#checkers menu and prices

[themenuland1]

Checkers Menu – Crazy Good Food & Seasoned Fries

Checkers restaurant is a double drive-thru eatery in the United States. Checkers has restaurants in 28 other states

[elkian]

There's something so burningly infuriating about living to see fast food - touted as cheap, fast, and decently tasty if not 'healthy' (and that is like 8 other posts I'm not gonna get into here) - go from something teenagers could afford with change scraped out of their pockets, couch cushions, car seats, off the street, etc. could afford, to this. Most places don't have a dollar menu anymore. Wendy's is experimenting with demand-based pricing and there was that thing about a nonrefillable McDonald's RFID cup. And the food has sometimes gotten better, but that's not a guarantee.

Also, since COVID hit (and since minimum wage is so pathetic lbr), fast food places are understaffed. Hell, they were understaffed before that, because management realized they could make 3 people do the work of 12 for the wage of 2 rather than paying 12 people to actually, you know, keep a business staffed. Fast food isn't the only place this has happened, but it's pretty obvious there. Another example was the local grocery store, which has over 20 stations for human checkers... only half of which were filled... the day before Thanksgiving, one of if not THE biggest food-related holiday in the USA. When the FUCK are you filling those stations if not then? Why do you even HAVE those stations if not to fill them? Why does every drive through have 2 windows but less than 25% of them actually make use of the first one? It's constant cost-cutting that comes at the expense of both customer and employee.

Fast Food isn't the only place price inflation hits, but it's one of the more obvious ones. And it's one that has a lot of impact on other people. If I give the panhandler at the light the change in my purse, in a world with a dollar menu, that's an actual boon. When a full meal costs $20 minimum no matter where you go, it's a different matter entirely. When you have a 15 minute break to eat and Taco Bell is the closest drivethru, it makes a difference whether they can get your food out in 5 minutes or 10.

Enshittification is coming for absolutely everything, indeed.

This problem is nothing new, but this specific example with these numbers puts it into a fucking brutal perspective.

To put these numbers a different way: A Taco Bell burrito that used to cost ~7 minutes and 20 seconds of minimum wage work now costs ~30 minutes and 30 seconds of minimum wage work.

You used to be able to work at Taco Bell anywhere in the country and make enough money in one hour to buy at least 8 burritos (maybe 9 if you're a manager or something) and feed, like, 3-4 people a decently-filling meal. But now, the same amount of work at the same job will get you one meal for one person. And this change has happened over a mere 15 years.

Remember this whenever you see rich people demonize younger generations for our financial situations, when they call us irresponsible for not investing a ton of money in savings accounts.

[starseedfxofficial]

Why Most Traders Miss the Magic of Fibonacci Extensions in the CHF/AUD Pair (And How You Can Nail It) Ever felt like your trading strategies were about as effective as buying a discounted unicorn lamp that never quite matches your living room decor? Well, if you've been trying to apply the Fibonacci Extension to the Swiss Franc and Australian Dollar (CHF/AUD) pair and getting lackluster results, you aren't alone. Welcome to the world of Forex, where most traders stumble over the same pitfalls, especially when dealing with Fibonacci extensions. But here's where the real magic happens—when you truly know how to wield this powerful tool, you transform your trading game from mere guessing to precision artistry. Fibonacci Extensions: Not Your Average Magic Wand Let's talk about Fibonacci extensions, shall we? No, this isn’t about a golden ratio-related hairstyle (although that would be pretty cool), but rather one of the most effective tools for advanced trading strategies. The Fibonacci extension gives traders a clearer picture of where price swings might end, especially with pairs like the Swiss Franc and Australian Dollar—a combo that's as volatile as a toddler on a sugar high. While many traders stick to the more commonly used Fibonacci retracement levels, the Fibonacci extension takes things a step further. It helps forecast profit targets by extending price movements beyond the typical retracement zones. Picture it like climbing a ladder to reach that cookie jar sitting just out of reach—Fibonacci extensions are the steps beyond what's obvious. Most traders don’t even look up there, but with the right techniques, you can reach those rare profit opportunities. But why specifically CHF/AUD, you ask? Well, let’s put it like this: this pair tends to offer some wild rides, swinging with unique rhythms driven by central bank decisions and risk-on-risk-off scenarios. Catch the right wave here, and it's almost like mastering a secret handshake at a VIP trader's club. Hidden Formula Only Experts Use: The 161.8% Level The Fibonacci extension's 161.8% level is a true gem, a level that pros know and love. It's not just any number—it's the level where the most persistent market moves tend to show their hand. Think of it like that friend who always claims they'll "just have one drink" and then you see them ordering another round—repeated patterns that you can count on. To really get an edge over other traders, try this unconventional approach: focus on weekly time frames rather than daily. The weekly chart provides a bigger picture, allowing you to confirm whether price action is aligned with broader market sentiment. This takes the Fibonacci extension beyond mere theory and turns it into something actionable, helping you identify possible profit-taking levels even before the herd starts thinking about them. Case Study: An Unexpected CHF/AUD Ride Let’s bring this to life with a real-world example. In early 2023, the CHF/AUD pair was hovering around an intriguing level, having just bounced off the 50% Fibonacci retracement. Traders who were in the know? They didn’t just wait for a reversal. Instead, they eyed the 161.8% extension level as the potential top—and, lo and behold, that was where the pair hit major resistance. This kind of market behavior doesn’t happen by chance—it's rooted in psychology. People see these levels as targets, and price action often follows suit. It’s the sort of thing that makes you feel like you’re playing 4D chess while everyone else is staring at a checkers board. Contrarian View: Trading Swiss Franc and Aussie Dollar Like an Outsider Most traders will tell you to avoid volatile pairs like the Swiss Franc and Australian Dollar unless you're highly experienced. But where's the fun in that? This pair is a playground for the bold—it's like ordering the spiciest item on the menu because you know you've got what it takes. Contrarian play here? Enter at pullbacks instead of breakouts. Conventional wisdom says to buy when the price breaks a resistance, but that's the same as going for shoes during a clearance sale—you’re late to the party, and all the good sizes are gone. Instead, wait for a pullback to a Fibonacci retracement level—70.5% works wonders—then use an extension like 138.2% or 161.8% to set your sights on the exit. It’s like going to the stock room for a fresh pair—no crowds, and exactly what you want. Underground Trend: Weekly Pivot and Fibonacci Combo Here’s an underground trend that’s starting to catch steam—combining weekly pivot points with Fibonacci extension levels. By using a weekly pivot as a reference point, you can predict the momentum for the upcoming week. When the pivot aligns with a 61.8% retracement, it often means that a strong move is on its way to at least the 127.2% or 161.8% extension level. The logic here? Pivot points represent trader consensus—the mean point where buyers and sellers have tussled and settled. Overlaying that with a Fibonacci extension turns it into an absolute sniper’s tool for finding ideal profit-taking spots. If you have ever wondered why some traders always seem to know just where to get in and get out, this is one of those lesser-known secrets. Remember that it’s about patience and watching those pivot points lining up with Fibonacci—it’s like two old pals meeting up for coffee and deciding they’re taking the market along for the ride. Predicting Market Moves With Fibonacci Extension & CHF/AUD Volatility Using Fibonacci extensions with the Swiss Franc and Australian Dollar pair can be unpredictable, and that’s part of the charm. The volatility is driven by varied factors—Swiss neutrality and commodity sensitivity of the Australian Dollar—a mix of opposites that makes it both complex and exciting to trade. One trick that can be a real game changer here is focusing on fractals as entry confirmations in line with Fibonacci levels. Fractals, which are repeated price patterns, add a layer of precision. When you get a fractal breakout, combined with a pullback and touch at a Fibonacci extension, you’re looking at high-probability setups—almost like getting a traffic signal showing you the right-of-way in Forexland. Why Most Traders Get It Wrong (And How You Can Avoid It) Most traders mistakenly believe that Fibonacci is a predictive tool rather than an analytical one. Here’s the kicker: Fibonacci isn’t about crystal ball-gazing; it’s about understanding the crowd—the chaotic herd of traders that moves the market. The hidden advantage with CHF/AUD is that this pair tends to respect certain levels because it attracts both institutional (big money) and retail traders (little fish). This mix creates amazing precision at Fibonacci extensions, once you know how to spot it. When trading CHF/AUD, always keep an eye on economic indicators coming out of both Switzerland and Australia. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) tends to be a lot more vocal compared to the Swiss National Bank (SNB), and when the banks diverge on policy, it's like watching two best friends try to decide where to go for dinner—it can lead to sharp, decisive moves in the market. Combine these events with Fibonacci extensions, and you’ve got a recipe for anticipating those exact turning points. Fibonacci: The Forgotten Strategy That Outsmarted the Pros Here’s a story for you: A trader who once applied Fibonacci extension during a big swing in CHF/AUD in 2021 took a contrarian approach. Rather than closing his trade at the usual levels like 127.2% or 161.8%, he pushed the boundaries to 261.8%, banking on extended Aussie dollar weakness. It was like betting your quirky friend would win that marathon despite being the least athletic in the group—and watching them actually pull it off! The point is, don’t get caught up in the conventional use of Fibonacci—extend your targets in line with broader macro views, and sometimes, just sometimes, you can outsmart even the pros. Always assess whether it makes sense given the broader trend, news releases, and other technical confluences. Ready to Take Your Trading Game to the Next Level? Want to level up and get the latest economic indicators delivered straight to your inbox, or get insider tips from elite traders? At StarseedFX, we provide exclusive Forex education, detailed market analysis, and cutting-edge tools that can give you the edge you've been searching for. - Check out our Free Forex Courses: Learn how to master not only Fibonacci extensions but all the other critical aspects of trading at StarseedFX Forex Courses. - Need a Smart Trading Plan? Download one for free at StarseedFX Trading Plan. - Join the StarseedFX Community for live trading insights and daily alerts: StarseedFX Community. Don’t Just Ride the Wave—Own It Trading the Swiss Franc and Australian Dollar using Fibonacci extensions is like tackling an extreme sport—there’s risk, but oh, the reward! Remember, it’s all about combining patience, observation, and a touch of that contrarian mindset to gain an edge. Approach each trade as if you’re about to embark on a mini-adventure—unpredictable but worthwhile. And one last thing—don’t be afraid to push past the usual boundaries. Sometimes, the real wins come from venturing beyond the conventional 161.8% and into the land of 261.8%. So put on your explorer hat and get those Fibonacci extensions working for you! —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated   Read the full article

