#route accounting software

[bmobile-route-software]

How Field Sales Software Fuels Positive Sales Accountability

As sales people, we've all been there – juggling appointments, chasing leads, and trying not to misplace that crucial client's contact info. The life of an on-field sales rep is exhilarating, but let's face it, it can be chaotic. Enter field sales software – the unsung hero that not only streamlines your on-field operations but also builds a culture of positive sales accountability. Let’s explore how it does.

1. Real-Time Data at Your Fingertips

Gone are the days of deciphering messy spreadsheets or scribbling notes on the back of business cards. Field sales software ensures you have real-time access to critical data. Imagine walking into a client meeting armed with insights about their preferences, past interactions, and even the latest industry trends. It's like having a personal sales assistant whispering nuggets of wisdom in your ear.

2. Effortless Appointment Management

Let's be honest – keeping track of appointments can be a logistical nightmare. With field sales software, it's like having a magic wand that organizes your calendar seamlessly. The days of double-booking or forgetting about that crucial follow-up are long gone. The software sends you reminders, updates, and even suggests optimal routes to maximize your on-field efficiency. It's not just about making sales; it's about making the most out of your time on the road.

3. Lead Prioritization for Maximum Impact

Not all leads are created equal, and that's where field sales software shines. It helps you prioritize leads based on parameters like location, industry, and potential deal size. This smart sorting mechanism ensures you're not wasting time on leads that won't yield significant results. By focusing on high-priority leads, you're not just making sales; you're making strategic moves that impact the bottom line.

4. Accountability Through Activity Tracking

5. Seamless Communication for Team Synergy

In the world of on-field sales, communication is key. Field sales software acts as the glue that binds your team together, irrespective of geographical distances. It facilitates real-time communication, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. Need insights from a colleague who just cracked a similar deal? A few taps on the software, and you're connected. It's teamwork without the time zone constraints.

6. Adaptive Analytics for Informed Decision-Making

7. Enhanced Customer Relationships Through Personalization

In the era of personalization, generic sales pitches fall flat. Field sales software helps you tailor your approach by providing a 360-degree view of your customers. You know their history, preferences, and pain points. It's not just about selling a product; it's about building relationships. By understanding your customers on a personal level, you're not just a sales rep; you're a trusted advisor.

Field sales software isn't just a digital tool; it's a game-changer. It transforms the on-field sales experience by fostering positive accountability, streamlining operations, and enhancing customer relationships. So, fellow sales trailblazers, embrace the digital revolution and let field sales software be your partner in success. After all, in the world of sales, accountability isn't just a buzzword; it's the secret sauce for lasting success.

Our Software Service Applications:

Route Planning Software | Route Optimization Software | Mobile Order Taking Software | Field Sales Software | Online Scheduling Software | Delivery Management Software

[consumer-goods-software]

🚀 Revolutionize your business with our Route Accounting System! 📈 Streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and boost your bottom line. Discover the future of efficient accounting today! 💼

Read more: https://ivymobility.com/route-accounting-system/

#RouteAccounting #BusinessSolutions #EfficiencyBoost

[artisticdivasworld]

Why Analyzing Financial Data is Crucial for Your Trucking Business

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com If you’re having a tough time keeping your business on track. We get it—running a trucking company is no easy feat. There’s so much to juggle: maintenance, fuel costs, routes, driver management, and on top of that, financials. It’s overwhelming, and we know the last thing you want to think about is diving into those spreadsheets and financial reports. But let me…

[depraved-gf]

Formerly @repressedhOe

DARK kinks // no TWs.

Please feel free to spam like/rb<33

I love my boyfriend @eczstasy3 ♡

I'm actually fucking insane. 🔪

BACKUP ACCOUNT: @satansrapedoll

🚫 MY DMs ARE CLOSED FOR RN. 🚫

------------------

hiihi! l'm Isa (pronounced ee-suh), not short for anything. Just a dumb, mentally ill girl here to post my unhinged, horny thoughts :>

INFO:

♡ Late 20s, 5'0", bisexual, Neurodivergent, half Native. ☼ Leo ☽ Aries ↑ Scorpio for my astrology bitches.

♡ I'm a huge nerd. Gaming since age 4 (old Final Fantasy is my bread & butter), anime fan since age 9, I read a lot, and tend to enjoy really cheesy 80s horror movies.

♡ Lore: I spent 14 years in one very abusive, neglectful relationship without much sex, and never got to have a hoe phase. l'm healing, and relearning... everything.

♡ I have a degree in Psychology (specifically, the science route - Forensics and Neuropsychology). The human brain is fascinating to me, both hardware and software.

♡ KINKS: CNC (everything to do with it: stalking, somno etc.) free use, breeding kink (including forced impreg), demon kink, religious corruption, autassassinophilia, hybristophilia, fauxcest, ddlg, choking, knifeplay, blood, size kink, praise/degradation, and many more.

♡ LIMITS: scat, piss, vomit, vore, fisting, cheating, sharing partners, appearance degradation

Thanks for reading!! :>

ANONS: SC, D, Demon, 😶‍🌫️, 🖤, 🌷, 🔥 Sweetpea

[linkablewritingadvice]

How much should it cost to be a writer?

