#Top inventory strategies

[apekssolutions]

Top 4 World Major Inventory Management Techniques

Explore the Top 4 World Major Inventory Management Techniques that are transforming how businesses manage their stock and streamline operations. From Just-In-Time (JIT) to Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), these proven strategies help companies optimize inventory levels, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency. By integrating these techniques with inventory management software, businesses can gain better control of their inventory, automate processes, and boost productivity. Perfect for businesses of all sizes looking to enhance their inventory control and maximize results!

[lifecarelogistic]

Managing Inventory for Logistic: Strategies for Effective Supply Chain Management 

Introduction

Good inventory management is vital for logistic firms to guarantee on-time and efficient supply chain management. This entails the careful monitoring, control, and optimization of stock levels to decrease expenses while fulfilling customer needs. The Best Logistic Company in India in this blog, discuss some techniques for successful inventory management that logistics companies can use to bolster their supply chain management.

Important techniques 

1. Adopt a Just-in-Time (JIT) approach: 

A Just-in-Time (JIT) method involves ordering products right when they are needed to meet customer orders, thereby eliminating the need for excessive stockpiling. This way, companies can minimize their inventory while still meeting consumer demands, thus cutting down on inventory carrying costs and freeing up space.

2. Use Forecasting Techniques:

 Logistics companies can use forecasting techniques to predict customer demand and adjust inventory levels accordingly. This approach ensures that inventory levels are optimized to meet customer demand, reducing the risk of stockouts or excess inventory.

3. Utilize Technology: 

Technology can help logistics companies manage their inventory more efficiently. Inventory management software can track inventory levels, forecast demand, and automate the reordering process.

4. Implement an ABC Analysis: 

An ABC analysis categorizes inventory into three categories based on it’s value and usage. 

Class A inventory is high-value and fast-moving, 

Class B inventory is medium-value and medium-moving,

Class C inventory is low-value and slow-moving. 

By categorizing inventory, logistics companies can prioritize inventory management efforts and allocate resources more effectively.

5. Adopt a Continuous Improvement Approach: 

Continuous improvement involves constantly monitoring and optimizing inventory management processes. Logistics companies can use data analytics to track inventory performance, identify inefficiencies, and make data-driven decisions to improve inventory management.

Logistic companies can benefit greatly from implementing effective inventory management strategies. By adopting a JIT approach, using forecasting techniques, utilizing technology, implementing an ABC analysis, and adopting a continuous improvement approach, logistics companies can improve their supply chain management and provide better service to their customers.

[yuri-puppies]

an inventory of labru and farcille double dates

with thanks to this fanart by @hawberries for the inspiration and to @holmsister for the park date idea

art museum: the toudens wandered off when a local moth flew by in the courtyard and they realized there might be a nest nearby. several people comment on what a handsome couple kabru and marcille make, why, they could be one of the portraits.

theatre play: both toudens are asleep before the intermission. kabru and marcille can't stop shit-talking everything from the acting to the set design out loud and are about to get kicked out.

park: marcille is so ready for a cute picnic under the trees, and she gets it… with kabru. the toudens are rolling in mud with a stranger's dog. this is not even a dog park.

gym: marcille is the only one who thought this was a date.

beach: see daydream hours sketches. marcille came here to look cute and have a good time and is now chasing the other three around with a sunscreen bottle.

science museum: marcille has her lowest-cut top and is planning to Cling TM throughout the grosser exhibits. she underestimated: a) how many children there would be around b) how grossed out she'd get c) how much more interesting the mating rituals of the greater sage-grouse are than her tits. at least kabru isn't there to make fun of her, since he became entranced by evaluating the effectiveness of the various knowledge translation strategies at the anti-pollution exhibit. laios has started giving an impromptu lecture on the dangers of exotic pets in the reptile exhibit to several transfixed children and their baffled parents. the staff has gone from trying to stop him to calling for the volunteer coordinator to recruit him.

[theresattrpgforthat]

So, I went to a game store, and I asked if there were any good beginner games for someone who tried the DnD Essentials Kit and found it too complicated, and you'll never guess what one singular game they suggested!

THEME: Simpler Games than DND.

My friend, I’m not a very good guesser, but I hope that I am able to present you with some games that will give you what you’re looking for.

24XX: Chaos Unit, by polyhedralmice

Deep under the busy streets of Sapien City is the headquarters of the Vermin Squad, the espionage wing of a secret organization of urban animals known as the CHAOS Unit. They capitalize on the fact that vermin are virtually invisible human inhabitants of the city and use they use their street smarts to run vital missions for the unit. Raccoons, opossums, pigeons and squirrels each play specific roles and together form teams that take on the most vital of missions. From intercepting life-saving pizza orders to rescuing their colleagues from the dastardly Animal Control, there is no task too daunting for the brave animals of the Vermin Squad. Every night teams are sent out on their missions, and this is the story of one of those teams. Nothing will stop these brave agents from successfully completing their tasks (except maybe a humane trap baited with peanut butter). 

CHAOS Unit is a spy themed hack based on Jason Tocci’s 24XX.

24XX games are great for groups that love different-sided dice. In general, you only have a few skills for your character that are outside the normal parameters (upgraded to d8 - d12), and the success threshold is the same for pretty much every roll. The challenges and situations of any given scenario are typically presented as roll tables, allowing the GM to come up with an adventure just by rolling a few dice.

CHAOS Unit has just a few character options, some simple gear options, and a comparatively light-hearted premise. It’s a great introduction to the system, and learning how to play one 24XX game makes every other 24XX game a piece of cake to learn, even if they include new rules.

Loot, by Gila RPGs.

LOOT is a fantasy TTRPG by Gila RPGs that combines looter shooter mechanics with west marches vibes. When a rebellion toppled a lich overlord and torn down his city, the people were left with a lot of loot, and a lot of problems. That's where you come in.

Get some friends together, fight some monsters, deck your characters out in cool loot. Do it all over again.

