#Student Queuing System

[qwaiting]

Discover the key advantages of using queue management in schools, including streamlined student flow, reduced waiting times, improved staff efficiency, and enhanced safety. Queue systems optimize resource allocation, ensure smoother operations, and create a better experience for students, parents, and staff.

[irisintheafterglow]

in a world of boys, he's a gentleman

summary: a creep walks up to the shake stand window. your favorite customer scares him off. (college au!iwaizumi x you)

wc: 1.9k

cw/tags: college!au iwaizumi, creepy dude but he gets scared off don't worry, buff iwa gets nervous around you

note: so there's a protein shake stand like right outside my school's gym and that's where the inspiration for this little brain fart came from. also this is wholeheartedly dedicated to @shotorus my favorite iwa simp. i really hope you like this, it's my first time writing for your man but it most definitely will not be the last :D

likes, replies, and reblogs are appreciated <3

You didn’t anticipate finding a gym crush outside of the student rec center. Yet, there he was, every day at 5:00 passing the stand and every day at 6:30 ordering his usual, strawberries and bananas with chocolate protein powder. It’s a wonder how strictly he stuck to his schedule and you made it a point to have his order queued up in the system by the time he got to the window. To your detriment, it seemed that your infatuation had become obvious enough to your usually-oblivious coworkers. 

“At this point, I think you took this job just to ogle him,” one of your friends points out as she runs a colander of fruit under the faucet. You give her a lighthearted glare and she flicks a few water droplets at you. “I’d guess you like seeing him more than the tips that other guys put in the jar. You really do so much for this company,” she says patronizingly and you roll your eyes. She had a point; you tended not to notice the phone numbers written on dirty napkins or social media handles hastily drawn on dollar bills. None of them interested you. None of them, except for the dude with a body like a Greek hero that made you want to get kidnapped by some mythological being. 

“I just think he has a nice physique; is that such a bad thing?” She shoots you a skeptical look and you turn away sheepishly to check the clock. Thirty seconds to 6:30. “He should be here in a little bit,” you say quietly to yourself, hoping she doesn’t hear. It’s a nice sentiment, but ultimately futile. 

“You’re counting down the seconds? Man, you’re worse than I thought.” She pats your shoulder sympathetically as she passes behind you and you lean your hands on the register counter. 

“As if you’ve never had a gym crush before,” you fire back. 

“You’re supposed to actually be inside the gym to have a gym crush,” she reminds you and you groan. “Why don’t you just switch your shift so you can see him while you workout?”

“I tutor before this, remember? Plus, I need to be able to charm the evening regulars so I can keep paying rent,” you admit. She nods in understanding and a glance at the clock shows ten seconds until 6:30. Your other usuals had come and gone for the day: the guy in the blue tank top that only seemed to work his forearms and biceps, the girl with the silly socks that had the most muscular calves you’d ever seen, the two frat bros with their backwards caps and arrogant voices. It hits 6:30, however, and your favorite regular isn’t behind the glass. He isn’t anywhere around, you realize. You can’t help the frown that draws the corner of your mouth down and, when you look to your coworker for support, she merely shrugs before grabbing a tub of powder from the top shelf. “It’s odd that he isn’t here yet.”

“Only you would think that,” she teases and you refocus on pulling up his usual order on the payment screen. “Maybe he got sick. There’s that frat flu going around right now.”

“Why would he be in a frat, though? And also, he’s definitely the type to wipe the hell out of every machine he uses.”

“If he uses machines; personally, he strikes me as a free weights-only kind of guy.” Before you can reply, a knock on the glass startles you back into customer-service mode. The man in front of you looked relatively normal, but the way his eyes looked you up and down several times made your stomach queasy. It wasn’t the first time creeps had checked you out through the window, but maybe you were feeling a little extra vulnerable waiting around for a regular who didn’t even know your name. Avoiding the man’s intrusive gaze, you shakily pull up his order, swipe his card for payment, and let him know that his shake would be ready soon. 

“I have a question,” he says slowly before you can run and hide in the back. “What time are you out of here?”

“I’m not done for a while,” you state vaguely, praying that he wouldn’t ask about the remaining two and a half hours of your shift. “I work until closing.”

“I can come back and get you when you close.” His voice makes your skin crawl and his eyes feel like knives on your body.

“Excuse me?”

“Let me take you out to dinner. A nice looking person like you shouldn’t be alone at night.” Your heart drops into your stomach and your feet remain rooted to the floor, terrified in place. Was he gonna try to do something after you were off?

“Look, I’m not interested in any–”

“Hey, man. Are you done ordering yet? You’re holding up the line,” intrudes a voice that feels like a warm blanket wrapping around your shoulders. Somewhere between his usual order time and the creep asking you out, your favorite little crush came to stand in line to pay. His shoulders seemed extra broad today and the muscle of his biceps flexed under his compression shirt as he crossed his arms over his chest, staring daggers down at the guy who was freaking you out. He’d never looked so handsome, all sharp jawline and flexed muscles and piercing eyes. The creep recoils and scurries away, allowing you to take a deep breath that helps relieve some of the tension in your forehead. By pure muscle memory and running on adrenaline, your fingers swipe over the tablet and pull up his usual order before he can even say hello. 

“Strawberry and banana with chocolate protein powder, right?”

“Yeah, that…that’s mine,” he says, slightly taken aback by the lingering expression of panic on your face. While he eyes you warily, you swipe his card and hand him his receipt, suddenly desperate to just disappear into the back for the rest of your shift. “Hey, are you okay?”

“What? No, yeah. I’m fine, totally fine,” you lie and give him a weak smile. His eyebrows furrow slightly and you can feel him try to analyze you, but not in the dehumanizing way as your previous customer. His eyes searched your expression worriedly and you caught him biting skin from his lip in concern. “It’s just that the guy before you was being a little weird.” Calling him “weird” was an understatement, but you didn’t want to inconvenience him more than you already have. “I’m fine, really.” He watches you for a moment more and then nods, murmuring a thank you under his breath and finding a spot to wait for his shake. 

