#cost-effective compliance

[regulatoryrisks]

Benefits of Hiring a Compliance Consultant for Financial Services

Discover how a compliance consultant can help your financial services business stay compliant, reduce costs, and mitigate risks with expert, tailored solutions. Click on https://www.regulatoryrisks.com/blog-details/benefits-hiring-compliance-consultant-financial-services

[madisonellie1]

At FineX Outsourcing we have clear liability with giving wide VAT Return HMRC relationship to ensure your business remains clear with all cost rules. Our party of experts is learned in the intricacies of VAT rules and HMRC essentials, raising the cycle smooth and crushing free for you. Our affiliations coordinate careful appraisals to ensure that each trade is tended to unequivocally, keeping the bet of messes up, and titanic locale to adhere to HMRC deadlines, avoiding any late trains or interest charges.

[internett1line]

The Enduring Relevance of Fax Lines in Modern Business Communication

In an era dominated by digital communication, the humble fax line may seem like a relic of the past. However, for many industries, fax lines remain an indispensable tool for secure and reliable document transmission. At SolveForce, we understand the importance of integrating traditional and modern technologies to meet diverse business needs. Here’s why fax lines continue to hold their ground in…

[einnosyssecsgem]

SECS/GEM on Canon MPA 600 Super Aligner Through the EIGEMBox

In the dynamic world of semiconductor manufacturing, ensuring that legacy equipment can keep up with modern communication standards is essential for maintaining productivity and efficiency. The Canon MPA 600 Super Aligner, a widely used piece of equipment in semiconductor fabs, often lacks the native SECS/GEM capabilities required for seamless integration into contemporary manufacturing systems. Enter EIGEMBox, a patented, plug-and-play solution that brings SECS/GEM compliance to legacy equipment without the need for extensive hardware or software installations.

In this blog, we will explore the benefits of using EIGEMBox to enable SECS/GEM on the Canon MPA 600 Super Aligner and how this can revolutionize your manufacturing process.

What is SECS/GEM?

SECS/GEM (SEMI Equipment Communications Standard/Generic Equipment Model) is a set of protocols developed by SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International) to standardize communication between semiconductor manufacturing equipment and host systems. These protocols are critical for enabling automation, real-time data collection, and equipment control, which are essential for the efficiency and productivity of modern semiconductor fabs.

The Importance of SECS/GEM Compliance SECS/GEM compliance offers several significant benefits for semiconductor manufacturing: Automation: SECS/GEM protocols enable the automation of equipment operations, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing the risk of human error. This leads to higher throughput and more consistent production quality.

Data Collection and Analysis: SECS/GEM allows for real-time data collection from equipment, which can be analyzed to monitor performance, optimize processes, and predict maintenance needs. This data-driven approach helps in making informed decisions that improve overall efficiency.

Equipment Control: With SECS/GEM, equipment can be controlled remotely by the host system, allowing for better coordination and scheduling of manufacturing tasks. This ensures optimal utilization of resources and reduces downtime.

Interoperability: SECS/GEM provides a standardized communication framework, ensuring that equipment from different vendors can work together seamlessly. This interoperability is crucial for maintaining a cohesive and efficient manufacturing environment.

Challenges with Legacy Equipment

While SECS/GEM offers numerous advantages, many legacy equipment like the Canon MPA 600 Super Aligner lack native SECS/GEM capabilities. Upgrading these machines to meet modern standards can be a complex and costly process, often requiring significant hardware and software modifications. This is where EIGEMBox comes into play.

Introducing EIGEMBox

EIGEMBox is an innovative, patented solution designed to bring SECS/GEM capabilities to legacy equipment without the need for additional hardware or software installations. This plug-and-play device makes it easy to upgrade older machines, ensuring they can communicate effectively with modern control systems and integrate seamlessly into automated manufacturing environments.

Key Features of EIGEMBox

Plug-and-Play Convenience: EIGEMBox is designed for easy installation and operation. Simply connect the device to your legacy equipment, and it starts working immediately, without the need for extensive configuration or setup.

No Hardware or Software Installation Required: Unlike traditional SECS/GEM integration solutions that often require complex hardware and software installations, EIGEMBox eliminates these hassles. This makes it a cost-effective and time-saving solution for upgrading your equipment.

Patented Technology: EIGEMBox utilizes patented technology to ensure reliable and efficient communication between your legacy equipment and modern control systems. This guarantees seamless integration and improved operational efficiency.

Enhanced Data Exchange: With EIGEMBox, your legacy equipment can exchange data in real-time with control systems, enabling better monitoring, analysis, and optimization of manufacturing processes.

Benefits of Using EIGEMBox with Canon MPA 600 Super Aligner

Upgrading the Canon MPA 600 Super Aligner with EIGEMBox offers several significant benefits:

Extended Equipment Life: By enabling SECS/GEM compliance, EIGEMBox extends the operational life of the Canon MPA 600 Super Aligner, allowing you to maximize your investment in this equipment.