It depends what route you’re taking. If you are planning to go for traditional publishing, which looks like you finishing a manuscript and then querying agents who will then take your book to publishers, you should be paying for basically nothing. One exception would be if you decide to hire an editor to get a pass over your manuscript and/or query package before sending it off, but this is not required.

If you are in the process of trying to get your manuscript traditionally published, you may be approached by a “publisher” offering to publish your manuscript for a fee. THIS IS A SCAM! An author should never be paying for “publishing services.” Anyone asking you to pay for your own printing, marketing, etc. costs is taking advantage of you. These are called vanity publishers and they will not turn you a profit, help you attract readers, or provide you the prestige of being published. 

Always check on Writer Beware - search for the name of the person or company. You can also just google that name along with the word “scam” or “reviews.” In general, don’t let yourself be blinded by dreams, or let yourself be convinced that something is a good idea because you really want it to be true. Never, ever, ever pay a publisher.

If you are going the self-publishing route, you will be paying for certain things, but none of those should be payment to be published. You are the publisher. Uploading your manuscript to Amazon or other marketplaces is free. However, you will be paying for things that a publisher typically pays for. This could include:

-Cover art - you could do this yourself, though this isn't recommended. A good cover is key to a book's success, so budget to purchase a pre-made book cover, or hire a professional cover artist.

To find pre-made book covers, you can just Google "premade book covers," or check one of these sites: BookCoverZone RockingBookCovers Beetiful

And here's a list of places to buy both custom and pre-made cover designs that's a good start. You can also check Reedsy and Etsy for people listing cover design services. If there is a self-pubbed author whose covers you love, try asking them what artist they use.

-Formatting - you could do this yourself using a formatting program like Atticus, or you could hire someone who does professional e-book formatting.

Here's an article on the turbo-DIY route. Here's a list of formatting programs you can use. To hire someone, you can simply search for book formatting services or look at places where people list such services for hire, like Reedsy, Fiverr, or certain Reddit boards.

-Ad campaigns - you may want to pay for ad campaigns on platforms like Meta or Amazon. More niche, author-specific platforms like BookBub, Book Funnel, or Book Sirens also come with certain costs. 

-Author services - you may wish to hire an expert in things like marketing, blurb copy, social media metrics, newsletter management, etc. You can find information on that here.

Be aware that scam publishers might try to pitch themselves as "author services" - you should be paying someone to help you with specific aspects of your self publishing work, NOT paying to be published.

-Software and platforms - whether it's a subscription to Duotrope, a paid Scribophile account, access to pro Canva features, etc. you may decide to pay for tools that you will use to do your work well.

-Expert advice - some people offer courses, books, or other resources on how to do specific things like write a compelling blurb or run an effective ad campaign. You may notice that a lot of the links I shared here will include upsells from people doing exactly this!

Be very cautious about this, as most of these people claim that they make tons of money on their self published books, but really, they make their money selling this stuff to people like you. Always check out a person’s free resources first, and wait to invest in this sort of thing until you have a specific question you need answered or are trying to do a very particular thing that you need granular guidance on. 

One thing you should NOT pay for is a review, feature, or interview. Self-published authors will be approached by a lot of scammers who claim that, for a nominal fee, they will share information about your book to their huge audiences. These are completely useless and a waste of money. Never spend money on this.

Always keep track of what you are spending on all of this. You may be able to deduct it from taxes you pay on your income from writing, and you will want to really understand what your profit margins look like.

[thegildedbee]

Family/Laugh: May 12 & 13 Prompts from @calaisreno

The exterior nowheres that Sherlock inhabits can be charted by his footfalls as he wends his way through the precincts of temporary cities. The silent drift of assimilating interior nowheres, however, seems to leave no traces, even as he feels unseen changes taking hold. His suspension in the January North of a darkness that persists until late morning, and then quickly returns in the afternoon, intensifies his perception that he lives in a shadow-world, a lone dark figure extracted from the frozen rain that curtains his days. 

The patterns he seeks to capture as he hunts amidst the ones and zeros of cyberspace are likewise intangible – extended solitary vigils as his fingers command the keyboard to winnow through the tangle of codes – as well as tangible, of meetings with the technological mix of people here at Tallinn’s crossroads: software developers seeking the leading edge at corporate labs, security experts at NATO’s Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, the underground hackers who traverse the landscape of the digital realm’s hollow earth. Both the intangible and the tangible are intense efforts to spy glimpses of Moriarty’s covert presence in the spaces between the ones and zeros, summoning up the networks and nodes of the intersecting spheres of finance, and energy, and communications, as made manifest in trafficking, and counterfeiting, and hijacking, across the physical and human worlds.

He’s accumulated an abundance of leads, some he’s near-certain he understands, and others he’s yet to decipher – but it’s enough to reveal to him his next move on the chessboard: St. Petersburg. He’ll take the train from Tallinn, without needing to step out for border control, which is handled en route. He’ll be leaving Estonia under a new identity; he hopes to keep Lukas Sigerson in his back pocket for later uses, but it’s time to make his presence difficult to trace: it's time to step away from Mycroft’s grid. He’s left seemingly inadvertent clues to allow Mycrofts’s people to (think that they’re) following him, along a pathway that connects the nefarious doings of Mexican cartels involved in establishing meth labs in Nigeria for the Asian market. Their pursuit of him will be turned to good account in dismantling that nexus, even when they realize he is elsewhere. 

