#Google Associate Cloud Engineer

[qwikskills]

Google Associate Cloud Engineer: A Beginner's Guide

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is one of the leading cloud computing platforms in the world, and the Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification is a highly sought-after credential for those who want to build a career in cloud computing. This certification demonstrates an individual's proficiency in deploying applications, monitoring operations, and managing enterprise solutions in the Google Cloud.

To become a Google Associate Cloud Engineer, one must pass a single certification exam. The exam covers a broad range of topics, including the core GCP services, deploying applications, and managing resources. The certification is designed for individuals who have hands-on experience with GCP and are familiar with basic cloud computing concepts.

The benefits of obtaining a Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification are numerous. It validates an individual's skills and knowledge in cloud computing, and demonstrates their ability to use Google Cloud Platform to build, deploy, and manage applications. It also opens up new career opportunities and can lead to higher salaries.

To prepare for the Google Associate Cloud Engineer exam, there are numerous online resources available, including practice exams, tutorials, and training courses. Additionally, Google provides free, hands-on labs and tutorials to help individuals gain practical experience with GCP.

In conclusion, the Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification is a valuable asset for anyone looking to build a career in cloud computing. With the increasing demand for cloud computing professionals, this certification can help individuals stand out in the job market and achieve their career goals.

[topitcourses]

Aspiring cloud professionals can significantly enhance their career prospects by pursuing Google Cloud Associate Engineer Certification. During this program, you will become familiar with fundamental cloud concepts, Google Cloud Platform services, and best practices for deploying applications.

[mariacallous]

More US workers will soon be free to leave their employers to work for rivals, thanks to a new federal rule that will block the long-standing practice of locking in workers with noncompete agreements.

The US Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday issued a final rule that bans most noncompetes nationwide. The agency estimated that by allowing people more freedom, the change would lead to the creation of 8,500 new businesses annually, an average annual pay increase of $524 for workers, lower health care costs, and as many as 29,000 more patents each year for the next decade.

The FTC says about one in five US workers are bound by contract clauses that prevent them from taking new jobs from a competitor, or starting their own competing businesses, for some period of time. The agreements can trap workers and slow career advancement and wage increases—two things workers often achieve by hopping jobs.

The agreements also disproportionately affect workers in tech and certain other roles: 36 percent of engineers and architects work under noncompetes, as do 35 percent of workers in computer and math fields, according to research from the Universities of Maryland and Michigan.

Under the FTC’s new rule, “tech workers will probably experience a rise in the outside opportunities that they face,” says Evan Starr, an associate professor of business at the University of Maryland who worked on the research. “They’ll have more freedom to work where they want; they will be more likely to be paid higher wages.”

Opponents of noncompetes say they hurt workers by keeping them in lower-waged jobs and also stifle innovation, preventing people from starting their own businesses or putting innovative ideas into practice. Noncompete supporters argue that the arrangements encourage investment in staff and protect trade secrets. But recent research from Starr indicates that banning noncompetes hasn’t led to an increase in trade secret litigation.

The new FTC rule has a carve-out to keep existing noncompetes for senior executives in place. But it blocks companies from creating new noncompetes for these high-level workers. The rule is due to take effect in about four months, but it’s expected to face challenges. Two commissioners who voted against the rule saw it as overstepping the FTC’s power. The US Chamber of Commerce quickly announced after the rule passed that it will sue to try to block it.

Several states, including tech hub California, have already banned enforcement of noncompetes. But a recent tidal shift has seen the issue resonate in dozens of states. In the 2023 legislative session, 38 states introduced 81 bills that sought to ban or restrict enforcement of noncompetes. California’s long-established law is seen as part of the reason Silicon Valley became a hub for innovation, while Massachusetts’s once-similar tech corridor didn’t soar in the same way.

Tech executive Daniel Powers has battled noncompetes twice in his career. In 2010, IBM tried to delay his move from New York to Seattle to work for Amazon Web Services, the online retailer’s cloud division, by a year. The parties settled on Powers taking six months off. Fortunately for Powers, Amazon agreed to pay him even while he couldn’t work.

Two years later, the tables turned. When Powers attempted to take a job with Google Cloud, Amazon sued him, saying he had agreed not to work for one of its competitors within 18 months of leaving. The incident drew headlines as the first noncompete case Amazon had brought against someone inside fast-growing AWS, Powers recalls.

Powers had to move to California—where noncompetes aren’t legal—for the new gig, and his attorney told him to get there as soon as possible. By living in a different state, the lawsuit could be tried in federal court, where his attorney felt Amazon had less of an advantage compared to Washington state court. A federal judge ended up siding with Powers, and he lost only about three months of work at Google while the case played out.

Amazon, IBM, and Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Had Powers not received discounted legal help over the years, he says, he could have easily spent over $100,000 battling noncompetes. “It’s just not fair to the employees,” says Powers, who now runs cloud advisory firm What's Next Consulting. “When I won, I got hundreds of emails and texts from Amazon employees thanking me for beating them.”

People in Washington state who want to leave one of the tech giants often must have difficult conversations with their families, advisers, and potential new employer about the risks of litigation and potentially being without a paycheck for a long stretch. Powers estimates that he has aided over 200 former Amazon and IBM colleagues in the process. California workers have no such concerns. “It’s just, ‘OK, goodbye,’” Powers says. “There’s nothing companies can do about it.”

If the new FTC rule ends up in front of the US Supreme Court, he says, his message to the justices will be simple. “Taking away a person’s ability to work in an industry they are trained in, have skills in, and have been in is a massive disservice to the employee,” Powers says. “It’s not the right thing to do to have these agreements.”

[soon-palestine]

On Monday, a brave Google Cloud engineer spoke up against the corporation’s complicity in Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people. A video of the worker standing up for their rights went viral, with some reposts reaching up to 8 million views and generating widespread global support, including from Palestinians in Gaza. Three days later, Google fired this worker.

Google has engaged in a clear cut act of retaliation against its own worker for speaking up about the terms and conditions of their labor.

This is the first immediate firing of a worker after a public, brave act of employee dissent against Project Nimbus, Google and Amazon’s shared $1.2 billion contract with the Israeli military and government. This is the second worker associated with the No Tech For Apartheid campaign that Google has retaliated against for organizing within their workplace, and the latest in a series of cases in which Google has retaliated against workers for speaking up about the corporation’s ethical malpractice in a range of business decisions.

While touting the importance of “democratic values” in the workplace, Google is shutting down free speech and silencing debate and dissent among workers within the company.

Google’s aims are clear: The corporation is trying to silence workers to hide their moral failings. Google is enabling the world’s first AI-powered genocide through Project Nimbus. Through this contract, Google and Amazon are aiding and abetting the Israeli apartheid state and genocidal campaign in Gaza against Palestinians. Instead of cleaning up its own house, and dropping its contract with a genocidal regime, Google is punching down on its own workers. For almost three years, thousands of Google & Amazon workers have organized against the companies’ contracts with the Israeli government and military, with no response from management or executives.

As a Cloud Software Engineer on critical technology that enables Project Nimbus to run on sovereign Israeli data centers, this worker spoke from a place of deep personal concern about the direct, violent impacts of their labor. They spoke from a deep belief that truly ethical engineering must account for the impact on communities around the world.

While terminating this brave worker, Google HR asked how they were feeling. The worker replied: “proud to be fired for refusing to be complicit in genocide.”

[onlineprofessionalcourse]

Top GCP Certification For Beginners To Consider In 2024

In 2024, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) continues to dominate the cloud computing landscape with its robust set of services and solutions. For beginners looking to establish a career in cloud technology, obtaining GCP certifications is a strategic move. These certifications validate expertise in various GCP services, enhancing credibility and opening doors to lucrative career opportunities.

Why Choose GCP Certifications?