Even though LUMEN uses grid-based combat, your character’s stats are simplified, reduced to a few things: health, armour, and three action types: force, flow & focus. Your stats themselves come from the items that your carry - your loot.

Your loot is organized through slots on your character sheet: you can only carry so much, so you’ll have to think carefully about what kind of stat bonuses and abilities you want. I find that a visual inventory can make it easier to keep track of everything you have, and can help some players learn how to think strategically. If you like the fantasy and strategy that exists in D&D but don’t want to do nearly as much math, you might be interested in LOOT - although the lack of dice is certainly a big change.

Slugblaster, by Wilkie’s Candy Lab.

In the small town of Hillview, teenage hoverboarders sneak into other dimensions to explore, film tricks, go viral, and get away from the problems at home. It’s dangerous. It’s stupid. It’s got parent groups in a panic. And it’s the coolest thing ever.

This is Slugblaster. A table-top rpg about teenagehood, giant bugs, circuit-bent rayguns, and trying to be cool.

Forged in the Dark games can be tricky to introduce to a new table, but Slugblaster is one of a few that I think can do the job. It’s a streamlined version of the system, that takes away a lot of the crunch that comes from Stats, Position, and Effect, and boils it all down to Kick and Boost. It also streamlines harm into 2 levels of slams, and keeps stress and downtime to a procedure that you can follow step-by-step when you finish a run. Finally character creation is very easy: you only make few choices in terms of abilities, and many of these choices are descriptive, rather than mechanical.

One thing I’ve noticed about games with “simpler” rules systems is that they typically do require a bunch of improv, which can be scary for new GMs. Slugblaster isn’t that different in this regard, but it does have a few things you as a GM can prepare beforehand if you want to make things easier for yourself. For example, you can set up your map of the different dimensions beforehand, including the doorways that the teens can get through. If you know that the teens get back to your home dimension without going through Operablum, then you can prepare a few location - specific threats to confound the teens as they try to get back in time for dinner.

Another strength of these games is that typically, if a player wants to do something, they just have to be able to describe how they’d do it - you can then work backwards using the gear & resources on your sheet to give you some dice to roll, as well as the logic of the game world, to figure out what happens next.

Lady Blackbird, by John Harper

Lady Blackbird is on the run from an arranged marriage to Count Carlowe. She hired a smuggler skyship, The Owl, to take her from her palace on the Imperial world of Ilysium to the far reaches of the Remnants, so she could be with her once secret lover: the pirate king Uriah Flint.

Lady Blackbird is the first game I ever played, and it’s a game I fell for - hard. It involves rolling pools of dice that you pull from descriptive collections of tags assigned to pre-generated characters. It simplifies game-play by taking away the step of character creation, and gives the group a pretty solid story to pick up and follow wherever your heart may lead.

While the rules of the game are fairly simple, I think that as a GM, you’re going to need to be comfortable with a fair bit of improv to make this work. The game has some excellent pieces of advice on how to come up with scenes for the characters, and even includes some example complications to throw at the party. I’m really glad this was my first game because from the beginning, it affirmed that roleplaying games are a communal experience, and even if the characters and the starting scenario are already written for the group, the players have a lot of freedom to decide who their characters are, and what they’re going to value.

Liminal Horror, by Goblin Archives.

There’s a strange comfort to ambiguity. To stand at the threshold between states of what was and what’s next, to inhabit the places of transition. But you’re never truly alone here. There are things that hunger within the dark places. Strange creatures and mysteries lie in wait and tumbling into the wrong place at the wrong time may put you on the path towards doom.

Grab your flashlights and blood splattered jackets as you try to make it through the night. Beware, snapping bone and rending flesh are often the simplest outcome. While there may be great power within these places… not all mysteries can be solved and not everyone can be saved. Above all, there are fates far worse than death.

LIMINAL HORROR is a rules-lite, adaptable Survival-Horror roleplaying game about normal characters and their struggles against the things that go bump in the night. The game focuses on surviving the weird and Investigating horrors while blending simple, old-school inspired rules with modern, narrative first principles. Survival is not guaranteed and those that do make it through the night are often forever changed.

In Liminal Horror, character creation is rather quick, often easily generated using a few dice rolls. For most tasks, your characters will roll a d20 and try to get a number lower than one of their three stats, so when you get started, teaching the game should be pretty simple. Of course, since it’s a horror game, there’s more than just trying to roll under a stat: characters will find themselves subject to the consequences of being exposed to horrors that are far beyond the limits of human experience. As a result, characters will find themselves dealing with two different kinds of harm: stress & fallout. These two harm systems will make the stakes feel real, and they’ll also inflict changes on your characters as you play.

Liminal Horror has a few things going for it. The basic rules are fairly straightforward, but they’re also free. The game is meant to be paired with pre-written adventures, which often include place descriptions, NPCs, and adventure-specific consequences to torture the characters with. A lot of the adventures available come with a price tag, but if you want to try out the system, there’s a couple of free ones out there - I recommend Messenger National Park, by capacityforwonder.

For the Ship And Its Crew, by Adeline Fowl Games.

We've crewed this Ship for years together. We've seen wondrous sights, gotten ourselves into seemingly insurmountable trouble, and have owed our fair share of creds to the wrong people. And yet, still, we fly. But after all these years, our past may be catching up with us. As the missiles tear across starlit space, we'll be forced to ask ourselves: What will we do, for the Ship and its Crew?

This is a hack of For the Queen, which mostly involves answering prompts, using something like a card deck, or in this case, a digital hosting service. Your group is telling a story by taking turns answering questions, which makes the game fairly easy to teach, even to people who don’t have a lot of roleplaying experience.

These kinds of games can also be played very quickly, which might also make it easier to introduce to folks who aren’t used to sitting around a grid and calculating resources for 2+ hours.

