#Resource Allocation

[dispatchesfromtheclasswar]

"Markets are not perfect, but they are the most efficient and fair mechanism for resource allocation." 

[askagamedev]

Hello, can I ask how difficult is for developers to add accessibility features to games? I am aware it probably varies by type. Recently, I asked if a sound only minigame in one video game could be reworked to add visual cues, as I am deaf. Lot of other fans harped on me its too much work for little gain, too difficult, that it takes away precious developers time, etc. So now I wonder how complicated such thing actually is and how devs view it. Thank you.

They're not wrong in that building such things isn't free. However, you're also right in that we on the dev side should be thinking about better ways of doing this - there isn't only one solution to these problems. Whatever final solution we implement doesn't have to be the most expensive means of doing so. It's actually up to us to think of better/more efficient ways of doing the things we want to do. Adding accessibility options is often a worthy goal, not only to the players who need those options to be able to play, but also for general quality-of-life. If we're making changes after the fact, of course they're super expensive. If accessibility options are a production goal that we plan for, they're much cheaper because we don't have to redo work - we do it with accessibility in mind in the first place.

For example - let's say that we're working on UI and we have this system:

Let's say that we want to improve things for colorblind players. If we wanted to make this more accessible, instead of just using color to differentiate the choices, we could also add different border visuals to provide additional context.

In such a situation, the difference in choices is still obvious if you're colorblind and it helps legibility for non-colorblind players as well.

These kinds of UX changes can be expensive if we decide to do it after the fact, but if it's something we decide is important to us from the jump we can compensate for those costs by creating efficient and smart solutions early. Remember, the cost of any change in game development is directly proportional to how close that change is to shipping the game. The earlier the change is made, the cheaper it is. Furthermore, we make resource allocation choices based on our goals. If we want to make a game more accessible, we will figure out a way to do so that fits within our budget and provides a good player experience. Players don't really have a say in how we allocate our resources and that kind of armchair producer talk isn't particularly constructive anyway. Telling us what's important to you and why (including accessibility requests) is really the best kind of feedback we can hope for. Don't sweat coming up with the solutions or fretting about where we spend resources, that's our job.

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[omegaphilosophia]

Understanding Partially Public Goods: Excludability and Rivalry

There are several things that could potentially be considered public goods but are not due to various reasons. These goods may be excludable (meaning access can be restricted) or rivalrous (meaning consumption by one person reduces availability to others) to some extent. Here are some examples:

Broadcast Television: While television broadcasts are non-excludable (many people can watch the same program simultaneously), they are not entirely non-rivalrous. Limited advertising space and time slots mean that the more viewers a program attracts, the more revenue it generates. Therefore, broadcast television is not a pure public good.

WiFi in Public Spaces: Publicly available WiFi in parks or airports is often considered a public good because anyone can access it freely. However, it can be limited by factors such as bandwidth, speed, and user restrictions, making it partially excludable and rivalrous to some extent.

Clean Air: Clean air is typically regarded as a classic public good because it is non-excludable and non-rivalrous. However, localized air pollution can affect air quality in specific areas, making it somewhat rivalrous on a regional scale.

Public Transportation: Public transportation systems aim to provide accessible services to everyone. Still, they are not entirely non-excludable, as users typically need to pay fares, and they can become congested during peak hours, introducing rivalry for seating and space.

Online Information: Information on the internet is often considered a public good because it can be freely accessed by anyone. However, some content is protected by paywalls, and high-quality, specialized information may require subscriptions or fees, making it partially excludable.

National Parks: National parks are intended to provide natural beauty and recreational opportunities to all. However, access to some areas may require entrance fees or permits, rendering them partially excludable.

Social Media Platforms: Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter offer free access to users worldwide. However, they are not pure public goods because users' data and content contribute to their revenue through advertising and data monetization.

In these examples, the classification of goods as public or non-public depends on factors like the degree of excludability and rivalry. While they exhibit some characteristics of public goods, they are not entirely non-excludable and non-rivalrous, which is the hallmark of pure public goods like clean air or national defense.

