#Traffic Code 2025

[diagnozabam]

Este legal să parchezi pe trotuar în fața casei tale? Codul Rutier 2025 clarifică situația

O problemă tot mai frecventă în orașele din România este ocuparea trotuarelor cu vehicule, fie că sunt mașini, motociclete sau trotinete. De multe ori, șoferii aleg să parcheze pe trotuar, inclusiv în fața propriei case, din cauza lipsei locurilor de parcare. Dar este acest lucru permis conform Codului Rutier 2025? Parcarea pe trotuar: ce spune legea? Codul Rutier 2025 interzice ocuparea…

[maxybabyy]

happy new year friends!

to celebrate the new year, i wanted to go through some of wonderful stories i read in 2024. going through the tags and my bookmarks, i have come to the realisation that I still suck at keeping track of my favourites, so these are just the one still stuck in my head.

five (+some) full length fics

sour and delicious, secret and unrepeatable by @officialmood (maxiel)

i know this was written for that trope you hate fest, but i absolutely loved every word of it. all the tiny details, the shoe tying scene that still lives in my head, daniel preferring adynamic sex, max thinking he cannot have both. all of it is just so fucking good. I think it is such an incredible fic and such a good way to explore the maxiel dynamic.

table in the back by @janinaduszejko (galex)

i think if i could take one fic with me into 2025, it would be this one. i am more of a peripheral galex enjoyer, but this just hits ALL the right notes for me. the angst and misunderstanding is just so perfect that i can still feel the hurt in my finger tips. 10/10, will read again to keep george in miserable company.

rosetta stone by @janinaduszejko (carcar)

unlike galex, carcar does have me in a chokehold. oscar learning spanish and being called out by Fernando, dropping hints that they should move in together, only for carlos to tell him he loves him first. it's so fucking great.

everything carcar by @testarossa is also so fucking perfect, but especially make a mess, lioness is so, so good.

the entire Yours verse by @loquarocoeur (lestappen)

i still remember reading the first chapter of yours and not knowing what to think, only for it to turn into the most wonderful series. i am such a sucker for close-to-canon fics and this just done so well. i don't even know what to say, it's just sooooo fucking good, and i am in love with the dynamic between max and charles.

four espressos (and a lifetime) by @ferrarisma is another wonderful lestappen fic. i love the 'they grew up together' trope and the identity porn is just so perfect!

Cad Dad, a Dad of cats by @33max (max-centric)

max-centric fics are such a weakness of mine. cat dad max bringing the cats to races so he can make sure sassy gets her medication is so, so lovely and wonderfully written.

i have also read the first two chapters of famiglia-familie by @lsunstreakerl and i am very intrigued! gp taking in kid max is such an interesting take on it, and I cannot wait to read the rest.

four scenarios for tumblr fics omega max has a very special place in my heart and both @officialmood (post) and @lost-in-fandoms (post) have made such wonderful posts about it. i love all the different ways omega verse can be used to explore the maxiel dynamic!

girl max (my beloved) is another trope that I love, and the winter warmers posts (day one, thirteen) by @thewindowatkirkland have just been absolutely perfect!!

daniel's partner dumping him for max is also such an incredible fic by @officialmood. it's such a fun take, and daniel is wonderful as the spiteful, insecure ex who kinda, maybe also wants to fuck max now?

also the absolute masterpiece by @boxboxlewis that is max dating ricardo from melbourne while daniel, you know, is totally cool with it.

three works of my own Writing this i realised i haven't written a lot this year, here or ao3. i really hope that will change this year, but i just wanted to highlight some of the works that i had a good time working on in 2024:

cameras in the traffic lights

this was my first big html coding project, and while it was such a pain in the end (and still not perfect even now!) the process of it all was so much fun. i really liked working with the format, and the writing process of the tweets, the timelines, and the planning of it was so different to the prep-work i usually do for fics. the response to the fic has also been very overwhelming, and i am so glad so many people seemed to enjoy it.

max run club

max run club is another pet project of mine. it's such a fun world to play in, figuring out how to characterise max when we only really see him during daniel's time on social media/work out apps, the whole scanielax aspect of it. i don't know if it will ever be a full length fic, but i am not done with the series.

toothbrush fic

it's getting late, and i don't really have that much to say about this. but this was also very fun to write, and i still think if you love someone, you should offer to brush their teeth once in a while.

[aragonlediagon]

Shingyoku lore post [LONG POST]

I made this as a little introduction to my Shingies's personalities headcanons. This is a post for those who wished to know about it because I cant recall making a proper post for that. Orochi and Toru are personal names I give to "the human-like forms" of the Touhou HRtP boss Shingyoku. Fair warning were very much entering OC territory here.

Or rather, this is a resumed introduction. I wont go into details too much here, as Id prefer to share it in a different format. For 2025, Ill introduce it through a series of posts starting from the very beginning of this story, each part with a drawing to go with it, because I think it will be better rather than one post with a massive wall of text.

My direction for Shingyoku is to do a mix of the "2 distinct entities" and "same person/shapeshifter" routes. Usually headcanons pick one of the two takes. I came up with a story which is very headcanon heavy and can be read by people who know nothing about Touhou as it barely refers to its codes or established figures.

(Its important I first state that they lived during edo Japan (early to mid 1800) and not Gensokyo.)

Orochi is from an upper class family. Her family were merchants from west Europe who found success and settled down in Japan before strict laws established regarding oversea traffic. Being the 2nd child, the focus of attention was pushed onto her older brother who would later lead the family. Orochi spent her early childhood raised by her retired great grandfather who gave her a taste for adventures telling of his past oversea travels. He would however pass away of old age, and Orochi would get entrusted to a shrine her family has a long, great partnership with, the "Shrine of Borders", which is the central location of this story, the shrine getting this name due to its location next to mountains speculated as housing entrances to underworlds. Her family often sending funds to the shrine, as their connection had started decades ago at the contruction of large gates said to prevent intervention of the supernatural from said underworlds.

Toru's backstory is long and complicated, as he's a part of the shinto god of the moon Tsukuyomi who landed on Earth, and the unfolding of events which led to this happening needs a post of its own since it dives a lot into shinto mythology. But basically, he landed on the grounds of an isolated fraudulent shrine led by fanatics, and ended up running away with a miko who had already questionned their doings. But later on, due to how harsh life would be at this time for a single adult and a child in the countryside, she wouldnt be able to provide him care and entrusted him to a shrine, which coincidentally, was the Shrine of Borders.

Both of them arrived at the shrine at about the same time (they were 8 years old). Toru was adopted by the shrine's head priest, Orochi was raised in a nearby village by retired mikos, but they got their traditional training at the shrine together. They quickly became very close friends (even if they fought a lot at first).

They underwent their initiation rite in their early teen age. They would communicate for the first time with a deity, "Shingyoku", who claimed to have been in a deep slumber for a very long time, the arrival of the pair wakening it. Shingyoku had no body of its own, but the pair would allow it to join the physical world of the living once they'd each reached enlightement. Orochi and Toru would report it to the head priest, who wasnt familiar with the name "Shingyoku", the Shrine of Borders having a long history of struggles communicating with the local god. In this story, Shingyoku makes it clear that its the deity of the shrine's pond and not the borders gates despite what HRtP make you theorize due to the boss's location; in this take the gates are purely human made. Because Shingyoku had no body of its own, it would try to possess people to use their bodies as a vessel, but because it had only weak powers, it could only possess for a short amount of time like possessing Orochi or Toru to communicate with them, or small animals, its favorite being the pair's pet koi fish from the shrine's pond.

For a couple years, the story focuses on Orochi's and Toru's daily life and duties at the shrine, but is relatively mundane, as I said is detached from Touhou codes and doesnt take place in Gensokyo, so it rather refers to history at that time with a small hint of fantasy with occasional intervention of the supernatural, youkais's appearance following more how they were depicted in art of the time. People also dont have magical abilities, there are no such things as bullet battle and spell cards. Orochi is skilled at some martial art due to a personal intensive physical training; Toru acquire healing abilities only due to his godly nature. They would share tasks and complete each others with what theyre best at.

