#automatic updates

[kyleemclauren]

A tip for all of my friends on iOS frustrated with the new Discord UI:

[filehulk]

DriverMax

DriverMax is a free tool designed to help users update their computer drivers. It works in the background, ensuring your computer stays up to date while you continue using it normally. Like other driver update software, DriverMax supports scheduled scans, device backups, and automatic installations, along with some additional minor features. The free version of DriverMax will likely meet the…

[scottguy]

I can't believe the number of times I wasted money on driver update software. Sigh.

[jcmarchi]

10 Best Cloud Storage Solutions (June 2024)

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/10-best-cloud-storage-solutions-june-2024/

10 Best Cloud Storage Solutions (June 2024)

pCloud is a secure cloud storage platform that offers a range of features for storing, syncing, and sharing files. Founded in 2013, pCloud has grown to serve over 14 million users worldwide. The company is based in Switzerland, a country known for its strong privacy laws, and maintains servers in both the United States and Europe.

One of the standout features of pCloud is its focus on security and privacy. The platform uses 256-bit AES encryption for files at rest and TLS/SSL encryption for data in transit. pCloud also offers an optional feature called pCloud Crypto, which provides client-side, zero-knowledge encryption for an additional layer of security. With pCloud Crypto, files are encrypted on the user’s device before being uploaded to the cloud, ensuring that no one, not even pCloud employees, can access the data without the user’s encryption key.

pCloud provides a user-friendly interface for managing files and folders, with desktop apps available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, as well as mobile apps for iOS and Android. The platform offers a range of features designed to enhance productivity and collaboration, including file versioning, which allows users to access previous versions of their files, and file sharing with customizable download and upload links. pCloud also provides a unique feature called pCloud Drive, which enables users to access their cloud storage as a virtual drive on their computer, making it easy to manage files without taking up local storage space.

Secure cloud storage with 256-bit AES encryption and optional client-side encryption (pCloud Crypto)

File versioning and recovery, with up to 30 days of version history (or up to 360 days for extended file history)

pCloud Drive feature for accessing cloud storage as a virtual drive on your computer

Customizable file sharing with download and upload links, as well as password protection and expiration dates

Generous storage plans, including 10GB of free storage and paid plans ranging from 500GB to 2TB, with lifetime payment options available

Dropbox is a widely used cloud storage and file-sharing platform that has been simplifying digital file management since its launch in 2007. With over 700 million registered users, Dropbox has become a go-to solution for individuals, teams, and businesses looking to store, sync, and collaborate on files in the cloud.

One of the key strengths of Dropbox is its ease of use. The platform offers a simple, intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to upload, organize, and access their files from anywhere, on any device. Dropbox automatically syncs files across all connected devices, ensuring that users always have access to the most up-to-date versions of their files. The platform also offers a range of collaboration features, including the ability to share files and folders with others, leave comments, and work together in real time on Microsoft Office files with Dropbox Paper.

Dropbox places a strong emphasis on security, using 256-bit AES encryption for files at rest and SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit. The platform also offers two-factor authentication and remote device wipe to help users protect their accounts and data. Dropbox provides a range of storage plans to suit different needs, including a free plan with 2GB of storage and paid plans ranging from 2TB to unlimited storage for teams. The platform integrates with a wide range of third-party apps and services, including productivity tools, creative software, and security solutions, making it a versatile choice for many users.

Key features of Dropbox:

Easy file syncing and automatic updates across all connected devices

Collaboration tools, including file sharing, commenting, and real-time co-authoring with Dropbox Paper

Secure storage with 256-bit AES and SSL/TLS encryption, two-factor authentication, and remote device wipe

Integration with a wide range of third-party apps and services, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud

Version history and file recovery, with 30 days of version history (or 180 days for Dropbox Business users)

MEGA is a secure cloud storage platform founded in 2013 by Kim Dotcom, offering end-to-end encryption and a focus on user privacy. Based in New Zealand, MEGA provides free and paid storage plans, with features like secure file sharing, chat, and file versioning.

One of MEGA’s standout features is its zero-knowledge encryption. All files are encrypted client-side before being uploaded, meaning that MEGA does not have access to the encryption keys and cannot view the content of stored files. This ensures a high level of privacy and security for users. MEGA is also transparent about its security practices, publishing its source code and design processes for public review.

MEGA offers a generous free plan with 20GB of storage, as well as paid plans ranging from 400GB to 16TB. The platform has a user-friendly interface with cross-platform support, including desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as mobile apps for iOS and Android. MEGA also provides browser extensions and a command-line interface for advanced users.

Key features of MEGA:

Zero-knowledge, end-to-end encryption ensuring user privacy and security

Generous free plan with 20GB of storage and paid plans up to 16TB

Secure file sharing with customizable permissions, link expiry dates, and password protection

Cross-platform support with desktop, mobile, and web-based access

File versioning and recovery features to protect against data loss and ransomware attacks

Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud storage and file-sharing platform that is integrated with Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) and Windows 10. Launched in 2007, OneDrive has become a popular choice for both personal and business users, offering seamless integration with Microsoft’s suite of productivity apps, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

One of the key advantages of OneDrive is its deep integration with Microsoft products. Users can easily save, access, and share files directly from within Microsoft Office apps, making it a convenient choice for those already using Microsoft tools. OneDrive also offers automatic syncing across devices, ensuring that users always have access to the most up-to-date versions of their files. The platform provides a range of collaboration features, such as real-time co-authoring, commenting, and file sharing with customizable permissions.

OneDrive offers a variety of storage plans, including a free plan with 5GB of storage and paid plans ranging from 100GB to 6TB. For business users, OneDrive is included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions, providing 1TB of storage per user and additional features like advanced security and compliance tools. OneDrive also offers robust security features, including encryption at rest and in transit, multi-factor authentication, and ransomware detection and recovery.

