#Precision linear guide

[lilia-calderus-pet-goat]

Something of note about Lilia's tarot spread is that—it's hers. The cards she pulls aren't precisely who the characters are to themselves, but who they are and what they represent to Lilia. As her coven, in her life.

Like, I don't really know my tarot that well—I'm just pulling themes from within the episode and my general understanding.

But when she was reading for Billy, he was fittingly represented by the Magician. But for Lilia, he was the “windfall.” He was the tower, reversed. Miraculous transformation. Because she, having put the sigil on him, saved him from the destruction and lead to his miraculous transformation. And to her, he was the windfall, because without him, she wouldn't be here, with her coven. She wouldn't have found herself.

Alice's is very straight forward—“full of fire, fights bravely.” It's how Lilia saw her, what Lilia had once again predicted for her. 'Wound suffered, lessons learned.' Specifically, Lilia wasn't able to warn Alice, but she learned her lesson. So, this time, she makes sure to warn Agatha. “When she calls you a coward, hit the deck.”

And why does she warn Agatha? Agatha represents her 'obstacles,' after all. Maybe so—Lilia's literal obstacle at this stage ends up being the Salem Seven, who merely want Agatha. Yet she chooses to stay behind to save a woman who probably wouldn't do the same for her. And the reason is—for her, Agatha is the Three of Swords. She looks at her and sees Heartbreak, (Rio) Sorrow, (Evanora) Grief (Nicholas). And Lilia is willing to forgive her—to sacrifice herself for her—even if the universe itself doesn't think she deserves it. This is different from how Agatha views herself, or even how Billy views her, since he initially pulls out the Chariot. One might say it's a random choice, but the Chariot is described as representing “determination, success, and control.” It's about overcoming challenges and gaining victory through maintaining control of your surroundings—which, I argue, embodies Agatha pretty well. So The Three of Swords is who Agatha is to Lilia. She doesn't hate her, or see her as a force to be reckoned with. She pities her. After all, the Queen of Cups is defined by her empathy.

Then, of course, Jen. Jen is Lilia's path ahead. Not only because she has a brilliant future of her own ahead of her in the mcu, now with her powers unbound. Because Lilia senses all the trapped light and bound power that Jen carries—“The High Priestess: Immense spiritual power, unable or unwilling to use it--” but also because Jen, the survivor, is the one who will carry on Lilia's memory. All those centuries, Lilia had been alone—there was no 'path ahead.' Everything was a jumbled mess, her “path” was non-linear and twisty. And Jen, after centuries of solitude, was her light in the dark, guiding her through the dark tunnels, as her mind wandered through her timeline searching for answers. Jen was the only person in centuries who bothered to see her as something more, to acknowledge her strength, and to help her fill in the gaps as best as she could. And so Lilia sees so much hope in Jennifer—who won't stop becoming better and better. Because for Jen, the Queen of Cups is her path behind. Wound suffered, lessons learned. “I couldn't save Lilia, I didn't even try to save Alice, I'll be damned if I let you two idiots die.”

Finally, Death, Rio. Well—it's obvious. In tarot, death isn't literal. It's mist often symbolic. Transformation, end of a cycle, new beginnings. Which is why we never see Lilia's corpse, and we never see Rio collect her. Because unlike Alice, Lilia went into the afterlife willingly. And for her, it was a beautiful release. After years of running out of time—she got to start anew—knowing that this time, she managed to save her coven. (I'd also like to think that the reason we don't see Rio collect Sharon is because it was a peaceful death—joining Mr. Davis instead of suffering further. Whereas Alice finally had something to live for, but I digress. I've already made my posts about Alice.)

I think that this is all relatively obvious—but I genuinely can't stop thinking about Lilia and her dynamics with the rest of the coven.

[nebulouscoffee]

The thing about Kai Winn's storyline ultimately being a tragedy is, it's not only a tragedy because her fate (in the eyes of the non-linear Prophets) was already known and nothing she did or said was ever going to make them acknowledge her- not only because she wanted so badly to have a big role to play in the grand, historic story of the newly independent Bajor and just couldn't handle the fact that she was never meant to- not only because the Prophets spoke to Sisko and Bareil and Kira and literally even Quark but not her- not only because she was deceived and raped and killed in the end- but most of all because, it was partly her love of Bajor that killed her.

Think about it- her whole regression during that final arc with Dukat is so tragic precisely because she was THIS close to redemption! Throughout the show, we see that her brain processes information in very rigid, binary ways: if you are not my ally, then you are my enemy. If you disagree with even one of my opinions, you are my enemy. If you refuse to endorse and support me in this mission, you are my enemy. That's part of why she's so easily swayed by fascist rhetoric, I think- she's just unable to cope with nuance. (This is foreshadowed in 'Shakaar', where she puts the whole of Bajor under martial law just because Shakaar disagreed with her over how she was handling soil reclamators.) Her personal narrative is I am the one who will save Bajor -> anyone who gets in my way is my enemy and therefore an enemy of Bajor -> I must stop them using any force necessary for the good of Bajor because I am after all the one who will save Bajor.

But when Sisko discovers the city of B'hala in 'Rapture', she is for the first time forced to accept the truth that he really hasn't been faking this whole "talks to the Prophets" thing- he's the real deal. We learn later on (when she tells "Anjohl" about how she honestly felt nothing the first time she saw the wormhole open) that a small, small part of her actually always doubted the existence of the Prophets. Now, she is faced with definitive proof that they are not only very real, but they also really do have a bond with Sisko. And for a while, she even comes to terms with this! In fact, at the end of the episode, she and Kira have possibly their first completely honest exchange:

KIRA: Maybe we're the ones who need to trust the Prophets. For all we know, this is part of their plan. Maybe they've told Captain Sisko everything they want him to know.  WINN: Perhaps. I suppose you heard that Bajor will not join the Federation today. The Council of Ministers has voted to delay acceptance of Federation membership.  KIRA: You must be very pleased.  WINN: I wish I were. But things are not that simple. Not anymore. Before Captain Sisko found B'hala, my path was clear. I knew who my enemies were. But now? Now nothing is certain.  KIRA: Makes life interesting, doesn't it?

Like, YASS babygirl- you too can learn to handle nuance!! I believe in you!!💪💪

And later on, at the onset of the Dominion War, she comes to Sisko for advice herself. She doesn't want to see her planet colonised again, and she's even willing to put aside her desire to be the main character to ensure it doesn't happen. Driven by pride and the need for power as she is, she is also driven by the desire save Bajor (and preferably be the one saving Bajor, which is the subsection of this desire that ultimately ends up being her downfall) - and she does briefly decide that cooperating with the Emissary is the best way to do this! I think about this scene from 'In The Cards' so much:

WINN: ... I have asked the Prophets to guide me, but they have not answered my prayers. I even consulted the Orb of Wisdom before coming here and it has told me nothing. So I come to you, Emissary. You have heard the voice of the Prophets. You were sent here to guide us through troubled times. Tell me what to do and I will do it. How can I save Bajor?  SISKO: You want my advice? Then this is it. Stall. Tell Weyoun you have to consult with the Council of Ministers, or that you have to meditate on your response. Anything you want, but you have to stall for time.  WINN: Time for what?  SISKO: I don't know. But I do know the moment of crisis isn't here yet, and until that moment arrives we have to keep Bajor's options open. I'm aware that this is difficult for you, given our past, but this time you have to trust me.  (Winn holds Sisko's left ear.)  WINN: Very well, Emissary. We put ourselves in your hands. May we all walk with the Prophets.

In the earlier seasons, Winn would often casually make claims that the Prophets had "told her" something, or that she was just "doing what the Prophets asked"- and her political position as Kai always allowed her to just lie about being in contact with them all the time. Now, you can see the sheer humility- the embarrassment, even- on her face as she (for the first time) openly admits to Sisko that she has never actually heard them speak before; and that they clearly "prefer" him. Yes, there's some (understandable imo) bitterness here- but not at him, at THEM. And when she tries to read his pagh at the end- something she probably does to dozens of people every day, most of whom would unquestioningly believe anything she declares afterwards- she doesn't even try to pretend she felt anything there. It's one of her most genuine moments in the whole show, you can just SEE the redemption arc in reach and it's so heartbreaking!!

I think 'The Reckoning' is a huge episode for her too, for many reasons- but let's talk about how it sets up this fascinating parallel between her and Kira (who Odo describes in this episode as having "both faith and humility"). The Prophets choose Kira as their "vessel" because she was "willing"- meanwhile, Winn was right there just begging to be a part of this! Here she is, with a Prophet right in front of her face- and she prays and postures and begs and prays some more, all just to get ignored. Kira's brand of faith is very, "I am ultimately insignificant and I surrender my power and my body and pagh to the Prophets"- Winn's is more, "if I do all the right things, then I will be able to prove to the Prophets that I am worthy of their attention, worthier than everyone else, and maybe then they'll appoint me the saviour of Bajor! It's My Destiny, You See!! (Why Isn't This Happening For Me??)" And the events of this episode are kind of a big slap in the face to her honestly, because they sort of prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Prophets have no interest in her. Maybe stopping the battle was also an attempt at regaining some kind of agency with them- I DID THIS, I pulled a switch and it had a direct effect on the Prophets, so there!! (Whatever that effect entails). She does care about Bajor. Of course she does. But her ideal configuration of Bajor involves her being a major player in its salvation, which she was just never meant to be. And this is why she's so tragically susceptible to Dukat's manipulation- he was the first person ever to tell her everything she always wanted to hear.