Other Recommendation Posts To Check Out…

Easy To Teach Recommendation Post

First Time GMs Recommendation Post

Little Reading or Writing Required Recommendation Post

[sexhaver]

probably the saddest video game L i have ever heard of is the case of DeathOnAStick. he was a nethack player who aimed to not just beat the game, but beat it with the highest score possible. score in nethack is based on the total value of items in your inventory when you win, so his strategy was to cast Polymorph on rocks until they turned into gems (which have the best value to weight ratio). Polymorph can turn rocks into basically anything, including "hostile golems" or "nothing", so this took him a while.

and by "a while" i mean "a year and a half". he played this save file for a year and a half. without dying.

he got so many gems that he needed multiple pet giants to carry around the bags for him. dude was fucking loaded. once he was satisfied with his haul, he strolled into the Wizard of Yendor's tower and killed him, as one does to begin the final segment of their run. the Wizard was kind enough to drop a Potion of Gain Level on his corpse, which DeathOnAStick picked up and immediately drank out of habit despite already being at the level cap of 30. unfortunately, the potion was cursed.

an uncursed Potion of Gain Level will give you enough experience points to level up. a cursed potion, on the other hand, will have you go up a level.

a level (floor) of the dungeon.

without his pet giants or any of his gems.

if you go up a level from the top of the wizard's tower, you end up in the Plane of Earth, which has no stairs down and blocks teleportation and digging.

his player logs indicate that he "went idle" for 38 seconds at this point, meaning that no inputs were registered; i'm going to hazard a guess that he was not exactly "idle" irl during that timeframe. he finished the run with a relatively pathetic 2 dilithium crystals that he managed to scrounge up from the Plane of Air, a far cry from the thousands his giants had been hauling around for him.

there is a silver lining though: five years later in 2010 he took another stab and managed to finish with over 8000 gems in around 400 hours of playtime. but still. jesus fucking christ. a year and a half of your life down the drain because of a cursed potion effect based on a pun

[edwardseymour]

i'm shocked that theirs no evidence of their being a order to have all of anne boleyn’s portraiture be destroyed one of the things i hear anne fans talk about all the time is a attempt to "erase" her from history by henry and jane!! they make it sound like their was a bonfire of all of anne's paintings and personal belongings like that one scene from sleeping beauty

✨ terfs/zionists fuck off ✨

it’s another one of those popular anne boleyn isms that’s uncritically widely accepted but i don’t think it holds up.

there’s simply no evidence of such an order. plenty exists of her to suggest there was no top down command that was acted upon. more reasonably, she likely simply became an unpopular figure to have displayed in one’s house after her execution… but she was still referred to posthumously as “the late queen”, her iconography was left in place in actively used palaces, henry kept several of her possessions in his inventory, and her portraiture outlasted the tudor period with one surviving as late as 1773 in the lumley collection. so it seems improbable that there was a formal order or enforced policy of erasure or damnatio memoraie against her, as an anointed queen and mother to a child of henry’s, illegitimate or otherwise — nor does there seem to be much evidence of that as a strategy taken against other traitors. henry howard’s portrait still survives, for example.

[thedailyjcs]

Thrifted Treasures: LJ's Journey in Sustainable Fashion Entrepreneurship

by Jerraine Sy and Jose Carlos Morata

Leila Jazel Madelar, who goes by the name LJ, is a student at National University Fairview pursuing BS Tourism. LJ is the proud owner of Madie's Wardrobe, where she sells curated thrifted clothes through her Facebook page and ships them out via Shopee Checkout. LJ's commitment to sustainability and supporting local businesses is an appropriate match for our theme, which emphasizes the advantages that thrifted clothing has for the economy and the environment. 

In the vibrant world of ukay-ukay, LJ encountered unpredictable situations as an entrepreneur. This is not new to the business world, especially in the ukay-ukay culture. Although she handpicked these items rather than buying in bulk, sometimes they do not appeal to people's tastes or align with current trends. The importance of adaptability in overcoming obstacles is truly essential, as mismanaging this aspect could result in profit loss. 

She discusses the diverse attitudes of customers and the challenges in ensuring they follow instructions. Despite that, she employs patience and takes the time to educate customers on the checkout process, maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction. True success lies in maximizing profitability. When she receives the profit, it marks the culmination of her efforts as a dedicated businesswoman. 

LJ sets herself apart by focusing on offering affordable sets, steering away from the trend of overpricing items observed in similar shops. This strategy has contributed to the success of Madie's Wardrobe. She handpicks each item from various thrift stores, personally fitting them and curating a collection through meticulous examination. This attention to detail ensures a curated and quality inventory. She observes the thrift clothes market trends and notes the enduring popularity of items like crop tops and pants. She also stays attuned to customer preferences, adapting her inventory to meet the ongoing demands of the market. 

The virtue of patience is the most significant lesson that she teaches. Managing several projects at once is part of being a lone owner, and even with diligent attention to detail, problems can still occur. Maintaining a high standard of customer satisfaction requires flexibility and responsiveness to any issues that might arise. LJ advises aspiring thrift clothes sellers to embrace hard work and be prepared to take risks. She emphasizes the importance of having a backup plan to avoid losses and ensure success. Aspiring thrift store vendors should accept hard labor and be willing to take calculated chances, according to Leila. She strongly expresses that to prevent losses and guarantee success, a backup plan is essential. The importance of preparedness for potential challenges cannot be overstated; it forms the backbone of a resilient business strategy. It's important to have a backup plan within a backup plan, as this provides greater control in uncertain situations. 

To sum up, LJ's experience selling used clothing is proof of her tenacity, enthusiasm, and steadfast dedication to her clients' needs. Madie's Wardrobe is a source of inspiration for aspiring businesses that want to enter the realm of online thrifted clothes sales in addition to providing reasonably priced apparel. 

[outofangband]

Sorry if you’ve done this before, but for Himring worldbuilding do you have any thoughts on the layout of the fortress and its architectural style etc? In fic I’ve variously seen it described as ranging from a single solitary castle all the way to a whole little walled city on the hill so I was wondering what you thought about that! Thank you so much ❤️❤️

World building masterlist (also more in the himring tag)

I think it's somewhere between a single castle and a walled city! It's a walled fortress comprising of a number of primary buildings within the walls and then a number of remote outposts throughout the March.

