#Software Development in Los Angeles

[pritivora26]

Are you looking to develop a stunning and robust software for your business? Then, Carmatec is an ideal choice for you. As the top software development company in Los Angeles, our software development experts are having a clear idea of how to develop your software, as it makes deep research about your product requirements and completely focuses on turning your software idea successful. Say goodbye to generic solutions that hardly scratch the surface of your business needs: custom software development in Los Angeles helps you to create solutions that align perfectly with your unique vision and goals. Read more.

[rudra-tech]

The Future of Healthcare: Leveraging Healthcare App Development Services

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the integration of technology into healthcare is more critical than ever. As the world moves towards more personalized and accessible medical solutions, healthcare app development services are becoming an indispensable part of the healthcare industry. By harnessing the power of innovative mobile solutions, healthcare app development companies are revolutionizing patient care and streamlining medical processes.

Why Healthcare Apps Are a Game-Changer

Healthcare apps are not just a trend but a significant advancement in the way medical services are delivered. These applications are designed to cater to various needs, from patient monitoring to managing appointments and accessing medical records. Here are some compelling reasons why healthcare apps are crucial:

Enhanced Patient Engagement: Healthcare apps empower patients to take control of their health. Through features like appointment scheduling, medication reminders, and access to health records, patients can manage their health more effectively.

Streamlined Communication: These apps facilitate seamless communication between healthcare providers and patients. Features such as chatbots and telemedicine consultations help bridge the gap between in-person visits, ensuring that patients receive timely advice and support.

Improved Data Management: Healthcare apps provide a secure platform for storing and managing patient data. This leads to better record-keeping, reduced paperwork, and quicker access to essential information.

Personalized Care: With the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning, healthcare apps can offer personalized health recommendations and insights based on individual health data.

Choosing the Right Healthcare App Development Company

Selecting the right healthcare app development company is a crucial step in creating an effective and user-friendly app. Here are some key factors to consider:

Expertise in Healthcare Compliance: Ensure that the development company has experience with healthcare regulations and compliance standards such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Compliance is vital for ensuring the privacy and security of patient information.

Technical Proficiency: The company should possess strong technical skills, including experience in developing apps with robust security features, scalability, and integration with other healthcare systems.

User-Centric Design: The development team should focus on creating a user-friendly interface that caters to both patients and healthcare professionals. An intuitive design enhances user experience and encourages engagement with the app.

Track Record of Success: Look for a company with a proven track record in delivering successful healthcare apps. Reviewing their portfolio and client testimonials can provide insights into their capabilities and reliability.

Post-Launch Support: Ensure that the company offers ongoing support and maintenance services. Regular updates and troubleshooting are essential for keeping the app functional and up-to-date.

The Impact of Healthcare App Development Services

Investing in healthcare app development services can yield numerous benefits for healthcare providers and patients alike. For healthcare providers, these apps can lead to increased efficiency, reduced operational costs, and enhanced patient satisfaction. For patients, the apps offer greater convenience, access to valuable health information, and improved engagement with their healthcare.

Additionally, the use of healthcare apps aligns with the broader trend of digital transformation in healthcare. As technology continues to advance, the role of healthcare apps in improving patient outcomes and optimizing healthcare delivery will only grow stronger.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the integration of healthcare app development services represents a significant advancement in the healthcare industry. By choosing a reputable healthcare app development company, organizations can leverage the benefits of technology to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and stay ahead in a competitive landscape. As the future of healthcare continues to unfold, the role of innovative app solutions will be crucial in shaping the way we approach and manage health and wellness.

For healthcare providers and patients seeking to embrace the future of healthcare, exploring the possibilities offered by healthcare app development services is an essential step. By investing in these technologies, you are not only improving current practices but also contributing to a more efficient and accessible healthcare system for everyone.

[castle-then]

Top Web Design Agency in Los Angeles

Microcode Software is a top web design agency in Los Angeles. It's known for creativity and tech skills. The team customizes digital experiences. These not only attract viewers but also achieve goals. They pay close attention to detail and are innovative. Plus, they work with clients to make their ideas a reality.

At Microcode Software, every project gets careful attention. This ensures websites are both beautiful and work well on all devices. The team's focus on industry trends means clients get innovative solutions. We tailor these solutions to meet their needs and goals.

Microcode Software creates striking, easy-to-use interfaces. It also builds powerful e-commerce sites. This combination boosts brands and ensures a lasting impact. For companies looking to stand out online, Microcode Software is the go-to choice. It turns digital dreams into reality. Please get in touch with contact us so that we can help you grow your company.

[kultremedia]

Automation Tools for Email Marketing

How to Streamline Your Campaigns and Save Time

Email marketing has long been a powerful tool for businesses to engage with their audiences, drive conversions, and build lasting relationships. However, as the digital landscape evolves and competition intensifies, marketers are constantly seeking innovative ways to stay ahead of the game. This is where automation tools for email marketing come into play, offering a solution that streamlines campaigns and saves valuable time for marketers.

Automation tools are the new buzzword in email marketing, and they’re becoming more and more common. They can help you get your emails out to your subscribers based on certain triggers, and stop wasting time on manual tasks. But, what are automation tools and how do they help you? In this post, we’ll explain what automation tools are and how they can help you manage your email marketing

Email Segmentation and Targeting

Gone are the days of sending mass emails to your entire subscriber list and hoping for the best. With automation tools, you can segment your audience based on various criteria such as demographics, behavior, and past interactions. By doing so, you can create highly targeted email campaigns that resonate with specific groups of subscribers, leading to higher open rates, click-through rates, and conversions.

For instance, if you’re an e-commerce store, you could segment your customers based on their purchase history and send personalized product recommendations, discount codes, or special offers tailored to their preferences.

