#best overall web hosting

[not-terezi-pyrope]

Often when I post an AI-neutral or AI-positive take on an anti-AI post I get blocked, so I wanted to make my own post to share my thoughts on "Nightshade", the new adversarial data poisoning attack that the Glaze people have come out with.

I've read the paper and here are my takeaways:

Firstly, this is not necessarily or primarily a tool for artists to "coat" their images like Glaze; in fact, Nightshade works best when applied to sort of carefully selected "archetypal" images, ideally ones that were already generated using generative AI using a prompt for the generic concept to be attacked (which is what the authors did in their paper). Also, the image has to be explicitly paired with a specific text caption optimized to have the most impact, which would make it pretty annoying for individual artists to deploy.

While the intent of Nightshade is to have maximum impact with minimal data poisoning, in order to attack a large model there would have to be many thousands of samples in the training data. Obviously if you have a webpage that you created specifically to host a massive gallery poisoned images, that can be fairly easily blacklisted, so you'd have to have a lot of patience and resources in order to hide these enough so they proliferate into the training datasets of major models.

The main use case for this as suggested by the authors is to protect specific copyrights. The example they use is that of Disney specifically releasing a lot of poisoned images of Mickey Mouse to prevent people generating art of him. As a large company like Disney would be more likely to have the resources to seed Nightshade images at scale, this sounds like the most plausible large scale use case for me, even if web artists could crowdsource some sort of similar generic campaign.

Either way, the optimal use case of "large organization repeatedly using generative AI models to create images, then running through another resource heavy AI model to corrupt them, then hiding them on the open web, to protect specific concepts and copyrights" doesn't sound like the big win for freedom of expression that people are going to pretend it is. This is the case for a lot of discussion around AI and I wish people would stop flagwaving for corporate copyright protections, but whatever.

The panic about AI resource use in terms of power/water is mostly bunk (AI training is done once per large model, and in terms of industrial production processes, using a single airliner flight's worth of carbon output for an industrial model that can then be used indefinitely to do useful work seems like a small fry in comparison to all the other nonsense that humanity wastes power on). However, given that deploying this at scale would be a huge compute sink, it's ironic to see anti-AI activists for that is a talking point hyping this up so much.

In terms of actual attack effectiveness; like Glaze, this once again relies on analysis of the feature space of current public models such as Stable Diffusion. This means that effectiveness is reduced on other models with differing architectures and training sets. However, also like Glaze, it looks like the overall "world feature space" that generative models fit to is generalisable enough that this attack will work across models.

That means that if this does get deployed at scale, it could definitely fuck with a lot of current systems. That said, once again, it'd likely have a bigger effect on indie and open source generation projects than the massive corporate monoliths who are probably working to secure proprietary data sets, like I believe Adobe Firefly did. I don't like how these attacks concentrate the power up.

The generalisation of the attack doesn't mean that this can't be defended against, but it does mean that you'd likely need to invest in bespoke measures; e.g. specifically training a detector on a large dataset of Nightshade poison in order to filter them out, spending more time and labour curating your input dataset, or designing radically different architectures that don't produce a comparably similar virtual feature space. I.e. the effect of this being used at scale wouldn't eliminate "AI art", but it could potentially cause a headache for people all around and limit accessibility for hobbyists (although presumably curated datasets would trickle down eventually).

All in all a bit of a dick move that will make things harder for people in general, but I suppose that's the point, and what people who want to deploy this at scale are aiming for. I suppose with public data scraping that sort of thing is fair game I guess.

Additionally, since making my first reply I've had a look at their website:

Used responsibly, Nightshade can help deter model trainers who disregard copyrights, opt-out lists, and do-not-scrape/robots.txt directives. It does not rely on the kindness of model trainers, but instead associates a small incremental price on each piece of data scraped and trained without authorization. Nightshade's goal is not to break models, but to increase the cost of training on unlicensed data, such that licensing images from their creators becomes a viable alternative.

Once again we see that the intended impact of Nightshade is not to eliminate generative AI but to make it infeasible for models to be created and trained by without a corporate money-bag to pay licensing fees for guaranteed clean data. I generally feel that this focuses power upwards and is overall a bad move. If anything, this sort of model, where only large corporations can create and control AI tools, will do nothing to help counter the economic displacement without worker protection that is the real issue with AI systems deployment, but will exacerbate the problem of the benefits of those systems being more constrained to said large corporations.

Kinda sucks how that gets pushed through by lying to small artists about the importance of copyright law for their own small-scale works (ignoring the fact that processing derived metadata from web images is pretty damn clearly a fair use application).

[thatpodcastkid]

Magnus Archives Relisten 20, MAG 20 Desecrated Host

Father Pruitt from Midnight Mass but if he was still an old man. You agree, reblog.

My MAG 20 analysis, spoilers ahead!

Facts: Continuation of the statement of Father Edwin Burroughs regarding his claimed demonic possession. Statement given May 30, 2011.

Statement Notes: A hallucination sequence is one of the best modes of horror. The inability to distinguish between the real and unreal aspects of the vision combined with the symbolic imagery and attempts to determine the cause of the hallucination itself often means the audience experiences the same level of fear and confusion the character does. However, I very rarely see them done well in non-visual mediums. The best example I can think of is the dream of Percival Glyde in The Woman In White. But this episode is really effective in that. You don't understand anything that is happening, you're just stuck on the ride with no hope of getting off, and Father Burroughs is in the seat next to you. If you know of any other really good dream or hallucination sequences in horror narratives, tell me about it in the notes.

I also noted how whatever was possessing Burroughs really reveled in his guilt. I discussed this in the Part I analysis, but the conflation of guilt and fear as two sides of the same coin is an incredible choice, especially in a religious story. You are guilty because you are afraid of your own actions, you are afraid because you did something you should be guilty for. You are afraid of being found guilty, you are afraid of punishment, you are afraid you will never stop feeling guilty.

Entity Alignment: This is another mixed bag episode. This definitely seems like a lot of effort to make Burroughs afraid and/or just to kill two people. I briefly wondered if Burroughs could be involved in some kind of ritual, but the overall events of the episode don't feel directed or focused enough. If there was goal aside from torturing Burroughs and his victims, I couldn't determine it.

The line from Genesis "Behold, thou hast driven me out" obviously invokes some Eye imagery. I did note how much of religion, particularly Catholicism, centers around viewing and reveling in the majesty and horror of God/a god. Religion's ability to unwittingly turn people into voyeurs of their messiah connotes it with the Eye. Furthermore, the previously mentioned focus on guilt and the horror's apparent delight in Burroughs suffering associates with the Eye as well.

Burroughs isolation heightening his fear does tie in elements of the Lonely, while the smiling imagery is reminiscent of the Stranger. Of course, the hallucinations and loss of control of one's mind associates Burroughs with the Spiral, and the cannibalism associates him with the Flesh. But if I had to pick a true second to the Eye as the main entity associated with this episode, I would have to go with the Web. Burroughs is incapable of making any choices. The demon controls his actions, eliminating his independence and manipulating him. Even if it is not really a possession but some other manipulation of his psyche, it prevents Burroughs from acting independently.

Character Notes: Breekon & Hope mention! In spite of my earlier doubts, their involvement does signal some kind of ritual. Usually, they're only involved in deliveries associated with high level entity action, such as the coffin or Jon's lighter. I don't recall this stole being mentioned in any other episode, but if Breekon & Hope delivered it, it must be relevant somehow.

Another reason this episode might be affiliated with a ritual is that Gertrude was apparently the last person to read it. In her final days, she was primarily focused on stopping rituals, which indicated this case was particularly important.

When will my Martin return home from the war.

[timeshift-playground]

A TOTALLY NORMAL INTRO

Welcome to the Timeshift Playground (now known as the Mirror Prism Kingdom !!). We're an OSDD-1b system of 11 alters. WE ARE BODILY A MINOR.

[ ADHD + GAD + MDD ] — Diagnosed

[ Autism + BPD + NPD ] — Self actualized, attempting to get diagnosed currently but do not have the proper help

GENERALLY VERY LOW EMPATHY, NOT OUR PROBLEM.

Trans he/him + plurals (they/we/us)

Some of us use lots of profanity and caps, as well as vulgar or sensitive language, so be aware of that. Anything too triggering or photosensitive will be tagged with a warning.

Hosts: Suguru (he/him)🐦‍⬛, Satoru (he/him)🕊️

HOST BLOG: @th3-r3al-m3dk1t-ph1ght1ng-2024 (outdated, will be changed when needed)

Frequent fronters: Togame🐢, Wolfwood🚬

Mfw we're grounded for a whole year but we jailbroke our electronics

DNI IF: Pedos/MAPs, zoophiles, problematic shippers (proship), nazi, racists, homophobes, ableists, sexists, transphobes, body shamers, conservative christians, NFT or ai art supporter, NSFW accounts, disorder fakers (this includes endos), or just overall a shitty person. If we don't like you, you are getting blocked

Tacomic shippers you're on thin ice

People over 18 can interact with obvious caution to things like language.