And the intriguing thing about Dukat's deception is, it doesn't all fall apart at one go. It falls apart in layers. And this makes for some excellent, excellent Winn characterisation imo.

First, she thinks the pah wraiths are the Prophets- and they tell her, hey, The Sisko has faltered, Bajor needs you, and only you can fix this. Good lord, imagine finally getting to hear those words after a lifetime of silence! And it's very telling that her first reaction isn't to gloat like she would've in the earlier seasons, but instead to humbly- even anxiously- pray. Bajor needs her, the "Prophets" have asked her to do something, this is her moment! Then, this random lovely Bajoran farmer comes in and tells her even more things she has always wanted to hear- that her activism during the Occupation (ignored by Kira and Sisko alike) saved lives, that he always wondered why the Prophets would choose an alien as their Emissary, that surely Sisko and his followers were mistaken- and finally, "our world will be reborn- with YOU as its leader". Sounds good, right? But THEN she finds out she's been speaking to the pah wraiths and the lovely farmer is a devil worshipper actually. And she tries the "wash away my sins" approach- she wants some kind of quick fix ritual that will "purify" her, so she can continue to be Kai the right way. She even admits to Kira that she's always been power hungry and she wants to change- and I believe her! Unfortunately, Kira then tells her something she doesn't want to hear- that she has to step down as Kai. And surely that can't be, right? She's the saviour of Bajor! She's so complex... it's not simply her love of power that this scene reveals imo, but more significantly, her inability to see herself as not a vital part of Bajor's history; of this whole larger narrative. Like-

WINN: I'm a patient woman. But I have run out of patience. I will no longer serve gods who give me nothing in return. "GIVE ME"!! ADAMI MY BESTIE MY GIRL MY BUDDY THEREIN LIES THE PROBLEM!!!

So, okay, fine, now she's swayed over to the side that maybe the Prophets aren't that great, and maybe the pah wraiths are the true gods of Bajor (because they were willing to talk to her), and maybe she's okay working with the devil worshipper. But then it turns out he's DUKAT- and at this point, she's literally murdered someone, she's ready to stop this, to go back to Sisko and set things right- but then the book of the Kosst Amojan lights up because of the blood she spilled. She did that. It happened as a direct result of her actions. She's just so desperate to be acknowledged... to have a role to play in all this, no matter who offers it to her. So the pah wraiths actually giving her a reaction isn't something she can resist. And here's where things get even more tragic.

WINN: But the prophecies! They warn that the release of the Pah wraiths will mean the end of Bajor.  DUKAT: The old Bajor, perhaps. But from its ashes a new Bajor will arise and the Restoration will begin.  WINN: Who will be left to see it?  DUKAT: Those the gods find worthy. It will be the dawn of paradise. And you, Adami, are destined to rule it.  WINN: You're sure of that?  DUKAT: It is meant to be.

Again with the ease at which she's swayed by fascist rhetoric! Let's be clear, she was (and is) absolutely against the Cardassian Occupation. But her worldview is built on the pursuit of being "worthier" than everyone else, of being "closer to god" than everyone else- her expectation of faith is that it's some sort of determiner of who's doing it The Most Effectively, rather than it being a practice- and she just completely misses that any sort of plan that executes masses and spares whoever is deemed "worthy" is... literally exactly what people like Dukat did to her planet. Something something faith as competition, faith as determiner of inherent superiority, faith as a way to gain power via proximity to god… never faith as submission. And the worst part is she’s self-aware. It’s heartbreaking.

And it's about to get even more heartbreaking, because she truly believes she has arrived at her girlboss moment in the finale (I think the tragedy of her being a rape victim and knowing this and having to hide the body of the one (1) person who was looking out for her while being stuck with her rapist speaks for itself.) After kicking Dukat out on the street (lol), she studies the eeevil texts and realises that to set the pah wraiths free, you need to make a sacrifice. So now she gets to deceive him in return. And she does! The look of shock on his face when he discovers she poisoned him is priceless imo, and her triumph as she taunts his dead body, the sheer joy on her face as she casts off her Kai robes, when she recites those incantations and something actually happens- and that too such a large pyrotechnic spectacle- is so sad knowing what's coming. Because ultimately, the pah wraiths want to destroy Bajor, right? And Winn just doesn't. Of course they don't choose her. Of course they choose Dukat over her! She really thought that by tricking and murdering him, she'd made him the unimportant piece of the puzzle, that she was stealing back his thunder- but tragically, it turns out even the pah wraiths see her as disposable. Of course they resurrect Dukat (a man who's proved time and time again that he wants to see Bajor & Bajorans destroyed) and turn her into the sacrifice. The way she screams "NO!" here breaks my heart- she's betrayed her planet, and it was all for nothing. (Dukat's "are you still here?" is particularly devastating.) I think it's very significant that her final words are "Emissary, the book!"- it shows that in her last moments, she's owning her mistakes- she's stepping away from power and putting Bajor first, and leaving her own fate in the hands of the Prophets. Who, of course, once again ignore her, and choose to save Sisko instead. God.

The utter tragedy that even in the pah wraiths' plan, she was just a pawn. That she died at the hands of the gods she thought chose her, but used her, all while the gods she'd coveted her whole life stood by and did nothing. The Prophets chose Sisko because they believed he would put Bajor's interests over even his own- and now they ensure he will be back one day to see the new Bajor. She never will.

Yes, it was her pride that got her here. Her mean streak. Her inability to cope with nuance. Her inability to see herself as ultimately insignificant. Her inability to surrender to a higher power in any way that didn't involve becoming more powerful herself; more relevant, more "close to god". But it was also her love of Bajor. Because if she'd cared about Bajor less, then maybe the pah wraiths might have chosen her- or at least spared her, or taken her to their realm after she burned, the way they did with Dukat. Now, she ends up being the one thing she never wanted to be: insignificant.

Honestly if I had to summarise the tragedy of her arc in one sentence, it would probably be Kai Winn: Too Evil For The Prophets, Not Evil Enough For The Pah Wraiths. She and Dukat are not the same! She is a perfectly pathetic, sad and wet blorbo and I am holding her gently in my hands while apologising for her crimes <3

[scrumptiousbeardturtle-blog1]

Car Parts and Key Components: Proper Uses that Every Beginner Driver Should Know

Transporting your car can be daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. A well-planned auto transport process making sure your car's safety from start to finish. With a reliable car carrier service like San Jose auto transport, rest assured your car will be delivered to your doorstep on-time.

This guide will provide you necessary information and useful tips about choosing a reliable auto transport service, common car parts, and basic function of your vehicle for safe driving journey.

Car Parts and It's Basic Function

This guide will shed you light with the common car parts and its basic functions for maintaining your car for efficient running condition. From the engine to the brakes, each part plays an important role. Get ready to gain confidence in your driving journey.

The engine generates power, while the transmission transfers that power to the wheels.

Brakes are important for stopping, so understanding how they work will guarantee safety and quickly respond to any unforeseen situations.

The battery powers electrical systems and starts the engine.

Familiarity with fluid levels, such as oil and coolant, prevent overheating and engine damage.

Learning about tire pressure helps maintain traction and safety on the road.

Proper knowledge of these common car parts are important for responsible car owner and safe driving practices.

Today's vehicles are complex machines with many interconnected systems and components. Vehicle owners who understand these simple parts can maintain their cars better and talk effectively with mechanics.

Car Cooling Systems:

Engine and Power-train components

Cooling and exhaust systems

Starting and charging systems

Fuel delivery mechanisms

Braking and steering assemblies

Suspension components

Heating and air conditioning

The engine acts as the vehicle's heart and converts fuel into mechanical energy through controlled combustion. Multiple precision components like the engine block, cylinder heads, camshafts, and crankshaft work together harmoniously.

Supporting systems are equally crucial. The cooling system regulates optimal operating temperatures, and the exhaust system handles waste gasses. The battery and alternator power the starting and charging system, which supplies electrical energy to run the engine and vehicle accessories.

This knowledge helps new car owners during routine maintenance and unexpected problems.

Car owners who understand simple car parts can:

Identify potential problems early

Schedule appropriate maintenance

Make informed repair decisions

Communicate clearly with service professionals

Maintain vehicle value through proper care

The drive-train moves power from the engine to the wheels. The braking system creates friction to stop safely. These systems collaborate with steering and suspension components to provide safe, comfortable transportation.

Important Functions of Car Engine

Your car's internal combustion engine transforms chemical energy into mechanical power through a precise sequence of events.

A well-maintained engine runs smoothly and improves your vehicle's performance and longer engine life.

Regular Engine Maintenance Schedule:

Check spark plugs every 30,000 miles

Monitor fluid levels monthly

Inspect air filters regularly for debris

Clean battery connections at the first sign of corrosion

Your engine's combustion chamber acts as a powerhouse that combines fuel and air to generate energy. The spark plug ignites the compressed fuel-air mixture and creates a controlled explosion that moves the pistons. A timing belt keeps all components in perfect sync during this sequence.

Power flows from the combustion chamber through several key steps:

Piston movement converts explosive force to linear motion

Crankshaft changes linear motion to rotational force

Flywheel smooths the power delivery

Transmission system directs power to wheels

A network of components prevents your engine from overheating. The radiator and water pump work together to circulate coolant through passages around the cylinders. Regular inspection of this temperature management system helps avoid repairs that can get pricey.

Your engine needs proper fluid levels to perform at its best:

Engine oil (check monthly)

Coolant

Brake fluid

Power steering fluid

Spark plugs play a vital role in the combustion process. Engine problems develop rapidly if they malfunction. You should inspect them regularly and replace them according to manufacturer specifications.

