluesky account which I am thinking of wholly migrating to. That feels weird to say; I never thought I'd make a social media account anywhere else. I made a lot of friends on Tumblr (who I am connected to via Discord and not strictly here, thankfully), and will be hunting for people I follow on BSKY as well.

I know, inevitably, not everyone will migrate to BSKY. Some people will choose Cohost (I did make an account there, but so few people I know here go there, it's not my first choice) or Dreamwidth as their new platforms of choice. But for those who are moving to Bluesky, I hope to find them.

I really don't want to leave Tumblr. Its culture and UI is truly one of a kind and is the biggest reason I've stayed. I don't want to wholly abandon ship just yet; maybe I'm too sentimental and we're already past the point of no return. I'll still be here, even if for a little while.

I'll be making this my new pinned for the foreseeable future, so let's get all this out of the way. Here's where I lurk:

Tumblr (Main) (here!)

Tumblr (Art Blog)

Bluesky (Main)

Bluesky (Art Blog)

Cohost (Main) (most likely to collect dust)

Archive of Our Own (writing only)

Neocities (as a side project, I suppose)

It's been fun. May we all trip over our shoelaces on our way out the door. o7

[appletechx]

Navigating the Data Landscape: Unveiling the Latest Tools and Technologies for Data Migration in 2024

Introduction

In the ever-evolving realm of technology, data migration remains a crucial process for organizations aiming to stay competitive and agile. As we step into 2024, the landscape of data migration tools and technologies has witnessed significant advancements. In this blog post, we will embark on a journey to explore the newest tools and technologies that are poised to shape the data migration landscape this year.

1. Data Migration: A Critical Imperative

Before diving into the latest tools and technologies, let's establish the significance of data migration. As businesses grow and evolve, so does the need to transfer, update, or consolidate data across various systems. Whether it's migrating to the cloud, adopting new software, or consolidating databases, effective data migration is vital for maintaining operational efficiency, ensuring data accuracy, and complying with regulatory requirements.

2. Cloud-Centric Solutions

One of the most noteworthy trends in 2024 is the continued dominance of cloud-based solutions for data migration. Cloud platforms offer scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, making them an attractive choice for organizations of all sizes. Leading cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud have enhanced their migration services, providing tools that facilitate seamless data transfer between on-premises environments and the cloud.

3. Next-Gen ETL Tools

Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) tools are the backbone of data migration, and 2024 sees the emergence of next-generation ETL solutions. These tools offer improved automation, enhanced connectivity, and faster processing speeds. Apache Nifi, Talend, and Informatica are among the tools gaining traction for their ability to simplify complex data migration workflows and ensure data quality.

4. Data Integration Platforms

Data integration is a key aspect of migration, and modern data integration platforms are making strides in simplifying the process. These platforms facilitate seamless communication between disparate systems, ensuring that data flows cohesively across the organization. Integration tools like MuleSoft and Dell Boomi are gaining popularity for their ability to connect applications, APIs, and data sources.

5. AI-Infused Migration Solutions

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming a driving force in data migration. AI-powered tools analyze data patterns, automate decision-making processes, and optimize migration workflows. These intelligent solutions can predict potential issues, recommend optimizations, and adapt to dynamic data environments. IBM InfoSphere Information Server and Attunity are examples of platforms leveraging AI for smarter data migration.

6. Containerization for Data Portability

Containerization, with technologies like Docker and Kubernetes, is playing a pivotal role in enhancing data portability and migration. Containers encapsulate applications and their dependencies, providing a consistent environment across different infrastructures. This portability ensures smoother data migration, especially in hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

7. Blockchain in Data Migration Security

With the growing concerns about data security, blockchain technology is making its mark in data migration. Blockchain ensures the integrity and security of migrated data by creating an immutable ledger of transactions. This transparency and security are particularly crucial when handling sensitive information during migration.