More info after the cut:

Current hyperfixation/s will be bolded. Anything we have fictives from will be italicized. If we have a fictive of a certain media commonly fronting please be wary of source memories and triggers when interacting!!

INTERESTS:

Jikuo Company

Object Show Community: Inanimate Insanity, hfjONE, Love of the S*n, BFB/TPOT, Animatic Battle, Object Fool, It's Time for the, The Nightly Manor

Roblox: PHIGHTING!, Regretevator, Pressure, GASA4/GASA4:SC, EVADE

Shows/Anime: Mob Psycho 100, Jujutsu Kaisen, WINDBREAKER, Gravity Falls, Trigun Stampede

Video Games: Dead Cells, Risk of Rain 2, OFF, ULTRAKILL, OMORI, FAITH: The Unholy Trinity, Just Shapes and Beats, The Stanley Parable, Undertale/Deltarune, Hollow Knight, Pizza Tower, Dayshift at Freddy's

Web Series: The Mandela Catalogue, Clock 0ut, Generation loss; The Social Experiments

Other: Femtanyl, Sprunki

Moots and non-moots alike feel free to interact!! Moots can ask for discord tag

ANY WORK RELATED TO THE COLLABORATIVE WRITING PROJECT BETWEEN US, OUR BEST FRIEND AND COUSIN @tansypawz , AND MY CO-WRITER FOREVER @poggernst WILL BE TAGGED IN #Jikuo Company

characters owned by us:

#Nymble Judas #Keen Judas #Fleur Taro #Rigel Astroma #Atlas Alexandra Astroma #Amil Amara #LXXIX The Conductor #The Emperor #The Chariot #The World #The Hanged Man #Marikso Bryne #Layori Yuma #Alice Bryne #Anastasia Seiru #Euthanasia Seiru #Kleptá Ladrón

#mushroomhunter is a ship lawl (the good one)

#eclipseshroom is a canon ship that ends VERY BADLY (don't ship this one it's so toxic ☹️☹️)

solo project is #military labs for human preservation, #KK-Mnegative is the Kurix from our solo project

SEND ME ASKS ABT ANY OF IT AND MY LIFE IS YOURS ^_^

Some of said works for Jikuo Company:

Hey go look at our stupid bitch brother

@thespianlimbo-sys

Other cool moots

@bakedgatorade

@justanapplenothinghere

Other socials are:

Timesy_TSPG on twt

TSPG_SYS on youtube

[rankingthehousewives]

Eight years later, or, "I'm not getting older; I'm just getting bolder."

Hi divas,

It's been the better part of a decade since I first posted this list, and a lot has changed: for me, for Bravo, and not least for the various superestrellas herein. I'm forced to fess up to some clunker opinions (Stacey Forsey is not a better Housewife than Vicki Gunvalson; Teresa Giudice is [heartbreakingly, devastatingly] not actually in love with her brother), and a few overall sea changes in the way I conceptualize the show and Bravo in general.

First of all, I underestimated the delight of the Housewives blog/news cycle, which has only refined as an apparatus since the posting of this list. A key component in being a Bravolebrity is one's ability to titillate with delightfully brain-bending headlines (Teresa Giudice 'can’t relate' to Jen Shah’s prison sentencing: 'I would never do something like that.') and to shock and delight with one's antics, public snipes, absurd feuds, and assorted felonies. When I first compiled this list, it was after my first watch of each of series, and I didn't understand that a good chunk of the captivating material occurs offscreen, as a thrilling little adrenaline hit during an otherwise mundane day. If I had to make a list like this again, I'd take that into much more rigorous account.

But I wouldn't make a list like this again, because fundamentally... I really like all of these women now, at least as highly edited TV characters! Shock twist: they're all now tied in my heart! I see them all as rich and necessary players in the show's milieu, and I honestly think that my individual moral judgments of them are totally irrelevant—and, in fact, I think the show works best approached as non-judgmentally as possible. I respect that each viewer will have their own individual lines in the sand as to what is and isn't Too Far, informed by their own personalities and experiences, and I can't ask for carte blanche approval of these problematic women and their problematic ways. But for me, I have genuinely come to appreciate Kyle Richards and Jeana Keough and THE Mary Schmidt Amons, and of course I still love Phaedra and Tamra and Sheree and all of the other beautiful Botoxed gladiators who have taken to the Coliseum (and The Traitors season two) for our collective entertainment.

I think part of what's brought me to this conclusion is that in the current era of BravoCon and celebrity superfans and Peacock exclusives, the social media discourse has gotten increasingly tense, heated, and even abusive—between fans and other fans, certainly, but also between fans and the talent. People frequently direct really cruel messages to the Housewives and other Bravolebrities without thinking of the impacts of those sorts of messages, individually and en masse. I think a ranked list like this one, with its favourites at the tops and least favourites at the bottom, isn't a great format for communicating the nuance of these programs at their best, and for expressing my appreciation for these many strong, interesting, entertaining women who love vaginal rejuvenation and axe-throwing. Basically, I think we're too quick to judge, and I think I judged too quickly.

I still get really sweet messages from readers about this list (please forgive me if I haven't answered yours!), so I won't strip it from the web, even though I disown a lot of the opinions underpinning it. If you're reading this in 2024, or later, just know that I almost universally wish I were kinder and more thoughtful in my appraisals. And, hey, thanks again for reading.

If you're interested in keeping up with me eight years later, I write, produce, and host a podcast with my friend, Josie, called Bittersweet Infamy. We cover infamous non-fiction stories, including an excruciatingly in-depth dive into the Salahis' white house crash with lots of bizarre celebrity cameos, from Shaq to Sugar Kiper to Bai Ling. Three and a half years in, we're revving up for our 100th episode, so we'd love the well wishes.

If that's not your vibe, then please continue to enjoy the weird and wonderful worlds of Bravo—and please, by all means, make it nice.

xoxo

t.

P.S. RHOSLC kicks ass.

P.P.S. Luann is still my favourite.

[valorums]

DURING THE CLONE WARS, Shi’al’s status as a LEADING ACTIVIST in the fight for the ABOLITION OF SLAVERY caused a fair amount of problems for Dooku’s SEPARATIST COUNCIL. Shi’al, from the FIRST BATTLE OF GEONOSIS onwards, becomes well-acquainted with surviving assassination attempts by the skin of her teeth. Her status as Chancellor Valorum’s daughter and Chancellor Palpatine’s goddaughter renders death threats an ordinary part of her day to day life; thus, this development hardly fazed her at all. The quest to capture Shi’al Valorum was a galaxy-wide game of cat and mouse which lasted for several months.

   IN 20 BBY, Shi’al accompanied ANAKIN SKYWALKER, AHSOKA TANO, and OBI-WAN KENOBI on their mission to infiltrate the ZYGERRIAN SLAVE TRADING EMPIRE. Her vast knowledge of enslaved peoples and their culture proved tantamount to the overall success of the mission; however, when her true identity as Shi’al Valorum is exposed and her alias fails, she is given to a bounty hunter who takes her to Count Dooku’s CASTLE SERENNO.

AT FIRST, Dooku is the BENEVOLENT HOST. He dons the façade of the kindly old gentleman who wants nothing but the best for the galaxy at large, simultaneously pretending to befriend his captive and shake the enormous faith that Shi’al has in the republic. If her pattern of thought can be properly rewired, he reasons, then she will be a valuable ally. Shi’al finds herself quite taken by Dooku and his lofty promises to bring PEACE and ORDER. He is like me, and I myself am like him, she realizes, We are idealists clinging to hope in a cruel galaxy. For the briefest terrible moment, the scales of victory nearly tip in the favor of the Separatists.

THEN, SHE REMEMBERS the ideals that she holds close within her heart, and snaps out of what she will later equate to a trancelike state. In a fit of fiery, volcanic fury, Shi’al unleashes her vicious tongue upon Dooku, tearing into him with fervor for his HYPOCRISY. Ranting and raging, she condemns him as a TRAITOR who betrayed everything that he once held dear — a former guardian of the oppressed too selfish to see that he is now the oppressor.

DOOKU LOSES HIS PATIENCE with this petulant child, and DARTH TYRANUS emerges from hiding. Through extensive TORTURE, Tyranus’s own fiery temper is unleashed upon Shi’al as retribution for her insolence. Shi’al, amongst experiencing the deprivation of certain necessary elements for human survival, endures FORCE LIGHTNING multiple times a day without any overall purpose present in Tyranus’s mind except to make her suffer. Any hint of Dooku‘s faux kindness had long since vanished.