Career Advantages

GCP certifications are recognized globally and are highly valued by employers across industries. They validate skills in cloud architecture, data engineering, machine learning, and more, making certified professionals indispensable in today’s digital economy. With cloud adoption accelerating, companies are actively seeking GCP-certified professionals to drive their digital transformation initiatives.

Comprehensive Certification Options

Google offers a range of GCP certifications tailored to different job roles and skill levels:

1. Associate Cloud Engineer

The Associate Cloud Engineer certification is ideal for beginners aiming to demonstrate proficiency in deploying applications, monitoring operations, and managing enterprise solutions on GCP. It establishes a solid foundation in cloud architecture and infrastructure.

2. Professional Cloud Architect

For professionals aspiring to design and deploy dynamic and scalable GCP solutions, the Professional Cloud Architect certification is paramount. It covers advanced concepts such as security, compliance, and high availability.

3. Data Engineer

The Data Engineer certification focuses on designing and building data processing systems on GCP. It equips individuals with skills in data transformation, loading, and processing that are crucial in today’s data-driven enterprises.

4. Cloud Developer

The Cloud Developer certification validates proficiency in designing, building, and deploying applications on GCP. It emphasizes skills in application development, debugging, and performance optimization using Google technologies.

Preparation Tips for GCP Certification Exams

Achieving GCP certifications requires diligent preparation:

– Hands-on Experience

Practice using GCP services through labs and real-world scenarios to familiarize yourself with the platform’s features and functionalities.

– Official Study Materials

Utilize Google’s official training resources, including online courses, practice exams, and documentation, to gain comprehensive knowledge of exam objectives.

– Community Support

Engage with the GCP community through forums, study groups, and social media channels to exchange insights, tips, and best practices with fellow learners and professionals.

Career Growth and Opportunities

Earning GCP certifications not only enhances technical skills but also opens doors to a wide array of career opportunities:

High-demand Skills: Companies seek GCP-certified professionals for roles such as cloud architect, solutions engineer, and data analyst, offering competitive salaries and career advancement prospects.

Industry Recognition: GCP certifications validate expertise in cutting-edge cloud technologies, boosting credibility and marketability in the job market.

Continuous Learning: GCP certifications require ongoing learning and skill development, keeping professionals abreast of industry trends and innovations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, GCP certifications are indispensable for beginners looking to establish a successful career in cloud computing. Whether aiming to become an Associate Cloud Engineer, Professional Cloud Architect, Data Engineer, or Cloud Developer, these certifications validate expertise and open doors to lucrative career opportunities in 2024 and beyond.

[drifting-pieces-blog-blog]

Breaking down the comics: The break down.

Moon Knight, Issue #9: Vengeance in Reprise! 

Oh this one. I'm so excited you guys. 

There is so much going on here. 

We start with dramatic storm clouds and Moon Knight doing his angsty silhouette pose. 

We see a newspaper that says "Bushman Escapes Prison". 

Marc laments that Bushman is the most dangerous man he's ever faced. Since Bushman knows who he was before he became Moon Knight, there is a high likelihood that he would hunt him down and kill everyone he cares about. 

You see, Bushman was Marc’s commander while he was a mercenary. He trained Marc, taught him how to handle different situations he wasn’t used to, how to be tough, and how to be as ruthless as you needed to be to survive a situation. 

I think there is respect and fear there. Like going up against your old teacher. You idolized them and saw them as the big powerful being and maybe you disagree with them now, it’s still hard to stand up to them. 

So we see him do his dramatic thing of crashing through windows. He does this a lot. Moon Knight is all about the dramatic entrance. If there's a door or a window, he will pick the window 100% of the time. 

He busts up a casino to harass some guys that might know where Bushman is. 

Cut to Grant Mansion. The butler, Samuels, is asking Marlene if she really believes that Marc died and was brought back with the soul of the moon god. 

She admits that she did indeed see him dead. 

"There are two possibilities... One: The spirit of the Moon God actually entered his body and reanimated him. Or Two: He revived naturally and, seeing Khonshu, he merely convinced himself -- in delirium-- that he'd been possessed by the God of the Moon's Vengeance." 

She doesn't answer which one she believes in. She notes that "It doesn't matter. Either way, the statue changed him." 

We did get to see some classic Moon Knight fighting style in this. Crescent darts, his truncheon stick, punching, and utter disregard for his own body as he just constantly throws himself at people and takes hits. 

The people in the casino claim not to know where Bushman is and one of them gets away. Moon Knight follows and changes into Lockley's outfit to follow in his cab. 

Back at the mansion, we see Marlene asleep in bed. 

A shadow falls over her and she wakes, thinking Steven has returned, only to find someone else there. 

She screams and it wakes up Frenchie. Frenchie comes running with his gun and crashes into someone fleeing. 

The intruder is gone and Frenchie fears it was Bushman, but Marlene says it wasn't. It was some guy in a monster mask. 

I would love to see more Frenchie action, honestly. He was a comrade of Marc and worked under Bushman too. The man has skills. He can drive any vehicle and engineers the hell out of making a giant moon shaped thing fly. COME ON. The man is a genius and deserves more time. 

They search the mansion and find the Statue of Khonshu is gone! 

"I don't like it, Frenchie. Steven relies far too much on that statue -- Beyond mere harmless superstition. He says it gives him strength--Life, and coupled with his schizophrenia, his four way personality hang-up..." 

(That hurt me to type.) 1980, everyone. If you had a personality disorder, hallucinated, or acted in certain ways, they label you a schizophrenic. 

I'm not sure if Multiple Personality Disorder was even the common term for DID back then. 

I just googled it: 

Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) was first introduced in DSM-III in 1980 and re-named Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) in subsequent editions of the diagnostic manual (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). 

OKAY. So. This is why early Moon Knight is going to use this uncomfortable language. 

We can't blame them for using the wrong terms and we can't go after them for that. Up to that point, it was seen as a form of schizophrenia and various other illnesses. 

We CAN get upset about the inappropriate way it's handled. The way Marlene uses it as a sort of insult. A way to say "He's not normal and it's getting worse." 

We can also get angry at the other writers that took over in the years that followed. ESPECIALLY more current volumes that took place after 2013. (ELLIS. BEMIS. AARON. I'm looking at you! I'm giving a mighty side eye to Bendis 2011-2012 run. 2009-2012 Hurwitz barely gets a pass and I know they used that language a lot. Huston, as much as it pains me, 2006-2009, you get a stern glance because I know you used the hell out of that language and other very insulting terms.)

RIGHT. The story! So, we've been watching the boys slowly evolve. We've also been watching them start to fight a little. Little cheap shots, little disagreements. Marc is the only one so far that has flat out refused to acknowledge that there is a problem and that Steven and Jake aren't just him in disguise. 

In fact, Marc is often found looking at the statue, talking to it, or asking it for strength and power to do what needs to be done. 

So for Frenchie and Marlene to be a little panicked about the missing statue, it's pretty valid. 

We then see Nedda (the cook in the mansion) come in screaming about Samuels. 

Samuels has been taken! 

Jake calls into the mansion to check the Bushman files and gets an earful from Marlene about the break in. 

Jake tells her to "Keep your wig on, Lady" as he has one more thing to check out before he heads home. 

Frenchie asks if it was Marc on the phone. 

"Yes, but calling as Jake, and I prefer to think of him as Steven. Each of us calling him a different name certainly doesn't help..." 

"You told him Samuels was missing, but you said nothing about zee statue." 

"I told you, he places too much importance in it. His mental state is precarious enough...Better he doesn't suffer the statue's loss in a crisis situation -- Not when he's already set for a fall..." 

So what bothers me is that everyone can see the system starting to spiral. They see Marc's unsafe coping mechanisms and they see them starting to struggle. The system is rebelling and I honestly think it’s Marc causing the upset. His self destruction is starting to hurt them and it’s making the others have to work double time, not to mention them starting to define themselves. 