8. Low-Code/No-Code Platforms

The demand for agility in data migration has led to the rise of low-code and no-code platforms. These user-friendly tools empower business users to participate in the migration process without extensive coding knowledge. Microsoft Power Platform and OutSystems are examples of platforms enabling rapid, code-free development and deployment of migration solutions.

9. Serverless Computing for Scalability

Serverless computing, epitomized by functions-as-a-service (FaaS), is gaining traction for its scalability and cost-effectiveness. In data migration, serverless architectures allow organizations to execute code snippets without managing the underlying infrastructure. AWS Lambda and Azure Functions are popular choices for incorporating serverless computing into data migration workflows.

10. Data Quality Management Solutions

Maintaining data quality is paramount in any migration project. Advanced data quality management solutions are emerging with features like real-time data profiling, cleansing, and validation. Trillium, Talend Data Quality, and Informatica Data Quality are examples of tools that ensure the accuracy and reliability of migrated data.

11. Graph Databases for Relationship Mapping

Graph databases are proving valuable in scenarios where understanding and mapping relationships between data entities are critical. They excel in depicting complex relationships, making them beneficial for migration projects involving interconnected data. Neo4j and Amazon Neptune are examples of graph databases streamlining data migration tasks.

12. Augmented Reality for Data Mapping

Innovations extend beyond traditional tools, with augmented reality (AR) making strides in data migration. AR applications allow users to visualize data mappings and relationships in real-time, providing an immersive and interactive experience. This technology enhances collaboration and understanding, especially in complex migration scenarios.

Conclusion

As we navigate the data landscape of 2024, the tools and technologies available for data migration continue to evolve, presenting opportunities for enhanced efficiency, security, and innovation. Cloud-centric solutions, next-gen ETL tools, AI-infused migration platforms, and emerging technologies like blockchain and augmented reality are reshaping the way organizations approach data migration.

Staying informed about these advancements is crucial for businesses seeking to optimize their data migration processes and stay ahead in an increasingly data-driven world. By embracing these cutting-edge tools, organizations can ensure seamless data transitions, maintain data integrity, and unlock the full potential of their digital ecosystems. As we move forward, the synergy between technological innovation and effective data migration will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future of business operations.

[rjzimmerman]

The real reason billion-dollar disasters like Hurricane Helene are growing more common. (Washington Post)

Excerpt from this Washington Post story:

It rises like a mountain, up and to the right, and it has become one of the most potent illustrations of the perils of man-made global warming. It’s a chart showing the number of billion-dollar weather disasters that have struck the United States since 1980. When the toll is tallied from hurricanes Helene and Milton, they will become the 397th and 398th entries in the database.

The disaster data, maintained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has featured in multiple government reports on global warming. The Biden administration has referenced it at least seven times to help make the case for climate policies. Members of Congress cited it in a bill to curtail the use of fossil fuels. Last year’s National Climate Assessment, acongressionally mandated report on climate change, showed the disasters on a map under the heading “Climate Change Is Not Just a Problem for Future Generations, It’s a Problem Today.”

But according to disaster experts, former NOAA officials and peer-reviewed scientific studies, the chart says little about climate change. The truth lies elsewhere: Over time, migration to hazard-prone areas has increased, putting more people and property in harm’s way. Disasters are more expensive because there is more to destroy.

The billion-dollar disasterdataset is “quoted a lot and people use it as a way of saying that climate change is already influencing what we see. And yet, unless you get the economics right, you can’t really justify that,” said D. James Baker, the physicist and oceanographer who led NOAA from 1993 to 2001, the longest tenure as administrator in the agency’s history.

Baker and others say disputing whether global warming’s influence can be found in the disaster data is not the same as questioning whether climate change is real or whether society should switch from fossil fuels.

“We know that climate change is real. We don’t see it in the [economic] losses yet,” said Laurens Bouwer, an expert on the assessment of climate risks and a lead author on five reports by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the advisory body through which scientists reach consensus on climate change.