TWO WEEKS PASS in total between Shi’al’s capture by the Sith and rescue by the Jedi Order. During that time frame, her life hangs in the balance. Shi’al teeters on the boundary between the world of the dead and the world of the living, and is found near death when she is finally brought home. Once she is safe and sound on Coruscant, she is ordered to seek out the JEDI TEMPLE’S HEALERS. The Jedi, concerned for her well-being because of her prolonged exposure to the dark side of the force, confine her to the temple’s medbay for two more weeks. Shi’al begins to experience regular NIGHTMARES regarding her capture; although she hides it well, she is no longer the same utterly carefree girl that she once was.

She acquired NEW SCARS from this encounter, both MENTAL and PHYSICAL. Alongside reoccurring nightmares and intrusive memories that haunt her in her waking hours, Shi’al also escapes captivity with physical scars. The healers are horrified to discover a web of scars shaped like lightning strikes snaking around the entirety of her back, serving as an ETERNAL REMINDER of her time spent as Count Dooku’s hostage. At first, these scars are a prominent INSECURITY for Shi’al, to the point that she does not return to ballet or opera for a month after being given a clean bill of health out of fear that she will be judged by the general public. In the end, she ultimately comes to view the scars as BADGES OF PRIDE and TESTAMENTS to the trials that she endured, and eventually returns to the stage.

Ultimately, DARTH SIDIOUS WAS TO BLAME. The Sith Master arranged his own goddaughter’s kidnapping and torture in order to BREAK HER SPIRIT, and render her more PLIABLE TO HIS MANIPULATIONS. Dooku was all too glad to join this game of chess because of the opportunity to silence a vociferous opponent of his Separatist movement. In the end, they are all pawns in Sidious’s game.

[mrultra100]

I know that I haven't talked about this show on here alot, but I feel like the original run/canon of Dr. Crafty, even after being canned, still has its own charm. And while his artistic work has been slower now due to him being a streamer, Crafty is still a pretty good artist and character designer. What I'm going for here is going over the main Dr. Crafty cast, sharing my thoughts about 'em. I have some personal thoughts on especially a few of these peeps, and it'll show as we go on. With that said, let's get Crafty.

(WARNING; Spoilers for Dr. Crafty are gonna be brought up alot. If you haven't seen this show, check it out)

Given how they were the main duo of the series, along with being at the center of its conflicts, I wanna start with Dr. Crafty and Nurse Worse. The chemistry (Pun not intended, I swear) between these two easily makes for some of the best character interactions in the show. Between the light banter they had in Season 1, and the more serious bits of personal trauma and flaws that the show in later seasons (Crafty and his past with Sasha and how it's negatively affected him after she left, and Nurse's trauma from Mindstein), they're some of its more fleshed-out characters. If there's anything that might be considered a flaw, the show ending so soon means that these characters aren't gonna have their arcs completed. As someone who stuck around in the show's early years, that kinda blows. And as much as I understand why the series ended the way that it did (The show being too expensive for more episodes to get made, along with the voice actors moving on to other projects), I feel like something could've been added for these peeps.

As for the main duo themselves, I feel like Crafty is a very good mix of funny and complex, and Nurse serves as a good co-host-type of character. As someone who's a big monster geek, I can really get behind the idea of a mad scientist and a cute Frankenstein girl running a web show together. Overall, Crafty and Nurse are a nice duo of protagonists.

Out of the show's roster of co-hosts, Pepper is the one that I have the most to say about. Between both of her designs (The one that was used for the show, along with the recently revamped one made by Blue-Paint-Sea, Pepper and Pickles' creator), they both do an amazing job showing off this gal's traits. A gentle giant, BBW octopus lady who's also a chef and has an air-breathing sea cucumber as a lil' buddy is a pretty out-of-the-box idea, but it works so well. Pepper is basically the biggest sweetheart of the cast, and her mannerisms, looks, and personality all help with that aspect. And while he's only one part of this duo, Pickles himself makes for a interesting character in his own right, with part of his charm due to how there's no other character in the main cast who's similar to him.

If there's any aspect that these two that I love the most, it's how even after Dr. Crafty as a show has ended, they're still around! Due to how Pepper and Pickles also fit in as characters made by the aforementioned Blue-Paint-Sea, they're still gonna be around as part of their own story. If you haven't seen Blue's work already, I highly recommend it, especially if you're a huge fan of Banjo-Kazooie.

Debuting alongside Pepper and Pickles in the same year, Messibelle was the third co-host to join the cast. While I don't have nearly as much to say about her as I've had for Pepper, Messi herself is still a fun character to talk about. Similar to other characters in this series, Messi's very concept is one that's rather unique. A lesbian slime maid who's thirsty as all hell is a fun character concept that the shows goes all-out on showing off. Her being the youngest out the bunch is another aspect to Messi's character that's shown off pretty well, as well as technically being Crafty's daughter due to how he himself was responsible for creating her after dumping a bunch of cleaning products down the sink.

Aside from how she's changed and matured as a character in the later seasons due to how some people had a problem with how she was written early on, my final note for Messi is how she was voiced by the incredibly talented Toxicsoul77, who appears to be one of my favorite online artists. The woman has plenty of talent when it comes to these sorts of things, and it definitely showed here.

For what I've got to say on Crystelle, I feel like she's a fun character that didn't get enough spotlight due to the show being canned. Don't get me wrong, she's had a good amount of moments ever since she was introduced in Season 3, but part of me feels like if there was a chance to fully flesh her story out alongside everyone else, it should've been taken advantage of. Aside from that, Crystelle's design is one of the best and most creative out of the entire cast. A fortune teller is one thing, but having their own head be a crystal ball is a very neat idea that I don't think I've seen elsewhere. Aside from that, the Questionable Qloest spinoff is my personal favorite of the main show and its various spinoffs. There's just something so chill and calm about it that I very much like, as Crystelle is not only the perfect host for a show like it, it plays a big part of this show by sharing out bits and pieces of lore about the greater Crafty universe as a whole. It's sweet, I like it.

I honestly feel like Stylene was the character that was done the dirtiest by the show's cancelation. I'm not saying that it was the show runners' fault for this, I'm just saying that they were cooking for this witch is gonna be banging. Even with how her story is gonna remain unfinished, Stylene herself was still a pretty dynamic character. And as someone who likes redesigns of characters, she basically speaks to me on a personal level, considering that's basically what her spin-off show was all 'bout.

As for what else I could say about Stylene? Well, it's my personal headcanon that she's definitely gay on some level. Probably bi, if we're honest. This woman is the pure definition of be gay, do crime.

Now that the Crafty Crew's taken care of, we can move on to essentially my favorite character of this entire show. Sasha is absolutely GREAT, y'all, and it kinda feels like she would’ve been the type of character to get popular onto her. Not only is this a very effective design for a cosmic horror, nor how she's adorable in both of her forms, how she's written very well as a character that plays in a huge part in Crafty's past, has gotten plenty of character development, or how she fits well with the other characters she's on screen with personally (Including a certain hunchback old lady(?) that we'll get to shortly)... she's just that versatile as a character in her own right. There's basically two sides of Sasha that perfectly capture what I'm trying to say here...

(Remember, these two designs are from the same exact character. One side is a terrifying eldritch abomination capable of permanently erasing you from existence if she wanted to, and the other is a goofy, lovable nerd)

If I can be real here, I honestly feel like gushing about Sasha on here is something that should happen more. This absolute goof of a lovecraftian horror is one of my personal favorite characters in fiction, and she deserves alot more love these days. The last thing that I wanna say about this woman for now is if there was some sort of way to easily deal with the whole conflict of who Crafty eventually falls in love with... Have him, Nurse, and Sasha be in a polycule together. Nurse has been hinted to be bisexual alot in the show, and she even blushed upon seeing Sasha in her human form for the first time, so it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to be into both Crafty and Sasha. And Sasha would feel like she would be absolutely bi. Again, alongside Messi being a lesbian and Pepper being grey-asexual, the other Dr. Crafty characters would certainly fit with the IGBTQ+ community.

What I'm trying to say here is this: let Sasha be gay, dammit.

Regarding my feelings about Mindstein.... Well, in my very humble opinion, Mindstein is kind of a mixed bag, if I'm really being honest. On one hand, she's got quite a bit going for her; Pretty good design that highlights her personality well, Oliva Steele doing a great job with her voice, as she's a horror buff, and being very horrifying as an irredeemable monster. On the other hand, however, I feel like she could've had more as a character. I'm not saying that she shouldn't be as much of a bloodthirsty, power-hungry psychopath that revels in the chaos and terror that she causes, as she was in the show whenever she showed up. All I'm saying is she should've been a bit more comedic, if that makes sense for this lady.