Once in their early twenties, Orochi was summoned back to her family's home to lead as her older brother perished in battle (indicative to more events happening at the time approaching end edo). She would take Toru as her spouse, but as they would grow so much stress from the marriage's and leading's expectation coupled with the shut in life, they would end up running away without a word 4 years later.

They would escape and live isolated in the mountains close to the Shrine of Borders so they could be remotely close from Shingyoku, where they would dedicate their lives serving their god.

A decade later, they would reach enlightement, but passed away as their mortal bodies couldnt handle it (and the harsh living conditions).

Shingyoku, still using the koi fish's body as a vessel, swam up the mountains to reach the pair whose spirits parted from their bodies and fused into one. Shingyoku absorbed the fused spirit, acquiring the pair's powers, allowing it to transform into a dragon before setting the pair's body on fire (to spare them a trip to the Yomi, the "shinto hell", which has a capital importance later in my whole story but isnt part of Orochi's and Toru's story).

*I use "fusion" as an umbrella term, but as explained here, its not a straight up fusion of the 2 people's body fusing into one. Here the deity and the 2 shrine officiants are distinct people, the officiants serving the deity, and the deity later absorbing the officiants's spirits to acquire their powers after reaching enlightement. Shingyoku the deity shares no DNA with Orochi and Toru, the body of the koi fish, which then transforms into a dragon, ended up being its official DNA. The separation is capital for the following part of the story which focuses on Shingyoku's life after joining the physical world of the living. But this will be for an other post, as the focus here was on the miko and the priest.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Steve Brodner

* * * *

A new low.

January 31, 2025

Robert B. Hubbell

On Thursday, with no evidence to support his claim, Trump used racist, sexist, ableist language to blame the Potomac aircraft collision on the alleged inferiority of women, Black and Hispanic Americans, and Americans with disabilities. He expressed no genuine sympathy for the victims or their families. He used their deaths as an opportunity to gain political advantage. It was despicable.

Trump blamed the aircraft collision over the Potomac on efforts to increase diversity in the workplace. In language that was callous, insensitive, and offensive, Trump returned to the pillars of his campaign: racism, sexism, and white supremacy. He did so even before the bodies of victims have been recovered because he felt safe in doing so.

Trump knew what he was doing when his campaign appealed to the basest prejudices lurking in the American electorate, and he knew what he was doing when he blamed the Potomac collision on “DEI.”

As noted by Chris Hayes and Josh Marshall on BlueSky, in MAGA-speak, “DEI” is code for “women and non-white people” or “Black people.”

Never before in the history of the nation has a president made such an explicit appeal to racism during a time of tragedy. A video of Trump's comments is here: President Trump Holds Press Briefing on Aviation Disaster - YouTube. It is infuriating to watch, so I urge caution in doing so.

The most egregious of Trump's comments are reported in this NYTimes article: Trump Misleads on D.E.I. Policies in Blaming Biden for Plane Crash. (Accessible to all.) The NYTimes fact-checks Trump's lies, including his efforts to blame Presidents Obama and Biden and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for the collision.

Trump doubled down on the slurs made during this press conference by issuing an executive order later in the day that ordered an immediate “safety review” of the impact of President Biden’s “dangerous diversity equity and inclusion tactics” on the FAA.

Trump's language was offensive on every level imaginable. During the press conference, he vomited slurs against disabled persons, “African Americans [and] Hispanic Americans,” raising questions about their “competence” and “intelligence.”

Former Secretary Buttigieg wrote,

Despicable. As families grieve, Trump should be leading, not lying. We put safety first, drove down close calls, grew Air Traffic Control, and had zero commercial airline crash fatalities out of millions of flights on our watch. President Trump now oversees the military and the FAA. One of his first acts was to fire and suspend some of the key personnel who helped keep our skies safe. Time for the President to show actual leadership and explain what he will do to prevent this from happening again.

As noted by Secretary Buttigieg, Trump fired the chief administrator of the FAA because Elon Musk was angry that the FAA had launched an investigation into the safety records of Space X and StarLink. See Daily Beast, FAA Chief Michael Whitaker Quit on Jan. 20 After Elon Musk Told Him to Resign. Musk is now reportedly vetting candidates to lead the federal agency that will have regulatory authority over Space X.

On the day of the collision, the FAA was without a leader because Elon Musk had bent the federal government to his will. The investigation of the crash will proceed under an “acting” administrator until Musk’s hand-picked, anti-DEI, pro-SpaceX candidate can be installed. See The Verge, The FAA will be forced to oversee the investigation of a fatal plane crash without a chief administrator.

It is difficult to describe how depraved and soulless Trump's remarks were in blaming diversity hiring efforts for the collision. But I will try, nonetheless.

The story is not—as reported in the legacy media—that “Trump blamed DEI” for the collision. It is that Trump resorted to racist tropes to deflect blame from himself and gain political advantage from the deaths of innocent passengers, pilots, and crew. As Senator Tammy Duckworth noted, Trump's remarks were made as the bodies of the military pilots remained strapped in the submerged wreckage of their helicopter.

Trump's comments desecrated the lives, memories, and bodies of the victims that have yet to be buried. And they insulted hundreds of millions of Americans who are not “white male Christians,” including women, people with disabilities, and Black and Hispanic Americans.

Trump's comments were grotesque, ghoulish, despicable, and racist. Every American of decency and good conscience should condemn Trump and disassociate themselves from his comments. However, as Trump was desecrating the dead, Mark Zuckerberg told Facebook’s 70,000 employees that he was excited to form a “partnership” with the Trump administration. See Daily Beast, Mark Zuckerberg Sells His Employees on ‘Partnership’ With Trump Admin.

Trump and many of his followers will not care in the least if they are described as racists; indeed, they will wear it as a badge of honor. But business leaders and corporations who have a broader investment in the people and future of America cannot survive being associated with the ugly, vile, racist agenda of the Trump administration. Trump's comments on Thursday provided a moment of clarity which cannot be unseen.

We must condemn Trump and those who support his efforts to divide America by race, ethnicity, physical abilities, and gender. We must speak plainly. We must avoid circumlocution and oblique language.

Say the truth.

Here is the truth, in the words that opened this newsletter: On Thursday, with no evidence to support his claim, Trump used racist, sexist, ableist language to blame the Potomac collision on the alleged inferiority of women, Black and Hispanic Americans, and Americans with disabilities. He expressed no genuine sympathy for the victims or their families. He used their deaths as an opportunity to gain political advantage. It was despicable.

[Robert B. Hubbell Newsletter]

[beardedmrbean]

When state lawmakers this past week put the brakes on a plan to rescue BART and other ailing transit systems, a key concern was that the proposed toll increases at Bay Area bridges to pay for the bailout would wallop low-paid workers who cross those spans to get to their jobs.

But the question of who would bear the burden of a $1.50 bridge toll hike — the working poor or the well-off — is hardly settled, as both sides of the debate point to data and arguments that back their claims. The answer will be key to selling the bailout plan as legislative advocates strategize a fresh pitch for early next year.

In a letter this month to Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislative leaders, seven Bay Area congressional representatives with deep reservations about the toll hike plan demanded an analysis of its impact on “low-income or car-dependent commuters.”

The congressional delegation cited Metropolitan Transportation Commission data that 59% of bridge toll payers come from Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties and research that delinquent toll fines are concentrated in impoverished ZIP codes. The Bay Area Council, a business-sponsored public-policy advocacy organization opposing the toll hikes, said its research found toll payers are “statistically lower income, have lower levels of education and are disproportionately people of color.”

Not so fast, said SPUR, an urban-planning research group backing the toll hikes. In a new analysis this month, SPUR said “transit riders are more likely than bridge drivers, and the population as a whole, to have low incomes, to be people of color, or to be members of other disadvantaged groups,” while “drivers crossing bridges as a whole are financially better off.”

Who’s right? The two sides say it depends on how you slice the numbers, though there’s little dispute the transit systems face a sobering financial reckoning.