[majalatsalsabil]

Why Do You Need a Windows Key?

If you want to fully operate your operating system and take advantage of all its features, a Windows key is essential. Whether you need a Windows 10 key or a Windows 11 key, it grants you access to security updates and ongoing support from Microsoft.

Options for Purchasing a Windows Key via Vipi Card Saudi Arabia

Through **Vipi Card Saudi Arabia**, you can get a Windows key at competitive and reliable prices. Whether you're looking for a مفتاح ويندوز **Windows 10 Pro key** or a **Windows 11 Pro key**, Vipi Card Saudi Arabia offers a wide range of original keys.

How to Use and Activate a Windows Pro or Standard Key

To activate the Windows 10 or Windows 11 key you obtained from Vipi Card Saudi Arabia, follow these steps:

1. Open "Settings" from the "Start" menu.

2. Go to "Update & Security."

3. Select "Activation."

4. Enter your Windows key and press "Next" to activate the system.

Tools to Find Your Windows Key

If you have lost your Windows key, don’t worry. You can use tools like **Windows Key Finder** or **Windows Key Viewer** to retrieve the key from your current system.

Solutions for Windows Key Issues

If you are facing issues such as **Windows key not working** or **Windows key not working on Windows 11**, you may need to check the activation status or update the system. Sometimes, the solution could be to use a **Windows Key Checker** tool to verify the validity of the key.

Free Windows Key

If you are looking for a **free original Windows 10 Pro key** or a **free original Windows 11 Pro key**, make sure to obtain it from trusted sources like Vipi Card Saudi Arabia. Be cautious of websites that promise free keys illegally.

Additional Features of Windows 11

If you want to use Windows 11, you can choose between versions like **Windows 11 Pro**, **Windows 11 Home**, or **Windows 11 Enterprise**. There are also specialized versions like **Windows 11 Lite** and **Windows 11 LTSC**, which you can easily obtain.

[techahead-software-blog]

ChatGPT Alternatives Must Try In 2024

ChatGPT is a leading large language model known for its broad applications and customizability, allowing innovative solutions. If you find ChatGPT too broad or complex, or if you want to explore different data sets, consider alternative large language models. While ChatGPT dominates the AI text generation market with over 100 million weekly users, other options offer unique features and user experiences not covered by ChatGPT. TechAhead can help you explore these alternatives.

Now, let’s explore these alternatives to uncover their unique features. Outlined below are seven ChatGPT alternatives for anyone who is looking for a leg up on their projects.

1. Google Gemini (Formerly Bard)

Google Gemini (Bard) is Google’s answer to ChatGPT. It is an experimental AI conversational service powered by Google’s Gemini Pro 1.0.

Google Gemini is a free AI tool that allows unlimited questions and is powered by Google's advanced Gemini Pro model. It offers features like editing prompts, exporting answers to Google Docs and Gmail, listening to responses, and performing double-checks via Google search. It also includes image generation and works faster than ChatGPT for web searches.

Google Gemini Advanced, priced at $19.99 per month, is described as Google's most capable Pro 1.5 model. It excels in handling complex tasks such as coding and logical reasoning. Users can upload spreadsheets, Google Docs, and PDFs, and benefit from integration with Google’s apps. Additionally, it provides 2 TB of Google One storage and includes a 1-month free trial.

2. Microsoft Copilot (Formerly Bing Chat)

Microsoft Copilot integrates well with Microsoft products, especially Edge, and is accessible directly from the app menu. It facilitates on-the-go interactions, enabling users to ask questions about web content.

Copilot is a free, ad-supported AI tool with three chat modes for different interaction settings. It features image generation and integrates with Microsoft products like the Edge Browser and Skype. The Microsoft Edge app menu also allows users to ask questions about web content.

Copilot Pro, priced at $20/month, offers priority GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo access and integrates with Microsoft 365 apps like Word and Excel. Available from January 2024 in select countries including the U.S. and U.K., Copilot for Microsoft 365 costs $30/user/month for commercial clients, featuring privacy protections, organizational resource access, and company document queries.

3. Jasper.ai

Jasper.ai is a conversational AI engine that uses large language models developed by OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and others, including their own customized model.

Jasper.ai starts at $49 per month with a 7-day free trial available. The Pro version costs $69 per month, and custom pricing is available for Business plans. Key features include a Brand voice tool, an instant marketing campaign generator, and a long-form editor. It also offers over 50 pre-built templates, a plagiarism checker through Copyscape integration, and support for 30 languages. Jasper.ai includes a Chrome extension and AI image generation capabilities.

4. Claude

Claude (by Anthropic) is an AI assistant capable of performing a wide range of conversational and text-processing tasks.

Claude offers several pricing options. Claude Pro costs $20 per person per month, while Claude Team is priced at $25 per person per month. For token-based pricing, Claude 3.5 Sonnet is $3 per million tokens, Claude 3 Opus is $15 per million tokens, and Claude 3 Haiku is $0.25 per million tokens. Claude is noted for its stronger accuracy and superior creativity compared to other models.

5. Perplexity

Perplexity.AI is designed to understand user queries through follow-up questions, summarize relevant findings, and pull information from diverse sources to provide a comprehensive view.

Perplexity offers two pricing plans. The Standard Plan provides limited usage with Copilot and GPT-3 as the default model. The Professional Plan costs $20 per month or $200 per year, offering nearly unlimited usage, GPT-4 as the default model, and Pro support. API pricing ranges from $0.2 to $1 per million tokens, depending on the model. Perplexity is known for its versatility and comprehensive capabilities, allowing users to ask follow-up questions and source information in real-time with links to all sources. It also features advanced data analysis and predictive analytics.

6. Elicit

Elicit is a platform that calls itself an AI research assistant, claiming it can help with research and other tasks.

Elicit offers a Free Plan that includes unlimited searches across 125 million papers, the ability to summarize and chat with up to four papers at once, extract data from 10 PDFs monthly, and view sources for answers. The Plus Plan costs $10 per month, while the Pro Plan is $42 per month, billed annually. Elicit is well-suited for automating data extraction tasks and allows exporting to CSV, RIS, and BIB formats. The Pro Plan provides the ability to extract information from 1,200 PDFs annually (100 monthly) and includes unlimited high-accuracy mode columns.

7. Learnt.ai

Learnt.ai has been specifically created for the needs of education professionals.

Learnt.ai offers a freemium model with basic features available for free. Paid plans start at $9 per month and go up to $99 per month. It is tailored for educational professionals, helping with creating lesson plans, learning objectives, assessment questions, and other educational resources. The tool is designed to augment rather than replace the user's creativity, saving time and effort in content creation.

[wooassist]

How to Fix Your Website Structure

Have you ever considered looking at your WooCommerce store’s site structure? Probably not. After all, it doesn’t look like an urgent issue that warrants a lot of immediate attention. However, if your WooCommerce site suffers from poor structure, you could actually be hurting your SEO rankings. Odds are you are also making it difficult for your customers to navigate your site. In fact, depending on how bad your site structure is, it could be causing your customers a lot of frustration. You should make it a top priority to learn how to fix your website structure.

Why Should You Fix Your Site Structure?

If you know your site structure has problems, then do not delay. Address it right away so you can reap the benefits of following best SEO practices. If you are serious about getting on page of Google’s search results page, then you should not skimp on fixing your site structure. Not to mention, a good site structure will make it easier for your customers to navigate your site. This leads to good user experience which can increase your sales by as much as 30%.