Improved Efficiency: Enhanced communication and control capabilities lead to better coordination of manufacturing tasks, increased throughput, and reduced downtime. This results in the overall improved efficiency of your manufacturing process.

Cost Savings: EIGEMBox eliminates the need for costly hardware and software upgrades, providing a more affordable solution for integrating SECS/GEM protocols into your manufacturing processes.

Seamless Integration: EIGEMBox ensures that your Canon MPA 600 Super Aligner can communicate effectively with modern control systems, enabling a smoother and more efficient manufacturing operation.

Case Study: Successful Integration of EIGEMBox with Canon MPA 600 Super Aligner

One of our clients, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, faced challenges in integrating SECS/GEM protocols into their Canon MPA 600 Super Aligner. After implementing EIGEMBox, they experienced a significant improvement in production efficiency. The plug-and-play nature of EIGEMBox allowed for a quick and hassle-free integration process, resulting in a 20% increase in equipment utilization and a 15% reduction in downtime. The client was able to extend the life of their existing equipment while achieving substantial cost savings. How to Get Started with EIGEMBox Ready to revolutionize your semiconductor manufacturing processes with EIGEMBox? Here’s how you can get started:

Contact Us: Reach out to our team for a consultation. We’ll assess your current equipment and provide tailored recommendations for integrating EIGEMBox into your manufacturing environment.

Easy Installation: Once you’ve decided to move forward, our team will guide you through the simple installation process. No need for extensive configuration or setup – just plug it in and start reaping the benefits.

Ongoing Support: Our commitment to your success doesn’t end with installation. We offer comprehensive support to ensure that your EIGEMBox operates seamlessly and delivers the desired improvements in efficiency and productivity.

Contact Us Today! Don’t let outdated equipment hold back your semiconductor manufacturing operations. With EIGEMBox, you can achieve modern communication and control capabilities without the need for costly hardware or software installations. Contact us today to learn more about how EIGEMBox can transform your Canon MPA 600 Super Aligner and drive your manufacturing processes forward.

[glancetelecom]

We don't just offer traditional communication solutions. We're at the forefront of innovation, leveraging the power of AI to take your interactions to the next level. Experience the difference with Crystal-clear VoIP calls, Effortless SMS solutions and AI-powered features. https://bit.ly/4cG4F2U #GlanceTelecom #AI #Communication #Results #VoIP #SMS #BusinessSuccess #CloudSolutions #CustomerSuccess Glance Telecom

[maxlearnmicrolearningplatform]

Enhancing Brand Reputation with MaxLearn’s Microlearning for Compliance Training

In today’s fast-paced business environment, maintaining compliance with regulations and ethical standards is crucial for protecting and enhancing a brand's reputation. Traditional compliance training methods often fall short in engaging employees and ensuring knowledge retention. MaxLearn's microlearning approach offers a dynamic and effective solution for compliance training, helping organizations safeguard their reputation and build a resilient workforce. This article explores how MaxLearn’s microlearning for compliance training can protect and build a brand’s reputation.

The Importance of Compliance Training

Compliance training is essential for ensuring that employees understand and adhere to legal standards, industry regulations, and internal policies. Effective compliance training helps organizations avoid legal penalties, reduce the risk of ethical breaches, and maintain a positive public image. However, traditional compliance training programs often face challenges such as low engagement, poor retention, and high costs.

The Power of Microlearning in Compliance Training

Microlearning involves delivering content in short, focused bursts that are easy for learners to digest and retain. This approach is particularly well-suited for compliance training, offering several advantages:

1. Enhanced Engagement

Traditional compliance training programs can be lengthy and monotonous, leading to disengagement. Microlearning addresses this issue by breaking down complex compliance topics into manageable, interactive modules.

Interactive Content: MaxLearn’s microlearning modules incorporate videos, quizzes, and simulations to make learning more engaging.

Short Duration: Modules typically last between 3 to 10 minutes, making it easier for employees to stay focused and complete the training.

Example: Instead of a two-hour lecture on data privacy, MaxLearn offers a series of five-minute modules covering different aspects of data privacy, each with interactive elements to reinforce learning.

2. Improved Knowledge Retention

Microlearning enhances retention by focusing on one topic at a time and using spaced repetition to reinforce key concepts. This method helps ensure that employees retain and apply what they learn in their daily work.

Spaced Repetition: Key compliance concepts are revisited over time to reinforce learning and improve long-term retention.

Micro-Assessments: Frequent quizzes and assessments help reinforce knowledge and identify areas where additional training is needed.

Example: After introducing a new anti-money laundering policy, MaxLearn’s microlearning platform provides weekly micro-assessments to reinforce the key points and ensure employees remember the information.

