#programming experience can get through it smoothly

[copious-zygomaticus]

I just imagined a scenario, so uhh, TAKE THAT *throws Obey Me drabble at you*.

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Video Killed The Radio Star, Or A Firstborn Son I Guess

Characters: Leviathan x MC

Reader Insert Pronouns: Gender Neutral (Largely Lacks Pronoun Usage, They/Them If Used)

Dynamic: Platonic

Summary: MC shares a hilarious habit they have picked up since being in the exchange program as a guest on Levi’s Otaku FM podcast.

Warnings: Passing Comedic Reference To ‘Sexual Innuendos’; None.

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It’s a crisp morning in the Devildom, the bats are screeching, the mooning is shining, and there’s a warm cup of Hellroast coffee in your hands. The only thing that is topping that at the moment is your excitement for what is about to take place. You see, Levi had asked you a week ago if you would like to be a guest on his podcast, Otaku FM. You immediately agreed with stars in your eyes. Of course the breath your took before agreeing had the avatar of envy quickly rattling off his usual list of self-deprecating phrases, but after hearing your reassurance and seeing the warm excitement on your face, Levi couldn’t deny your passion for the commitment you just made.

So here you are in a local recording studio, aptly named “Incubus Records And Radioshows”, that Levi rented out to record this next week’s episode of Otaku FM.

The violet-haired demon seems uncharacteristically confident in this moment, his thin fingers dancing over a complicated soundboard and adjusting his headphones. You sit across from him, gazing in fascination and admiration as you observe this silly man when he’s obviously “in the zone”. He looks up at you, the faint pink of embarrassment tinges his face when he notices your attentive gaze.

“I’m ready to start if you are MC.” He says while gluing his eyes to the desk in front of him. You smile wide, ready to start this new experience of yours. With a smile and a nod, you respond quickly, “let’s do it Levi!” His pale fingers clicked a red button as a large “on air” sign above the studio door flashed on, and a mental flip switched as Levi began to say his introduction.

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Everything has been running so smoothly as the recording went on. The conversation was sweet, playful, and natural. The music shared and discussed was a wonderful dive into Devildom music that you have never heard before. But now it was time for the fan question segment of the show.

“Alright MC, ready for some fan questions?” Levi asks as he lightly scrolls through his D.D.D with Devilgram opened.

You promptly quip back, “lay ‘em on me,” which draws a light laugh from your co-host for the day.

Levi clicks his tongue against his teeth, thinking as he looks through all the questions his audience submitted online before letting out a sound of approval and scootching closer to the edge of his seat to get closer to his mic. “MCCCCC- @Nobelest_Sinner asks “what is a habit you have picked up since being in the exchange program at R.A.D?” Levi looks at you with an expression crossed between genuine curiosity and a mischievous smugness.

You put your hand to your face as you vocal stim in deep thought. So many little things about your daily life and behavior has changed since you were initially iseki-ed into the Devildom, how could you possibly choose just one thing- oh. OH! Comedy gold strikes you quicker than Mammon can pickpocket. You have the perfect thing in mind for this. You slowly lean in really close to the microphone in front of you with the expression of a feline trickster before dropping your voice for comedic effect, “I don’t think ya’ll are ready for what I’m about to tell you.”

Levi’s eyes widen in shock before sharpening into curiosity. “Well now you gotta tell us normie.” You roll your eyes at the normie comment before divulging your newest habit the audience.

“I have started to just make up words and phrases, talking to Asmodeus about them as if they are real ‘human things’. He gets either really hyped up or invested in what I’m saying. Then I tell him that it’s not real and I made it up and his expression just,” you make a wide hand gesture while making a *whooshing* noise with your mouth, “falls and he looks at me like I just killed his firstborn son.” You smile widely at your co-host as you finish your story.

Levi’s jaw is just on the floor. Before you can make a comment on his shocked expression and something about ‘catching flies’, his voice perks up so much you thought his microphone was going to peak. “WAIT- wait wait wait wait. How is this a habit?” He says waving his hands around in confusion.

“Because no matter how many times I keep doing this, Asmodeus falls for it every time and the outcome is exactly the same.”

A silence fills the studio as you and Levi slow-blink at each other, you for comedic purposes and Levi in utter disbelief. The eye contact becomes too much as you both let out raucous laughter. Your head is thrown back and your hand is slamming at the table while Levi has his hands in his hair as his distinct laugh racks his body. The two of you are physically shaking with laughter for at least a minute before you both calm down enough to compose yourself and continue the commentary.

“He does this every time????” Levi asks in comedic disbelief.

“EVERY TIME!!” You say wiping tears of joy from your eyes.

“Why??”

“Why what?”

“Why,” Levi scrambles out jumbled noises, “why do you do this?? Why does he keep falling for it?? Why- whu- no wait, how did you even find this out?”

“Well Asmo and I were randomly talking about -isms, funny sayings and euphemisms and innuendos and whatnot. And I have this, well I guess you can call it a ‘bit’ with my human friends where instead of talking about sexual activities with actual words, we just make up words instead and we all just automatically understand what’s happening. Like- okay the example I used when this happened originally I said something like ‘squingusing my bimbus’ or something stupid like that. But Asmo didn’t question it, he just kinda tilted his head before he got excited about this possible new trend or human discovery he thought he made when I said that. So like, I rolled with it but I eventually told him that I made it up and the look on his face was just- death, despair, devastation.”

Levi makes an attempt to hide his laughter as you speak, failing miserably the more you reveal.

“So I guess you tried to do it again to see if he would make the face again?” Levi asks between chuckles.

“Yeah, that’s exactly what I did. But I expected him to eventually just stop believing what I was saying or become disinterested or have a less intense reaction. But he never did! Just kept on being shocked!” Out of the corner of your eye, you see a large LED timer draw closer to the end of your scheduled studio time and wrap up your thoughts with Levi about the whole situation before saying goodbye to the listeners and hearing the familiar sound of Leviathan’s outro.

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For the next few weeks after your guest appearance on Otaku FM was aired, all you could hear about was sound bites of you saying “like I killed his firstborn son” and laughter. For a minute, you were afraid that people would tease Asmo about the whole situation, but in reality no one was mean-spirited about it and he was getting a lot of satisfaction from the buzz his name was creating around R.A.D. So when you brought up the idea of possibly guest-starring on Levi’s podcast again in the future, he said yes without hesitation.

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Well there’s a random thing I thought of in the library bathroom and typed when I was supposed to be studying for a huge anatomy test. Enjoy dorks!

[imawreck]

Unknown

Pairing: Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier x Original Character

Summary: Bucky assumed he was the last Super Soldier left. But what happens when he finds out that their might still be more like him, that there might be something Hydra cooked up that's worse than him?

Warnings: Canon Marvel Violence, Cursing, italicized flashbacks

Word Count: 1,924

Bucky-

The mission had started smoothly, but it sure went to shit fast.

The supposedly abandoned Hydra base Tony had sent Steve and I the coordinates to was, in fact, not abandoned, and was more heavily guarded than any other base we had ever infiltrated. Tony had mentioned that there was an experimental weapon being handled at this base a few years ago and that they had relocated when we started attacking their safe houses and ordered us to try and find any remaining information they might have left behind. Once Steve and I had rid the base of any hostiles, we began sweeping.

Nothing could have prepared me for what we found.

Steve's brow scrunched in concern as I read through the notes of one of the doctors who worked on the Super Soldier experiments. There were detailed descriptions of mission reports that were not my own, and instead detailed my performance as well as notes on the performance of an experiment referred to 'GHOST-01.'

I clenched my jaw as realization struck me, "Someone was watching me."

Steve nodded slowly, "Looks like it, but read further. They were making sure you stayed alive."

I looked at the page again, reading over the report regarding my safety. There were several pages worth of reports on attempts on my life, close calls and how the experiment had handled the issue.

"They wanted to make sure I kept coming back. They wanted to make sure I didn't stray from the mission so they sent someone to make certain I would return." I ground my teeth, "Come on, we found what we wanted." I turned back to Steve only to find him staring at another notebook with a grim expression on his face.

My heart stalled. That book. "What is that, Steve?"