What Does Good Site Structure Look Like?

Good site structure should look like a proper flow chart. The home page should have a link to all stand-alone pages this includes the about page, contact page, privacy policy page, pricing page, portfolio page, my account page, blog page, shop page and any other important pages.

Blog posts should make full use of blog categories and blog tags, if necessary. The same goes for products. Make full use of product categories and blog tags. Your blog categories and product categories should never have the same name as they will cannibalize each other. They will compete with each other for SEO rankings. Also, categories and tags should not be the same.

What You Should Do to Fix Site Structure?

Do a Content Audit

Before you go about fixing your WooCommerce store’s structure, it is important to understand your content. You can do a content audit to better understand your content assets and determine how to optimize your website’s structure. After doing a content audit and getting a clear picture of your content assets, the next step is to identify site structure problems.

Identify Site Structure Problems

Check and Fix Your Navigation Menu

Check all your navigation menus. From a user perspective, do they make sense? Do you use dropdown menus? More important menu items should go to your main navigation menu. Less important links to pages like Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, Terms and Conditions should go to your secondary or footer menu. Having a privacy policy and cookie policy page is essential if you want to comply with GDPR regulations which you should.

You can even have people try using your site and ask them feedback about your site’s navigation.

What Should Be on Your Main Navigation

Your main navigation should contain your most important pages or all pages you want your visitors to have easy access to. We recommend your Shop Page, Blog Page, About Page, Contact Page, or depending on your business, a portfolio or pricing page.

Find 404 Errors

Isn’t annoying when you go a certain website, you click a link and then land at a 404 error page?

Google has been putting more attention on good user experience and having 404 errors on your website is not good user experience. Fixing 404 errors should be included in your website maintenance tasks. You can find 404 errors by using this Broken Link Checker tool. Once you determine which links lead to a 404 error, remove that link or point it to the appropriate page.

Redirect 404 Errors

In some cases, your broken links could be because of a change in your website’s URL structure. In this case, you might want to redirect all your all URLs to the new URLs. Make sure you use a 301 redirect. You can use the Redirection plugin to set up your redirects. For SEO purposes, it is important to set up a 301 redirect to tell search engines that the old page has been permanently moved to a new address.

Update or Remove Outdated Content

It is important for SEO to have fresh content so you should be updating your content regularly. In some cases, you might find that some of your old content may no longer be relevant so you can either update or delete that page. If you have updated content, you should redirect the deleted page to the updated content.

Make the Most of Your Internal Links

Proper internal linking creates a smooth flow between all your site’s pages. When you’re writing a blog post and you mention another blog post that is related to your current post, link to it. When you mention a specific page on your site, link to it. When you mention a specific product, link to it. Google appreciates good internal links.

Learn How to Properly Use Posts and Pages

Think of categories as a file cabinet where you place files that belong together so everything remains organized. So if a user is interested in a specific kind of product or blog post, the user can find them all in one place. Tags, on the other hand, are used differently. You can think of tags as the index section of a book. Properly tagging your posts and products makes it easier for users to find posts or products that mention a specific keyword or topic.

Should You Revise Your Categories?

If you found out that you’ve been using your categories all wrong and want to revise it to make it clearer, you should do it sooner rather than later. Making sure your category structure is optimum will go a long way in helping your SEO. Just make sure you properly redirect everything to the new URL.

Changing the Permalink Structure

By default, WordPress sets your permalink structure to something that is not optimal. It is ideal to have a custom structure or a post name structure. It should be one of the first things you should change when you create a new WordPress site. So if you didn’t do it before and now have hundreds of posts and pages, then changing your site structure could become a major issue.

When you change your site structure, you will lose many external links pointing to your site and that’s a big SEO disaster. You have to make sure you make proper 301 redirects to the new URLs.

It might be a lot of work but you will soon reap better SEO rankings. If you already have good content, the benefits of optimizing your permalink structure could be significant. This means you should not skip doing this.

Resubmit Your Site Map

When you finish all your site structure optimizations, you should resubmit your sitemap to major search engines. That would be Bing and Google. Resubmitting your sitemaps ensure that search engines index the changes in your site structure.

Have you checked your site structure lately? What problems did you find?

[drahdoutcosmeticdentistry]

Savor Classic Comfort at Bobby’s Coffee Shop in Woodland Hills, CA

Bobby’s Coffee Shop, nestled in the heart of Woodland Hills, California, is more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee—it's a beloved local institution that offers a comforting atmosphere and delicious fare that keeps patrons coming back for more. With its timeless charm, friendly service, and hearty menu offerings, Bobby’s Coffee Shop invites guests to savor classic comfort and enjoy a taste of nostalgia with every visit.

A Cozy Retreat Step inside Bobby’s Coffee Shop, and you'll be greeted by the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the inviting ambiance of a cozy diner. The restaurant's retro decor, complete with vinyl booths, checkered floors, and vintage signage, evokes a sense of nostalgia that harkens back to a simpler time. Whether you're stopping in for a quick cup of coffee or settling in for a leisurely meal, Bobby’s Coffee Shop provides the perfect backdrop for relaxation and camaraderie.

Hearty Breakfast Favorites At Bobby’s Coffee Shop, breakfast is served all day, ensuring that patrons can enjoy their favorite morning dishes whenever the mood strikes. From fluffy pancakes and golden waffles to hearty omelettes and crispy bacon, the breakfast menu at Bobby’s Coffee Shop features an array of classic favorites that are sure to satisfy any appetite. Whether you're craving a traditional eggs benedict or a stack of decadent French toast, you'll find it all at Bobby’s Coffee Shop.

Comforting Lunch and Dinner Options In addition to its breakfast offerings, Bobby’s Coffee Shop also serves up a variety of comforting lunch and dinner options that are sure to please. Sink your teeth into a juicy burger, indulge in a plate of crispy fish and chips, or enjoy a hearty sandwich piled high with your favorite toppings. With its generous portions and affordable prices, Bobby’s Coffee Shop is the perfect spot for a satisfying meal any time of day.

Specialty Coffee and Beverages Of course, no visit to Bobby’s Coffee Shop would be complete without sampling their signature coffee and specialty beverages. From rich and robust espresso drinks to creamy milkshakes and refreshing iced teas, Bobby’s Coffee Shop offers a variety of options to quench your thirst and satisfy your caffeine cravings. Pair your beverage of choice with a freshly baked pastry or slice of homemade pie for the perfect midday treat.

Community Connection Bobby’s Coffee Shop is more than just a restaurant; it's a gathering place where friends and neighbors come together to share good food and good company. The restaurant's friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere foster a sense of community that keeps patrons coming back time and time again. Whether you're a regular or a first-time visitor, you'll always be greeted with a smile at Bobby’s Coffee Shop.

Bobby’s Coffee Shop in Woodland Hills, CA, offers a timeless dining experience that celebrates classic comfort and hospitality. With its cozy atmosphere, delicious menu offerings, and friendly service, Bobby’s Coffee Shop is the perfect destination for a satisfying meal or a leisurely cup of coffee. Whether you're stopping in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you're sure to feel right at home at Bobby’s Coffee Shop.

[funkatello]

Why Darlinghurst Should Be Your Next Restaurant Hop in Sydney

Sydney has a lively dining scene. It always has new restaurants and concepts. They keep our taste buds interested and satisfied. Darlinghurst has the est best Italian food in Sydney. It is underrated but worth visiting. The food is great and it is a nice change of scenery. This area has special old buildings, small shops, and a mix of different cultures.

It's a great place to go out at night because it combines old-fashioned charm with delicious food from both well-known places and new ones that are changing the way we think about hospitality. Join us as we explore Darlinghurst's restaurants. Discover Sydney's new iconic eat street.

1. Savour Classic Trattoria Ambience

Checkered tablecloths, straw-wrapped wine bottles, operatic soundtrack, and effusive waitstaff instantly transport diners into festive Italian moods. Your post-work stress evaporates instantly when you are seated. The Apollo is a restaurant in Sydney. This Darlinghurst restaurant serves traditional regional pastas and wood-fired pizzas. The food is full of incredible flavors. They also have Italian red wines. The prices are reasonable. Try our signature sporting boards. They have cured meats, marinated veggies, and piquant cheeses. They are delicious and rustic.

2. Sample Inventive Modern Eclectic Plates

Sydney is a dynamic city with diverse cultures. It has bold culinary marriages that showcase fusion results on sharing plates. Nomad is a restaurant that serves a unique menu. Stanley street restaurants have interesting dishes like miso-marinated chicken tacos, green curry arancini balls, za'atar manoushe flatbreads, and maple bacon glazed Brussels sprouts. These dishes combine different flavors in a surprising way. Their kitchen is trendsetting. It deserves applause. They push boundaries. They advance Australian food identities. They do it progressively and respectfully.