3. Flexibility and Accessibility

Microlearning offers flexibility, allowing employees to access training materials at their convenience. This is particularly beneficial for organizations with a diverse workforce, including remote employees and those working in different time zones.

Mobile Accessibility: MaxLearn’s microlearning modules are accessible on mobile devices, enabling employees to learn on the go.

On-Demand Learning: Employees can access training materials whenever they need a refresher or new information.

Example: A compliance officer can complete a microlearning module on conflict of interest policies during a commute, using a mobile device.

4. Cost-Effectiveness and Efficiency

Microlearning can be more cost-effective than traditional training methods, requiring fewer resources and allowing for easy updates to reflect changes in regulations.

Scalable Solutions: MaxLearn’s microlearning platform can be easily scaled to accommodate a growing workforce or new compliance requirements.

Reduced Training Time: Short, focused training sessions minimize the time employees spend away from their primary responsibilities.

Example: When a new regulation is introduced, MaxLearn can quickly update its microlearning modules to reflect the changes, ensuring all employees have access to the latest information without significant downtime.

Implementing MaxLearn’s Microlearning for Compliance Training

1. Identify Key Compliance Topics

Begin by identifying the most critical compliance topics that need to be covered. These topics should align with legal requirements and the organization’s policies and procedures.

Risk Assessment: Conduct a risk assessment to identify areas where compliance training is most needed.

Prioritization: Prioritize topics based on their importance and relevance to the organization’s operations.

Example: For a financial institution, key compliance topics might include anti-money laundering regulations, data protection, and ethical conduct.

2. Design Engaging Microlearning Modules

Design microlearning modules that are concise and focused on a single topic or concept. Each module should be no longer than 5-10 minutes to maintain learner attention and effectiveness.

Clear Objectives: Define clear learning objectives for each module to ensure that the content is targeted and effective.

Engaging Formats: Use a variety of formats, such as videos, infographics, quizzes, and interactive scenarios, to keep learners engaged.

Example: Create a series of short videos on data protection, each focusing on a different aspect, such as data handling procedures, reporting requirements, and best practices.

3. Incorporate Interactive Elements

Interactive elements, such as quizzes, simulations, and case studies, enhance engagement and help learners apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Simulations: Use simulations to mimic real-life situations that employees might encounter, allowing them to practice their responses.

Case Studies: Incorporate case studies that illustrate compliance successes and failures, helping learners understand the practical implications of their actions.

Example: Develop a simulation that places employees in a scenario where they must identify and report suspicious activity, reinforcing anti-money laundering training.

4. Leverage Technology

Utilize learning management systems (LMS) and mobile learning platforms to deliver microlearning content. These technologies can track progress, provide instant feedback, and facilitate continuous learning.

LMS Integration: Integrate microlearning modules into the organization’s LMS to track employee progress and completion rates.

Mobile Learning: Ensure that microlearning content is optimized for mobile devices, allowing employees to learn anytime, anywhere.

Example: Implement an LMS that supports microlearning and mobile access, providing employees with a seamless and flexible learning experience.

5. Measure and Optimize

Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of microlearning modules through assessments, feedback, and performance metrics. Use this data to optimize the training content and delivery methods continuously.

Analytics: Use analytics to monitor learner engagement, completion rates, and knowledge retention.

Feedback Loops: Gather feedback from employees to identify areas for improvement and adjust the content accordingly.

Example: After deploying a series of microlearning modules on data protection, analyze completion rates and quiz scores to identify any gaps in understanding and refine the content.

Conclusion

MaxLearn’s microlearning approach offers a powerful and flexible solution for compliance training, helping organizations protect and build their brand’s reputation. By breaking down complex compliance topics into manageable, engaging segments, microlearning enhances retention, understanding, and engagement. Leveraging technology and interactive elements further boosts the effectiveness of compliance training, ensuring that employees stay informed and compliant with ever-evolving regulations.

Incorporating microlearning into compliance training strategies not only improves training outcomes but also fosters a culture of continuous learning and adaptability. As organizations navigate the complexities of regulatory environments, MaxLearn’s microlearning stands out as a valuable tool for building a resilient and compliant workforce.

[aningamoah2002]

Cyber Security

[reasonsforhope]

A new treatment combining ReCET and semaglutide could eliminate the need for insulin in type 2 diabetes, with 86% of participants in a study no longer requiring insulin therapy. The treatment was safe and well-tolerated, and further trials are planned to confirm these results.

Groundbreaking research presented at UEG Week 2024 introduces a promising new treatment approach for type 2 diabetes (T2D) that has the potential to greatly reduce or even eliminate the need for insulin therapy.

This innovative approach, which combines a novel procedure known as ReCET (Re-Cellularization via Electroporation Therapy) with semaglutide, resulted in the elimination of insulin therapy for 86% of patients.