[moreconomics]

"The Austrian School of Economics: A Solution to the World's Problems?"

The Austrian School of economics is a heterodox economic theory that emphasizes the role of individual subjective value, entrepreneurship, and the importance of markets in the allocation of resources. It is distinguished from other economic schools by its emphasis on the dynamic and entrepreneurial nature of economic activity, and its view that the economy is constantly evolving and adapting to changing circumstances. The Austrian School is also characterized by its commitment to methodological individualism, which is the idea that social phenomena can only be understood by examining the actions and motivations of individual actors. This emphasis on the subjective experiences and preferences of individual actors is also reflected in the Austrian School's commitment to the subjective theory of value, which holds that the value of a good or service is subjective and determined by the individual valuations of those who exchange it.

One key aspect of the Austrian School is the concept of the business cycle, which refers to the regular fluctuations in economic activity that occur over time. According to the Austrian theory of the business cycle, these fluctuations are caused by the expansion and contraction of credit by banks. When banks expand credit, they make it easier for individuals and businesses to borrow money, which can lead to an increase in investment and economic activity. However, this expansion of credit can also lead to an unsustainable increase in the demand for goods and services, which can result in a misallocation of resources and the emergence of malinvestments. When the credit expansion eventually comes to an end, the demand for goods and services can suddenly drop, leading to a contraction in economic activity and a corresponding drop in the supply of money and credit. This process of credit expansion and contraction can lead to the regular fluctuations in economic activity that are characteristic of the business cycle.

One important concept in the Austrian School of economics is that of economic calculation, which refers to the process by which individuals and businesses make decisions about how to allocate their resources in the face of scarcity. According to the Austrian School, market processes are the most efficient means of economic calculation because they allow individuals to make decisions based on their own subjective preferences and valuations, and provide information about the relative scarcity of different goods and services through the system of prices. When prices are allowed to adjust freely in response to changes in supply and demand, they provide a clear and accurate signal about the relative scarcity of different goods and services. This allows individuals to make informed decisions about how to allocate their resources and optimize their utility.

For example, if one good is experiencing a shortage and its price is higher than another good that is not experiencing a shortage, an individual may choose to purchase the good that is not experiencing a shortage even if they prefer the good that is in short supply. This is because the higher price of the good in short supply reflects its relative scarcity and the individual may be able to obtain more utility by purchasing a greater quantity of the good that is not experiencing a shortage. This process of resource allocation through market prices promotes the most efficient use of resources and contributes to economic growth and prosperity.

The Austrian School argues that subsidies and other forms of market intervention can distort prices and undermine the ability of the market to perform this crucial role in resource allocation. By distorting prices, subsidies can create artificial shortages or surpluses of goods and services, leading to misallocations of resources and inefficiencies in the economy. This can ultimately undermine the ability of the market to promote economic growth and prosperity.

Money is just another good among many in an economy, and like any other good, it is subject to the laws of supply and demand. When the supply of money is increased or decreased, this can have a significant impact on the relative prices of other goods and services in the economy, as well as on the level of economic activity. The Austrian School of economics argues that the state's control of money and its regulation of private alternatives can distort market processes and undermine economic prosperity. By monopolizing the supply of money or over-regulating private alternatives, the state can manipulate the money supply and interfere with the proper functioning of the market. This can lead to misallocations of resources, economic inefficiencies, and ultimately, a lower standard of living for individuals and businesses.

One way to promote economic stability and prosperity is through the denationalization of money, a concept posited by Friedrich Hayek and embraced by many Austrian economists. This idea refers to the proposal that money should be privately produced rather than issued by a central government or bank. The Austrian School argues that private money would be more stable and less subject to manipulation by governments and central banks, and would therefore be more effective at promoting economic stability and prosperity. One way in which private money could be implemented is through the concept of free banking, in which banks are free to issue their own private currencies while also subject to no special regulations beyond those applicable to most enterprises.