Understanding basic car parts and key components is important for any beginner driver in San Jose. This knowledge helps you maintain your vehicle and recognize issues early on. Remember the importance of the engine, brakes, and tires, as these are important parts of your vehicle for safe driving.

With this guide, you now have the tools to feel more confident behind the wheel. Always keep learning and be familiarized with every parts of your vehicle.

For more tips on finding a trusted service like auto transport company California, keep exploring our blog.

[bradstlouis]

Lean vs. Waterfall Business Models: Choosing the Right Approach for Your Venture

When starting or scaling a business, one of the most critical decisions you’ll make is choosing the operational approach that aligns with your goals, resources, and industry demands. Two popular frameworks that often guide entrepreneurs are the Lean and Waterfall business models. Understanding their principles, advantages, and challenges can empower you to select the model that best suits your vision and market.

What is the Lean Business Model?

The Lean business model prioritizes efficiency, adaptability, and continuous improvement. It focuses on creating value for the customer while minimizing waste. Inspired by lean manufacturing principles, particularly those pioneered by Toyota, this model has become a cornerstone of modern startups and innovation-driven enterprises.

Key Principles of the Lean Model:

Validated Learning: Experimentation and customer feedback drive product and process development.

Build-Measure-Learn Cycle: Rapid prototyping allows for iterative improvements.

Customer-Centric Approach: Emphasis on understanding and addressing customer needs.

Waste Reduction: Eliminating activities and resources that don’t add value.

Advantages of Lean:

Cost Efficiency: By focusing on essential features and avoiding overproduction, businesses conserve resources.

Flexibility: Quick pivots are possible when market demands or customer preferences shift.

Speed to Market: Minimal Viable Products (MVPs) enable businesses to launch quickly and refine over time.

Challenges of Lean:

High Uncertainty: Iterative processes may result in unpredictability.

Resource Intensity: Constant feedback loops and adjustments require dedicated time and effort.

Scalability Issues: Lean is ideal for early-stage businesses but may need adaptation for large-scale operations.

What is the Waterfall Business Model?

The Waterfall business model, rooted in traditional project management, follows a linear and sequential approach. This model is structured around defined stages, where each phase must be completed before moving to the next. While it originated in industries like construction and software development, it’s also applicable to businesses requiring meticulous planning and execution.

Key Principles of the Waterfall Model:

Sequential Progression: Projects move from concept to completion in defined steps.

Detailed Documentation: Comprehensive plans, budgets, and timelines are created upfront.

Defined Deliverables: Clear milestones ensure all tasks are completed in order.

Stability: A fixed plan minimizes changes during the process.

Advantages of Waterfall:

Predictability: Clear timelines and budgets enhance planning and stakeholder confidence.

Quality Assurance: Extensive documentation ensures thorough testing and evaluation.

Ease of Implementation: Ideal for projects with well-defined requirements.

Challenges of Waterfall:

Rigidity: Limited flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions.

Delayed Feedback: Customer input often comes late, increasing the risk of misalignment.

Time-Intensive: Sequential phases may lead to longer development cycles.

How to Choose Between Lean and Waterfall

The choice between Lean and Waterfall depends on your business’s nature, goals, and industry.

Lean is Ideal For:

Startups and innovative ventures with evolving market demands.

Projects where customer feedback is essential.

Teams prioritizing speed and adaptability.

Waterfall is Ideal For:

Established businesses with fixed goals and budgets.

Industries like construction, healthcare, or manufacturing, where precision is critical.

Long-term projects requiring robust planning.

Conclusion

Both the Lean and Waterfall business models offer unique advantages and come with their own set of challenges. While the Lean model fosters innovation and flexibility, the Waterfall approach ensures stability and predictability. Entrepreneurs should carefully evaluate their project’s scope, resources, and objectives before committing to a framework. By aligning your operational strategy with your business’s needs, you set the stage for sustainable growth and success.

[beatmyfeet]

When you give him instructions, keep in mind that most men struggle to handle multiple things at once

Men, Multitasking, and the Instructions of a Dominant Mistress

It's often said that, compared to women, most men find it challenging to juggle multiple tasks at once. Whether rooted in biological truth or social construct, this male peculiarity surfaces in various life domains, be it work, household chores, or even social interactions. Over time, women have honed this skill, seamlessly transitioning between their professional, familial, and personal responsibilities.

Picture a dominant mistress in a domestic setting, instructing her submissive. To ensure his success, she'd need to account for this male trait. Clear and concise directions would be the order of the day, guiding him step-by-step rather than bombarding him with a slew of scattered instructions.

"First, gather all the dirty laundry. Once you've done that, sort them by color. Then, start the washing machine." These linear directives ensure focus and task accomplishment.

In the professional realm, instructions might mirror those of a boss to an employee. "Finish this report by tomorrow morning. Once done, email it to the team. Then, get ready for the afternoon meeting." Each command is dispensed precisely, allowing for optimal task completion.

However, this isn't just about multitasking capability. It's also about perspective. Women have often been, by societal expectations, the keepers of the home, handling child-rearing, household tasks, while sometimes also juggling a professional career. This knack for managing multiple tasks has, for many, become second nature.

For some men, venturing into this multitasking realm can be bewildering. This is where the figure of the dominant mistress comes into play. She guides, directs, and provides structure, much like women have often provided structure amid the chaos of daily life.

In the end, this isn't about stereotyping or undermining either gender's capabilities. It's about acknowledging each's strengths and weaknesses and learning to work collaboratively, in a harmonious dynamic, be it professional, personal, or otherwise.

[easyshoppi-blog]

How to Choose the Right Keyboard: A Comprehensive Guide

Choosing the right keyboard is crucial for comfort, productivity, and even gaming performance. With countless options available, understanding your needs and preferences is key. Here's a guide to help you find the perfect keyboard for your setup.

1. Understand Your Purpose

The first step is to determine how you’ll use the keyboard. Are you a gamer, a professional typist, or a casual user? Gamers might prioritize features like low latency, customizable RGB lighting, and mechanical switches, while professionals and writers might value comfort, durability, and typing speed.

2. Choose Between Mechanical and Membrane Keyboards

Keyboards generally fall into two categories: mechanical and membrane.

Mechanical Keyboards: These are known for their tactile feedback, durability, and precise keystrokes. They come in various switch types, such as Cherry MX, Razer, or Logitech switches, each offering distinct actuation points and feel. Mechanical keyboards are ideal for gamers and typists who value accuracy and speed.

Membrane Keyboards: These are quieter, more affordable, and lightweight. They lack tactile feedback, but they work well for casual users and those on a budget.

3. Switch Types Matter

If you choose a mechanical keyboard, pay attention to the switch type.

Linear Switches (e.g., Cherry MX Red): Smooth and consistent, great for gaming.

Tactile Switches (e.g., Cherry MX Brown): Offer a bump for feedback, ideal for typing.

Clicky Switches (e.g., Cherry MX Blue): Provide tactile feedback with an audible click, preferred by enthusiasts and typists.

4. Ergonomics and Comfort

Ergonomics is critical, especially if you spend long hours typing. Look for keyboards with wrist rests, adjustable height, and ergonomic designs. Split keyboards or those with curved layouts can reduce strain on your wrists and fingers.

5. Keyboard Layout and Size

Keyboards come in different sizes, such as full-size, tenkeyless (TKL), and compact (60% or 75%).

Full-Size Keyboards: Include a numeric keypad and all standard keys.

Tenkeyless Keyboards: Omit the number pad for a smaller footprint.

Compact Keyboards: Save space but may sacrifice functionality. Choose based on desk space and personal preferences.

6. Connectivity Options

Decide between wired and wireless options.

Wired Keyboards: Offer a reliable connection and no need for charging.

Wireless Keyboards: Provide flexibility and a cleaner desk setup, though you’ll need to charge or replace batteries periodically.

7. Additional Features

Look for extra features like backlighting (RGB or monochrome), programmable keys, and media controls. Gamers may benefit from anti-ghosting and N-key rollover for precise input recognition.

8. Budget and Build Quality

Set a budget and consider build quality. Higher-end keyboards often use premium materials, like aluminum, for durability.

In conclusion, the best keyboard is the one that aligns with your needs, preferences, and budget. Whether you’re typing essays or conquering virtual worlds, investing in the right keyboard can significantly enhance your experience.

[ctewrites]

This work of fiction will try to stick to the genre of fantasy. All the subgenres of portal, magical realism, grimdark, paranormal, romantasy, sci-fi fantasy... toss these scribbles into a blender and hit the smoothie setting.

The writer will try to see if Oakley is available to guide you to the mead hall in the lands ruled by Raedwald to meet Wulflaed - a witch who has the power to move between alternate worlds - or is it one of many worlds? Could it be in a bubble reality? Oakley doesn't know, and she cannot explain how she can take you to meet the völva who, from all measurable estimates, lives in 7th century East England during the time of the Anglo-Saxons.

Oakley is a scientist - or at least she would be if her life hadn't gone horribly wrong in the summer of 1993.

At least, she thinks it was 1993. In her timeline back on Earth. Or here on Earth, in the place she believes circles the star she learned was called the Sun.

~ 1 ~

You see, as someone trying to interview Oakley for my podcast, she's a little hard to pin down. When I moved here to Ogdensburg, New York, I never thought I'd meet a teenager quite like Oakley. I've taken to write these posts when I meet her to see if she'll tell me a bit more about her travels. I'd really like to see if I could meet Wulflaed the völva as she sounds fascinating.