Globally, T2D affects 422 million people... While insulin therapy is commonly used to manage blood sugar levels in T2D patients, it can result in side effects... and further complicate diabetes management. [Note: Also very importantly it's fucking bankrupting people who need it!!] A need therefore exists for alternative treatment strategies.

Study Design and Outcomes

The first-in-human study included 14 participants aged 28 to 75 years, with body mass indices ranging from 24 to 40 kg/m². Each participant underwent the ReCET procedure under deep sedation, a treatment intended to improve the body’s sensitivity to its own insulin. Following the procedure, participants adhered to a two-week isocaloric liquid diet, after which semaglutide was gradually titrated up to 1mg/week.

Remarkably, at the 6- and 12-month follow-up, 86% of participants (12 out of 14) no longer required insulin therapy, and this success continued through the 24-month follow-up. In these cases, all patients maintained glycaemic control, with HbA1c levels remaining below 7.5%.

Tolerability and Safety

The maximum dose of semaglutide was well-tolerated by 93% of participants, one individual could not increase to the maximum dose due to nausea. All patients successfully completed the ReCET procedure, and no serious adverse effects were reported.

Dr Celine Busch, lead author of the study, commented, “These findings are very encouraging, suggesting that ReCET is a safe and feasible procedure that, when combined with semaglutide, can effectively eliminate the need for insulin therapy.”

“Unlike drug therapy, which requires daily medication adherence, ReCET is compliance-free [meaning: you don't have to take it every day], addressing the critical issue of ongoing patient adherence in the management of T2D. In addition, the treatment is disease-modifying: it improves the patient’s sensitivity to their own (endogenous) insulin, tackling the root cause of the disease, as opposed to currently available drug therapies, that are at best disease-controlling.”

Looking ahead, the researchers plan to conduct larger randomized controlled trials to further validate these findings. Dr. Busch added, “We are currently conducting the EMINENT-2 trial with the same inclusion and exclusion criteria and administration of semaglutide, but with either a sham procedure or ReCET. This study will also include mechanistic assessments to evaluate the underlying mechanism of ReCET.”

-via SciTechDaily, October 17, 2024

--

Note: If it works even half as well as suggested, this could free so many people from the burden of the ongoing ridiculous cost of insulin. Pharma companies that make insulin can go choke (hopefully).

[shrutiwork22]

Dealing with Rejected Materials in Pharmaceuticals - QodeNext Blog

[treasure-mimic]

So, let me try and put everything together here, because I really do think it needs to be talked about.

Today, Unity announced that it intends to apply a fee to use its software. Then it got worse.

For those not in the know, Unity is the most popular free to use video game development tool, offering a basic version for individuals who want to learn how to create games or create independently alongside paid versions for corporations or people who want more features. It's decent enough at this job, has issues but for the price point I can't complain, and is the idea entry point into creating in this medium, it's a very important piece of software.

But speaking of tools, the CEO is a massive one. When he was the COO of EA, he advocated for using, what out and out sounds like emotional manipulation to coerce players into microtransactions.

"A consumer gets engaged in a property, they might spend 10, 20, 30, 50 hours on the game and then when they're deep into the game they're well invested in it. We're not gouging, but we're charging and at that point in time the commitment can be pretty high."

He also called game developers who don't discuss monetization early in the planning stages of development, quote, "fucking idiots".

So that sets the stage for what might be one of the most bald-faced greediest moves I've seen from a corporation in a minute. Most at least have the sense of self-preservation to hide it.

A few hours ago, Unity posted this announcement on the official blog.

Effective January 1, 2024, we will introduce a new Unity Runtime Fee that’s based on game installs. We will also add cloud-based asset storage, Unity DevOps tools, and AI at runtime at no extra cost to Unity subscription plans this November. We are introducing a Unity Runtime Fee that is based upon each time a qualifying game is downloaded by an end user. We chose this because each time a game is downloaded, the Unity Runtime is also installed. Also we believe that an initial install-based fee allows creators to keep the ongoing financial gains from player engagement, unlike a revenue share.

Now there are a few red flags to note in this pitch immediately.

Unity is planning on charging a fee on all games which use its engine.

This is a flat fee per number of installs.

They are using an always online runtime function to determine whether a game is downloaded.

There is just so many things wrong with this that it's hard to know where to start, not helped by this FAQ which doubled down on a lot of the major issues people had.

I guess let's start with what people noticed first. Because it's using a system baked into the software itself, Unity would not be differentiating between a "purchase" and a "download". If someone uninstalls and reinstalls a game, that's two downloads. If someone gets a new computer or a new console and downloads a game already purchased from their account, that's two download. If someone pirates the game, the studio will be asked to pay for that download.