The Bay Area’s bridges and transit systems have been on divergent paths since the pandemic. Road and bridge traffic has largely returned to pre-pandemic gridlock, but many transit riders haven’t come back since the lockdowns, in part due to the remote work rise and what surveys show are crime and cleanliness concerns. Caltrans data show monthly traffic on the Bay Bridge hit 3.7 million in June, close to the 4 million a month in June 2019. BART had 4.2 million monthly riders in June, 41% of the pre-pandemic 9.8 million.

That has crippled the finances of transit agencies that rely on fare revenues to run their trains and buses, and have hollered they’re heading off a “fiscal cliff” in coming years as federal pandemic aid runs out. Transit agencies say that will force drastic service cuts without a financial bailout.

State officials made additional transit funding available in the current state budget. And SB 532 by state Sen. Scott Wiener proposed additional help from a $1.50, five-year toll hike on seven state-owned Bay Area bridges — the Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael and San Mateo-Hayward and Bay Bridge — but not the Golden Gate.

The toll hike was to provide interim transit funding while regional authorities consider asking voters to bless a 2026 long-term funding measure to help stabilize transit finances. But Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, said this week in the face of growing opposition to the bill that it needs more time and won’t be considered until next year.

A $1 increase already is scheduled starting in 2025, the fourth hike on those bridges in six years, which voters approved in 2018 to fund road and transit improvements.

A Bay Area Council analysis using MTC and U.S. Census data found that 63% of Northern California workers who must cross a state-owned bridge to get to work are employed in San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The group found median incomes were $3,400-$15,000 lower for the bridge commuters driving in from more affordable communities than for workers who didn’t have to cross bridges to get to work.

SPUR in its recent analysis said MTC and Census data “provide an incomplete picture” of bridge-crossers. So the group teamed up with data company Replica to analyze information from the census, traffic counts, cell phones, credit card transactions, Fastrak and toll payments, and other public and private sources to assess toll hike impacts.

SPUR’s analysis found household incomes of bridge drivers on average are $22,000 more than incomes of BART riders, with more than 40% topping $150,000 a year. And more people took BART to work (26%) than bridges (17%) last fall. Two-thirds of bridge crossers traveled just once a week, with just 5% crossing five times a week, indicating most bridge crossers aren’t regular commuters.

SPUR added that the findings show a toll hike could be tailored to ease the burden on those regular drivers, with perhaps weekly toll caps or means-based discounts.

Bay Area Council spokesman Rufus Jeffris said the group doesn’t dispute SPUR’s findings, “we just looked at a different subset of bridge crossers that we think is more reflective of the people who would be most impacted by a toll increase, frequent commuters who are the ones that most regularly use the bridges.”

At the Berryessa BART station in San Jose, Parag Phadke, who had ridden BART home from the San Francisco airport and admitted he’s an infrequent bridge crosser, said he’d be fine with a $1.50 toll hike to help keep the transit system afloat but that it should be put to a vote.

“BART’s not cheap either,” said Phadke, 53. BART from SFO to Berryessa costs those ineligible for discounts nearly $15, while it currently costs $7 to cross the bridges that would be subject to the toll hike. An extra $1.50 would still be less than the $8.75 Fastrak cost to cross the Golden Gate.

Wiener said the bridge toll plan, which would only cover half of transit agencies’ projected shortfalls, remains an option to be considered.

“Everything’s on the table,” Wiener said in an interview.

The impact of tolls on lower-income motorists isn’t the only thing giving lawmakers pause about approving more transit bailout money. Critics also cited concerns that transit ridership won’t return to pre-pandemic levels and the agencies need to adjust and also demonstrate progress on addressing crime and cleanliness concerns that surveys show suppress ridership.

Sen. Dave Cortese of San Jose, who supported both Wiener’s transit bailout and the BART extension to downtown San Jose, said “the original plan is dead” given other lawmakers’ concerns. And it’ll be hard to get lawmakers and voters to agree on more money for transit systems whose ridership isn’t what it once was.

“The world is changing,” Cortese said.

[nilpatole]

PVC Flooring Market, Global Outlook and Forecast 2025-2032

PVC Flooring is a modern, resilient flooring solution made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a synthetic plastic polymer known for its durability, flexibility, and affordability. It is widely used in commercial and residential applications due to its easy maintenance, water resistance, and aesthetic versatility. PVC flooring comes in various forms, including homogenous, heterogeneous, vinyl tiles (VT), and luxury vinyl tiles (LVT). It is available in multiple designs, mimicking materials such as wood, stone, and ceramic, making it an attractive alternative to traditional flooring options.

Download FREE Sample of this Report @ https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/download-sample/286900/global-pvc-flooring-forecast-market-2025-2032-861

Market Size

The global PVC Flooring market was valued at approximately USD 16,240 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 24,743.30 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.20% during the forecast period.

North America’s PVC Flooring market size was recorded at USD 4,231.68 million in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 5.31% from 2025 through 2032.

The growing demand for cost-effective, durable flooring solutions in residential and commercial spaces is a key factor fueling the market growth.

The rising trend of luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) due to their premium aesthetics and high durability is expected to contribute significantly to market expansion.

Market Dynamics (Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, and Challenges)

Drivers

Growing Urbanization and Infrastructure Development

Rapid urbanization in emerging economies is driving demand for affordable and durable flooring solutions.

Increasing construction activities in commercial and residential buildings boost PVC flooring adoption.

High Durability and Low Maintenance

PVC flooring is resistant to moisture, wear, and tear, making it suitable for high-traffic areas.

Easy maintenance and long lifespan make it a preferred choice over traditional flooring materials like wood and tiles.

Advancements in Design and Manufacturing Technology

Technological advancements have improved the aesthetics and performance of PVC flooring.

Innovative manufacturing processes enable the production of high-quality, eco-friendly flooring options.

Restraints

Environmental Concerns and Sustainability Issues

The production and disposal of PVC flooring raise environmental concerns due to non-biodegradable components.

Regulations regarding volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in flooring materials may hinder market growth.

Competition from Alternative Flooring Solutions

Natural flooring materials like wood, ceramic, and laminate offer eco-friendly options that appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.

Opportunities

Eco-Friendly and Recyclable PVC Flooring Options

Growing demand for sustainable and green building materials presents an opportunity for eco-friendly PVC flooring.

Manufacturers are investing in recyclable and low-VOC flooring options.

Expanding Commercial and Healthcare Sectors

The increasing need for hygienic, slip-resistant flooring in hospitals, schools, and offices is driving market growth.

The hospitality industry’s expansion further boosts demand for luxury vinyl tiles (LVT).

Challenges

Fluctuations in Raw Material Prices

The cost of PVC and related materials is subject to price volatility, impacting market stability.

Strict Regulations on Plastic-Based Products

Stringent government regulations on plastic usage and disposal pose challenges to PVC flooring manufacturers.

Regional Analysis

North America

The North American PVC flooring market is dominated by the USA, followed by Canada and Mexico.

Increased adoption in commercial spaces and high renovation activities are key growth factors.

Europe

Countries like Germany, the UK, and France are driving demand due to stringent building codes emphasizing sustainable flooring solutions.

Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are gaining traction in residential and commercial sectors.

Asia-Pacific

Rapid urbanization in China, India, and Southeast Asia is boosting demand for PVC flooring.

High investment in infrastructure development and real estate is a key market driver.

South America

Brazil and Argentina are leading the PVC flooring market in the region, supported by the growing construction industry.

Middle East and Africa

Expansion in the commercial and residential construction sectors is fueling demand for PVC flooring.

Increased preference for cost-effective flooring solutions in countries like Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

Competitor Analysis

The PVC flooring market is highly competitive, with key players adopting strategies such as product innovation, partnerships, and geographical expansion to maintain market dominance.

Key Market Players

Armstrong: A leading manufacturer of vinyl flooring solutions with a strong global presence.

Bonie: Focuses on innovation and eco-friendly flooring solutions.

LG Hausys: Offers a range of high-quality, durable vinyl flooring products.

Gerflor: Specializes in commercial and residential PVC flooring solutions.