Free banking is a monetary system that has the potential to promote greater competition among banks, leading to better quality currencies and a more stable financial system. In a free banking system, banks have an incentive to issue currencies that are widely accepted and maintain their value, as this would increase the demand for their currency and their profits. To achieve this, banks must demonstrate the reliability and trustworthiness of their currency to the public. One way that banks can do this is through a practice called "note-dueling."

Note-dueling is a practice that occurs in a free banking system, in which banks attempt to gather up as much of their rivals' outstanding notes as possible in order to demonstrate the strength of their own currency. This process can be thought of as a form of market discipline, as it incentivizes banks to maintain reasonable reserve ratios in order to be able to honor their promise to redeem their notes for gold or other specie when requested. Competition among note issuers led each bank to try to demonstrate how solid and reliable it was relative to other banks, and this competition effectively regulated the specie reserves held in the banking system. If a bank has a large specie reserve relative to its outstanding note issue, it is better able to honor this promise and maintain the confidence of the public in its currency. On the other hand, if a bank has a small specie reserve relative to its outstanding note issue, it may be at risk of facing a liquidity problem if there is a high demand for note redemption. In this case, the bank may not have enough gold on hand to meet the demand, which could lead to a failure in the bank that did not have enough specie reserve relative to its outstanding note issue.

The Cantillon effect is a phenomenon in economics that refers to the way in which changes in the money supply can have unequal impacts on different parts of the economy. Named after the 18th-century economist Richard Cantillon, the effect suggests that the first recipients of new money tend to benefit the most, while those who receive the new money later on tend to be disadvantaged. This is because the first recipients of new money are able to use it to purchase goods and services before prices have had a chance to adjust to the increased demand, which can lead to higher prices for these goods and services. This can lead to a transfer of wealth from those who receive the new money later on to those who receive it earlier, contributing to economic inequality.

Many Austrian economists advocate for the denationalization of money and the implementation of free banking as a way to mitigate the potential for the Cantillon effect and promote economic stability and prosperity. In a system of free banking, banks are free to issue their own private currencies and compete with one another for customers. This competition can help to ensure that the supply of money and credit is more responsive to market forces and less subject to manipulation by governments and central banks. One aspect of this competition is the process of "note dueling," in which banks attempt to gather up as much of the outstanding note issue of their rivals as possible in order to demonstrate their own reliability and stability. By allowing the market to play a greater role in the supply and demand of money, the Austrian School argues that free banking can help to promote economic stability and reduce the potential for the Cantillon effect to contribute to economic inequality.

In conclusion, the Austrian School of economics offers a unique perspective on economic theory and policy that emphasizes the role of individual subjective value, entrepreneurship, and the importance of markets in the allocation of resources. The theory of the business cycle explains how the expansion and contraction of credit by banks can lead to fluctuations in economic activity, and the concept of denationalization of money proposes that money should be privately produced rather than controlled by the state. The idea of free banking, in which banks are free to issue their own private currencies, is one way in which this concept could be implemented. The Austrian School argues that these ideas have the potential to promote economic stability and prosperity by allowing the supply of money and credit to be more responsive to market forces and less subject to manipulation by governments and central banks. By respecting the role of the individual and the market in the allocation of resources, the Austrian School offers a unique and valuable perspective on economic policy.

[mintybreakfast]

My issue here is not that some of my earned money goes to help poor people. I would do that voluntarily (and in fact, did that just today).

My issue here is that rich people are the ones who take my money while insisting that it's going to help the poor.

I already help the poor when I can. I don't need a-hole politicians taking a cut of my earnings with warm promises of it being used for good. I know directly where and who I handed my money to.

To the guy on a motorized cart who needed $2 to buy milk.