Drip Campaigns and Lead Nurturing

Automation tools allow you to set up drip campaigns, a series of automated emails sent to subscribers at predetermined intervals. These campaigns are particularly effective for lead nurturing, as they help guide prospects through the sales funnel with relevant content and offers.

By analyzing subscriber engagement and behavior, automation tools can automatically adjust the content and timing of emails, providing a more personalized experience. This hands-off approach frees up your marketing team to focus on other strategic tasks while the automation tool nurtures leads and moves them closer to conversion.

Abandoned Cart Recovery

Cart abandonment is a significant challenge for e-commerce businesses. Fortunately, automation tools can tackle this issue by automatically sending reminder emails to customers who leave items in their shopping carts without completing the purchase. These emails can include enticing incentives like discounts or free shipping, encouraging customers to return and complete their transactions.

By reclaiming abandoned carts, you can recover potentially lost sales and improve your overall conversion rate, all without manual intervention.

Event and Birthday Reminders

Personalization goes a long way in building strong customer relationships. Automation tools can be programmed to send personalized event reminders, such as birthdays or anniversaries, to your subscribers. By showing your customers that you care about them beyond just making a sale, you foster loyalty and trust, leading to more repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.

A/B Testing and Optimization

To ensure your email marketing efforts are effective, it’s essential to continuously test and optimize your campaigns. Automation tools often come with A/B testing capabilities, allowing you to test different subject lines, content, CTAs, and send times to identify what resonates best with your audience.

Based on the results of these tests, the tool can automatically send the winning variation to the rest of your subscribers, ensuring that your emails are always performing at their best.

Reporting and Analytics

Accurate data and insights are crucial for measuring the success of your email marketing efforts. Automation tools provide comprehensive reporting and analytics, giving you valuable information about email open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, and more.

With this data at your fingertips, you can make data-driven decisions to optimize your campaigns further and focus on strategies that deliver the best results.

In conclusion, automation tools for email marketing have revolutionized the way businesses approach their campaigns. These tools can take a lot of the legwork out of designing your emails, creating graphics, or running your campaigns. Of course, it doesn’t make them automatic; you still have to put in the time and effort to create intriguing content. But these tools are designed to help with some of the more tedious aspects of email marketing, which will ultimately save you time and help streamline your operations.

At Kultremedia, we expertly manage email marketing campaigns for brands, delivering personalized and impactful messages to engage audiences effectively.

[synergytop]

SynergyTop is finest android app development company in San Diego. They offer custom android application development services created by highly skilled android mobile app developers to grow your business. Call: 619-349-4911, +91 8827514783 for details.

[horriblegoosefest]

Fragile Development

by: @amethystheart2421 Pairing(s): Regulus Black/Remus Lupin Rating: Mature Word Count: 28,845 Warnings/Content: No archive warnings apply  Goose: @midnightstargazer

Tags:

Alternate Universe - Modern Setting; Alternate Universe - Muggle; Office; Inspired by Office Space (1999); Romantic Comedy; Minor Regulus Black/Emmeline Vance; Minor Sirius Black/Remus Lupin; Infidelity(not between the main pairing); Minor Character Death; Layoffs; Hypnotism; Alcohol; Discussion of Abortion; Friends With Benefits; Mutual Pining; Jealousy; Break Up; Getting Back Together; Aromantic Sirius Black; Trans Remus Lupin; Sirius Black is a Good Brother; Regulus Black Needs a Hug; AU - American; Los Angeles; AU - Everyone lives; alternating pov; Mention of Domestic Violence; brief misgendering

Summary:

Regulus Black is a software developer for Gringotts, and he's miserable. Rumors of coming layoffs are making his coworkers paranoid. His girlfriend takes him to an occupational hypnotherapist who puts him into a relaxed state. He finally asks out the cute server at the Three Broomsticks, and starts to focus on his own happiness. Until layoffs at the company spur him and his friends to exact revenge - and things go terribly wrong. Inspired by the 1999 film Office Space by Mike Judge

A honk of appreciation from goose MidnightStargazer:

Fragile Development is a really clever melding of HP characters and the plot of the movie Office Space. It was a privilege to help make this fic happen, and I'm so excited for it to be posted. Great job, Nicole!

[alas9]

✨ 📖 ✏️ studyblr masterpost jam ✏️ 📖 ✨ Day #1 as an independent game designer maybe?

how would you describe this topic to someone who has never heard of it?

Games are instances or controlled practice spaces where the consequences do not impact real life. Babies and not-so-babies of various animal species play to prepare for adult life, or for new circumstances of which they have no experience. In short, playing is practicing.

A game designer is a person who prepares the practice space through rules and objectives they create. Designs the player experience so that the practice instance occurs.

This is going to be long, tehe.

what careers are available?

To participate in the process of designing a game, it is not necessary to create the rules themselves, since the process touches on several aspects, that can both artistic and technical. As games are not a one-dimensional experience, nor are all games the same, the creation process can be quite varied, and does not necessarily respect a market logic. A game can be created by a single person, by children in a schoolyard, by one or several programmers, or by a toy designer. But in the case of video games, others may be in charge of the music, the UI UX, the graphic design, the coding, or it can all be done by one person. It really has no restrictions. Bigger studios have more specialized people. That doesn't mean it is mandatory.

What I consider beautiful about making games is staying in touch with something as natural as designing interactions between people or mental exercises for oneself, and at the same time, developing a career from it. To me, its a form of art.

what professional organizations/conferences are big?

Since I don't know many, neither follow many tbh, this is what I've found on the internet.

Professional Organizations

International Game Developers Association (IGDA):

The IGDA is one of the largest organizations for game developers worldwide. It offers resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy for game developers. The IGDA also has local chapters and special interest groups (SIGs) that focus on specific areas of game development, such as game design, narrative, or diversity in gaming.

Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS):

AIAS is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of the interactive arts. It is known for hosting the annual D.I.C.E. Awards, which honor outstanding achievements in the video game industry.

Entertainment Software Association (ESA):

ESA is a trade association that represents the video game industry in the United States. It advocates for the industry and hosts the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), one of the biggest gaming events in the world.

Game Developers Conference (GDC):

GDC is both a conference and a community, offering year-round content and networking opportunities. GDC is the largest and most prominent event for professionals in the game industry, featuring talks, workshops, and expos.

Women in Games (WIGJ):

WIGJ is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the role of women in the video game industry. They offer networking opportunities, resources, and mentorship programs.

Conferences and Events

Game Developers Conference (GDC):

Location: San Francisco, USA

GDC is the largest and most influential event for game developers, featuring a week of lectures, panels, and roundtable discussions by industry experts. It also includes the GDC Expo, showcasing the latest tools and services for game development.

Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3):

Location: Los Angeles, USA

E3 is one of the most anticipated events in the gaming industry, where major publishers and developers unveil new games, consoles, and technology. It’s a key event for networking and understanding industry trends.

PAX (Penny Arcade Expo):

Locations: Various (PAX West, PAX East, PAX South, PAX Australia)

PAX is a series of gaming festivals that include panels, game demos, and tournaments. It’s a great place for indie developers to showcase their games and for networking with other industry professionals.

D.I.C.E. Summit:

Location: Las Vegas, USA

Hosted by the AIAS, the D.I.C.E. Summit is a prestigious event focused on the business and creative aspects of the game industry. It includes talks by industry leaders and the D.I.C.E. Awards.

IndieCade:

Locations: Various (primarily USA)

IndieCade is an international festival of independent games, featuring game showcases, talks, and networking opportunities. It’s a key event for indie developers and those interested in innovative and experimental games.

Tokyo Game Show (TGS):

Location: Tokyo, Japan

TGS is one of the biggest gaming events in Asia, featuring major announcements and showcases from Japanese and international developers. It’s an important event for those interested in the Asian gaming market.

Gamescom:

Location: Cologne, Germany

Gamescom is the largest gaming event in Europe, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors. It includes game exhibitions, panels, and networking events, and is a major hub for the European gaming industry.

SXSW Gaming:

Location: Austin, USA

Part of the larger South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, SXSW Gaming covers all aspects of video games, from development to culture. It features panels, showcases, and networking opportunities.

Devcom:

Location: Cologne, Germany

Devcom is a game developers conference that runs alongside Gamescom. It offers a more industry-focused experience with talks, workshops, and networking events tailored to game developers.

what journals do academics publish in?

Another question I don't think really fits in what I do, because alot of people in the indie side of the industry don't really look after this, maybe big corporations or studios do. But here is an IA generated answer.

Top Academic Journals in Game Design and Related Fields

Journal of Game Design and Development Education (JGDDE)

Focuses on educational aspects of game design and development, including curriculum development, teaching methods, and academic research on game design education.

Game Studies

One of the leading journals dedicated to the academic study of games. It covers a wide range of topics, including game design, game culture, and the impact of games on society.

Journal of Gaming & Virtual Worlds

Explores the cultural, social, and technological aspects of gaming and virtual environments. It often includes research on game design, user experience, and the impact of gaming on users.

International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction (IJHCI)

Covers research on the interaction between humans and computers, including topics like user interface design, usability, and game design. It's relevant for those interested in the UX aspects of game design.

Computers in Entertainment (CiE)

Published by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), this journal focuses on entertainment computing, including video games, interactive media, and digital art. It covers both technical and creative aspects of game design.

Journal of Virtual Worlds Research (JVWR)

Focuses on the study of virtual worlds, including their design, use, and social impact. This journal often features research related to game design within virtual environments.

Games and Culture

This journal explores the cultural aspects of games, including their design, development, and impact on society. It includes research on game mechanics, storytelling, and the cultural significance of games.

Entertainment Computing

Published by Elsevier, this journal focuses on all aspects of digital entertainment, including game design, virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive storytelling.

Simulation & Gaming

Covers research on simulation and gaming as tools for education, training, and entertainment. It includes studies on game design, game-based learning, and the use of simulations in various fields.

Journal of the Society for the Study of Video Games (SSVG)

This journal focuses on the academic study of video games, including their design, development, and impact on players. It covers a wide range of topics relevant to game designers.

International Journal of Game-Based Learning (IJGBL)

Focuses on the use of games for learning and education. It includes research on game design, game-based learning environments, and the effectiveness of educational games.

IEEE Transactions on Games

Published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), this journal covers the technical aspects of game design, including algorithms, AI, and computational methods used in games.

New Media & Society

While not exclusively focused on games, this journal explores the broader impact of new media, including video games, on society and culture. It often includes research on game design and digital culture.

Digital Creativity

This journal covers creative processes and digital technologies, including game design, interactive art, and digital media. It is relevant for those interested in the intersection of art, design, and technology in games.

Conference Proceedings

In addition to journals, academics in game design often publish their research in the proceedings of major conferences, such as:

Game Developers Conference (GDC)

ACM SIGGRAPH

ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

DiGRA (Digital Games Research Association) Conference

International Conference on Entertainment Computing (ICEC)

what are the big questions, goals, or challenges?

What is next for technology regarding gaming experience.

what are the sub-fields/sub-topics/areas of specialization?

This question is alot like the second one. The bigger the studio is, the deeper are the specializations. But indie studios kinda do all at once with a much smaller crew.

You can specialize in gameplay design, narritve design, system design, UXUI design, audio design, art and animation, technical design, game analysis, game production, game testing, virtual reallity, or like me, be an independent game designer.

what are some resources for learning about the field itself?