Key features of Microsoft OneDrive:

Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 apps, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Automatic syncing and real-time collaboration features, such as co-authoring and commenting

Secure file sharing with customizable permissions and expiration dates

Robust security features, including encryption, multi-factor authentication, and ransomware protection

Personal Vault feature for an added layer of security for sensitive files

Box is a cloud content management and file-sharing platform designed for businesses of all sizes. Founded in 2005, Box has become a leading choice for organizations looking to securely store, manage, and collaborate on their files in the cloud. The platform offers a range of features and integrations that cater to the needs of modern businesses, including workflow automation, data governance, and enterprise-grade security.

One of the standout features Box is its focus on security and compliance. The platform provides a range of security controls, including encryption, data loss prevention (DLP), and access management, to help businesses protect their sensitive data. Box also complies with various industry regulations, such as HIPAA, FINRA, and GDPR, making it a suitable choice for organizations in regulated industries. Additionally, Box offers advanced collaboration features, such as real-time co-authoring, task management, and granular permissions, enabling teams to work together seamlessly and securely.

Box integrates with over 1,500 third-party apps, including popular productivity tools like Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace, as well as enterprise software like Salesforce and DocuSign. This extensive integration ecosystem allows businesses to streamline their workflows and improve productivity. Box also provides a range of AI and machine learning capabilities, such as intelligent content classification and automated workflows, to help organizations manage and extract value from their content.

Key features of Box:

Enterprise-grade security and compliance, with features like encryption, DLP, and access controls

Advanced collaboration tools, including real-time co-authoring, task management, and granular permissions

Extensive integration with over 1,500 third-party apps, including Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, and Salesforce

AI and machine learning capabilities for intelligent content management and workflow automation

Secure file sharing and content management, with features like custom branding, expiration dates, and password protection

Icedrive is a next-generation cloud storage platform that aims to make cloud storage feel like a physical hard drive. Launched in 2019, Icedrive offers a sleek, modern interface and a unique approach to file management with its revolutionary drive-mounting software. The platform focuses on providing a secure, easy-to-use, and affordable cloud storage solution for individuals and businesses.

One of the standout features of Icedrive is its emphasis on security. The platform uses the Twofish encryption algorithm, which is considered one of the most secure encryption methods available. Icedrive also offers client-side encryption for paid subscribers, ensuring that data is encrypted on the user’s device before being transferred to the cloud. Additionally, Icedrive follows a zero-knowledge approach, meaning that only the user can view and decrypt their data.

Icedrive offers a range of apps for various platforms, including web, desktop (Windows, macOS, and Linux), and mobile (iOS and Android). The platform’s clean and intuitive interface makes it easy for users to access, manage, and update their cloud storage. Icedrive also provides a generous free plan with 10GB of storage, as well as affordable paid plans ranging from 150GB to 5TB.

Key features of Icedrive:

Twofish encryption algorithm and client-side encryption for enhanced security

Virtual drive feature that allows users to access cloud storage as a physical hard drive (currently Windows-only)

Clean, modern, and easy-to-use interface across web, desktop, and mobile apps

Generous free plan with 10GB of storage and affordable paid plans

Built-in document viewer and media player for productivity and streaming on-the-go

IDrive is a comprehensive cloud storage and backup solution designed for individuals and businesses. Founded in 1995, IDrive offers a unique combination of cloud backup, cloud storage, and file syncing capabilities, making it a versatile choice for users looking to protect and access their data from anywhere.

One of the standout features of IDrive is its support for unlimited devices. Users can back up data from multiple computers, smartphones, and tablets, as well as external hard drives and NAS devices, all under a single account. IDrive also offers a range of backup options, including scheduled backups, continuous data protection, and block-level incremental backups, ensuring that data is always up-to-date and protected against loss or damage.

In addition to its robust backup capabilities, IDrive provides cloud storage and file syncing features through its Cloud Drive. Files and folders stored in the Cloud Drive are synced in real-time across all linked devices, making it easy to access and collaborate on files from anywhere. IDrive also offers advanced security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, optional private key encryption, and two-factor authentication, ensuring that data remains secure both in transit and at rest.

Key features of IDrive:

Back up unlimited PCs, Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Android devices to a single account

Quickly back up or retrieve large amounts of data using a physical storage device, without using bandwidth

Protect against ransomware and accidental deletions with historical data views and up to 30 previous versions of files

Automatically back up modified parts of files in real-time

256-bit AES encryption, optional private key encryption, and two-factor authentication

The Importance of Cloud Storage

As data technology continues to evolve, cloud storage providers will undoubtedly adapt and innovate to meet the growing demands for security, privacy, and convenience. By understanding your specific needs and priorities, you can select the best cloud storage solution to protect your data, streamline your workflows, and collaborate seamlessly with others. Whether you prioritize encryption, ease of use, or integration with other tools, one of these providers is sure to meet your requirements and exceed your expectations.

[intensetechnologieslimited]

The 7 Benefits of Cloud Computing and Its Advantages

🌐 Discover the 7 Benefits and Advantages that will revolutionize your digital experience.

Check out this insightful article by Intense Technologies: https://medium.com/@in10smarketing/the-7-benefits-of-cloud-computing-and-its-advantages-e4f55807b9dd

[marlynnofmany]

"Automatic updates? The thing that made Murderbot commit mass murder?"

Bringing this joke back in honor of today's CrowdStrike fiasco.