His eyes found mine and his face paled, "It's another one like yours."

My stomach dropped to the floor, "No... that can't be. The others are dead, and the serum was destroyed."

Steve hesitated before handing me the bound black leather and my fingers grazed the blood red skull stamped on the front, "They've made another soldier. But Buck," Steve's eyes bored into mine, "They're still here. In cryo."

I couldn't breathe, the information knocking the air out of my lungs. How is that possible? The other soldiers were killed, how did this one get away? How did they figure out how to make a new serum?

Suddenly, it dawned on me. If they had made another soldier like me, chances where they were torn from their previous life and programed into another. Hydra wasn't big enough, didn't have enough followers, to make another willing soldier. I felt my heart begin to hammer against my rib cage. They could have lost everything just like I had. A trickling fear came to life in my stomach. "We have to find them." The words tore out of me, "we have to find them now."

Steve seemed to read the emotions rioting on my face. "Bucky," Steve grabbed my arm, "They could be dangerous. You know how you were, and the only reason we got you back is because you had someone close to you to bring you out of it. They won't." My friends' expression was grim.

I shook my head, "We can't leave them Steve. Leaving them here is condemning them to a life of torture. I can't do that, not when I know what it feels like. If they're dangerous we can sedate them and return to Stark Tower for the teams input." A pained expression flashed across his face but he sighed in understanding, nodding towards the door.

We searched three more floors before having to override a gate to another section of the compound. When we stepped in the room, the lights flickered on and two cryo tubes were illuminated on the far wall. One empty with the door open, and the other still contained a body.

I glanced at Steve warily before I scanned the area. No one was here. My heart pounded in my ribcage as I approached the tanks. The features of the girl encased inside became more clear, white hair frozen stiff behind the glass, and a face with frosted lashes and sharp features. A memory knocked me back a step at the sight of her, invading my mind and causing me to grip my head between my hands.

A girl, this girl, crying over my body. I remember being in pain; a bullet wound to the chest. She was pressing a powder into my wounds and speaking too fast in Russian for my muddled mind to comprehend. 

Her anguished face and sobs echoed in my mind for a moment before dissipating as the world rushed back to me.

Steve's voice hesitantly spoke from behind me, "What is it Buck?"

I sucked in a breath and leaned against the base of the tube, staring up at her frozen face. "I know her."

"What do you mean?" Steve stepped up beside me and gazed at the control panel next to her.

"She had saved my life once. I don't remember the whole thing, but she was treating a bullet wound through my chest and she..." I replayed the memory in my head again, watching her face contort in pain as she pressed the powder farther into the wound. "She was crying."

Steve was quiet for a long moment before he stepped closer to the panel. He crouched low and checked the wiring, mumbling only loud enough for me to hear, "We can bring her out. We have to stay alert, but we can try and bring her back."

I stared at her, minutes dragging slowly as I contemplated his words. She could be dangerous, at this point it was pretty much guaranteed. We know close to nothing about her or if she'll wake up with a mission and try to kill us in the process. But something inside of me couldn't just leave her here in this God forsaken place to sleep for eternity. "Okay."

Steve nodded, stepping away and watching as I tinkered with the control panel. A moment later a shock of electricity was sent through the tube and her body jumped. The heart monitor jumped once but flatlined again. I pressed the button again, another blip and then her heart started back. The ice slowly melted away as the tube defrosted the body inside. I glanced back at Steve as he watched the girl too, his shield up and ready just in case she came out guns blazing.

"Well done, Soldat."

My blood ran cold. I turned, taking in the man in front of us now. I don't know how we hadn't noticed him before. "Hydra has missed you. We knew you would return for her." The man nodded his head in the girls direction, aiming his revolver at my chest as the front of the tube popped open, releasing a hiss as the pressure rushed out. Her body still lay motionless as the heart monitor continued its rhythm.

Steve brought his shield up, stepping forward. "Who are you?"

His finger twitched on the trigger and Steve flinched, "Ah-Ahh, wouldn't do that Captain. Wouldn't want to put a hole in Sergeant Barnes now, would we? Not yet at least." He stepped forward, but kept a wise distance from both of us as he did so. "She will be so happy to see you, Soldat. She hasn't been able to complete her mission, the punishments have been quite brutal." His smile was a vicious thing as it curved up his face.

I clenched my fists, the plates of my left arm shifting as my fingers curled tighter.

"Isn't that right Ghost?" A blur entered my peripheral vision, white hair and steely blue eyes. She didn't speak, only stared at the man, her eyes zeroed on his gun still pointed towards me.

The man let out a short burst of laughter before looking at Steve. "I knew you would come back to us Mr. Barnes. I did not predict that you would be here Captain, but it will make Sergeant Barnes death all the more enjoyable."

There was a tug at my hip and a distinct click of a bullet sliding into the chamber right next to my ear as a gun appeared over my right shoulder, aimed directly towards the man in front of me.

The room stilled and the man's eyes blew wide. "Ghost, stand down."

She didn't move. Her lack of response seemed to irritate the man before me,  his face contorting into rage. "I said, stand down!"

Still, the gun remained trained on the man. Unwavering. He roared in anger, "Useless Bitch! Your mission is to kill him! I am your commander! If you won't listen to me, I'll kill him myself!"

It didn't take more than a second before the shots rang out, hitting their target with perfect precision. The man's body dropped to the floor like it was made of lead, a hole in his skull and a hole in his heart. A third had been fired, and my eyes shot to Steve only to find him staring behind me.

My ear was ringing and there was a pressure right over my chest where my heart was, but I wasn't in pain. There was a soft grunt and the pressure left me, I stood cemented in place as the gun was moved out of my line of vision. I glanced towards the girl now as she took a few steps away. Her eyes were flicking between Steve's and my own.

She gripped the gun, my gun, in her right hand at her side defensively while the left dripped blood onto the floor. Her eyes scanned down my body, and then bored holes into Steve behind me.

I took a breath as I raised my hand to cover my still ringing ear, nodding at him before looking back at the girl, "Don't move."

"She has a gun, Buck." Steve clutched his shield tighter, lifting it slightly.

Her reaction was immediate, gun raised and aimed at Steve.

I raised my hands, stepping in front of her, "No! Don't shoot!" Our eyes met, chilling me to the bone as the light glanced off of irises that weren't quite human. "Don't shoot." There was a flicker of life, of an emotion I couldn't place, and then the gun lowered back to her side.

I heard Steve's breath of relief behind me as my own shoulders relaxed. She watched me, waiting.

I hadn't realized what she was waiting for until her eyes flickered again to Steve and then back to my own. I cleared my throat, "Stand down, he's not a threat."

In one swift gesture she flipped the gun, raising the butt of it towards me, not once breaking eye contact. The only sound made as I gently took the gun from her was the drip of blood still flowing from her hand. I watched it hit the cement before I spoke again, "You're bleeding." Idiot, she knows that.

She looked at her palm, raising her other hand and cramming her index finger into the wound without flinching.  She then, to Steve's and my own horror, dug around for a moment before metal dropped down to the floor with a clank.

I stared at the misshapen stud as it bounced a few times. The bullet that would have killed me had she not blocked it, hadn't caught it, rolled haphazard across the concrete just next to her bare foot.

She once again resumed staring at me, watching, waiting for orders with her glassy eyes.

My throat was dry and my heart pounded in my chest. "What is your mission?"

Without hesitation, she spoke. "Protect the Asset at all costs."

[the-technicolor-whiscash]

Starliner finally landed (with the crew remaining on station to return home on a Dragon in February) so I am desperately hoping that its return to earth stops the comments from people who don't know anything about the situation who are like "there's astronauts stuck up there how can they do that to them!" Easily. It's part of their job.

I watched the entire reentry including undocking and deorbit burn through landing and first of all they gotta throw some cameras on that bitch next time. SpaceX puts cameras on everything even the shit that sucks so you can see their Starship falling apart in real time. This was (as far as I can tell I cant speak for what the inside of the spacecraft looks like) a nominal reentry and honestly the fact it lands on land is pretty impressive. It touched down really smoothly. When you're used to splashdowns where they look like they're hauling ass, it's quite the difference.