It’s like they’ve all been masking for so long that they’ve forgotten how to be themselves and now that they feel free to, there’s a huge upheaval and no one knows what job to do. 

Yet they do nothing but try to enforce on him normalization and keeping things from him. 

It's like they all agreed that he's in a dangerous situation so they better not point it out to him. Looney Tunes logic. 

Meanwhile, Jake is checking out some suspicious cars he was following when he finds... A manhole. 

Sewer count? 2. 

Back at the mansion, while Moon Knight is a sewer man... 

Marelene suddenly realizes who stole the statue. 

ANTON MOGART, also known as MIDNIGHT MAN. 

He showed up in an earlier comic I didn't write up. He's an obsessive art collector that Moon Knight stopped. In their battle, Mogart went over a cliff, but Moon Knight knew he wasn't dead. 

When Mogart went over the cliff, he ended up in the Manhattan river where he was swept to a sewer plant. The chemicals in the water melted his face. 

Mogart blames Moon Knight for losing his art collection and his face. 

(I’ve honestly never found Mogart that impressive as a villain. He’s always struck me as a little Phantom of the Opera wanna be that lacks the dramatic flare of Eric. Especially now that his face is melted. He wears an opera cape for fucks sake!) 

His revenge starts with him showing Moon Knight the stolen statue of Khonshu, which he drops off a platform to watch it shatter. 

"Moon Knight suddenly feels weak...Drained...Almost lifeless...and certainly without soul...." 

If he believed he had been created as Moon Knight because of the statue, it must surely have crossed his mind that his very life was caught up in that statue. Without the statue, would he continue to exist as Moon Knight? Would he still live? Would his resurrected body suddenly perish? 

He doesn't have much time to react as Mogart starts shooting at him. He moves and evades the bullets easily. 

"Soon the terrifying loss of his soul-totem will return to him... Soon the destruction of Khonshu will haunt him with festering doubt... But not now. Not yet. He is still primed with rage, fueled by adrenaline. Without even realizing it, and statue or no, he is still the moon's avenger of death. And as such, he is indomitable." 

That's some good narration. 

He easily defeats Mogart only to have Bushman show up with Samuels. 

He takes a jab at Moon Knight, saying that with the god statue gone, he has no hope of survival. 

He then opens a hole to a flooded chamber and tosses Samuels into the flowing water. 

Issue #10: Too Many Midnights

Moon Knight is faced with a choice. Save Samuels, stop Bushman, or save his statue god. 

Bushman takes a moment to reminisce. "Do you remember how it all started, Moon Knight, back when you still called yourself Marc Spector, back when we were both in Africa -- When I was the hardened leader and you were a too-soft follower?" 

He used to boast to Marc that the only way to survive as a mercenary was to inflict fear as the supreme weapon. 

He accuses Moon Knight of using the visage of the Avenger of Death to inflict fear on his enemies. 

"You've lost the 'soul' possessing you." 

Moon Knight feels "the loss of life...A spiritual vacuum." 

If we look at Moon Knight as his own alter that was created out of the stress and trauma of dying in the desert that night, I can only imagine what this idea is doing to him. 

The thing that he views as giving him life is gone and his reason to exist is gone. 

His spiritual guide. The thing that defined him. 

Elsewhere, Marlene and Frenchie have tracked Jake's cab down and entered the sewers in a desperate search for him. 

Bushman locks them into the flooding room and leaves. Samuels pleas for Moon Knight to act and get them out of there. 

"But Moon Knight remains locked in his dull trance..." 

Mogart is still there and he snaps Moon Knight out of it. 

He attempts to dig out some bricks to open a hole. 

The water rises over his head and still he struggles, lamenting that his strength is gone with Khonshu. 

Mogart calls out to Samuels: 

"What's he doing? You know him better than I..." 

"I'm afraid I don't know him better than you---I don't think anyone truly knows him." 

Do any of them really know Moon Knight? 

Frenchie knows Marc. Marlene and the staff at the mansion know Steven. Jake has all his friends at the diner. 

But what does Moon Knight have? 

Mogart and Samuels slip through the freshly made hole but Moon Knight dives for the statue pieces. 

Being pulled through the current and through the hole, his cloak catches on the bricks and is ripped from him. 

Issue 1, the cloak is the original shroud that was draped over the Khonshu statue. The first thing Marc did on being resurrected was to wrap himself in that cloak and declare himself a servant of Khonshu. 

The removal of the cloak at this time is another symbolic blow to him. He has lost his god and been stripped of his vestiges. 

Frenchie and Marlene stumble across the cloak and instantly think Marc is dead. 

Here we see a man spiritually defeated. 

He believes he was alive because of Khonshu. He also believed that Khonshu was in the statue and in him. 

With the statue gone, he doesn't have reason to believe that he is alive anymore. 

If Marc died in the desert, then who is he now? 

"I'm nothing... Everything to everyone, but nothing to myself..." 

That's an interesting sentence. 

He has put so much on being everything but he never knew who he was. 

Welcome to a severe dissociative state. 

Marc wanders off, and I do believe it's Marc here. Marc is the one of the four that has yet to declare "I am Marc Spector and this is who I am." He's stayed in the back so long, hiding and pretending he didn't exist. 

He's been shocked to the front and he can't get out. 

So we get images that are both hilarious and also very sad, of a man wandering off cradling the head of Khonshu while muttering about how he is nothing. 

Samuels makes his way back to the mansion and delivers the good news that Moon Knight is alive! but also having a pretty nasty breakdown. 

"He seems to have suffered some kind of breakdown! He saved my life, but could only say what a failure he is -- a fake. I... I'm not sure he'll be home...for some time..." 

Classic Marc Spector. He can only see the bad in himself and all his deeds. 

Marlene calls up Gena and asks them all to get in with Jake's contacts and search for him. 

"Gena! You and Crawley know his Jake Lockely Personality better than anyone -- But remember that he may be in bad shape. He may not even know who he is..." 

Well... at least she acknowledges that Jake is not Steven... It's a start... 

Marc is missing for 3 days while they search the city. 

And here we get some of my favorite Marc moments. This man... This man is DRAMATIC. 

Marc...What are you doing...? 

Aside from the comical Hamlet reference, we do gleam some existential crisis out of this. Saying to Khonshu how he knew him “so well that you became me and I you…and together we became many men, all without souls…” 

What makes up a soul? Does Marc believe he isn’t worth his soul after the life he has chosen? Does he wonder if they each are capable of having their own souls? 

Marc, who has rejected his Rabbi father’s teachings, questioning suddenly what spirit can live in him, who has rejected god, killed men, and taken up an idol outside of his faith. 

He thinks he is nothing. He can’t feel his own existence and can’t justify his existence to himself. He’s having a fun time. And you just know that Steven and Jake are probably having a fit in there trying to pull Marc from the front seat before he does something stupid. 

Yeah so... Bushman is using this time to CRIME WAVE. 

I just want to point out that for the second time, we see the drug of choice is Heroin. 

1980s. This was the drug moving in the streets at that time, overdosing and killing people. 

It wasn't until mid to late 80s that Cocaine took over. Just a fascinating little tidbit of social history that you can find in the comics. 

You guys…. As much as seeing Marc being a trashman under newspapers in a public park talking to the head of Khonshu really highlights who he is… Holy shit you guys…

"Never even knew my brother, Khonshu, let alone myself. ...Rand was his name... Randall Spector... Died right around here... Right here in central Park... And I couldn't even stop it... He almost killed Marlene... And maybe I killed him.... I don't know... Probably doesn't matter... I'm a loser anyway... But maybe it was Moon Knight who really killed him.. .Or maybe even Lockley... But not Grant, I don't think... No, Never Grant..." 

THIS is everything. This is the MCU show. This is Lemire. This is where it all comes from! 