3. Experience Dinner and Show Dazzle

Do you want to have a great time going out at night, enjoying cocktails, canapes, and entertainment in a stylish way? The Dragon Phoenix is a sparkling place. It has lanterns and turntables. Singers and dancers perform there. It is very exciting! Executive Chef Victor Lee creates delicious yum-cha banquets. The menu includes crispy duck pancakes, caramelized Berkshire pork bellies, XO prawn dumplings, and silky handmade egg noodles. The food is visually stunning.

4. Catch Legendary Hospitality Class

A Sydney food safari is incomplete without paying respect to institutions that have defined world-famous hospitality for decades. Bar Coluzzi was launched in 1953. It serves as a spiritual home for espresso coffee culture. They are known for their trademark velvety brews and Milkshake thick hot chocolates.

People enjoy these drinks in cozy Victorian surroundings. Bar Coluzzi became popular before Starbucks arrived. Their legacy is in Australian coffee history books. Visit the Darlinghurst restaurant to see the iconic living heritage. They still serve steamy cups with character every day. It brings joy to generations and creates lasting memories. Classics are priceless.

The conclusion.

Darlinghurst has a special village-style hospitality. It combines classic trattorias, artistic avant-garde eateries, and legendary pioneering cafes. This makes restaurant hopping in Darlinghurst irresistible. It is a unique and inventive experience that is very Sydney. Visit Funkatello. Experience these winsome gems personally. I recommend them wonderfully!

[checkersmenu]

The Big Buford Combo A Delicious and Satisfying Meal from Checkers Menu

If you're looking for a hearty and delicious meal that will leave you feeling full and satisfied, then the Big Buford Combo from Checkers Menu is the perfect choice. This combo meal includes a juicy, flavorful burger that is loaded with all of your favorite toppings, as well as a generous helping of crispy fries and a refreshing drink. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the Big Buford Combo and why it is such a popular choice among Checkers customers.

What is the Big Buford Combo?

The Big Buford Combo is a meal option available at Checkers Menu, a fast-food restaurant chain that is known for its delicious burgers, fries, and other comfort food favorites. The combo meal includes a Big Buford burger, which is made with two 100% beef patties, melted cheese, crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, and tangy pickles, all served on a toasted bun. The burger is served with a side of crispy fries and a drink of your choice, making it a satisfying and complete meal.

What Makes the Big Buford Combo So Special?

There are several factors that make the Big Buford Combo such a popular choice among Checkers customers. First and foremost is the burger itself, which is made with high-quality beef that is seasoned to perfection and cooked to order. The generous toppings also add to the flavor and texture of the burger, creating a truly satisfying eating experience.

Another reason why the Big Buford Combo is so popular is the value that it offers. The combo meal includes a burger, fries, and a drink, all for one affordable price. This makes it a great choice for anyone who is looking for a filling and delicious meal without breaking the bank.

How to Order the Big Buford Combo

Ordering the Big Buford Combo from Checkers Menu is easy and convenient. Simply visit your local Checkers location or place an order online, and select the Big Buford Combo from the menu. You can choose from a variety of drink options, including soft drinks, lemonade, and sweet tea, to accompany your meal.

In conclusion, the Big Buford Combo from Checkers Menu is a delicious and satisfying meal option that is sure to please anyone who is looking for a hearty and flavorful burger. With its high-quality ingredients, generous toppings, and affordable price, it's no wonder why this combo meal is such a popular choice among Checkers customers. So the next time you're craving a delicious burger and fries, be sure to try the Big Buford Combo from Checkers Menu.

[dirtybarn]

25 Best Mac Apps for Designers in 2023

As a designer, having the right set of tools can make all the difference when it comes to efficiency and productivity. Apple ecosystem and macOS environment offers a wide variety of apps and tools that can ease anyones workflow, but especially designers can enhance their toolkit with many useful apps. In this post, we'll introduce some of the best Mac apps for designers that we use daily to enhance our productivity. Some of these tools may already be on your computer. In the list we will be covering many design focused apps but also there are extra productivity tools listed as well. Because being a designer or artist is not limited the creative process itself. There are always extra steps and responsibilities when sharing the work or communicating with clients. That's why you will find various tools such as open source alternatives to design softwares, file compressors and managers, menu bar apps, clipboard manager and more! We've grouped our selection of apps by category and they are mostly free or freemium. We aimed to provide best value for minimum extra cost to your wallets. Let's start with design focused apps and move on to the productivity tools.

Table of Contents: Best Mac Apps for Designers

- Clipboard Managers With Many Features - Maccy - PastePal - CopyClip - All Around Color Pickers on Your Mac - ColorSlurp - Sip - System Color Picker - File Archiver Tools - Keka - The Unarchiver - File Shelf for Temporary File Management - Dropover - Dropzone - World Clock on Menu Bar and Local Time Converter - Hoverly - Quickly Open Apps or Folders with Two Keyboard Combo - HotKey App - Say Goodbye to Bloated Data in Your Images - ImageOptim - Expose the Keyboard Shortcuts - CheatSheet - Floating Browser Sits on Your Menu Bar - MenubarX - Open Source InDesign Alternative - Scribus - Open Source Adobe Illustrator Alternatives - Inkscape - Affinity Designer - Open Source Photo Editor Alternatives - GIMP - Affinity Photo - Screenshot Management - CleanShot X - Shottr - Temporary Email Service at Your Disposal - Tempbox - 3D Modelling - Blender - Cheetah3D

Clipboard Managers With Many Features

A clipboard manager is a necessary tool for many professionals. It's useful for tasks such as copying color palettes, taking screenshots, and more. Each clipboard manager has its own unique features and user interface. We didn't include Spotlight Search alternatives like Raycast or Alfred because they are in a whole different vertical. Maccy Maccy is an open source free clipboard manager. Maccy opens with a pop up with keyboard shortcut and it remembers 80+ recent copied images and texts.

Pricing: Free Website - Download PastePal PastePal is a universal clipboard manager for Apple ecosystem with bigger menu and UI and more flexible customization options.

Pricing: Free Website - Download CopyClip CopyClip is one of the most simple and functional Mac apps. It only caches the text format and it sits in the menu bar.

Pricing: Free Website - Download

All Around Color Pickers on Your Mac

Color Picker tools are essential for designers and are often among the top 5 tools used. Regardless its an in-app feature or stand alone software, Color Picker tools are essential. There are many Color Picker alternatives available, each with their own unique features and experiences. Color Picker tools typically include features such as color palettes, conversions between color formats, contrast checking, and multi-platform support. We picked the best 3 free alternatives in the vertical, we are sure that you will find one of these are very handy. ColorSlurp ColorSlurp claims to be the best Mac color picker and includes features such as a magnifier, editor, color formats, palettes, contrast checker, iOS support, and iCloud sync.

Pricing: Offer Free and Pro versions. Most of the features are behind the Pro version. Website - Download Sip Sip is another popular color picker tool that boasts being "a better Color Picker for your Mac". Sip sits in your menu bar and it's ready to pop up whenever you need it with editor, palettes, smart formats, custom formats, contrast checker, color deck features.

Pricing: Free Trial for 15 days, after that time it needs a license. Website - Download System Color Picker System Color Picker is a simple and neat alternative with only works as eyedropper tool and color palette.

Pricing: Free Website - Download https://dirtybarn.com/p/macbook-pro-mockup/

File Archiver Tools

In business, we often encounter clients who share files in the RAR format, which can be a hassle to open. File archiving is a simple way to share bulk files, but dealing with RAR files on macOS can be a stressful process. But there some apps to ease this. Keka Keka is a simple, supportive, and user-friendly file archiver that supports many formats. It is free to download from their website, but users can also purchase it from the App Store to support the developer.

Pricing: Free Website - Download The Unarchiver The Unarchiver claims that it's the only app you need to open RAR on Mac. It has a very clean UI and it supports countless file formats.

Pricing: Free Website - Download

File Shelf for Temporary File Management

Let's say you have a bulk of images or project files you need organize. But the files you want to move are scattered around different folder but they should moved into a one folder. Usually moving them folder by folder is the natural solution. But putting everything into a file shelf as a temporary popup screen could save so much time. These types of tools are particularly useful when working with large volumes of files. Dropzone and Dropover are popular solutions in this category. Dropover Dropover have a floating popup right above your cursor. The files can be stashed, gathered or moved with this popup without needing a separate window side by side.

Pricing: Free Website - Download Dropzone Dropzone works in the menu bar and it comes with extra features. Dropzone's menu pops up when you drag an item and shows the shelf. Additionally, it can also upload it to Imgur or create a shortened link. Dropzone also have an Pro plan which grants access to extra features. Without these, Dropzone is free to use.