The Fortress of Himring stands on the hill of the same name. It is a stone fortress constructed primarily from slate, granite and travertine. Its construction took several decades and was worked on primarily by members of the Noldorin host Maedhros had brought there with aid from a group of dwarves from the Ered Luin Maedhros had formed an alliance with. In exchange for their help, they were given access to the geological resources of the March and protection while traveling North towards the Ered Engrin.

A number of stonemasonry techniques were utilized in the construction of Himring including arch masonry, dry stone (used primarily in the construction of remote buildings and lower walls), and post and lintel which makes use of pillars and beams. Most of the arches and arch systems of Himring are vault arches, that is, self supporting arched systems used to construct ceilings and roofs. This means spacious almost cavernous rooms with high ceilings. Almost all rooms have either fireplaces or fire pits with some buildings having a complex system of chimneys.

The fortress is built upon the Hill of Himring and rises up from the top with sections extending around towards the base of the hill and even some under the earth. The foundations rise to a sheer, wide tower with surrounding buildings connected through bridges and ground level passages.

The design is beautiful as is most creations by Noldorin architects but Himring is generally thought of as a grim, utilitarian place. It is a pallet of grays of varying shades, standing starkly against the cold skies. It is made to withstand both harsh weather and enemy attack. Its full plans are known only to Maedhros himself and there are many secret exits, hiding places, storage areas and other features understood on a need to know basis

Indeed, it is probably the most utilitarian of the Fëanorian realms with the lowest number of civilians. People went to Himring because they desired to be on the forefront of the battle with Morgoth. There is a population of non fighters, comprising of both soldiers who are unable to fight (temporarily or otherwise) due to injury and those with other distinct roles. They are employed as cooks, hunters, construction and repair, crafting, producing and mending essentials like clothes, weapons and blankets, overseeing trade and supplies, translation, cartography and strategy and others of the many jobs that are needed to maintain Himring.

There is a small market that operates within the walls of Himring but, due to rations and inventory protocol, is fairly regulated. (Any essentials, and there is a long list for this, are regulated and cannot be sold without formal permission. Luxury goods, puzzles and toys for the few children who live at the March, other crafts, and certain food items are usually sold here depending on what they are made from)

Most artisans come to Himring with the understanding that there wares will be primarily used for the war and supporting those fighting it.

The fortress is lined with parapets near its top. Half of them are partly covered to protect against the worst of winter winds and snow.

Steel is made in a bloomery and forge a few minutes away from the fortress of Himring itself where weapons are also made. The forge combines Noldorin techniques with some Sindar ones and weapons development is more prioritized than in most of the other Fëanorian realms. Animals are kept in lower, wooden outer houses towards the bottom of the hill of Himring, to protect against theft and the cold.

I have a post about gardens here!

I hope this helps! Please feel free to send more!

[clarebear-0925]

Flowers, Fight Scenes and Isolation: My Prediction for the Future (And Possible Ending) of Jujutsu Kaisen

Hi. So seeing this extra for volume 26 finally spurred me to articulate all of my thoughts on this subject in one place. Sorry for the length, but let me cook.

Here's the big idea: I believe that Gojo is in fact going to come back— but with a major catch.

Lets review the (mostly theme-based) evidence, shall we?

Firstly, throughout the entire series, we know that Gojo has been incredibly lonely, isolated at the top by Jujutsu society,

As summed up by this iconic panel, with just him, vast empty white space, and his title, the only thing that most people know him for/define him by, aka “the strongest.”

We also know that isolation played a big role in his mental state and thinking until his death, and is something that Gege made sure to reemphasize during his last moments in chapter 236.

In this conversation, Gojo expresses the gap he felt and also sets up the connected imagery of him and flowers.

(In addition, I feel as though it is also significant that the person he finally opens up to about his feelings on this isolation is Geto- more on that later).

Next, JJK is commonly nicknamed “jumpkaisen” as a joke by fans due to how often the characters team up against the villains. However, I think this pattern actually has more significance in the overall narrative than being a funny quirk.

Over the course of the series, we have seen all sorts of teamups between a wide variety of characters- like the widespread jumpkaisen nickname suggests, they are an iconic part of JJK's combat.

However, one character in particular is exempt from this trend- Gojo. (and also Sukuna but we’ll get into that later too.)

He is always fighting alone- as an adult, we never see him fight alongside anyone else the way that other characters do. Even the villains note this when planning their battle strategy:

This is is made especially clear in the final battle (especially with the contrast between the mostly solo Gojo v Sukuna fight and the absolute dogpile that is going on in the manga right now).

The only times we ever saw Gojo fighting alongside another person is with Geto in his youth. Geto is also the only person who didn’t him as “the strongest.” Instead, they were the strongest together, and that is reflected in how they fought together.

But then after everything in Hidden Inventory, Geto too starts to see that gap between him and Gojo.

This results in him leaving Gojo, thus permanently isolating him as “the strongest.” (See also the change from "we're the strongest" in the Hidden Inventory Arc to "I'm the Strongest" in JJK episode 2).

We never see him fight with another person after that.

Ok, so now let’s put these two points (Gojo's isolation and its connection to the fight scenes) to serve up a prediction.

I believe that Gojo is going to come back severely weakened to the point that he will finally have to (or be able to) fight WITH others- in particular, the students who he has made it his express mission to protect and nurture so they can go on to improve Jujutsu society.

This would be in sharp contrast to Sukuna, who has continually refused any chance or notion of love and connection, likely due to his belief that it is unattainable due to his strength.

(Serena on TikTok has an amazing and concise video on this topic- go watch it if you're interested in a better understanding)

I also think that this development would be a great way to show that Gojo HAS been successful in his goal to nurture a better future of Jujutsu- rather than the society isolating and systematically breaking students like it did Geto, the students are now all working together to defeat this insurmountable evil.

