#this is the exact same model but With New Upgrades :)

[race-week]

Any idea what the changes made to Lando's car was ? I heard it was something about the front wing, but I don't know anything else.

And how come Oscar doesn't need to have it done to his too? Don't both cars have to be the same?

There’s two separate things.

So there were aerodynamic upgrades that were brought for both cars around the front wing, front brake and front suspension which were brought to improve aerodynamic efficiency, as well as some changes to the rear suspension to provide more rear stability under braking.

Then there are the front suspension changes that are specifically on Norris’ car and were brought last race.

These changes are impossible to see with the naked eye but essentially they have changed the angle of the steering’s kingpin inclination (diagonal red line below)

This has an effect on the tyres camber and its contact patch with the track, and can allow the driver to feel more feedback from the car

Essentially this will create more of a negative camber when the tyres are on, negative camber helps to maintain a larger contact patch (more tyre touching the tarmac) when cornering, however too much negative camber can slow the car on straights

I wouldn’t necessarily see the suspension changes as an upgrade they are just a different spec, and from the sounds of it, Piastri chose not to run this model, but Norris prefers it as it dials down his issue where he wasn’t getting enough feel from the car.

Teams don’t have to run the exact same car on both sides of the garage, and oftentimes teams will have one car running different parts to another, especially when they only have one set of upgrades or when one driver likes a new set of parts whilst another preferred the previous ones.

[fieldghoul]

A round-up of ministry technology:

Chapter Two: The Cardinal

Copia is carrying the Siemens R836 stereo, produced c. 1988

Chapter 5: The Call

The TV in the hospital is the Toshiba T277Z, produced c. 1977

p.s., the first clip playing on the TV is twins running away in Chapter 1 :-)

Chapter Seven: New World Redro

Nihil's typewriter is the Olympia SM9, produced c. 1965-1968

Chapter Ten: Home Coming and Special Guests

The record player in Cardi's room is actually not vintage! It's the Victrola 3-in-1 Bluetooth Record Player, produced c. 2017

To get deep into minutiae, the other thing they pan past on the shelf that looks like an antique cathedral radio is actually a piece of ceramic -- you can see it's holding a book. It's made from a commercially available plaster mold, namely the Duncan DM-355 B, which was manufactured in the late 70s. Here are photos of the same ceramic with a different glaze, and the mold itself :-)

Chapter Twelve: Ghost Goes Hollywood

Cardi's camcorder is part of the Sony CCD-TRVX5 series, produced c. 1998

(My understanding is the CCD-TRV75, 85 and 93 all have the same body -- but it's one of those.)

Chapter 16: Tax Season

Cardi's TV is the Samsung BT-317TR, produced c. 1984

He is, of course, playing the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), produced c. 1986-1990

The radio is the Motorola TT23FS, produced c. 1968

The phone gadget is the Tele-Rest, produced c. 1958

The alarm clock is a Lawson Model 215 Sierra, produced c. 1948-1981 (Lawson clock history seems... complicated)

As for the phone itself... I can tell you it's this exact phone, since this prop house seems to have supplied all the props in this video, but there are too many identical puke-green rotary phones produced between the 1940s and 1970s for me to pretend I can tell which one it is (same goes for the other two rotary phones in Chapter Five).

Rite Here Rite Now

The TV backstage is (probably) a Magnavox 20MT4405/17, produced c. 2006

If you turn the brightness on RHRN way the fuck up, you can see a piece of tape over the brand badge on the TV. (But that can't stop me!!!)

I'm sure most of the tech choices are just for humor and Tobias's personal nostalgia as a child of the 80s, but I do love way all of the old tech characterizes the ministry. It's not clear if they're just luddites, cheapskates, out of money, too bureaucratically inefficient to upgrade (like the government!) or if it's something completely different. But that's why set dressing is fun, it tells stories indirectly :-)

[puhpandas]

out of curiosity, what would you want out of revamped gregory and vanessa models?

oh dont even get me started. I think my number 1 want is literally just. fixing their faces. they could keep everything else the exact same and I'd be fine if they made their faces not weird and alien looking.