Pricing: Free on App Store, Pro plan $40 one time purchase or $1.99/month Website - Download

World Clock on Menu Bar and Local Time Converter

Hovrly Managing time and time zones can be difficult when working with people in different locations. Honestly, finding the right time windows for each party can be frustrating. I've used many apps for managing time zones, but Hovrly has the best user interface. It's customizable and allows you to add multiple time zones and locations to the same menu.

Pricing: Free Website - Download

Quickly Open Apps or Folders with Two Keyboard Combo

HotKey App HotKey App is a simple and effective Mac app developed by Peter Vorwieger. It can be customized to suit anyone's needs. HotKey App is useful for people who regularly opens specific folders and app but doesn't want to put them on Dock or favorites menu on Finder.

Pricing: Free Download

Say Goodbye to Bloated Data in Your Images

ImageOptim ImageOptim is one of the softwares I have used for the longest time in this list. It has a purpose for designers, developers, writers and anyone who upload images to the web. It removes unnecessary metadata and compresses images to save disk space and bandwidth without compromising on quality.

Pricing: Free Website - Download

Expose the Keyboard Shortcuts

CheatSheet Keyboard shortcuts are always a time saver. I couldn't imagine using a software or navigating on web without using shortcuts. They help the designers and creative to save time and work efficiently. But it's not always easy to know or guess the right shortcut combination. Sometimes we have to open preferences or make a quick Google search to learn it. CheatSheet just solve this hassle by long pressing the Command key (⌘). It's free and works on every software.

Pricing: Free Website - Download https://dirtybarn.com/p/16-m1-macbook-pro-mockup/  

Floating Browser Sits on Your Menu Bar

MenubarX MenubarX is a small, versatile web browser that lives in your menu bar. It has many useful bookmarks and is easily accessible for listening to music, videos, or using other web tools. Also, it can be opened quickly from a keyboard shortcut.

Pricing: Free Website - Download

Open Source InDesign Alternative

Scribus Scribus is an open source alternative to Adobe's publishing software InDesign. It offers most of the features InDesign provides including layout, typography, and design tools. Scribus may not always be the most convenient option, but it can be a useful alternative when necessary.

Pricing: Free Website - Download

Open Source Adobe Illustrator Alternatives

Inkscape There are two popular alternatives for Adobe Illustrator. The first open-source alternative to Adobe Illustrator is Inkscape. It is free and offers many of the same features as Adobe Illustrator.

Pricing: Free Website - Download Affinity Designer Affinity is an another company that creates comprehensive image, publishing and design tools softwares. Affinity Designer is the design focused tool that capable as Adobe's illustrator. Affinity Designer is not a free software but the company sells the Affinity Designer with full ownership in one time purchase. The biggest advantage is that it is sold as a one-time purchase, rather than a subscription-based model.

Pricing: €84.99 or $69.99 Website - Download

Open Source Photo Editor Alternatives

Gimp Gimp is one of the OG open source softwares. Gimp's initial release date is November 21, 1995 and you can see it's been here for a long time. Gimp is a reliable and efficient option for quick editing needs.

Pricing: Free Website - Download Affinity Photo Just like Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo is a direct competitor of Adobe Photoshop. It can handle editing and retouching images, creating multi-layered compositions. Affinity Photo works on macOS, Windows and iPad and it has great reviews and awards across organizations.

Pricing: €84.99 or $69.99 Website - Download https://dirtybarn.com/p/kinetic-typographic-animations-pack/ Read the full article

[latestmenuprice-blog]

Checkers Rallys Menu Prices

Do your friends or relatives appeared at your place unexpectedly and you need to arrange food at the very least cost and even tasty, at that point you can check most recent Checkers Menu Price rundown and request the food likewise. You can even access on Checkers Secret Menu Price here.

So here are the details of all the food things from starter to pastries you needed to visit here and think about the simple and scrumptious food by your own at wherever.

Here in this post, we are furnishing all café most recent menu cost with refreshes like you can check below Checkers Menu Price List 2020.

About Checkers Rallys

The company operates Checkers and Rally’s restaurants in 28 states, and the District of Columbia. They specialize in hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, and milkshakes.

For more information please visit here, Checkers Rally wikipedia

Checkers Rallys Official Site : checkers.com

Checkers Rallys Famous Seasoned Fries Menu Price June 2020

Food Name                                     Size                                          Price

Baconzilla! Fries                                —                                            $3.29

Baconzilla! Fries                                —                                            $3.29

Cheese Chili Cheese Fries               —                                             $3.29

Cheese Chili Cheese Fries               —                                             $3.29

Fries                                                Small                                         $1.99

Fries                                                Medium                                     $2.49

Fries                                                Large                                         $2.79

Fries                                                Fry Lover’s XL                           $4.29

Fries                                                Small                                         $1.99

Fries                                                Medium                                     $2.49

Fries                                                Large                                         $2.79

Fries                                                Fry Lover’s XL                           $4.29

Fully Loaded Fries                           —                                             $3.29

Fully Loaded Fries                           —                                             $3.29

Garlic Parm Fries & Stix                  —                                             $2.99

Garlic Parm Fries & Stix                  —                                             $2.99

Monsterrella Stix                            4 Pc.                                          $1.99

Monsterrella Stix                            6 Pc.                                          $2.99

Monsterrella Stix                            4 Pc.                                          $1.99

Monsterrella Stix                            6 Pc.                                          $2.99

Checkers Rallys Kids Meals Menu Price June 2020

Food Name                                     Size                                           Price

Cheeseburger                                   —                                             $3.49

Cheeseburger                                   —                                             $3.49

Chicken Bites                                    —                                             $3.49

Chicken Bites                                    —                                             $3.49

Hamburger                                        —                                             $3.19

Hamburger                                        —                                             $3.19

Hot Dog                                             —                                             $3.19

Hot Dog                                             —                                             $3.19

Checkers Rallys Desserts Menu Price June 2020

Food Name                                      Size                                         Price

Cinnamon Apple Pie                           —                                           $1.00

Cinnamon Apple Pie                           —                                           $1.00

Classic Funnel Cake                           —                                           $1.49

Classic Funnel Cake                           —                                           $1.49

Loaded Strawberry Funnel Cake        —                                           $2.29

Loaded Strawberry Funnel Cake        —                                           $2.29

Checkers Rallys Ice Cold Drinks Menu Price June 2020

Food Name                                        Size                                        Price

Drink                                                   Small                                      $1.79

Drink                                                   Medium                                  $1.99

Drink                                                   Large                                     $2.19

Drink                                                   Small                                     $1.79

Drink                                                   Medium                                  $1.99

Drink                                                   Large                                      $2.19

The details of the Checkers Rallys Menu Price list is a general overview of the menu that is available at the restaurant. you may share this with your friends and families too, even you may suggest to others about the specialties of the restaurant.You can visit here our site .

[ukgk]

The differences between nise-Haruna and Haruna

Do you know who nise-Haruna is? otherwise known as 『nise-Personaware with "nise-Haruna"』. the "nise" [Japanese for 'fake'], means there is also a 'real' Personaware. Which is called 『Personaware with "Haruna"』(however, there are few nise-Haruna users who call her the original instead).

The summary or TLDR; of the nise-Haruna controversy is that the creator of the original Haruna tried to cancel themere existence of nise-Haruna, claiming that nise-Haruna infringed on Haruna's copyright.

Is nise-Haruna really a copyright infringement? Is it plagiarism? Is it something that was never supposed to exist in the first place? If so, why are there so many people defending it? Let's start by looking at what nise-Haruna is. [Disclaimer, not all these opinions match up perfectly with my own and this is simply a translation of this page posted in 2001 before the actual court cases so some small details will be outdated such as Nini-tan's name pre-lawsuit. This is finely aged internet drama]

Have you ever heard of a desktop mascot?

Even if you don't know what it is, you've probably seen or imagined a software program that has a character on the screen that talks to you, or you might have seen one in a movie, cartoon or anime (even if it is just a picture)

There you have it. A desktop mascot is a piece of software that has a character on the screen that helps the user, talks to the user, and so on. Personaware is not the first to do this, but it has been around for a long time, and anyone can come up with one (not that everyone has the skill or resources can make one).

Both nise-Haruna and Haruna are desktop mascots (Haruna, or rather Personaware, is not just a desktop accessory, as the creator says, but... it's a desktop mascot/"accessory", after all(Oh, it's paid, so it's not free, though).

The big difference is that nise-Haruna is freeware（FREE!）, while Haruna is shareware（cost, 2500円 / roughly 25 USD）,

That's a big difference between the two.

Some people may think "I see, if nise-Haruna is free then why does it matter that she's plagiarizing Haruna?", That's where I have to say you're wrong.

Without further ado, let's examine the differences between （"fake"）nise-Haruna and Haruna.

This doesn't capture her likeness either. This is what happens when the Haruna from the other picture changes her clothes... But this one is indeed similar in the way her hands are folded, but I don't think a pose alone would classify as copyright infringement. Next.