So, in conclusion, yes, Sukuna will in fact be defeated by the power of love and friendship (and a couple dozen or so black flashes), and it is NOT Gojover.

Also, here is some vital supplemental information (again from the amazing Serena) regarding the flower depicted on Gojo’s cover and the volume 26 extra.

I think the fact that Gojo compared himself to a flower in Chapter 236 as he died, and the fact that the flower in the supplemental (who he is clearly connected to via the cover art) hasn’t hit the ground yet is a very good (and more concrete) sign for his chances of returning.

Thank you for reading and sorry for the length! I would love to know your guys' thoughts on this theory and what you think will happen in the future of JJK! :)

[humanransome-note]

So I like cryptograms, which means my playing Tunic has been a combination of playing, and just an obscene amount of notes and screenshots.

But! The thing about cryptograms, is that they’re based on the concept that the text is (usually) a one to one replacement of the letters.

Add my only language is English, which is read left to right, top to bottom, conscript (constructed script) is something I’m tangentially aware of and do genuinely find interesting, but I’ve never done a real deep dive into the practice… beyond looking for shorthands or things I could easily write with my left.

But! With one simple rune, it looks like I’m going back in.

This, is “you” in Tunic’s script “Trunic” I believe it’s been called. And this,

Is use.

Figuring out these was simple, taking into consideration Tunic’s obvious aesthetic inspirations from The Legend of Zelda, when I saw this

When getting a potion, I figured it said something like “you [received] a [potion]” (received and potion I'm not 100% on yet)

So… we found “you”… what about “use”?

“Use key?” When selecting a locked door with a key in your inventory.

As you can see, what I have concluded to be “you” is in this phrase, with a few more strokes to the rune.

Which made me think “oh god, is this a phonetic system?” I'm scared of phonetic systems, I failed basically every spelling test I ever had in elementary and it was in part because I remembered the phonetics, but English is a nonsense language which borrows from everywhere and everything, so I basically berated the habit out of myself. Having to learn phonics at the same time didn’t help, because I’d do great in one part then did shit in the other.

So I caved and googled it, because I needed the confirmation or else I’d keep trying to treat it like a classic cypher out of spite.

It is phonetic, and the syllables are read from the center out, unless an additional stroke indicates otherwise.

So now that I know that… and I figured out the horizontal lines in the middle are actually just a “font” to help keep the strokes organized and make the number of syllables clearer. The actual shape is the same as a rupee from LoZ, which is adorable.

I have a few things I’m pretty certain about, like shield, key, use, an, to, bell, a (oh you poor vowel… you will be getting a mad nasty workout my friend)

Which I’m going to have to dissect for sounds, I think with “you” “use” and “to” I’ve got the long “o” sound confirmed, I think I know what strokes are the long “a” as well. as well as a sharp "t" and "y"

Some manual pages have both trunic and English script, which helps contextualize, like I think “press” is pointing to the a button here.

I hope my preexisting knowledge of cryptogram strategies will help. But we have yet to see.

[cherrypikkins]



okokok no one asked for this but here is my rationale for Sylvain being a forever-DM in my dungeons and dragons and three houses post

his interests are specifically stated as being fine art and theater. furthermore, his supports with bernadetta (houses) and ignatz (hopes) shows that his eye for art and literature is not just at a surface level. not only can he recognize a good narrative in writing, but also knows how visual description can be used to build context in a story.

the board game is one of his preferred gifts. DnD is as massive a 'board game' you can get in all but technicality, being a table-top RPG system. one can assume that sylvain has an aptitude for putting written rules into practice as well as a mind for strategy needed to simulate encounters that suitably challenge the party while keeping everything balanced.

in three hopes, he excels at taking inventory of the pantry and tidying up documents. his profile states that he is specifically bothered by untidy spaces. clearly, he knows how to stay organized and on top of paperwork and logistical details.

also, his dating habits and ability to keep up with multiple distinct relationships at the same time means uh, he's got serious time management skills. always a plus for a DM, i guess? especially given the challenge of scheduling anything with a sizable group of players.

but most of all he puts on personas in his every day life, has a flare for both humor and the dramatic, and knows how to appeal to one's emotions even when he doesn't really mean it. one could reason that he has the acting ability needed to play as multiple npcs at the drop of a hat, while hiding his cards when necessary to keep the players guessing.

so not only would Sylvain be a competent and engaging DM, he'd be stuck in the DM role forever - also because no one would dare imagine the unfathomable amount of drama and mayhem he'd be capable of causing as a player.

[andrevasims]

I got the first Style Savvy (or Style Boutique in Europe) game for the original DS, cause all I saw was people making outfits, so I thought it was mainly a dress-up game...

Well it is, but it's also business management strategy, because you have to sell clothes to customers, but you need to purchase inventory stock, but you need to earn the money for buying inventory by selling clothes, but you can only sell clothes if you choose something the customer actually likes, which you have to decipher by memorizing the 15 fake in-game brands and what styles the customer may prefer based on what brands/colors they're already wearing (or what a "sassy" top is supposed to look like)

And tbh I thought that was annoying at first, mainly because I didn't know how to choose stuff customers would actually buy, and didn't have the money to get more stuff lol, but I think it's a pretty cool concept now that I do know how it works.

The game is also based on real-time, so the stuff available to buy for stock changes every irl day, and a lot of the styles will be based on irl seasons/holidays (like customers ask for warm coats & scarves now, but later in the year they'll want tank tops & sunglasses probably)

idk I haven't regularly used my 3DS since 2014, so I'm happily surprised that I liked the game that much :P

[gonzalez756]

Starting an e-commerce business can be an exciting venture with immense potential. However, with the opportunities come challenges and uncertainties. Before diving into the world of online retail, it’s crucial to plan carefully and set a solid foundation. Here are some essential tips to consider before launching your e-commerce business:

1. Conduct Market Research

Understanding the market is fundamental to any successful business. Start by identifying your target audience and analyzing competitors. Research trends, customer preferences, and potential gaps in the market. Tools like Google Trends, social media analytics, and industry reports can provide valuable insights. This research will help you tailor your products or services to meet market demands and differentiate yourself from competitors.