Although traditional statistical methods cannot quantify the influence of greenhouse gases on rising disaster costs, many scientists say that global warming has intensified hurricanes, wildfires, droughts and other extreme weather, which must be leading to greater economic losses.

“A lot of these extremes are really ramped up,” said Adam Smith, the NOAA climatologist who has led the billion-dollar disaster project for more than a decade. “If you want to act like nothing’s happening or it’s minimal, that’s just not the case in what we’ve seen in these extreme events in the United States.”

[fusiondynamics]

What is Edge Computing Services?

Edge Computing Services

Accelerate Data Processing with Edge Servers: Fast, Secure, and Close to the Action

EDGE

Edge servers facilitate rapid on-site computing, reducing latency for time-sensitive applications like communications services, real-time navigation, AI-driven IoT devices for Smart City infrastructure, and high-quality AR/VR.

edge computing services

Since edge servers handle the bulk of the workload for such applications, they must include ample computing resources and data memory, besides fast response times.

Advantages of our EDGE product offerings

Lower Operating Costs

Our edge servers help reduce the client’s operating costs across the board. Localised data processing will reduce your organisation’s expenditure on network bandwidth, and faster response times lead to increased efficiency.

Capital Savings

With edge solutions, the requirement for centralised cloud computing and storage is minimised. Additionally, the use of edge servers ensures optimal use of locally available resources, contributing to further capital savings.

Stable Operation

Fusion Dynamics  edge server racks can withstand extreme environments and shocks and are compatible with Class-A electromagnetic limits. This ensures that your edge solution is compliant with the industry standards for telecommunication infrastructure.

Data and Network Security

With Edge, your computing resources and data are contained on-site, close to user equipment. This local storage and transmission of sensitive data offers higher security. You can also configure local servers for additional access control without impacting the rest of your network. At scale, distributed deployment of servers across different edge locations limits the damage caused by data breaches, thus maximising your network security.

Accessibility and Usability

Our servers boast a modular design, which allows seamless front-end access and ease of service. Supporting a range of virtualization stacks, they can also be configured quickly to jumpstart your system and operations.

Contact Us

+91 95388 99792

aditya@fusiondynamics.io

[mariacallous]

Over the last 10 months, the world’s attention has been focused on Israel and the Gaza Strip. The war that began on Oct. 7, 2023, with Hamas’s attack on Israel has been cataclysmic. But the conflict has overshadowed another crisis enveloping the region: intense heat and water scarcity.

In mid-July, the heat index in Dubai was 144 degrees Fahrenheit. In late June, the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, registered a temperature of 125 degrees. This heat coincided with Hajj season. When it was over, more than 1,300 people had lost their lives. And in Egypt, temperatures have rarely fallen below 100 degrees since May.

It was actually hotter in the Gulf region last summer, topping out at an eye-popping real feel of 158 degrees in the coastal areas of Iran and the United Arab Emirates. That reading and the unrelenting heat this season exceeded the “wet-bulb temperature” at which humans, if exposed for six hours, can no longer cool themselves off, leading to heat-related illnesses and death.

The World Bank estimates that by 2050, water scarcity will result in GDP reductions of up to 14 percent in the region. In 2021, a UNICEF report stated that Egypt could run out of water by 2025, with the Nile River coming under particular stress. Water stress in countries such as Egypt is exacerbated by the upriver flow of the Nile being restricted because of the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Syria and Turkey have been at odds over many years because the Turks have built dams along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, cutting the flow south. And among the many issue that divide Israelis and Palestinians is water and who has the right to tap into the Mountain Aquifer of the West Bank.

In addition to the extreme heat’s significant threat to life and livelihood in the Middle East and North Africa, a hotter region has the potential to destabilize politics well beyond its borders.

Before going further, it is important to underscore that this is not a column about “climate conflict.” About a decade ago, there was a spate of articles on this issue, highlighting the Syrian Civil War as an example of what the future would look like as the globe warmed. Even though this idea captured the imagination of a variety of notables including then-Prince Charles, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, and others, the claim about Syria in particular was based on incomplete data, faulty interpretation of that data, over-generalization, and, as a result, erroneous conclusions.