Q: How are you going to collect installs? A: We leverage our own proprietary data model. We believe it gives an accurate determination of the number of times the runtime is distributed for a given project. Q: Is software made in unity going to be calling home to unity whenever it's ran, even for enterprice licenses? A: We use a composite model for counting runtime installs that collects data from numerous sources. The Unity Runtime Fee will use data in compliance with GDPR and CCPA. The data being requested is aggregated and is being used for billing purposes. Q: If a user reinstalls/redownloads a game / changes their hardware, will that count as multiple installs? A: Yes. The creator will need to pay for all future installs. The reason is that Unity doesn’t receive end-player information, just aggregate data. Q: What's going to stop us being charged for pirated copies of our games? A: We do already have fraud detection practices in our Ads technology which is solving a similar problem, so we will leverage that know-how as a starting point. We recognize that users will have concerns about this and we will make available a process for them to submit their concerns to our fraud compliance team.

This is potentially related to a new system that will require Unity Personal developers to go online at least once every three days.

Starting in November, Unity Personal users will get a new sign-in and online user experience. Users will need to be signed into the Hub with their Unity ID and connect to the internet to use Unity. If the internet connection is lost, users can continue using Unity for up to 3 days while offline. More details to come, when this change takes effect.

It's unclear whether this requirement will be attached to any and all Unity games, though it would explain how they're theoretically able to track "the number of installs", and why the methodology for tracking these installs is so shit, as we'll discuss later.

Unity claims that it will only leverage this fee to games which surpass a certain threshold of downloads and yearly revenue.

Only games that meet the following thresholds qualify for the Unity Runtime Fee: Unity Personal and Unity Plus: Those that have made $200,000 USD or more in the last 12 months AND have at least 200,000 lifetime game installs. Unity Pro and Unity Enterprise: Those that have made $1,000,000 USD or more in the last 12 months AND have at least 1,000,000 lifetime game installs.

They don't say how they're going to collect information on a game's revenue, likely this is just to say that they're only interested in squeezing larger products (games like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, Fate Grand Order, Among Us, and Fall Guys) and not every 2 dollar puzzle platformer that drops on Steam. But also, these larger products have the easiest time porting off of Unity and the most incentives to, meaning realistically those heaviest impacted are going to be the ones who just barely meet this threshold, most of them indie developers.

Aggro Crab Games, one of the first to properly break this story, points out that systems like the Xbox Game Pass, which is already pretty predatory towards smaller developers, will quickly inflate their "lifetime game installs" meaning even skimming the threshold of that 200k revenue, will be asked to pay a fee per install, not a percentage on said revenue.

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Hey Gamers!

Today, Unity (the engine we use to make our games) announced that they'll soon be taking a fee from developers for every copy of the game installed over a certain threshold - regardless of how that copy was obtained.

Guess who has a somewhat highly anticipated game coming to Xbox Game Pass in 2024? That's right, it's us and a lot of other developers.

That means Another Crab's Treasure will be free to install for the 25 million Game Pass subscribers. If a fraction of those users download our game, Unity could take a fee that puts an enormous dent in our income and threatens the sustainability of our business.

And that's before we even think about sales on other platforms, or pirated installs of our game, or even multiple installs by the same user!!!

This decision puts us and countless other studios in a position where we might not be able to justify using Unity for our future titles. If these changes aren't rolled back, we'll be heavily considering abandoning our wealth of Unity expertise we've accumulated over the years and starting from scratch in a new engine. Which is really something we'd rather not do.

On behalf of the dev community, we're calling on Unity to reverse the latest in a string of shortsighted decisions that seem to prioritize shareholders over their product's actual users.

I fucking hate it here.

-Aggro Crab - END DESCRIPTION]

That fee, by the way, is a flat fee. Not a percentage, not a royalty. This means that any games made in Unity expecting any kind of success are heavily incentivized to cost as much as possible.

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A table listing the various fees by number of Installs over the Install Threshold vs. version of Unity used, ranging from $0.01 to $0.20 per install. END DESCRIPTION]

Basic elementary school math tells us that if a game comes out for $1.99, they will be paying, at maximum, 10% of their revenue to Unity, whereas jacking the price up to $59.99 lowers that percentage to something closer to 0.3%. Obviously any company, especially any company in financial desperation, which a sudden anchor on all your revenue is going to create, is going to choose the latter.

Furthermore, and following the trend of "fuck anyone who doesn't ask for money", Unity helpfully defines what an install is on their main site.

While I'm looking at this page as it exists now, it currently says

The installation and initialization of a game or app on an end user’s device as well as distribution via streaming is considered an “install.” Games or apps with substantially similar content may be counted as one project, with installs then aggregated to calculate the Unity Runtime Fee.

However, I saw a screenshot saying something different, and utilizing the Wayback Machine we can see that this phrasing was changed at some point in the few hours since this announcement went up. Instead, it reads:

The installation and initialization of a game or app on an end user’s device as well as distribution via streaming or web browser is considered an “install.” Games or apps with substantially similar content may be counted as one project, with installs then aggregated to calculate the Unity Runtime Fee.