You can go to a college that have a degree in videogames, but at least in my country, those are mostly to network in the industry. To learn, you can learn from everything. If you can think about any new game or way to tell a story, you can make a game using online resources like courses in Udemy or Youtube.

[lboogie1906]

Roger Timothy Craig (born July 10, 1960) is a former football running back in the NFL. He played for the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders, and Minnesota Vikings. He went to four Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowls with the 49ers. He was the first NFL player to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. He works as the VP of Business Development at TIBCO Software.

He graduated Central High School in Davenport, Iowa. His older brother, Curtis Craig played running back. In his Senior year, he rushed for 1,565 yards and 27 touchdowns, earning prep All-America honors. In his final high school game, he rushed for 353 yards and 4 touchdowns.

In his senior year, he rushed for 1,565 yards and 27 touchdowns, earning prep All-America honors. In his final high school game, a playoff loss, he rushed for 353 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was an all-around athlete, also competing in wrestling and track. In wrestling, he was an Iowa State Championships qualifier. On the track, he finished 2nd in the Iowa State Track and Field Championships in both the 110 hurdles and the 400 hurdles as a Senior in 1979. He broke the school record in the 110 hurdles. His time of 14.43 in the 110 hurdles is still listed among the All-Time Bests at the Iowa State Track and Field Championships.

Hespent several years studying Tae Kwon. He is an avid runner and has participated in over 38 marathons and half-marathons. He was the Grand Marshal for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway.

He is the cousin of New York Jets running back Breece Hall. He is married boxer to Vanessa Craig, sister of boxer Michael Nunn. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[letsgethaunted]

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The Deepest Dive on the Jeffrey Epstein Conspiracy, Part 2 Photodump

Episode 177: The Deepest Dive on The Jeffrey Epstein Conspiracy, PART 2 *IS LIVE*! Image 01: In the summer of 2022, Ghislane Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in a federal prison for sex trafficking minors to Jeffrey Epstein. Image 02: Ghislane’s father, Robert Maxwell, was a war hero turned publishing tycoon. Robert was rumored to be a super spy, using his publishing companies as a network to garner intelligence. Image 03: Only a few months after being accused of outing the identity of an anonymous Israeli whistleblower, Robert was found floating naked and dead in the sea. Upon his death, it was revealed that Robert’s companies were in over 1 billion dollars of debt. Although Robert’s death was ruled a “heart attack combined with drowning,” the explanation never sat well with the public. Image 04: In quite possibly the hardest book ever forged, authors Gordon Thomas and Martin Dillion allege that Robert was a super spy who sold intelligence mining software to every agency on the globe. Image 05: When this infamous photo of 17 year old Virginia with Prince Andrew’s arm wrapped around her waist went public, The Duke of York claimed the image was a fake. Later, the image was found to be real by the FBI. Image 06-07: In an interview with the BBC, Prince Andrew denied ever having been with Virginia the night she claimed they had sex. Image 08: After Prince Andrew’s claim he was “too big” for bathtub sex did not quiet the rumors, Ghislane’s family published a photo of 2 people wearing masks in a bathtub to “clear his name.” Image 09: Ghislane staged photos of her in public reading a book at IN-N-OUT in Los Angeles. The photos were released to the public through her PR team. Ghislane had not been photographed in public since 2016. Image 10: The book Ghislane staged her photos with. Coincidentally, Ghislane’s 2 sisters were the developers behind software that aids “anti terrorism” efforts by law enforcement in the United States. What do you guys think? Is Prince Andrew evil or just dumb? Is Ghislane a spy? Is the FBI full of Haunties now?

[adamcohen]

[ charlie rowe, cis man, he/him ]  — whoa!  ADAM COHEN  just stole my cab! not cool, but maybe they needed it more. they have lived in the city for  2 MONTHS, working as a  SOFTWARE ENGINEER  &  TECH ENTREPENEUR. that can’t be easy, especially at only  TWENTY6 YEARS OLD. some people say they can be a little bit  GREEDY  and  RECKLESS, but i know them to be  ADAPTABLE  and  GENIUS-LIKE. whatever. i guess i’ll catch the next cab. hope they like the ride back to  MANHATTAN!

hey, everyone !!  this  is  zazz (  she/her,  twenty3, gmt  )  bringing  you  mr.  adam cohen. here you’ll  find  all  the  info  you  need  to get to know him.  if  you  wanna  plot,  hmu  on  discord  or through private messages !!

*     ⸻     𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑  𝐎𝐍𝐄.

name :  adam clark cohen. date  of  birth :  november 6, 1997. zodiac  sign :  scorpio  sun,  gemini  rising,  capricorn  moon. place  of  birth :  london, england. occupation :  game & app developer + tech entrepeneur. education  :  massachusetts institute of technology. sexuality :  heterosexual. relationship  status :  single,  interested in dating.

*     ⸻     𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑  𝐓𝐖𝐎.

positive  traits :  charismatic,  energetic, adaptable, easygoing, friendly. neutral  traits :  observant,  sometimes awkward, big-thinking,  sarcastic. negative  traits :  ruthless,  calculating,  impatient, greedy, disorganized. likes :  flannel shirts, parties  and  clubs,  cats, black coffee,  retro music, late  night  drives, brownies. dislikes :  rainy  days,  wet socks,  long  phone  calls,  waking up early,  romantic  movies, hypocrites, most business meetings. habits  :  gesturing when speaking, smirking, glancing at his watch,  cracking his knuckles. alcohol ?  cigarettes ?  drugs ? sometimes.  yes.  sometimes.