Marc can’t see himself in all of this. He’s lost sight of who he is. He’s tried so hard to be nothing that he can’t tell when he was himself and he was someone else. 

The death of his brother (I will go back and cover this later. It’s important I just… It will come later.) really affected him. Perhaps Randall was what was left of Marc’s past before he left. Perhaps Randall was what he defined as Marc Spector and the very nature of Randall dying was him killing the past. There is so much trauma there. So much trauma he refuses to face. So much pain and regret. 

Up to this point, we have only seen the violence of his days in the military and mercenaries. It isn’t till much later when Elias dies that we see some of the regret and pain Marc has in his childhood, but even then we don’t see it all. 

So who killed the past? Was it Marc? Was it Moon Knight? Was it Jake? Marc certainly seems to think Jake has it in him to fight and kill. Jake does have a temper at times. Jake also resents Marc and blames him for all the death and pain that trickles down. Much like the death of Crawley’s son. 

Moench never gets deep into Marc’s childhood. He doesn’t cover the trauma. He doesn’t show when the others really started to show up, only when the system became aware of itself. But one has to wonder. 

It’s clear that Moon Knight was created when they died. Jake feels new. Even in Lemire’s run, he mentions that Jake is a lot newer than the others. Jake feels like he came about when they took up residence in New York, (hence why we see him in the last issue finding himself with the mustache.) Perhaps a response to trying to start his life over. A spiritual protector and desire for friends and companionship? It’s hard to tell with Jake because each writer does Jake differently, but he’s certainly not been around as long as the others. 

But Steven does NOT feel new. He’s never felt new. He’s too angry at Marc. He is too stern about his name. Even too critical of Jake. Perhaps Steven wasn’t always aware of who he was, but he feels older. 

Considering the role Steven plays later with the death of Elias (see my other comic breakdowns for that), Steven feels like he’s been with Marc for a long time. 

Marc had to have been aware that something was wrong. I think Marc knew. Even from the beginning, I think Marc knew. Maybe he forgot as a sense of self preservation. Maybe he just refused to believe it. 

I think what I love about re-reading the original comics is that I have the gift of having read everything before. I know what’s coming and where things are taken by other writers. It can be both frustrating and also eye opening. 

I’m going to reach a bit into the future with Lemire. “But not Grant. [....] Never Grant.” 

Never Grant. 

Anyways… 

“Fine upstanding pillar of respectable capitalism that he is…” Possibly a jab. Marc and Steven argue the most. They disagree the most. Maybe Marc doesn’t believe Steven is capable of violence. That he’s too peaceful. 

Like his father. The son his father wanted. The good jewish boy that he should have been. 

But that last part… “Knows…” What does Steven know? Where was Marc going with that? 

The last panel hurts me. All the friends there, and all calling him Steven. Enforcing the ‘normal’ on him. Look how small, vulnerable, and miserable he looks there. 

“Marlene says you’re home now.” But that isn’t Marc’s home. Marc is not welcome there. 

"No... Not home... This is Grant's home. I'm not Grant... I'm nobody... Nothing..." 

Marc protests. He knows he isn't them. He is still stuck. He tries so hard not to be there. To be nothing so he doesn't have to feel things. So he doesn't have to question if he even exists anymore. 

Marlene does try to help.

"Listen to me, Steven -- You are someone! You're exactly what you've chosen to be -- A strong man determined to make up for the evil you once did. You're not Lockley or Grant or even Moon Knight. They're just your tools... Names and identities you use to accomplish your goal." 

She pushes it. She means well. She pushes that Marc is just a man that is trying to make up for the evil he did. That he's strong and chosen to live a better life. 

"I understand... But you're wrong, Lady... It's no use... You loved a fake. Because I don't know who I really am... Other than a four-faced fake, Like the four phases of the moon, and the phoney Moon God, Phoney Khonshu...A fake all along..." 

Marlene is upset and reveals a new Khonshu statue. 

She claims that when she took over managing the mansion, she had a fake plaster Khonshu statue made while the real statue was kept locked up in a safe place. 

She uncovers the statue, much to Marc's shock. 

She tells him that it's all been in his head. That he did this all to himself and that the statue was always still there, so his loss of power was just in his head. 

Marc looks unsure but pleased. 

This... this bothers me. I'll get to that later. But it really bothers me. 

Five nights later, Crawley has news about Bushman and gives them the address. 

Marlene asks him if he's ready to face Bushman again. 

"Physically, yes. Mentally, I still find it all hard to believe and I may be shaky for a while, but I'm as ready as I'll ever be." 

Marlene hands over his old cloak and he's off. 

He tracks down Bushman and gives chase. 

Marc taunts him, telling him to remember certain fights and moves that Bushman taught him. 

Bushman says he is still the stronger man and Marc knocks him out. He's now the better fighter. 

Back at the mansion, Marc is staring up at the statue. 

"Tell me the truth, Marlene. Was the shattered one the replica, and this one the original? Or did you have a replica made after the original was destroyed?" 

"If it really matters to you, dear Steven, you can always have that one carbon-dated..." 

He says he'd rather not know and she tells him it was all in his head. 

"Maybe there was too much in my mind... But it's been cleared out, Marlene, thanks to you. I think." 

And in the last panel he gives an uncertain look at the statue as Marlene kisses him. 

So why be so worried about the statue being stolen if she knew it was a fake? Why not tell him right away? Why go through all the trouble? 

She lied to him. She lied to him to make him feel like it was all in his head. Rather than try to talk it out, find the nature of his worries and trauma about not existing or having a soul and help him. 

Instead she lets him believe that everything is fine, enforces that he’s just one guy confused about who he is, and that the others are just him trying to be better. It implies that Marc has it settled and ‘under control’ now. 

This man is the furthest from ‘under control’. If anything, he’s going to sink deeper into himself and bring more harm to them. 

In fact, in the comics to come, the wedge between them is only going to grow. None of that was okay. The lie was not okay. 

So let’s address the big stupid bird in the room: What is Khonshu? 

I don’t think the original comics knew. They often describe the statue as having a strange presence, often making it look like it’s smiling or watching them. 

Marc even claims that he tries to be Khonshu as a way to know himself. That Khonshu knows him the best. 

It’s possible that the spirit of Khonshu did come back with Marc. That it looked into him and saw Marc and the potential there. “Like the four phases of the moon”. Perhaps Khonshu was just biding his time? Testing Marc? Building his power? 

A theory that crosses my path and mind now and then is that Khonshu is another alter. Maybe at first? A way to hold power and control over his life? A being that is above the sins and cruelness of the world? An endless companion that can see into them and guide them? That can control Marc when he is at his worst? 

We’ll see as the comics continue and Khonshu starts to become his own character. 

[aofirs]

Deep web may not be as dark as you think: These Search Engines Get You There

A major amount of data remains inaccessible as it resides in the invisible internet which is further divided into parts of deep web, and dark web.

You probably never realised this. There is only a fraction of the internet that we can access from Google and Microsoft’s search platforms as well as other platforms including Amazon. A major part of the internet remains undercover. The content present on the internet that cannot be accessed through usual search engines like Google or Bing is known as the invisible internet. You may immediately associate that with all things anti-social, but that isn’t true. A major amount of data remains inaccessible as it resides in the invisible internet which is further divided into parts of deep web and dark web.

The deep web can be described as that part of the internet that requires an accreditation to access. It consists of library databases, email inboxes, personal records which includes financial, academic, health, and legal data, cloud storage drives, company intranets and much more. Meanwhile, to access the dark web one needs to use a dedicated browser like Tor to see the content. The dark web is more secretive than the regular web which makes up a fertile ground for illegal activities to flourish such as drug selling, human trafficking, and weapon sales. Considering the intricacies of the invisible web, it is quite understandable that one requires a different method to access the data present in these areas of the internet.