[northern-passage]

a little update.. what i'm working on/prologue changes so far:

no prologue! it’s chapter 1 now

removed the option to leave clementine behind. you have to take them with you :3c

removed height options (sorry!)

in general, edited the cc to flow better

combat preferences have been adjusted-- all still the same but i've made it more obvious how each specialty works mechanically which will hopefully make fights more intuitive to win (or lose, if you want)

genderlocked the sibling. officially a Sister

edited a LOT of dialogue; hopefully it's an improvement and feels more natural

restructured the wraith fight so that it's consistent with the fight in blackwater. with the changes made to the combat preferences this should make the combat system overall cohesive now <- i'm still working on this currently but i am HOPING to finish it by the end of this month.

i have pretty much rewritten the entire prologue. wasn't my plan at the start but here we are... so things are quite different. but also the same. i also streamlined a lot of the choices & branches and cut/combined ones that i felt were just excessive.

i plan to update once i've finished making & importing these changes, and i will probably limit the demo to chapter 1 (previously the prologue) until i get through and edit chapter 2 (previously chapter 1) because i really don't want to have the demo be inconsistent for however long it takes me to get through the next edits. hopefully this will not take that long, and then i'll put chapter 2 & and part 1/what's already been published of chapter 3 back up. and then!!! i will move on to finishing chapter 3.

i know this probably isn't the update you all were hoping for but i'm excited for the next steps with tnp :-)

[thedisablednaturalist]

can sustainable city activists please remember not everyone is able to walk or ride a bike k thx

[saphronethaleph]

Around The Galaxy In Eighty Hours

Rey left the Falcon behind, walking up the steps on the Ahch-To island, and she fought the urge to run.

It had taken all this struggle to get here. All this time. The map BB-8 had carried… so many who’d been lost on the way… and now she was here.

She was going to ask Luke Skywalker for help. The legendary Jedi Master, the one who had defeated the Emperor.

As she climbed, though, a niggling little feeling began to gnaw at her.

Where was he, anyway?

She’d been assuming he was somewhere high up, and the Force wasn’t pointing her anywhere else. But she couldn’t see him, and as she reached the very top of the stairs… there was no sign of him.

“Master Skywalker?” she asked, looking around. “Master Luke?”

“Jee-dhai?” one of the locals asked, in a curious voice.

“Huh?” Rey replied, turning. “I… well, I don’t think… I want to be, but I’m not one yet… do you know where Master Skywalker is?”

The hooded alien shrugged, and pointed to one of the rock huts.

Curious, Rey entered.

It was immediately obvious Master Skywalker wasn’t in the hut. There wasn’t room. There was barely room for Rey… but, after a moment, she spotted something odd.

A folded piece of flimsiplast, with a metal-rimmed piece of crystal on it.

Taking the crystal, Rey was surprised to find that it felt… warm, and tingly. It fizzed with an unidentifiable but oddly familiar energy, and she turned it over before opening the flimsiplast.

It held only one sentence.

Use the Force on the crystal.

“...is this going to be a riddle?” Rey asked. “Or a trial of some sort?”

Silence answered her, and she took a deep breath before closing her eyes and focusing.

It was still… difficult, to call on the Force at will, but she could do it.

As she did, the crystal glowed, then filaments of light streamed out of it to form a face.

Master Skywalker’s face. She was sure of it.

“To whoever has found this,” he began. “Firstly, if this is Ben… well done for coming back to the light. And if not… I’m glad there are others besides myself who can use the Force without being tainted by the Dark Side. This crystal has been constructed using the techniques of the ancient Holocrons, which would shatter if they were forced open by the Dark Side.

He paused. “The Caretakers have a few of them, in case they need to replace one. Anyway… if you came here, then either the Force guided you here to Ahch-To or you came following the map. And if you came following the map, you came looking for me.”

Master Skywalker’s expression turned rueful. “So I’m sorry to disappoint you. I’m not here. I left. I grew up on a desert planet, and this place just… unsettles me. It gives me the creeps to see all that water. Hurricanes should be illegal, and this planet has some really nasty ones… anyway, I’ve moved somewhere where I don’t need to worry about that. You’ll find me in the Bespin system, on Cloud City…

Rey’s eye twitched, as the blue illusion of Master Skywalker’s face listed off an address.

The crystal fizzed slightly, and she dropped it before she could break it somehow, then crouched down and picked it up again – not accessing it with the Force, this time.

“Right,” she said, her voice tight, and turned to go right back down the slope again.

“You’re back early,” Chewbacca said, concern in his voice.

“Luke’s not here,” Rey replied, hitting the switch to raise the Falcon’s ramp. “Do you know where Bespin is?”

Chewie blinked.

“What?” he asked. “Yes, I know where Bespin is… you’re saying he’s on Bespin?”

“Apparently,” Rey replied. “Though I suppose the map is a map to where he went, not where he is. It’s not like he was updating it…”

Cloud City was an amazing sight, though it had begun to pall slightly for Rey when it took them half an hour to get a landing permit.

Eventually Chewbacca called in a favour from someone called Lobot, and ten minutes after that Rey rang the door chime on the address Luke had given her.

Then she stood outside, waiting.

It was strange to be in a completely built environment. Even the ground under her feet ultimately had nothing beneath it but air… and yet all this was kept in the air by technology.

If Rey hadn’t known quite so much about how solidly built repulsorlift units were, she might have been unsettled.

The door hissed open, and a woman looked out. “Yes?”

“I’m looking for Luke Skywalker?” Rey asked, awkwardly.

“Oh!” the woman said. “You know, he didn’t leave a forwarding address, but he did ask that something be given to anyone who came looking for him… hold on a moment, please.”

The door hissed closed again, and Rey leaned on her staff and groaned.

“I’m guessing we’re leaving?” Chewbacca asked.

“We’re leaving,” Rey confirmed. “For somewhere called the Dagobah system.”

She held up the crystal she’d been given. “If you’ve never heard of it, this should help, at least. It’s got a planetary map, as well… and a long, long complaint about vertigo.”

“He did once fall out the bottom of Cloud City,” Chewbacca volunteered. “That would give anyone vertigo… here, anyway.”