Oh wow, I don't know about this one. with the twin-tailed hair and white clothes, this could be a close resemblance, or it could be that the fake Haruna is cosplaying as Haruna.

There may be many differing opinions on whether this is constitutes as copyright infringement or not (I think not), but no wonder it's called Nise "fake" Haruna.

I mean, it would be weird if there was no resemblance at all, even though it says "fake" in the programs title. Actually, Nini-tan is wearing clothes that resemble the way Haruna used to look when the software was still in it's early stages and was released to the public as freeware （i.e., not the default outfit of the current version）. Why is that you ask...? I'll explain later.

So is that all there is to it?　How does this "fake" nise-Haruna look like Haruna?　Hold up... there must be more to it

Oh!　It's similar. I mean, it's almost exactly the same, with the girl talking in a speech bubble!

Some people might say, "This is plagiarism no matter the price.." ...But wait a minute. A desktop mascot typically has a speechbubble just like that.

Thus, a character that speaks in a speech bubble is a standard feature for a desktop mascot, and it is a weak feature. It is not something that can be copyrighted.

However, what they're talking about... What the mascot does, in other words, is the function of the software.

The schedule, biorhythm checker, etc. seem to be completely covered, and the next page of nise-Haruna's menu even has a timer and alarm clock section. It's plagiarism this time!　...No, the implementation of such functions may not be related to copyright, but it must be plagiarism, right?

...That's what it looks like at a quick glance, isn't it? If that function really exists in nise-Haruna.

...There is no such function in nise-Haruna. Now let's have a look at the schedule item in nise-Haruna.

...Hold on, that isn't the schedule I recorded. It's nise-Haruna's made-up story. Naturally, it changes every time. By the way, the original Haruna really does manage the schedule.

Shall we take a look at her biorhythm checker?

It's a story she made up, after all. Of course, Haruna usually tells you your biorhythm as you'd normally expect. While we're at it, let's check if the timer works as well.

Wha..?, How dare she question the existence of timers.

In short, nise-Haruna doesn't even have the most basic features of Personaware. The features aren't functional. "I don't need a functional desktop mascot!" On the contrary, it's become a protest in defense of ironic humor and satire, that's why people classify it as merely being parody software.

「Well then, what can nise-Haruna actually do?」

The main selling point of both nise-Haruna and Haruna is their ability to fetch real-time information and communicate via the Internet.

They can pick up news from the Internet and tell you about it, update themselves and install add-ons, and link you to various websites.

「and・again・that's・plagiarism！they both have the same features right? :/ nise-haruna is just a lazy skinwalker」

Hmm, in a way, that may be true. Because Haruna was created before nini-tan.... But the difference is that Haruna didn't incorporate the Internet as much as the users were promised（although her creator was very enthusiastic about working towards that.

I felt that the original Haruna's use of the Internet was disappointing and solely used for simply passing on current mainstream news (if you want to check that out, you can just try going outside and touching grass for once). In other words, my take is that it's boring.

On the other hand, nise-Haruna gives us news but it's news tailored for otaku with strong story elements (or rather, stories made only for otaku i.e copypasta, satirical topics such as chiyu-12sai’s site),she also auto-updates to new versions very frequently (at one point a new update almost every day! she had an amazing pace...

when the program upgraded to the『何か。（仮）』[Nanika (igai)] phase, it became possible to set a clock, recommend you websites, check your messages and read (privately run) otaku-kei news websites and be notified of updates on them via "Headline Sensors".

nise-Haruna was by far the more advanced choice when it came to network capability. even though surprisingly, Haruna was the first software to implement the headline sensor. so plz no copy her, Haruna~!

Well, the headline fetching feature has created a larger fandom made up of different otaku-kei news site users uniting through nise-Haruna (she always had a tightknit community, but that crossover made us a lot more visible). nerdy otaku-kei types tend to have a softspot for cute characters like this.

a variety of different sites were actively cooperating with the integration of nise-Haruna. and nise-Haruna brought more attention to the headlines on them. There was a surprisingly peaceful symbiotic relationship between the two.

There's also something called SSTP ...I don't know much about this one, because I'm an amateur, but it seems that nise-Haruna has a function as a relay for SSTP servers. For example, if you have a homepage that supports this function, you can make nise-Haruna talk about updates and say custom greetings.

it's not only websites that are compatible, but some software can also be linked with nise-Haruna, such as the wellknown Iria software, which has its functions explained by nise-Haruna.

In the early days, the only software nise-Haruna was compatible with was Winamp (an Mp3 playing program, nise-Haruna can sing along with it). but thanks to Iria (http/ftp file downloading tool for Windows 95), gradually more and more software became compatible with nise-Haruna, and yet another large community was born through the freeware scene thanks to nise-Haruna.

You may be left wondering, why was it only nise-Haruna that went viral? After all Haruna also had a lot you could do with the network too... I think that, although the charm of nise-Haruna's character design is probably a factor to her rapid popularity, the major factor a diverse range of nerds all find appealing is in the creator's philosophy behind making it. I'll talk about the differences in philosophy another time.

The above is a look at the common features shared by nise-Haruna and Haruna. At a glance they seem to be the same, but in fact they are quite different...?

So, is the popularity of nise-Haruna due to these features?　Or is it because of her cute appearance?

Of course, these are the main reasons. But on their own, they are not so different from Haruna... I guess it's also hard to read gossip and news from the comfort of your desktop only once and then never again.

nise-Haruna has one more key distinguishing feature... and that's stand-up comedy!

nise-Haruna also has a sidekick（companion）that Haruna doesn't have.

For those of you who have been wondering what that lil' blue gremlin that has been casually appearing in the images with nise-Haruna is, his name is Unyuu.

Here's Unyuu doing a comedy routine with nise-Haruna（wait no.. all of their normal conversations are like this）.

nise-Haruna is equipped with a built-in AI. That's where the "nise" in her name comes in, it refers to the nise-AI（Fake/Pseudo-Artificial Intelligence）rather than being her actual name（although I don't know the difference between fake/pseudo-AI and real AI). It's technically more like an unintelligent Artificial Intelligence.

It works a lot like the Playstation game 『Doko Demo Issyo』* in how randomly （apparently not completely random） selected words are incorporated into sentences and a funny conversation ensues (a.k.a. "Dokodoitsu" function). Since it's just the two of them playing off each-other, it becomes a form of stand-up comedy.

*useless translator note: come to think of it, that's the same way dialogue in the game Tomodachi Life works if you want a more modern example

The true charm and appeal of nise-Haruna lies in the fact that the character actually feels alive.

That factor is what makes "fake" Haruna a real Haruna too, even in the face of destruction she stands unparalleled against the original Haruna, not the mention amongst all the other desktop mascot programs and artificially incompetent (or even artificially intelligent) characters that have come out so far. 　That's the reason the users love her so much, and that's why the users were so distraught that nise-Haruna was almost killed.

This is not just your average case of "freeware made by an individual is almost torn down and destroyed by a wealthy company offering a market share".

「nise-Haruna has been killed!」

it was like a tabloid headline to a shocking murder case... well to the minority of niche moe loving otaku who cared.

Whether or not nise-Haruna is legally in violation of copyright is something that can only be determined in a court of law, so I won't examine it strictly here, but I will declare, "If nise-Haruna is considered to be illegal, then something is wrong with the law!" 　...But that's just my personal opinion.

At any rate, I hope that you now understand the difference between nise-Haruna and Haruna...

[johannstutt413]

(requested by mathmaticalknight)

“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight, the Medical Department is proud to present: the Quest for Nian’s Vital Statistics!” Gavial announced to a cheering crowd of Medics and medically-skilled personnel. “Today’s competition is one of my personal favorites - Arm Wrestling! As you can see already, sitting at the table waiting is the lady of the hour, Nian!”

The Nian herself waved to the crowd, eliciting several whistles amidst a chorus with a general sentiment of, “Just tell us already!”

“And representing the Rhodes Island Medical Community today - not me, unfortunately, because I broke my arm in the rock climbing competition - is the woman more rigid than diamond, the Bone Dragon herself, Saaaaaaariaaaaaa!”

“Wooooo!” The crowd went absolutely ballistic at this announcement; Ifrit chose this moment to unfurl a banner reading “Go Mom!” in the Sarkaz’s handwriting, which was promptly confiscated by Silence.

As the competitors sat across from one another, the Vouivre extended her hand for a shake. “Good luck today, Miss Nian.”

“Luck? There’s nothing lucky about arm-wrestling. Tell you what, though - let’s have a little bet for ourselves, hmm?”

“A bet?” Normally, Saria wouldn’t take a bet at a time like this...but something about her opponent made her curious. “What sort of bet?”

Nian grinned. “If I win, I’ll buy you dinner, but if you win, you have to buy me dinner. That sound good to you?”

“You’re either confident you can win a free meal, or you want to ask me out without asking me out...I’ll take you up on that.”