To the guy who was kicked out of his assisted living home because one of the residents stabbed and killed another resident, thereby deeming the entire complex a crime scene and leading to him being turned to the streets. There weren't enough facilities available to accommodate him. So now he's on the streets, homeless and being told that, in order to get govt assistance, he needs to develop a drug addiction, which he (rightfully) refuses to do.

So when the govt takes a portion of my paycheck 'prima facie' with reason given saying that it is for the betterment of society, forgive me for being doubtful.

I do use a portion of my earned money to help people, and I know it for a fact because I do it myself regularly.

I do NOT, however, know for a fact that rich a-holes from within the government will use that appropriated money to better my community and those within it that continue to struggle.

According to the very image presented, an inordinately justifiable amount of money collected from our paychecks is going to cushion large corporation's interests.

So, the issue you truly have is not what I choose to do with my own money. But rather, with how the government chooses how that confiscated money is allocated. Is this an accurate summary?

[idea-explorer]

[ahalts]

Boosting Team Efficiency: Task Management for Collaborative Success

In today's fast-paced work environment, effective task management is crucial for enhancing team efficiency and driving collaborative success. Implementing structured task management systems allows teams to prioritize responsibilities, track progress, and streamline communication. By utilizing tools that foster transparency and accountability, teams can allocate resources effectively, ensuring that everyone is aligned with project goals. Moreover, fostering a culture of open communication and regular feedback helps in identifying potential roadblocks early on, enabling proactive problem-solving. Ultimately, efficient task management not only boosts productivity but also cultivates a motivated and cohesive team dynamic, leading to successful project outcomes.

More info: https://ahalts.com/products/hr-management

[urfirstlogistics]

Keeping track of inventory can be a daunting task, but with U R FIRST Logistics, efficient organization is within reach. Our expertise in logistics and warehouse management ensures that your inventory is accurately tracked and managed. By implementing streamlined systems and advanced technology, we make sure that your inventory is never out of sight.

[avalonstudiodesignbuilder]

The Crucial Role of a General Contractor in Achieving Project Success

A general contractor serves as the cornerstone of any construction project, ensuring that each phase—from initial planning to the final touches—runs seamlessly. They are responsible for managing a web of complex details, coordinating diverse teams, and solving the inevitable challenges that arise. By keeping the bigger picture in mind while paying close attention to the fine details, the contractor ensures that the project is delivered on time, within the budget, and to a high standard of quality.

Overseeing the Entire Construction Journey

A general contractor’s job is to orchestrate the entire construction journey. They coordinate the efforts of architects, engineers, and subcontractors to ensure that every moving part of the project aligns smoothly. Their task goes beyond managing individual teams; they are responsible for crafting detailed schedules and budgets that act as the blueprint for the project’s progress. By overseeing every phase from start to finish, they ensure the construction stays on course, avoiding any delays or inefficiencies that could derail the project.

Navigating Building Codes and Regulations

An often overlooked but critical duty of the general contractor is ensuring that the project adheres to local building codes and safety regulations. These rules are in place to guarantee the safety and integrity of the structures being built. A general contractor must stay informed about the latest legal requirements, obtain the necessary permits, and make sure the project passes all required inspections. By doing so, they shield the client from legal or financial complications while ensuring the structure meets safety standards.

Balancing the Project's Budget

Effective budget management is central to a general contractor’s responsibilities. Whether it’s sourcing materials or managing labor costs, the contractor must keep a close watch on expenditures to ensure that the project doesn’t exceed the financial boundaries set by the client. This role demands exceptional organizational skills and the ability to negotiate favorable terms with suppliers. Keeping the project within its financial scope not only avoids unnecessary expenses but also ensures that the client remains confident in the contractor's ability to deliver within the agreed-upon budget.

Upholding Quality and Deadlines

Delivering a project that not only meets but surpasses expectations is a core element of a general contractor’s work. Their role involves consistently monitoring the construction site, checking that each aspect of the build matches the project’s specifications, and confirming that only top-tier materials are used. This dedication to detail helps guarantee that the final product is not just completed on schedule but also exceeds the client's standards in terms of quality and durability.