*     ⸻     𝐁𝐈𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐇𝐘.

adam had the great luck of being born into an old money family. aside from many years of inherited fortunes, his father, edmund, was an investment banker, while his mother, dominique, was one of england's most-played singers and later turned socialite. clearly, he never had to care much about money. for that reason, they invested a considerable amount of money on him since he was very young, running away from the possibility of their child being anything less than genius-like. adam would grow up with the title of a child prodigy on his back. he was always exceptionally calculating about what his life would look like in the future : something grand. his main source of entertainment and curiosity came from videogames, which he would play almost daily, seeming like he was studying the science behind each one.

being an exceptional student, his parents decided to make him skip some classes and at sixteen, he moved countries and started attending the prestige massachusetts institute of technology for computer science, later specializing in software engineering. he graduated top of his class and worked in a big company in los angeles for some time before launching his first successful app when he was only twenty-two. with the help of his father, he would start his own company based in los angeles, kodo tech, at twenty-four. in just a few years, he built an empire, competing with pioneer companies in the tech world. recently, he moved to new york after opening offices there, and has been working on launching kodo games, looking to expand his name to the gaming scene.

( p.s. : i am aware kodo tech is a real life company but for the sake of adam's story, please ignore that. )

*     ⸻     𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐒.

he has already been featured on some of forbes lists, like "30 under 30".

the absolute love of his life is a rescued cat named pickle.

he works better at night so it's not unusual for him to stay up until like five a.m. most days of the week.

even though he has always been rich, he's not spoiled or entitled at all - he's really down to earth.

i imagine he has some sort of connection to literally everyone with power or reputation. his family is and has always been very well-connected and he knows how to take advantage of that.

he is super friendly and considers he has a bunch of friends.

adam has money but doesn't see the point in spending a lot of it on himself, so he donates large sums to various charities.

he is also a music geek. absolutely loves retro rock music and has a bunch of interesting music memorabilia. his faves are the beatles, led zeppelin, the doors, creedence clearwater revival and queen.

*     ⸻     𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃  𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒.

TECH ACQUAINTACES :  other tech-related personalities, they  could  be  friends,  rivals,  frenemies...  give me some unhealthy  competition.

UNI MATES : someone who went to mit as well and stayed friends with him.

UNLIKELY FRIENDS : they don't belong in the same line of business but that doesn't matter, they've built a good enough friendship regardless.

BEST FRIENDS : adam has a bunch of friends but has a harder time trusting a bunch of people, however these are different. they're his go-to people for every occasion.

PARTY BUDDIES : being someone who loves to party, adam is always down for some fun. they share the craziest and most random drunk/high stories.

FLIRTATIONSHIP :  he's super sarcastic and he is very much single so give me some cute banter, i beg you.

ONE  NIGHT  STAND  :  maybe after some after-party they hooked up, it was good but that's about it.

EX GIRLFRIEND : probably someone around his age, who he dated after becoming more famous. i imagine they lasted one/two years and their breakup was unexpected. they can love or hate each other now, i'm down for both.

OTHER  DESIRED  RELATIONSHIPS :  people he worked with, host of something he was on ( show, video, podcast, etc. ), frenemies,  enemies  with  benefits,  wingman/wingwoman,  crush  (  one-sided  or  not  ), leading on...  anything you think fits, really !

[c0mpvlsive]

The Dawn of AI (Paperwar) by Ryan LeKodak

Book Summary:

One malfunction…

Millions dead…

The search for answers begins…

In the year 2040, the world's transportation is dominated by a highly advanced artificial intelligence system.

However, this seemingly perfect technology collapses, resulting in catastrophic disasters and the loss of millions of lives worldwide.

The disaster is dubbed Mayday, and its aftermath affects everyone. But was it simply a malfunction, or is there a more nefarious agenda at work? Who is accountable for the mass slaughter, and why was it carried out?

Order your copy and find out if the rise of AI, will be the fall of civilization!

Buy the Book – Amazon

Reviews:

★★★★★“LeKodak's stellar debut is a science fiction thriller that utilizes elements of speculative fiction, apocalyptic fiction, and conspiratorial mystery in a globe-hopping narrative that chronicles a group of adventurers trying to unravel who—or what—was behind a software malfunction that killed tens of millions of innocent people. It is well-written, relentlessly paced, and thematically profound, and will surely appeal to fans of SF thrillers by luminaries like Clarke, Dick, and Crichton. This is the good stuff.”

Paul Goat Allen, BlueInk Review

★★★★★“It's refreshing to see a talented author like LeKodak take the trope into the dystopian disaster novel niche and deliver an action-packed tale that gives just as many blockbuster thrills as it does intelligent technological questions. The plot and its themes are the primary focus, but in the ensemble cast of characters caught in the crossfire, each one has good solid development and moments to shine. I recommend The Dawn of AI to enthusiasts of intricately penned and exciting science fiction everywhere."

K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite Book Review

★★★★★“The characters are extremely well developed, which is quite an accomplishment given how many there are. The most intriguing characters to me are conjoined twins with incredible story arcs and whenever the point of view kicked back to them, for me, it was like a favorite song playing again on the radio."

Jamie Michele, Readers' Favorite Book Review

★★★★★“The Dawn of AI connects the dots between characters that I neither expected nor saw coming in a story configuration that has an after-before-after pattern. I love this configuration as it hooks immediately and then goes back to fill in the blanks after I am invested in the plot. Excellent storytelling. Very highly recommended."

Asher Syed, Readers' Favorite Book Review

★★★★★“With the rise of Artificial Intelligence being a hot topic in the real world right now, I’m grateful to see such thought-provoking stories that explore this emergent technology's potential. This book is an easy recommendation to anyone interested in exciting science fiction, which takes a prevailing concern of today's world and explores it with intelligence and consideration."