As the October 2021 National Intelligence Estimate on climate change dryly noted, the U.S. intelligence community had “low to moderate confidence in how physical climate impacts will affect US national security interests and the nature of geopolitical conflict, given the complex dimensions of human and state decisionmaking.” Basically, the spies are saying it is hard to make a causal connection between climate and conflict because there are so many variables that contribute to conflict.

A clearer and more pressing problem is how people adapt to rising temperatures and water scarcity. They migrate to places with lower temperatures and more water. According to the World Bank, as many as 19 million people—approximately 9 percent of the local population—will become displaced in North Africa by 2050 because of the climate crisis. And for people in the region, the destination of choice is Europe.

A number of caveats are in order: First, the bank is extrapolating. It is possible that there may be political, economic, or technological changes that limit the number of migrants. Second, not every person on the move will be migrating because of the changing climate. And finally, some of those displaced people will remain somewhere in the region given the resources necessary to make it across the Mediterranean. (That presents its own set of problems, however. Internally displaced people, who generally settle in urban areas, will put pressure on the budgets and infrastructure of places whose resources and capacity to absorb migrants are limited.)

All this said, in the abstract migration is positive for countries in the European Union, which have aging populations and need workers to pay into generous social safety nets. Yet the claim that migration provides benefits to society remains unconvincing to a significant number of Europeans who oppose large (or perceptively large) numbers of newcomers into their countries.

France’s National Front party, which long flirted with fascism and a coy version of Holocaust denial and rebranded itself as the National Rally in 2018 in an effort to shed this ugly legacy, has become a major force in French politics in large part due to its opposition to immigration, especially from Islamic countries. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the avatar of European illiberalism, built his authoritarian system on fears of the threat that migrants pose to Hungarian society.

Brexit, which British voters approved in 2016, was about a lot of things, but immigration propelled the United Kingdom’s imprudent decision to leave the European Union. More recently, the proximate cause of the recent riots in England was the allegation that an immigrant was responsible for the murder of three young girls at a dance class in the seaside town of Southport. Despite the allegation being demonstrably false, the ensuing street violence suggests that simmering resentment toward migrants within a segment of the marginalized English working class stoked by, and combined with, right-wing populism is dangerous and potentially destabilizing.

Then there is Germany, where in 2015 hundreds of thousands of Syrians sought refuge from the violence enveloping their country. Then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel made the decision to grant Syrians entry. It was a decision that many Germans embraced, but it also produced a backlash that has helped drive the emergence of the Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) party. The AfD is different from other right-wing populist parties in Europe given its provenance. Although it began as a party based on Euro-skepticism, it has moved steadily toward embracing fascism, downplaying the atrocities of the Third Reich, spreading Islamophobia, and inveighing against foreigners in general. Of course, there is a whole host of reasons for the rise of the AfD and other fascist, illiberal, right-wing populist parties in Europe. But scholars agree that migration is the through line in this phenomenon.

The Unites States has a compelling interest in a Europe that is stable, whole, free, and prosperous. The emergence and success of xenophobic, fascist, or fascist-adjacent parties that make common cause with the enemies of Western liberalism are a threat to that core U.S. interest. That’s why Washington needs to help head off mass migration to Europe. There is not a lot that the United States can do about conflicts—such as the one in Sudan—that drive migration, but U.S. policymakers can help when it comes to the climate crisis, which will contribute to the increasing numbers of people seeking refuge in Europe.

This requires not increasing financial assistance or green infrastructure projects but something both more cost-effective and influential: creative diplomacy. High heat makes the problem of water scarcity worse, which is why people migrate. Using its own experience and technical expertise from managing resources in the increasingly hot western United States, the U.S government can play a useful role in helping countries in the Middle East do a better job managing what water they have.