“This fell on the floor by the trash can,” he says plainly when he walks up to the pickup window after you call out his drink. The creepy guy hadn’t left the area yet, so your fight or flight instincts were still going haywire. Your gym crush, however, momentarily takes your attention by subtly sliding a dirty piece of paper across the counter to you as he picks up his cup with the other hand. “Thanks; I’ll see you tomorrow.” Before you can blink, he’s gone, leaving you with a cryptic folded message that makes your head spin. You sputter out an awkward farewell and hastily unfold the piece of paper. 

I’ll be studying in the computer lab until the stand closes. If he’s still bothering you, come find me and I’ll walk you to your car or your dorm or wherever. -Iwaizumi Hajime 

A sturdy rectangle of plastic falls from the paper and you stare at it in disbelief. It was an ID card for the university’s after-hours patrol division with his picture, full name, and student number printed on it. Iwaizumi, you echo mentally, you’re too good to be true. And, true to his promise, he’s a respectful distance away and stands with his hands in the pockets of his sweatpants at 9:00 when you lock up the shake stand. You’d lost sight of the creep an hour after Iwaizumi picked up his drink, but the paranoia didn’t leave your body and you’re only able to relax when he approaches you. 

“This is yours,” you say, handing him his ID card with a small smile. “Thank you for looking out for me.”

“Of course. I’m sorry you had to deal with him,” he replies regretfully, uncomfortably adjusting his water bottle tucked into the crook of his elbow. “None of the guys at the gym like him. He’s always hitting on girls and giving them weird looks.” 

“Looks like he was forced to look outside the gym, then,” you laugh lightly, feeling the tension release from your shoulders as you walk next to Iwaizumi in the direction of the parking lot. “Did your drink still taste okay? Or did my nervousness make it taste funny?” When he chuckles, it sounds like sunshine. 

“It was just as tasty as it always is, thank you. You’ve really figured out how to make me the perfect drink every time.”

“Anything for my favorite customer,” you say without hesitation and your face feels like it’s been lit on fire. To your surprise, however, it seemed that Iwaizumi was just as flustered by your words. His eyes widen and his pretty mouth gapes a little bit, blinking rapidly to fix the short circuit in his brain. “I just hope he doesn’t come around here again. He makes my stomach churn.”

“Yeah, I get that,” he forces out and he’s silent for a while until your car is in sight. “Hey, sorry if this is super off-base, but do you wanna workout with me sometime? I can change the time I go but, if it means you don’t feel scared by that guy anymore, I’ll gladly rearrange my schedule.” 

“You want me to workout with you?”

“I’d like to meet you for lunch sometime, too, but I figured I’d start with baby steps,” he admits, running a hand nervously through his hair while you fish your keys from your bag. “If you don’t want to, that’s totally fine–”

“No, no, I’d love to,” you reassure him and he looks visibly relieved. “I’ll change up my shift so you can still go around the same time you usually do, and I can just meet you outside. I’ve been needing a new spotter since mine picked up extra shifts in the library.” 

“Great, yeah, awesome,” he says, a little dumbfounded by how eagerly you would give him a chance. If he was being honest, he’d wanted to ask you your name for months since you memorized his order, but he didn’t want to come off as pushy and ruin his chance with you. “Do you, uh, mind if I give you my number? Or I can give you a social media handle too if you’re not comfortable sharing your number.” God, he’s so good. He is so, so good. “Can you let me know you get home safe?”

“I will,” you promise. “Thank you for everything, Iwaizumi.”

“You can call me Hajime, if you want,” he offers softly and the fondness in his voice makes your heart flip. “Iwaizumi is fine too. Anything is fine.” 

“Right,” you smile. “Well, goodnight, Hajime. Get home safe.”

“You too. Talk soon, okay?”

“I can’t wait.”

if you enjoy my writing and would like to support me, you can buy me a coffee on my ko-fi! you can also check out my full masterlist here :)

[thedisabilitybookarchive]

What's to come

Got some confirmation over the weekend that the archive is still being used/suggested to students at my university and it made me very happy!

Anyway, I thought I'd give people an update on what's to come in the new year, especially in case people haven't had a chance to read the October update log. Changes to come are as follows:

I'm trying to implement a delayed posting schedule. Posts will be live on the website a few days before they're live on the blog. I'm currently working out all the kinks (we're very much in the experimenting phase) but, hopefully, it should be fully operational by January.

Not on the update but something I've been thinking about: starting in the New Year I'll be limiting myself to a reduced schedule in terms of physical interaction with the blog and archive. This means the blog will be running on the queuing system for most of the week with little interruption, except for Saturdays and Sundays. On these days I'll be around to fix any issues, answer my messages and asks, deal with any queries, add to the queue for the following week, and deal with anything else that crops up. I'll still be popping in during the week and seeing to anything of high priority when it comes up, though.

Except for personal update logs (like this) or particularly big changes (e.g. new pages, maintenance issues), update logs will be reduced to once a month at the end of the month.

Author Spotlight is returning in the New Year.

That's all for now.

I don't particularly want to limit my interaction with this project too much, but there's a very big possibility, touch wood, that I could be starting a new job going into the New Year, and if so, I don't want it or the archive to be impacted by one another.

That being said, we're nearly at the one year anniversary of the website going live and I want to take a quick moment to thank everyone for your ongoing support. I don't have anything planned for the anniversary, unfortunately, but I do hope you all know how much it means to me that we're going to be able to reach this milestone!

[eponymous-rose]

Something I wanted to do in the New Year is be more aware of how I'm spending my time at work, so I think I'm gonna try to do little summaries here of what each day entails. Hopefully also kind of interesting/useful if anyone's interested in academia?

For reference: we're on the quarter system, classes started on the 3rd, and I currently teach one class per quarter (heavy research-focused department, so very light teaching load). I also currently supervise 1 PhD student, 2 Master's students and 2 undergraduate research interns.

Monday!

Checked email on the bus to work, which mainly consisted of me seeing a colleague had received an endowed professorship, me writing her an effusive congratulatory message, and then me editing back the message a bit so it was less embarrassingly over the top. Also sent my students a reminder about their homework due on Wednesday and our little field trip tomorrow morning and accidentally sent it to last quarter's class, whoops. Luckily a former student quickly notified me of my mistake and I got it fixed!