Mastering the Many Facets of Construction Leadership

A general contractor is the essential leader in any construction project, balancing technical skills, strong leadership, and financial insight. By managing the flow of the construction process, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, and keeping tight control over both the budget and quality, the contractor plays an indispensable role in transforming the client’s vision into a successful, completed project.

[raffaellopalandri]

How to Plan Your Goals: A Roadmap to Success

Daily writing promptHow do you plan your goals?View all responses This is one of the most frequent questions I receive, and a topic I delve into extensively in my book, “Free to Achieve“. Free To Achieve, by Raffaello Palandri Goal planning is a cornerstone of personal and professional growth, and while it might seem daunting, it’s a structured process that can lead to remarkable results. The…

[kytesbyproductdossier]

Revolutionizing Resource Management with Artificial Intelligence

The landscape of resource management is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Traditional methods of managing resources—be it human, financial, or material—are increasingly being supplemented, and in some cases replaced, by AI-powered solutions. This revolution promises to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize resource utilization across various sectors.

The Role of AI in Resource Management AI's role in resource management is multifaceted, encompassing predictive analytics, automation, and real-time decision-making. These capabilities are instrumental in addressing the complexities and inefficiencies inherent in traditional resource management practices.

Predictive Analytics: Anticipating Needs and Trends One of AI's most powerful applications is its ability to perform predictive analytics. By analyzing historical data, AI systems can forecast future trends and needs with remarkable accuracy. In inventory management, for example, AI can predict demand fluctuations based on factors like seasonal trends, market dynamics, and consumer behavior. This foresight enables companies to maintain optimal inventory levels, reducing the risk of overstocking or stockouts.

Similarly, in workforce management, AI can predict staffing needs by analyzing past data on employee performance, workload, and business activity. This helps organizations to schedule shifts more effectively, ensuring that the right number of employees are available at the right times.

Automation: Streamlining Repetitive Tasks Automation is another critical aspect of AI's impact on resource management. By automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks, AI frees up human resources to focus on more strategic and value-added activities. In the realm of financial management, for instance, AI can automate processes such as invoice processing, expense reporting, and budgeting. This not only speeds up these tasks but also reduces the risk of human error.

In human resource management, AI can automate the recruitment process by screening resumes, scheduling interviews, and even conducting initial assessments. This streamlines the hiring process, allowing HR professionals to dedicate more time to strategic planning and employee development.

Real-Time Decision Making: Enhancing Responsiveness AI excels at processing vast amounts of data in real-time and providing actionable insights, a capability that is particularly valuable in dynamic environments. In manufacturing, AI systems can monitor equipment performance continuously, predict potential failures, and suggest preventive maintenance actions. This proactive approach minimizes downtime and extends the lifespan of machinery.

In project management, AI provides real-time updates on resource allocation, project progress, and potential risks. This enables project managers to make informed decisions swiftly, ensuring that projects stay on track and within budget.

AI in Various Sectors The benefits of AI-driven resource management are being realized across multiple sectors, each leveraging AI's capabilities in unique ways.

Healthcare In healthcare, AI optimizes both patient care and administrative operations. AI algorithms can predict patient admission rates, helping hospitals manage bed occupancy and staffing levels more effectively. Additionally, AI can assist in scheduling surgeries and other medical procedures, ensuring the optimal use of medical resources.

Energy The energy sector also stands to gain significantly from AI. AI can predict energy consumption patterns, enabling better management of energy resources and reducing waste. Moreover, AI can optimize power grid operations by forecasting demand and supply fluctuations, leading to more efficient energy distribution.

Agriculture AI is revolutionizing agriculture by promoting more sustainable resource management practices. AI can analyze soil conditions, weather patterns, and crop health to optimize irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. This results in higher crop yields and more efficient use of resources like water and fertilizers.