“So after spending a month here, I realized what training with Master Yoda had let me forget until then,” the pseudo-visible Jedi Master explained, as Rey focused – not without some annoyance – on the crystal she’d found in a hut. “Which is that Dagobah is damp. I can’t walk very far without sinking into the swamp, the only food available is moss soup… Master Yoda stayed here for decades, and I can see the argument that a Jedi should be inured to physical discomfort, but I just can’t take it any more. I’m going to Ajan Kloss.”

“Really?” Rey asked. “Really?”

She focused, drawing out her anger, and expelled it with a sigh.

Where on Ajan Kloss was she supposed to be looking, anyway?

The holocron-alike crystal shimmered, showing an Ajan Kloss planetary map, and Rey committed it to memory before closing her hand around the delicate-seeming crystal.

“All right,” she said. “Ajan Kloss, then! And there had better be a Jedi Master there.”

There was not.

“So it’s been the rainy season…” the next crystal declared. “And it’s not as swampy as Dagobah or as rainy as Ahch-To, but it’s a lot warmer and the combination is absolute hell. I thought it was the rainy season when I was here before, but it turns out that it was actually the dry season. This is the rainy season, and it never gets dry. Nothing gets dry. The humidity is absolutely one hundred percent constantly. The floor’s covered with millipedes and our robes are growing fungus on them.”

Rey shuddered involuntarily.

It did sound bad.

They were fortunately in the dry season again, or at least she assumed so since the rain coming down outside was only moderately heavy and the geography hadn’t been entirely covered by cloud.

“What’s worse, the plants here even grow at night,” Luke complained. “So that’s it. I’m done with this place. We’re moving somewhere where there’s no need to worry about plant life at all…”

“Are you sure this is necessary?” Rey asked, two hours later.

“Yes,” Chewbacca replied, giving her another parka, and Rey put it on somewhat awkwardly. “You’re from a desert world. You know how Dagobah was cold and wet?”

“I’m having trouble forgetting,” Rey replied.

“Well, that’s about fifteen degrees,” Chewbacca explained. “Hoth is minus forty. I was cold there.”

Rey stared.

“...do you have any more warm clothes?” she asked.

Eventually, with some difficulty, Rey struggled into the ruins of the Rebellion’s Echo Base.

It was below freezing cold, and intensely annoying, and what was worse was that there wasn’t even a Jedi Master there. Instead, there was another crystal.

It mostly contained Luke complaining about how kriffing freezing it was, and that he’d spent three days here before electing to move to the Forest Moon of Endor.

“What is this?” Rey asked, after extracting herself from the parkas and as the Falcon sped towards the Endor system. “Is it some kind of sick joke?”

“I’ll give this for Endor, it’s warmer than Hoth,” Chewbacca contributed.

The Endor map led to an Ewok village, where they treated Chewbacca like an old friend and sniffed at Rey with great suspicion before Chewbacca managed to make himself understood enough to explain that she was a friend.

Then an Ewok shaman said… something… and Rey found herself involved in some kind of blessing ceremony. It was surprisingly useful, in that it actually involved the Force, but Rey was struggling to concentrate by the second hour… and it wasn’t until the fifth that she actually managed to convey the question she had.

The Ewoks discussed amongst themselves, then finally realized what she meant, and led her to a large treetop hut.

An empty hut, with nothing but some folded flimsiplast on the table, and a crystal on top of it.

Rey wanted to scream, but she didn’t want her hosts to take it the wrong way.

“If you’ve ever met Ewoks, you’ll know they’re brave warriors and good people,” Luke said, as Rey slumped over the Dejarik table on the Falcon.

Both she and Chewbacca were watching Luke’s latest message, and part of Rey hoped that wherever it was going to be was far away enough that she could get some rest.

The rest of her was wondering if they could just give up looking.

“But they’re also… a bit much,” Luke went on. “It took a month or two, but ultimately it got to be too much for us, so we decided to move on. This time we’re going to somewhere where we should be able to be alone, and as a bonus we can be out of the rain as well… it’s a lot like a homecoming, in some ways. We’re going to the Great Temple on Yavin Four.”

Chewbacca muttered something, and went to set the autopilot.

“I never thought I’d say this, but I have actually got bored of green,” Rey said, as they flew low over the jungles of Yavin Four. “I didn’t think it was possible to get bored of something that quickly.”

Chewbacca shrugged.

“Are we picking anything up?” he asked.

“Not on the long range,” Rey replied, sitting down and checking the scanners. “Nothing on passive… that’s just because Luke wants to hide, right?”

She detected a note of desperation in her voice. “It’s not because he’s moved on again, right?”

Chewbacca didn’t say anything, but he did raise an eyebrow at her.

Searching the Great Temple took about an hour, and they didn’t find a Jedi Master.

They did, however, find one of the now all-too-familiar crystals, and Rey stared balefully at it before clasping her hands and letting out her anger.

Again.

Then she snatched it up, wanting to know where they were going to have to go this time.

“You know…” Rey said, as they broke orbit. “I actually almost sympathize with that one.”

“You do?” Chewbacca asked.

“Yeah,” Rey agreed. “Knowing that the temples here were literally built by slaves who were members of the original Sith species… it’s a Sith Temple. I imagine any Jedi would be uncomfortable with that.”

She looked down at the crystal. “I really wish he’d put one of these on Ahch-To, though.”

“No argument there,” Chewie mumbled. “At least Naboo is an easy one…”

“I don’t know much about the place,” Rey said. “Only that it was involved with the Clone Wars, somehow. Or maybe something before the Clone Wars.”

The crystal pointed them to a very fine town house in Theed, which did not have Master Luke in it.

Instead, it had a droid, who beeped and whistled at them.

“We’re looking for Master Skywalker,” Rey said. “Please tell me you know where he went.”