Oakley doesn't seem to think so. I've suggested she may have encountered what we here in 2024 might interpret to be a witch, or known then as a völva in 7th century England. After all - this young mother of seventeen is known for being adept with the practice of Nigon Wyrta Galdor (Nine Herbs Charm). Oakley is currently adapting to 21st century technology, and loving how quickly she can research and record her observations of Wulflaed. According to Oakley, Wulflaed can wipe away skin ailments, and provide powerful elixirs and other ingestibles that could compete with the best modern pharmaceuticals. Wulflaed may have more powers that Oakley either refuses to acknowledge, or simply cannot articulate into a decipherable interpretation.

Oakley isn't convinced that völva - witches - exist, whereas I like to hand judgement over to preoccupy those who can't think of anything better to do. I like the idea of witches, and Wulflaed seems to fit the description nicely. Oakley doesn't seem to take me seriously on my request to join her at the next meeting with the witch, but has deputized me to become her journalist.

I've always wanted to time travel and space travel. Oakley appears to be irritated by this ability, as if this wonderful gift is a vexing inconvenience. I think it would be fascinating to experience the times Wulflaed lives in, and learn if she has real magic or just really excellent tools for advanced science. I want to see if Wulflaed may have a deeper understanding of how the Universe -or universes? - might work using the web of Wyrd. It's possible that she would never call herself a völva, but she apparently uses a staff that would hint she is wand-wed. Either that or it hides precision tools... sort of like a Swiss army staff for as yet to be labeled witches or scientists.

At some point I will have to tell you how I met this girl, but first I must convince her to take me along. Right now I'm hinting that Wulflaed should be brought onto my podcast. Oakley ignores these suggestions and seems to forget why she shares with me this magnetic tale. I would dismiss her as foolish had I not seen her appear in a blink before my eyes walking my dog along the Oswegatchie river the other night. In truth, Oakley has appeared and disappeared several times over, all within eyeshot of my house. Once right in my living room. I jump out of my skin, catatonic with a heart that might explode every time. Oakley seems only mildly irritated.

I've decided it's better to find a way to start with the first memory Oakley shared with me, and get as linear as possible with her experience. I only get snippets of Oakley's recollections using what she hands to me. I can only describe it as a virtual reality headset that might come straight out of a Steampunk cosplay convention - a vintage aviator hat with welding goggles with a full face snorkel underlay. When I first put it on, I was in a cinematic experience that engaged my full senses....

~ 2 ~

Oakley stormed out the back of her grandmother's kitchen, snagging her jeans on the jagged edge of the broken screen door that clung to rusty hinges.

Words from her mothers mouth swarmed in her head, stinging her eyes that sprung wet tears she scraped away with the back of her hand. "Spend the summer here". "Try it out". "I just can't with you anymore!"

Tripping down the bent and uneven three steps of the makeshift back porch, Oakley couldn't feel her feet on the gravel, but the heat of the late afternoon sun warmed her exposed skin instantly; a stark contrast from the chill of the AC from the disheveled bungalow discarded behind her.

This was Ogdensburg? Ugh. No thanks. Why wasn't she touring colleges for science programs like her mother promised? No. Instead she was dumped here, like forgotten cargo that would tip into the St. Lawrence and wash her downstream.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS FAR.

[profilepicturesforfb-blog]

Essex Hair Transplant Clinic: A Leading Choice for Hair Restoration Solutions

Hair loss is a common issue faced by both men and women, with a range of factors such as genetics, age, hormonal changes, and lifestyle contributing to thinning hair or baldness. As the demand for effective solutions continues to rise, the Essex Hair Transplant Clinic stands out as one of the top destinations for individuals seeking professional hair restoration services. Known for its advanced techniques, highly skilled specialists, and personalized care, the clinic offers hope and results for those struggling with hair loss.

Comprehensive Hair Restoration Services

At the Hair Transplant Clinic, the focus is on delivering cutting-edge hair restoration treatments that are tailored to meet the individual needs of each patient. The clinic offers a wide array of services, including:

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction): FUE is one of the most popular and effective hair transplant techniques available today. In this method, individual hair follicles are extracted from the donor area (usually the back or sides of the scalp) and transplanted into areas with thinning or no hair. This minimally invasive procedure ensures minimal scarring and a quicker recovery time, making it ideal for those with busy lifestyles.

FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation): FUT involves removing a strip of skin from the donor area and dissecting it into individual hair follicles for transplantation. While this method leaves a linear scar, it is highly effective for patients requiring a larger number of grafts in a single session. The Essex Hair Transplant Clinic surgeons carefully assess each patient's unique situation to determine the best technique.

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy: For those seeking non-surgical solutions, PRP therapy is a great option. This treatment involves drawing the patient's own blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting it into the scalp to stimulate hair growth. PRP is an excellent complement to other hair transplant procedures and is often used to improve the overall health of the hair.

Eyebrow and Beard Transplants: In addition to scalp hair restoration, the clinic also specializes in eyebrow and beard transplants for those looking to enhance or restore their facial hair. These procedures require a high level of precision and artistic skill, which the experienced team at the Hair Transplant Clinic delivers to achieve natural-looking results.

Experienced and Qualified Specialists

What truly sets the Hair Transplant Clinic apart from other hair restoration centers is its team of highly skilled and experienced surgeons. Each specialist has years of expertise in hair transplant procedures and is dedicated to achieving the best possible results for every patient. They utilize the latest advancements in hair restoration technology to ensure high success rates and minimal discomfort.

Moreover, the clinic's staff is committed to providing a personalized approach to care. They take the time to understand each patient's concerns and goals, offering tailored advice and a treatment plan that suits their specific needs. From the initial consultation to post-procedure support, the team is there to guide patients through every step of the process.

State-of-the-Art Facilities and Technology

The clinic prides itself on maintaining a state-of-the-art facility equipped with the latest technology in the field of hair restoration. This ensures that every procedure is carried out with the utmost precision and care. The clinic is also committed to maintaining a comfortable and welcoming environment, so patients feel at ease throughout their journey.

Natural-Looking Results

One of the most common concerns for individuals considering a hair transplant is whether the results will look natural. At the Hair Transplant Clinic, the team is known for its ability to create realistic and aesthetically pleasing results. The clinic uses advanced techniques to ensure that hairline designs match the patient’s facial features and that the transplanted hair grows in a way that blends seamlessly with existing hair.

The clinic’s dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes has earned it a reputation as one of the top choices for hair restoration in the region.

Recovery and Aftercare

Another benefit of undergoing a hair transplant at the Hair Transplant Clinic is the comprehensive aftercare provided to patients. Recovery times vary depending on the procedure, but patients can typically return to their daily activities within a few days. The clinic provides clear post-surgery instructions to ensure proper care and faster healing.

The team also offers regular follow-up appointments to monitor progress and address any concerns. With personalized care and ongoing support, patients can rest assured that they are in good hands every step of the way.

Why Choose Essex Hair Transplant Clinic?

There are many reasons why the Hair Transplant Clinic continues to be a leading choice for individuals looking to restore their hair. These include:

Expertise and Experience: The clinic's surgeons are highly trained and experienced, providing top-tier results.

Advanced Techniques: The clinic uses the latest, most effective hair restoration methods.

Personalized Care: Patients receive a customized treatment plan that meets their unique needs.

Natural Results: The clinic's focus on natural-looking hairlines ensures aesthetically pleasing outcomes.

Support and Aftercare: Comprehensive aftercare and follow-up ensure a smooth recovery process.

Final Thoughts

Hair restoration is a life-changing decision, and finding the right clinic is key to achieving the desired results. With its skilled professionals, advanced techniques, and commitment to patient care, the Hair Transplant Clinic offers an excellent option for those looking to combat hair loss and regain their confidence. Whether you are considering a hair transplant, PRP therapy, or other hair restoration services, the clinic provides the expertise and resources necessary for a successful outcome.

[mwolf0epsilon]

The Umbaran Pathogen - Day 19: Hypnosis

Summary: The infected troopers start to move the captives into the unfinished hive for temporary storage. Obi-wan attempts to reason with them, but comes to a disheartening conclusion on what he must do to disrupt the parasite's control.

Warning: Slight mind manipulation (the morality of using Jedi Mind Tricks is put into question)

Dogma's design should give a vague idea of what Cody looks like since they belong to the same cast

Prev / Next

[In which the events on Umbara are worsened by an unknown pathogen taking hold of both the 501st and 212th. These series of drabbles will follow a non-linear timeline based on the AI-less Whumptober prompt list for 2023.]

THIS STORY IS ALSO ON AO3

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In many ways the infected moved as if they were one singular creature. Their coordination and timing (things which most clones already had fine-tuned due to years of training) so incredibly in sync that it felt like watching an actual hivemind at work. One single entity with several bodies that worked on a precise set of tasks, like a conveyor belt in a factory line.

In reality, Obi-wan knows that's not it. The adaptations forced upon the men were ones he recognized on species of eusocial insects, that relied heavily on different kinds of pheromones to communicate. The infected are purely going off scent and hierarchy rather than an actual mind-meld. But their boosted cooperative skills are still impressive nonetheless.

That said, he really wishes that were not the case...

Especially not when he and the remaining healthy troopers were being carted off for storage. Set aside for whenever (if at all) Tup returned. Bound and unable to do anything about it. Their attempts to bring the sick to reason going on deaf ears.

Or, if they annoyed the mutated troopers just a little too much, they would get a low growl or a threatening hiss for their troubles. Sometimes the quick snap of jaws as well, but mostly they were ignored completely. The infected's devotion to their new leader far outweighing any familiarity they might have had with their healthy vode.

The parasites controlling them keeping far too firm a grip.