I get that this lady came about in the first place as a potshot towards White Diamond and how the show that she came from literally had no problem with redeeming a literal dictator, but I feel like Mindstein had a sort of weird silliness that could've been taken advantage of. With a name like DR. MINDSTEIN., that would definitely be the moniker of a villain who's both funny and threatening at the same time (Think something like Jack Horner, but a mad scientist lady). If it was possible, I feel like making this blue-brained bitch a complete nutcase and girlfailure who's absolutely petty as all hell would've been very fun. Have this woman be annoying the ever-living hell out of her victims as torture, getting into the most petty arguments imaginable on purpose, get herself into trouble when her plans blow up right in her face, and having Screw drag her out of it, much to her chagrin, go into mad fits of insane-induced laughter, taking the chance to toy with her victims personally for pranks while not working on her evil plans, and just being an absolute bratty gremlin to deal with, all while keeping her power-hungry motivations and sadistic tendencies. This would also fit in with being a sort of dark foil to Crafty. She's absolutely rotten to the core, she shouldn't be trusted anywhere near divine artifacts, she's in possession of far too many needles, she probably has rabies (and probably more than happy to bite you to get you infested), she knows she's the most insufferable bitch on the place...

And she's very proud of it.

Getting a legacy is only second to her biggest drive in life; Being an absolute troll.

To be honest, I don't have alot to say about either Screw or Metal Crafty. I like how Screw had a redemption arc planned for her after Season 4 (Sadly, due to how the show's canceled, we'll never see it happen), and it's been revealed she herself secretly planned the coordinates for UA High when punching Crafty off into the distance, ensuring that he'll find help in wherever she sent him to. Again, going back to the dark foil thing a bit, Screw would absolutely be tired of her master/mother's bullshit.

As for Metal? I'm really gonna be honest, outside of him being introduced in a few Sonic-based episode to highlight Mindstein fucking with the Crafty Crew, he really doesn't have alot going for him. Again, maybe that could've turned out differently for him had the show continued, but that's just how the ol' ball bounces. Also, the guy who voiced him was uncredited due to how he was caught being a transphobe, getting fired in the process. Thought that would be something to point out.

What was originally a running gag character, Disgustilda has gone to be hinted to be alot more important to the show's plot than she was letting on. Yeah, she's definitely a buffoon, but given what was planned for her later on if the show didn't end, you'd be very surprised.

See this? The suspiciously-looking Infinia-like abomination that briefly appeared at the end of Season 4's Sonic Month? The original plan, according to the show's What Could Have Been page on TV Tropes, was to not only reveal that Disgustilda was an Infinia. Get this.

DISGUSTILDA IS SASHA'S MOM

I have no idea what would've happened if the show fully revealed this twist, but whatever it could've been, it could've been a McFuckin' spectacle. Given how the castle that the Crafty Crew lived in was revealed to be hers, Disgustilda already had alot layer of plot brilliance to her. I can see her both helping Sasha with expressing her feelings and wanting to make up to Crafty for leaving him behind in the past (along with having her ask Nurse out), but also smacking the ever-living hell out of Mindstein when her full form was revealed.

All and all, Dr. Crafty was a crazy experience to someone like me, and I feel like it certainly fits the confines of this blog well. While Crafty himself has moved on to his V-tuber career (hope that goes very well for him), I wanted do justice to the original show's canon and characters by talking about them. If you haven't seen this show on Youtube, give it a watch.

Still tho, Crafty, Nurse, and Sasha should've been in a polycule. They deserve each other, dammit.

[magick-musings]

Hey!! How do I transmute energy? Like from someone’s hex on me? Or overall how to do this? Do u have any resources or recommendations or anything 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

So... here's the thing. I'm an intuitive and eclectic practitioner, and pretty private about my personal workings (as you should be too. Can't be giving out the blueprints and schematics of your lair with all the secret passages circled in red ink. There's a reason this shit was supposed to be kept on the down low). All I can say is that there are no crystals and jars lying around my house to break or steal or otherwise render useless. Maybe someone else can point you to an obscure grimoire or a shiny crystal to spend big bucks on to solve all your problems, but that's not how I do things. I don't have a spell for you, only theory.

Hopefully you know the basics of energy work and warding and aura manipulation, and a general understanding of animism and alchemy and whatever divination method you use to receive messages from the many types of incorporeal. Experience in astral workings would also be good too honestly. If not, you can search em on my blog there's definitely more than a few master posts here to get you started.

As we've all heard, good defense is the best offense so start with banishing, cleansing and warding, followed by a recharge. This is a good time for any aura/energy manipulation on yourself as well as your spaces. Gotta start with a blank canvas. If this is gibberish to you... girl idk get to studying bc transmutation is not beginner shit. If you got all that down tho...

First off, having the outer layer of your ward be 'sticky' is a good start. Instead of energy bouncing back, it gets stuck, trapped. this can turn into a layer of grime though, so you have to have a purification process for it. Think like... how plants take in CO2 (deadly to humans) and give us oxygen (life sustaining) and in the same vein, what we exhale is what they inhale. Or oysters, filter feeders in the ocean who take in detritus and sustain themselves off of it while returning cleaner water to the ecosystem. Chicken manure is used as fertilizer for crops that feed us. Spiders catch pests in their webs.

If you're into animism, nurture a symbiotic relationship. Feed the harmful energy to something that lives on it, and in exchange for nourishing it, the 'waste' it gives off is something helpful to you. There are a lot of ways to go about this, I encourage you to use your imagination. Look around at what you got, and do the best you can with that. Transmutation is all around us if you just know where to look.

Either way. Once it's purified, you can apply it to whatever you want. Wards are a great start though. A self sustainable ward goes a whole long way towards peace of mind.

My main piece of advice is never do the transmutation inside your own energetic body. (Well, not never, but that's mad advanced and if you have to ask this you're not ready for all that). (This is said with love and care and concern not condescension). (Exceptions made for shadow work, or any working done with your own energy. That is also transmutation, also related to the aura and astral work i mentioned above, and a whole other beast entirely). Externalize it, separate the malignant energy from yourself if it isn't already (aka caught in the wards before it could get to you and/or banished etc), and then host the purification process outside of yourself. Also, dont be scared to ask your spirit guides/gods/ancestors/etc for help, if you work with any.

Trust your intuition, ask your guides for, yknow, guidance, and don't be too scared to actually try something new or experimental.

[skojukebox]

Stayed up really late last night and watched Noroi: The Curse (2005). It had to be done.

This is a found footage film, but not in the style of most you would find in America; it's not a video tape of people walking around a haunted house or the woods for an hour and a half. There's very little blood, violence, or gimmicky camera tricks. Instead, Noroi is a sort of compiled media collage. The primary section is a film shot by fictional horror/paranormal documentarian Masafumi Kobayashi who is slowly pulled into a web of strange happenings surrounding the disappearance of a young psychic child and the seeming haunting of actress Marika Matsumoto.

Interspersed with the documentary are various other programs spliced in which develop the story further. Very accurately recreated Japanese variety shows, news reports, a filming of a talk show... There's a bunch of little things that are very well done that keep the movie throwing curveballs at you. These segments, from what I've read, feature the actual hosts those shows would have which is pretty interesting. Similarly, the aformentioned Marika Matsumoto is an actress that's in a bunch of stuff (nerds may know her best as the japanese voice of Rikku) just playing herself which gives another weird meta-layer of reality to this.

The most difficult portion of Noroi is the beginning. There's some good stuff in there that is quite creepy, but it takes a good 30-40 minutes before threads start to begin to get tied together. Before that, it really does feel like a bunch of odd things are being thrown at you and it can be a little hard to follow. Out of curiosity I looked at others talking about this movie online and a pretty common criticism is "nothing happens." I believe a lot of people who say that just kind of just switched off during this portion of the film. I don't entirely blame them, but that's still a very disingenuous criticism.

Around the halfway point, Masafumi's investigations all begin to revolve around a flooded village and a demon called the Kagutabe. This is when it really starts to hit a stride and the mystery and intrigue are what carries it the rest of the way rather than raw in your face scares (though there are a few of those). This portion of the movie is one of, if not the best found footage stuff I've ever seen.

I am somewhat mixed on the ending. In a movie which is fairly low on the violence spectrum of things, stuff gets kinda spiked in the last five minutes and suddenly things get very raw and physical. Part of me doesn't entirely like that, but another part of me acknowledges it was the ending it needed and it does manage to be one of the most harrowing scenes in the whole thing.

Overall this was easily the best movie I've seen this year. The director went on to make a few other interesting-looking movies I want to poke my head into in the future. I'm on a bit of a j-horror kick at the moment, dunno if that will hold up or I'll switch it up next time...

[integratedropbox11]

How To Integrate Dropbox with LMS Integrations

Integrating Dropbox with your LMS could change how you manage courses, assignments, and projects. Bring Dropbox to the course, assignment, and project management of your LMS Integrations. Dropbox can make those file storage, sharing and collaboration made Easy.

Provided that you can establish a predictable level of payments, it is both user friendly and has plenty of great features, which make it appealing for LMS Integrations. Using Dropbox makes the learning experience even better when paired with an LMS. It’s a connector that links cloud storage with the LMS platform. It’s faster for file management, collaboration, and accessing materials.