I've followed this spacecraft's journey from the first scrubbed launch all the way through its landing and I gotta say. A much longer ride than I anticipated. But beyond fascinating and historic to experience. Like, it was the first manned test flight to include a woman. It was the first manned launch on an Atlas rocket since they launched Gordo Cooper on MA-9 in 1963. It's the first American-made human rated capsule to land on land. And its time in space has shown NASA's dedication to the safety of their astronauts as well as the skill of their teams in finding creative ways to solve difficult situations.

It's a spacecraft not without ills, made by a company where the only reason why they haven't succumbed to lawsuits is because they kill whistleblowers and make blood money off of wars. But it shows you a fascinating window into the extremely complicated process of bringing a new human rated capsule into the space zeitgeist, and shows how we've learned from previous tragedies how to tread lightly in the water. It in and of itself is a learning experience for everyone involved - NASA, Boeing, and the general public. This was a shockingly public-facing PR disaster for Boeing and for NASA, to the point where even people who know nothing about the current space industry were talking about it. And because of that, misinformation was running absolutely rampant. People on Twitter were genuinely scared for these astronauts when really, there was nothing to be scared about, especially not when they're already on station.

NASA is big on redundancies when it comes to space flight - redundant thrusters, fuel cells, astronauts, etc. And after the shuttle fleet was grounded from the Columbia tragedy and their astronauts had to return on a Soyuz, NASA realized the importance of having more than one space transportation system for low earth orbit missions. That's why we have the commercial crew program. That's why we don't want to just have Dragon, that's why we want multiple options for if one goes out of commission. There are backup plans on top of backup plans. I'm sure if the Crew 9 capsule fell through, we probably could've sent Butch and Suni home on a Soyuz, and they would've been perfectly fine. Once you're docked on the station, you're able to have options. It's getting there and back which is the problem.

Anyway. That's my two cents. I think it'll be interesting to see now that Starliner's returned what they'll discover about how it was affected by its extended stay in space.

[two-sides-halved]

Continued | @erisdiamas

"Yes, Human Steven is the vice principal of Little Homeschool's program. He needs his rest and he needs to eat. I wish he didn't have to put more responsibilities on himself, but this is how he takes a little control of his life, and that's making sure this program runs smoothly." Gem Steven replied, as he cooked, hearing the sizzling calming his soul, as well as the pitter-pattering of feet slowly creeping down the stairs. The soft yawns echoing through the hallway, it made him feel a little better about the conversation. "Sometimes all we need to have in life is a little control... I have my own methods of escapism to give me a little control... I've got my games, and I've got mom's room... to help me go over things so I know that they are in fact my fault or not... because sometimes things bother me a little more than they do everyone else... and I know that's a me thing..."

"The fact that it happened once is already troubling... but maybe, you're right about this, maybe it is a different Lapis... and I'm just overthinking things as I am one to do... but I know for a fact, there is a fine line between lying and choosing not to say anything because they can't or they deem it as unimportant, from experience..." Gem Steven replied, he wanted to reassure her that this was coming from a place of worry and concern for her safety but he feels like constantly reminding her would make her sick of him. The boys finally round the corner.

"AaaaaaaaaHHHHHnnnnmmmm... Good morning Gem." Classic Steven said with a sleepy filled yawn as he slowly headed down the stairs, his eyes waking a little more seeing Eris, and waved back with a sleepy wave and warm smile.

"Good morning... you seemed like things were getting heated earlier in the conversation... you both doing alright?" Human Steven asked, as Gem Steven nodded simply in response lovingly making stuffing for the ravioli that he was making on the floured counter top, before gently putting them into a pot of boiling water.

"Yep, just catching up on Eris' time away from home for the last three days... very eventful... very troubling to her poor older brother." He replied with a playful overdramatic huff, before his mood swung back to being annoyed at the sight of that cursed substance, but said nothing since he didn't need to reprimand his brother right that instant since he say that he took it, and started carrying it over to the rest of his stash. "Thank you, Eris. I appreciate it."

"It wasn't a matter of rather Cherry forgave me... I am grateful you all do... it was just I don't forgive myself as easily...--" He stared at her offended.

"I DO NOT HAVE A LAZULIPHOBIA... I literally said through the entire conversation how I didn't like ONE LAPISS... I will admit that my experience with her isn't the most pleasant... and my brother's know how I can be with new people... so forgive me for being worried that you might have been with the one fucking lapiss that I despise because of how she has treated my family and my friends thus far... but it sounds like you're the one afraid that I'll forbid you from seeing her, like I'm some father from a super relatable sitcom, who's forbidding his one and only daughter out of his family of all boys since his wife is gone... is she dead, did she divorce him and leave him with the kids cause they were cramping her indepentant live style of drinking and partying with strangers because waking up to one man for the rest of her live is too fucking mundane for this bitch of a woman to ever want to have in her life... and he's left to raise two sons and daughter on his lonesome so he's even more worried that his only little girl is going to get hurt in that big scary unforgiving world and it'd be all his fault because he cares too much and ended up pushing her right into the dangerous, oncoming traffic of teenage hormones in the form of a bad boy, leather jacket wearing, dickhead archetype with dyed blond hair and kissable lips, who make you feel so special in the moment but so fucking stupid after it all comes crashing down around you. Who wears all the red flags imaginable on their sleeve to everyone else but to this teenage boy in the whirlwind of emotions and hormones that is puberty, all those red flags... just seem like shiny neat quirks on this cool and chill persona, who's only gonna end up breaking your heart the longer you watch this trainwreck of relationship go on because you know that never had any substance to begin with..." He huffed, his face twisting into a grimace as if he felt that personally. "But still you watch because it's just a show and the little people on tv can't fucking hear you scream he's gonna break your heart for that new more attractive looking toy on the shelf." He brushes his fingers through his hair and takes a breather.

"Like I said before, I don't have trouble trusting you to know what's right from wrong, it's just the company you choose to keep is what I question... same goes for this dork over here." Gem Steven replied as he gestures to Classic Steven. "So if there's this big announcement can it at least wait until after today... I don't think I can handle any big things other than you three and your birthdays... for once I actually want to relax and spend the day, not doing party prep... I know big shocker, Gem Steven wants to have a good time on the day that makes him feel like the worst person on the face of this timeline... but god forbid I have strong feelings, if I could turn them off I would but good god I can't turn them off even if I wanted to... I can pretend nothing bothers me, but you all would know there's something wrong..." He chuckled through his tears, before looking over.

"Why are you all silently staring at me... am I becoming incoherent and corrupting??" Gem Steven asked before Human Steven spoke gently. "No we were all just listening, and I'd like to tell you the pot of water is about to boil over." Gem Steven quickly refocused on his cooking, and whipped up the food in a lovely display of his cooking skills. "Right... right... I'm feeling a lot better now that I am no longer a dam waiting to burst... but seriously... I think we need just like one god damn day where things don't go down the toilet from minute one... please..."

[helicopriorc]

hey this might be kinda weird but i was looking through the tags of an older post and you mentioned you are/were a dj for a college radio station! i'm going to have a radio show for the first time this semester and was wondering if you had any tips or advice! :)

Oh hell yes! I've only been at a few years, but I can definitely chime in.

I currently run a show that focuses on the punk music in my local area and more broadly in my state, but I've also run a jazz night and done other general programming.

Tips from my personal experience:

- take deep breaths whenever possible, especially when you're about to go on-air, this will help keep your nerves down and give you something to focus anxious energy into instead of your voice

- take some time to practice any required on-air content (ad reads, weather, etc) before reading it live, that way you can make the mistakes early and figure out your breathing patterns

- if you're going for higher energy, sit further forward in your chair when speaking and try to start speaking right after a deep inhale

- try to get a grasp on your audience. either ask around the station or envision who your ideal listener is and build around that

- ask for feedback from fellow station staff and listeners if possible. feedback feels bad sometimes, but it's in your (and your listeners) best interest to listen to it and decide how to apply that to your show.