Forbo: Known for its sustainable and high-performance flooring solutions.

Mohawk (including IVC): A major player in the luxury vinyl tile (LVT) market segment.

Mannington: Offers a diverse portfolio of vinyl flooring products.

Tarkett: A global leader in innovative flooring solutions.

Polyflor: Provides commercial and residential PVC flooring solutions.

HANWHA: A key market player focusing on technologically advanced flooring solutions.

Market Segmentation (by Application)

Commercial

Offices

Retail stores

Hospitals

Schools

Hospitality sector

Residential

Apartments

Villas

Single-family homes

Market Segmentation (by Type)

Homogenous

Heterogeneous

Vinyl Tiles (VT)

Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)

Geographic Segmentation

North America: USA, Canada, Mexico

Europe: Germany, UK, France, Russia, Italy, Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, South Korea, India, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific

South America: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Rest of South America

Middle East and Africa: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Rest of MEA

FAQ 

What is the current market size of the PVC Flooring market?

➣ The global PVC Flooring market was valued at USD 16,240 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 24,743.30 million by 2032, with a CAGR of 6.20%.

Which are the key companies operating in the PVC Flooring market?

➣ Major players include Armstrong, Bonie, LG Hausys, Gerflor, Forbo, Mohawk, Mannington, Tarkett, Polyflor, and HANWHA.

What are the key growth drivers in the PVC Flooring market?

➣ Key drivers include growing urbanization, high durability and low maintenance of PVC flooring, and advancements in manufacturing technology.

Which regions dominate the PVC Flooring market?

➣ North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are the leading regions in the PVC flooring market.

What are the emerging trends in the PVC Flooring market?

➣ Emerging trends include sustainable and recyclable PVC flooring, increasing use of luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), and advancements in eco-friendly flooring technology.

Key Benefits of This Market Research:

• Industry drivers, restraints, and opportunities covered in the study • Neutral perspective on the market performance • Recent industry trends and developments • Competitive landscape & strategies of key players • Potential & niche segments and regions exhibiting promising growth covered • Historical, current, and projected market size, in terms of value • In-depth analysis of the PVC Flooring Market • Overview of the regional outlook of the PVC Flooring Market: Key Reasons to Buy this Report: • Access to date statistics compiled by our researchers. These provide you with historical and forecast data, which is analyzed to tell you why your market is set to change • This enables you to anticipate market changes to remain ahead of your competitors • You will be able to copy data from the Excel spreadsheet straight into your marketing plans, business presentations, or other strategic documents • The concise analysis, clear graph, and table format will enable you to pinpoint the information you require quickly • Provision of market value (USD Billion) data for each segment and sub-segment • Indicates the region and segment that is expected to witness the fastest growth as well as to dominate the market • Analysis by geography highlighting the consumption of the product/service in the region as well as indicating the factors that are affecting the market within each region • Competitive landscape which incorporates the market ranking of the major players, along with new service/product launches, partnerships, business expansions, and acquisitions in the past five years of companies profiled • Extensive company profiles comprising of company overview, company insights, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis for the major market players • The current as well as the future market outlook of the industry concerning recent developments which involve growth opportunities and drivers as well as challenges and restraints of both emerging as well as developed regions • Includes in-depth analysis of the market from various perspectives through Porter’s five forces analysis • Provides insight into the market through Value Chain • Market dynamics scenario, along with growth opportunities of the market in the years to come • 6-month post-sales analyst support

Download FREE Sample of this Report @ https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/download-sample/286900/global-pvc-flooring-forecast-market-2025-2032-861

[marketingprofitmedia]

AI Franchise Review – Automated Free Traffic Machine

 Welcome to my AI Franchise Review. Are you tired of struggling to make money online? Today’s business environment is focused on increasing its online presence and leveraging technologies to drive growth toward the future, and artificial intelligence essentially acts as a catalyst in this context. One of such business ideas is known as AI Franchise, that has already made $247,584.65 and can be yours for just $9.95.

It is said to have an AI that can drive free traffic to any website with hands-free feature, a feature that any business owner and marketer will not resist. After this AI Franchise review, the reader will understand what the product is and how it functions, together with its attributes, strengths, weaknesses, and the question of whether it is worth buying.

What Is AI Franchise?

AI Franchise is an AI-powered business system that allows entry-level users to get started without any technical knowledge, marketing background, or initial investment and generate passive income. Unlike traditional franchises, an AI franchise is a digital solution that automates the critical parts of an online business, like lead generation, customer acquisition, content creation, and traffic generation.

The main feature of the AI Franchise is its proven success in profitability, as it achieved $247,584.65 in earnings. By purchasing a small package at $9.95, users gain access to a fully automated business model that uses an AI-generated traffic system, eliminating the need for manual marketing efforts.

AI Franchise Review: Overview of Product

Creator: Michael Cheney

Product: AI Franchise

Launch Date: 2025-Feb-03

Launch Time: 08:00 EST

Front-End Price: $9.95 (One-time price)

Official Website: Click Here To Visit Salespage

Niche: Software (Online)

Support: Friendly & Effective Response

Discount: Get The Best Discount Right Here!

Recommended: Highly Recommended

Bonuses: YES, Huge Bonuses

Skill Level Needed: All Levels

Refund: YES, 30 Days Refund Policy

AI Franchise Review: Key Features of AI Franchise

AI Franchise

Grab this ready-made business that has made $247,584.65 in record time and it includes a hands free AI which gets you all the FREE traffic automatically.

AI Traffic Machine

Done for you traffic assets – just activate and deploy to make commissions.

AI Franchise Playbook

Start making money QUICKLY with this step-by-step guide.

Activation Codes

Covert fast-start guide on how to activate the AI Franchise system. You don’t have to know anything about the business to get maximum profits with this – just flip the switch and collect the cash.

Millionaire-Cloning System

Clone the mind of a real-life multimillionaire in this closely-guarded, breakthrough program which accelerates you straight to the money.

Automated Customer Service Solution

Ready-to-rock customer support system so you can sit back and collect the cash as we do all the hard work for you.

The LIVE $247K Handover Session

Live Session with Michael Cheney where he will be handing over the $247K business to attendees.

Easy Payment Processing

Never have to worry about setting up complicated online payment systems – everything done for you so you just collect the commissions.

AI Franchise Review: How Does It Work?

The nature of the AI Franchise is rather simple, as it involves a four-step process.

Step #1: Claim Your License

To gain full access to this program all that is required is $9.95 to make the purchase.

Step #2: Activate the System

When activating the business, make use of the following activation codes as shown below:

Step #3: Implement the AI Tools

Use the responsive AI applications in traffic generation, customer acquiring and other sales.

Step #4: Collect Your Profits

As you have seen, this system can make you passive income.

AI Franchise Review: Who Should Use It?

Affiliate Marketers

E-Commerce Store Owners

Freelancers

Online Course Creators

Digital Product Creators

YouTubers & Content Creators

Membership Site Owners

Social Media Influencers

Bloggers & Vloggers

Coaches/ Trainers

Teachers/ Student

And Many Others

AI Franchise Review: OTO’s And Pricing

Front End Price: AI Franchise ($9.95)

OTO1: AI Franchise & Copy and Deploy $95K Busines ($27)

OTO2: 10K Profit Partner ($97)

OTO3: AI Franchise Lifetime Reseller ($97)

OTO3: Premium AI Partner Pack ($197)

AI Franchise Review: Money Back Guarantee

Your 30-Day “Take It For a Spin” Guarantee

Try the AI franchise. Use it. View the results. Make all of the money. If you’re not surprised, I’ll refund every dime. There are no questions to ask. You’ve got nothing to lose. So what are you waiting for? Get the AI Franchise by clicking the button below and start earning money right now. Imagine checking your phone tomorrow to discover money in your account.

AI Franchise Review: Pros and Cons

Pros:

Affordable Entry Point: At just $9.95, it’s accessible to almost anyone.

Comprehensive System: Provides everything needed to start earning online.

Automated Processes: AI handles traffic generation and customer support, reducing manual effort.