Class was great - lots of flipped-classroom stuff that worked well even with only two students in the room (it's a conference week, everyone's traveling). I knew from previous years that the students had really, really struggled with this one equation, so I had them do a couple of examples in class and after working through the first one together, they both nailed it on the second try. Had to cancel a meeting with one of my undergrad research interns after class because the other members of our research team are out of town this week. Where is everyone? Well, at a conference and doing a two-month-long field campaign on the east coast. Forgivable. She offered to send me some of the work she's done thus far, so that's handy!

Went to check email after class and found that apparently a new remote meeting had popped on my schedule for immediately after class with an old peer mentoring group of mine (fellow 4th-year assistant profs in tangentially-related fields - we all did a professional development course last year together). Luckily it was cameras off so I could snack and decompress a bit while we caught up and made some strategic plans for the quarter.

Okay, FINALLY time to check email in earnest before my next meeting. 36 new messages since I checked last. New software package I need to bookmark and keep in mind for later work. Updates from the conference I'm technically attending virtually this week. Reference letter request from an undergrad student; add to calendar! Title and abstract to get added to the website for a seminar I'm hosting in a couple weeks. Reminder that the Zoom recording of my class is available to put online (which I promptly did). Triple-check with our tech guy that we're good to go up on the roof tomorrow to set up instrumentation for my class's term projects (all good!). Time flies, so here's the email with research progress from my undergraduate research intern and a handful of questions, we'll answer those and see how she likes jumping into a new dataset. New grant opportunities, job listings, a bunch of easy stuff to mark off. An essay about allocating time each week into the categories of Teaching, Research, and Service and strictly adhering to the percentages laid out by your tenure/promotion committee. Got a few minutes before my next meeting so I'll try it this week? Ish? Maybe? Looked sidelong at the new schedule, sure, we'll try that this week. Sent an email to my collaborator who's on a field project to see if we can do a remote meeting tomorrow to chat about a couple research proposals. Queued an email for next week's seminar speaker to see if he can send me the title and abstract for his talk/PhD entrance exam next week - no sense freaking him out before Wednesday, so we'll do a scheduled send.

Next up, meeting remotely with my former postdoc advisor! We've set up these meetings to "work on research projects" together but honestly this week it was just listening to him tell a very entertaining story about his car breaking down in rural Missouri and also listening to him describe a truly tragic tale of his very fancy sandwich getting thrown out of the office fridge by accident. That's scientific collaboration, baybee. We did talk research for a bit and he mentioned wanting to collaborate on a paper (he offered to pay for it out of the much more substantial research funds that come with his 30 extra years in the field) so I'm gonna come up with something for that by our next meeting in two weeks. I like working with him - we've published a couple papers in some pretty high-impact journals and he's always let me take the lead and go for first authorship without butting in, only providing support - so this is a fun prospect! I do have to submit an abstract this week for a European conference that'll be happening this spring, so maybe I can go ahead and lean into that idea a little.

It's now getting a little dark and rainy and I'm flagging a bit but I still have an hour before the afternoon seminar, so probably time to do a little course prep. Did some "grading" (just checking completion certificates for an introductory module the students had to go through). Fixed a mistake in Wednesday's lecture (why is there an anemometer when I'm talking about thermometers???). Reviewed some of the more complicated topics in Wednesday's lecture to make sure I'm not totally lost (some thermodynamics I haven't looked at in a while, thermocouples, semiconductors). Replacement slides uploaded to our course management system.

Aha! Email back from collaborator, she's going to be on a research flight tomorrow and won't be able to meet. All good, I don't have much to report anyway. That frees up an hour tomorrow, woohoo.

Okay, students have a homework assignment due a week from Wednesday, so I'm gonna post it this Wednesday. I have a good homework assignment prepared, I just needed to go in and write up a nice answer key. Got that done (along with some sample Python code to provide them with) and the homework assignment is scheduled to be posted, so it's time to look at next week's lectures. I've inherited this class from someone whose course notes can be a little scattered, so this is usually a bit of a process. Only two lectures to prep for next week, though!

Took a break from lecture prep to go to today's seminar, which purported to be about a really dodgy geoengineering scheme (redundant descriptor, am I right?) but in fact just rigorously tested said scheme and demonstrated it would actually have the opposite effect. Super fun and interesting seminar!

Okay, back to working on lectures for next week. Somehow got both of next week's lectures done before the end of the day, so those should just need a little polish and they'll be ready to go! Uploaded them to the course management system but sneakily and they won't appear to students until I've checked them over.

Tomorrow: going to the roof with my students to set up their term projects, then tons of sweet, sweet, meeting-free office time carved out. Hope this doesn't come back to bite me with a million meetings on Wednesday (...it will).

Important: work is done by 5PM. I try very hard to adhere to "leave work at work", which is not as much of a pipe dream as it seems, even for R1 tenure-track.

[orientation-archive]

Welcome, pinned has been cut for shorter access. Please read undercut what I have to say.

Anything to do with orientation labels & flags.

xLx terms

Combo flags that have orientations used in them.

Attraction types.

DNI free archive with expectations

It's an archive I will bypass DNIs sadly due to it. I try to archive any and all Tumblr terms & flags after all they aren't lost to deactivation or terming of the account.

Inbox function

It's always open for the conscience.

Submitting a flag/term

Mod + blog runs on queue

This function is yet to be activated. I may activate it with set rules after a while if I feel like it.

This archive has only one mod, a disabled & ND college student specifically. So this archive will run on queue for most of the part.

Call me Ollie(any or sie/sien) btw.

IDs & plain text

I try to remember that I queue them with at least plain texting if that is needed. Otherwise I will make IDs whenever I can to those posts that do not have them.

Warnings / triggers

This archive has all kinds of orientations including trauma-related and they will be tagged as tw trauma/cw trauma. There are eyestraining and bright colors they will be simply tagged as tw eyestrain/cw eyestrain & tw bright colors/cw bright colors.