The conflicts that span the region make assistance harder, given the fact that water sources often cross boundaries. But that is a challenge that can be overcome. Not only are there technical solutions to the problem of water scarcity, but there are also political incentives to come to agreement even across conflict zones.

Leaders across the region may disdain their citizens, but they have a political interest in satisfying at least their people’s minimum demands, including access to water. Even with all the nationalist huffing and puffing of their governments, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have a strong interest in sharing the waters of the Nile. Without such an agreement, the political and economic problems of both countries will deepen, threatening both leaders.

Of all things, the maritime border agreement between Israel and Lebanon can be a template of sorts for the way U.S. officials approach the problem of water sharing in the region. There was a range of critics of the agreement in the United States, Israel, and Lebanon, but the actual substance is less important than the way U.S. diplomats brought it about. They separated Israeli concerns about Lebanon and Lebanese concerns about Israel and focused instead on the upside for each country. Once that became clear—the exploitation of gas deposits off the Israeli and Lebanese coasts—it was hard for the two countries that nonetheless remain in a state of war to not agree to a boundary. Despite 10 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the agreement has not been breached. That is important and suggests a way forward for negotiations over water.

It is tempting to want to place efforts to deal with water scarcity in some broader climate agenda for the Middle East. That is exactly what U.S. officials should not do. Washington should focus on issues where it has a realistic chance of making a difference. There is little the United States can do about the intense heat, and mitigation of greenhouse gases is not a pressing problem in the region because it does not actually emit that much greenhouse gas. Water, however, is critically important, and it is an area where the United States has expertise to bring to bear.

Indeed, helping strike agreements to manage water scarcity in the Middle East is a low-cost way the United States can mitigate the perversions of European politics and help shape the global order to come.

[thatonebirdwrites]

I wrote this years ago about Worldbuilding

This is a repost from an old article I wrote on my ReshapingReality.org blog back in the day. This is the step-by-step process that I use in worldbuilding. You don't have to follow my process, but I figured it might be a good start for some writers.

To see my primary setting for my original science fiction stories as an example, I have imported 66% of my notes to my Elivera Wiki, and plan to finish importing my notes in the next year or two.

NOTE: To adapt these steps to Fantasy that has magic, the step for the magic system must include the rules of how the magic works, its strengths and weaknesses, its impact on the world/society/technology/people/culture, and its limitations. Technology is very similar in a way to magic as technology also has limitations, strengths, weaknesses, and impacts to world/society/environment/people/culture that needs addressed.

World-building 101 for Science Fiction

Whenever I world-build I start with the basics.  First I need a solar system.  You can take the easy way out and just use our home system, or you can build your own.  If you wish to build your own, these are the steps to follow to create a fairly scientifically accurate system:

Determine what type of star will be the sun for your system.  The star will determine where you can place your planet for it to be habital, it will also determine the color the star shows in the planet's skies, the radiation that impacts it, and other important attributes that effect the environment of the planet. See my blog entry here that discusses this in more detail: Worldbuilding Series Part One – a star

Once you have your star, you can focus on your planets.  Read this for more information: Worldbuilding Series Part Two – the planets. To help you build both your star and planet, I’ve created a template for your world-building needs. Input in the data to have the spreadsheet generate some basic attributes that you can use in the astronomical data of your system: World-building template

Part of the process in creating planets involves the planet’s geology.  The environment in which people live impact not only how they subsist but also how they build up their community, the types of buildings that would work well, what resources they have available, and how they use those resources. This post focuses more on terrestrial planets, but it does highlight some guidelines for gas giants as well: Worldbuilding Series Part Three – Planet Geology.

Now it’s important to focus in on the atmosphere of planets (if they have one) and their natural cycles.  This impacts seasons, natural disasters, storms, weather patterns, long-term climate change, etc. All of which will impact the people who live on your planet. Here is my entry on this: Worldbuilding Series Part Four – Atmospheres and Natural Cycles.

The features of the planet will play a large role in the development of the sentient species’ culture and their evolution.  This post highlights how to create features on the planet and how this process works: Worldbuilding Series Part Five – Geomorphology. It may be useful to take a look at my map-making post in order to create a map of the surface of your planet.