Proven Success: Built on a model that has already generated significant revenue.

Cons:

Requires a one-time payment

No issues reported, it works perfectly!

My Own Customized Exclusive VIP Bonus Bundle

***How To Claim These Bonuses***

Step #1:

Complete your purchase of the AI Franchise: My Special Unique Bonus Bundle will be visible on your access page as an Affiliate Bonus Button on WarriorPlus immediately after purchase. And before ending my honest AI Franchise Review, I told you that I would give you my very own unique PFTSES formula for Free.

Step #2:

Send the proof of purchase to my e-mail “support@marketingprofitmedia.com” (Then I’ll manually Deliver it for you in 24 HOURS).

AI Franchise Free Premium Bonuses

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Q. Who is this for?

For two types of people: those seeking freedom with an AI-powered business offering up to $417.95 per sale effortlessly, and current business owners enhancing sales, customers, and commissions on autopilot to boost profits.

Q. I want this, what exactly am I getting?

The AI Franchise Special Offer is truly exceptional, providing you with an online business and an AI machine to operate it effortlessly. This offer includes the entire AI Franchise System, comprehensive video training, and valuable bonuses like the AI Franchise Playbook and The AI Traffic Machine.

Q. Is there a guarantee?

You are covered by the 100% money back guarantee with the AI Franchise system. It’s a proven long-lasting AI-powered business for increasing sales, customers, and commissions, offering freedom and profits for years to come.

Q. Do you offer more in depth help?

You receive everything needed for AI Franchise success with the option to upgrade for additional support or faster progress after purchase.

Q. What makes this different from all the other stuff out there?

You’re offered a ready-made $247K AI-powered business, unlike other products with incomplete training relying on costly ads. Avoid the frustration of one-time tactics and unreliability with our proven system for consistent, profitable sales and business growth.

My Recommendation

AI Franchise is a unique opportunity for those who wish to get into digital marketing without investing much time and money. It offers practicality as its business model is already set; tailored to the incorporation of artificial intelligence and easy to set up for users.

But, the prospects should come with their expectations set right because the release of the system means that while everything will be made easier through tools and automation, results still depend on factors such as the availability and demand for the product, amount of competition, and hard work. Like any other business venture, advantage and opportunity should always be checked for any sign of scam before joining.

>>> Click Here To Get Instant Access AI Franchise Now <<<

Check Out My Previous Reviews: EBlog Pro Review, Smart Painting Review, DeepSeak Review, ScreenPal AI Review, and CIneGenix AI Review.

Thank for reading my “AI Franchise Review” till the end. Hope it will help you to make purchase decision perfectly

[xaltius]

Cybersecurity Basics for Beginners: Your 2025 Guide

Cybersecurity is no longer a niche concern; it's a critical aspect of our daily lives. From protecting your personal data to safeguarding critical infrastructure, cybersecurity plays a vital role in our modern world. This guide will provide you with the fundamental knowledge to understand and navigate the digital landscape safely.

What is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity refers to the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These attacks can aim to access, change, or destroy sensitive information, extort money from users (ransomware), or disrupt normal business processes.

Key Cybersecurity Terms:

Malware: Malicious software designed to harm computer systems.

Examples: Viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, spyware.

Phishing: Social engineering attacks that trick users into revealing sensitive information (like passwords) by masquerading as legitimate entities.

Ransomware: Malware that encrypts a victim's files and demands a ransom payment for decryption.

Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks: Overwhelm a target system or network with traffic, making it unavailable to legitimate users.

Data Breach: Unauthorized access to sensitive data, often resulting in the exposure of personal information, financial data, or intellectual property.

Firewall: A security system that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and blocks unauthorized access.

Antivirus Software: Software designed to detect and remove malware.

Encryption: The process of converting data into a secret code to prevent unauthorized access.

Cybersecurity Fundamentals:

Strong Passwords: Create unique and complex passwords for each of your online accounts.

Software Updates: Regularly update your operating systems, applications, and antivirus software with the latest security patches.

Be Wary of Phishing Attempts: Be vigilant about suspicious emails, links, and messages. Never click on links or open attachments from unknown senders.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication for your online accounts to add an extra layer of security.

Be Mindful of Public Wi-Fi: Avoid conducting sensitive online activities, such as online banking or shopping, on public Wi-Fi networks.

Back Up Your Data: Regularly back up important files to prevent data loss in case of a cyberattack or other unforeseen events.

10 Cybersecurity Best Practices:

Use strong, unique passwords for each account.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible.

Keep your software and operating systems updated.

Be wary of phishing emails, messages, and calls.

Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.

Use antivirus and anti-malware software.

Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi.

Encrypt sensitive data.

Back up your important files regularly.

Educate yourself about cybersecurity threats and best practices.

Only You Can Help Prevent Cyberattacks:

By practicing good cybersecurity habits and staying informed about the latest threats, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to cyberattacks.

To gain a deeper understanding of cybersecurity concepts, best practices, and emerging threats, consider exploring programs like Xaltius Academy's Cybersecurity course. This comprehensive program can provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape and protect yourself in the digital world.

[oyecommerz]

Why More Businesses Will Migrate from WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce to Shopify in 2025

As businesses grow, their eCommerce platforms must evolve to meet rising demands. The decision to replatform is crucial as it impacts performance, security, and overall management of online stores. In 2025, Shopify is emerging as the preferred platform for businesses migrating from WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce. Here's why businesses are increasingly choosing Shopify over these alternatives.

1. The Changing Landscape of E-Commerce

In today's digital landscape, businesses need platforms that offer fast, secure, and seamless operations. With the rise of mobile shopping and customer expectations for faster experiences, many businesses are seeking platforms that can accommodate these needs. Customers demand quick-loading websites, smooth checkouts, and personalized shopping experiences. Shopify is meeting these demands with ease, whereas platforms like WooCommerce require constant updates and technical expertise, making them less efficient for growth.

2. Security, Integrations, and Lower Maintenance Needs

One of the primary drivers for migrating to Shopify is its superior security and ease of integration. WooCommerce and Magento require manual updates, security patches, and third-party plugins for added functionality, creating a lot of room for potential errors and vulnerabilities. Shopify, being a fully-managed solution, handles all security protocols, including PCI compliance, SSL encryption, and fraud protection, making it a more secure and hassle-free option.

Additionally, Shopify offers smoother integrations with payment gateways, inventory management systems, and marketing tools, reducing the complexity of managing a store. In contrast, platforms like WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce often require manual configurations and ongoing maintenance, which adds to the operational burden.

3. The Challenges of WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce

WooCommerce: While WooCommerce is a flexible platform, it demands frequent updates, relies heavily on third-party plugins, and requires technical know-how for optimal performance. This makes it difficult for business owners without development experience to manage the platform effectively.

Magento: Magento offers enterprise-level features but comes with high development costs, complex setup processes, and requires professional help for customization. It also demands constant security updates, making it a more cumbersome choice for businesses that want to focus on growth rather than technical issues.

BigCommerce: BigCommerce is becoming less appealing due to rising pricing models, especially as businesses scale. While it offers a robust feature set, it has limitations in customization and pricing flexibility, which can make it less attractive compared to Shopify.

4. Why Shopify?

Shopify offers an all-in-one eCommerce solution, streamlining processes that businesses would otherwise have to manage separately. Here’s why Shopify is becoming the preferred platform:

Ease of Use: Shopify’s user-friendly interface allows business owners to focus on sales rather than technical tasks. The drag-and-drop store builder makes creating a professional-looking website easy, even for those with no coding experience.

Performance & Speed: Shopify’s infrastructure ensures fast page load times, even during high-traffic events. WooCommerce, on the other hand, depends on third-party hosting, which can lead to slowdowns if the hosting service isn’t optimal.

Scalability: Shopify is built to scale effortlessly. As businesses grow, Shopify handles increased traffic and product listings without the need for expensive upgrades or complicated adjustments.

Security: Shopify provides built-in security features, including regular updates, SSL certificates, and PCI compliance, ensuring a safe shopping experience for customers. WooCommerce, on the other hand, requires manual updates and additional security plugins to ensure the store remains secure.