Lexie Fox, Readers' Favorite Book Review

★★★★★“The pitfalls of giving the machines too much control play out in the storyline of Ryan LeKodak's novel. His take on an apocalyptic event is so vivid it is frightening to contemplate. The Dawn of AI is a science fiction aficionado’s dream novel."

Essien Asian, Readers' Favorite Book Review

★★★★★“In a world where jobs and livelihoods are being increasingly threatened by AI’s potential, this book is a reminder that machine malfunctions will inevitably happen.”

Theresa Kadair, Los Angeles Book Review

About the Author:

Ryan LeKodak is a science fiction author who lives in San Diego, California with his family. After emigrating from Vietnam in 1980 by boat, Ryan dreamed of becoming a doctor and nothing more. But upon learning the sight of blood made him squeamish, he pivoted from premed to begin a thirty-plus-year career in high-tech engineering, IT, quality assurance, and operations. Now a cybersecurity program manager based in San Diego, Ryan juggles a hectic career, raising his twin sons, and appeasing a needy Poochon puppy. At home, his lively boys take center stage, and their colorful comic doodles, adolescent puns, and wildly exaggerated stories from school inspired him to craft fast-paced science-fiction thrillers that explore the ominous potential of a future where AI surpasses human control. Through his writing, Ryan champions the extraordinary strengths that reside within each of us and celebrates the individual quirks that lighten fantastic worlds on the brink of disaster.

[podcasttoday]

The Dawn of AI (Paperwar) by Ryan LeKodak

Book Summary:

One malfunction…

Millions dead…

The search for answers begins…

In the year 2040, the world's transportation is dominated by a highly advanced artificial intelligence system.

However, this seemingly perfect technology collapses, resulting in catastrophic disasters and the loss of millions of lives worldwide.

The disaster is dubbed Mayday, and its aftermath affects everyone. But was it simply a malfunction, or is there a more nefarious agenda at work? Who is accountable for the mass slaughter, and why was it carried out?

Order your copy and find out if the rise of AI, will be the fall of civilization!

Buy the Book – Amazon

 Reviews:

★★★★★“LeKodak's stellar debut is a science fiction thriller that utilizes elements of speculative fiction, apocalyptic fiction, and conspiratorial mystery in a globe-hopping narrative that chronicles a group of adventurers trying to unravel who—or what—was behind a software malfunction that killed tens of millions of innocent people. It is well-written, relentlessly paced, and thematically profound, and will surely appeal to fans of SF thrillers by luminaries like Clarke, Dick, and Crichton. This is the good stuff.”

Paul Goat Allen, BlueInk Review

 ★★★★★“It's refreshing to see a talented author like LeKodak take the trope into the dystopian disaster novel niche and deliver an action-packed tale that gives just as many blockbuster thrills as it does intelligent technological questions. The plot and its themes are the primary focus, but in the ensemble cast of characters caught in the crossfire, each one has good solid development and moments to shine. I recommend The Dawn of AI to enthusiasts of intricately penned and exciting science fiction everywhere."

K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite Book Review

 ★★★★★“The characters are extremely well developed, which is quite an accomplishment given how many there are. The most intriguing characters to me are conjoined twins with incredible story arcs and whenever the point of view kicked back to them, for me, it was like a favorite song playing again on the radio."

Jamie Michele, Readers' Favorite Book Review

 ★★★★★“The Dawn of AI connects the dots between characters that I neither expected nor saw coming in a story configuration that has an after-before-after pattern. I love this configuration as it hooks immediately and then goes back to fill in the blanks after I am invested in the plot. Excellent storytelling. Very highly recommended."

Asher Syed, Readers' Favorite Book Review

 ★★★★★“With the rise of Artificial Intelligence being a hot topic in the real world right now, I’m grateful to see such thought-provoking stories that explore this emergent technology's potential. This book is an easy recommendation to anyone interested in exciting science fiction, which takes a prevailing concern of today's world and explores it with intelligence and consideration."

Lexie Fox, Readers' Favorite Book Review

 ★★★★★“The pitfalls of giving the machines too much control play out in the storyline of Ryan LeKodak's novel. His take on an apocalyptic event is so vivid it is frightening to contemplate. The Dawn of AI is a science fiction aficionado’s dream novel."

Essien Asian, Readers' Favorite Book Review

 ★★★★★“In a world where jobs and livelihoods are being increasingly threatened by AI’s potential, this book is a reminder that machine malfunctions will inevitably happen.”

Theresa Kadair, Los Angeles Book Review

 About the Author:

Ryan LeKodak is a science fiction author who lives in San Diego, California with his family. After emigrating from Vietnam in 1980 by boat, Ryan dreamed of becoming a doctor and nothing more. But upon learning the sight of blood made him squeamish, he pivoted from premed to begin a thirty-plus-year career in high-tech engineering, IT, quality assurance, and operations. Now a cybersecurity program manager based in San Diego, Ryan juggles a hectic career, raising his twin sons, and appeasing a needy Poochon puppy. At home, his lively boys take center stage, and their colorful comic doodles, adolescent puns, and wildly exaggerated stories from school inspired him to craft fast-paced science-fiction thrillers that explore the ominous potential of a future where AI surpasses human control. Through his writing, Ryan champions the extraordinary strengths that reside within each of us and celebrates the individual quirks that lighten fantastic worlds on the brink of disaster.

[academicvoyager]

The Dawn of AI (Paperwar) by Ryan LeKodak

Book Summary:

One malfunction…

Millions dead…

The search for answers begins…

In the year 2040, the world's transportation is dominated by a highly advanced artificial intelligence system.

However, this seemingly perfect technology collapses, resulting in catastrophic disasters and the loss of millions of lives worldwide.

The disaster is dubbed Mayday, and its aftermath affects everyone. But was it simply a malfunction, or is there a more nefarious agenda at work? Who is accountable for the mass slaughter, and why was it carried out?