The WWW Virtual Library: One of the oldest catalogs on the web, this website was started by Tim Berners-Lee who also created the World Wide Web, back in 1991. It is a high-quality index of deep web content across dozens of categories as it is compiled by a group of volunteers who include the links by hand.

USA.gov: This is a portal that will provide you with access to all the public material you need on every federal agency and state, local, or tribal government. One can also find information about government jobs, loans, grants, taxes, and much more through this search engine.

notEvil Dark Web:  For those looking for access to the dark web this search engine may come in handy. The search engine has a .onion domain name, hence one cannot access it through a regular web browser. To access the contents of the dark web, one needs to use a browser such as Tor and paste hss3uro2hsxfogfq.onion into the address bar. The website comes with a database of more than 32 million dark websites.

The Wayback Machine: This search engine has access to more than 361 billion web pages on its servers, which allows users to search for content that is no longer available on the visible web.

Pipl:  This can grant you access to searchable databases, member directories, court records, and other deep internet search content to offer you a detailed picture of a person.

[annajade456]

From Novice to Pro: Mastering DevOps for a Tech-Driven World

In today's rapidly evolving and technology-driven world, the intersection of software development and IT operations has assumed unprecedented significance. DevOps emerges as the key player in this scenario, not merely as a methodology, but as a transformative approach that unifies these critical aspects. With a resolute vision to enhance the software development lifecycle, promote collaboration, and facilitate the swift delivery of exceptional applications, DevOps stands as the linchpin of modern technology practices. If you find yourself eager to embark on a journey into the multifaceted realm of DevOps, rest assured that you've arrived at the right juncture. Here, we present you with an extensive roadmap to initiate your DevOps odyssey and, more importantly, to thrive in this vibrant and ever-evolving domain.

The Foundations: Learning the DevOps Basics

DevOps might sound complex, but it all begins with mastering the fundamentals. Start by familiarizing yourself with core concepts like automation, continuous integration, continuous deployment, and containerization. The internet is your treasure trove of resources, with countless articles, online courses, and books to help you grasp these essentials. Building a solid foundation in these areas is crucial as it forms the backbone of your DevOps knowledge.

Acquiring the Essential Skills

Once you're comfortable with the basics, it's time to roll up your sleeves and acquire the necessary skills. DevOps professionals are expected to be well-versed in several areas, such as scripting, automation tools (think Ansible, Puppet, or Chef), containerization (Docker), orchestration (Kubernetes), version control (Git), and cloud computing platforms (like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud). It's like learning a new language, so patience and practice are key. Set up a testing environment and dive into each of these skills, experimenting and honing your abilities.

The Guiding Light: DevOps Training

While self-study is commendable, consider taking your knowledge to the next level through formal DevOps training. Numerous reputable organizations offer comprehensive DevOps courses, and one such standout is ACTE Technologies. These programs offer a holistic approach, covering not only theoretical aspects but also providing hands-on practical experience. The instructors leading these courses are typically seasoned DevOps professionals who can share invaluable insights and guidance, helping you navigate the intricacies of this dynamic field.

Learning by Doing: Hands-On Practice

DevOps is one domain where theory is essential, but practice is indispensable. Set up your development environment, work on creating automation scripts, and delve into the world of containerization and orchestration. Experiment with building and managing containers and dive deep into CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) pipelines. Real-world projects and scenarios serve as excellent opportunities to apply what you've learned, solidifying your skills and understanding.

The Power of Networking and Collaboration

DevOps is all about breaking down silos and fostering collaboration. Engage with the DevOps community by joining forums, communities, or LinkedIn groups dedicated to this discipline. Sharing experiences, learning from the challenges others have overcome, and networking with like-minded professionals can significantly accelerate your DevOps journey.

Adding Credentials: Certification

Depending on your career aspirations, pursuing DevOps certifications can add significant value to your profile. Certifications such as AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, Docker Certified Associate, or Kubernetes certifications can enhance your credibility and make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers. It's not just about gaining knowledge; it's about showcasing your commitment and competence.

Staying in the Know: Continuous Learning

The tech world is in a constant state of evolution, and DevOps is no exception. To excel in this field, it's essential to stay informed about industry trends and emerging tools and practices. Follow DevOps blogs, attend webinars, and participate in conferences or workshops. Your commitment to continuous learning is what will set you apart.

Applying DevOps in the Workplace

If you're already in the IT industry, leverage the power of DevOps by implementing its practices in your projects. Real-world experience is a significant asset, and it's an excellent way to make an immediate impact within your organization. Whether it's automating repetitive tasks or enhancing collaboration between development and operations teams, applying DevOps principles at work can be a valuable addition to your skill set.

In conclusion, DevOps is a transformative approach with the potential to supercharge your career in software development and IT operations. If you're looking for a trusted companion on your DevOps journey, turn to ACTE Technologies. This renowned training institution offers comprehensive courses that equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this dynamic field. Whether you're just taking your first steps into DevOps or you're on a quest to advance your career, ACTE Technologies can be your guide to success in the world of DevOps.

With this roadmap, you're well on your way to unlocking the doors of opportunity that DevOps can offer. Start your journey today and watch your career flourish in the ever-evolving tech landscape. Remember, the world of DevOps is yours to conquer.

[raziakhatoon]

 Data Engineering Concepts, Tools, and Projects

All the associations in the world have large amounts of data. If not worked upon and anatomized, this data does not amount to anything. Data masterminds are the ones. who make this data pure for consideration. Data Engineering can nominate the process of developing, operating, and maintaining software systems that collect, dissect, and store the association’s data. In modern data analytics, data masterminds produce data channels, which are the structure armature.

How to become a data engineer:

 While there is no specific degree requirement for data engineering, a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, software engineering, information systems, or a related field can provide a solid foundation. Courses in databases, programming, data structures, algorithms, and statistics are particularly beneficial. Data engineers should have strong programming skills. Focus on languages commonly used in data engineering, such as Python, SQL, and Scala. Learn the basics of data manipulation, scripting, and querying databases.

 Familiarize yourself with various database systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and NoSQL databases such as MongoDB or Apache Cassandra.Knowledge of data warehousing concepts, including schema design, indexing, and optimization techniques.

Data engineering tools recommendations:

    Data Engineering makes sure to use a variety of languages and tools to negotiate its objects. These tools allow data masterminds to apply tasks like creating channels and algorithms in a much easier as well as effective manner.

1. Amazon Redshift: A widely used cloud data warehouse built by Amazon, Redshift is the go-to choice for many teams and businesses. It is a comprehensive tool that enables the setup and scaling of data warehouses, making it incredibly easy to use.

One of the most popular tools used for businesses purpose is Amazon Redshift, which provides a powerful platform for managing large amounts of data. It allows users to quickly analyze complex datasets, build models that can be used for predictive analytics, and create visualizations that make it easier to interpret results. With its scalability and flexibility, Amazon Redshift has become one of the go-to solutions when it comes to data engineering tasks.

2. Big Query: Just like Redshift, Big Query is a cloud data warehouse fully managed by Google. It's especially favored by companies that have experience with the Google Cloud Platform. BigQuery not only can scale but also has robust machine learning features that make data analysis much easier. 3. Tableau: A powerful BI tool, Tableau is the second most popular one from our survey. It helps extract and gather data stored in multiple locations and comes with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. Tableau makes data across departments readily available for data engineers and managers to create useful dashboards. 4. Looker:  An essential BI software, Looker helps visualize data more effectively. Unlike traditional BI tools, Looker has developed a LookML layer, which is a language for explaining data, aggregates, calculations, and relationships in a SQL database. A spectacle is a newly-released tool that assists in deploying the LookML layer, ensuring non-technical personnel have a much simpler time when utilizing company data.