2. Define Your Business Model

E-commerce offers various business models, such as B2C (Business to Consumer), B2B (Business to Business), C2C (Consumer to Consumer), and subscription-based models. Determine which model aligns with your goals and resources. Each model has its own set of challenges and requirements, so choose one that best fits your product or service and target market.

3. Create a Solid Business Plan

A comprehensive business plan serves as a roadmap for your e-commerce venture. Outline your business goals, strategies, target audience, marketing plan, financial projections, and operational plan. This document will not only guide your efforts but also help secure funding if needed. A clear plan can keep you focused and organized as you navigate the complexities of launching and running an e-commerce business.

4. Choose the Right E-Commerce Platform

Selecting the right e-commerce platform is crucial for the success of your online store. Popular platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce each offer unique features and capabilities. Consider factors such as ease of use, scalability, customization options, payment gateways, and integration with other tools. The platform should align with your business needs and provide a user-friendly experience for both you and your customers.

5. Develop a User-Friendly Website

Your website is the face of your e-commerce business. Ensure it’s designed to be user-friendly, visually appealing, and optimized for mobile devices. A clean, intuitive layout with easy navigation will enhance the shopping experience and reduce cart abandonment rates. Focus on high-quality images, detailed product descriptions, and a seamless checkout process. Additionally, implement search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to improve your site’s visibility in search engines.

6. Implement Secure Payment Processing

Security is a top priority in e-commerce. Customers need to trust that their payment information is safe. Choose a reputable payment gateway and ensure your website uses SSL certificates to encrypt data. Additionally, offer multiple payment options, including credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and other payment methods that are popular with your target audience.

7. Plan Your Logistics and Supply Chain

Efficient logistics and supply chain management are vital for e-commerce success. Develop a strategy for inventory management, warehousing, and shipping. Decide whether you’ll handle fulfillment in-house or partner with third-party logistics providers. Consider shipping options, delivery times, and costs. A smooth and reliable fulfillment process can significantly impact customer satisfaction and repeat business.

8. Craft a Marketing Strategy

Effective marketing is essential to drive traffic and sales to your e-commerce store. Develop a multi-channel marketing strategy that includes social media, email marketing, content marketing, and paid advertising. Create engaging content, run promotions, and leverage social media platforms to build brand awareness and attract customers. Monitor and analyze the performance of your marketing efforts to refine your strategies over time.

9. Focus on Customer Service

Exceptional customer service can set your e-commerce business apart from competitors. Provide multiple channels for customer support, such as live chat, email, and phone. Ensure timely responses to inquiries and resolve issues promptly. Building strong customer relationships and encouraging feedback can enhance customer loyalty and drive positive reviews.

10. Monitor and Adapt

The e-commerce landscape is constantly evolving. Regularly review your business performance, track key metrics, and gather customer feedback. Stay informed about industry trends and technological advancements. Be prepared to adapt your strategies and operations based on insights and changes in the market.

[thedashshop]

Top 5 Benefits for Retailers Using Dash Shop

In the ever-evolving landscape of retail, staying ahead of the curve means leveraging the latest technologies to enhance operations and customer experience. Dash Shop offers a comprehensive e-commerce solution designed to help retailers thrive. Here are the top five benefits of using Dash Shop for your retail business.

1. Instant Delivery and Enhanced Customer Satisfaction

One of the standout features of Dash Shop is its instant delivery service. Customers today expect fast and reliable delivery options, and Dash Shop meets this demand with precision. By integrating instant delivery, retailers can ensure their customers receive their products quickly, boosting satisfaction and loyalty. This rapid delivery service helps retailers stand out in a crowded market, offering a significant competitive advantage.

Detailed Breakdown:

Speed: Customers receive their orders within hours, not days.

Reliability: Real-time tracking ensures transparency and builds trust.

Customer Retention: Fast delivery is a key factor in repeat business.

2. Robust Analytics for Informed Decision-Making

Dash Shop provides retailers with powerful analytics tools that offer deep insights into sales trends, customer behavior, and inventory management. These insights enable retailers to make data-driven decisions, optimize stock levels, and tailor marketing strategies to better meet customer needs.

Detailed Breakdown:

Sales Trends: Identify top-selling products and peak sales times.

Customer Insights: Understand buying patterns and preferences.

Inventory Management: Avoid overstocking or stockouts by aligning inventory with demand.

3. Seamless Integration with Existing Sales Channels

Retailers do not need to overhaul their existing sales channels to benefit from Dash Shop. The platform seamlessly integrates analytics within the Dash Shop mobile app, enhancing rather than replacing them. This integration ensures a smooth transition and minimal disruption to business operations.

Detailed Breakdown:

Analytics: Tracks user interaction for real-time analytics on Retailer’s products.

Unified Management: Centralized control of online and offline sales.

Enhanced Functionality: Adds value without complicating existing processes.

4. Cost-Effective Marketing and Promotion Tools

Marketing can be a significant expense for retailers, but Dash Shop offers a suite of cost-effective marketing tools. From creating and distributing discount coupons to targeted promotions, Dash Shop enables retailers to reach their audience efficiently and effectively.

Detailed Breakdown:

Coupon Creation: Easily design and distribute digital coupons.

Targeted Promotions: Use customer data to personalize marketing efforts.

Affordable Solutions: Maximize marketing ROI with budget-friendly tools.

5. Support for Community Engagement and Charitable Initiatives

Dash Shop is more than just a sales platform; it’s a tool for community engagement. Retailers can leverage the platform to support local charities and community initiatives, fostering goodwill and strengthening community ties. This commitment to social responsibility can enhance the retailer’s brand image and build customer loyalty.