Dropbox integration with a Learning Management System (LMS) opens the doors for Instructure, teachers, and students all at once file management is made easier, collaboration becomes more accessible. By connecting Dropbox to your LMS, you can simply upload everything into one place in one Dropbox folder and they don’t have to worry about multiple uploads or complex settings.

A direct Dropbox to the LMS secures this folder so LMS integrations can get to what they need without struggling. Dropbox also lets students with poor internet offline downloads. Using Dropbox also helps handling large storage as your needs. It saves server costs and keeps things from being overcrowded. During busy times, the integration provides a load off LMS servers.

Also Read: 7 Best Dropbox Plugins for WordPress for 2024

Saving Hosting Space

Integrating Dropbox with your LMS saves space and costs. Traditional LMSs, especially those with video, multimedia, or large datasets, quickly run out of space. Dropbox allows you to store these resources in the cloud. You can access them anytime via its website or app. This not only frees up space but also taps into Dropbox’s strong, scalable infrastructure. It cuts costs on storage hardware, maintenance, and support. As courses and resources grow, so do storage needs.

Reduced Server Load

Dropbox with an LMS, it can reduce  load on their servers significantly. Dropbox utilizes cutting edge load balancing techniques to ensure good performance from its servers. Dropbox making user requests faster, thus providing better user access times and overall performance when users are accessing course material. LMS runs better by leveraging Dropbox’s infrastructure, but an LMS also offers a more reliable and scalable delivery of educational content.

Effortless Content Distribution

Integrating Dropbox with your LMS simplifies content sharing. Instructors can easily upload notes, presentations, readings, and videos to Dropbox. These then become accessible in the LMS, using the same interface students are familiar with. Instructors only update files in Dropbox it show up in the LMS instantly. This saves time for instructors and keeps things organized for students. Students no longer switch between platforms or versions.

Cross-Platform Accessibility

Linking Dropbox with your LMS boosts its accessibility across devices. Dropbox functions smoothly on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and all web browsers. This allows students and teachers to reach materials on any device. Students often switch devices phones, working on laptops, or looking at tablets. Students can quickly find readings or notes anywhere, enhancing learning and productivity. It supports various learning styles, letting students engage with lms content in their preferred way.

Offline Access to Course Materials

Accessing course materials offline greatly helps students with poor internet. They can use Dropbox with an LMS to sync files for offline access. This is particularly beneficial for commuters and those in areas with bad connectivity. It allows studying anywhere, as long as there’s power. With a good internet connection, students download everything. This flexibility increases involvement and improves retention of the studying.

Simplified Content Updates

Effective learning needs up-to-date content. Dropbox and LMS integration makes this simple. When instructors update a file in Dropbox, all media files sync automatically on lms platform. Students always access the latest materials without extra effort. Instructors can update lecture slides, add course, or change assignment instructions in real-time. So, students always see the most current information. This process is straightforward thanks to dropbox smart file sync.

LMS Integrations together with Integrate Dropbox can help you to build a full fledged e-learning platform or simply add an e-learning part to your business or personal brand. In order to actually optimize your learning platform, you may want to combine your LMS plugin with Integrate Dropbox best free dropbox plugin for WordPress. This powerful plugin frees up server space and ultimately provides a better performance for your site.

Embedding Dropbox documents, videos, and other media files smoothly in your inserts seamlessly into widely used LMS platforms like Tutor LMS and Master LMS and simply coexists from your WordPress dashboard to share and manage files with ease Integrate Dropbox plugin easily . These make it easy to create, manage and customize your own online courses right within the WordPress dashboard.

Step 1: Install and Configure the Integrate Dropbox with LMS Integrations

Install the Dropbox Plugin: Search Integrate Dropbox and activate

Connect Dropbox Account: Check the Official Website Documentation to connect

Step 2: Adding Dropbox Video to a Course Lesson in MasterStudy LMS

Navigate to MasterStudy LMS: Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to MS LMS > Courses. Edit OR add new the course to which you want to add the video.

Edit or Add a Lesson: Scroll down to the Curriculum section and either edit an existing lesson or create a new lesson. – First Create / Add Video Lesson > Click on the Save

Select Video Type as External: When editing the lesson, scroll to the Lesson Type section. From the dropdown, choose Video as the lesson type.

Select Video and Video Poster from the Popup: 

Auto Save the Lesson: 

Once the Dropbox video and Poster are added, It will automatically be saved, and make sure the fields are filled.

Step 3: Test the Lesson Video

Now, it’s time to preview the course video lesson.

Wrapping up

Dropbox is used as a Learning Management System benefits for both instructors an d students can be got whenever . And this integration drives such a deal of the pain points we encounter in these digital learning environments, such as improved file management and collaboration, improved accessibility, and greater security. The strengths of both the platforms are combined and allowed educational institutions to build a stronger and more robust, flexible and more engaging learning ecosystem capable of meeting the future needs of modern education.

[topitservices]

Best E-commerce SSL Certificate 2024

Introduction to SSL Certificates

SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, certificates are small data files that encrypt data transmitted between a web server and a browser. When installed on a web server, they activate the padlock and the HTTPS protocol, ensuring that all data passed between the web server and browser remains private and secure.

Why SSL Certificates are Essential for E-commerce

Why do you need an SSL certificate for your e-commerce website? Imagine walking into a store and feeling unsafe about handing over your credit card. You’d probably leave, right? The same goes for online shopping. SSL certificates build trust, protect sensitive information, and are crucial for PCI compliance, which is necessary if you accept credit card payments.

Types of SSL Certificates

There are several types of SSL certificates, each serving different purposes:

Domain Validated (DV) SSL

DV SSL certificates are the most basic type. They verify the domain name, ensuring the website belongs to who it says it does. They’re quick to obtain and ideal for blogs or informational sites.

Organization Validated (OV) SSL

OV SSL certificates offer a higher level of security. They not only verify domain ownership but also the organization behind it. These are suitable for businesses and e-commerce sites.

Extended Validation (EV) SSL

EV SSL certificates provide the highest level of security and trust. They require thorough vetting of the business and activate the green address bar in browsers, showing users that the site is highly secure. This is perfect for high-profile e- sites.

How to Choose the Right SSL Certificate

Choosing the right SSL certificate depends on several factors, such as the type of website development services in India you have, the level of trust you want to convey, and your budget. Ask yourself these questions: Do you need a single-domain, multi-domain, or wildcard certificate? What level of validation is necessary? How much are you willing to spend?

Top SSL Certificate Providers

Several companies provide SSL certificates, but some stand out for their reliability and customer service:

Symantec

Symantec (now part of DigiCert) is renowned for its robust security solutions. They offer a range of SSL certificates suitable for all types of websites.

Comodo

Comodo provides affordable SSL certificates with various validation levels, making them a popular choice for small to medium-sized businesses.

GlobalSign

GlobalSign is another top provider, known for its high-quality SSL certificates and excellent customer support.

Customer Reviews of SSL Certificates

Customer reviews can be incredibly helpful when choosing an SSL certificate. Look for feedback on ease of installation, customer support, and overall satisfaction. Websites like Trustpilot and G2 are great places to start. Remember, a product that works well for one person may not be ideal for another, so consider multiple reviews before making a decision.

GoDaddy SSL Certificates

GoDaddy is a well-known name in the domain and hosting industry, and they also offer SSL certificates. They provide a range of options, from DV to EV certificates, with competitive pricing and robust customer support. Many users appreciate the convenience of managing all their website needs under one provider.

SSL Certificate Prices

SSL certificate prices can vary widely based on the type and provider. Here’s a general breakdown:

DV SSL Certificates: These are usually the cheapest, ranging from free (e.g., Let’s Encrypt) to around $50 per year.

OV SSL Certificates: These typically cost between $50 and $200 per year.

EV SSL Certificates: These are the most expensive, often ranging from $200 to $1000 per year.

While it might be tempting to go for the cheapest option, consider the level of trust and security you need for your ecommerce site.

GoDaddy SSL Prices

GoDaddy’s SSL certificate prices are competitive:

DV SSL Certificates: Starting at $63.99 per year.

OV SSL Certificates: Starting at $159.99 per year.

EV SSL Certificates: Starting at $299.99 per year.

Installing Your SSL Certificate

Installing an SSL certificate can seem daunting, but most providers offer detailed guides and customer support to help you through the process. Generally, you’ll need to generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) from your server, submit it to your SSL provider, and then install the issued certificate on your server.

Maintaining SSL Certificate Security

Once your SSL certificate is installed, maintaining its security is crucial. Regularly update your server software, use strong passwords, and monitor your certificate’s expiration date to ensure it doesn’t lapse. Renewing your certificate before it expires helps maintain continuous security.

Common SSL Certificate Issues

Even with the best SSL certificate, you might encounter issues such as:

Mixed Content Errors: Occur when secure and non-secure content is loaded on the same page.

Certificate Mismatch: Happens when the domain name in the certificate does not match the URL.

Expired Certificate: An expired certificate can lead to security warnings for visitors.