Slurs are not tagged.

Tagging

Lesbian flag list; mixed flags (Gender/pronoun/other)(link)

You can tag this blog in posts if you want. I'll get to it in time if it hasn't been queued already. /Gen

Lesbian flag list; unnamed & under editing still

Adjusted flags

Working on a notion page for better navigation of tags & terms. Any label that is essentially the same as another (gaybian, lesgay, lesboy for example) will be tagged separately for the convenience of finding a specific term/label and its flags even if they mean the same thing.

Alternative flags

Combo flags

Colorpicked flags

User deactivated

Edit flags

Themed flags

(username here)

Needs ID

(label prefix) flags (i.e veldian flags, aro flags, bi flags, pan flags, gaybian flags etc)

Prefix

(specific modifier/descriptor) term (i.e femme term, otter term, butch term etc)

Suffix

(theme) theme (i.e love theme, horror theme, fictional character theme etc) / theme: (theme)

(ND/PD/Disability) specific (i.e system specific, autism specific, ADHD specific, NPD specific, ASPD specific etc etc), gender specific

[ness-plays-wizards]

Caesar Route Chapter 15 - Happy Ending (6-10)

Last time on the Caesar Route, we learn that the Gedonelune legal system apparently has no concept of aiding and abetting and that ACAB also applies to disembodied skulls that work as detectives in fictional worlds.

So Remy plays the ol’ “it’s gotta be fate” card to Thanatos (as well as pointing out that Caesar is a prefect and prefects need a trusted recommendation to even be considered, so I guess it’s harder to fake that?) and suggests that Remy dole out a punishment at the Academy instead of having them face legal consequences. Thanatos accepts the deal on the condition that Remy now owes him a favor. 

And so concludes another exciting episode of Ace Attorney. Who knew the Gedonelune legal system was so openly underhanded?

So everybody is relieved that they don’t have to face legal consequences. Liz wonders why Remy went so far to protect them. Remy asserts that it’s because he’d do anything for his students, buuuuuuuut

I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that Remy is definitely somehow that fucked up Taffy and probably a villainous figure in either his own route or a different route.

Shithead asks to speak to Remy alone. Liz and Caesar leave the room, but we actually get to see the conversation.

Goddammit, I hate when this shithead is right. ESPECIALLY about fucking Viggo. 

The mask slips, but we learn nothing except that Remy apparently needs everybody for his nebulously nefarious plans. Then the scene immediately cuts to three weeks later, so I have to assume it was a really awkward trip out of Thanatos’s office for all of them.

So just to summarize the next few series of events here, everybody gets off really easy due to Remy giving them really light punishments. Liz and Caesar are in the Gedonlune town running errands for him when they have a Deep Conversation about what happened in Thanatos’s office. Then they finish their errands early and decide to hit a cafe before they go back to the academy. And unfortunately for me, this date does not end at part 10, which means next time I’ll have to jump right into this disgusting display of sappy sweetness.

I was going to call it a disgusting display of heterosexuality but since Caesar has casually made out with Hiro and implied that he and Zeus should make out, I don’t think I should call it strictly heterosexual.

Queued for July 25

[er-10-media]

iU test and Ai CARD: Two Social Startups by One Developer Addressing Societal Challenges

New Post has been published on https://er10.kz/100-startup-stories/iu-test-and-ai-card-two-social-startups-by-one-developer-addressing-societal-challenges/

iU test and Ai CARD: Two Social Startups by One Developer Addressing Societal Challenges

Kazakhstani entrepreneurs are increasingly aiming to build not just commercially successful enterprises but also social projects where businesses contribute to solving societal challenges. One such example is the domestic IT company KAZ ITECH, which specializes in developing commercial software and has launched two social startups in the fields of education and healthcare. The iU test platform is designed to bridge the knowledge gap between urban and rural students, while Ai CARD utilizes neural networks to assist doctors in diagnosing heart diseases. In an interview with Er10.media, Dastan Mukhamediyev, CEO of KAZ ITECH, shared the startups’ missions, plans, and future prospects.

Follow Kazakhstan’s Startup Movement in the «100 Startup Stories of Kazakhstan», a collaborative project by ER10 Media and Astana Hub. This initiative highlights the most innovative Kazakh startups, showcasing projects that stand out for their creativity and impact. Among the heroes are Astana Hub residents, as well as creators of other innovative technological products and services. The content is available in Kazakh, Russian, and English.

Successful business goes to a startup

– How did you come up with the idea to launch two startups?

– Our case is not quite ordinary. Let me explain step by step. Three years ago, we founded the IT company KAZ ITECH. It was established by three people: I serve as the founder and CEO, while Abai Shirinov is our CTO and Senior Full-Stack Developer, and Nurbakhyt Akilbekov is our CPO and Senior Product Manager.

Our company specializes in software development, including web and mobile applications. To date, we’ve successfully completed over 30 projects. Among our clients are the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of National Economy, Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ), Kazatomprom, regional akimats, and many others. This year, we secured a major contract with ERG. As part of the project, we are digitizing one of their factories, implementing a digital queuing system, and later scaling these tested technologies to other factories. What makes our company unique is our comprehensive approach. We don’t just develop and implement IT products; we focus on restructuring business processes, solving underlying problems, and integrating digital solutions to improve efficiency.

Social Startup in Education

– As leaders of a successful IT company, why did you decide to explore something new?

– Yes, given our technical and business background, last year we had an idea to create our own IT startup in the social sector to bring real benefit to the society. We decided to launch an educational platform to help students prepare for the Unified National Test (UNT). We prioritized gamification, knowing that preparing for exams can often be tedious and boring. By integrating gamified elements, we aimed to motivate students to study more effectively. Another issue we sought to address is educational inequality. It’s no secret that students from rural schools often have weaker preparation compared to their urban peers. Our goal was to bridge this gap with our platform.