- don't sweat the small stuff. radio keeps going even after a mistake. figure out if there are specific procedures or ramifications for the mistake, but otherwise let it go. shake it off and move on because the audience cares about what they're listening to, but once it aired, it's no longer in your control and that's okay

- try listening to other radio with a critical ear. what do you like/dislike? what feels awkward? did they transition between songs smoothly? what mood are they giving out?

That's all I have off the top of my head, but the biggest thing is to have fun. I'm so serious too. Your audience can tell when you sound flat or tired, and when you're having fun and being engaged, it's a noticeable difference.

Good luck! My DMs are always open to chat about it more.

[canmom]

mmo rp is kind of fundamentally not so different from RPing in any messaging program, something we've been doing since the days of IRC. the story you co-create is primarily driven by what's written in the text box. no matter how well made the emote animations are, they are not communicative enough to really tell a complex story, so you always fall back to prose. your character's voice will be limited to a handful of nonverbal expressions - a laugh, mm-hm, uh-huh. you are constantly having to reinterpret bits of game jank as you construct your mental version of the 'real story'. and yet

these visual aids do make a really substantial difference in how you experience it i think. to honestly a kind of surprising degree. of course having a character design on screen helps avoid writing tons of descriptive prose - but there's also a lot that can be done with simple movement through space, like a character positioning themselves besides another, retreating to sulk, getting up to dance.

like in visual novels and manga, you have essentially a set of codified, symbolic expressions - but in FFXIV, every race has its own set of very charming and polished animations for nearly every emote, which adds a huge amount of info in how you interpret that character (and slot them into the otaku database). a roegadyn will by default be loud and brash, a viera refined and dreamy, a lala mischievous and childlike. a mi'qote is a cat. since all of these are chosen by the player, they act as a strong signal of what your character's deal is - their body language comes across even if it's not like the actual scene fully acted out.

and what's fascinating to me is that even when i know what the player looks like irl, i still find myself responding to their game embodiment in how i think about them, i don't picture them irl... but also, having the embodiment helps me get into character. I have two alts, and with each one i feel drawn to a different style of roleplay. just like a list of prompts in a ttrpg sourcebook, the embodiment you've chosen gives you something to bounce off when you're improvising.

roleplaying is very similar to improv comedy, and many of the same analysis concepts - 'offers', 'yes, and' - apply. we're essentially improvising a digital puppet show. building up an RP venue and customising our model is a way of laying out props to help that process roll smoothly.

i often dream about an mmo animation system that would be less janky - more control over camera placement, better handling of interactions between player characters and characters with their environment, more ability to plan out timing and blocking and so on - essentially trending towards multiplayer source filmmaker.

the problem is that such a system would probably have way too much cognitive overhead to be usable in real time improv. i think what something like ffxiv shows is that even very simple elements - besides the emotes, your character looks towards your target and moves their lips when you talk, you can adjust their expression and there's animation hooks all over the place line chairs you can sit on - can actually be a very expressive palette and people are pretty good at filtering out the jank when they want to create a story together.

indeed, it becomes a skill - knowing what animations you have, how to reinterpret them, how to line yourself up with other players. and in the end you don't remember the time spent shuffling forwards and typing /hug again and again, or standing up and sitting down repeatedly until it lines up right. you remember the cute sight of your character sitting beside your friend, looking fondly at each other.

there's also another angle which is like... i find real life 'going out' very difficult - usually hitting a point of information overload very quickly in a pub environment, and while music is easier to manage than a wall of conversation, i never really learned how to interact with strangers at a club, concert, convention. I'm not good with alcohol. when i try to a pub, i usually end up retreating into myself and ducking out. in mmos, though... i find prose much more easy to be expressive in, and the limits of the animation system kind of level the playing field a bit in terms of The Autism when it comes to body language and the like.

still, sometimes it feels like a very sad existence - i rely on this simulacrum, pretending i am being intimate and social with people i can't touch through a computer program that draws triangles. everything in an mmo is muted, blunted by the medium - which makes it 'safe', but also tinges it with a loneliness that can't really be broken. but for now, i guess the simulacrum is all I've got, you know? and i can appreciate how it's put together, all the effort that has gone in from devs and players alike to realise this alternative channel for connection.

but yeah. i guess it comes back to this again... there's a reason my online 'face' is a low poly approximation of an animal!

[eliteprepsat]

6 Great Ways to Stand Out As a Student (And Get Strong Recommendation Letters)

In my 10+ years of teaching at the college level, I’ve met a lot of students.

Recently, a colleague and I shared how professors we’ve both known have often referred to the “top 1%” of students they’ve taught in their careers. I quickly did a bit of rough math in my head, and it turns out that I have likely taught at least 1,500 students in my own career. This excludes the many students I’ve taught in test prep programs, after school programs, and summer programs. Add those, and I could probably at least double the total number of students I’ve taught to 3,000.

Using the “top 1%” metaphor, this means that a teacher who has taught for 10 years has about 15-30 students that come to mind when they think of “the best” students they’ve worked with.

The question, then, becomes: How do you, as a student, make it into that top 1%?

Making it into a teacher’s top 1% isn’t just for the sake of playing teacher’s pet. It’s practical. As a student, it benefits you to not simply “go through the motions” of school, being just another name or number on a roll sheet. Of course, having a good relationship with your teachers benefits you in that you will have better communication with them, which enhances your ability to learn while in their classes.

But, it can also benefit you long after their classes are over. If you’ve had great relationships with your teachers—even perhaps making it into their top 1%—they will be more likely to write you excellent letters of recommendation, which are vital to your success in the college admissions process.

So, with this in mind, below is a list of 6 great ways to stand out as a student so that teachers will give you strong recommendation letters.

1. BE RELIABLE

Many of the best teachers admire students who don’t necessarily follow the rules. But, it’s important to clarify that this only applies to being an intellectual rule-breaker and thinking outside of the box. What teachers don’t appreciate are students who deliberately disobey rules that are established for the sake of helping their classes run smoothly.

This may seem like it goes without saying. But one of the simplest ways to be a great student is just to be reliable. You can do this by always completing your work, arriving to class on time, and showing up every day prepared and ready to participate.

It’s not so much that students stand out for being reliable; it’s that students stand out for being unreliable—in other words, for all the wrong reasons. So, take the first best step toward securing a strong recommendation letter this way.

2. BE A TEAM PLAYER 🤝

Most of the best classrooms (virtual or otherwise) function like a sports team, where the teacher leads or guides (like a coach) and all of the students also have a role (like players). This stands in contrast to traditional (and largely outdated) classroom models where the teacher takes the only active role and the students are merely passive observers.

Good teachers relish students who are excellent team players—who listen actively, participate by making meaningful contributions to discussions, and generally exude a positive energy.

In my own experience, I’ve found that classes tend to function like the organic and often unpredictable flow of a basketball game. Some of the best moments in my classes have occurred when my game plan suddenly (and wonderfully) shifted because a student raised a compelling idea in discussion that we then pursued. I think of such students as my best teammates, giving me assists as I try to make a play.

But being a great team player in class doesn’t just involve your interactions with your teacher. It also involves how you interact with your other teammates, or classmates. Some of the strongest students I’ve worked with stand out in my memory not just because of how they treated their classmates, but also because of how their classmates responded to them.

Just as the best team players know when to lead and when not to hog the ball so as to let others on the team shine, so too do the best students know when to speak up and step in when their classmates need help, but also when not to dominate the conversation, actively listening instead so as to let their classmates also shine.

3. DEMONSTRATE CURIOSITY 🤔

Students often believe—incorrectly—that the best way to be a team player is simply to be the most “intelligent” student in the room. In reality, raw intelligence is typically not the attribute that good teachers appreciate most in their students. Instead, this attribute is curiosity.

What does it mean to “demonstrate curiosity” as a student? Generally speaking, it means having an open mind. If you encounter course material that is initially off-putting because it seems too difficult, for instance, don’t run the other way out of frustration. Instead, ask yourself: Why might this material be of interest? Why have people devoted their entire lives to its study? What could I learn from it?

4. VISIT OFFICE HOURS 🚪

The best letters of recommendation are written by teachers who really know the student in question. Although there are exceptions to this rule, it’s typically not ideal, then, to request a letter from a teacher who you only studied with for a brief summer session, or who you never actually spoke to in person (say, from an online course).