Most issues can be resolved by following troubleshooting guides provided by your SSL certificate provider or seeking help from their customer support.

Conclusion

Choosing the best SSL certificate for your e-commerce site is a critical decision that impacts your site’s security and your customers’ trust. By understanding the different types of SSL certificates, reviewing customer feedback, and considering your specific needs and budget, you can make an informed choice. Whether you opt for a GoDaddy SSL certificate or another reputable provider, ensuring your website is secure is a step in the right direction.

FAQs

1. What is an SSL certificate and why do I need it? An SSL certificate encrypts data between your website and visitors, ensuring secure transactions and building trust.

2. How much does an SSL certificate cost? Prices vary: DV certificates range from free to $50/year, OV certificates from $50 to $200/year, and EV certificates from $200 to $1000/year.

3. What is the difference between DV, OV, and EV SSL certificates? DV verifies domain ownership, OV verifies the organization, and EV provides the highest security with thorough vetting and a green address bar.

4. Can I get an SSL certificate for free? Yes, providers like Let’s Encrypt offer free DV SSL certificates, suitable for basic websites and blogs.

5. How do I install an SSL certificate on my website? Installation involves generating a CSR, submitting it to your provider, and installing the issued certificate on your server. Most providers offer detailed guides to help you through the process.

By taking the time to secure your e-commerce site with the right SSL certificate, you not only protect your customers but also enhance your site’s credibility and trustworthiness.

[meganwilhoit]

Digital Retailing: Branding on the Web

Branding is a super important tool and concept, not just for businesses but also for one's personal use. A few months back my school's American Marketing Association (AMA), hosted an event for “personal branding”, and expert individuals came in to discuss what branding was and how we could develop our own “brand”. Although this event pertained to personal branding, it still helped me grasp a better understanding of what branding actually is. And what I learned was branding is made up of a lot of different things, not just the company's name or logo. 

By definition, branding is “is the process of giving meaning to a specific organization, company, products or services by creating and shaping a brand in consumers’ minds. It is a strategy designed by organizations to help people to quickly identify and experience their brand, and give them a reason to choose their products over the competition’s, by clarifying what this particular brand is and is not” (Marion, 2022). 

As more people shift towards the e-retail shopping experience, companies are having to adjust their branding to accurately reflect their company on a digital platform. I also think it should be noted that customers' expectations play a huge role in the differences between online and offline branding. Meeting these expectations is crucial for a company to succeed in branding and overall. Although I do think branding can be very similar between the web and the traditional retail environment, there are also some differences that should be considered to fully optimize the customer experience. 

The first difference is in customer service. Customer service is a part of a company's brand and implementing good customer service will give consumers a better idea of what the company represents. Customer service can be much easier to obtain in the traditional retail environment. Consumers can speak directly to an associate or manager if any issues arise. 

A personal experience of exceptional customer service in a traditional retail environment is when I shop at Altar’d State. They are a women’s boutique with the mission “Our mission is to serve as an inspiration, empower others and give more than we receive. We do this by lifting those who need a helping hand, volunteering our time to enrich lives, and extending the power of prayer.” (Altar’d State, n.d). Whenever I shop with them I am always given the best customer service, from the moment I walk in I am greeted by an associate and they offer to help me find exactly what I am looking for. They will offer a dressing room if I am a pile of clothes and will also offer advice and compliments while in the dressing room. Altar’d State goes above and beyond in its customer service aspects to build its brand and show its consumers what they strive for in a company. But with e-retailing, this interaction and customer service cannot be performed, companies have to use other resources to create these experiences with customer service and stay consistent with their branding. 

An online retailer that I think has achieved high levels of branding through its customer service is Amazon. Amazon has been successful in filling the void of social interaction that is found online. They offer quick shipping with Amazon Prime, even offering one-day/overnight delivery in some areas. They promote “frequently bought together” or “similar products” on all their product listings to offer their consumers more advice and expertise. And Amazon has extensive reviews from customers who have purchased the product previously. Other customers can view these reviews with different filters (such as most recent or best to worst) to find all the readily available information before purchasing. Amazon also has a traditional customer service phone line and email for their customers if any larger issues arise. But the majority of the time customers can navigate through Amazon’s website to make returns or contact supplies. 

Another difference in branding is through packaging design. We all know how a brand's product packaging can help with its branding. Brands can use their logos, slogans, and colors on their packaging to keep consistent branding and help spread awareness of the brand. Some examples are Tiffany’s iconic blue box with the white ribbon or Campbell's classic red and white soup cans. But I also view packaging design as how the product is presented to the customer upon purchase. This can also help a company’s brand differentiate between traditional retail environments and online retailers.  If a company has poor packaging (such as unidentifiable or not securing the product properly) customers are going to associate the company with low quality. 

In a traditional retail environment, the packaging design falls down to how the products are placed in the bag and the branding on the bag. One example from personal experience that comes to mind is Victoria’s Secret. Once I check out my item are wrapped in their color-themed tissue paper (typically white or pink), placed in their classic pink striped bag, and more tissue paper is added to the top. Each of these elements helps their branding. Not only do I feel I have purchased a more high-quality product due to the packaging, but the branding of the bag helps me and other consumers clearly identify the brand. 

In the e-retail environment, packaging design falls into how the packaging is shipped to the consumer. Patagonia is a clothing brand (online and traditional retail) but a huge focus on sustainability and being environmentally friendly. To ensure this message is conveyed through all their channels, they have made a strong effort to make their packaging design more sustainable. Their shipping boxes are cardboard but the inside of their boxes have some of their classic designs to keep branding consistent. They also have made efforts to minimize the amount of packaging required and made plans for their consumers to easily recycle these packaging components. Patagonia is using its packaging design to convey its message of being sustainable while still ensuring the packaging is identifiable to its brand. 

One way online retailers can build their branding and ensure it is consistent with their message is through social media. Over the past three years or so we have seen social media turn into e-retailers themselves. Instagram and Pinterest have even been able to create “shopping centers” on their networks where consumers can easily shop for products and purchase them through the app. Customers can follow companies on social media to keep up on new releases, and upcoming sales, and even enter potential giveaways. Companies can use their social media to connect with their customers on a more personal level while still being in the digital environment. Companies can also use social media to help with their digital branding by posting pictures and videos that accurately reflect the brand and what they are all about, especially since “a picture is worth a thousand words”. 

Two examples came to my mind when thinking of companies that use social media to help build their brand. The first is Patagonia. As I stated before they are huge on sustainability and environmentalism, one of their marketing campaigns was even about “Don’t Buy This Jacket”, which brought awareness to the overconsumption of clothes. On Patagonia's social media accounts, they strive to maintain this message, instead of consistently posting about their products, they actually feature environmental activists as well as consumers wearing Patagonia while performing outdoor activities. This is a great example of using social media to accurately reflect their brand. 

The other example that came to mind was Aerie, a smaller section of American Eagle featuring women's intimates and loungewear. Their purpose is to “love everybody”, and through their social media accounts, they post so many diverse women wearing Aerie clothing, whether that is different bodies or ethnicities, and featuring women with disabilities too. This is to bring love to one another and show that every body is beautiful, not just the “standard” we see all too often in magazines. 

Traditional and online retailers can both use the same branding strategies but they use them in different ways, such as how they create customer service experiences or how they package their products. But I also think social media play’s a huge role in a company's branding. This is where companies can really connect with their consumers and show off their products as well as their purpose and what they stand for. 

References

Altar'd State. (n.d.). Standout For Good. Altar'd State. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.altardstate.com/stand-out-for-good/

Marion. (2022, March 9). What Is Branding? The Branding Journal. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.thebrandingjournal.com/2015/10/what-is-branding-definition/

[hostpyters]

AppSumo is a popular platform that offers lifetime deals on software, tools, and services for entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses. It aims to provide users with significant savings on products that can enhance productivity, marketing, management, and various other business operations. Below is a detailed review of AppSumo's features and functionalities:

Key Features Lifetime Deals:

Discounted Software: AppSumo provides exclusive lifetime deals on a wide range of software products, often at a fraction of the regular price. This allows businesses to access premium tools without recurring costs. Variety of Categories: Deals span multiple categories, including marketing, sales, productivity, web development, design, and more. Curated Selection:

Expert Vetting: AppSumo’s team carefully curates and vets each deal to ensure quality and relevance for its user base. This helps users trust that the products offered are valuable and reliable. User Reviews and Ratings: Each product listing includes user reviews and ratings, providing insights from other entrepreneurs who have used the tools. Sumo-lings Community:

Active Community: Users, known as Sumo-lings, can engage with each other through comments, forums, and social media, sharing tips and experiences about the deals and tools they use. Feedback Mechanism: The community feedback helps AppSumo and product creators improve their offerings and address any issues promptly. Educational Resources:

Webinars and Tutorials: AppSumo often hosts webinars, tutorials, and live demos with product creators, helping users understand how to get the most out of the tools they purchase. Blog and Guides: The platform’s blog offers valuable content on entrepreneurship, growth strategies, and best practices for using various software tools. Refund Policy:

Generous Refunds: AppSumo offers a 60-day refund policy on most deals, allowing users to try out products with minimal risk. If the tool doesn’t meet their needs, they can get a full refund within this period.