5. Apache Spark: An open-source unified analytics engine, Apache Spark is excellent for processing large data sets. It also offers great distribution and runs easily alongside other distributed computing programs, making it essential for data mining and machine learning. 6. Airflow: With Airflow, programming, and scheduling can be done quickly and accurately, and users can keep an eye on it through the built-in UI. It is the most used workflow solution, as 25% of data teams reported using it. 7. Apache Hive: Another data warehouse project on Apache Hadoop, Hive simplifies data queries and analysis with its SQL-like interface. This language enables MapReduce tasks to be executed on Hadoop and is mainly used for data summarization, analysis, and query. 8. Segment: An efficient and comprehensive tool, Segment assists in collecting and using data from digital properties. It transforms, sends, and archives customer data, and also makes the entire process much more manageable. 9. Snowflake: This cloud data warehouse has become very popular lately due to its capabilities in storing and computing data. Snowflake’s unique shared data architecture allows for a wide range of applications, making it an ideal choice for large-scale data storage, data engineering, and data science. 10. DBT: A command-line tool that uses SQL to transform data, DBT is the perfect choice for data engineers and analysts. DBT streamlines the entire transformation process and is highly praised by many data engineers.

Data Engineering  Projects:

Data engineering is an important process for businesses to understand and utilize to gain insights from their data. It involves designing, constructing, maintaining, and troubleshooting databases to ensure they are running optimally. There are many tools available for data engineers to use in their work such as My SQL, SQL server, oracle RDBMS, Open Refine, TRIFACTA, Data Ladder, Keras, Watson, TensorFlow, etc. Each tool has its strengths and weaknesses so it’s important to research each one thoroughly before making recommendations about which ones should be used for specific tasks or projects.

  Smart IoT Infrastructure:

As the IoT continues to develop, the measure of data consumed with high haste is growing at an intimidating rate. It creates challenges for companies regarding storehouses, analysis, and visualization. 

  Data Ingestion:

Data ingestion is moving data from one or further sources to a target point for further preparation and analysis. This target point is generally a data storehouse, a unique database designed for effective reporting.

 Data Quality and Testing: 

Understand the importance of data quality and testing in data engineering projects. Learn about techniques and tools to ensure data accuracy and consistency.

 Streaming Data:

Familiarize yourself with real-time data processing and streaming frameworks like Apache Kafka and Apache Flink. Develop your problem-solving skills through practical exercises and challenges.

Conclusion:

Data engineers are using these tools for building data systems. My SQL, SQL server and Oracle RDBMS involve collecting, storing, managing, transforming, and analyzing large amounts of data to gain insights. Data engineers are responsible for designing efficient solutions that can handle high volumes of data while ensuring accuracy and reliability. They use a variety of technologies including databases, programming languages, machine learning algorithms, and more to create powerful applications that help businesses make better decisions based on their collected data.

[pigcatapult]

I cannot emphasize how important it is to have the music you love on hardware you have complete control over, in a file format you can take anywhere. If I like a song, I get it on MP3.

What does Piffy getting a song on MP3 look like?

Find the song you want on YouTube. Lots of bands have official music videos, either uploaded to their channel themselves or automatically uploaded to their "topic".

Check the description. Official uploads sometimes have links where you can buy an MP3 legally. If you do what you want 'cause a pirate is free, skip to Step 6.

NEVER USE ITUNES! They take your music out of your control and you can lose songs forever that way. They have literally stolen music libraries off of people's hard drives before. I don't know enough about Google Play to specifically condemn it, but I don't trust anything associated with cloud storage and neither should you.

For legal MP3 purchases, Bandcamp.com is best imo if it's available. It runs on a Pay-what-you-want with a minimum, so you can give artists you really like a tip. Bandcamp is mostly independent artists, so if the band is with a big label and you still want to buy digitally instead of buying a CD to rip, you might have to pinch your nose and use... *shudder*...

Amazon digital music. It's a little bit of a hassle to hunt down your list of past music purchases (it's a tab in their online music player; do not use their download manager), but they let you download the MP3 on purchase easily and then the file is all yours.

Yar har fiddle dee dee! Find the best quality YouTube vid of your desired song (avoid intros and outros if you can!) and type "YouTube to MP3" into your search engine. You'll likely have to insert the album metadata manually, but it is well worth the hassle.

Now just go forth and play your music on an MP3 player that does absolutely nothing to your files except look at them. I use Windows Media Player on my desktop, but please feel free to add your own.

i know i make this post every time i use spotify for music again but spotify is so incomprehensibly bad and i think its a sign of evil that so many ppls response is ‘oh well guess ill pay for premium’ instead of swift and brutal violence against whoever made the decisions on how the free app would behave or whatever

like you cant just listen to an album (itll shuffle and add other songs) you cant listen to any song on demand, theres like a 2 minute ad break per every 2-3 somgs, itll give you ‘watch this ad and get a half hour ad free!’ prompts and then proceed to Not Do That, limited skips, etc. its almost UNUSABLE without premium, with literally the sole benefit being to use its bullshit shuffling intentionally to find new music (and even then youre tormented every few minutes by unbearable screechy voiced obnoxious ads). theres zero reason to use it instead of just downloading your own music, but its frustrating bc you know how good music streaming would be if it wasnt literally designed for advertisers. and we really shouldnt be okay with the future of media being like this.

[qwikskills]

Step Up Your Cloud Game with Google Associate Cloud Engineer Certification

The demand for cloud computing expertise continues to grow, and the Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification is a valuable way to demonstrate your skills and expertise in this field. This certification is designed for individuals who have a basic understanding of cloud computing and want to demonstrate their expertise in deploying, managing, and operating Google Cloud solutions.

One of the key benefits of the Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification is that it demonstrates your ability to work with Google Cloud technologies. With more and more organizations adopting Google Cloud, having this certification can help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of landing a job in this growing field.

Another benefit of the Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification is that it helps you gain practical experience with Google Cloud technologies. The certification requires you to pass a hands-on exam, which helps you demonstrate your ability to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting. This hands-on experience is valuable not only for the certification itself but also for your future work with Google Cloud.

In conclusion, if you're looking to demonstrate your expertise in cloud computing and advance your career, the Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification is a valuable investment. With its focus on practical experience and its recognition in the industry, this certification is an excellent way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in this growing field. So, take the next step in your cloud journey and earn your Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification today.

[timesofinnovation]

In the digital age, the risk of falling prey to scams has never been higher, particularly for those seeking technical help online. A distressing incident recently highlighted how sophisticated phishing schemes can endanger unsuspecting users. A couple from Washington, D.C., found themselves on the brink of losing $14,000 after contacting what they believed to be genuine Microsoft support to resolve an issue with their email. Unfortunately, they were deceived by a scammer posing as a technician, showcasing how easily many can be misled under the pressure of apparent urgency. The couple had noticed suspicious activities on their email account and decided to search for help on Google. Within moments, they stumbled upon a fraudulent support number that appeared at the top of the search results. Believing they were calling official Microsoft support, they were instead connected to a scammer who adeptly exploited their fear by alleging that a crooked employee from their bank was involved in a conspiracy to breach their account. This alarming narrative took a turn when the scammer suggested a so-called sting operation to expose the alleged bank employee. Utilizing manipulative tactics, the scammer sought to convince the couple to grant remote access to their computer, an alarming step that could have compromised their financial data and personal information. Fortunately, sensing something askew, they severed contact with the fraudulent technician before any serious financial damage could occur. This case is not an isolated incident. Reports indicate that fake Microsoft support pages often surface in search engine results, skillfully designed to lure users into contacting what they wrongly believe is legitimate customer service. Scammers frequently employ panic-inducing language, aiming to extract personal and sensitive information. Victims unknowingly grant access to their systems, unwittingly putting their financial and personal data at significant risk. What makes these scams particularly insidious is their ability to masquerade as legitimate services. Many individuals may not realize how easily fraudsters can create websites and phone numbers that resemble official channels. It becomes critical for users to recognize the various red flags associated with such scams. Whether it’s unsolicited calls claiming to be from “Microsoft support” or requests for remote access to your computer, these should raise immediate suspicion. To protect themselves from becoming victims, users should rely only on official contact details provided on Microsoft's official website. This simple step can help prevent dangerous situations from arising. Additionally, installing reputable antivirus software can serve as a first line of defense against malicious activities and help users identify potential threats. Becoming familiar with the common tactics employed by scammers can significantly enhance one's ability to recognize fraud. For example, scammers often utilize urgency in their communication, a tactic that can cloud judgment and lead to poor decisions under pressure. Understanding the psychological play at work can prepare individuals to resist such manipulative approaches. Education plays a vital role in combating online scams. Users can benefit from awareness campaigns that outline how to spot scams and what to do if they suspect they have been targeted. Microsoft, along with other tech companies, can engage users through public service announcements, informational content, and collaboration with cybersecurity experts to strengthen public awareness about digital threats. In conclusion, while technology continues to advance, so too does the sophistication of digital scams. Consumers must remain vigilant, prioritizing safety and relying on official channels for assistance. As the case of the Washington couple illustrates, the consequences of these scams can be severe, but with the right knowledge and resources, users can protect themselves from falling victim to such malicious schemes.