In my own experience, the recommendation letters I write are better the more I know a student. So, if there is a teacher with whom you feel comfortable, don’t be afraid to open up to them a bit.

Why is this helpful for recommendation letters, exactly? If you are taking several AP courses while also juggling a heavy load of extracurriculars, a resume or transcript will show this at a glance. But if you are taking night classes while also raising a child or taking care of your ailing parents, for instance, the extent of your hard work will not likely appear anywhere on paper.

If you take the time to open up about the particulars of your life to a teacher, however, they can speak to your perseverance and grit in a meaningful recommendation letter to an admissions committee. That added understanding could very well mean the difference between a college acceptance or none.

You may or may not have opportunities to open up to your teachers during class. And you may or may not feel comfortable doing so. So, take advantage of your teachers’ office hours, when you can speak with them one-on-one.

5. TURN IN AN IMPRESSIVE ASSIGNMENT 🥇

When writing recommendation letters, the best teachers will not write generally about the student in question. Rather, they will look for specifics to discuss. After all, specific examples are what help readers visualize and relate to what a writer is describing, ultimately becoming convinced of their claims.

In order to do this, teachers need to be supplied with specifics to write about you. So, if you’ve written an especially impressive paper, completed a particularly dynamic presentation, or organized a uniquely inspiring event, bring this to your teacher’s attention. It will give them something to focus portions of their recommendation letter around, and they can point to these specific examples as evidence of your mastery of a subject, your hard work, your passion, or any of your other exceptional traits.

Ultimately, your teacher’s reflections on these detailed examples will give admissions committees something to remember about you as a candidate, which is crucial considering how many applications colleges receive each year.

6. STAY IN TOUCH

Typically, students don’t require recommendation letters immediately upon completing a course. So, it can be difficult having to reach out to former teachers semesters—or even years—down the road. In this case, it can feel awkward asking them for the favor of writing a letter since you haven’t spoken in some time. You may wonder if they even remember you!

To avoid this, I suggest emailing your teachers not long after a course has ended just to say a friendly hello, to share that you enjoyed their class, and to ask if they might be open to writing you a recommendation letter in the future. Although you might not require the letter immediately, asking in advance in this way is a good idea for a few reasons. It demonstrates that you are taking initiative by being so forward thinking about your future success. It also helps to plant a seed in your teacher’s mind; they will be more likely to remember you when you reach out to officially request a letter one day.

SOME FINAL ADVICE FOR REQUESTING LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

When requesting a letter of recommendation, it’s always best to ask your teachers well in advance of the deadline so that they have plenty of time to complete the work. This means that you should usually aim for giving them at least 4 weeks and never less than 2 weeks. Remember that while they typically understand that writing such letters comes with the job and are happy to help out their students in this way, teachers are very busy people. So, do what you can to make the task as simple as possible for them.

Beyond giving them ample time to complete their letters, you can also simplify the task for your teachers by giving them a copy of your resume/accomplishments and a few of your strongest assignments as references. Finally, be sure to always ask at least one more individual than is required as a backup in case your original letter writer doesn’t come through or fails to get their letter in on time.

[tepkunset]

How did you become a hospice worker, and are you like a hospice nurse, or more in admin? Were you a healthcare major, or did you get into it through other means? I'm an English major, but if my plan to work in education doesn't work, I think healthcare (but like in admin) would work for me

I'm a Medical Office Administrator, which means I basically make sure everything in the service runs as smoothly as possible.

Things I do include but are not limited to:

Creating and updating forms and other patient documentation

Creating and updating patient information like brochures, pamphlets, etc.

Working with Admissions to make sure visits are entered in the province's digital health records

Patient database and chart work - keeping things organized and up to date, making sure reports get to the correct nurse, dismantling charts after patients die to send to health records, etc.

Organizing training/education for our team and for the public

General clerical tasks like keeping track of and ordering supplies for both office and nursing needs, assembling PPE kits (for when patients have COVID and the nurses need to be decked out in full gowns/masks/visors/etc.), taking minutes at team meetings, etc.

Helping with the Intake Triage program - answering patient/public calls, paperwork to set up new admissions, assembling new charts, database entry, booking appointments, etc.

When the hospital unit actually opens (right now we have no doctor for it so it's not, we just see people in the community) I'll likely be responsible for more stuff, like patient/family arrangements, helping with transfers, etc.

As far as schooling goes:

I went to NSCC and took Office Administration, then ended up continuing on to take specifically Medical Office Administration. So, 2 years total for me, but you are able to skip OA and jump right into MOA if you want, I know plenty who have done so

MOA is typically a 1-2 year program

Courses are a mixture of office-related and healthcare related - so for example, I studied things like Anatomy, Physiology and Medical Terminology, as well as Spreadsheets lol

There's actually a ton of different healthcare jobs you can get with an MOA certificate, because every single program needs at least one, you know? You could work in a lab, you could work in a doctor's office, you could work in hospital admissions, you could work in the ER, you could work in a clinic somewhere... the list goes on and on

How I ended up with my job specifically:

NSCC has a workplace practicum program, where they place you somewhere in your field for a month and you gain hands on experience. What happened with me is I got placed with Hospice-Palliative Care, and they liked me so much that I got hired right out of college! So I really lucked out with my job. If not, I probably would've pursued working in a lab somewhere; that was my original goal until I did my practicum and fell in love with the hospice field

[tulikachopra]

Best Digital Marketing Institute in Dwarka.

As businesses across Dwarka strive to establish a strong online presence and navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape, choosing the right digital marketing course becomes paramount.

Amidst the plethora of options available, one institute stands out as a beacon of excellence: IIADM.

IIADM: Pioneering Excellence in Digital Marketing Education

At IIADM, excellence is not just a goal; it's a commitment. With a comprehensive curriculum designed by industry experts, state-of-the-art facilities, and hands-on training, IIADM empowers aspiring digital marketers to unleash their full potential and embark on a rewarding career journey.

Here's why IIADM takes the top spot as the best digital marketing course in Dwarka, Delhi.

Industry-Relevant Curriculum: IIADM's curriculum is meticulously crafted to equip students with the latest tools, techniques, and strategies in digital marketing. From SEO and social media marketing to content creation and analytics, every aspect of the course is designed to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Expert Faculty: At IIADM, learning goes beyond textbooks and lectures. With industry veterans and seasoned professionals as mentors, students gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge from real-world experiences. The faculty at IIADM are not just teachers; they are mentors, guiding students every step of the way towards success.

Hands-On Training: Theory without practice is incomplete. That's why IIADM emphasizes hands-on training and practical projects to reinforce learning and skill development. From building websites to crafting compelling ad campaigns, students get ample opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Certifications and Recognitions: IIADM's digital marketing course is not just about acquiring knowledge; it's about earning credentials that hold value in the industry. Upon completion of the course, students receive certifications that are recognized and respected by top employers, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.

Placement Assistance: IIADM goes the extra mile to ensure that every student transitions smoothly from classroom to career. With dedicated placement assistance and industry connections, IIADM helps students secure internships and job placements in leading companies across various sectors.

While IIADM takes the lead as the best digital marketing institute in Dwarka, several other institutes also deserve recognition for their contributions to the field. Best digital marketing institute in Dwarka. Here are a few notable mentions of -

Digital Vidya: Renowned for its comprehensive courses and industry partnerships, Digital Vidya offers a range of digital marketing programs tailored to meet the diverse needs of students and professionals alike.

EduPristine: With a focus on practical learning and industry collaborations, EduPristine prepares students for success in the fast-paced world of digital marketing through its immersive courses and hands-on projects.

Manipal ProLearn: Backed by Manipal Education, Manipal ProLearn offers digital marketing courses that blend theoretical knowledge with practical skills, preparing students for rewarding careers in digital marketing.

NIIT Digital Marketing: NIIT's digital marketing courses are designed to equip students with the skills and expertise needed to thrive in the digital age, with a focus on emerging trends and technologies.