St. Petersburg is a hive of hacking activity, the physical site of the infamous Russian Business Network, which catered to the needs of cyber criminals. It’s not surprising that it is the city where Vladimir Putin lived, received his education, and joined the KGB, as an agent in its foreign intelligence wing, before tunneling his way to Moscow. Sherlock doesn’t believe that there are many degrees of separation between Moriarty and the dark internet of Putin’s hellscape. 

He arrives at the end of Tallinn’s usefulness on a Friday evening. As he packs up his kit in the office space he’s made homebase through a courtesy loan in deference to his Norwegian technology credentials, some of the younger workers have swept him up into their murmurating flock as they celebrate the coming weekend in search of alcohol, bar food, and music. In London, Sherlock would have begged off such a request, were anyone intrepid enough to suggest it, and he would have been unperturbed at whatever anyone might think. But he’s not Sherlock, he’s Lukas, at least for a short while longer, and although his persona is reserved, businesslike and uninclined to make small talk, Lukas possesses an average quantity of affability; and remaining unobtrusive is best accomplished by being amidst the motions of others, rather than making himself conspicuous by setting himself off from the norms of sociality. 

He did not, however, anticipate the karaoke session, which is putting a severe strain on the bonhomie he is channeling to Lukas, as it’s clear that he’s going to need to accede to accepting a turn in the spotlight, lest he put a damper on the good spirits of his companions. He nevertheless protests with a smile, holding out his hands, but any input he might have been able to exert on the decision-making disappears, when two of his impromptu friends conspire to tug him toward the microphone, explaining that all three of them will venture forth together, with a song they insist is dead simple to sing, and that the well-lubricated crowd will be delighted to join in with them in belting out the familiar refrain. Which is how he finds himself being carried along within a punchy, melodic stream that turns out to be excruciating emotionally, as the verses unfurl. He listlessly despairs, marooned, a hollowed-out laugh echoing inside his head in response.

. . . When I'm lonely, well, I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who's lonely without you And when I'm dreamin', well, I know I'm gonna dream I'm gonna dream about the time when I'm with you. When I go out (when I go out), well, I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you And when I come home (when I come home), I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who comes back home with you I'm gonna be the man who's comin' home with you . . .

He’s exasperated at the universe conspiring to keep him unsettled, to deny him the solace of alone protecting him. He fears that he is fated to have any social contact whatsoever somehow conjure home and reminders of John. The song ends to raucous cheers, and the enthusiasm surges on, and he’s being importuned to name a new song of his own choice before being allowed to return to the table. He looks at the smiling faces helplessly, immobilized by the churning cacophony playing hide-and-seek inside his guts, incapable of conjuring up the simplest of answers. Undeterred, they jolly him along, prompting him to think of a film he’s recently seen, or club he’s been to, or a favorite television show. At the latter suggestion, his mind does slightly slip free, and there is John again, teasing Sherlock into watching another of his favorite shows, Sherlock pretending to be annoyed at being consigned to such a fate. He turns to the young people, and raises his voice to speak into the nearest person’s ear to be heard over the noisy crowd, and says with a question in his voice, Peaky Blinders? He seems to have pleased them, as they fiddle around to pull the selection, bouncing in high spirits and punching their fists into the air, as the music starts, a bell ringing out, and the slithering deep tones speaking of the edge of town, of secrets in the border fires, of a gathering storm -- and a tall handsome man, in a dusty black coat, with a red right hand. 

As Sherlock listens to the song unspool, his mind wanders back to the show's themes, reminding him of a line of thought he’d been considering the last few days – that to focus singularly on Moriarty and faceless confederates is not quite the right way to conceptualize the dead man's web: that there must have also been family members in leading positions, positions of trust. One of the deep divides between himself and Mycroft originated in Sherlock’s refusal in uni to agree to work for SIS. Mycroft knew that he would never be able to trust completely any of the professionals who worked for him – after all they are spies working for money. To be sure, he wanted Sherlock to sign on to be able to appropriate his intelligence, but even more compelling was the fact that never having to question the loyalty of a brother would have made him an asset par excellence. Mycroft considers getting what he wants to be an inviolable law of the universe, and Sherlock doesn't think his brother will ever be able to truly forgive him for the rejection . . . especially given Sherlock's devotion to the inferior endeavors of dedicating himself to a life of metropolitan crime-solving. Family; family is what matters. A Moriarty is gone; but there are other Moriarties yet to be unearthed. ........................................................ @calaisreno @totallysilvergirl @friday411 @peanitbear @original-welovethebeekeeper @helloliriels @a-victorian-girl @keirgreeneyes @starrla89 @naefelldaurk

@topsyturvy-turtely @lisbeth-kk @raina-at @jobooksncoffee @meetinginsamarra @solarmama-plantsareneat @bluebellofbakerstreet @dragonnan @safedistancefrombeingsmart @jolieblack

@msladysmith @ninasnakie @riversong912 @dapetty

.............................................................................

[izicodes]

Hello, I'm only wondering how you would go about building a track to get a job in these lines of works, if you have advice. Thank you :)

Hiya! 💗

I have some advice yeah! Do bear in mind, the way I got into Software Development, now focusing on Web Development, was:

A couple of months of self-studying HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Python

Applied for a Software Development Technician apprenticeship - working in a company whilst studying at a college (had to do it online because of COVID restrictions)

Completed the apprenticeship + 2 exam certificates in Programming and Software Development

The company I did my apprenticeship hired me straight after I passed.