Development of the iU test educational service began last fall, and it was launched by spring 2024. We received support and promotion assistance from Kundelik.kz. This partnership allowed our platform to reach students, teachers, and parents alike. Within just two months, 8,000 users registered on the platform, with 200 opting for paid subscriptions — all achieved without a dedicated sales or marketing team. Over the summer, we focused on developing a mobile application. Currently, we are working on partnerships with school networks such as iQanat, BINOM, and others. We believe it’s more efficient to onboard an entire school with a thousand students than to acquire a thousand students individually. 

Currently, we are working on partnerships with school networks such as iQanat, BINOM, and others. We believe it’s more efficient to onboard an entire school with a thousand students than to acquire a thousand students individually. 

Additionally, we are seeking investments to scale the project. The exam preparation market is highly competitive and requires significant resources for promotion, advertising, and sales. So far, we’ve funded the project ourselves while continuing our primary business operations. Now, we believe it’s time for iU test to have its own dedicated team.

– How much funding do you require?

– Approximately $150,000.

– What feedback has iU test received?

– We have received positive feedback from both teachers and students. The platform has an excellent UX/UI, with well-designed features and content. Additionally, we’ve partnered with an educational center that develops tests, which provided us with the necessary methodology. The only feature currently missing from the platform is adaptive learning. Every student needs a mentor or assistant to guide and motivate them. We aim to implement this functionality using AI.

– You mentioned that your startup operates in a highly competitive environment. What sets you apart, and how do you plan to stay ahead of the competition?

– First, gamification elements make exam preparation less tedious. Second, students can monetize their knowledge. For successfully completing tests, we generate virtual currency that can be exchanged for valuable prizes or even withdrawn. Third, we take a more comprehensive approach to learning. Many competitors focus solely on test tasks, claiming that their questions are relevant and guaranteed to appear on exams, encouraging students to memorize them. On our platform, each test is tied to a specific topic. When a student makes a mistake, we identify the topic they are struggling with. Our platform includes a large library of study notes, allowing students to prepare and take targeted tests on those specific topics. Essentially, we identify gaps in knowledge and help students close them.

– What monetization model does iU test use?

– Freemium. The basic content is offered for free, but access to advanced features requires a paid subscription.

– Are you planning to scale iU test to other markets?

– First and foremost, we want to develop the project within Kazakhstan and reduce the knowledge gap between rural and urban students. We were born and raised in villages ourselves, so we understand the seriousness of this issue. However, we also see potential for iU test to benefit children in other countries. We’ve analyzed markets in the CIS, Eastern Europe, Turkey, and India. Our platform can enter markets with similar knowledge assessment systems, specifically those that rely on mass testing.

Social Startup in Healthcare

– Tell us about your medical startup, Ai CARD.

– By chance, I had the opportunity to meet a team of some of Kazakhstan’s best cardiac surgeons working at the National Research Cardiac Surgery Center in Astana. Together, we decided to combine their industry expertise with our technical background to create a MedTech project. The idea was to develop an artificial intelligence-based model that could improve diagnosis in cardiac ultrasound. The challenge lies in the fact that the heart is constantly in motion, making its ultrasound one of the most complex types of diagnostics.

Initially, we faced difficulties starting the project because our team lacked AI specialists. At that time, Astana Hub launched the AI’preneurs acceleration program, aimed at bringing together entrepreneurs and developers in the AI field. We applied, were accepted, and met ML engineer Shaigazy Mukhtarov, who joined the project. In September, we began development in collaboration with the team of cardiac surgeons and created an MVP. By November 2024, we successfully conducted pilot testing at a hospital in Astana, receiving positive feedback and a set of tasks for further refinement.

We are now refining the project and have reached agreements with the National Research Cardiac Surgery Center and Astana Medical University. Their specialists have joined our team, and together we are implementing the project. We have also attracted the interest of global accelerators such as Antler and Plug & Play, which are ready to welcome us next year.

– Are there any challenges in implementing the project?

– Ai CARD is a medical project, and selling such technology to state hospitals is difficult due to the many bureaucratic hurdles involved. The case of Cerebra demonstrated this clearly. That’s why we decided to take a different approach. Early next year, we plan to apply for a grant from the Science Fund, which offers up to 300 million tenge. We’ve been told that our project has a strong chance of securing this grant. This funding would allow us to focus fully on the project without worrying about finding additional resources.

– Which markets are you planning to scale Ai CARD to?

– I’m acquainted with Cerebra founder Doszhan Zhussupov, who advised against entering foreign markets without a pilot, traction, and proven practical benefits in our own country. Therefore, our priority is to refine the technology in Kazakhstan, gather data to train the AI model, and achieve solid results. I believe this will take about two years. We’re hopeful about receiving the grant, which will enable us to dedicate ourselves to this effort.

When it comes to scaling, our focus will be on emerging markets such as MENA, Southeast Asia, and Africa, where access to highly qualified medical personnel is often limited. Ai CARD can become an essential tool for improving diagnostic accuracy and enhancing the quality of healthcare. In developed markets, doctors have more resources and experience, reducing the need for an AI assistant like ours.

I sincerely hope that in the future, our Ai CARD project will assist medical professionals and save countless lives. That’s the most important thing for us — it’s what drives us.

The Desire to Benefit Society

– Is it important to you that your startups make a positive impact?

– Yes, when you have a global mission and a meaningful goal, when your actions can benefit a large number of people, it’s incredibly motivating. It gives you strength and unites the team.

– Did accelerator programs help you?

– Yes, we participated in two acceleration programs by Astana Hub, which greatly enhanced our team. For the educational project, we joined Startup Garage. For the medical project, we went through the AI’preneurs program.

– How did you get into entrepreneurship?

– I started in the public sector, working in ministries and national companies. Later, I transitioned to the private sector. Eventually, I met my co-founders, and we decided to start our own IT company.

– What inspires you in your work? Books, movies?

– A book that changed my perspective is Good to Great by Jim Collins. It emphasizes the importance of “who” over “what,” meaning the team is paramount. If the team is strong, it will succeed and accomplish any task. That’s why my team motivates me. Of course, my family is also a huge source of inspiration. Even though I’m deeply passionate about business and need to stay “in the zone” 24/7, my family remains the top priority. They are my motivation, my energy source, and my inspiration.