While these institutes offer valuable resources and opportunities for aspiring digital marketers, IIADM stands out as the undisputed leader in digital marketing education in Dwarka. With its commitment to excellence, industry relevance, and student success, IIADM continues to set the benchmark for digital marketing education in the region.

In conclusion, choosing the best digital marketing course is a pivotal decision that can shape the trajectory of your career. With IIADM leading the way, aspiring digital marketers in Dwarka can embark on a journey of learning, growth, and success that will propel them to new heights in the dynamic world of digital marketing.

[zwoelffarben]

I love windows PowerToys, they're wonderful.

But, so far, I've found two bugs in the systems, and while one of them's only modestly peevish and also understandable, the other honestly breaks the entire feature it's relevant to.

See, in Windows, there's a setting called [Primary Mouse Button]. Because we live in a dexterocentric world, the setting defaults to [Left] so that right-handed people can use their right hand to comfortably 'left-click' and 'right-click' on things. And this is fine: it's annoying sure, but something has to be the default setting, and I can toggle that button.

But when I, or any other southpaw dare to touch this sacred setting so that we can use the mouse with our left hand, well... it doesn't go smoothly.

Ever since I swapped over to Dvorak-L with left-handed mouse, the most common bug I experience is [Raw User Input] being prioritized over [Interpretted User Input]. That is, where a program sees the physical [Key] you pressed instead of what windows understands through your settings that physical key is supposed to represent as an [Input], and interprets that [Key] as [Input] through a map that assumes your keyboard and mouse are the qwerty-dexterocentric default.

And, I just get so tired about it. Good news tho, while typing this out I figured out a work-around that resolves the apparent issue. Yay!

[datavalleyai]

5 Reasons to Become a Full Stack Developer

Many engineers and professionals nowadays master full-stack development skills to help them advance in their careers. While top companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft continue to hire experienced full-stack developers, many people believe the career is unstable and risky. Is it worthwhile to pursue a profession in full-stack Java development? Yes, indeed! By learning the necessary skills and gaining hands-on experience to become a competent full-stack Java developer, you could gain tremendous benefits. Before pursuing a career in full-stack programming, it is critical to clear your uncertainties.

This blog post will lead you through the benefits of learning full-stack Java development and establishing a career in the field.

1. Working on Cutting-Edge Technologies

Full stack developers often find themselves at the forefront of technological innovation. They get to experiment with the latest frameworks, libraries, and programming languages in both front-end and back-end development. This constant exposure to cutting-edge tech keeps their skills sharp and their work engaging. Whether it’s creating responsive user interfaces or optimizing server performance, full stack developers are hands-on with the most current tools and techniques.

2. Global Opportunities

The global demand for your skills is one of the benefits of being a full stack developer. With the rise of remote work and an increased reliance on web-based solutions, your abilities can be utilized anywhere in the world. This means you’ll be able to work for organizations in other countries, contributing to a variety of initiatives and widening your perspectives. The global nature of full stack development provides an exceptional opportunity to interact with people from all cultures and backgrounds.

Remote employment is typically appealing to full stack engineers. Working remotely is especially appealing to those who want location independence or have personal responsibilities that necessitate a flexible schedule.

3. Competitive Salaries

The demand for full stack developers is on the rise, and with the demand comes competitive salaries. Because of their extensive skill set and ability to work on both the front-end and back-end of web applications, full stack developers are among the highest paid in the tech sector. If you want a financially rewarding profession, becoming a full stack developer is a great decision.

Companies value full stack developers for their ability to streamline development processes and bridge the gap between different teams. This high demand for full stack skills translates to higher salaries and numerous job opportunities. Full stack developers often find themselves in a favorable bargaining position when negotiating compensation packages.

4. Career Growth Options

Choosing a profession as a full stack developer opens up prospects for enormous advancement. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of full stack development jobs will increase dramatically in the next few years. This means that talented full stack developers will have plenty of options to find work and progress their careers. A full stack developer career offers a wide range of prospects, as full stack developers are top-tier engineers with exceptional abilities to engage with many development components at any step of the process.

Companies are also choosing for one multi-developer rather than multiple developers on the same project these days. It not only saves money but also slows down the development process. This is considerably increasing the need for full stack developers around the world.

5. Cross-Functional Expertise

Full stack developers are like the bridge builders of the tech world. They seamlessly integrate the front-end and back-end components, ensuring that the entire system runs smoothly. Because of their cross-functional experience, they can understand the full picture and develop well-integrated apps. It’s like having a symphony conductor who knows the intricacies of every instrument. Full stack developers can create more efficient, unified, and strong solutions by understanding all sides of the development process. It also fosters better collaboration with different teams, including designers, testers, and product managers.

By mastering both front-end and back-end development, you become a valuable asset in any development team. You can bridge the gap between designers and developers, ensuring that the user interface aligns with the underlying functionality. This cross-functional knowledge allows you to create seamless and efficient web applications.

Conclusion:

The journey of becoming a full stack developer may require dedication, continuous learning, and hands-on experience. However, the rewards are substantial. With opportunities to work on cutting-edge technologies, expand your career globally, earn competitive salaries, explore diverse career paths, enjoy remote work options, and leverage cross-functional expertise, the path of a full stack developer is undoubtedly an enticing one.

So, if you’re passionate about technology and love solving complex problems, full stack development might just be the ideal career for you. As the tech industry continues to evolve, full stack developers will remain invaluable contributors to its growth and innovation. Dive into the world of full stack development, accept its challenges, and start a rewarding journey that will lead to a dynamic and satisfying career.

To kickstart your journey as a Java Full Stack Developer, we suggest you explore the free bootcamp at Datavalley. Our programs provide the training and expertise you need to thrive in this versatile and dynamic field. Join us at Datavalley, and let’s shape the future of technology together!

Key points about Bootcamps:

It is completely free, and there is no obligation to complete the entire course.

20 hours total, two hours daily for two weeks.

Gain hands-on experience with tools and projects.

Explore and decide if the field or career is right for you.

Complete a mini-project.

Earn a certificate to show on your profile.

No commitment is required after bootcamp.

Take another bootcamp if you are unsure about your track.

FAQs

1. What is full stack development?

Full stack development refers to the practice of working on both the front-end and back-end of web applications. It involves creating the user interface, implementing functionality, and managing databases and servers.

2. Why should I become a full stack developer?

Full stack developers are in high demand, offering a wide range of career opportunities, competitive salaries, and the chance to work on cutting-edge technologies. Their cross-functional expertise is a valuable asset in the tech industry.

3. Do I need to know multiple programming languages to be a full stack developer?

Yes, full stack developers typically work with various programming languages for front-end and back-end development, depending on the project’s requirements. Common languages include JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and Java.

4. What technologies should I learn to become a full stack developer?

You should focus on technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, front-end frameworks (e.g., React or Angular), back-end frameworks (e.g., Node.js or Django), and databases (e.g., MySQL or MongoDB). Familiarity with version control systems and deployment tools is also crucial.

5. Are full stack developers in demand globally?

Yes, full stack developers are sought after worldwide. As technology continues to advance, the demand for professionals who can work on both the front-end and back-end of applications remains consistently high.

6. Can I work as a remote full stack developer?

Absolutely! Many companies offer remote work options for full stack developers. This flexibility allows you to work from anywhere and collaborate with international teams.

7. What is the career growth potential for full stack developers?

Full stack developers can advance their careers in various directions, such as becoming specialized front-end or back-end developers, technical leads, or even transitioning into roles like DevOps engineers or software architects.

8. What should I look for in a full stack development bootcamp?

A good bootcamp should offer a comprehensive curriculum, experienced instructors, hands-on projects, and real-world experience. Look for programs that align with your career goals and provide the opportunity to work on diverse projects.

9. How long does it take to become a proficient full stack developer?

The duration can vary depending on your background and the intensity of your learning. Datavalley offers programs ranging from four to six months, providing the necessary skills to launch your career.

10. Is a full stack developer’s role suitable for beginners with no prior experience in programming?

Full stack development can be challenging for beginners, but it’s possible to learn with dedication and practice. Our bootcamps are designed to accommodate individuals with no prior experience, making it accessible to newcomers in the field.