Detailed Breakdown:

Charitable Contributions: Allocate a percentage of sales to local causes.

Community Events: Promote and manage local events through the platform.

Brand Image: Demonstrate commitment to social responsibility.

Conclusion

Adopting Dash Shop offers a multitude of benefits for retailers, from improving customer satisfaction with instant delivery to providing robust analytics for smarter decision-making. Its seamless integration with existing sales channels, cost-effective marketing tools, and support for community engagement make it an invaluable asset for any retail business looking to thrive in today’s competitive market. By leveraging these benefits, retailers can enhance their operations, drive sales, and build stronger relationships with their customers and communities.

[theresattrpgforthat]

Hey, I've been thinking of maybe getting into TTRPGs, but I don't really have any friends in person that are into that sort of stuff (I do have online friends who are into it, though). Do you have any recommendations for a/some good "solo" ttrpg for beginners.

THEME: Free Solo Games for First-Timers.

Hello friend! I managed to find a whole cluster of free roleplaying games, so I hope you find something here that tickles your fancy! There’s some story games, some survival games, and some that are in between.

Lycans & Lawyers, by GorgonHead.

You are one of Capitol's top lawyers. You also turn into a werewolf at night.

Welcome to Moondale, one of Capitol's nicer districts! Your law firm is based here, and most of your clients come from here. It is you job to keep them from getting convicted, even if they are guilty. 

And they are. You must employ your best skills, both as a lawyer and as a lycan, to keep them safe from the Union's law long hands. To manage this, you'll have to do some shady things. But it's all for the good of the client!

This is a simple, one page game with a lot to play with. It has a few paragraphs of lore, a map to help you visualize your neighbourhood, and two moon tracks to follow. You’ll have two different sets of stats depending on whether you are in your werewolf mode or your lawyer mode, as well as a series of roll tables to set the scene. If you like a concrete goal but also some flexibility in the details that you get to contribute to the story, you might like this game.

Strandead, by chuymarin.

Awakening amidst the boundless stretch of the open ocean, the unsettling sensation of isolation grips your soul. What lies ahead in this abyss, lurking within the depths of the ominous waters? The weight of impending threats gnaws at your very core. 

A solo hexcrawl for the survivalist at heart. Travel across an ocean and roll for encounters, fish, and random items as you try to survive for X number of days out on the open seas. With two difficulty modes and an optional QR-linked random generator of rumours, you’ll have an excellent combination of randomness and strategy to keep you invested. Perfect for folks who prefer balancing numbers and don’t want to fill in a narrative from prompts.

Fortress in the Frozen Wastes, by August Wigg.

Set in the post-apocalyptical land of the Frozen Wastes, a young Ranger must journey to an outlaw fortress to rescue their captured mentor and a group of settlers. Customize your Ranger to be proficient in different skills and choose different paths as you attempt to save the prisoners of the Fortress in the Frozen Wastes.

This is a combination of a traditional roleplaying adventure and a choose-your own adventure story. You’ll create a character sheet with stats, character abilities and inventory slots, and success and failure depend on a d10 roll. Your character dies if their endurance ever gets to 0, so you’ll do your best to navigate each new situation you encounter and make choices that keep your ranger alive long enough to fulfill their quest.

5 Min Knight, by enui.

5-Min-Knight is small one-player RPG about being a Knight of the round table. It takes 5 minutes to play.

This is basically a writing challenge, with a number of d6 tables that you’ll use for writing prompts. You are meant to roll and write as much as you can in 5 minutes - when the timer is up, you roll again to see what called you away. This is a great exercise if you’re looking for a way to practise your creativity, or if you don’t have that much time in a day to play.

If you’re more interested in solving mysteries, you can also try 5 Min Maven, by the same creator, inspired by Brindlewood Bay!

Curiosity Killed?, by Zole Tsoi.

Playing as a cat wandering the streets of a futuristic city, you are tasked with helping ghosts of the underworld who have unfinished business.

This is a one page game that uses a d4 for pretty much everything. You’ll want to keep an eye on your three stats, because if they get too high or too low, your cat is forced to end their mission early or gets stuck. Get your Stress down to 1 or your Morality up to 5 to win the game!

Homunculus, by DOMINO CLUB

Alchemy is a dirty, tiring, thankless job. I’ve let this absorb my whole life, and I’ve now gotten to the point where I’m ready to move on.

In this game, you play as an homunculus, newly created by an alchemist to explore the world .

Homunculus is a game that starts you off with quite a bit of guidance, easing you into play by setting you up with prompts connected to cards you draw from the deck. Card suits are connected to four stats in this game, which you will attempt to increase equally in order to gain the best possible ending. This game allows for a few replays if you are interested in getting different endings, but it also relies on interpreting prompts as drawn by the cards. If you like a game where you’re reaching a specific target, you might like Homunculus.

The Dukes Aid, by g0ri.

On the frontiers of space, an interstellar empire exists in a perilous balance. As a close aide of a Duke and his house, your job is to navigate safely through the coming intrigues.

Observe the plans within plans within plans as your House takes over the production of the Empire’s most important resource.….

The Duke's Aide is a solo roleplaying game requiring at least half an hour, a set of roleplaying dice, a deck of cards and something to write with and on. This is a proper journaling game, using a deck of cards to supply prompts, jokers included to help pace the game out for you. You’ll choose a character class, which also determines the dice you roll, which you’ll need every time your character tries something risky. This is a great introduction to a journaling game that still gives you a lot to work with if you don’t feel super comfortable extrapolating from prompts.

Games I've Recommended in the Past

The Wandering Library, by AP.