Screenshot for posterity:

That would mean web browser games made in Unity would count towards this install threshold. You could legitimately drive the count up simply by continuously refreshing the page. The FAQ, again, doubles down.

Q: Does this affect WebGL and streamed games? A: Games on all platforms are eligible for the fee but will only incur costs if both the install and revenue thresholds are crossed. Installs - which involves initialization of the runtime on a client device - are counted on all platforms the same way (WebGL and streaming included).

And, what I personally consider to be the most suspect claim in this entire debacle, they claim that "lifetime installs" includes installs prior to this change going into effect.

Will this fee apply to games using Unity Runtime that are already on the market on January 1, 2024? Yes, the fee applies to eligible games currently in market that continue to distribute the runtime. We look at a game's lifetime installs to determine eligibility for the runtime fee. Then we bill the runtime fee based on all new installs that occur after January 1, 2024.

Again, again, doubled down in the FAQ.

Q: Are these fees going to apply to games which have been out for years already? If you met the threshold 2 years ago, you'll start owing for any installs monthly from January, no? (in theory). It says they'll use previous installs to determine threshold eligibility & then you'll start owing them for the new ones. A: Yes, assuming the game is eligible and distributing the Unity Runtime then runtime fees will apply. We look at a game's lifetime installs to determine eligibility for the runtime fee. Then we bill the runtime fee based on all new installs that occur after January 1, 2024.

That would involve billing companies for using their software before telling them of the existence of a bill. Holding their actions to a contract that they performed before the contract existed!

Okay. I think that's everything. So far.

There is one thing that I want to mention before ending this post, unfortunately it's a little conspiratorial, but it's so hard to believe that anyone genuinely thought this was a good idea that it's stuck in my brain as a significant possibility.

A few days ago it was reported that Unity's CEO sold 2,000 shares of his own company.

On September 6, 2023, John Riccitiello, President and CEO of Unity Software Inc (NYSE:U), sold 2,000 shares of the company. This move is part of a larger trend for the insider, who over the past year has sold a total of 50,610 shares and purchased none.

I would not be surprised if this decision gets reversed tomorrow, that it was literally only made for the CEO to short his own goddamn company, because I would sooner believe that this whole thing is some idiotic attempt at committing fraud than a real monetization strategy, even knowing how unfathomably greedy these people can be.

So, with all that said, what do we do now?

Well, in all likelihood you won't need to do anything. As I said, some of the biggest names in the industry would be directly affected by this change, and you can bet your bottom dollar that they're not just going to take it lying down. After all, the only way to stop a greedy CEO is with a greedier CEO, right?

(I fucking hate it here.)

And that's not mentioning the indie devs who are already talking about abandoning the engine.

[Links display tweets from the lead developer of Among Us saying it'd be less costly to hire people to move the game off of Unity and Cult of the Lamb's official twitter saying the game won't be available after January 1st in response to the news.]

That being said, I'm still shaken by all this. The fact that Unity is openly willing to go back and punish its developers for ever having used the engine in the past makes me question my relationship to it.

The news has given rise to the visibility of free, open source alternative Godot, which, if you're interested, is likely a better option than Unity at this point. Mostly, though, I just hope we can get out of this whole, fucking, environment where creatives are treated as an endless mill of free profits that's going to be continuously ratcheted up and up to drive unsustainable infinite corporate growth that our entire economy is based on for some fuckin reason.

Anyways, that's that, I find having these big posts that break everything down to be helpful.

[lilmajorshawty]

The 10th house is your inner thoughts and how you cope with your external environment. It can often be the difference between the EGO and the ID. In respective formatting your 10th house is your face beneath the mask and can denote to your more detached or impersonal, and personal feelings that are not readily expressed to the people around you.

Midheaven series : how your monologue effects you.

Aries Midheaven : “ CEO”

these natives lcan have a critical and rather professional inner voice. One that is big on ensuring the way the outer image is presented is calm/collected and put together. But this can also make the person cut throat, a social and career climber no matter the cost and the type of person whom is very tactile and calculative when it comes to the way they present themselves. The latter can also be said that in the true spirit of Capricorn these natives can have inner issues with authority and routinely set up situations in which they can be in charge.