Customer Support: Shopify offers 24/7 support via chat, email, and phone. WooCommerce relies on community support or paid developers, which can lead to delays in resolving issues.

5. Key Factors Driving Migration to Shopify in 2025

Several factors are driving businesses to migrate to Shopify from WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce in 2025:

AI-Powered Commerce

Shopify leverages AI tools like Shopify Magic, which automates tasks like product description creation, marketing emails, and customer support. These AI-powered features enable Shopify store owners to improve customer engagement and increase sales with minimal effort. WooCommerce, on the other hand, lacks such AI capabilities and requires additional plugins to achieve similar functionality.

Mobile-First Design

With mobile shopping dominating the market, Shopify ensures that its themes are optimized for mobile devices. Shopify’s infrastructure guarantees fast load times and a seamless checkout experience on smartphones and tablets, significantly reducing shopping cart abandonment. WooCommerce requires additional plugins and customizations to achieve mobile optimization.

A Growing App Ecosystem

Shopify’s app marketplace offers thousands of integrations that enhance the store’s functionality, including marketing tools, customer service solutions, automation features, and analytics. These apps are easy to install and don’t require technical expertise. WooCommerce, by contrast, often experiences plugin compatibility issues, requiring additional developer support.

Cost Efficiency and Predictable Pricing

Shopify’s pricing model is transparent and includes hosting, security, and software updates in one package. WooCommerce, although free to install, incurs ongoing costs for hosting, security, plugins, and maintenance. The predictable pricing of Shopify makes it easier for businesses to manage costs and avoid unexpected expenses.

6. Magento and BigCommerce to Shopify: Other Migration Trends

While WooCommerce to Shopify migrations are the most common, businesses using Magento and BigCommerce are also making the switch. Magento’s complexity and high development costs, combined with the rising prices and limitations of BigCommerce, are pushing businesses toward Shopify.

Magento’s Development Complexity: Magento’s steep learning curve and high development costs make it difficult for businesses to scale without incurring significant costs. Shopify offers a simpler, more affordable alternative with automated updates and security patches.

BigCommerce’s Pricing Structure and Limitations: BigCommerce’s pricing structure increases as businesses grow, and its limited customization options are pushing businesses to consider more flexible solutions like Shopify. Shopify’s extensive app ecosystem and predictable pricing make it an attractive choice for businesses looking to scale.

Shopify’s Improved B2B Features: Shopify is increasingly competing with Magento in the B2B space, offering bespoke pricing, wholesale catalog features, and advanced order management capabilities. Shopify Plus, in particular, is becoming a viable alternative to Magento’s B2B solutions due to its ease of use and integration with ERP and CRM systems.

7. How to Migrate from WooCommerce to Shopify Without Downtime

Migrating from WooCommerce to Shopify can be done smoothly with the right approach. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Evaluate and Plan the Migration: Assess all the data you need to migrate, such as product details, customer information, and SEO settings.

Export WooCommerce Data: Use WooCommerce’s export function to download CSV files of your data. Consider using third-party migration tools like Cart2Cart for a smoother process.

Import Data to Shopify: Use Shopify’s import tools or third-party apps to move your WooCommerce data into Shopify.

Customize Your Shopify Theme: Choose a responsive Shopify theme and customize it to match your brand.

Set Up Payment Gateways and Shipping: Configure payment methods and shipping options in Shopify to ensure a smooth transaction process.

Test and Optimize: Test your store thoroughly, checking for product accuracy, checkout flow, and SEO settings.

Redirect URLs to Preserve SEO: Implement 301 redirects for your old URLs to maintain SEO rankings and avoid broken links.

Conclusion

In 2025, Shopify will continue to be the go-to platform for businesses migrating from WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce. Its ease of use, robust performance, scalability, security, and AI-powered features make it an ideal choice for businesses looking to grow and focus on their core operations rather than managing technical issues. With better customer support, predictable pricing, and an extensive app ecosystem, Shopify is the preferred solution for businesses of all sizes. If you're considering a migration, Shopify offers a smooth and seamless transition with the right guidance and support.

[diagnozabam]

Poți parca jumătate pe trotuar, jumătate în stradă în 2025?

Conform legislației rutiere actualizate, parcarea jumătate pe trotuar și jumătate în stradă este permisă doar în anumite condiții stricte. Este important să respecți următoarele: Există un indicator rutier sau marcaj care permite acest tip de parcare Dacă nu există semnalizare specifică, parcarea pe trotuar, fie și parțial, este considerată ilegală. Se asigură spațiul necesar pentru…

[profile-234]

The Importance of Responsive Web Design in 2025

In 2025, the importance of responsive web design cannot be overstated. As technology continues to evolve, the way people access the internet changes too. Whether you're browsing the web on your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop, you expect a seamless experience. That's where responsive web design comes into play. It's all about ensuring that a website looks great and functions well on any device, no matter the screen size. But why is this so critical today?

Mobile Usage is on the Rise

In 2025, mobile internet usage has surpassed desktop usage. With more people using smartphones and tablets to browse the web, businesses need to make sure their websites are optimized for mobile users. Responsive web design allows your website to automatically adjust its layout, images, and content depending on the device being used. So, whether your potential customers are viewing your site on a tiny phone or a large desktop monitor, they’ll have a great experience.

SEO Benefits

Search engines, like Google, prioritize mobile-friendly websites in their rankings. In 2025, Google’s algorithm is more focused on mobile-first indexing. This means Google will rank your website based on its mobile version first, rather than its desktop version. If your website isn’t responsive, you might be hurting your SEO efforts and losing valuable traffic. With a responsive web design, you’re ensuring your site performs well on search engines, improving visibility and increasing the chances of being found by potential customers.

Faster Load Times

Load time is another critical factor for website success. Slow-loading websites can frustrate visitors, leading them to bounce off your site in search of a faster alternative. Responsive web design takes this into account by optimizing your website’s code and images to load efficiently on all devices. When your website loads quickly, users are more likely to stay and engage with your content, which leads to higher conversion rates. Plus, Google favors fast-loading sites, giving you another boost in search rankings.

Improved User Experience

The foundation of responsive web design is providing the best user experience (UX). If users land on a website that’s hard to navigate or doesn’t fit their screen properly, they’re likely to leave quickly. On the other hand, a responsive site ensures that all the elements—menus, buttons, images—are properly sized and arranged for optimal navigation. When your visitors have an enjoyable experience, they're more likely to stick around, return to your site, and become loyal customers.

Cost and Time Efficiency

In the past, businesses had to create separate versions of their websites for desktop and mobile users. This meant double the effort and cost for design, development, and maintenance. With responsive web design, you only need one version of your site that works on all devices, which saves time and money. Plus, as mobile devices evolve, a responsive design allows your website to adapt to new screen sizes without needing a complete overhaul.

Staying Ahead of the Competition

As more businesses realize the importance of responsive web design, having a mobile-friendly site becomes the standard, not the exception. In 2025, companies that don’t prioritize responsive design risk falling behind their competitors who have embraced it. Customers today expect businesses to provide an easy, hassle-free experience on any device. By adopting responsive web design, you can stay ahead of the curve and ensure your website is always meeting the needs of your audience.

Why Choose US Logo and Web for Your Web Design Needs?

If you’re in Albuquerque, NM, and looking for a top-tier web design service, look no further than US Logo and Web. They specialize in creating responsive websites that look stunning and perform excellently across all devices. Their team of expert designers and developers understands the intricacies of responsive web design and will ensure that your website is fast, user-friendly, and optimized for search engines. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to redesign an existing site, US Logo and Web can help you stay ahead of the competition in 2025. Their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction makes them the best choice for businesses looking to make a mark online.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

January 1, 2025

Heather Cox Richardson

Jan 01, 2025

Twenty-five years ago today, Americans—along with the rest of the world—woke up to a new century date…and to the discovery that the years of work computer programmers had put in to stop what was known as the Y2K bug from crashing airplanes, shutting down hospitals, and making payments systems inoperable had worked.