Obi-wan could, in a way, understand why such a creature would evolve to be this insidious. In as hostile an environment like Umbara, survival of the fittest meant doing just about anything to make it out on top. These parasites, the Umber Blight, had become some of the most naturally cruel arthropods he ever did lay his eyes upon. But, as understanding as he may be of how evolution worked, the Jedi could not bring himself to forgive these beings's true nature.

Not when they had used the troopers, his friends, in such a horrific manner. Starting off by relying heavily on the insecurities and fears of a rookie to spread their influence, and then making all of the men who'd fallen victim become mere mockeries of their true selves.

Identity was everything to a clone. Obi-wan had learned this early on, when he was still getting acquainted with helping to lead an army. Had done everything he could to deserve to get to know the fine young souls that he would be working with regularly, and that he'd slowly become endeared to. Been as openly supportive of their expressions of self, when he'd found out just how oppressive their upbringing had been. So seeing these loyal and kind-hearted soldiers lose that part of themselves, was like having a hot knife stabbed deep into his ribcage. And then subsequently watching those who still had their minds look at their vode with such distress, was like having that blade twisted and turned until everything it touched was torn into fine ribbons.

The unnecessary cruelty made his blood boil. His thoughts racing as he tried to reign it all in.

A Jedi did not submit to rage after all. They mulled over what upset them, processed that particular pain, and released it into the Force. Cleared their thoughts of all ill will and let themselves be guided towards a better solution.

Striking in anger would not benefit anyone. Least of all the victims of this disease.

"Cody..." He tried to speak calmly. Not wanting to come off as far too firm or condescending, when everyone else was relying on him being able to get through to the Commander. "My dear friend, I understand you are bound by honor to complete your duties towards your... Hive... But I must implore you to see reason. You know this isn't right."

The mutated Commander's antennae twitched as he spoke. A sign that he was listening, but not necessarily hearing what the Jedi had to say. Just aware of the noise coming from his direction.

It was a far cry from how he usually behaved.

"Spreading this to the others won't do them any good." He continued, hoping that if he insisted, that eventually he might get through to his second in command. "That is just what the parasite wants you all to think."

9 pairs of eyes turned to regard him with blatant disinterest.

The split in the middle of Cody's bottom jaw widening as he proceeded to yawn, giving the Jedi a nice view of his mouth. From the silk glands that lazily dripped thick strands of webbing, to the elongated and split tongue with protruding spikes, down to the bizarre proboscis-like appendage his esophagus had turned into, the Commander's wide articulated maw was nothing if not intimidating to look upon.

An attempt at a facsimile set of insect jaws that just came off as disconcerting when attached to a clone's otherwise human face.

"Am I boring you?" Obi-wan asked, sounding somewhat amused as he did so. "You seem tired..."

Instead of responding, Cody simply carried on with his current affairs. Most of which revolved around wrapping each and every one of the captive uninfected troopers in strong silk. Not enough to cover them up in cocoons (Cody most definitely did not produce that much silk of his own, nor had Obi-wan seem him spit up the same yellow adhesive Tup seemed to be able to naturally produce), but definitely enough to keep them immobilized during transport.

Each trooper that he'd bound up having then been carried off by one of the other infected, who's forms were distinctly different from the one Cody had taken on.

Lighter in build with less spikes or a stinger of their own. Still very much their natural height instead of the noticeable boost the Commander had gained. Unable to fly as they did not possess a set of wings. They also only had a total of 5 eyes whereas Tup had 7 and Cody had 9. Most likely because they were meant to remain indoors at all times, rather than traverse outside where good vision would be most needed.

Each cast definitely had their own set of specialties, as he noted some of the men who'd fully transformed had stomachs that were slightly larger than the average build of a standard clone trooper. For those mutated men in particular, their gasters were also rounder and larger instead of being heart-shaped and evenly sized.

They were also mostly just watching the proceedings with mild curiosity, instead of helping the others transport the prisoners. Perhaps unsure of what to do if they were not currently tasked with doing what they were most likely 'designed' to do.

At the very least their inactivity didn't seem to upset the others. Some of which checked up on them and very gently chirped as if to give reassurance. Obi-wan at least assumed this was the case, as he watch as a transformed Crys nudged an equally transformed Reed, taking the slightly rounder trooper by the hand and guiding him along.

"I think they might be Repletes." Canivete murmured from just slightly below him. At this point, only Obi-wan, Canivete and Waxer remained attached to the web. Cody had just managed to pin down Tacet to begin wrapping them up. "In ant societies, the repletes are essentially living food storage compartments, that remain in the nest to feed other ants. They fill up their social stomachs with so much food that the gaster swells to about the size of a grape..."

"That's nasty..." Waxer grimaced. He was hanging to Obi-wan's right, one of his boots the only thing in his line of sight. "How big do you think a vod could get if they followed the same logic?"

"Given the fact ants get as big as they get? From the larger bellies and gasters alone, I'm pretty sure they could put a puffer pig to shame." Cani mused. "I doubt it's gonna be a comfortable experience..."

"Stars..."

Cody passed Tacet onto the nearest trooper, moving on to grab at Waxer to begin yet another flurry of wrapping. None of the lieutenant's words getting through to his brother either. There was no talking sense into any of them... So long as the parasites had full control, the men would be forced to obey their new leader's orders.

The power of their suggestions simply too much to work around.

"..." blinking a few times, Obi-wan hummed and furrowed his brow as he began to contemplate that thought.

"You doing ok, sir?" Canivete asked as she noticed the change in his demeanor.

The parasites certainly had a powerful hold of the men's minds. Of that, he had no question. But could they withstand a Force Suggestion if he were to give it to them? They seemed to rely heavily on the men's own mental faculties to understand certain social constructs and ideas. Perhaps if he used a Jedi Mind Trick on the men, it might temporarily disrupt the hold the parasites had?

"General?" Canivete insisted, the medic sounding concerned for his sake.

"I believe I may have an idea..." He told her, frowning as he thought of the consequences implementing said idea, would later bring. Mostly, he knew he would be crossing a line with the men. Especially with Cody, who he'd once discussed this specific ability with. "But it is not one I'm particularly proud of..."

"Whatever works..." The web was slightly tugged, which he assumed was from Canivete shrugging. Or attempting to.

Waxer was already being dragged off. Cody was approaching. It was now or never...

"You will stop what you're doing and listen carefully to what I say." The Jedi tried to keep his voice as clear and even as possible, watching with bitter sadness as the Commander paused in his tracks to stare up at him clearly confused. "Now you will let go of the Commander and sleep for a little while..."

At that, Cody stood up ramrod straight in the same manner he'd done when Tup had first roared. Claiming control over the newly infected and setting them against the healthy. Pitch black eyes widened in mild shock, the mutated clone's mandibles beginning to click in distress. Antennae, arms and wings twitching as control was wrestled out of the parasite's grasp.

And then Cody let out a sudden gasp and violently shook his head.

"Was that a karking Force Suggestion?!" Canivete yelped, clearly horrified at the idea of her General using something of the sort on her siblings.

"It was the only thing I could think to try..." Obi-wan sheepishly admitted sheepishly, trying not to think too hard about it as he looked back to the shaking Commander. "Cody... Are you alright?"

".̴.̶.̸.̴.̶" Cody opened and closed his mouth several times before glancing up at the two of them in question. He regarded them for a couple of seconds before glancing down at his own body. Multiple emotions surging across his face before he regained his composure and looked back up at them again. "T̷h̶a̸t̶ ̶w̷a̷s̸n̷'̷t̵.̴.̶.̷ ̶G̶r̶e̸a̴t̴.̷.̴.̷"

"Oh crap, it worked..." Canivete sounded astonished.

"It seems to have, yes..." Which meant he'd need to do it for every single one of the infected men. Which put Obi-wan ill at ease, since he didn't like to do this sort of thing to anyone he was fond of.

Least of all to the troopers who considered trust to be everything.

Needless to say, he'd need to have a serious conversation with a lot of people once this entire mess was over. And perhaps maybe arrange a visit to the Mind Healers, since he was more than certain this entire ordeal would haunt him for the foreseeable future...

[hairtransplantukcost]

The Cost of Hair Transplant in the UK A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction Hair loss is a common issue that affects millions of people worldwide. In the UK, hair transplant procedures have become increasingly popular as a solution to hair loss. However, the cost of these procedures can vary widely, and understanding the factors that influence these costs is crucial for anyone considering a hair transplant. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the hair transplant costs UK, exploring the various factors that affect pricing, the different types of procedures available, and tips for choosing the right clinic and surgeon.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Hair Transplants Several factors can influence the cost of a hair transplant in the UK. These include:

Type of Procedure: The two most common types of hair transplant procedures are Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). FUE is generally more expensive than FUT because it is more time-consuming and requires more skill and precision.

Number of Grafts: The number of grafts required significantly impacts the cost. More extensive hair loss requires more grafts, leading to higher costs.

Surgeon's Experience and Reputation: Highly experienced and reputable surgeons typically charge more for their services. However, their expertise can ensure better results, which may justify the higher cost.

Clinic Location: The location of the clinic can also affect the cost. Clinics in major cities like London tend to be more expensive than those in smaller towns.

Technology and Equipment: Clinics that use the latest technology and equipment may charge more for their services. Advanced technology can improve the accuracy and effectiveness of the procedure.

Additional Services: Some clinics offer additional services such as post-operative care, medications, and follow-up appointments, which can add to the overall cost.

Types of Hair Transplant Procedures There are two primary types of hair transplant procedures: FUT and FUE. Understanding the differences between these procedures can help you make an informed decision.