The droid beeped again.

“...Master Amidala?” Rey repeated. “But Master Skywalker said to come here…”

“Same person, it’s just his mother’s surname instead of his father’s,” Chewbacca provided. “Show the droid one of the crystals?”

“It can’t hurt,” Rey conceded. “Is this some kind of ancestral home, then?”

She activated one of the crystals, and the droid whistled gleefully before opening an internal compartment and depositing another crystal in her palm.

“Right,” Rey said, rubbing her forehead with her free hand. “It’s a good thing the Falcon is so fast. We must have done a lap of the galaxy by now.”

“We’ve mostly been going through the middle, but yes,” Chewie agreed. “Where now?”

“That’s always the question,” Rey conceded, focusing.

If there was one thing this was good for, it was learning to master her anger.

“I know, I know, I said we’d be here for good,” Luke apologized. “But I ran into a Palpatine on the street yesterday, and it freaked me out.”

He shook his head. “I know, they’re from a different branch of the family, not everyone called Palpatine is evil… but it really unsettled me and I can’t feel comfortable here any more. Not after I heard from Binks about how Palpatine exploited both my parents… and him.”

The Jedi Master let out a long sigh. “But being somewhere I inherited… it helped, really. It reminded me of the other place that I inherited. We’re going back home. Beggar’s Canyon and the Lars homestead. Ben, if you’re the one hearing this… I’m sorry that we couldn’t give you the childhood that my aunt and uncle gave me.”

The force hologram disappeared, and Rey closed her eyes.

“That didn’t even give us a planet,” she said.

“No problem,” Chewbacca replied. “I know where we’re going. I know where Luke grew up.”

He nodded to the droid. “Thanks for your help.”

The droid whistled, waving a probe cheerfully.

Naboo to Tatooine. Mos Eisley to the Jundland Wastes to the Lars homestead, and from there on to Beggar’s Canyon.

Rey could feel the tension building in the air. Like the signs of a sandstorm, but more positive.

Signs of… something. Maybe signs of hope.

“Found something,” Chewbacca said. “Zeroing in on it now.”

The Falcon banked, slowing, and Rey went to the ramp as it opened. Around her, the light transport hovered on repulsorlifts, and she held on to a stanchion as she leaned out into the hot, dry air.

“I can see something!” she reported, through her comlink. “Bring us down another four metres… all right… I’m getting out here, land as near as you can.”

“Got it,” Chewbacca replied, and Rey slipped out of the door.

She landed with a roll, and shaded her eyes to look closely at what she’d spotted.

There was no mistaking it. It was a hangar bay. Built into the side of Beggar’s Canyon, concealed from above except at exactly the right angle, and big enough to service plenty of ships at once.

There were ships there, in fact. Two transport shuttles, a light and utilitarian variety, and a heavier and heavily modified yacht. But there was space for several more, and Rey frowned as she approached.

This didn’t feel empty in the way the other places had been, a difference that only made sense now she’d felt both sides of it.

It felt… lived in.

Then three young adults – a strange four-legged two-armed half-equine, a more familiar Bothan, and a human – came out of a doorway, all looking at her warily.

“Who are you?” the bothan asked. “Why are you here?”

“I’m looking for Master Luke Skywalker,” Rey explained.

“...oh, well, you just missed him,” the half-equine replied. “He’ll be back-”

“Lusa!” the Bothan protested. “Operational security!”

“Right, right,” the now-identified Lusa said. “Why do you want to speak to him?”

“Because we need him,” Rey said, simply. “To fight the First Order. I… brought his old lightsaber?”

She held it out.

“Whoa,” all three youngsters said, at once.

Then the Falcon came flying back over, still looking for a landing spot, and the human gasped.

“Is that the Millennium Falcon?” he asked. “Did you come here with Han Solo and Chewbacca? Does that mean Ben-”

“No,” Rey replied. “Han’s dead. He… Ben killed him.”

That put a damper on the mood.

“...so, where is Master Luke?” Rey asked, after a few seconds. “Who are you? What are you doing here? I’ve been following his messages for more than a day!”

“Well…” Lusa began. “We’re… trainees?”

“The old word was padawans,” the Bothan supplied. “Master Luke decided that… uh… he said that he remembered what Master Yoda said, and that the only thing that mattered was the spirit. That you had to learn to avoid the Darkness, and that everything else you could learn at your own pace, however fast or slow that was.”

“And all the teachers left about two hours ago in their X-Wings,” the human contributed. “So we’re the ones defending the Academy!”

“I am going to need some time to process this,” Rey said. “...wait, in X-Wings?”

“We had a fleet,” Poe said. “Now we’re down to one ship, and you’ve told us nothing!”

He waved his hands, for emphasis. “Tell us that we have a plan! That there is hope!”

Admiral Holdo stared back.

“There is a plan,” she said. “But I don’t have to tell you what-”

“Admiral!” someone interrupted. “Hyperspace signatures! It looks like… they’re snub fighters, twelve of them!”

Holdo’s shoulders slumped.

“And there it is,” she declared, as the tension left, and she sat back into her seat. “Turn the ship! Prepare for close engagement!”

The radio crackled.

“All wings report in,” came a voice, Luke Skywalker’s voice, and it was so unexpected that Poe staggered back a pace.

“Katarn standing by,” one of the fighters reported.

“Horn, standing by,” another voice added.

The reports came, one by one. Jade, Dracos, Solusar, Durron, Ikrit, Binks, Desann, Korr, Penin. Then they broke for an attack run, and Poe could only stare.

He knew he was a good pilot. One of the best.

But even he had to admit that he couldn’t outdo that squadron.

[etirabys]

so pleasurable to make a slightly controversial poll on someone else's post so that they get all the annoying notifications with inane commentary in the tags, not me. getting N>1000 results on a question without bearing almost any of the costs.