“Warriors, remember, this is a first to 3 wins competition! We’ll alternate right and left arms until the 3 win minimum is met.” Gavial walked over to the table. “I want a clean match, with no hijinks - that means you, Nian. May the stronger woman win!”

The Nian flicked her tongue at the Vouivre as they locked hands for the first bout. “You heard her, Saria. Win me over.”

“I’m not fighting for myself, Nian. Today, I wrestle in the name of Rhodes Island, and in the name of science.”

“What lofty ideals you hold to.” She chuckled. “It will only make my victory meal that much sweeter~”

The Archosaurian held up a checkered flag and waved it between them. “3!...2!...1!...Begin!”

-----------

“Thanks for not asking me to take you anywhere too fancy.” Nian and Saria were in a shuttle on their way into Lungmen, sharing a seat and watching neon lights flicker by. “I only have enough cash to cover a nice food truck right now.”

“A meal is a meal; I’m not terribly picky about price points and whatnot. The real prize was mine either way.” The Vouivre had won handily, in a rather jaw-dropping display of strength that had even Olivia on her side for once, but now she had more important things on her mind.

Her date nudged her shoulder. “Hey, I think this is our stop.”

“Ah, yes.” She stood up and followed the Nian out...only to notice it definitely hadn’t been. “Did you misread the directions?”

“No, I know where we’re going. For someone so strict, you’ve been pretty lax about paying attention to me tonight.”

Saria had to admit, she had a point. “Sorry. It’s been awhile since I’ve gone out like this.”

“Same here - no matter how many times I drag the Doctor out of his office, he just spends the whole time psychoanalyzing me. It gets pretty stale after a few times.” She gestured to a shack that looked ready to fall apart at any second. “That’s the place! And you thought I forgot where I was going!”

“It looks much more run-down than in the web advert,” the Vouivre noted as they approached it.

Nian nodded. “That’s how you know the food’s amazing. Do you know what you’re getting?”

“I need to see the menu to decide.” She stretched her arms behind her back. “Have you been in Lungmen long? You seem to know the area rather well.”

“Hmm...Depends on your perspective. Time has lost a lot of meaning to me over the...years? Decades? Which one uses the solar calendar, again?”

The medic blinked. “I’m sure you mean years. Decades are sets of ten years, after all.”

“Oh, so it was decades, then.” The Nian nodded to herself. “Good to know! Good evening, Qin Sun. Table for two, please?”

“You know the owner of the restaurant?” Saria was impressed; she must really know Lungmen-

Wait, no, her date was shaking her head. “He started here a couple of weeks ago, really nice guy. Would be a good pick for the Doctor, I think, if he ever comes out.”

“...Interesting.” That wasn’t anywhere near relevant to anything, but also, how often did Nian go out? “If I ask you something, Nian, will you give me a straight answer?”

“Maybe.” She smirked, tail casually wagging behind her and tongue ever-so-slightly sticking out.

Damn, that was actually kind of hot...hmm. “Why are you so adamant about the Medics not testing you?”

“...I don’t think we should start there.” The Nian frowned. “This is the first time we’ve spoken to each other outside of work, after all.”

“Alright, then a different question: why do you stay on Rhodes Island, and deploy on missions with us, without becoming an Operator proper? Surely you could use the extra income?”

Nian sighed. “You’re asking all the hard questions now? After the workout you put me through?”

“You asked me out on a date for a reason, did you not?” That earned her a blush. “If you don’t want to tell me anything about yourself, why commit so much to share a meal with me?”

“...You’re right. I didn’t think it through enough; most people love to talk about themselves, so I thought I could get you to do that and we could go from there, but you’re just like the rest of the Medics, I suppose. What do you want to know?” The mischief that’d been in her eyes most of the evening leading up to this was gone now.

That didn’t mean much in the grand scheme, though, so Saria decided to take it more slowly. “Why me?”

“You’re an absolute unit for one; the other day, during that group exercise, you went head-to-head with Hoshiguma for nearly an hour and gave her hell the entire time. I’ve never seen someone that strong before.” She licked her lips, seemingly unintentionally. “I love your horns, and the spines on your tail, and your hair, but more than anything, it’s that stare of yours.”

“What do you mean? I don’t stare often.” The Vouivre, of course, hadn’t taken her eye off Nian since they’d arrived at the restaurant.

The Nian chuckled at that. “I’ve seen it, either way. You’re a beautiful woman stronger and smarter than almost every man in the same room as you at a given moment, so that’s why I wanted to go on a date. Makes sense, right?”

“When you put it so plainly, at least.” That sounded honest enough. Alright, next question. “What was the confusion earlier with measuring time?”

“Ah, yes, that. Before I answer that...I’ve got another proposal.”

Oh boy. “I’ll hear you out. The last one went well for me, after all.”

“Great!” Nian tapped an item on the menu. “If you can eat this whole thing without a single drink, I’ll let you, and only you, give me the physical you Medics want of me.”

“...What’s the catch?”

She shrugged. “I just don’t think you’ll be able to. It’s really spicy.”

“Spicy, you say?” Saria picked up the chopsticks, spun them out of their paper wrapping, and brandished them with a confident smile. “If that’s the only challenge, it’s no issue at all.”

“Alright, then! Excuse me, Qin? We’re ready to order!”

The Vouivre cracked her neck. “Anything I should know ahead of your examination?”

“That’s a lot of confidence!” The Nian smiled back. “Well, if you do manage it, I hope you have something harder than diamond on your syringes.”

“A few things, in fact, but that won’t be too important. Most of the physical will be strength and endurance testing.”

Nian blinked. “Endurance testing, huh? More boring than I thought.”

“It won’t be, I promise.” She leaned forward. “You’ll forget about the testing part by the time it’s over.”

“Oh-ho-ho...Chef, hurry with that order, please!”

[ancientechos]

Shopping Trip!

For @whitherliliesbloom, based on their headcanons on an Illyanaud/Laurchefant double date!

Alphinaud/Illya + Haurchefant/Laurelis ♡ 2109 words ♡ some kinda modern au

This is supposed to be a so-called “double date”, but as far as Alphinaud is concerned, it is merely a regular one. Between Laurelis and Illya.

Haurchefant and Alphinaud simply happen to be there at the same time. Or at the very least in their general vicinity.

The taller elezen doesn’t appear especially bothered by this; he bears his burden of an already concerning amount of bags with unprecedented grace and decorum.

“They look like they’re having fun,” he says with an easy smile once he notices the white-haired elezen glancing toward him. Alphinaud clears his throat.

“I -- yes, I...suppose that is one of the words...that could describe them.”

Laurelis stands in the middle of one of the clothing stores, a veritable pile of dresses thrown over the nearest rack, clearly selected for the lalafellin girl fidgeting demurely in front of her. She holds her most recent pick -- a pale turquoise ruffled dress -- in both hands, holding it out near the shorter girl’s shoulders.

Whilst Illya looks only somewhat uncomfortable with her predicament, the miqo’te has a somewhat pinched, pensive expression as she stares at younger girl and garment with narrowed eyes. Then, abruptly and apparently satisfied, she gives a tiny nod and gently folds the dress before placing it on the ground beside her.

“Don’t I need to try that on first...?”

“Nope! I know you’ll look adorable without even putting it on!” Laurelis’ smile is bright and infectious; even Illya can’t help but let her lips upturn despite her misgivings. “But this...” The pink-haired woman’s voice trails off as she pulls yet another dress from the small pile she’s amassed. “I’m afraid you will have to try this one on.”

She holds it up to Illya briefly, before allowing the lalafell to take the dress from her. It’s a light, checkered thing; Alphinaud can’t make it out clearly from this distance, but it seems to have something frilly or lacy at the front.

After a mild “argument” (”Are you sure this isn’t too much?” “Nonsense! There’s never too many cute clothes!”), the lalafell retreats to the dressing room, defeated, dress in hand.

Perhaps it’s understandable that she should feel anxious. The vast majority of the bags Haurchefant holds contain clothes and shoes...for Illya, after all.

This scene had been repeated numerous times in other stores, with but one exception that had occurred exactly once and then never again, though the memory still causes the hair at the back of Alphinaud’s neck to spike in unease.

Illya had hesitantly peered out of the dressing room, violet eyes glimmering with discontent; she only finally pulled herself out with effusive and exuberant encouragement from her best friend. The sight that greeted the pale-haired elezen had nearly stolen his breath away: the dress Laurelis had chosen for her was the perfect colour and cut, brilliantly highlighting her features and, at the same time, making her look somehow even more lovely than she had mere minutes ago.

His silence had not gone unnoticed. Whilst Haurchefant had quickly offered his own praise, Alphinaud had merely been struck speechless and tongue-tied, as if somehow turned to stone. And the miqo’te had wheeled toward him, eyes narrowed, fluffy tail twitching only once.

“What do you think, Alphinaud? Doesn’t she look beautiful?”