Aquarius Midheaven: “The Observer”

These natives are often regarded as the most detached of the midheavens. They tend to have a very complex inner monologue with themselves and their surroundings. They often times had a childhood that may have been over emotional/dramatic/passionate but at many moments lacking objectivity and rationalism. As a result in their dealings with the external world they tend to be a bit aloof. They process the world around them from a distance never readily diving all the way in, if it all. They are curious about people and their emotional motivations behind the actions they make but they still have difficulty connecting to these feelings often time taking a “collective” approach to strangers and outsiders. They’re friendly and captivating due to their messiah like ambivalence but they can also seem intimidating and come across as indifferent to the presence of others due to their at times cold nature. They’re often very detached and not readily emotionally available in a way that sacrifices their own vulnerability. Though they might be friendly and though they might have that playful impartialness that makes them seem warm and open you will soon find out that they’re very difficult to get close to if at all. Everything lay on the surface no matter how “open” they may seem. There is quite the wall that prevents any from getting closer. Their inner monologue tends to be inspective, box and prism like. They find the outside world to be a cage and one they seek to escape and every scenario plays out as a situation they seek to rebrand and resculpt in some way.

Pisces Midheaven : with a Pisces 10th house there’s this painful nature to their inner monologue. It’s can present as machinist tendencies and can be the inner monologue that tears down the native only to create a accommodating outer image. They have to be liked and seem agreeable. Many Gemini risings fall into the outer image of compliance and socially acceptable tendencies as to not ruffle feathers as the Piscean 10th house forces them to hide their true feelings on matters, be it disagreeing, be it wanting to go a different path or be it outright not liking another person. Their inner monologue forces them to mask these aversion to things and others and often ridicules them for feeling such intense feelings even if they’re completely justified in feeling that way. They’re perceptive and can easily pick up in the nuances and animosity or bad intentions of others but they will seldom do anything about it. They much rather swim away from bad energy then confront it which is more often then not why once overstimulated these natives run.

[madisonellie1]

VAT Return HMRC

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[msmc-796-official]

I... have a confession to make, of sorts. There won't ever be a good time to admit this, unfortunately, so it's best I get this off my chest now, and ask for forgiveness rather than permission.

It has not been easy speaking with all of the flashclones who have made themselves known in the wake of Union's latest raids; both for myself, and the squadron at large. I must commend my squadmates for handling themselves with the utmost professionalism - while my own correspondences with these newest members of the Omninet have been what I would consider adequately polite, I've been biting my tongue the entire time, and I fear that my personal discomfort with the issue is starting to slip through the cracks.

To this end, I wish to share my thoughts publicly, that I might better express my own emotions towards this complicated, frustrating, and highly nuanced issue. I only ask that you hear me out in full before you render judgement, and pronounce your sentence carefully.

First: an observation.

MSMC policy requires that all pilots dictate an end-of-life plan at the time of their recruitment, that their final wishes may be carried out by the company in the event of their death under MSMC's employ. The options provided for this are effectively unlimited, allowing the pilot a great deal of choice and freedom in planning their postmortem arrangements. These plans may also be altered in the future should circumstances change, provided the pilot is of sound body and mind.

Under MSMC policy, in compliance with the policies set forth by Union, one of the available postmortem options is flashcloning.

In my fifteen-odd years serving under MSMC, I have only heard of three pilots who have willingly chosen to be flashcloned after death (thus prolonging not only their life, but their term of service under MSMC as well). Of these, I have only personally met one, affiliated with MSMC-808 "5Q8R3 L00P3RZ" - I believe their current iteration goes by callsign Lemniscate. While I do not know how many times they have been cloned during their term of service, their current iteration seems happy enough, and their squadmates reassure me that they've maintained a consistent identity (plus or minus the odd quirk, as is typical of flashclones) throughout their life (lives?).

Second: a digression.

I purchased my Dusk Wing, And The Voice of Apollo Spoke From On High (Apollo for short), from an SSC showroom on a planet whose name I no longer recall. The curated atmosphere called to mind the high marble pillars and lush green-blue waters of some distant Cradle mythology where gods roamed the earth and mortals strove to emulate them, punished and rewarded for their folly in equal measure with gifts and curses beyond name. Each frame was posed as the statues of old on Cradle, too-human limbs arrayed in too-human poses, each a machine of war turned living art piece.

Apollo, true to its future name, was arrayed in flight; hover-jets draped with sunlight-yellow gossamer, veil rifle aimed in its middle tier of manipulators with the same care and precision as an archer would take with their bow. To see it lowered to the floor after its purchase was to see Icarus fall; to climb inside its cockpit for the first time, to don wax-and-feather wings of my own and fly.

The old tales caution that divinity has a cost, and I too paid the price. A vial of blood, drawn with silver needle and spirited away into an unseen cooler before my pen ever touched paper. Apollo was mine, but SSC had received a far greater gift in its place: a sample of my DNA, unwillingly donated as the price for my divine armament.

Even now, this price weighs heavy on my head like the sword which hung above Damocles, poised to drop without a moment's notice with each new Union raid on yet another forgotten cloning facility. Who can say on what distant planet the children I did not birth sleep in stasis - children with my eyes, my hair, my nose, my smile; sons and daughters who will never be called as such because, to their creators, they are slaves, weapons, property - anything but human.