– If you were to compare your entrepreneurial spirit to a sport, what would it be?

– I practiced boxing for many years and even earned a Candidate Master of Sport (CMS) title. The first thing you learn in sports is discipline, and that skill is invaluable in business. No matter how talented or professional you are, without discipline, you won’t achieve anything. I also love chess. Right now, I’m playing an online match with Timur Turlov.

– Do you enjoy being an entrepreneur?

– Honestly, I was well-paid in national companies, but I felt a deep sense of dissatisfaction because I had no real influence over processes and couldn’t realize my potential due to bureaucracy. Entrepreneurship is an environment where you can unlock your potential and make the world a better place.

[hartshorn-and-isinglass]

Not me and the neurodivergent urge to clarify something from a conversation that happened months earlier-

(TL;DR - music stuff, and past trauma)

I think Senpai has a bit of a rant about the difficulties of being a professional musician pre-loaded and ready to go for students and anyone else who looks like they might be in danger of glamorizing the profession a little. I promise I have no such illusions about the music industry* and I don't actually regret going into a STEM profession because that is literally what allowed me to survive.

The thing that shits me up about my childhood is that my parents did not see allowing me to have music lessons as anything other than a middle-class status signifier. They didn't understand the idea of taking a music education seriously outside of wanting to become a professional. That was a huge part of why they were so hostile to me about my practice hours, besides the fact that I was putting in the effort on an instrument that they didn't like. So when I talk about how my parents screamed at me that I wasn't allowed to become a professional and that I'd never make it if I tried--I cannot emphasize enough how much that scenario was entirely made up in their heads. The whole reason I was so desperate to catch up to my peers in orchestra class was because I knew I wasn't very good and I could be better. There was never any sort of concrete goal outside of trying to be the best I could be and making the most of the lessons I was finally getting.

Thing is though, it's not like being in STEM afforded me that much more security. It gave me enough to escape my parents' orbit ASAP and eliminate the risk of them trying to obtain legal conservatorship over me, and obviously I'm thankful for that. But I couldn't even keep it together for a full decade before my body gave out. I was never planning to stay in biotech permanently, but I was hoping I'd be able to stay longer than that.

What I resent in all of this is the whole belief system that certain professions afford 'stability' and those are the only legitimate ones. I got laid off (and rehired) more times in a decade than most folks of my parents' generation experienced in their entire careers. And the illness would have caught up with me no matter what industry I went into. The whole 'stability' thing is bullshit in late-stage capitalism. I resent that my whole childhood I was being railroaded on a very specific life path and once I failed to achieve my parents' objectives I was pretty much discarded and it was seen as my failure. That's where I'm coming from when I talk about my parents' freakouts with such distaste. When something like a hobby is seen as A Threat rather than, y'know, evidence of a personality (although I guess having a personality was also A Threat to my parents).

Senpai of course is coming at this from a very different perspective. In that moment of hearing me talk about having once been serious about violin, I think he had Everything Wrong with The Music Industry flash before his eyes and imagined it chewing up and spitting out the tiny, soft-spoken femme in Edwardian daywear in front of him who was obviously currently privileged enough to be able to road-trip to a classical music concert 200 miles from home. And thus he queued up the Being a Professional Musician Isn't Easy spiel.

But I look at someone like him who had so much support and encouragement in childhood, someone who still had a place to land after getting kicked out of conservatory the first time around... and I wonder how my life might have been different if I'd felt safe like that when I was young. I marvel at it.

ANYWAY.

*Maybe I should finally sit down and read Mozart In The Jungle, haha. But like, even though no one in my family is a professional musician, it's not like I didn't hear stories about how buckwild the classical music world can get. I don't know why anyone would have vaunted ideas about it all somehow being nobler than like, the jazz or rock world when violinists are way shittier to each other than guitarists are.

[studyscholar12]

Cultural Adjustments for International Students in Canada

Moving to Canada for your studies is an exciting adventure, but it can also bring cultural challenges. Adjusting to a new environment takes time, and understanding Canadian culture can help ease your transition. This guide explores some key aspects of adapting to study in Canada as an international student.

1. Embracing Multiculturalism

Canada is celebrated for its diversity, with people from all over the world calling it home. You’ll find a mix of cultures, traditions, and languages. As an international student:

Be open to learning about different customs and sharing your own.

Participate in cultural events and festivals, such as Canada Day or Diwali celebrations in multicultural hubs.

2. Understanding Social Etiquette

Canadian society values politeness and respect. Here are some tips to navigate social interactions:

Greetings: A simple “hello” or handshake is customary. In informal settings, a wave or smile suffices.

Punctuality: Being on time is important, whether for classes, appointments, or social gatherings.

Queuing: Canadians follow the “first-come, first-served” rule. Always wait your turn in lines.

3. Adapting to Communication Styles

Canadian communication is generally indirect and courteous. To adapt:

Use “please” and “thank you” often.

Listen actively: Canadians value thoughtful responses in conversations.

Ask for clarification: Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you don’t understand something.

4. Experiencing Canadian Seasons

Canada’s weather can be vastly different from what you’re used to:

Winter: Invest in warm clothing, including a heavy coat, boots, gloves, and scarves. Learn about winter safety, like walking on icy surfaces or staying warm outdoors.

Summer: Expect warm, sunny days, perfect for exploring parks and nature.

Fall and Spring: These transitional seasons bring moderate weather, with fall featuring vibrant foliage.

5. Adjusting to Academic Culture

Canadian education emphasizes critical thinking and independent learning. To succeed:

Participate in class discussions and group projects.

Build relationships with professors and classmates.

Take advantage of campus resources like writing centers and libraries.

6. Managing Homesickness

It’s normal to miss home, especially in the beginning. To cope:

Stay connected with family and friends through regular calls or video chats.

Bring items that remind you of home, like photos or small keepsakes.

Build a support network by joining cultural or student organizations on campus.

7. Exploring Canadian Cuisine

Canada’s food scene reflects its cultural diversity. While staples like poutine, maple syrup, and butter tarts are iconic, you’ll also find dishes from around the world. Explore local markets and try different cuisines to expand your palate.