Alphinaud had thought he could catch a hint of an uncharacteristic sharpness in her gaze -- a subtle glare that looked utterly unnerving on the miqo’te. He had cleared his throat, finding the words he needed to curtail his execution rapidly surfacing despite his initial floundering.

“O-of course. She looks beautiful -- absolutely stunning.” He most certainly did not stutter.

The pink-haired woman’s expression had transformed into a beam that could very well rival the sun. “Fantastic! I knew you’d like it.” Giving a tiny, gleeful clap, she had levied Illya with yet another dress, and the bone-chilling moment had passed as if nothing untoward had ever happened.

Alphinaud still occasionally feels somewhat cold, for no discernible reason.

As Laurelis fawns over the assortment of clothes she’s uncovered for Illya to wear and try on, Alphinaud finds his mind wandering. If this is a shopping trip -- and so it appears, as opposed to an actual date -- he may as well do some shopping on his own.

It appears Illya is well and covered in the clothing department, so he supposes there’s room for him to buy something else...

Like, he thinks, as his gaze roves over a nearby store, jewelry.

Illya, being quite modest, doesn’t often afford herself the luxury of pretty trinkets. Almost never, really, and certainly really nothing expensive.

Well, expensive for her. To him, and to apparently the pink-haired miqo’te, it may as well be a drop in the ocean.

The black, lacquered sign gleams at him under the skylights as he approaches. Genuine crystal bouquets. Perhaps not quite jewelry, as he’d initially assumed, but some sort of trinket nonetheless. And certainly nothing Illya would look even twice at.

She does love flowers, however. What ever would be better than an undying, beautifully cut, and vibrant bouquet? Far more than a simple collection of fake flowers...

Or so that’s what he thinks as he peers into the small shop. Behind locked cabinets and displays of glass are numerous attentively arranged crystalline flowers. Some are simply made of nondescript crystal; others, more ostentatiously priced, are labelled to be carved of gemstone.

He’s drawn almost immediately toward a composition of lilies, sparkling in the light. The price on the card beside them would undoubtedly make his girlfriend faint.

“Looking to buy, sir?” The elderly gentleman behind the counter hones in on him almost immediately, attracted by the crispness of his shirt and the stitching of his tailored coat. Evidently the man can smell the bottomless cards stowed away in his pockets. 

“Yes, I -- I was wondering, might I have a look at that lily bouquet up there?” Alphinaud gives a nod toward the glass shelves behind the counter. The shopkeep pulls out an assortment of keys from his pocket and begins fiddling with the locks.

“I feel like I shouldn’t even be here.” The light, airy comment nearly startles the long-haired young man out of his skin; he turns slightly to see his other companion, Haurchefant, joining him, bags in either hand. “Are you getting that for Illya?” He leans forward slightly as the older man brings the delicate bouquet down before them, allowing them both to look at it.

“Yes. I think it’s very beautiful. It suits her, don’t you think?” Alphinaud gently brushes a finger along one crystalline petal. It would look quite pretty on her nightstand -- perhaps away from any windows, lest anyone less savoury see it.

“It is very pretty -- ” Haurchefant breaks himself off as the shopkeep reminds his friend of the price. “But are you sure she’ll like it? It is rather expensive, after all...wouldn’t she be worried?”

Though Alphinaud does not think it to be that much of a money sink...he can attest that his love would probably be rather critical of the cost involved. Pursing his lips slightly, he looks away from the diamond lilies. “I suppose you are correct...”

He looks instead toward a series of delicately cut roses, pale and translucent. The price for these is substantially less.

“What about these ones...?”

When he walks out of the store a few minutes later, box neatly wrapped and tied and deposited into a white nondescript bag, he feels quite pleased with himself. Haurchefant had kept up his attempts to dissuade him, though to no avail; this bouquet was, after all, far less expensive than the other alternative. And roses are very romantic. Not to mention these particular flowers are eternal.

Illya might gripe about it, but she shouldn’t be displeased, he thinks.

The girls -- or Laurelis, rather -- have already finished making their new purchases by the time they return to the clothing store, the miqo’te excitedly chattering to her friend about the fine points of matching colours and accents.

________

The restaurant is filled with the sound of soft music and the laughter of children and the other patrons. Their shopping has been deposited in the trunk of Haurchefant’s car -- box of crystal roses included, which Illya miraculously did not notice.

Or perhaps chose not to bring up in front of their friends.

“What are you getting, Illya?” Laurelis asks with a mild quirk of her lips as she flips through her menu. Her expression is furrowed slightly in characteristic indecision, before it lightens. “I think I’m getting one of the burgers...”

“Um...” Illya trails off a moment as she finishes coming to her own decision. “The piping hot chicken wings, I think...”

“Ah -- I-I see...what about you, Haurchefant, Alphinaud?”

Alphinaud shuts his menu before he responds. “I’ll probably just get a coffee and a salad.” He’s typically not too hungry by lunchtime -- even with the walking they’d been doing earlier.

“I’ll likely be getting one of the burgers myself,” comes Haurchefant’s reply, closing his own menu.

It doesn’t take too long for their orders to finally arrive, or perhaps it only feels that way with the light, jovial chatter. Laurelis’ fashion classes are going well, as are Haurchefant’s English courses, and Illya’s shop is of course proceeding swimmingly. The conversation ceases for only a moment as the pink-haired woman fishes out her cellphone.

“I have to take pictures!” she announces. “If -- well, if that’s okay with everyone, at least.” Somehow, she always manages to make the food look even more appetising than it already is in her snapshots.

The wings on Illya’s plate are steaming, the scent of spice nearly overpowering the smell of Laurelis and Haurchefant’s burgers across the table. Alphinaud eyes the lalafell’s meal warily, keeping to his plain and boring salad.

“Oh, may I try one, Illya? They look quite good.” Haurchefant asks. Laurelis’ head nearly whips clean off her shoulders as she looks up to stare at him in what can only be described as abject pity, mouth agape.

“O-of course,” Illya murmurs, gently pushing her plate forward. The silver-haired man reaches to pluck one of the wings off her plate, lifting it to his mouth. He’s hardly even licked it when his eyebrows furrow slightly in consternation.

The brave man does, in fact, manage to take a bite -- and perhaps, it seems, even swallow it, though Alphinaud feels rather too terrified to actually get a good look at his facial expression.

“Well -- that was -- very good...I, ah -- excuse me...”

Laurelis politely slides out of the booth to allow the taller elezen to shift past her, and Alphinaud continues to wonder how he simply doesn’t sprint to the nearest washroom.

“I-is Haurchefant all right...?” Illya asks with wide, violet eyes. Her best friend gives a faint laugh, waving a hand gently.

“Oh, he’ll be fine! I-I think I felt his phone vibrating in his pocket, he m-must have gotten a call or something!”

“I hope it wasn’t anything serious...”

Their final group member returns a few minutes later, though he does not ask to partake in Illya’s dish again, and assures them that everything had gone well with his call.

________

Alphinaud feels a little bad for Haurchefant driving him home, but the older elezen had insisted.

“There’s nothing wrong with friends dropping friends off, is there? You don’t need to take your fancy driver everywhere.”

And Laurelis doesn’t even use a driver despite it well being within her means to. For some ungodly reason, she prefers to walk.

“I can take you home, Illya, if you don’t mind,” Alphinaud says before he steps out of the car. “I have something I’d like to talk to you about, too.”

The lalafellin girl looks a little confused as she blinks up at him. “Talk...?”

“Yes! So -- we can take your shopping to my apartment, right?”

“Oh, sure!” Laurelis wheedles her way into the conversation. “I can help you carry everything up!  There’s...a lot, ahah...”

“I’ll help, too.” Haurchefant’s smile is easy and light. “I think you’ll need it.”

Alphinaud staunchly pretends he has not an inkling of what the older man could possibly be talking about, the crystal bouquet weighing heavier than any mountain of shoes possibly could. He only hopes she’ll like them.

[random-brushstrokes]

Vladimir Makovsky - Scene at the cafe Dominic in St. Petersburg (1897)

The first Russian cafe-restaurant, opened in May 1841 at 24 Nevsky Prospect by "pastry shop master" Dominique Ritz Aport, a native of Switzerland, "for the satisfaction of people of class". The restaurant was famous for its fine cuisine and reasonable prices (the menu offered tea, coffee, chocolate, mulled wine, beefsteak), and enjoyed wide popularity with amateurs playing billiards, dominoes, checkers and chess (M.I. Chigorin played there).

The public was offered Russian and foreign newspapers. Daily, up to 1,500 people dined at Dominic; among its regular customers were F.M. Dostoevsky and D.I. Mendeleev (habitues called themselves Dominicans). Dominic was depicted in works by M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin, A. P. Chekhov and other writers; its interior is captured in drawings by I.E. Repin.

In 1917, Dominic was closed down, and from the 1920s an ice-cream parlour was located on its premises (nick-named Frog Pool in the 1960s due to its green sofa upholstery). (source)