Order your copy and find out if the rise of AI, will be the fall of civilization!

Buy the Book – Amazon

Reviews:

★★★★★“LeKodak's stellar debut is a science fiction thriller that utilizes elements of speculative fiction, apocalyptic fiction, and conspiratorial mystery in a globe-hopping narrative that chronicles a group of adventurers trying to unravel who—or what—was behind a software malfunction that killed tens of millions of innocent people. It is well-written, relentlessly paced, and thematically profound, and will surely appeal to fans of SF thrillers by luminaries like Clarke, Dick, and Crichton. This is the good stuff.”

Paul Goat Allen, BlueInk Review

★★★★★“It's refreshing to see a talented author like LeKodak take the trope into the dystopian disaster novel niche and deliver an action-packed tale that gives just as many blockbuster thrills as it does intelligent technological questions. The plot and its themes are the primary focus, but in the ensemble cast of characters caught in the crossfire, each one has good solid development and moments to shine. I recommend The Dawn of AI to enthusiasts of intricately penned and exciting science fiction everywhere."

K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite Book Review

★★★★★“The characters are extremely well developed, which is quite an accomplishment given how many there are. The most intriguing characters to me are conjoined twins with incredible story arcs and whenever the point of view kicked back to them, for me, it was like a favorite song playing again on the radio."

Jamie Michele, Readers' Favorite Book Review

★★★★★“The Dawn of AI connects the dots between characters that I neither expected nor saw coming in a story configuration that has an after-before-after pattern. I love this configuration as it hooks immediately and then goes back to fill in the blanks after I am invested in the plot. Excellent storytelling. Very highly recommended."

Asher Syed, Readers' Favorite Book Review

★★★★★“With the rise of Artificial Intelligence being a hot topic in the real world right now, I’m grateful to see such thought-provoking stories that explore this emergent technology's potential. This book is an easy recommendation to anyone interested in exciting science fiction, which takes a prevailing concern of today's world and explores it with intelligence and consideration."

Lexie Fox, Readers' Favorite Book Review

★★★★★“The pitfalls of giving the machines too much control play out in the storyline of Ryan LeKodak's novel. His take on an apocalyptic event is so vivid it is frightening to contemplate. The Dawn of AI is a science fiction aficionado’s dream novel."

Essien Asian, Readers' Favorite Book Review

★★★★★“In a world where jobs and livelihoods are being increasingly threatened by AI’s potential, this book is a reminder that machine malfunctions will inevitably happen.”

Theresa Kadair, Los Angeles Book Review

About the Author:

Ryan LeKodak is a science fiction author who lives in San Diego, California with his family. After emigrating from Vietnam in 1980 by boat, Ryan dreamed of becoming a doctor and nothing more. But upon learning the sight of blood made him squeamish, he pivoted from premed to begin a thirty-plus-year career in high-tech engineering, IT, quality assurance, and operations. Now a cybersecurity program manager based in San Diego, Ryan juggles a hectic career, raising his twin sons, and appeasing a needy Poochon puppy. At home, his lively boys take center stage, and their colorful comic doodles, adolescent puns, and wildly exaggerated stories from school inspired him to craft fast-paced science-fiction thrillers that explore the ominous potential of a future where AI surpasses human control. Through his writing, Ryan champions the extraordinary strengths that reside within each of us and celebrates the individual quirks that lighten fantastic worlds on the brink of disaster.

[tastydregs]

The US Air Force Is Moving Fast on AI-Piloted Fighter Jets

On the morning of December 1, 2022, a modified F-16 fighter jet codenamed VISTA X-62A took off from Edwards Air Force Base, roughly 60 miles north of Los Angeles. Over the course of a short test flight, the VISTA engaged in advanced fighter maneuver drills, including simulated aerial dogfights, before landing successfully back at base. While this may sound like business as usual for the US’s premier pilot training school—or like scenes lifted straight from Top Gun: Maverick—it was not a fighter pilot at the controls but, for the first time on a tactical aircraft, a sophisticated AI.

Overseen by the US Department of Defense, VISTA X-62A undertook 12 AI-led test flights between December 1 and 16, totaling more than 17 hours of autonomous flight time. The breakthrough comes as part of a drive by the United States Air Force Vanguard to develop unmanned combat aerial vehicles. Initiated in 2019, the Skyborg program will continue testing through 2023, with hopes of developing a working prototype by the end of the year. 

The VISTA program is a crucial first step toward these goals, M. Christopher Cotting, director of research at USAF Test Pilot School, explains. “This approach, combined with focused testing on new vehicle systems as they are produced, will rapidly mature autonomy for uncrewed platforms and allow us to deliver tactically relevant capability to our warfighter,” he says. 

With Ukraine’s use of semiautonomous drones, the US military’s first autonomous flight of a Black Hawk helicopter last November, and the successful testing of AI algorithms in US U-2 spy planes in 2020, it’s clear that autonomous combat represents the next front in modern warfare. But just how completely will AI take over our skies, and what does it mean for the human pilots left on the ground?

The VISTA X-62A (short for Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft) has always been ahead of its time. Built in the 1980s and based on an F-16D Block 30 Peace Marble Il, the plane previously held the designation NF-16D and became the US Airforce Test Pilot School’s go-to simulation machine in the early 1990s. A versatile and adaptable training tool boasting open systems architecture, the VISTA can be fitted with software that allows it to mimic the performance characteristics of multiple aircraft, from heavy bombers to ultra-light fighter jets. 

Prior to last year’s autonomous flight tests, the VISTA received a much-needed update in the form of a “model following algorithm” (MFA) and a “system for autonomous control of the simulation” (SACS) from Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works. Combined with the VISTA Simulation System from defense and aerospace company Calspan Corporation, these updates facilitated an emphasis on autonomy and AI integration. 