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): Also known as strip harvesting, FUT involves removing a strip of scalp from the donor area, usually at the back of the head. The strip is then divided into individual follicular units, which are transplanted to the recipient area. FUT is generally less expensive than FUE but can leave a linear scar.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): FUE involves extracting individual follicular units directly from the donor area using a specialized punch tool. These units are then transplanted to the recipient area. FUE is more time-consuming and requires a higher level of skill, making it more expensive. However, it leaves minimal scarring and has a shorter recovery time compared to FUT. Financing and Payment Options Many clinics offer financing options to help patients manage the cost of hair transplants. These options can include:

Payment Plans: Some clinics offer payment plans that allow patients to spread the cost of the procedure over several months or years. This can make the procedure more affordable by breaking down the cost into manageable payments.

Medical Loans: Patients can also consider taking out a medical loan to cover the cost of the procedure. Medical loans often come with lower interest rates compared to traditional loans and can be tailored to the patient's financial situation.

Credit Cards: Using a credit card is another option, although it is important to be mindful of the interest rates and ensure that you can pay off the balance in a timely manner to avoid accumulating debt.

Choosing the Right Clinic and Surgeon Selecting the right clinic and surgeon is crucial for achieving the best possible results from a hair transplant. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision:

Research and Reviews: Conduct thorough research and read reviews from previous patients. Look for clinics with a high number of positive reviews and testimonials.

Consultations: Schedule consultations with multiple clinics to discuss your needs and expectations. This will give you an opportunity to compare costs, assess the professionalism of the staff, and get a feel for the clinic's environment.

Surgeon's Credentials: Verify the surgeon's credentials, including their qualifications, experience, and membership in professional organizations such as the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS).

Before and After Photos: Ask to see before and after photos of previous patients. This can give you an idea of the surgeon's skill and the quality of their work.

Transparent Pricing: Ensure that the clinic provides transparent pricing with a detailed breakdown of costs. Avoid clinics that offer prices that seem too good to be true, as they may compromise on quality or use outdated techniques.

Post-Operative Care and Maintenance The cost of a hair transplant doesn't end with the procedure itself. Post-operative care and maintenance are essential for ensuring the success of the transplant and the longevity of the results. These additional costs can include:

Medications: Patients may need to take medications such as antibiotics, pain relievers, and anti-inflammatory drugs to aid in the healing process and prevent infections.

Follow-Up Appointments: Regular follow-up appointments with the surgeon are crucial for monitoring the progress of the transplant and addressing any concerns.

Hair Care Products: Specialized hair care products may be recommended to promote healthy hair growth and maintain the results of the transplant.

Lifestyle Changes: Patients may need to make certain lifestyle changes, such as avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, to support the healing process and ensure optimal results.

Alternatives to Hair Transplants For those who may not be ready to commit to the cost or invasiveness of a hair transplant, there are alternative treatments available. These include:

Medications: Medications like Minoxidil (Rogaine) and Finasteride (Propecia) can help slow down hair loss and promote hair regrowth. While these treatments are less expensive than hair transplants, they require ongoing use to maintain results.

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): LLLT is a non-invasive treatment that uses red light to stimulate hair growth. It can be performed at home using laser combs or helmets, or at a clinic. The cost is lower than a hair transplant, but multiple sessions are required.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: PRP therapy involves injecting platelet-rich plasma from the patient's blood into the scalp to stimulate hair growth. It is less invasive than a hair transplant and can be used in conjunction with other treatments. However, multiple sessions are needed, and the cost can add up over time.

Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP): SMP is a cosmetic procedure that involves tattooing tiny dots on the scalp to mimic the appearance of hair follicles. It is a less expensive alternative to hair transplants but does not promote actual hair growth.

Conclusion Hair transplants in the UK can be a life-changing solution for those struggling with hair loss, but they come with a significant financial investment. Understanding the various factors that influence the cost, the types of procedures available, and the importance of choosing a reputable clinic and surgeon can help you make an informed decision. Additionally, exploring financing options and considering alternative treatments can provide more flexibility in managing the cost. With careful planning and research, you can achieve the best possible results and restore your confidence.

[plzignr]

Don't Feel Bad for Oceangate

Alright, I’m a little bit late to this, but it’s still showing up in my feed from other things, and I want to talk about it now, because frankly I’m sick of all the rhetoric surrounding it on all the news organizations I ever look at framing it as ‘Oh what a tragic event this was’ & ‘oh you should feel so bad that we couldn’t save those five people,’ & ‘oh what a travesty.’

It is okay not to feel bad for Oceangate. Oceangate was not and is not a tragedy. A tragedy implies a sudden or surprising It was inevitable based on the design of the Titan submersible. Everything about this submersible design was bad. Worse it was known how terrible the design was and it was still used regardless. That makes it in the worst view straight up murder, and in the best view unintentional manslaughter. It was dumb people, [inexperienced/overconfident] engineers, and a CEO making repeated, well documented aggressively idiotic decisions, and people died due to those aggressively idiotic decisions.

Here's the rundown on the list of said aggressively terrible decisions that were known about, and still done anyway:

The body of the submarine was made of expired carbon fiber. Making a submarine out of not expired carbon fiber, in theory, wouldn’t be a terrible idea, but in practice is an aggressively terrible idea. More extensive details below but in short: The more you cycle Carbon fiber in compression, the weaker it gets, no one, least of all oceangate knows the rate of this, all we know for certain is at some point, it will fail and we cannot determine when that point is.

Carbon fiber has an idealized (mathematically computed) compressive strength of around 1 to 3 gigapascals by some measurements in the direction of its fibers while it is new (as expressed in https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/carbon-fiber-properties#:~:text=Furthermore%2C%20it%20was%20reported%20that,20%25%20of%20axial%20compressive%20strength) , while most steels have a compressive strength of around 17 to 20 megapascals. Which means that in theory carbon fiber has ~300x the amount the compressive strength of steel (in theory).

This Compressive strength is only in the linear direction of the fibers. So, in reality land, you don’t always have load only in the direction of the fibers, if you don’t have load in the direction the fibers are running… your fibers aren’t supporting any load. And not supporting load in a submarine means that gravity will kill you. More on that later.

If you are really careful and clever about this, you might, be able to get a situation where all your fibers are appropriately aligned so it’s not an issue. God help you if anything causes it to be misaligned so that it’s no longer supporting that load.

The effects of carbon fiber composites under repeated cycling is not well understood-

To simplify engineers have about three levels of understanding of things. They are as follows:

Well understood; meaning there is an equation for it that will give you all the details you need to do a thing and the engineer working it can tell you precisely how accurate they can be with their calculations. For example, Static forces, the analysis of items under a consistent unchanging load, is [for the most part] well understood. An engineer can take a look at a load, and tell you how big a thing of a given material needs to be to take that load, so long as the mechanical properties of the material are also well understood. In short- we know what’s going on, and we’ve got well defined equations for it.

Understanding is incomplete; meaning there are generally guiding principles, there’s an idea of what’s going on, but the mechanisms behind it are not fully realized or not fully calculable. For example, humanities understanding of physics is incomplete. We have great equations for specific circumstances and pretty good ones for general cases with only a few specific cavoites (bear in mind that those few specific cavoites means there is an entire field dedicated to it). In short there’s a general idea of what’s going on, but haven’t quite nailed down all the details and sometimes there’s weird contradictions that might mean one of our premises is incorrect, but overall, we know what we can work with.

Not well understood- Haven’t got a fucking clue.

Load in a submarine from simplifying the physics of it is essentially all of the weight of the crushing depths of the ocean on the exterior, and 1 atmosphere of pressure pushing back on the interior:

This means that your material selected has to be strong enough in compression to withstand the compressive load on it. You need the interior to have 1 atm of pressure as that is what most people are used to (Side note: technically if you wanted to you could in theory push it to higher atmospheres of pressure on the interior so long as the human body is also able to withstand those pressures but if you are selling an experience to rich people you probably want to make them as comfortable as possible so 1 atm is where it stays.)

So because submarines are repeatedly subject to multiple cycles of stress you also want them to be of a material that maintains it material properties, i.e. doesn't get consistently weaker on each dive. I'm going to draw you now a quick picture of what happens to carbon fiber under cyclic compressive loading, and then you will see why it would be a terrible choice for a submarine:

See under cyclic loading you get what are referred to as microbreaks or microtears. This are for small non detected breaks within the individual fibers of the material that fail due to buckling or other compressive stresses. Each tear or break reduces the overall effectiveness of the material, and because this material is not well understood, there is no current way to determine how quickly, or to what extent these microbreaks are occurring and how much they are weakening the material. Not a one. Now Oceangate could have looked into the cycling stresses and determined via experimental data what the expectation for this would be, they could have also attempted to determine this mathematically at the barest minimum. However, they did not do this. They simply ignored it as a problem, and put five people on a vehicle that would constantly get weaker as time continued.

Oceangate was warned multiple times, but multiple people, including their own employees, that the submersible was unfit and had safety concerns. The CEO of the company was warned by industry experts that the submarine was unsafe and would fail due to the repeated cyclic stressing of the carbon fiber. How did Oceangate respond to this? Did they demonstrate how they had mitigated those safety concerns? Did they demonstrate how they had calculated when the device would fail so they knew how deep they could take it on each dive? Did they have a repair plan, or an inspection plan for determining the damage done to the submersible before they took it out each dive again? Did they make the barest, minimal effort to keep anyone paying for $25000 'seat' on this death trap to keep them alive? No. Instead they simply stated they were tired of calls for safety standing in the way of 'innovation'. Which is patently ridiculous on its own merit, but is especially insulting when you consider that there literally was not one single innovation that existed within this patchwork Frankenstein's monster of a submersible. Everything that this submersible had attached to it or that it did, had already been well documented and well known about prior to this submersible existing. In addition to being warned by industry experts David Lochridge, an employee of Oceangate, was fired for expressing his concern that the submarine was not safe and wanted to perform additional nondestructive testing to ensure that the vehicle would be safe for human use.