[secretarysong]

read a really good nsr fanfic the other day and ive sort of been thinking bout aunty ever since

[coquelicoq]

System Collapse, ch. 3, p. 39: "I saw I had four private messages waiting from Arada, Amena, Overse, and Pin-Lee. I can’t do that right now. Pretending I’m fine for Mensah was hard enough."

8, 165: "Then he sent me a note back: So, you may not know this, but I read your letter to Dr. Mensah, the one you sent when you left Port FreeCommerce. I think you’re absolutely the right person to write this. I can’t handle that right now so I’m just going to archive it for later."

10, 212: "As I led the humans into the hangar, the contact with AdaCol2 started to drop. I sent, End session, acknowledge. It sent back, End session. There was a pause, then: Be safe. I can’t deal with that right now."

emotions: install "people respect and care about me" updates now!

murderbot: remind me later, remind me later, remind me later--

[mychemicalbrromance]

SKETCHES manga spoilers under the thingywingy

[nattikay]

Correcting the Na'vi in the "Activist Survival Guide" Masterpost

A little over a year ago I made a post correcting some of the fake Na'vi in the Avatar: an Activist Survival Guide book based on some images taken from it that I saw in another post. Since then I've gotten my hands on digital copy of the full book and therefore found even more fake Na'vi terms and sentences, and I decided to make a single massive post to fix them all.

I was originally gonna do it as a regular tumblr post, but then decided to make it a google doc instead for the sake of having more formatting options.

Here's the document, enjoy, fellow nerds.

[jcmarchi]

The 10 Best Cloud Hosting Providers (June 2024)

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The 10 Best Cloud Hosting Providers (June 2024)

Cloud hosting has transformed the way businesses manage their online presence by providing scalable, flexible, and reliable hosting solutions. Unlike traditional hosting, cloud hosting uses multiple servers to distribute resources, ensuring high availability and superior performance. Choosing the best cloud hosting provider is essential for businesses seeking robust performance, security, and the flexibility to efficiently handle varying resource demand as your website grows. This guide highlights the best cloud hosting providers, helping you find the ideal solution for your needs.

What is Cloud Hosting and How Does it Work?

Cloud hosting is a type of web hosting that uses multiple servers to balance the load and maximize uptime. Unlike traditional hosting solutions that rely on a single physical server, cloud hosting utilizes a network of interconnected servers to store and manage data. This setup ensures that resources are dynamically allocated across the servers, providing enhanced flexibility, scalability, and reliability.

In cloud hosting, websites and applications are hosted on a cluster of servers, often referred to as the “cloud.” When a user accesses a website, the request is distributed across multiple servers, ensuring that no single server becomes a bottleneck. This distribution allows for better handling of traffic spikes and provides a more consistent performance, even during high demand periods.

One of the key benefits of cloud hosting is its scalability. Users can easily scale their resources up or down based on their needs, without experiencing downtime or performance issues. This makes cloud hosting ideal for businesses that experience variable traffic patterns or are planning for growth. Additionally, cloud hosting typically includes features such as automated backups, disaster recovery, and enhanced security measures, ensuring that data is protected and easily recoverable in case of an emergency.

Who is Cloud Hosting For?

Cloud hosting is designed to cater to a wide range of users, from individual developers to large enterprises, offering scalability, flexibility, and robust performance. Here are some of the key audiences who can benefit significantly from cloud hosting:

Growing Businesses and Startups

Scalability and Flexibility: Startups and growing businesses often experience fluctuating traffic and require a hosting solution that can scale resources up or down based on demand. Cloud hosting provides this flexibility, allowing businesses to pay for only what they use and scale effortlessly as they grow.

E-commerce Websites

High Performance and Reliability: E-commerce sites require high uptime and fast load times to ensure a smooth shopping experience for customers. Cloud hosting offers excellent performance and reliability, which are crucial for online stores to prevent downtime and maintain customer satisfaction.

Ecommerce stores are also prone to traffic spikes especially for brands selling seasonal products – e.g: Christmas gifts shops will have peak sales towards the end of the year. A cloud hosting plan allows you to scale easily and pay only for the resources you nees.

Developers and Tech-savvy Users

Customization and Control: Developers and tech-savvy users benefit from the control and customization options that cloud hosting provides. With root access and the ability to configure server environments, they can tailor the hosting setup to meet specific application requirements.

Enterprises and Large Organizations

Robust Infrastructure: Large organizations with complex infrastructure needs require a robust and scalable hosting solution. Cloud hosting offers the necessary resources and reliability to support enterprise-level applications, ensuring business continuity and data integrity.

Educational Institutions and Research Organizations

Resource-intensive Applications: Educational and research institutions often run resource-intensive applications and simulations. Cloud hosting provides the computational power and storage needed for these applications, along with the ability to handle large datasets.

SaaS Providers

High Availability and Scalability: Software as a Service (SaaS) providers need hosting solutions that offer high availability and the ability to scale quickly to accommodate a growing user base. Cloud hosting delivers these capabilities, ensuring their applications remain accessible and perform excellently.

These Are The Very Best Cloud Hosting Providers

Cloudways stands out as a leading managed cloud hosting platform, offering exceptional flexibility and performance. 

Known for its exceptional performance optimization tools, Cloudways ensures your website runs smoothly and efficiently. Users benefit from features such as automated backups, staging environments, and advanced caching mechanisms. Additionally, Cloudways offers 24/7 expert support to help you tackle any issues promptly.

It allows users to deploy applications across multiple cloud infrastructures, including AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, Vultr, and Linode.

Cloudways Unique Features:

Cloudways excels with its managed services, providing a user-friendly platform that simplifies server management. Key features include 1-click server deployment, automated backups, and advanced caching mechanisms like Varnish, Memcached, and Redis.