AppSumo Plus Membership:

Exclusive Benefits: For a yearly fee, AppSumo Plus members get additional discounts, early access to deals, and other exclusive benefits, enhancing the overall value of the platform. Partner Program:

Affiliate Opportunities: Users can earn commissions by promoting AppSumo deals through its partner program, providing an additional income stream for entrepreneurs and influencers.

Pros Significant Savings: The primary advantage of AppSumo is the potential for significant savings on high-quality software, making premium tools accessible to small businesses and startups. Wide Range of Tools: The platform offers deals across various categories, catering to diverse business needs and helping users find tools for multiple aspects of their operations. Risk-Free Trials: The 60-day refund policy ensures that users can test products without the fear of losing money if the tools don’t work out for them. Community and Support: An active community and comprehensive educational resources help users make informed decisions and maximize the value of their purchases. Curated Quality: The expert vetting process ensures that only valuable and reliable products are featured, reducing the risk associated with purchasing lesser-known software.

Cons Limited Availability: Deals are often available for a limited time, which means users need to act quickly to take advantage of them. This can sometimes lead to impulsive buying decisions. Variable Product Quality: While AppSumo vets its deals, the quality and usefulness of products can still vary, and some tools may not meet every user’s expectations. Subscription Costs: Although the deals are discounted, some users might find the cost of the AppSumo Plus membership and the deals themselves to be a significant upfront investment.

AppSumo is a valuable platform for entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses looking to access premium software tools at discounted prices. Its curated selection, significant savings, and supportive community make it a go-to resource for finding and utilizing business software. While there are considerations regarding the limited availability of deals and variable product quality, the overall benefits, including the risk-free trial period and wide range of tools, make AppSumo a highly beneficial platform for business growth and efficiency.

[novixweb]

Custom Website Design and Development: Tailored solutions to meet the unique needs and objectives of each client, including responsive design, intuitive navigation, and visually stunning aesthetics.

E-commerce Development: Creation of robust online stores with features such as product catalogs, shopping carts, secure payment gateways, and inventory management systems.

Content Management Systems (CMS) Integration: Implementation of user-friendly CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal to empower clients to easily update and manage their website content.

Website Redesign and Refresh: Overhaul outdated websites with modern design aesthetics, improved functionality, and enhanced user experience to drive engagement and conversions.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimization of website content, meta tags, and site structure to improve search engine rankings, increase organic traffic, and attract qualified leads.

Website Maintenance and Support: Ongoing maintenance, updates, and troubleshooting to ensure that websites remain secure, reliable, and up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices.

Web Application Development: Creation of scalable, secure, and user-friendly web applications to streamline business processes, improve efficiency, and enhance customer experience.

UI/UX Design: Creation of intuitive and visually appealing user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX) that prioritize usability, accessibility, and conversion optimization.

Graphic Design Services: Creation of custom graphics, logos, branding materials, and visual assets to enhance the overall look and feel of websites and digital marketing campaigns.

Social Media Integration: Integration of social media platforms and features into websites to facilitate social sharing, expand online reach, and engage with audiences across multiple channels.

Analytics and Reporting: Implementation of tracking tools and analytics dashboards to monitor website performance, track user behavior, and provide insights for data-driven decision-making.

Hosting and Domain Management: Provision of hosting services and domain registration assistance to ensure that websites are securely hosted and easily accessible to users worldwide.

[yirontechnologies]

Top Reasons to Build Websites in WordPress in 2024

In today's competitive era, having a solid online presence is essential for businesses. After all, your website is the virtual storefront showcasing your line of business, products and services to your target audiences. However, with so many website-building options available, choosing the right platform can feel overwhelming. 

That's where WordPress comes in. So, what started off as a blogging tool has quickly evolved into a powerful website builder and a robust content management system. Yes, we are talking about WordPress, the powerful CMS that constitutes more than 40% of the websites across the world. If that isn't already an impressive enough statistic to help convince you why you should choose WordPress, then keep reading.

WordPress

WordPress is an excellent CMS that enables WordPress website developers to create, edit and publish content such as blogs, websites, e-commerce products and more. The world's most powerful platform is used by countless businesses to build their website, and for good reason. Let's delve into the top reasons why you, as a small business owner, should consider joining the WordPress bandwagon-

Free to use

WordPress is a free platform, which means the WordPress website developers are free to download, install, use, and modify it to match your business needs. While the software is free, you would still require a domain name as well as web hosting to install and start using it.

Ease of use

WordPress is one of the most flexible and powerful platforms; therefore, WordPress website developers find it quite easy to use. The platform comes with a simple dashboard with different menu options in the sidebar,y making it easier to create posts and pages and customise the website design. It regularly releases updates so that WordPress professionals can easily install it with mere a click of a button. There are excellent plugins for backups that allow you to set up automatic backups. In addition, it also comes with secure best practices, which makes the website secure.

Customizable

Most WordPress professionals find the platform to be the perfect solution because there are thousands of free templates or themes from which to choose. These themes are easy to customise because many of them come with their own options panel, allowing you to change the colours and background, create sliders, and truly customise anything without writing the code.

SEO Friendly

Any website in the world will not be a success if it doesn't attract traffic or the target audiences. Luckily, WordPress is built with SEO-search engine traffic in mind. It uses high-quality code with semantic markup, which means Google and other search engines platforms can easily keep track of your website. This is why WordPress websites tend to rank higher than other search engines.

Highly Flexible

As your business scales, you need a reliable platform to ensure the higher traffic does not disrupt the overall user experience. WordPress offers higher scalability for websites and can easily handle traffic. It uses caching to store content locally, so when the user requests data, reloading the website is easy, and data is available. Also, when it comes to flexibility, it allows businesses to customise their features.

Third-party Integrations

WordPress's website has loads of features that offer advanced functionalities. However, if your website needs additional functionality, you would need to integrate the external services. For example, an eCommerce website may require additional functionality like payment gateway integrations. External services may use a different programming language, or you may plan to integrate a custom plugin for which Rest APIs are also the best option. The Rest APIs in WordPress enable enhanced third-party integrations for added functionalities and improved performance.

Minimal coding

WordPress platform offers many drag-and-drop functionality for WordPress development. The platform offers WordPress professionals capabilities with minimal coding knowledge using the Elementor. You can use a drag-and-drop page builder on WordPress to create a website without extensive coding. The plugin helps create user-friendly web pages with the visual editor.

Enhanced Security

WordPress is a highly secure platform that includes user authentication mechanisms, secure plugin integrations, and monitoring. It has key components, including-

Theme security & Plugins

There are several plugins and themes which offer better website security.

WordPress core

It is secure and requires timely updates, thereby providing regular security updates for the core services you need.

Responsive Designs

Responsive designs are crucial because they impact the customer base. Research has observed that a significant reason users leave a website is that it is non-responsive. Thankfully, WordPress can develop responsive websites and enhance the overall user experience. You can use the platform to develop responsive websites by integrating plugins and themes.

With this, we conclude some of the essential top reasons why WordPress is a popular platform and how best it can be utilised. The best way to truly experience the power of WordPress is by using it. If you are looking for a WordPress development company, contact our experts. Yiron Technologies, WordPress website developers, provide cutting-edge solutions, consulting and more to meet our business needs. Our experts have a passion for innovation, which helps empower businesses to achieve their goals in the digital landscape.

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Why Dwell Time Matters in SEO and How to Improve It

In the dynamic world of search engine optimisation (SEO), staying ahead of the curve is essential for achieving online success. With Google's ever-evolving algorithms and user-centric approach, the significance of metrics like Dwell Time has surged. This blog post aims to shed light on why Dwell Time matters in SEO and provides you with actionable tips on how to improve it. So, grab your digital magnifying glass, and let's explore the fascinating world of Dwell Time!

What is Dwell Time?

Before delving into why Dwell Time is crucial, let's clarify what it actually means. Dwell Time is the amount of time a visitor spends on a webpage after clicking on a search result but before returning to the search results page. In essence, it measures user engagement. The longer visitors stay on your page, the more relevant and valuable your content appears to be in the eyes of search engines.

The Connection Between Dwell Time and SEO

Dwell Time is more than just a metric for keeping visitors engaged; it directly impacts your website's ranking in search engine results. Here's why it matters:

1. Quality Content Matters More Than Ever

In the past, SEO was more about keywords and backlinks. Today, however, Google is all about providing users with the best possible experience. Dwell Time is a direct reflection of this experience. When visitors spend more time on your page, it signals to search engines that your content is valuable and engaging. In turn, this can lead to higher search engine rankings.