Other people had similar routes e.g. via higher education at a university or college, or did the complete self-study route and got a job at a company or just freelancing. Everyone's journey is different!

Building a successful track to get a job in Software Development requires a combination of a lot of things and not just learning how to program. I will assume you want to get into Web Dev, but this can be applied to other areas e.g. Game Dev or Moblie Dev. Here are some steps you could take:

Education and Skill Development

The most obvious: you need the skills...

Could find schools, online schools, colleges or universities to learn the subject: This is if you can. Some people learn better with a teacher there to help them so maybe attending a school setting is better for you!

Online courses and tutorials: Enroll in online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or Codecademy to learn specific programming languages (such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript), frameworks, and development tools commonly used in web development.

Build a portfolio: Create a collection of projects that showcase your skills. Develop websites, and web applications, or contribute to open-source projects to demonstrate your abilities to potential employers. Use places like GitHub or GitLab!

Practical Experience

If you don't have the opportunity to be already working in a company in their IT department for experience, try these two types of experience you could try for experience:

Internships and part-time jobs: Seek internships or part-time positions in software development companies. This provides hands-on experience, exposes you to real-world projects, and helps you understand industry practices.

Freelance work: Take up freelance web development projects to gain practical experience and expand your portfolio. Platforms like Upwork and Freelancer can help you find clients and build a reputation.

Networking and Professional Development

Join online communities: Engage with online forums, developer communities (such as Stack Overflow), and social media groups to connect with like-minded individuals, seek advice, and stay updated on industry news.

Create a presence and show off your coding journey: I am a huge advocate for this. I had friends that I've mentioned on my blog that got their first developer job solely because they were posting their projects and learning journey on their Twitter accounts. For example, my friend Hikari (her Twitter) got her job because the employer saw her tweets of her progress then he noticed her portfolio page and asked for an interview with her - then she got the job. Try your chances with this method!

Contribute to open-source projects: Collaborate on open-source projects on platforms like GitHub. This not only helps you enhance your coding skills but also showcases your ability to work in a team and contribute to larger projects! Working in a team is a key skill!

Hope this helps! Thanks for the ask! 🙌🏾💗

[multitrackdrifting]

ppl saying Teamspeak should have "innovated" the way Discord supposedly did is hilarious, generally when I have a specific program I want it to serve a specific function while being light weight. not become bloated with all this other unnecessary shit like windows is

people are so Affected by everything being a software suite or subscription based with a gajillion perks that they cannot envision a program just doing one thing good and not needing to do anything but that and it does it all for free without collecting data bc the underlying technology is decentralized with no user accounts or routing that would give them anything useful on you

im not even an old internet nostalgia haver but with voip shit specifically discord made the internet worse. unrelated but msn/wlm >>>> skype

[freedompanda]

For my American Friends

I feel now is a good time to spread this news. Much like how the internet came together to help share information with the Ukrainians for resisting Russia, I’m here delivering help of a similar nature to those that could be impacted by this latest election in the US. There are ways to communicate relatively securely, outside of Big Brother's social media. I bring this up so that we can minimize the amount of gatherable information that could be used to hurt you, or others you know, in the coming years as changes are made. I'm not going to tell you how or why to use them, I'm just going to provide you with the information.

WhatsApp – While not my personal favorite, since Facebook/Meta is the parent company, WhatsApp is free, globally popular, and widely-used, featuring the ability to lock chats with passwords, disappearing messages, photos and videos that are deleted after being opened, profile photo privacy, the ability to lock the app itself so that only your biometrics can unlock it, encrypted backups, the ability to set custom permissions for who can see you online or when you last used the app, and of course End-to-End Encryption for all conversations EXCEPT those with business accounts. WhatsApp is a good option for those who are not really technically savvy, but still value privacy – if one trusts Facebook/Meta to adequately protect their privacy. It does require a phone number to sign up, however.

Signal - Signal is an end-to-end encrypted messaging software. meaning that the contents of your conversation is secure. The protocol they use (which they created) is seen as the best known protocol for asynchronous messaging by cybersecurity researchers. It's so good that it has been implemented in WhatsApp and in Messenger's secret chats. This app has even been mentioned in the Right-wing author Jack Carr's Political Thriller about a Navy SEAL named James Reece, as being a preferred method of secure communication on the civilian side for operators. (Jack Carr is a former US Navy SEAL.) It's run by a Non-Profit organization called Signal Foundation, and it's mission is to "protect free expression and enable secure global communication through open source privacy technology." It allows secure messaging, voice calls, and video calls. The only downside is that app links to your phone number, so while your conversations and content are secure, who you are talking to is not. Signal is available on Windows, Mac, Andriod, Linus, and iOS.

Session - Session is an end-to-end encrypted messenger that minimises sensitive metadata, designed and built for people who want absolute privacy and freedom from any form of surveillance. Session is an open-source, public-key-based secure messaging application which uses a set of decentralized storage servers and an onion routing protocol to send end-to-end encrypted messages with minimal exposure of user metadata. This means no phone numbers, no metadata for digital footprints, and censorship resistance. It features group chats, the ability to send documents, files, and images securely, and has added voice messages, though these can be spotty. It’s slow, but effective, and be downloaded on Android, F-Droid, iPhone, Mac, Windows, and Linux.