Challenges and the Path Forward Despite its immense potential, the integration of AI in resource management is not without challenges. Data privacy and security concerns are paramount, as AI systems require access to large volumes of sensitive information. Additionally, the implementation of AI technologies can be costly and necessitates significant investment in infrastructure and training.

Nevertheless, the future of resource management with AI is bright. As AI technology continues to advance, it will become more accessible and affordable, allowing even small businesses to reap its benefits. Improved AI transparency and explainability will also help address concerns about trust and reliability, making it easier for organizations to adopt AI-driven solutions.

Conclusion Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing resource management, offering unprecedented levels of efficiency, accuracy, and responsiveness. By harnessing the power of predictive analytics, automation, and real-time decision-making, AI is transforming how organizations manage their resources. As we move forward, AI will play an increasingly pivotal role in ensuring that resources are used more wisely and sustainably, heralding a new era of intelligent resource management.

[askagamedev]

There was a popular video a few years back (What games are like for someone who doesn't play games). It struck me as a gamer because of how much unwritten "gamer intuition" that we just learned over time and tutorials sometimes seem to take this for granted (ie Day9's criticism of Tears of the Kingdom). What do gamedevs keep in mind when crafting a tutorial for gamers but also for newcomers to gaming or the genre of the game?

Most game dev teams have a strong idea of who our game's target audience is, and that includes the kind of context they should already have. If we're building a big budget AAA first person shooter, we can expect that our representative player recognizes and likes first person shooters and is likely already familiar with the basics of how to play them. It is unlikely we will need to teach them the very basics like how to move about the map and aim or what strafing is. If we're building a casual mobile game where we expect our representative player is new to games and lacks the context needed to play, we'll need to spend more effort to teach them that context.

The need for tutorialization is especially high in two major cases:

When introducing new kinds of gameplay for which there the player doesn't have much or any existing context from other games or real life. Players have no context for the new gameplay, so they need to be taught much more carefully so they can learn. If you've ever seen a player play Dance Dance Revolution for the first time, you'll see what I mean - there's a lot of awkwardness before they start to look more comfortable with playing it. Final Fantasy 13's role change system was similar - it was so significantly different from conventional wisdom that the tutorial elements were spread out over many hours in order to get players familiar with it.

When introducing gameplay that specifically conflicts with conventional wisdom. Players already have habits, conventions, and muscle memory associated with that kind of gameplay, so having things work differently will require a lot of unlearning the old habits in order to learn the new ones. If anyone's played the first Mass Effect, you'll probably understand - the aiming and reticle system in Mass Effect 1 is a façade. Putting the crosshairs on a target's head and firing will not guarantee a headshot, even with a sniper rifle. This choice broke a lot of established shooter conventions and caused significant player confusion.

In these situations, it is a good idea to spend significantly more resources on tutorials than games with more traditional gameplay. We, unfortunately, don't always get the resources to do that. In those cases, it ends up hurting the game's reception because players will often miss the features entirely and then complain they aren't there.

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[cyber-soul-smartz]

21st Century Time Management Techniques for Project Managers

Discover essential time management strategies for project managers to meet deadlines and stay within budget! Learn from Hafsa Reasoner on Empowered Journey. Don't miss out—subscribe now for more insights on mastering project management in the 21st Century

[beingjellybeans]

What is the Bucket Method in Savings and How Can It Help You Achieve Your Financial Goals?

There is a wide variety of methods or techniques you can use to grow your wealth. It can be as simple as keeping loose change in a piggy bank or as complex as investing in stocks. However, if you’re looking for an efficient way to achieve your financial goals, consider using the bucket method. This approach to saving and managing money involves dividing funds into separate “buckets” based on…

[resourcemanagement]

What is Resource Allocation? A Comprehensive Guide for Project Success

Competent resource allocation plays a vital role in the timely completion and delivery of projects. It helps businesses optimize their project management processes, improve employee productivity, and ultimately boost their bottom line. Dive into our blog to learn about the essential aspects and objectives of resource allocation. Read now!

[idea-explorer]