Finally, the sentient species themselves.  If they are humans, this simplifies matters, and you mostly have to worry about how humanity adapts to the planet you created. This post discusses the effects of environment on a culture: Effects of Environment.  You’d also have to consider the dynamics of diversity, which I highlight in this blog post (focusing more on a future earth dynamic but can be applied to humans migrating to new worlds as well): Diversity – Race.  If you are creating a new aliens species, this blog post discusses some of the factors to keep in mind and offers some suggestions on how this can be done: The Science of Aliens.

Another important factor to consider is how language can influence a culture and its development.  I discuss how language intersects world-building in this article: Languages and World-building.  To help you create your language, examine these posts: How I craft a Language part 1 and How I craft a Language part 2.

Now remember each step above doesn't require indepth analysis and a million words of worldbuilding to complete. Sometimes all you need is some basic descriptions and ideas. From those you can then fine-tune what areas need more development so it can fit the needs of the stories you wish to write.

For example, you'll eventually need to write more about the following topics below, but focusing on which needs extensive development and which need only a brief primer can be difficult to decide! But the best way forward is to think about the stories you wish to write, and focus on the details you need to create a story that will immerse the reader in your world. Then develop those details.

Politics and Government

Diplomacy and Espionage

Economics

Education

Daily Life

Technology and Research

Cities and their infrastructure

Philosophy and Cultural Values (See this post: Thoughts on Philosophy within World building )

For some creative questions to delve deeper see: fantasy world-building question list compiled by Patricia C. Wrede.  The above list compiled by Patricia C. Wrede is very much usable for science fiction writers — just focus on the questions that deal with creating a world and a culture and when you encounter the magic questions alter them to technology.

Maps

Another important aspect of worldbuilding is maps. Creating maps of your world and of your cities can be incredibly helpful with visualizing your world. It also helps track the character(s) journey across a region, the distances involved, the time needed, the environments crossed, etc.

For an example, I often create a zone map for my cities. Here is a detailed post on how to create a map: World-build: Maps

Character Design

This is just a placeholder for any primers I wrote for character design:

Primer for writing trans characters Character Template

Resources

Books:

Wonderbook by Jeff Vandermeer

Worldbuilding by Stephen Gillett

Body Trauma: A Writer’s Guide to wounds and injuries by David W. Page, MD, FACS

The Writer’s Guide to Weapons by Benjamin Sobieck

Forensics for Writers by D.P. Lyle, M.D.

The Science of Aliens by Clifford Pickover

The Writer’s Guide to Psychology by Carolyn Kaufman, Psy.D

Space Travel by Ben Bova with Anthony R. Lewis

The Starflight Handbook: A Pioneer’s Guide to Interstellar Travel by Eugene F. Mallove and Gregory L. Matloff

The Language Construction Kit by Mark Rosenfelder

Advanced Language Construction by Mark Rosenfelder

Worlds of Wonder: How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy by David Gerrold

The Planet Construction Book by Mark Rosenfelder

Building Imaginary Worlds by Mark Wolf

Revisiting Imaginary Worlds by Mark Wolf

The Kobold Guide to Worldbuilding by Wolfgang Bauer

On Writing and Worldbuilding by Tim Hickson

Classes/Podcasts

N.K. Jemisen's Masterclass on Writing and Worldbuilding

Roxanne Gay's Masterclass on Writing

Neil Gaiman's Masterclass on Writing and Storytelling

Levar Burton's Masterclass on Storytelling

WorldAnvil Worldbuilding Podcast

Writing Excuses Podcast

Worldbuilding Magazines Podcast

Brandon Sanderson's Writing Class

Worldbuilding Tips by Jenna Moreci

Common Worldbuilding Mistakes by Yinka

Overly Sarcastic Productions' Trope Talks

Feminist Frequency

Feel free to ask questions and share more resources or tips!