Briar - If you have an Android phone, Briar is another option you have. It features a decentralized network (it’s peer-to-peer encrypted, rather than relying on a central server), meaning messages are synced directly between user devices. It also means that even if the internet is down, it can sync via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or even memory cards, meaning information can continue to flow even during a crisis. In the event the internet is functioning, it can sync via the Tor network, protecting users and their relationships from surveillance. Other features: - Screenshots and screen recording are disabled by default - Each user’s contact list is encrypted and stored on her own device. - Briar’s end-to-end encryption prevents keyword filtering, and because of its decentralized design there are no servers to block. - Every user who subscribes to a forum keeps a copy of its content, so there’s no single point where a post can be deleted. - Briar’s forums have no central server to attack, and every subscriber has access to the content even if they’re offline. - Doesn’t require any user data like name and phone number. The downside is that it is text-only and limited to Android Devices, but they do offer Briar Mailbox to deliver messages securely to those who are online at different times. Briar’s goal is “to enable people in any country to create safe spaces where they can debate any topic, plan events, and organize social movements”

Protonmail - A free end-to-end encrypted AND zero-access encryption email service based out of Switzerland, you can safely email with peace of mind that your content is secure. Unlike Google, Outlook, Yahoo, and others, Proton's zero-access encryption means they can't even view the contents of your emails or attachments. As a Swiss-owned company they are not allowed to share information with foreign law enforcement under criminal penalty and they are politically neutral, meaning they won't be pressured by foreign governments. Furthermore, Switzerland has a constitutional right to privacy and strict data protection laws. Unlike companies in other countries, Proton cannot be compelled by foreign or Swiss authorities to engage in bulk surveillance.

Additional Information, from Proton’s Website: Switzerland has strong legal protections for individual rights, and in fact the Swiss Federal Constitution(new window) explicitly establishes a constitutional right to privacy. (In the US, this right is merely implied.) Specifically, Article 13 safeguards privacy in personal or family life and within one’s home, and the Swiss Civil Code(new window) translates this right into statutory law in Article 28.

In the US and EU, authorities can issue gag orders to prevent an individual from knowing they are being investigated or under surveillance. While this type of order also exists in Switzerland, the prosecutors have an obligation to notify the target of surveillance, and the target has an opportunity to appeal in court. In Switzerland, there are no such things as national security letters(new window), and all surveillance requests must go through the courts. Warrantless surveillance, like that practiced in the US where the FBI conducts 3.4 million searches per year(new window) with little oversight, is illegal and not permitted in Switzerland.

Switzerland also benefits from a unique legal provision with Article 271 of the Swiss Criminal Code(new window), which forbids any Swiss company from assisting foreign law enforcement, under threat of criminal penalty. While Switzerland is party to certain international legal assistance agreements, all requests under such agreements must hold up under Swiss law, which has much stricter privacy provisions. All foreign requests are assessed by the Swiss government, which generally does not assist requests from countries with poor rule of law or lack an independent judiciary.

Swiss law has several more unique points. First, it preserves end-to-end encryption, and unlike in the US, UK, or EU, there is no legislation that has been introduced or considered to limit the right to encryption. Second, Swiss law protects no-logs VPN(new window) meaning that Proton VPN does not have logging obligations. While numerous VPNs claim no-logs, these claims generally do not stand up legally because in most jurisdictions, governments can request that the VPN in question starts logging. So the VPN is only no-logs until the government asks. However, in Switzerland, the law does not allow the government to compel Proton VPN to start logging.

We’ve also fought to ensure that Switzerland remains a legal jurisdiction that respects and protects privacy.

Nearly every country in the world has laws governing lawful interception of electronic communications for law enforcement purposes. In Switzerland, these regulations are set out in the Swiss Federal Act on the Surveillance of Post and Telecommunications (SPTA), which was last revised on March 18, 2018. In May 2020, we challenged a decision of the Swiss government over what we believed was an improper attempt to use telecommunications laws to undermine privacy.

In October 2021, The Swiss Federal Administrative Court ultimately agreed with us and ruled that email companies cannot be considered telecommunication providers. This means Proton isn’t required to follow any of the SPTA’s mandatory data retention rules, nor are we bound by a full obligation to identify Proton Mail users. Moreover, as a Swiss company, Proton Mail cannot be compelled to engage in bulk surveillance on behalf of US or Swiss intelligence agencies. (Links can be found at: proton.me/blog/switzerland)

[nickgerlich]

Finding Resolve

We’ve all done it. We are all part of this new phenomenon, something that barely existed before this century, and only truly gained momentum in the last decade. The worst part is, most of us have forgotten exactly how much we are involved with it, because it is hard to remember what and how much these phenomena cost.

I am talking about the subscription economy, that magical place where software and streaming services are the product, and our monthly bill is usually on autopay. It ranges from SOAS (Software As A Service) providers like Adobe and Microsoft, to all the music, movies, and more that we stream into our homes, cars, and mobile devices.

And it is eating us alive.How many subscriptions do you have? Let’s start with your vehicle. Do you have satellite radio? That’s one. Do you subscribe to cloud-based software? That can be one or more. What about streaming tunes like Spotify or Apple Music? There you guy. The list is getting longer.