Why you should choose Cloudways:

Flexible server management: Choose from multiple cloud providers and easily scale resources.

Excellent performance and uptime: High-speed performance with optimized stack and SSD-based servers.

Robust security measures: Regular security patches, dedicated firewalls, and SSL certificates.

Cloudways is the best overall choice for cloud hosting, offering unmatched flexibility, performance, and managed services.

Read Review →

Visit Cloudways →

Hostinger is renowned for its affordable cloud hosting solutions, making it an excellent choice for individuals and small businesses looking for cost-effective yet powerful hosting.

With its intuitive control panel and robust performance, Hostinger is perfect for users seeking budget-friendly yet reliable cloud hosting solutions. Hostinger’s commitment to affordability does not compromise the quality, making it an excellent choice for small businesses and individuals alike.

Hostinger Unique Features:

Hostinger provides a balance of performance and affordability, featuring a custom control panel, daily backups, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Their cloud plans also include a dedicated IP and resources.

Why you should choose Hostinger:

Very affordable pricing: Competitive rates for cloud hosting plans.

User-friendly control panel: Custom-built control panel designed for ease of use.

Decent speed and uptime: Reliable performance with adequate speed for most applications.

Hostinger is ideal for budget-conscious users seeking reliable cloud hosting without compromising on essential features.

Read Review →

Visit Hostinger →

3. SiteGround (Best customer support)

SiteGround is well-regarded for its exceptional customer support and robust cloud hosting solutions. It offers scalable and fully managed cloud hosting, perfect for growing businesses.

Their cloud hosting plans are powered by Google Cloud, ensuring top-notch performance and reliability. SiteGround provides automatic daily backups, a free CDN, and advanced security solutions. Their support team is available 24/7 via phone, chat, and ticket system, ensuring that you receive timely and knowledgeable assistance whenever needed.

SiteGround Unique Features:

SiteGround’s standout features include fully managed hosting, automatic scaling, and daily backups. They provide a dedicated support team available 24/7 via phone, chat, and ticketing systems.

Why you should choose SiteGround:

Outstanding customer support: Highly responsive and knowledgeable support team.

Scalable resources: Easily adjust CPU, RAM, and storage as needed.

Enhanced security features: AI anti-bot system, daily backups, and free SSL certificates.

SiteGround excels in customer support, making it the best choice for users who prioritize responsive and effective assistance.

Read Review →

Visit SiteGround →

Bluehost is ideal for beginners due to its user-friendly interface and seamless integration with popular platforms like WordPress. Their cloud hosting plans offer enhanced performance, scalability, and security features.

Bluehost provides a straightforward setup process, making it easy for new users to get started. Additionally, they offer 24/7 customer support and a range of helpful resources to guide you through your hosting journey.

Bluehost Unique Features:

Bluehost’s cloud hosting features include easy scalability, resource monitoring, and seamless integration with various CMS platforms, especially WordPress. Their enhanced cPanel provides a simple and intuitive user interface.

Why you should choose Bluehost:

Easiest to use: Beginner-friendly interface and straightforward setup.

Reliable performance: Solid uptime and load speeds.

Comprehensive support: 24/7 support with extensive documentation and tutorials.

Bluehost is the perfect choice for beginners, offering an intuitive interface and strong performance at an affordable price.

Read Review →

Visit BlueHost →

ScalaHosting is known for its security-centric approach to cloud hosting, offering a range of features designed to protect users’ data and applications. 

ScalaHosting is known for its focus on security, offering robust cloud hosting solutions that prioritize the safety of your data. . Their proprietary SPanel ensures easy and secure management, while the SShield security system offers real-time monitoring and protection against cyber threats. ScalaHosting’s cloud plans include free daily backups, a free CDN, and fully managed services. Their commitment to security and performance makes them an excellent choice for businesses looking to protect their online presence.

ScalaHosting Unique Features:

ScalaHosting provides innovative security features such as SShield real-time cybersecurity protection and free SPanel control panel. They also offer daily backups and free SSL certificates to enhance security.

Why you should choose ScalaHosting:

Most secure: Advanced security features like SShield and daily backups.

User-friendly control panel: SPanel is intuitive and easy to navigate.

Scalable plans: Flexible options to scale resources as your business grows.

ScalaHosting is the top choice for users who prioritize security, offering robust protection features and a user-friendly management interface.

Read Review →

Visit ScalaHosting →

A2 Hosting is renowned for its speed, providing some of the fastest cloud hosting solutions available. Their Turbo Servers offer up to 20x faster page loads compared to standard hosting. A2 Hosting’s cloud plans come with SSD storage, free site migrations, and a range of developer-friendly features. Their commitment to performance and reliability ensures that your website will run at optimal speed.

A2 Hosting Unique Features

A2 Hosting stands out with its Turbo Servers, which can load pages up to 20 times faster than standard servers. The company also provides free site migrations, SSD storage, and a developer-friendly environment.

Why you should choose A2 Hosting:

Speed: Turbo Servers for enhanced speed.

Free Migrations: Hassle-free website transfers.

Developer-Friendly: Supports multiple development tools and frameworks.

A2 Hosting is the best choice for users prioritizing speed and performance in their cloud hosting solution.

Read Review →

Visit A2Hosting →

Verpex offers exceptional value for money, providing cloud hosting services packed with features at competitive prices. Their plans include free domain registration, SSL certificates, and daily backups.

Verpex’s cloud hosting ensures high performance and reliability with multiple data center locations. Their excellent customer support and generous resource allocations make them a great choice for those seeking affordable yet feature-rich cloud hosting.

Verpex Unique Features

Verpex includes features such as free migrations, daily backups, and 24/7 support. Their cloud hosting plans are designed to offer flexibility and scalability at an affordable price.

Why you should choose Verpex:

Affordable Plans: Cost-effective hosting solutions.