[sak-shi]

From Novice to Pro: An AWS Beginner’s Guide

Here's a roadmap for going from a novice to a pro with AWS:

 1. Understand Cloud Computing Basics

   - What is Cloud Computing?

     - Cloud computing provides on-demand access to computing resources (servers, storage, databases) over the internet.

   - Types of Cloud Models:

     - Public Cloud: Services available to the public, e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, Azure.

     - Private Cloud: Services for a single organization.

     - Hybrid Cloud: Combines both public and private cloud models.

 2. Get Familiar with AWS Core Concepts

   - AWS Regions and Availability Zones (AZs):

     - AWS operates in multiple geographic regions. Each region consists of multiple availability zones to ensure fault tolerance.

   - AWS Services Overview:

     - Compute Services: EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud), Lambda.

     - Storage Services: S3 (Simple Storage Service), EBS (Elastic Block Store).

     - Networking Services: VPC (Virtual Private Cloud), Route 53, CloudFront.

     - Databases: RDS (Relational Database Service), DynamoDB (NoSQL).

 3. Learn the AWS Console and CLI

   - AWS Management Console: A graphical interface to interact with AWS services.

   - AWS CLI (Command Line Interface): Allows you to interact with AWS services using commands in your terminal.

 4. Start with the Free Tier

   - AWS offers a Free Tier to help beginners experiment with AWS services at no cost for the first 12 months. It includes services like EC2, S3, and Lambda with limited usage.

 5. Deep Dive into Key Services

   - EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud): Learn to launch and manage virtual servers.

   - S3 (Simple Storage Service): Explore object storage and how to manage data at scale.

   - VPC (Virtual Private Cloud): Understand networking, subnets, and security groups.

 6. Learn IAM (Identity and Access Management)

   - Set up users, groups, and roles.

   - Learn best practices for managing security and permissions.

 7. Understand Monitoring and Management

   - CloudWatch: Monitor AWS resources and applications.

   - CloudTrail: Record API calls for auditing and compliance.

   - AWS Config: Track resource configurations over time.

 8. Learn Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

   - AWS CloudFormation or Terraform: Automate the deployment of infrastructure and manage resources using code.

 9. Develop a Real-World Project

   - Create a simple web application hosted on EC2.

   - Store static files in S3 and use CloudFront for content delivery.

   - Implement a simple database with RDS or DynamoDB.

   - Secure your application with IAM roles and policies.

 10. Take AWS Certification

   - AWS offers certifications for different levels: 

     - AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (Beginner)

     - AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (Intermediate)

     - AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional (Advanced)

 11. Stay Updated and Join the AWS Community

   - AWS is constantly evolving with new services and features. Follow AWS blogs, documentation, and forums to keep up.

   - Join AWS events like AWS re:Invent and participate in local AWS meetups.

By progressing through these steps, you can go from understanding the fundamentals to becoming proficient in using AWS to build and manage scalable applications.

[prabhatdavian-blog]

Google Cloud (GCP) Platform: GCP Essentials, Cloud Computing, GCP Associate Cloud Engineer, and Professional Cloud Architect

Introduction

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is one of the leading cloud computing platforms, offering a range of services and tools for businesses and individuals to build, deploy, and manage applications on Google’s infrastructure. In this guide, we’ll dive into the essentials of GCP, explore cloud computing basics, and examine two major GCP certifications: the Associate Cloud Engineer and Professional Cloud Architect. Whether you’re a beginner or aiming to level up in your cloud journey, understanding these aspects of GCP is essential for success.

1. Understanding Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Essentials

Google Cloud Platform offers over 90 products covering compute, storage, networking, and machine learning. Here are the essentials:

Compute Engine: Virtual machines on demand

App Engine: Platform as a Service (PaaS) for app development

Kubernetes Engine: Managed Kubernetes for container orchestration

Cloud Functions: Serverless execution for event-driven functions

BigQuery: Data warehouse for analytics

Cloud Storage: Scalable object storage for any amount of data

With these foundational services, GCP allows businesses to scale, innovate, and adapt to changing needs without the limitations of traditional on-premises infrastructure.

2. Introduction to Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is the delivery of on-demand computing resources over the internet. These resources include:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Basic computing, storage, and networking resources

Platform as a Service (PaaS): Development tools and environment for building apps

Software as a Service (SaaS): Fully managed applications accessible via the internet

In a cloud environment, users pay for only the resources they use, allowing them to optimize cost, increase scalability, and ensure high availability.

3. GCP Services and Tools Overview

GCP provides a suite of tools for development, storage, machine learning, and data analysis:

AI and Machine Learning Tools: Google Cloud ML, AutoML, and TensorFlow

Data Management: Datastore, Firestore, and Cloud SQL

Identity and Security: Identity and Access Management (IAM), Key Management

Networking: VPC, Cloud CDN, and Cloud Load Balancing

4. Getting Started with GCP Essentials

To start with GCP, you need a basic understanding of cloud infrastructure:

Create a GCP Account: You’ll gain access to a free tier with $300 in credits.

Explore the GCP Console: The console provides a web-based interface for managing resources.

Google Cloud Shell: A command-line interface that runs in the cloud, giving you quick access to GCP tools and resources.

5. GCP Associate Cloud Engineer Certification

The Associate Cloud Engineer certification is designed for beginners in the field of cloud engineering. This certification covers:

Managing GCP Services: Setting up projects and configuring compute resources

Storage and Databases: Working with storage solutions like Cloud Storage, Bigtable, and SQL

Networking: Configuring network settings and VPCs

IAM and Security: Configuring access management and security protocols

This certification is ideal for entry-level roles in cloud administration and engineering.

6. Key Topics for GCP Associate Cloud Engineer Certification

The main topics covered in the exam include:

Setting up a Cloud Environment: Creating and managing GCP projects and billing accounts

Planning and Configuring a Cloud Solution: Configuring VM instances and deploying storage solutions

Ensuring Successful Operation: Managing resources and monitoring solutions

Configuring Access and Security: Setting up IAM and implementing security best practices

7. GCP Professional Cloud Architect Certification

The Professional Cloud Architect certification is an advanced-level certification. It prepares professionals to:

Design and Architect GCP Solutions: Creating scalable and efficient solutions that meet business needs

Optimize for Security and Compliance: Ensuring GCP solutions meet security standards

Manage and Provision GCP Infrastructure: Deploying and managing resources to maintain high availability and performance

This certification is ideal for individuals in roles involving solution design, architecture, and complex cloud deployments.