And then there are all the streaming TV choices, which runs from services like YouTube TV to Netflix, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Peacock, Max, Hulu, Disney…I could go on. You may have cut the cable at home, but you tethered yourself in other ways to the extent that the net effect is little different.

Then there’s the gaming community, if that’s your thing. More dinero. Maybe you fell for the premium version of an app, like Accuweather. If you’re a regular Amazon shopper, you no doubt have Prime, which costs $139 a year, plus the vitamins and supplements I receive every month from them. Like listening to books? There’s Audible. Old newspapers? There’s Newspapers.com, one of my favorite sites to do research. Cloud storage? Good Lord, I have several, for my thousands of photos and documents.

So successful has the subscription model been that paywalls have appeared everywhere online, like the New York Times, Washington Post, and Atlantic Monthly, each of whom have amazing content, a feast for my eyes and brain. Alas, I have drawn the line, because I sense it has long spun out control. And if CNN goes ahead and paywalls its app and site, I guess I won’t be reading them anymore.

Because I, like many people, have subscription fatigue. I simply cannot begin to consume all of this media. Sadly, I cannot remember all of the services to which I subscribe, and if you aren’t there yet, I bet you will be soon enough. The only way to know for sure is to carefully track your credit card statements to look for monthly billing.

That, of course, is the problem, because we willingly provided our billing data so that we do not have to do this every month. As long as that credit card is valid, those providers will keep hitting your card every month. It is only when your card is about to expire that you get a notification. And if you were not careful and instead provided a bank routing and account number, they can keep sticking their hand into your pocket as long as you have that account.

Ironically, there are new subscription management software sites and apps that supposedly make it easy to track and opt-out of all the things, but they are subscription services themselves. That’s like replacing one drug with another. You’re still on the hook.

It all starts so easily, because many of the subscription services are technically just micro payments, only $5 or $10. We see that as pocket change. Other services offer annual payment options, which provide a slight discount for paying in full in advance. But many of the once-cheap micro payments have started to get expensive, like Netflix and Spotify (I am speaking from experience). They are no longer minor indulgences.

Were these tangible products we had to buy in a store, I bet we would all be a lot more careful. The friction of having to be somewhere to even just tap your credit card would probably be enough to cause us to think. But it is simply too easy in the digital world to keep subscribing, because once we get in that loop, there is never any friction.

We are all going to have to muster a lot more resolve to win this fight, as well as start keeping meticulous records. Otherwise, these things develop lives of their own, lives that will continue hitting credit cards even after our own lives are over. I’m pretty sure none of us will be consuming anything at that point, and there’s no use paying for it.

We don’t have to wait for New Years Day to make this resolution.

Dr “I Honestly Can’t Remember All Of Them” Gerlich

Audio Blog

[bmobile-route-software]

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[being-kindrad]

hey, i just found out about the forum, and while i admit i haven't checked it out myself yet, i have a couple questions that i'd love to ask.

how is the forum in terms of user privacy? are passwords stored in plaintext? (please tell me they aren't.)

related to that, how can we be sure the website won't be an easy victim to attacks? if the forum were victim of a cyber attack, would user accounts be compromised?

lastly, what do you think of implementing a rule similar to 4chan's "don't talk about 4chan"? if we want to keep the website hush-hush and less vulnerable to male infiltrators, it might be good to promote secrecy in some degree, maybe even encourage willful misnaming of the website (but i'd like to know what you think).

Hi. Please check out the cybersecurity page for tips on how to stay safe on the internet and especially when using the forum. If people are not comfortable with any chance of a database breach, I would recommend not making an account. While I would love people to join, I care about being honest and making sure people are aware and okay with the risks of participating.

how is the forum in terms of user privacy? are passwords stored in plaintext? (please tell me they aren't.)

Passwords are not stored in plaintext. However, I will say MyBB's (the forum software I'm using) password encryption algorithm is not the best, so if the database were breached, it would be relatively trivial for a hacker who knew what they were doing to decrypt user passwords. MyBB plans to use a better encryption algorithm in its next release, and switching to that once it is out will be a top priority for me. This is why I suggest using a unique password for this forum (and tbh on any website it is best to use a unique password, you never know where the next database breach will come from).

related to that, how can we be sure the website won't be an easy victim to attacks? if the forum were victim of a cyber attack, would user accounts be compromised?

All passwords for all administrative accounts/logins related to the forum, its database, its server, etc. are very long and randomly generated, and are completely different from each other. Password hacking would be extremely difficult, likely impossible.

The biggest way I could see user accounts becoming compromised would be through a database breach (getting access to the database). There are two ways I see this could happen:

Someone directly uses the server account credentials to log in and breach the database (highly likely impossible as they would need to know where the server is located and the password for the server).

Someone hacking into an administrator account on the forum and downloading the database. This would be the more likely route, but they would need to know the password of an administrator account. This is how Kodi, a MyBB forum with 400k users, got its database breached. However, there are multiple ways to avoid this. 1.) I found instructions on how to lock down the MyBB Admin CP (Control Panel) with an additional password, which would mean a hacker would need to not just hack into an admin's account, but also know the password to the Admin CP. 2.) There is another option of editing the forum source code so that the ability to download databases from the Admin CP is completely disabled. 3.) If any additional administrators are needed, I could give them adjusted permissions which would not allow them to create database backups. Overall though, I don't think I will need to add administrators any time soon, if ever. (Moderators are different than admins.)