Free Migrations: Easy site transfers.

24/7 Support: Around-the-clock customer service.

Verpex provides the best value for money, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious users seeking reliable cloud hosting.

Read Review →

Visit Verpex →

InterServer stands out with its commitment to providing unlimited resources, making it an excellent choice for users who need flexible and scalable hosting solutions. InterServer’s cloud hosting plans include unlimited storage, bandwidth, and email accounts, ensuring that users have the resources they need to grow their websites.

Their infrastructure is designed for high performance and reliability, with features like daily backups, free website migrations, and 24/7 customer support. InterServer’s affordability combined with unlimited features makes it a top choice for those seeking robust cloud hosting without worrying about resource limits.

InterServer Unique Features

InterServer stands out with its unlimited resources feature, which includes unlimited storage, bandwidth, and email accounts. Additionally, it offers price lock guarantees, ensuring that users do not face unexpected price hikes.

Why you should choose InterServer:

Unlimited Resources: No caps on storage or bandwidth.

Price Lock Guarantee: Fixed pricing with no surprise increases.

Strong Security: Advanced security features to protect data.

InterServer is ideal for businesses or individuals with high resource demands, providing a cost-effective solution with extensive features.

Visit Interserver →

Kamatera offers highly customizable cloud hosting solutions, allowing users to configure their server resources to meet specific needs. Their cloud platform provides flexible scaling, a wide range of server configurations, and global data centers.

Kamatera’s pay-as-you-go pricing model ensures you only pay for the resources you use. Their 24/7 customer support and high performance make them an excellent choice for businesses with unique hosting requirements.

Kamatera Unique Features

Kamatera’s standout feature is its high level of customization, allowing users to configure CPU, RAM, storage, and other resources as needed. It also offers a wide range of server locations globally.

Why you should choose Kamatera:

High Customizability: Tailor resources to specific requirements.

Global Data Centers: Multiple server locations for optimal performance.

Scalability: Easily scale resources up or down based on demand.

Kamatera is perfect for users who need a customizable and scalable cloud hosting solution with a global presence.

Visit Kamatera →

DreamHost’s cloud hosting plans are tailored for developers, offering scalable resources, full root access, and a wide range of developer tools. Their OpenStack-based cloud platform provides flexibility and reliability.

DreamHost’s cloud plans include free bandwidth, SSD storage, and high security. Their excellent performance and developer-friendly features make them a top choice for tech-savvy users.

DreamHost Unique Features

DreamHost offers features like full root access, scalable SSD storage, and compatibility with a variety of development languages and frameworks. Its DreamCompute service allows for flexible and powerful cloud computing.

Why you should choose DreamHost:

Developer Tools: Extensive tools and APIs for developers.

Scalable SSD Storage: Fast and scalable storage solutions.

Reliable Infrastructure: High performance and uptime guarantees.

DreamHost is the top choice for developers seeking a flexible, powerful, and developer-centric cloud hosting environment.

Visit DreamHost →

How We Chose The Best Cloud Hosting Providers

Selecting the best cloud hosting providers involved a thorough evaluation process where we considered several key factors to ensure that our recommendations meet the highest standards. Below, we detail the critical considerations we made when choosing these hosts.

Unique Value

We considered any unique features that add value to the hosting service. This includes tools for performance optimization, user-friendly control panels, website builders, and integration with third-party services. These features can enhance the overall hosting experience and provide users with additional functionality that simplifies website management and development.

Performance

Performance is paramount when it comes to cloud hosting. We assessed the speed, uptime, and overall reliability of each provider. High-performance cloud hosting ensures that websites and applications run smoothly, providing an optimal user experience without downtime or slow loading times.

Support

Customer support is a crucial aspect of any hosting service. We evaluated the quality and availability of customer support provided by each host. This includes looking at support channels (live chat, phone, email), the responsiveness of the support team, and the availability of helpful resources like tutorials and knowledge bases. Excellent support can significantly impact the overall hosting experience, especially for users who may need assistance with technical issues.

Security

Security features were a significant factor in our evaluation. We examined the security measures each provider implements, such as SSL certificates, DDoS protection, regular backups, and compliance with security standards. Robust security features protect sensitive data and ensure the integrity of websites and applications hosted on these platforms.

Pricing

Affordability and value for money were also key considerations. We compared the pricing plans of each host, looking for competitive rates that offer excellent value. This includes assessing what features and resources are included in each plan and ensuring that there are no hidden costs. We aimed to recommend providers that offer a good balance of cost and quality, making cloud hosting accessible to a wide range of users.

Scalability

Scalability is essential for businesses that anticipate growth. We looked at how easily users can scale their resources up or down with each provider. This includes the flexibility to upgrade or downgrade plans and the ability to add resources like storage or bandwidth as needed without significant downtime or technical hurdles.

FAQs

What is cloud hosting?

Cloud hosting is a type of web hosting that uses multiple servers to balance the load and maximize uptime. Instead of relying on a single server, websites and applications are hosted on a network of connected servers, providing greater flexibility and reliability.

How is cloud hosting different from traditional hosting?

Cloud hosting differs from traditional hosting by distributing resources across multiple servers, reducing the risk of downtime and improving scalability. Traditional hosting often relies on a single server, making it less flexible and more vulnerable to outages.

What are the benefits of cloud hosting?

The main benefits of cloud hosting include enhanced performance, better scalability, improved reliability, and robust disaster recovery options. It also offers automatic updates, flexible pricing, and easy resource management, making it ideal for growing businesses and high-traffic websites.

How do I choose the best cloud hosting provider?

To choose the best cloud hosting provider, consider factors such as performance, customer support, security features, pricing, scalability options, and additional features like backups and monitoring. Reading reviews and comparing the specific needs of your website or application can also help in making an informed decision.