[bekandrew]

Laptop Necromancy

I'm running my whole art portfolio through Glaze. If you don't know, it's a program build by a group of uni students that's won awards and is designed to basically prevent AI libraries from being able to meaningfully "learn" anything from your art. It can be found here for free. It wouldn't run on my actually functional laptop (it tried rendering for 2 days straight and then got to something like "Time remaining: -200 minutes" and still never spat out anything completed). So, while waiting for the seemingly endless rendering to stop and a reply for access to their Web option, I decided to try something a little off the wall.

I ended up taking my largely non-functional old laptop (8+ yr old Dell Latitude i7) I hadn't figured out how to safely dispose of yet and see if I could give it new life. It was a mid-tier "gaming" laptop when I purchased it, though I needed the specs for heavy graphics work for work as an artist and as I was, for a time, still in uni for engineering before switching majors. It currently won't run most of the programs I need for work - it abjectly refuses to open Krita no mater what I do, and throws a fit and crashes with even GIMP sometimes. I even have to be careful with internet browsers now with that one. Its hard drive is pretty toast, hence why I needed to suck it up and get a new laptop. Something is damaged in a way I couldn't make a proper clone of the drive and something's fucked with the BIOS is fucked in a way I couldn't even run a recovery usb and it has no disk drive. It makes frightening noises from frequently trying to run its HDD at 100%. The casing itself is held together with duct tape and spite. This laptop survived several moves and homelessness before finally being too finicky to put up with after wife and I were rehoused. It literally requires support at all times to not be torn further apart by the weight of its own screen. It also needs to be elevated in a way to give the fans a little help. It's a technological senior citizen. Despite the hard drive being largely toast, the OS still works pretty fine. The RAM isn't high as I'd like, but it's not bad, either. It's main draw for this very specific purpose is the dual GPUs. There's a version of Glaze that you can force to run off a GPU instead of the CPU and make it go MUCH, MUCH (from my experience, literally 5-10 times or more faster).

I had a Solid State Drive lying around from when I'd attempted to keep the old laptop alive longer, so I stuck it in my external dock, installed Glaze on it, and filled it up with a folder of art to be Glazed. It then proceeded to take about a day and a half of fussing with graphics drivers - including uninstalling the one the uni students recommended and going back to my old one because the one they recommended was technically compatible but was borking things for some reason, and manually changing settings to force the computer to use the correct beefier GPU for the program. I also had to uninstall a ton of shit that was slowing my computer down and sometimes making it lock up entirely - things I used to need when I used that laptop for normal purposes but no longer needed there (things like Steam, Discord, Grammarly, etc).

So long as I don't run much of anything off of the internal HDD outside a couple Windows Explorer windows for viewing files and Task Manager to keep an eye on hardware status, it mostly stays nice and quiet now other than a few spikes here and there with low % usage. Glaze runs smoothly off the external SSD, the CPU and RAM usage remain pretty stable and manageable during rendering, with the GPU usage only at a little over half the computer's total capability. Despite being bested by much simpler daily usage, this old shell of a laptop now renders a resource-intensive program over in a corner and I can just check it every couple hours to see how it's doing.

[talentconnectedworldwide01]

How to Apply for Canada PR or Immigration from India

Canada has consistently ranked among the top destinations for immigrants, offering a high quality of life, economic opportunities, and cultural diversity. If you’re an Indian citizen looking to move to Canada, the Permanent Residency (PR) or immigration process might seem daunting at first. However, with the right information and guidance, you can navigate through the process smoothly. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to apply for Canada PR or immigration from India.

Choose the Right Pathway

Before you begin, it’s crucial to determine which immigration pathway best suits your profile and aspirations. Canada offers several pathways for immigration, including the Express Entry System, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and family sponsorship. Research each pathway thoroughly to understand the eligibility criteria, requirements, and processing times.

Meet the Eligibility Criteria

Each immigration pathway has specific eligibility criteria that applicants must meet. Common factors considered include age, education, work experience, language proficiency (English or French), and adaptability. The most common pathway, Express Entry, uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank candidates based on these factors.

Language Proficiency

Language proficiency is a significant factor in your application. You’ll need to take a language test approved by the Canadian government, such as IELTS or CELPIP (English) or TEF (French). Achieving higher language scores can boost your CRS score and enhance your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR.

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

If your education was obtained outside Canada, you’ll need to get an ECA to verify the equivalence of your educational qualifications with Canadian standards. This step is crucial for Express Entry and certain provincial programs.

Create an Express Entry Profile

For Express Entry, create an online profile detailing your skills, work experience, education, language proficiency, and other relevant information. Your profile will be assigned a CRS score, and you’ll enter the Express Entry pool.

Improve Your CRS Score

A higher CRS score increases your chances of receiving an ITA. Consider ways to improve your score, such as enhancing language skills, gaining additional education, obtaining a job offer, or securing a provincial nomination.

Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Candidates with the highest CRS scores are issued ITAs in regular draws. Once you receive an ITA, you’ll have a limited time (usually 60 days) to submit a complete PR application.

Submit Your PR Application

Complete your Canada PR application online, providing accurate and complete information. Include all required documents, such as police clearances, medical exams, proof of funds, and more. Pay the application fee and submit your application before the deadline.

Wait for Processing

PR application processing times vary depending on the pathway and the volume of applications. During this period, ensure you respond promptly to any requests for additional information from the immigration authorities.

Final Steps

Once your PR application is approved, you’ll receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). Plan your move to Canada, ensuring you meet any travel and quarantine requirements. Upon arrival, you’ll need to show your COPR to the immigration officer at the port of entry to receive your PR status.

Conclusion

Applying for Canada PR or immigration from India is a systematic process that requires careful planning, preparation, and attention to detail. By understanding the various pathways, meeting eligibility criteria, enhancing your CRS score, and submitting a complete application, you can increase your chances of making Canada your new home. Remember that seeking professional advice or assistance from immigration consultants or lawyers can provide valuable insights and guidance throughout the application journey.

[erpcrmdaily]

Sage Partner Summit 2023 - What to Expect from Greytrix

Save the dates as the Sage Partner Summit marches your way to welcome you at the 2023 edition.

From May 22 through May 24, 2023, Las Vegas will provide a Sage environment for businesses and partners to acquire insights, exchange expertise, and learn about the most recent product strategies and advances. Greytrix is happy and excited to be a part of it as one of the proud silver sponsors. Discover what Greytrix brings to the Summit through a visual tour.

What to Expect from Sage Partner Summit 2023

The upcoming Sage Partner Summit in 2023 will be much greater than the previous ones. The current event is being held in Las Vegas, Nevada after the previous one was held in Dallas. The event is concentrating on creating a more productive environment for Sage reps and businesses in an effort to make it “big and bold.” Sessions on various Sage products will be held over the course of three days. The event has more than 50 sponsors in the following categories: strategic, titanium, diamond, platinum, gold, and gold sponsors. Greytrix is eager to be a part of this Sage ecosystem as a silver sponsor.

Catch Greytrix (Booth No 109) at Sage Partner Summit 2023

Greytrix is bringing its Champion Integrator for Sage ERP & CRM Integrations, GUMU™, to the Sage Partner Summit 2023. Since we have respected Sage Partners for more than 23 years, we have assisted about 1500 companies in maximizing the potential of Sage products. More than 15 pre-built connectors for Sage Intacct and other Sage ERPs have been given by us. We also offer full-service Sage Intacct consultancy for a range of industries. It will be a chance for us to engage, be inspired, and help the Sage ecosystem develop and grow as representatives of Sage.

What to Expect from Greytrix

Integration

With more than 20 years of experience, we are one of the top Sage integration partners on the market. Sage Intacct, Sage X3, Sage 100, and Sage CRM are just a few of the Sage products that are covered by our integration services. Additionally, we offer Sage integration services for third-party programs like Salesforce, Magento, and Dynamics 365 CRM.

Development

One of the main specializations is ERP development. The Sage products we cover include Sage Intacct, Sage X3, Sage 100, and Sage 300. We provide our support to businesses to help them get the most out of Sage Software so that their operations function smoothly. We are a popular option among companies in the market due to our capacity to provide top-notch services at the lowest cost of ownership and the quickest turnaround time.