In the worst case scenario of a database breach, what would be leaked is similar to the Kodi breach above. This is why on the Cybersecurity page, I say: use a unique password, don't use an important email, be wary of the private messaging system, etc.

lastly, what do you think of implementing a rule similar to 4chan's "don't talk about 4chan"? if we want to keep the website hush-hush and less vulnerable to male infiltrators, it might be good to promote secrecy in some degree, maybe even encourage willful misnaming of the website (but i'd like to know what you think).

Hmm, well I've already announced the forum on Tumblr, so it's not very hush-hush already. :') My view is that male infiltrators would try to get in regardless. I don't think I can stop people from talking/sharing the forum, and I would prefer feminist women be able to find it easier. I would like to hope the application process would weed out most bad actors.

[lgcrp]

LGCRP IS HIRING !!

hello, lgc ! due to developments in the admin team's personal lives and the changes that we're planning on making to our current system, we're looking for someone to help the team !

your main responsibility will entail maintaining the lgcmedia blog running, meaning creating instagram graphics for our monthly sns posts, youtube graphics for the intro videos, and acceptance graphics as well as writing news and pann articles. you will likely also aid with the upkeep of our subsidiary blogs (updating character rosters, writing captions for posts, etc.), plus reviewing and processing through the forms submitted on the lgcpoints blog ! please take into account that these tasks will take up a fair amount of time and don’t include the time you might spend communicating with the rest of the admin team about anything that comes up unforeseen ! if you’re interested in applying please fill out the following form and send it in through the main blog’s submit box. IF YOU’VE PREVIOUSLY APPLIED, YOU CAN JUST LET US KNOW YOU’RE STILL INTERESTED AS OPPOSED TO FILLING THE SAME APP OUT AGAIN !!!

what’s your alias?  who do you play in lgc? do you own photoshop? if not, do you have access to a software that allows you to open and edit .psd files? do you have previous experience as a mod or admin? ( this isn’t a make or break requirement, we’d just like to have an idea if we consider expanding your responsibilities down the road! ) graphics samples ( ideally a minimum of three, if you do not have any, just let us know and we will send you the templates for our current graphics to see if you’re able to complete it – they should be easy to work with, provided you have some graphic editing experience! ) news article/pann post sample ( doesn’t have to be long! pick one of the current happenings on the lgc schedule (ex. year end ceremonies, future dreams season 7, martine corporation, etc.) and write us a sample article! be sure to include a comment section if you choose to go down the pann route! )

we’ll take applications until SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023 11:59PM EST. if any questions come up please don’t hesitate to contact us through either the inbox or the pms! please refrain from sending an admin team questions about this privately for the sake of as many of us having access to your messages as possible! thank you! 

in the meantime, we assure you we are working and are here for whatever you need us for. love you all !

- the lgc admin team

[zerosecurity]

J.P. Morgan Data Breach Affects Over 451,000 Retirement Plan Participants

In a recent regulatory filing with the Office of the Maine Attorney General on April 29, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank revealed that a staggering 451,000 individuals were impacted by a vendor-provided system data breach. According to the bank, a software issue in this system erroneously granted access to retirement plan participants' records to users who should not have had such privileges. The breach exposed sensitive personal information, including names, social security numbers, mailing addresses, payment and deduction details, as well as bank routing and account numbers for those using direct deposit. Limited Access, but Potential for Misuse J.P. Morgan stated that the "incorrect entitlements" were limited to three authorized system users who, as part of their job responsibilities, regularly access this type of information and are obligated to safeguard it. These three users were employed by J.P. Morgan customers or their agents. Over the period from August 26, 2021, to February 23, 2024, these individuals downloaded a total of 12 reports containing the sensitive data of retirement plan participants. Prompt Action and Identity Theft Protection Upon becoming aware of the software issue on February 23, J.P. Morgan promptly corrected the users' access issue, tested it, and applied a software update to resolve the problem. A spokesperson for the bank emphasized, "There is no indication of data misuse," and clarified that the breach was not part of a cyberattack. As a precautionary measure, J.P. Morgan is offering two years of identity theft protection services through Experian to all affected individuals. The bank has also made its call center available to address participants' questions and concerns regarding the data breach. Read the full article

[beardedmrbean]

Post Office workers who have had wrongful convictions for theft and false accounting overturned are to be offered £600,000 each in compensation, the government has said.

More than 700 branch managers were given criminal convictions when faulty accounting software made it look like money was missing from their sites.

So far, 86 convictions have been overturned.

The Post Office minister said the sum was being offered "no ifs or buts".

The compensation is for postmasters whose convictions relied on the now discredited Horizon IT system, in return for them settling their claims.

Postmasters who have already received initial compensation payments, or have reached a settlement with the Post Office of less than £600,000, will be paid the difference.

The government said the offer aimed to "bring a resolution to the scandal".

Post Office boss to return bonus after scandal

Post Office scandal: 'I lost absolutely everything'

Why were hundreds of sub-postmasters prosecuted?

Postmasters will continue to receive funds to cover legal fees. Anyone who does not want to accept the offer can continue with the existing process.