2. Reduced Bounce Rates

Dwell Time and bounce rates are closely intertwined. A high Dwell Time often translates to lower bounce rates. When users find what they're looking for on your page and stay longer, it signals to search engines that your content is relevant to their search query, ultimately improving your SEO Brisbane performance.

3. Improved Click-Through Rates

Better Dwell Time can also lead to higher click-through rates (CTR). If users find your content engaging and informative, they're more likely to explore other pages on your site or click on related links. This not only keeps them on your site longer but also enhances your website's overall SEO performance.

How to Improve Dwell Time

Now that we've established the importance of Dwell Time in SEO let's dive into some practical tips on how to improve it:

Create High-Quality, Relevant Content

Content is king, and it's the cornerstone of a longer Dwell Time. Craft compelling, informative, and well-structured content that resonates with your target audience. Make sure it's relevant to their needs and answers their questions effectively.

Enhance Page Load Speed

Nobody likes waiting for a website to load. Slow-loading pages can drive visitors away and result in a lower Dwell Time. Optimise your site's speed by compressing images, minifying code, and using a reliable web hosting service.

Engaging Multimedia Elements

Incorporating multimedia elements such as videos, infographics, and interactive content can keep users engaged for longer periods. These elements not only enhance the user experience but also make your content more visually appealing.

Internal Linking

Strategically placed internal links encourage visitors to explore other parts of your website. When users navigate through your content and discover related topics, it increases the chances of extending their Dwell Time.

Clear and Readable Formatting

A well-structured and easy-to-read format encourages visitors to stay on your page. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break up the content and make it more scannable. This makes it easier for readers to find the information they're looking for.

Mobile Optimisation

With the increasing use of mobile devices, it's essential to ensure your website is mobile-friendly. A responsive design that adapts to various screen sizes will keep visitors engaged, regardless of the device they're using.

Diving Deeper into Dwell Time

To truly appreciate the value of Dwell Time, it's essential to dissect it into its two main components: "Click Time" and "Content Consumption Time."

Click Time

This is the period from the moment a user clicks on your search result to the time they return to the search results page. It's essentially the time spent in your digital doorway, deciding whether your content is worth exploring further. A captivating title and meta description play a significant role in increasing this crucial aspect of Dwell Time.

Content Consumption Time

Once a visitor is inside your website, the Content Consumption Time takes centre stage. This represents the duration users spend actively engaging with your content, scrolling through the page, reading, watching, or interacting with your multimedia elements. The longer this stage lasts, the better it is for your Dwell Time.

The Role of User Intent

Understanding user intent is paramount in improving Dwell Time. User intent can be categorised into three primary types:

Informational Intent: Users seek information or answers to their questions. Tailor your content to address these queries comprehensively to keep users engaged.

Navigational Intent: Users are looking for a specific website or page. Clear navigation and internal linking can make their journey smoother and encourage them to explore further.

Transactional Intent: Users are ready to take action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a service. Providing a seamless experience and an easy path to conversion can extend their Content Consumption Time.

Analysing Dwell Time Metrics

To make informed decisions about your SEO Brisbane strategy, it's essential to monitor Dwell Time metrics. These metrics act as the compass guiding you through the vast sea of digital content. Tools like Google Analytics provide invaluable insights into your website's performance, including the average Dwell Time, pages with exceptionally high Dwell Time, and those in need of improvement.

When you dive into the world of Dwell Time metrics, you uncover a treasure trove of data that can revolutionise your content strategy. By regularly reviewing and analysing these metrics, you gain a profound understanding of how visitors interact with your content.

Average Dwell Time serves as your north star, indicating how engaging your overall website is. Pages with significantly high Dwell Time offer a blueprint for what works best for your audience. They reveal the topics and content types that captivate and retain visitors.

On the flip side, pages with lower Dwell Time indicate potential trouble spots. These are areas where visitors might not find the content engaging enough to linger. By identifying and addressing these underperforming pages, you can enhance user engagement and overall Dwell Time, subsequently boosting your SEO performance.

Moreover, Dwell Time metrics are not static. They evolve as your content and website do. By consistently tracking these metrics, you'll identify trends and patterns, helping you stay ahead of the curve in the ever-changing landscape of SEO.

The Future of SEO and Dwell Time

The future of SEO and its intricate relationship with Dwell Time is an exciting and ever-evolving landscape. As we venture further into the digital age, it's evident that search engines will continue to place an even greater emphasis on user experience and engagement.

In the years ahead, Dwell Time is likely to take centre stage as one of the most crucial metrics in SEO. Search engines are becoming increasingly sophisticated in gauging the quality and relevance of content, and Dwell Time is a clear indicator of these factors. Consequently, website owners and content creators must remain vigilant, adapting to the ever-shifting SEO landscape.

To navigate this dynamic environment successfully, staying up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and algorithm changes is imperative. These updates can bring significant alterations in the ranking factors that search engines consider.

What might be a winning strategy today may require adjustments tomorrow. The ability to adapt swiftly and effectively will be a key differentiator for those who want to maintain and improve their website's performance.

The Bottom Line

In the world of SEO, user experience is the new frontier. Dwell Time has emerged as a vital metric, signifying user engagement and content relevance. By understanding its importance and implementing the strategies outlined in this post, you can not only boost your Dwell Time but also improve your website's SEO performance. Remember, in the digital realm, quality content and an exceptional user experience are your best allies.

So, start implementing these tips today, and watch your website rise through the ranks of search engine results.

With the expansion of online content and the growing importance of SEO Brisbane for businesses and individuals, it's crucial to understand the intricacies of Dwell Time. This metric can be a game-changer for your website's performance.

Let's continue our exploration to further enhance your grasp of Dwell Time and its role in the realm of search engine optimisation.

Source: Why Dwell Time Matters in SEO and How to Improve It

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Demystifying Linux Shared Hosting: A Powerful Solution for Website Owners

In the vast landscape of web hosting, Linux shared hosting stands tall as a reliable and cost-effective solution for individuals and businesses alike. It offers a stable environment, excellent performance, and a wide range of features. Whether you're an aspiring blogger, an entrepreneur, or a small-to-medium-sized business owner, Linux shared hosting can provide the perfect foundation for your online presence. GWS Web Hosting provides best shared hosting. In this article, we'll explore the ins and outs of Linux shared hosting and shed light on why it remains a popular choice among website owners.

What is Linux Shared Hosting?

Linux shared hosting refers to the practice of hosting multiple websites on a single server, where the server's resources are shared among the hosted websites. It utilizes the Linux operating system, which is renowned for its stability, security, and open-source nature. Shared hosting involves dividing the server resources, including disk space, bandwidth, and processing power, among multiple users, making it a cost-effective option for those starting their online journey.

Benefits of Linux Shared Hosting:

1. Cost-Effective: One of the primary advantages of Linux shared hosting is that it provides Affordable & Powerful Web hosting. Since the server resources are shared among multiple users, the overall cost is significantly reduced. This makes it an ideal choice for individuals and small businesses with limited budgets.

2. Ease of Use: Linux shared hosting environments typically come equipped with user-friendly control panels, such as cPanel or Plesk. These intuitive interfaces simplify website management tasks, allowing users to effortlessly create email accounts, manage databases, install applications, and more, without requiring extensive technical knowledge.

3. Stability and Reliability: Linux has a reputation for stability and reliability, making it an excellent choice for creating Secure Web hosting websites. The robust nature of the Linux operating system ensures minimal downtime, contributing to an uninterrupted online presence for your website visitors.

4. Security: Linux shared hosting is well-regarded for its strong security features. With regular security updates, firewalls, and secure file permissions, Linux provides a solid foundation for safeguarding your website and its data from potential threats.

5. Compatibility and Flexibility: Linux shared hosting supports a wide array of programming languages and applications, including PHP, Python, Perl, and MySQL databases. It also accommodates popular content management systems like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, providing you with the flexibility to build and manage your website using your preferred tools.

Considerations for Linux Shared Hosting:

While Linux shared hosting offers numerous benefits, it's essential to consider a few factors before making a decision:

1. Resource Limitations: Since server resources are shared among multiple users, there may be certain limitations imposed on disk space, bandwidth, and processing power. It's important to evaluate your website's requirements and ensure that the shared hosting plan aligns with your needs.

2. Traffic Spikes: Shared hosting environments may experience performance issues during sudden traffic spikes. If your website expects significant fluctuations in traffic or requires high-performance resources, you might want to explore other hosting options such as VPS (Virtual Private Server) or dedicated hosting.

Conclusion:

Linux shared hosting continues to be a popular choice for website owners due to its affordability, stability, security, and flexibility. It provides an accessible platform for individuals, bloggers, and small-to-medium-sized businesses to establish their online presence without breaking the bank. With user-friendly control panels and a wide range of compatible applications, Linux shared hosting empowers website owners to focus on their content and business growth rather than the intricacies of server management. So, whether you're launching a personal blog or kickstarting an e-commerce venture, Linux shared hosting can be your reliable partner in the digital world.