When programmers began their work with the first wave of commercial computers in the 1960s, computer memory was expensive, so they used a two-digit format for dates, using just the years in the century, rather than using the four digits that would be necessary otherwise—78, for example, rather than 1978. This worked fine until the century changed.

As the turn of the twenty-first century approached, computer engineers realized that computers might interpret 00 as 1900 rather than 2000 or fail to recognize it at all, causing programs that, by then, handled routine maintenance, safety checks, transportation, finance, and so on, to fail. According to scholar Olivia Bosch, governments recognized that government services, as well as security and the law, could be disrupted by the glitch. They knew that the public must have confidence that world systems would survive, and the United States and the United Kingdom, where at the time computers were more widespread than they were elsewhere, emphasized transparency about how governments, companies, and programmers were handling the problem. They backed the World Bank and the United Nations in their work to help developing countries fix their own Y2K issues.

Meanwhile, people who were already worried about the coming of a new century began to fear that the end of the world was coming. In late 1996, evangelical Christian believers saw the Virgin Mary in the windows of an office building near Clearwater, Florida, and some thought the image was a sign of the end times. Leaders fed that fear, some appearing to hope that the secular government they hated would fall, some appreciating the profit to be made from their warnings. Popular televangelist Pat Robertson ran headlines like “The Year 2000—A Date with Disaster.”

Fears reached far beyond the evangelical community. Newspaper tabloids ran headlines that convinced some worried people to start stockpiling food and preparing for societal collapse: “JANUARY 1, 2000: THE DAY THE EARTH WILL STAND STILL!” one tabloid read. “ALL BANKS WILL FAIL. FOOD SUPPLIES WILL BE DEPLETED! ELECTRICITY WILL BE CUT OFF! THE STOCK MARKET WILL CRASH! VEHICLES USING COMPUTER CHIPS WILL STOP DEAD! TELEPHONES WILL CEASE TO FUNCTION! DOMINO EFFECT WILL CAUSE A WORLDWIDE DEPRESSION!”

In fact, the fix turned out to be simple—programmers developed updated systems that recognized a four-digit date—but implementing it meant that hardware and software had to be adjusted to become Y2K compliant, and they had to be ready by midnight on December 31, 1999. Technology teams worked for years, racing to meet the deadline at a cost that researchers estimate to have been $300–$600 billion. The head of the Federal Aviation Administration at the time, Jane Garvey, told NPR in 1998 that the air traffic control system had twenty-three million lines of code that had to be fixed.

President Bill Clinton’s 1999 budget had described fixing the Y2K bug as “the single largest technology management challenge in history,” but on December 14 of that year, President Bill Clinton announced that according to the Office of Management and Budget, 99.9% of the government's mission-critical computer systems were ready for 2000. In May 1997, only 21% had been ready. “[W]e have done our job, we have met the deadline, and we have done it well below cost projections,” Clinton said.

Indeed, the fix worked. Despite the dark warnings, the programmers had done their job, and the clocks changed with little disruption. “2000,” the Wilmington, Delaware, News Journal’s headline read. “World rejoices; Y2K bug is quiet.”

Crises get a lot of attention, but the quiet work of fixing them gets less. And if that work ends the crisis that got all the attention, the success itself makes people think there was never a crisis to begin with. In the aftermath of the Y2K problem, people began to treat it as a joke, but as technology forecaster Paul Saffo emphasized, “The Y2K crisis didn’t happen precisely because people started preparing for it over a decade in advance. And the general public who was busy stocking up on supplies and stuff just didn’t have a sense that the programmers were on the job.”

As of midnight last night, a five-year contract ended that had allowed Russia to export natural gas to Europe by way of a pipeline running through Ukraine. Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky warned that he would not renew the contract, which permitted more than $6 billion a year to flow to cash-strapped Russia. European governments said they had plenty of time to prepare and that they have found alternative sources to meet the needs of their people.

Today, President Joe Biden issued a statement marking the day that the new, lower cap on seniors’ out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs goes into effect. The Inflation Reduction Act, negotiated over two years and passed with Democratic votes alone, enabled the government to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies over drug prices and phased in out-of-pocket spending caps for seniors. In 2024 the cap was $3,400; it’s now $2,000.

As we launch ourselves into 2025, one of the key issues of the new year will be whether Americans care that the U.S. government does the hard, slow work of governing and, if it does, who benefits.

Happy New Year, everyone.

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[the-witchy-housewife]

Updates & Announcements, January 2025

This is an article from my website, The Witchy Housewife. You can read it at the source here or look under the cut to read it here on Tumblr. If you enjoy my work, please consider subscribing (at the bottom of this page) to receive articles as they're posted via e-mail, exploring the shop, leaving a tip, or reblogging this post. I run this all myself, so all support is greatly appreciated. 💜🔮✨

Merry meet, my darlings. I am thrilled to share that there has been a great deal of momentum with this website over the past couple of months and there is a great deal still to come. It has been several months since our last update back when I’d first made the move from my previous web host, so I’ve decided it was absolutely time for another one so that every one of you lovely folks can be brought up to date with what has transpired since then and what is currently in the works.

What’s New?

The first thing I would like to note, for those who may not have noticed, is that the website is now optimized for mobile use. A large percentage of traffic – over half, in fact – to this website seems to come from mobile devices. As such, I thought it was a very important change to make. I am very happy to say that the entire website is now mobile-friendly, and I will continue to make improvements to user accessibility as we move forward through the year. With this change and with the release of my new commercial, I have also announced my open e-mail policy. This means that you can message me via e-mail regarding any topic relevant to the content of this website and expect a response. Admittedly, this has always been my policy, but as of now, it is stated plainly and publicly here for all to be aware of.

Along with the overall update to the website appearance, there have been new products added to the Shop, a refresh on all Intuitive Services, as well as updates to the Digital Grimoire. If you haven’t visited the shop yet, I very much encourage you to do so. As fair pricing is my #1 priority in running this shop, you will find that the prices of goods and services are much more affordable than most metaphysical shops have to offer. In addition to this, from February 1st – February 7th, I will be holding an Imbolc sale for up to 20% off select products and services. This sale extends to my Monthly Blessings subscription service using the code ‘IMBOLC25’ during the same timeframe for 20% off your first month for all subscription tiers. You may learn more about my subscription service here – though we will dive into some of the updates seen regarding that service right here shortly.

New in the Shop

Pictured Above: The Luxe Gothique Magick Planner Bundle (Digital Download) - Atlantisite Point - Self-Care Soul Water Spa Kit

Pictured Above: Elemental Tealight Candle Set - Pre-Enchanted Tealight Spell Candles - Prosperity Money Bowl Altar Kit

As for the Digital Grimoire, though some pages are still in progress as I move my written notes into my digital notebook, many of the pages have already been fleshed out, including: A guide to my Energy Key System, information on the Elements, information on the Planets, information on the Zodiac, information on the Months, and information on the Psephoi. The rest of the pages will be fully fleshed out this year, and hopefully a lot sooner – as in, within the coming months. As I’ve mentioned, this process is just a matter of digitizing my physical notes.

Returning to my Monthly Blessings subscription service for a moment, where I host my Monthly Energy Readings and Monthly Pick-a-Card Readings, along with notes and articles on my intuitive studies and theories on many of the weirder topics that may not necessarily be shared here for the moment. First, for those who are already subscribed, you will notice that there has been a refresh to account for some of the recent changes to Patreon’s interface. The work I share there is now organized neatly into various categorized, and many of my posts are also tagged by topic. I have also added a host of new things to the selection, among them being a Shop where non-members may purchase my Monthly Energy Readings, my new annual Luxe Gothique OneNote Template, individual rituals, and select exclusive articles should they prefer this to the monthly subscription. Note that I do encourage you to consider the subscription, however, as all of these things are included with all subscription tiers.