8. Navigating Public Transportation

Canada’s public transit systems are efficient and student-friendly. Most cities offer discounted student transit passes. Learn the routes, schedules, and apps for easy navigation.

9. Learning About Indigenous Cultures

Indigenous Peoples have a significant influence on Canada’s history and culture. Take the time to learn about Indigenous traditions, art, and contributions. Many universities offer workshops and events to promote understanding.

10. Building a Support System

Adjusting to a new culture is easier with a support network.

Join student clubs or cultural associations.

Attend orientation events and workshops for international students.

Seek help from campus support services if needed.

Conclusion

Adjusting to a new culture takes time, patience, and an open mind. Embrace Canada’s diversity, build connections, and immerse yourself in the local culture while staying true to your own. With time, Canada will feel like your second home, making your study experience truly rewarding.

[life-by-the-minute]

an intro post

hi, my name is Elias. i'm a Japanese-Greek man working a salary job. i don't have a lot of time in a day, so most of my posts are queued or scheduled.

speaking of which, this intro might be bad because i'm making it at midnight (i should be trying to sleep, but i can't tonight for some reason)

i'm 27 years old

my favorite animal is the Kakapo

if i could be any character, i'd want to be Narancia (from Jojo)

i tend to eat ramen for lunch

i have a bit of facial hair, but it's somewhat pathetic

my ears are pierced, but i only wear earrings on days off or at night. i'm not sure why though.

although i'll queue most of my posts, at night i'll try to say something about my day. i'll leave the ask box open too in case anyone wants to ask me something. the answers will be late in the day, though. sorry in advance.

tag system:

#no time - queue

#sunshine city :] - being an otaku

#diory (ah i spelled it wrong) - my day. the whole thing is the tag

#does that make sense? - asks

[[[more info under the cut!!]]]

this is an unfiction story by @radio-ghost-cooks!!!!!

i got the inspiration watching a salaryman's ditl videos on instagram. Elias and his job are representative of the classic culinary industry. it's something i'm insanely passionate about (given i'm going to be living it soon)

over the course of the story, he's going to fall in love with someone i made to be both a self-insert and representative of the recent push to make the kitchen a healthier workplace. that being said, Elias is very much gay.

a lot of this genuinely will be scheduled/queued because i am very much a college student and would like to have a halfway decent sleep schedule.

[qwaiting]

Discover how queue management systems can transform university administration. This blog explores benefits like streamlined student services, reduced wait times, improved staff efficiency, and enhanced student satisfaction. Learn how administrators can leverage technology to create an organized, stress-free environment for everyone on campus.

[bravecompanynews]

Queue for new iPhone 16 at Apple shop in London - Journal Today Web - #GLOBAL https://www.merchant-business.com/queue-for-new-iphone-16-at-apple-shop-in-london/?feed_id=206157&_unique_id=66edcf9a7dfe7 People queued at an Apple shop in London on Friday as new iPhone 16 models reach store shelves.All the iPhone 16 models, with starting prices ranging from $800 to $1,200, are equipped to handle the new technology, which the company is marketing as “Apple Intelligence.”That branding is part of an effort to distinguish the iPhone’s artificial intelligence from similar technology already available in smartphones released earlier this year by Samsung and Google.The AI features are being promoted as one of the main reasons to buy an iPhone 16.Visitors at the Apple shop on Regent Street were looking forward to exploring the phone’s new features.Elif Eren, a student who bought a new iPhone 16, said she is excited to open the package and see the new AI features.James Griffith, another customer and co-founder of Mous which makes iPhone cases, bought new models to test if their products are suitable for the iPhone 16.The “big element (in) this launch is the Apple intelligence, which is going to be really interesting – Apple’s take on on AI,” Griffith said.The AI technology is coming out in U.S. English only for now, but will expand into localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. in December.Apple plans to expand into other languages and countries next year.The testing of the AI software is beginning just a few days after Apple released its latest mobile operating system, iOS 18, to all its earlier iPhones.“That branding is part of an effort to distinguish the iPhone’s artificial intelligence from similar technology already available in smartphones released earlier this year by Samsung and Google…”Source Link: http://www.africanews.com/2024/09/20/queue-for-new-iphone-16-at-apple-shop-in-london/ http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-photo-5081915.jpeg BLOGGER - #GLOBAL

[companyknowledgenews]

Queue for new iPhone 16 at Apple shop in London - Journal Today Web https://www.merchant-business.com/queue-for-new-iphone-16-at-apple-shop-in-london/?feed_id=206158&_unique_id=66edcf9b64d19 #GLOBAL - BLOGGER BLOGGER People queued at an Apple shop in London on Friday as new iPhone 16 models reach store shelves.All the iPhone 16 models, with starting prices ranging from $800 to $1,200, are equipped to handle the new technology, which the company is marketing as “Apple Intelligence.”That branding is part of an effort to distinguish the iPhone’s artificial intelligence from similar technology already available in smartphones released earlier this year by Samsung and Google.The AI features are being promoted as one of the main reasons to buy an iPhone 16.Visitors at the Apple shop on Regent Street were looking forward to exploring the phone’s new features.Elif Eren, a student who bought a new iPhone 16, said she is excited to open the package and see the new AI features.James Griffith, another customer and co-founder of Mous which makes iPhone cases, bought new models to test if their products are suitable for the iPhone 16.The “big element (in) this launch is the Apple intelligence, which is going to be really interesting – Apple’s take on on AI,” Griffith said.The AI technology is coming out in U.S. English only for now, but will expand into localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. in December.Apple plans to expand into other languages and countries next year.The testing of the AI software is beginning just a few days after Apple released its latest mobile operating system, iOS 18, to all its earlier iPhones.“That branding is part of an effort to distinguish the iPhone’s artificial intelligence from similar technology already available in smartphones released earlier this year by Samsung and Google…”Source Link: http://www.africanews.com/2024/09/20/queue-for-new-iphone-16-at-apple-shop-in-london/ http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-photo-5081915.jpeg People queued at an Apple shop in London on Friday as new iPhone 16 models reach store shelves. All the iPhone 16 models, with starting prices ranging from $800 to $1,200, are equipped to handle the new technology, which the company is marketing as “Apple Intelligence.” That branding is part of an effort to distinguish … Read More