Support

We also take great pride in being highly competent Sage consultants. To offer you the finest support, our knowledgeable IT specialists analyze the system and your company's requirements. Our professionals will work with you to identify the ideal option for your company, whether it be for development, integration, implementation, or migration.

Additionally, our independent support services, which include 24/7 dedicated and multi-channel support, are well-suited to cover our Sage integration, development, and migration services. You can rely on Greytrix to take care of the technical and functional requirements of your business and to provide first-rate support.

Migration

We take satisfaction in assisting businesses in completing the challenging work of migration with ease. We have a devoted team to handle a business’s migration requirements. We have successfully transitioned businesses over the years from a number of different systems to the desired Sage platform. We provide migration services that are supported by tracking, ongoing assistance, and effective implementation.

GUMU™ — the Breakthrough Connector

GUMU™ is what distinguishes Greytrix as a chosen Sage partner. It is our own integration platform, which is also referred to as a cloud integrator, and it helps companies migrate and integrate Sage seamlessly. The best feature of GUMU™ is that it functions without any code, is completely safe because it doesn’t store data, and is a powerful platform for integration.

Meet Our Team

Greytrix will be represented by two of our thought leaders and highly skilled tech specialists at the Sage Partner Summit in Las Vegas in 2023. To understand more about Greytrix’s contribution to the Sage industry and what we have planned for the future of the Sage world, we invite all of our fellow Sage representatives, businesses, and market industry experts to come and meet our representatives.

Come and join us at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and be a part of this safe space to gain insights into the contributions to the Sage world from different Sage representatives and also inspire others for a better future.

Originally Posted by https://www.greytrix.com/ on 08–05–2023

[29pageshomestuckeveryday]

Homestuck, page 253

[S] YOU THERE. BOY.

Songs used: Showtime (Piano Refrain) by Kevin Regamey and Malcolm Brown, Harlequin by Mark Hadley Author commentary: this was a walkaround Flash page. You could move John around with the keyboard, click on things and choose commands. All options are shown in the book sequentially, thus making it a pointedly NON-interactive experience. But this really just means you don't have to click on stuff to read hidden words. They're visible already. When you look at it this way, interactive stuff isn't that amazing. Outcomes are hiding, and you have to go to the bother of unhiding them, which is kind of a chore. Life is interactive, which is among the reasons it's such a huge pain in the ass.

You would think that by designating an author-created reader/player to submit commands, the game would start moving along more smoothly. But, no.

This now somewhat resembles an old Nintendo Power strategy guide, with screenshots of the game and illustrations of the consequences of player actions. If this Flash game ever stumps you online, like you find yourself getting lost in the house, just take a peek in this book for some HOT TIPS, and you will be well on your way to becoming a Power Player. B)

11: Also, who wants to take a piss with that weird clown watching? I doubt John's cool with that.

15: John, please. The plot of Little Monsters is not foreshadowing the existence of mischievous imps in your house. It is CLEARLY foreshadowing the existence of an alien race called trolls about 2000 pages later. Get with the program!

16: Critical point #1: WV, the one typing the commands, knows who John Cusack is, which is weird even for Homestuck. (SEE: UNIVERSAL CONSTANT.)

20: Critical point #2: Dave is referring to the fact that the Ghostbusters are always getting drenched in a particularly mucilaginous brand of spooky slime in that movie, carrying sexual overtones which I think we're in agreement would be a shame and completely unnecessary to bring attention to under basically any circumstance.

22: Spoiler: John never does use the towel to clean up the oil in his room. I admit fully, I let that plot point get away from me.

28: "God dammit John, that isn't Michael Cera." Really long term spoiler: In an alternate universe, it literally is Michael Cera.

29: The way the gameplay worked out, most of the time the sprite would follow John so closely they would just overlap. That is one clingy clownsprite.

35: Yes, the cruxtruder is why he is housetrapped, and not the fact that his house is now confined to a small plateau towering over an abyss. Also, he can STILL go out through the back door! Homestuck is frequently host to some of the least literally homestuck children in the history of fiction.

38: "John: Exchange shitty figurines for palm of pennies and kick in the nuts. Transaction favors you overwhelmingly."

40: Hey, whoa, whoa… that last line about elderly wisdom. Foreshadowing anyone???

43: That case full of games: same one used by Death in Problem Sleuth. Wait! Did I make a note about that in the last book? Behold the inevitability of my befuddlement on such matters. I promise, you haven't seen the last of it. Probably half these notes will be me inadvertently repeating book one trivia.

47: Heh heh, John sure does irrationally hate Betty Crocker, the harmless baked goods corporation, doesn't he? Surely this is just a silly running gag and won't come back to haunt us in any significant way. Right? I mean… it just can't… could it? That would be blowing a gag way too far out of propo-oh fuck Crocker's gonna be last boss, isn't she.

51: In retrospect, it's pretty remarkable to examine the breadth of WV's basic understanding of things. He seems to know what a washer and dryer look like, and what they're for. And can give quality advice on when it is or isn't practical to launder your garments.

60: "Although, he doesn't know what a swing set is. Or damaged power lines. Or an electric meter. Or handcuffs. Or a kitchen." Maybe I spoke too soon.

64: "AUTHOR'S NOTE: RE: Cirque du Soleil. Best joke in Homestuck. You may now stop reading, and close the book."

65: Follow-up on the peanut allergy issue: I'm pleased to report it does in fact prove to be relevant later.

66: I like to picture dad first hanging that dumbass clown photo straight, looking at it for a while with a vaguely dissatisfied expression, and then tilting it.

76: In these early pages, particularly with the lonely and disquieting ambiance of the walkaround page, there was something that felt deeply troubling about all this strange harlequin shit. Ultimately, the edge was taken off somewhat when it turned out all clownish roads led to a stoned alien juggalo.

One thing the book doesn't do (or even the site most of the time) is convey how quickly all this stuff was made. This entire walkaround game was made in less than 24 hours, all drawn and written by me, and programmed by Gankro. When you have to write a large amount of text for many different user choices, you start to get very quippy and punchy to just get it all done. But then, that's sort of a stupid way to qualify these pages, since that is how literally every page in Homestuck was written, ever. And also all of these notes.

[lukahhhhhhhh]

My sister is ten years younger than me, so I can say that YES this is all very true, the kids have not been learning or experiencing tech in a way that teaches them anything about it.

They are phone literate, but not with much depth. They can navigate on a phone smoothly and intuitively, even a new one they have no experience with, but that is generally where their knowledge ends.

I'm twenty eight, and I have never thought of myself as being super tech literate, I took programming in high school and got Bs but barely remember it, and I didn't teach myself HTML like most of my peers did to customize websites/profile pages.

But I am leaps and bounds beyond my eighteen year old sister. I have tried several times to teach her things I consider the basics--organizing folders, installing software that isn't an app, zipping files to send or unzipping files you've received, renaming a file so you can search for it more easily, or hell searching for a file by name at all

All of those are things my sister considers high tech literacy, or as she puts it "that's stuff computer nerd hacker people know"

She considers it complicated and mostly useless information that she wouldn't need to actually know. And she has a step up from most of her peers!! She can navigate on a normal laptop because I got her one when she was fourteen so she could have a computer that was hers instead of the chromebook she had through school (mostly so she could download and play games and save pictures somewhere that wasn't school property) I made sure she had a personal email instead of just her school google account, and made it a rule that she couldn't use her school email for anything unrelated to school work.

Most of her friends don't know how to make their own email, and when they graduated and the school deleted their old school email they never bothered to replace it. They use their phone number for confirmation on things They find regular laptops complicated compared to the chromebooks they used in school They do not know how to download or install software if it isn't downloading a mobile app They haven't learned to be curious about settings on tech because chromebooks and mobile devices are more secretive or restrictive about being able to change things or learn more about your own tech.

And for the most part school never really taught them what to do because the teachers/adults in their life approached teaching from the perspective that the kids grew up online and are inherently tech literate So they don't actually get taught And the tech they use doesn't make it intuitive to learn it on your own-- they often don't realize there's something to learn

this can't be true can it