Finally, some of you may have noticed that I am slowly making my return to social media via Tumblr (the-witchy-housewife). Many of the things that I post here are set to be automatically shared to Xwitter (a portmanteau for X/Twitter) and Facebook, as well, for those of you who use those platforms instead. As I do not spend much time on social media, however, please note that, overall, it will still be easiest to reach me via my contact form. In addition to these platforms, you can also find my work for The Witchy Housewife on my personal Pinterest and my personal TikTok. I also have pages specifically for The Witchy Housewife set up with YouTube and Instagram, but we will discuss their plans later on in this update. These links are also available in the footer of this website.

Finally, for our last update, I have decided to change my schedule for articles from once bi-monthly to once monthly. There are great many articles I want to get out to you all that I very much want to catch up on, so this will become a priority for this year. I already have my article for February lined up for 8:00 AM CST on the first of the month.

What’s Next?

I am super excited to announce that preparations have finally begun to get back to creating my custom magickal blends and original products and artwork. Space has been made, and I am in the process of reworking some things to begin ordering the ingredients as soon as possible. I foresee these items returning to the shop come summer if all goes according to plan, starting with my original anointing oils, working candles, and infused soaps.

Preparations have also begun on YouTube content. I plan to start off with audio recordings for many of my articles for those who prefer such a format as well as my guided meditations. Once the Digital Grimoire is complete, which, as I’ve mentioned, will be happening this year, I will also be working on some video content relevant to the information provided there, which will be wonderful for those new to such information.

Work on Khthonic Wicca continues, and there are more updates to come this year regarding not only the book, but the path itself, as, in addition to fleshing out the Digital Grimoire pages set up for it, I plan to publish a few articles on the matter. I will also likely release some of my artwork pieces for the project for purchase as prints once they have been completed. In this same vein, I continue working on the writing and artwork for my Mythos Reimagined series. Likewise, there will be more information to come as I get closer to the release of these projects.

I am also working on my free course, The Aspects of Self, with plans to also release that this year. The self-paced course for self-discovery and growth will include a virtual textbook, exercises and assignments, printable materials, and the option to receive a printable Certificate of Completion upon submission of a final essay. A physical textbook will also be made for purchase for those who would prefer it rather than the free virtual copy. I feel that this course will be very beneficial to many, and I have finally been able to rework it to deliver a polished course I am happy with.

Finally, as a little very-early preview, I am heavily considering establishing a forum here on The Witchy Housewife. Previously, I have tried Discord as a means for developing my community, and time and time again, I have found that I am just not totally satisfied with it. I think a return to the old ways of online forums will be much more organized, allow people more time to think on discussions, and give the entire public access to many of the important conversations which may be had within the space. This would come alongside with some of the other membership ideas I have for the website, including access to a wish list tool for the shop. Currently, I have no set timeframe for which this will be released, as I am still thinking on it, but I would love to receive feedback on whether or not my readers would be interested in a community space like this.

Final Thoughts

As always, please feel free to share this website with your likeminded loved ones. Over the years of running this website, I have come to value authenticity in my writing over all else. Unfortunately, authenticity does not beat clickbait titles and corporate copywriting in the game of algorithms and search engine optimization. Word of mouth, therefore – be it in person or through any social media platforms you may use – is the best way that you can help me to grow this website. If you would like to support my work further, however, please feel free to check out the Shop, check out my Monthly Blessings subscription service, or leave donation of any amount via my Ko-Fi page.

Please do not be afraid to contact me if there are any issues or bugs that you run into on this website. As I do this work alone, there may be some issues here or there, and if there are, I would like to correct them as soon as they are noticed. Do not hestitate, as well, if you have questions or suggestions regarding the website, articles, or products and services within the shop. I aim to help as many people as possible with the work that I do here. Until we meet again, I wish you much love and many blessings on your journey. Have a beautiful day.

[sharktankinsights]

Scan Shark Tank Update - Scan Net Worth 2025 - Garrett Gee approached Shark Tank with an original concept. He developed a mobile application named Scan. This application reads QR codes and barcodes. Businesses utilize these codes to engage with clients. It connects individuals to websites and social networks. It also provides promotional codes and additional offers. Garrett sought $1,000,000 from the sharks for 5% equity in his business. Will the entrepreneur get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out the Scan update to find out!   Scan net worth 2025 Garrett Gee asked for a $1,000,000 investment in exchange for 5% equity in his company. This meant he valued his company at $20 million. He did not make a deal with the sharks. After the show aired, Scan saw a big increase in website traffic, sales, and social media exposure. Wi...

[wslinemarking]

How Warehouse Line Marking Enhances Safety and Productivity in 2025

In today’s fast-paced industrial environments, optimizing workspace efficiency is non-negotiable. One often overlooked yet critical factor? Warehouse line marking. This simple, cost-effective solution transforms chaotic floors into organized zones, ensuring smooth operations and reducing risks. Let’s explore why this practice is trending—and how it benefits businesses.

Why Warehouse Line Marking Matters

A cluttered warehouse is a recipe for accidents and delays. Without clear visual cues, employees may struggle to navigate aisles, locate equipment, or identify hazardous areas. Warehouse line marking eliminates guesswork by creating designated pathways, storage zones, and safety boundaries. The result? Fewer collisions, faster workflows, and a culture of accountability.

Safety First: Protecting Teams and Assets

Slips, trips, and forklift accidents cost businesses millions annually. Bright, durable floor markings act as silent safety supervisors:

Hazard zones (like loading docks) are highlighted with bold colors.

Pedestrian walkways are separated from vehicle routes.

Emergency exits and fire equipment stay unobstructed.

By prioritizing visibility, companies reduce workplace injuries and insurance claims—proving that prevention is smarter than reaction.

Boosting Efficiency Through Smart Design

Time wasted searching for tools or navigating crowded aisles adds up. Strategic warehouse line marking in Melbourne streamlines workflows by:

Labeling inventory zones for quick restocking.

Marking equipment parking spots to prevent clutter.

Using color codes to differentiate departments (e.g., red for QA, yellow for shipping).

Employees spend less time maneuvering and more time on value-added tasks, driving productivity gains of up to 20% in some cases.

Best Practices for Effective Implementation

Not all floor markings are created equal. For lasting impact:

Choose high-quality materials resistant to heavy traffic and chemicals.

Standardize color schemes across teams to avoid confusion.

Audit layouts regularly to adapt to changing needs.

Partnering with experts ensures compliance with industry standards—and maximizes ROI.

Final Thoughts

In 2024, smart warehouses aren’t just about automation; they’re about creating intuitive, human-centric spaces. Clear floor markings empower teams, safeguard assets, and unlock operational potential. Whether you’re revamping an existing facility or designing a new one, this small investment delivers outsized returns.

[lawyer2ca]

🚨 Expectations for Income Tax Changes in Budget 2025 🚨

- @lawyer2ca

With Budget 2025 just around the corner, here’s a breakdown of key tax changes we can expect:

• Direct Tax Code (DTC): The DTC is expected to simplify the tax structure, with lower rates, fewer slabs, and easier filing processes. We might also see clearer rules for capital gains and more taxpayer-friendly compliance.

• Deductions & Exemptions:

- Increase in Section 80C limit to ₹2.5 lakh or more.

- Higher deductions under Section 80D for health insurance, especially for senior citizens.

- Home loan interest deduction could be increased to ₹3 lakh.

• Green Initiatives: Tax incentives for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and sustainable investments. Budget 2025 is likely to continue focusing on the EV sector with additional subsidies and tax relief for both buyers and manufacturers. The government may also introduce new reforms to promote shared electric mobility, such as electric cabs and buses, to reduce pollution and ease traffic congestion.

• Penalties & Prosecution for Dishonest Taxpayers:

- Expect tighter penalties and stricter prosecution for taxpayers who claim fake deductions or provide false information in their returns.

- Increased scrutiny on high-value claims with measures to reduce tax fraud, ensuring a more transparent system.

Budget 2025 promises to bring greater tax relief, simplified compliance, and stronger enforcement against dishonest taxpayers. Stay tuned for the official announcements! 💡

#Budget2025 #TaxReform #Directtaxcode #IncomeTax #TaxCompliance #personalfinance #corporatetax #Lawyer2CA