'It's not enough'

"It's not enough," said Noel Thomas, 76, from Anglesey who was sent to prison for false accounting in 2006 but eventually had his conviction quashed.

"How do you put a price on what I've been through, what my family have been through?" he told the BBC.

"People have gone through a hell of a lot. Don't forget, some have lost properties in all this business."

Others are still waiting to have their convictions overturned. Those who successfully do so in future, based on Horizon evidence, will also be entitled to the compensation.

Kevin Hollinrake, the Post Office Minister appointed last autumn, told the BBC: "If you've suffered a conviction, and you've had that conviction overturned, £600,000 is there waiting for you.

"We're doing this because people have suffered horrendous situations of course, financial loss as well as personal damage to reputation, and many other things have happened to people. So we want to get this compensation out the door."

He said the government had "erred on the side of generosity", but admitted that for some people it would not be enough.

"If you've suffered, if you've spent time in jail, if you lost your house, if your marriage has failed, all those things - if those things have happened to you, no amount of money will ever be enough," he said.

He added: "If you think your claim is worth more than £600,000, you can still go through the normal routes."

Some £21m has been paid in compensation so far to postmasters with overturned convictions.

It is one of three different compensation schemes that have been set up as the scandal developed.

The Post Office Horizon scandal has been described as "the most widespread miscarriage of justice in UK history".

Between 2000 and 2014, the Post Office prosecuted 736 sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses - an average of one a week - based on information from a recently installed computer system called Horizon.

Some went to prison following convictions for false accounting and theft. Many were financially ruined and have described being shunned by their communities. Some have since died.

The Horizon inquiry is investigating the scandal and is likely to conclude in 2024.

Last month, Nick Read, the boss of the Post Office, agreed to return all of his bonus payment for his participation in the inquiry - a total amount of £54,400.

[artwork-management]

13 BENEFITS OF ONLINE PROOFING SOFTWARE

In the whirlwind world of product launches, where timing is everything and perfection is non-negotiable, it's crucial to have your artwork proofing process locked down tight. The goal? To catapult your products into the market spotlight with impeccable labels, free of errors, and resonating with your brand's essence. Let's face it, the traditional route of manual proofing is a relic of the past—cumbersome, time-consuming, and fraught with the risk of errors slipping through the cracks. Enter the modern solution: online proofing software, a tool that's rapidly becoming indispensable in our fast-paced industry. Online proofing software revolutionizes the way creative teams collaborate and finalize projects. By streamlining the review and approval process, it offers a plethora of advantages that enhance productivity, improve accuracy, and foster seamless collaboration.

Here are 13 benefits of online proofing software for creative team:

1. Streamlined Review Process

 Online proofing centralizes feedback, making it easier for all stakeholders to review and approve content, from anywhere and at any time.

2. Faster Project Turnaround

By eliminating the back-and-forth of emails and physical proofs, projects move more swiftly from concept to completion.

3. Reduced Errors and Revisions

Real-time feedback and clear, centralized revisions lead to fewer mistakes, reducing the need for multiple rounds of changes.

4. Enhanced Collaboration

Teams can collaborate more effectively, with tools that allow for direct annotation and comments on the work itself, making feedback specific and actionable.

5. Accessibility and Flexibility

With cloud-based access, team members can review and approve content from any device, offering flexibility to work from anywhere.

6. Version Control

Keeps track of all versions and changes, ensuring everyone is working on the latest version and reducing confusion over document versions.

7. Time and Cost Efficiency

Cuts down on the costs associated with printing and mailing physical proofs and saves time otherwise spent on manual coordination.

8. Increased Accountability

Tracks changes and comments by user, ensuring accountability and clarity on who said what, and when.

9. Customizable Workflows

Allows teams to customize approval workflows to suit their specific project needs and organizational structure.

10. Improved Client Satisfaction

Facilitates a smoother approval process for clients, with less effort on their part, leading to a better client experience and stronger relationships.

11. Automated Notifications

Keeps the project moving by notifying team members and stakeholders of required actions, deadlines, and updates.

12. Better Project Management

Offers an overview of project status at a glance, allowing for better project management and planning.

13. Environmental Benefits 

Reduces the need for paper, printing, and physical mailing, contributing to eco-friendly business practices.

The charm of online proofing software lies in its precision and efficiency. Imagine this: your content undergoes a rigorous vetting process, emerging spotless, polished, and ready to dazzle your audience. No more post-launch hiccups or red-faced retractions. Instead, you're setting the stage for a flawless debut, every single time. But the magic of online proofing doesn't stop there. It's a catalyst for enhancing teamwork, streamlining your workflow, and boosting overall productivity. The digital platform becomes a collaborative arena where ideas flourish, feedback is instant, and revisions are executed with laser-like precision. Therefore, embracing online proofing and brand asset management software, such as Cway, is not just a wise choice—it's an essential strategy for those looking to refine their process. Simplify your journey from concept to market with the smart, efficient solution that online proofing offers. It's time to let your brand shine, error-free and with absolute confidence.

Explore additional related topics on our blog:

A 6 STEP GUIDE TO THE PACKAGING DESIGN PROCESS

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PACKAGING ARTWORK MANAGEMENT

7 PREPS FOR TRULY SUCCESSFUL PACKAGING PROJECT MANAGEMENT