Utilizing General Dynamics’s Enterprise-wide Open Systems Architecture (E-OSA) to power the Enterprise Mission Computer version 2 (EMC2, or Einstein Box), the SACS system also integrates advanced sensors, a set of Getac tablet displays in both cockpits, and multilevel security features, all of which enhance VISTA’s capabilities, including its rapid-prototyping advantage, which allows for speedy software updates to meet the accelerating pace of AI development.

[csp-ethicaldilemma]

Part 4: Community Response

This is part of a school assignment on ethical dilemmas in business. It is for educational purposes only.

part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 5

The community response to both of Clip Studio Paint's announcements was unprecedented, exiting the social media sphere and entering artist and business spaces alike for debate.

Version 2.0 Pricing Announcement

The most common reaction to the Version 2.0 announcement was actually confusion. A lot of the software's customer base consists of casual users who make art as a hobby, and this includes young teenagers. Many of these users did not understand the complex new pricing model, how (or if) it would affect their ability to use the application, or what was even changing to begin with. Diagrams began popping up in online circles attempting to explain what was going to happen, especially since the chart on CSP's website was unclear in terms of what artists should do about the updates.

As explained in a Gizmodo article released the same day as the initial announcement,

"Existing users of version 1 can purchase a perpetual license for version 2, but they won’t have access to feature updates from 2.1 and onward. Developers will also discontinue support for the perpetual license users when they eventually release version 4. Those looking to keep receiving new features will have to buy a one-year update pass, but the company has not revealed what price points we could see from any of these options."

This model, once deciphered, caused considerable frustration among users, especially since the Version 2.0 perpetual/one-time purchase license for Clip Studio Paint EX (the same one that would be denied access to feature updates after Version 2.1) would cost over $200.

As confusion turned to anger mixed with genuine hurt at what was perceived as blatant disrespect from an otherwise reliable software, the response became overwhelming. Artists took to Twitter to vent their frustrations (in many instances to somewhat humorous effect), with this screencap from Megamind being a popular response comparing Clip Studio Paint's new pricing model to that of the Adobe suite:

Further responses take much the same tone, regardless of location. One user even posted a compilation of responses in different languages with the caption "I love how everyone united."

Artificial Intelligence

An article from The Verge delves a little deeper into the source of the AI controversy: "the Japanese art community has been especially hostile toward the concept of autonomous image generation—and Celsys is a Japanese company." In fact, the debate has been so intense that many artist spaces have banned the use of AI in its entirety, according to a blog post by Andy Baio. "Left unchecked, it’s not hard to imagine AI art crowding out illustrations that took days or weeks for someone to make," Baio said.

In September of 2022, Fur Affinity, an art site for fans of anthropomorphized drawings of animals known as "furries," banned AI-generated art on the grounds that it "lacked artistic merit." Also in late 2022, art and animation portal Newgrounds updated its guidelines for much the same reason: "We want to keep the focus on art made by people and not have the Art Portal flooded with computer-generated art."

While the ethics of AI generated art remain ambiguous, this marks a recent trend, in artists' spaces, at least, of banning AI art altogether. "We at Animé Los Angeles do not condone or accept an form of AI-generated art piece being used within our promotional materials nor being sold in our Exhibit Hall or Artist Alley," reads a statement by Animé Los Angeles. Anime NYC, another huge anime convention, has taken the same route, according to ARTnews.

Responses to Clip Studio Paint's announcement of the AI feature ranged from anger to disappointment (to triumph, largely from NFT shill accounts). As one user pointed out on Twitter, "When this releases and until it is shut down, the legitimacy of all art made with the program can be called into question." "Use Ibis paint x instead of this stinky little program," was a suggestion offered by another user. Others begged CSP to do better, pointing out the potential for future lawsuits and imploring the company to "listen to the community" (source).

The issue of legality is an important one, especially since generative AI art is such a new technology. One AI user even discovered photos from private personal medical records in an AI data training set. This alongside many instances of intellectual property theft in AI begs the question of where the line is drawn, and when AI data training becomes illegal or even dangerous.

Personal Thoughts

In the time between Clip Studio's announcement of these features and its amendments, many users suggested retracting financial support or moving on to other applications entirely. Free or "freemium" platforms such as Medibang Paint Pro, Ibis Paint X, and Krita were listed as options. This is, in my opinion, the best way to make a company listen to its users on ethical concerns such as these. The loss of financial support, and, more importantly, the possibility to regain that support, is a key motivator.

Others suggested pirating the software, which is, of course, another ethical matter entirely. In my opinion, it has the potential to be less effective in the long run, since many people don't know how to pirate, don't know how to pirate safely, or will decide it's more trouble than it is worth. Companies can also instate anti-piracy methods, especially when piracy websites are publicized online. Free and freemium alternatives are easily accessible, legal, and stands on solid ethical ground.

As an artist myself, I must admit a level of personal bias with regards to the AI issue. I am of the belief that AI generated art, when trained on non-public-domain works (that is, works protected by Copyright), is detrimental from a moral, legal, and ethical standpoint. Copyright as a whole was introduced to protect the artist's right to create, and I believe that using protected works to train and profit off of AI art spits in the face of why intellectual property exists. That said, I do believe that public domain works, royalty free images, and art that is used with consent and compensation can be used to train AI art ethically. The issue is that this is not how AI art is being used, and there are very few ways to regulate it.

For these reasons, I personally believe that the decision being made on many artists' platforms and in many artists' spaces to ban AI art altogether is the best course of action. Until these images can be regulated to where they are consistently created in a morally and ethically sound manner, I do not think it is safe or even advisable to host these images or allow them to be used for profit, especially if future legal issues arise.

Sources