<iframe width="476" height="267" src="https://abc11.com/video/embed/?pid=13410165" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The submersible had had multiple power failures, loss of communication, and additional concerns prior to its final voyage that were never addressed.

Just so… so… many general design flaws… 

The weights functioning as ballasts (part of the system keeping the submarine from rising) could only be removed from the submersible by rolling the submersible until the fell off. This could not be done without power to the submersible.

There was no early warning system, and no NDT testing performed to determine if the submersible was still safe to dive

The communication system for contacting the barge was substandard for the depths the submersible was 'designed' (read marketed) to traverse

The window for the submersible was not rated for the depths the submersible was traversing.

What all of this boils down to, is that this submersible, was poorly designed, was known to be poorly designed, had a known chance for catastrophic failure at the depths being traveled to and they sold tickets for it anyway. Stepping onto this submersible was essentially the same as playing russian roulette, the only difference being the passengers didn't even know they were playing.

Feel bad for the people on board if you want to, they may or may not have known the full extent of the issues when they signed that waiver, they likely didn't understand all the flaws in the machine they stepped foot in. But do not feel bad for Oceangate.

[accountsend]

Unlocking Success Through B2B Sales Lead Acquisition: Expert Insights

In the dynamic landscape of modern business, where competition reigns and opportunities abound, the strategic acquisition of B2B sales leads emerges as a catalyst for achieving sustainable growth. However, this journey is not a linear path; it's a complex tapestry that demands strategic decisions and informed choices. In this comprehensive guide, we dive deep into the nuances, offering a wealth of industry insights and expert guidance to illuminate your way.

DOWNLOAD THE INFOGRAPHIC HERE

Define Your Ideal Customer Profile

In the realm of B2B sales, knowing your audience is the bedrock of success. Crafting a finely tuned ideal customer profile serves as your compass, directing your lead acquisition efforts with precision. The process involves delving beyond surface-level demographics to capture the essence of your target audience—understanding their behaviors, preferences, and pain points. Armed with this detailed understanding, you not only streamline your lead acquisition but also craft compelling marketing messages that resonate deeply, fostering connections that are meaningful and enduring.

Research Reputable Lead Providers

Navigating the labyrinth of lead providers is a critical task that demands careful consideration. As you embark on this journey, arm yourself with the knowledge that not all providers are created equal. Seek out those with a track record of excellence, a history of delivering high-quality B2B database leads. Scrutinize customer reviews, testimonials, and industry accolades to gain insight into their performance. Additionally, leverage the power of your professional network, seeking referrals from trusted peers who have already navigated this terrain. Choosing a partner in lead acquisition is a decision of paramount importance—one that should be informed, calculated, and grounded in the wisdom of those who've come before.

Determine Lead Quality and Validity

The cornerstone of successful lead acquisition is the authenticity and quality of the leads themselves. In the pursuit of excellence, understanding how these leads are sourced and validated is crucial. Engage in candid conversations with potential lead providers, gaining insight into their B2B lead generation methods. Probe into the processes of data validation, such as email verification and phone number validation, to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the leads. The investment in high-quality leads isn't just a monetary one—it's an investment in the future, a commitment to forging relationships that endure beyond the initial transaction.

Consider Niche or Industry-Specific Leads

As the modern business landscape continues to evolve, personalization has emerged as a driving force behind successful marketing efforts. In the realm of B2B sales leads, niche or industry-specific leads are the embodiment of this principle. Tailored to cater to specific industries, these leads carry a heightened level of relevance and resonance. They represent a laser-focused approach that aligns your offerings with the precise needs and challenges of a particular market segment. The journey toward success is marked by embracing this approach, understanding that relevance is the currency that propels your interactions from transactional to transformative.

Evaluate Lead Scoring and Segmentation

Precision is the watchword in the realm of B2B sales, and it's a precision that can be achieved through lead scoring and segmentation. Lead scoring, a strategic mechanism, empowers you to allocate resources where they matter most—on leads with the highest likelihood of conversion. The process is a data-driven symphony, harmonizing your efforts with the rhythm of your audience's needs. Segmentation takes this precision a step further, allowing you to categorize leads based on specific criteria. This segmentation facilitates tailored marketing strategies that resonate deeply, creating connections that go beyond the surface level, igniting genuine engagement.

Ensure Compliance with Data Privacy Regulations

In an era where data privacy is a fundamental concern, ensuring compliance with regulations such as GDPR or CCPA isn't merely a legal obligation—it's an ethical commitment. As you embark on the journey of lead acquisition, a critical step is to partner with lead providers who uphold the same commitment to data protection. Scrutinize their practices, seeking evidence of robust data protection measures that align with regulatory standards. The trust you cultivate through these practices isn't just legal—it's a foundation for fostering enduring relationships with your audience.

Test and Measure Performance

The journey of B2B sales lead acquisition is not a destination; it's a continuous evolution. The culmination of this journey lies in the realm of performance measurement—a dynamic process that demands vigilance and adaptability. Metrics such as conversion rates, lead quality, and ROI become your guiding stars, offering insights into the efficacy of your strategies. It's a dance of constant refinement, an ongoing quest for optimization. This phase ensures that your efforts aren't stagnant but are driven by the currents of data-driven insights.

In summation, the mastery of B2B sales lead acquisition is a journey marked by strategic decisions, data-driven insights, and a commitment to excellence. As you navigate this landscape, let these insights serve as your compass. By defining your ideal customer profile, selecting reputable lead providers, ensuring lead quality, embracing niche leads, and adhering to data privacy regulations, you craft a lead acquisition strategy that resonates with success. The chapters of lead scoring and segmentation, coupled with ongoing performance evaluation, complete the narrative, forging the path to sustained triumph. Embrace these insights, let them guide your decisions, and witness the transformation of B2B sales lead acquisition from a challenge into an opportunity for enduring growth.

[virtualelectronicshub]

Radiation Therapy Explained: Benefits, Process, and Potential Side Effects

Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours. Radiation therapy works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, which prevents them from dividing or growing. Radiation therapy can be delivered externally or internally, depending on the type and location of the cancer.

Radiotherapy is a rapidly growing technically advancing speciality.

The most advanced radiotherapy techniques include:

ETHOS, Linear Accelerators with Artificial Intelligence.

MR Linear Accelerators, where a MR imaging machine is used as part of treatment for better imaging and treatment position and precision.

Cyberknife:  A miniature linear accelerator mounted on a robotic arm, used for high precision radiotherapies to like brain tumors and recurrent tumors close to critical organs.  Cyberknife is used even in noncancerous brain tumors like schwannommas and trigeminal nerve roots alleviating the pain and suffering of trigeminal neuralgia.

Proton Beam Therapy.

3D conformal radiation therapy.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)

Volumetric modulated radiation therapy (VMAT)

Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)

Brachytherapy.

Superficial x-ray radiation therapy (SXRT)

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT)

Benefits of Radiation Therapy

For many common cancers, such as breast cancer, bowel cancer, uterine cancer, skin cancers and prostate cancer, radiation therapy is highly effective in reducing the risk of cancer recurrence if delivered either before or after surgery. In some cancers (for example (prostate, head and neck, bladder, lung, cervix and skin cancers), radiation therapy, with or without drug therapy, can be used as the main curative treatment and in this way avoids the risks of surgery and the removal of organs.

For some cancers that are too advanced to be cured, radiation therapy is very effective for pain and other problems caused by cancer, such as bleeding from the lung or bladder. For example, pain in the bones from the spread of cancer can be improved significantly or be completely removed in around 75% of patients.

New technological advances in radiation therapy have made life better for cancer patients in recent years by making treatments even quicker, more accurate and effective.

Radiation therapy can help:

●      Cure cancer by destroying all the cancer cells in a tumour.

●      Control cancer by slowing down its growth or preventing it from spreading to other parts of the body.

●      Relieve symptoms such as pain, bleeding, or pressure caused by a tumour.

Process of Radiation Therapy

The process of radiation therapy varies depending on the type and stage of the cancer, the goals of the treatment, and the patient’s overall health and preferences. Generally, the process involves:

Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high energy beams to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumours.

The American Cancer Society notes that more than half of people with cancer receive radiation therapy.

Radiation damages genetic material called DNA inside of cancer cells. If the cancer cell cannot repair the DNA, the cell will not be able to produce new cells and may die.

The radiation may injure noncancerous cells, but most are able to recover.

A person’s treatment team will carefully plan radiation therapy to minimise damage to normal tissues and organs.

●  A consultation with a radiation oncologist, who is a doctor who specialises in treating cancer with radiation.

● A planning session is where a radiation therapist will keep the patient  immobilised in position with thermoplastic masks, then imaging tests such as CT scans or MRI scans are used to map out the exact location and size of the tumour and the surrounding normal tissues.

●  A simulation session, where a radiation therapist will position the patient on a table and mark the skin with ink or tattoos to guide the delivery of the radiation beams.

● A treatment session, where the patient will lie still on a table while a machine called a linear accelerator will deliver the radiation beams to the tumour from different angles. The treatment session may last from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the dose and type of radiation therapy. The patient may need to have several treatment sessions over days, weeks, or months.