[boldcompanynews]

Queue for new iPhone 16 at Apple shop in London - Journal Today Web - BLOGGER https://www.merchant-business.com/queue-for-new-iphone-16-at-apple-shop-in-london/?feed_id=206156&_unique_id=66edcf999cd63 People queued at an Apple shop in London on Friday as new iPhone 16 models reach store shelves.All the iPhone 16 models, with starting prices ranging from $800 to $1,200, are equipped to handle the new technology, which the company is marketing as “Apple Intelligence.”That branding is part of an effort to distinguish the iPhone’s artificial intelligence from similar technology already available in smartphones released earlier this year by Samsung and Google.The AI features are being promoted as one of the main reasons to buy an iPhone 16.Visitors at the Apple shop on Regent Street were looking forward to exploring the phone’s new features.Elif Eren, a student who bought a new iPhone 16, said she is excited to open the package and see the new AI features.James Griffith, another customer and co-founder of Mous which makes iPhone cases, bought new models to test if their products are suitable for the iPhone 16.The “big element (in) this launch is the Apple intelligence, which is going to be really interesting – Apple’s take on on AI,” Griffith said.The AI technology is coming out in U.S. English only for now, but will expand into localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. in December.Apple plans to expand into other languages and countries next year.The testing of the AI software is beginning just a few days after Apple released its latest mobile operating system, iOS 18, to all its earlier iPhones.“That branding is part of an effort to distinguish the iPhone’s artificial intelligence from similar technology already available in smartphones released earlier this year by Samsung and Google…”Source Link: http://www.africanews.com/2024/09/20/queue-for-new-iphone-16-at-apple-shop-in-london/ http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-photo-5081915.jpeg #GLOBAL - BLOGGER People queued at an Apple shop in L... BLOGGER - #GLOBAL

[technologycompanynews]

Queue for new iPhone 16 at Apple shop in London - Journal Today Web - BLOGGER https://www.merchant-business.com/queue-for-new-iphone-16-at-apple-shop-in-london/?feed_id=206155&_unique_id=66edcf988019e People queued at an Apple shop in London on Friday as new iPhone 16 models reach store shelves.All the iPhone 16 models, with starting prices ranging from $800 to $1,200, are equipped to handle the new technology, which the company is marketing as “Apple Intelligence.”That branding is part of an effort to distinguish the iPhone’s artificial intelligence from similar technology already available in smartphones released earlier this year by Samsung and Google.The AI features are being promoted as one of the main reasons to buy an iPhone 16.Visitors at the Apple shop on Regent Street were looking forward to exploring the phone’s new features.Elif Eren, a student who bought a new iPhone 16, said she is excited to open the package and see the new AI features.James Griffith, another customer and co-founder of Mous which makes iPhone cases, bought new models to test if their products are suitable for the iPhone 16.The “big element (in) this launch is the Apple intelligence, which is going to be really interesting – Apple’s take on on AI,” Griffith said.The AI technology is coming out in U.S. English only for now, but will expand into localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. in December.Apple plans to expand into other languages and countries next year.The testing of the AI software is beginning just a few days after Apple released its latest mobile operating system, iOS 18, to all its earlier iPhones.“That branding is part of an effort to distinguish the iPhone’s artificial intelligence from similar technology already available in smartphones released earlier this year by Samsung and Google…”Source Link: http://www.africanews.com/2024/09/20/queue-for-new-iphone-16-at-apple-shop-in-london/ http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-photo-5081915.jpeg BLOGGER - #GLOBAL People queued at an Apple shop in London on Friday as new iPhone 16 models reach store shelves. All the iPhone 16 models, with starting prices ranging from $800 to $1,200, are equipped to handle the new technology, which the company is marketing as “Apple Intelligence.” That branding is part of an effort to distinguish … Read More

[onlinecompanynews]

Queue for new iPhone 16 at Apple shop in London - Journal Today Web https://www.merchant-business.com/queue-for-new-iphone-16-at-apple-shop-in-london/?feed_id=206154&_unique_id=66edce70e3ffe People queued at an Apple shop in L... BLOGGER - #GLOBAL People queued at an Apple shop in London on Friday as new iPhone 16 models reach store shelves.All the iPhone 16 models, with starting prices ranging from $800 to $1,200, are equipped to handle the new technology, which the company is marketing as “Apple Intelligence.”That branding is part of an effort to distinguish the iPhone’s artificial intelligence from similar technology already available in smartphones released earlier this year by Samsung and Google.The AI features are being promoted as one of the main reasons to buy an iPhone 16.Visitors at the Apple shop on Regent Street were looking forward to exploring the phone’s new features.Elif Eren, a student who bought a new iPhone 16, said she is excited to open the package and see the new AI features.James Griffith, another customer and co-founder of Mous which makes iPhone cases, bought new models to test if their products are suitable for the iPhone 16.The “big element (in) this launch is the Apple intelligence, which is going to be really interesting – Apple’s take on on AI,” Griffith said.The AI technology is coming out in U.S. English only for now, but will expand into localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. in December.Apple plans to expand into other languages and countries next year.The testing of the AI software is beginning just a few days after Apple released its latest mobile operating system, iOS 18, to all its earlier iPhones.“That branding is part of an effort to distinguish the iPhone’s artificial intelligence from similar technology already available in smartphones released earlier this year by Samsung and Google…”Source Link: http://www.africanews.com/2024/09/20/queue-for-new-iphone-16-at-apple-shop-in-london/ http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-photo-5081915.jpeg #GLOBAL - BLOGGER People queued at an Apple shop in London on Friday as new iPhone 16 models reach store shelves. All the iPhone 16 models, with starting prices ranging from $800 to $1,200, are equipped to handle the new technology, which the company is marketing as “Apple Intelligence.” That branding is part of an effort to distinguish … Read More