[shadowfaxnews]

Festive Rush Sparks Speed War: Quick Commerce & E-commerce Battle For Fastest Deliveries

SUMMARY

Same-day and next-day deliveries have grown 4–5X during peak periods, now accounting for 12–15% of total ecommerce deliveries, which is a big leap from almost zero just 18 months ago

While fast delivery services are in high demand, they come with operational challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is optimising inventory placement

As the industry stands at the precipice of super-fast deliveries, building an efficient supply chain will be the most critical element for the long-term sustainability of India’s quick delivery realm

This festive season will be all about the need for speed, as ecommerce majors have now entered the paradigm of swift deliveries (same day or next day), pivoting from their earlier timeline of 4–5 days.

Making the game of deliveries insanely difficult to play will be quick-commerce players that are expected to capture the majority of the customer base seeking instant gratification. All in all, ecommerce platforms will be seen upping the ante in staying ahead of the delivery curve and ensuring that no shopper is left craving amid the festive rush.

However, this shift in ecommerce behavior has been in the making for some time, and the trigger has been the maturity of the Indian quick delivery ecosystem, which currently drives 40% of online grocery sales.

Over the past year, ecommerce marketplaces have made significant strides in enhancing delivery speed, introducing same-day and next-day services to cater to customer demands. A vibrant example is Flipkart, which, at the start of the year, announced that it would offer same-day delivery across multiple product categories at no additional cost.

With the market at stake, Amazon followed suit, while beauty platform Nykaa and fashion site Myntra began testing same-day delivery options. Witnessing this, many D2C brands are also adapting to remain competitive.

While they may not match online marketplaces in order volume, they’re eager to offer quicker delivery options to stay competitive. A case in point is GenZ-focused fashion startup NEWME, which recently launched 90-minute delivery for its products in select Delhi NCR areas.

“Speaking with Inc42, logistics experts said that the demand for fast delivery has surged dramatically compared to last year’s festive sales. Same-day and next-day deliveries have grown 4–5X during peak periods of festive sales, now accounting for 12–15% of total ecommerce deliveries, which is a big leap from almost zero just 18 months ago.”

This surge comes as ecommerce firms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Meesho are expected to register a 20% year-on-year rise in gross merchandise value, generating sales in the range of INR 1 Lakh Cr to 1.2 Lakh Cr this festive season, according to Redseer Strategy Consultants. Quick commerce is anticipated to contribute around 8% to this overall growth.

Festive Rush Paves The Way For 5X Surge In Same-Day Delivery

Speaking with Inc42, COO of Ecom Express, Vishwachetan Nadamani, said that during the festive season, the speed of deliveries naturally improves due to increased demand, with line-haul trucks operating more frequently. However, the surge in fast delivery requests is more pronounced this year.

Therefore, the executive added that the company has rolled out same-day delivery and next-day deliveries in India’s top 10 metro cities, with the infrastructure fully established to support these services.

Meanwhile, Shadowfax’s cofounder and chief business officer, Praharsh Chandra, said that the company is well prepared to tackle the same or next-day delivery rush.

“We started focussing on fast delivery with both brands and marketplaces about a year and a half ago. Back then, the industry had 0% same-day delivery, but now 10–14% of all intra-city orders are delivered the same day,” Chandra said.”

Chandra noted that this trend is gaining momentum as we are nearing the peak sales season. “In fact, our same-day delivery channel saw five times growth in just one day, on the second day of the sales. We experienced some very high peaks,” he said.

Chandra sees a clear shift in consumer behaviour here, with more and more customers now wanting instant gratification. “Even for nearby zones, like orders from Bangalore to Mysore, which used to take two days, people now expect next-day deliveries,” he said.

The sentiment is being echoed across the industry. For instance, Zippee’s founder & CEO, Madhav Kasturia, sees registering 6–8X growth as all its partner brands continue to scale during the festive season.

Fast Delivery Fever Grips All Categories

Fast delivery demand has risen across categories this festive season. Electronics, beauty and personal care, fashion, and home goods have seen strong interest, with mobile phones being the most popular choice. Interestingly, on the first day of sales, Shadowfax delivered 15,000 iPhones.

However, the demand landscape is not solely dominated by electronics. Categories such as beauty and personal care, fashion, and home goods are also seeing high demand, with brands like Decathlon experiencing increased sales of sports goods, showing that consumers are diversifying their purchases.

“There’s demand in various categories. However, it’s crucial to focus on where the concentration of that demand is and whether brands have optimised their supply chains with warehouses in these top metros,” the Ecom Express COO said.”

So far, demand for fast delivery is highest in metro cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi. However, this trend is not limited to urban areas. Brands are now stocking inventory in Tier II and Tier III cities like Patna, Jaipur, and Guwahati to offer faster delivery options in these regions as well.

Navigating The Complexities Of Fast Delivery

While fast delivery services are in high demand, they come with operational challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is optimising inventory placement. Quick deliveries not only require faster transportation but also strategic positioning of inventory closer to customers.

This requires maintaining fewer pin codes per dark store, which complicates logistics, Zippee’s Kasturia said, adding that the logistics startup was addressing it by establishing localised inventory hubs, enabling quicker access and more streamlined delivery routes.

Additionally, the rising demand for same-day deliveries translates to an increased need for delivery riders, resulting in escalating costs month after month. During peak seasons, the volume can increase by 4–5X, necessitating supplementary capacity through hyperlocal delivery fleets.

“Historically, logistics have a rigid model where shipments from multiple clients are picked up, sent to a central sortation centre, and then dispatched to last-mile hubs. That entire process used to take around 16 hours. But for same-day delivery, we can’t afford that kind of delay. So, we have restructured the supply chain to bypass certain nodes when possible. This is both a technology and operational shift,” Shadowfax’s Chandra said.

While same and next-day deliveries typically carry a premium — around 25% higher than express delivery — logistics startups are actively working to optimise operational costs. By increasing order volumes and refining their processes, many have reduced the cost difference to approximately 5–10% compared to regular delivery.

Now, as the industry stands at the precipice of super-fast deliveries, building an efficient supply chain will be the most critical element for the long-term sustainability of India’s quick delivery realm. Visit Website For More Details: https://www.shadowfax.in/