Third: an explanation.

I believe that flashcloning, in its current state as of 5016u, as approved by Union's Third Committee (and exploited by the likes of SSC, HA, and several countless others across the stars) is an inherently unethical practice; both for those who donate their DNA (willingly or otherwise), as well as for those persons produced by it.

To see countless lives created, manipulated, slaughtered, and recycled in the name of so-called "progress"; to see inherently human beings stripped of every vestige of humanity but the body in which they reside and then forcibly brainwashed and molded into soldiers, medics, mechanics, weapons, machines, slaves, property - it is an abominable and inhumane practice that should have died a slow and painful death in the darkness from whence it was birthed.

This being said: I cannot stand idly by as the products of this inhumane practice continue to suffer. No matter whether it is beneath the apathetic gaze of Union, the dehumanizing bootheel of HA, or the eugenicist scalpel of SSC, I will not allow my fellow persons to endure another day of abuse at the hands of those who would abandon their own creations as little more than imperfect failures for daring to remind their creators of their sentience.

Alone, I can do nothing. I too am but a cog in this great uncaring machine humanity has built, one which prospers on suffering and bloodshed and the work of hands which have forgotten the body to which they are attached. Even if I were to risk life and limb and reputation to make my position known, it is a battle which lies dead in the water - it is impossible to halt the wheels of progress without irreparably damaging the future which relies on their turning.

And so I fight. I fight for those who have forgotten their humanity, both willingly and unwillingly, that they might find something of their own - identity, purpose, desires, connection, life - that reminds them of what they were and are and always have been: human.

-- Angel

[jubileemon]

Hazbin Hotel: The Terrifying Reality of Overlord Domination

Both Husk and Angel Dust are victims of their circumstances, having their souls bound to the will of their overlords. Their experiences mirror real-world issues of abuse and exploitation, where individuals are trapped in cycles of control at the hands of those with power over them.

While both characters are subjected to manipulation and control, the nature and extent of their abuse differ significantly, reflecting the individual sadistic tendencies of their overlords. Valentino exhibits traits of control and abuse. Alastor's sadistic tendencies and enjoyment in inconveniencing Husk are paralleled by Valentino's predatory behavior towards his workers like Angel Dust.

While Husk's servitude to Alastor is marked by manipulation and intimidation, Angel Dust's experience with Valentino is characterized by sexual exploitation and abuse. These narratives serve as a grim reflection of real-life issues, where individuals find themselves trapped in cycles of control and mistreatment at the hands of those with power.

Valentino's Control Over Angel Dust

Valentino exerts control over Angel Dust through a soul contract, inflicting pain and torture as a means of coercion. His actions escalate to heinous levels, including sexual exploitation and physical violence, as he seeks to punish Angel Dust for his defiance and escape from servitude.

Bound by a demonic contract to Valentino, a moth demon, Angel's autonomy over his soul is compromised. This contract, which he signed under his given name, Anthony, effectively transfers ownership of his soul to Valentino, leaving him at the mercy of the demon's whims. The contract's terms are non-negotiable and enforce a grim reality where Angel must comply with Valentino's demands, no matter how degrading or exhausting they may be.

Husk's Fall from Grace and Enslavement to Alastor

In contrast, Alastor maintains a psychological grip on Husk, leveraging his vices and inducing fear to ensure compliance. Despite occasional gestures that may seem friendly, Alastor's true nature is revealed in moments of rage, where he threatens Husk with severe consequences for disobedience, highlighting his capacity for cruelty.

Once an Overlord, Husk experienced a fall from power after a losing streak in gambling led him to Alastor. The bet that cost him his soul also stripped him of his status, leaving him in a state of servitude to the Radio Demon. This power dynamic is a stark reminder of the precariousness of status in the underworld.

The episode 'Dad Beat Dad' serves as a chilling example of the extent of Alastor's control over Husk. When Husk dares to mention Alastor's own soul contract, he is met with uncharacteristic fury and threats of violence. This encounter leaves Husk in a state of terror, illustrating the abusive power wielded by overlords like Alastor.

His immediate threat to destroy Husk's soul if he divulges any information is a display of psychological warfare. The fear instilled in Husk, leaving him a 'shivering, terrified wreck,' is indicative of the abusive power Overlords hold over their subordinates. This incident serves as a reminder that Alastor's charisma masks a deeply sadistic nature, which can be as harmful as the physical abuse perpetrated by Valentino.

The Shared Victimhood of Husk and Angel Dust

Hazbin Hotel's portrayal of Husk and Angel Dust's situations is a grim reflection of the terror that comes with being under the thumb of an overlord. The show's narrative serves as an allegory for real-world power imbalances and the devastating impact they can have on individuals, making it a poignant commentary on abuse and the struggle for autonomy.