Potential Side Effects of Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy can cause side effects that vary depending on the part of the body being treated, the dose and type of radiation therapy, and the patient’s individual response. Some common side effects include:

●      Skin changes such as redness, dryness, itching, peeling, or blistering.

●      Fatigue or tiredness that may interfere with daily activities.

●      Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or constipation that may affect appetite and    digestion.

●      Hair loss in the area being treated.

●      Mouth sores or dry mouth that may make eating or swallowing difficult.

●      Headaches or memory problems that may affect concentration or mood.

●      Inflammation or infection of the bladder or rectum that may cause pain or bleeding during urination or bowel movements.

Most side effects are temporary and will go away after the treatment is completed. However, some side effects may be long-lasting or permanent, such as infertility, nerve damage, lymphedema (swelling caused by fluid build-up), or secondary cancers.

Radiation therapy is an effective and safe way to treat many types of cancer. However, it is not suitable for everyone and it may have some risks and limitations. Therefore, it is important to discuss with your doctor about the benefits and drawbacks of radiation therapy for your specific situation before starting the treatment.

For more details click on the link 👇🏻 https://bit.ly/3osreVo

[sixty-silver-wishes]

Tumblr's Guide to Shostakovich- Part 4: Establishing a Star

It's been a while since my last Tumblr's Guide to Shostakovich; I'm so sorry! I've got a ton of projects I'm working on and I just haven't had time for this one. But now that I'm back, it's time to cover the late 20s and early 30s, which is quite a bit of ground.

So, after the composition of his First Symphony in 1925, Shostakovich was quickly becoming noticed, both within the USSR and internationally. 1927 proved to be a consequential year for him, as he began performing as a concert pianist and participated in the First International Chopin Competition in Warsaw, although he did not place among the winners. Nonetheless, he regarded the competition as a success in a letter to his mother, from February 1, 1927. The pianist Nathan Perelman characterized Shostakovich's pianistic style as such:

Shostakovich emphasized the linear aspect of music and was very precise in all the details of performance. He used little rubato in his playing, and it lacked extreme dynamic contrasts. It was an ‘anti-sentimental’ approach to playing which showed incredible clarity of thought. You could say that his playing was very modern; at the time we accepted it and took it to our hearts. But it made less impression in Warsaw, where [Lev] Oborin’s more decorative, charming and ‘worldly’ approach, albeit somewhat militaristic, was the order of the day. However, Shostakovich seemed to foresee that, by the end of the twentieth century, his style of playing would predominate, and in this his pianism was truly contemporary.

(Participants and jury of the First International Chopin Competition, 1927. Shostakovich can be seen third from the left in the second row.)

1927 also saw an event that would once again change the course of Shostakovich's life- in addition to the composition of his Second Symphony (subtitled "To October"), we see in correspondence his first mentions of a foray into operatic composition. While Shostakovich had set words to music before (for instance, "To October" includes an ideological text by Aleksandr Bezyemensky), he decided to choose a work familiar to him as the subject of his first opera, The Nose by Nikolai Gogol, which he mentions in a letter to his friend, the critic Boleslav Yavorsky, on June 19, 1927. (Yavorsky was one of Shostakovich's primary correspondents until August of that year, when he met the polymath and scholar Ivan Sollertinsky, who was to become his closest friend. For more on Sollertinsky, I have a whole post on him here.)

Shostakovich was a lifelong Gogol enthusiast and even had many of his stories memorized by heart, which he was often fond of quoting, both in correspondence and conversation, so it should come as no surprise that he decided to adapt a Gogol story as his first opera, even writing the libretto himself and adapting long passages of the original short story into it (as well as references to other Gogol stories as well!). However, to those unacquainted with Shostakovich, The Nose seems like an unlikely choice for an operatic adaptation, especially considering the great canon of Russian-language literature that has historically been used for operatic adaptations, such as Tchaikovsky's Evgeny Onegin and Pikovaya Dama (or The Queen of Spades), both adapted from Pushkin. The Nose, on the surface, is a bizarre and comedic story, in which the main character, Collegiate Assessor Kovalyov, wakes up to find his nose removed from his face. The Nose is later found walking around Saint Petersburg, where it has gained sentience, talks, and even receives a promotion, much to the status-obsessed Kovalyov's chagrin. Kovalyov is unsuccessful in getting people to believe that his nose is now sentient, shenanigans ensue, and by the end, he wakes up once again to find his nose reattached, as Gogol's narrator remarks on the absurdity and ridiculousness of the story.

It seems like impossible subject matter for an opera, and yet, Shostakovich makes it work. With his penchant for sarcasm and the grotesque, as well as his use of inverting conventions of comedic and tragic music with the effect of making tragic situations seem ridiculous and ridiculous situations seem tragic, Shostakovich enriches Gogol's original Nose (assisted by the author's trademark skaz literary style) in his adaptation, while keeping it distinctly Gogolian. The Nose would be completed in 1928, and premiered in 1930, although it was not a success among the general public at the time, largely due to the avant-garde music and absurdist themes. It would not be performed in the USSR again until 1972.

(A poster for the premiere of The Nose at the Maly Opera Theatre, Saturday January 18th, 1930.)

In 1928, Shostakovich would make a strong connection with the theatre director and playwright Vsevolod Meyerhold, and wrote music for his theatre in Moscow. Shostakovich's stay with Meyerhold, as evidenced from letters to Sollertinsky, was less than ideal- he found Meyerhold and his wife, the actress Zinaida Raikh, to be at times obnoxious in the way they fawned over each other and their two children, and their nanny made unwanted advances on him- but found a career writing music for stage plays, most notably in collaboration with the poet and playwright Vladimir Mayakovsky, whose play The Bedbug he composed accompanying music for.

Shostakovich accepted a position at the theatre collective TRAM (Russian: Театр Рабочей Молодёжи, or Worker's Youth Theatre) in 1929, where he composed music for a number of ideological plays. Scholar Elizabeth Wilson notes that while Shostakovich enjoyed writing music for some of the TRAM plays, he also joined TRAM in an effort to shield himself from criticism from the RAPM (Russian Association of Proletarian Musicians), a more conservative musical branch that was, at the time, amassing power. The RAPM was in opposition at the time to the ACM (Association For Contemporary Music), and encouraged many elements that would later be incorporated into the Socialist Realism style that would take effect in the mid-30s. However, neither organization was around for long; the ACM was dissolved in 1931, while the RAPM was dissolved in 1932. While we know that Shostakovich was growing increasingly aware of the gradual restrictions being placed on music, in the coming decades, the intersection between Soviet politics and music would become unavoidable, and the next opera Shostakovich would compose in just a few years' meant he would find himself straight in the crossroads.

Thank you for reading! In the next entries, we’ll get further into the 30s, where there’s a lot to cover!

[thunderjolt]

strider (2014)

immediately after playing the nes game, i thought to myself: "hey! there's another exploratory strider game and it's been burning a hole in my steam library for 10 years!" well, i finally got around to it. strider 2014 is an interesting beast. overall, i think it's decent.

metroidvanias are a genre i'm very particular about. i think there are a few main pillars: map design, exploration, backtracking, movement, and combat. why don't we run through each real quick, in order of how impressed i was by them.

movement: the movement in strider is excellent. there are many ways to optimize it and tons of little tricks to use. you don't start the game feeling slow or useless either: this game starts you off with essentially the full moveset from strider 2, making you feel fast and powerful from the jump and only increasing your potency from there. the seamless transitions between most screens also result in traversal feeling super smooth. it's not frictionless though, and the movement does require player skill and input to get the most out of. definitely a highlight.

combat: this is really intertwined with movement. as i said earlier, this game starts you off super strong, and you just get stronger. that feeling of mowing through armies of dudes with just one giant laser sword is palpable here. yet still, the game doesn't play itself; you'll need the requisite amount of finesse and quick thinking to get through quickly, but the game gives you the tools to do so, and as you develop that skill it just becomes more and more satisfying

backtracking: some metroidvanias don't have room design i find conducive to backtracking. many of the games on the "-vania" side have enemies that simply require too much time and attention to defeat. personally, i believe that after a certain point in a metroidvania, rooms of enemies earlier in the game should be dispatched without much thought. this is the case in strider, and the game is better for it. you will still struggle with enemies that match the part of the game you're in, but otherwise getting back through areas is smooth thanks to smart upgrade design.

exploration: this is where i think things get a little weaker. the rewards for exploration in this game are there, but they are relatively few in number and don't really inspire curiosity. a problem a lot of people seem to have with super metroid is that its secrets tend to only reward the player with say, a paltry missile tank for their efforts. i don't really have an issue with that, though. even if the reward doesn't stack up, a map littered with little puzzle boxes to pique the player's interest and test their mechanical skills or knowledge is far better than one without. sadly, this game is just lacking in things that make the player interested in the world, and it's a shame.

map design: it's boring. this is what really kills an otherwise strong game for me. both the map (as in the world the player traverses) and the map (as in the thing that guides the player) are poorly designed in my opinion. the game world is not interconnected in an organic or satisfying way, and largely feels like a disjointed assortment of linear challenge rooms. this problem is patched up by fast travel points across the map, to hide the fact that you're mostly good in straight lines, but it's far from a solution. the map itself gives you extremely precise information on the layout and terrain of the world, where you can go to get rewards with your new upgrades, and a huge arrow with a number telling you your exact distance from the next objective. the game never respects the player's intelligence long enough to let them explore the map themselves, possibly because the developers knew they didn't have anything interesting. it's a real shame.

so overall, a mixed bag. i think the game is pretty fun overall, and it goes pretty cheap, so if you're in the mood to slash some shit up as a ninja in a metroidvania package, you could do worse.