8. Key Topics for GCP Professional Cloud Architect Certification

Key areas covered in the Professional Cloud Architect exam include:

Designing Solutions for High Availability: Ensuring solutions remain available even during failures

Analyzing and Optimizing Processes: Ensuring that processes align with business objectives

Managing and Provisioning Infrastructure: Creating automated deployments using tools like Terraform and Deployment Manager

Compliance and Security: Developing secure applications that comply with industry standards

9. Preparing for GCP Certifications

Preparation for GCP certifications involves hands-on practice and understanding key concepts:

Use GCP’s Free Tier: GCP offers a free trial with $300 in credits for testing services.

Enroll in Training Courses: Platforms like Coursera and Google’s Qwiklabs offer courses for each certification.

Practice Labs: Qwiklabs provides guided labs to help reinforce learning with real-world scenarios.

Practice Exams: Test your knowledge with practice exams to familiarize yourself with the exam format.

10. Best Practices for Cloud Engineers and Architects

Follow GCP’s Best Practices: Use Google’s architecture framework to design resilient solutions.

Automate Deployments: Use IaC tools like Terraform for consistent deployments.

Monitor and Optimize: Use Cloud Monitoring and Cloud Logging to track performance.

Cost Management: Utilize GCP’s Billing and Cost Management tools to control expenses.

Conclusion

Whether you aim to become a GCP Associate Cloud Engineer or a Professional Cloud Architect, GCP certifications provide a valuable pathway to expertise. GCP’s comprehensive services and tools make it a powerful choice for anyone looking to expand their cloud computing skills.

[aryacollegeofengineering]

What are some important tech skills for IT graduates?

Information Technology Specialist - Job Description and Requirement

The Indian Information Technology industry is one of the largest employers in the private sector. However, it has four sub-sectors including IT Services, Business Process Management (BPM), Software Products & Engineering Services and Hardware. They are mainly performing well, driving revenue and employment in the last few decades with tech skills.

Job profiles in demand

Research conducts on the hiring pattern of IT companies by the professionals of Information Technology at Best Engineering College in Jaipur. However, it is seen that they are mainly hiring for UI and UX Specialists, Full-Stack Web Developers, Product Managers, Product Developers, Mobile Application Developers, System Analysts. Also, it includes Business Analysts, IT Security Analysts, Cloud Computing Specialists, Big Data Specialists, Data Analysts, and CMS Experts.

Top IT skills in demand

Students of Top Engineering Colleges in Jaipur must develop several important skills. However, it includes web-programming and application development with popular and useful programming languages. Some of them are JavaScript, Angular JS, PHP, Python, Objective C, and Ruby on Rails, C, C++, and C #. There are several other skills for IT professionals are as follows:

Project Management - Preferred Certifications include Project Management Professional, PRINCE2 Practitioner, and Certified Associate in Project Management, (CAPM), CompTIA Project+ and Certified ScrumMaster

Database Administration

Tech Support/IT Help Desk Roles

Security and Compliance Governance - Preferred Certifications include CompTIA Security+, CEH, CISSP, CISM, and GSEC

Top recruiting IT companies

Arya College is the Best Placement College in Rajasthan. There are several recruiting companies that college offers. It includes Oracle, IBM, Wipro, Amazon, HCL Technologies, Dell, Microsoft, Cisco, Honeywell, Atos, Novartis, Capgemini, SAP, Mahindra & Mahindra, AC Nielsen, GE, BNP Paribas, Google, Deloitte. In addition, there are several other companies like Nokia, Juniper Networks, Credit Suisse, Ericsson, Red Hat, Infosys, Siemens, Accenture, Tech Mahindra, Thomson Reuters, Goldman Sachs, and VMware.

Skills required in the high sector

Leadership-Oriented - Given the complex and rapidly evolving nature of IT jobs in India, employers from Best Engineering Colleges in Jaipur prefer associates. They must be initiative-driven and show leadership skills.

Resilient - Tech jobs show a wide range of problems routinely. However, the ability to view these challenges in a positive light and overcome them is highly valuable.

Decisive - IT jobs with Campus Placement at B Tech Colleges in Jaipur mainly require quick decision-making as teams manage deliverables on a tight schedule. Being decisive is not a luxury but a minimum requirement.

Competitive - Associates are recognized by their Management. After all, they are constantly competing with themselves and improving all the time,

In Control - The ability to show maturity and restraint in high-pressure situations is one of the mandatory traits for senior management roles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Indian IT has completed 4 decades of existence and is evolving rapidly to keep up with global advancements in technology and business. This only implies that building a fruitful career in IT requires more than the basic qualifications.

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Can Software Development Cost Be Capitalised?

In today’s tech-driven world, software development is crucial for businesses to stay competitive. However, software projects often come with significant costs, prompting the question: Can these expenses be capitalised? Understanding the capitalization of software development costs can impact a company's financial reporting and tax strategies. Let's dive into this topic with practical insights and current accounting standards.

What Does Capitalising Mean?

Capitalising an expense means recording it as an asset on the balance sheet rather than expensing it immediately in the income statement. This approach spreads the cost over the useful life of the asset, thereby reflecting a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.

For software development, the decision to capitalise depends on the development stage and the accounting standards followed. The two primary frameworks that guide this decision are the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) used globally.

When Can Software Development Costs Be Capitalised?

According to GAAP, software development is divided into three stages:

Preliminary Project Stage: This includes activities such as planning, brainstorming, and evaluating software alternatives. Costs incurred during this phase are not capitalised and are expensed as they occur.

Application Development Stage: Once the project moves into actual development—such as coding, testing, and configuring—the associated costs can be capitalised. This includes direct costs of materials and services, payroll costs of developers, and related overhead.

Post-Implementation Stage: Costs related to software training, maintenance, or upgrades are expensed immediately.

For companies using software for internal purposes, only costs during the application development phase are eligible for capitalization. For software developed for sale or licensing, expenses can be capitalised once technological feasibility is established.

Technical Facts and Real-World Examples

GAAP Guidelines: Under GAAP, companies like Microsoft and Salesforce capitalise specific software development costs to better align expenses with revenue. For instance, payroll costs of engineers working on software for internal use are often capitalised during the active development phase.

IFRS Rules: IFRS provides similar guidance but requires a stricter assessment of whether future economic benefits are probable. This is particularly relevant for multinational corporations that follow global standards.

The Impact of Capitalising Software Costs

Capitalising software development costs can have significant benefits:

Improved Financial Metrics: Capitalization spreads costs over several years, leading to higher net income in the short term. This can enhance key financial metrics like EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation), making a company appear more profitable.

Asset Creation: Capitalised costs are listed as assets, increasing a company’s total asset base. This can positively impact investor perception and company valuation.

However, it’s essential to note that capitalising costs increases complexity in financial reporting. Businesses must carefully track development expenses and assess the useful life of the software for accurate amortisation.

Current Trends and Insights

In recent years, companies have become more strategic in deciding whether to capitalise software development costs. With the rise of cloud-based and SaaS (Software as a Service) models, accounting teams often consult with financial advisors to ensure compliance with current standards. Moreover, as software projects grow in scale and complexity, technology-driven firms like Google and Amazon leverage capitalization to manage their financial performance efficiently.

Key Considerations for Businesses

Compliance: Staying compliant with GAAP or IFRS is crucial. Misclassifying expenses could lead to regulatory issues and financial restatements.

Documentation: Accurate documentation is required to justify capitalization. Businesses must keep detailed records of which development activities qualify.

Conclusion

Yes, software development costs can be capitalised, but only under specific circumstances outlined by GAAP or IFRS. Understanding these rules is crucial for companies looking to optimise their financial reporting. As software continues to play a vital role in business operations, staying informed about these regulations can provide a strategic advantage.

By capitalising eligible costs, companies can reflect their investments in software more accurately, manage cash flows, and present a stronger financial position to stakeholders.