Cassies hw2 model was designed after her ruin cutouts. theres 2 pieces of Gregory official art in ruin that I think they would (and I would want them to) design his model around, which are the missing poster and cutout with cassie comforting her. i think they're closer to how his face is supposed to look

and he also doesnt look overly young in them. cassies new model just looks like 'kid' and not like, mistakeable for an 8 year old or something. they're supposed to be 12 and Cassies remodel rlly captures that. I really want Gregory's remodel to make him look older, bc I think they didnt know his age yet when they made his SB model, but they should now with all the ggy refs. making him look similar to Cassies models level of age is a big one for me too

another one is HAIR!!! they upgraded cassies hair in the hw2 model by adding extra strands and changing the shape and style and stuff! making Gregory's hair look less like, stiff and clay and sims 4 maxis match would be awesome. and this applies for vanessa too. her ponytail is so rigid lmao and she uh. doesnt have much hair on her model let's just say

as for vanessa, besides fixing her face, I think restoring her old proportions in her art pre-SB is a big deal. their modelers modeled her body to keep the big muscular chest but only in her boobs 😒 giving her back her muscular bulky frame would be huge! and it's not that big of an ask bc they changed Cassies proportions in her hw2 model to look better

also obviously a new outfit. she can't wear her security uniform post-game lol but that feels obvious. I'd die if we got a new outfit for her but I'd be satisfied if they just kept her purple flannel outfit at the end of sb. this also applies to Gregory too. if we got a new outfit for him in a new model I'd pass away. even if it was just a jacket on top of his sb outfit I'd die and throw up and descend into hell

also I already said this but giving vanessa more hair is big. plz give her more bangs and strands and an actual top of her head I miss her tailcoat ponytail

and also I kinda want vanessa to look older. like I absolutely love her smokey eye smudged mascara 'I've been wearing this makeup for 3 days look in sb, bc it gives off a lot of 'I'm going through it' vibes and I think it aids her character in a way her sb face doesnt. i rewatched an animation the other day and was like damn vanessa looks like 16. she was I think 24/25 in FNAF AR. not even counting security breach era and whatever amount of time would have passed since security breach by the time they appear again. she isnt old by any means but shes not super young either! let her immense amount of stress shes experienced show with making her actually look her age 😭

[sirfrogsworth]

I am so tired of this brand pissing contest.

All of the metal bricks do pretty much the exact same thing. There isn't a better one. Just a slightly different user experience.

It basically comes down to 3 things. UX preference, ecosystem, friends/family.

Some people like the UX of iOS, some prefer Android. Either will do almost all of the same things. Android allows for more customization and tinkering. iOS tends to keep things stock but has more reliable apps—though Android development has improved.

Some people have PCs. Android and Google services tend to work better with a PC.

Some people have MacBooks and iPads. You would be silly not to get an iPhone at that point, because the integration of Apple products is seamless and kind of amazing.

And finally, what is everyone else in your group using? If they are mostly on iPhones, you will find communicating a little easier if you also have an iPhone.

There is one thing Apple does better than other manufacturers that I should include. Longevity. They support their devices for pretty much their entire lifespan. They allow software updates for as long as your phone will tolerate them. And since their hardware design is unified, you can always count on getting a well made product no matter the price point. No need to research each model to see if it is prone to break or has an exploding battery. This point makes me a little frustrated because so many iPhone users will upgrade every year for some reason. Unless there is a new feature you absolutely need, this is wasteful.

Android flagship phones tend to have decent longevity and get continued software updates. But there has always been an issue with the more budget models being forgotten about after a year and receiving no more software. You need to do a lot more research to see if the manufacturer of a particular line of phones has a history of quality manufacturing and good support or if they abandon their phones once the warranty period is up. I tend to steer people toward Pixel phones if they don't feel like doing the research. Google has been decent about long term support so far.

You have to evaluate your circumstances and choose the platform that will serve you best. In all honesty, you can make either work regardless. And you will probably have a few frustrations no matter which you choose.

Brand loyalty is stupid.

Pick what suits you best.

[nahdpencil]

"ETO", the fourth and final track from my instrumental IKE EP. For a description of the album as a whole, see this post.

For a description of this song specifically, see the "read more" below.

CM4-37AETO “ETO”

CM4s (“Combat Model 4s”) were designed in response to the problems with previous CM3s and CM3*s. They have the most advanced self-learning upgrades of all non-specialized combat models.

CM4s are often deployed as high-ranking “leaders” in squads of lower-ranking models, though they are also known to be deployed on their own for reconnaissance or termination duties.

ETO was originally deployed for a clandestine operation behind enemy lines. Though the operation was initially deemed successful, ETO returned with concerning bugs in its programming that forced the RAS to retain ETO at one of its production facilities, with the intention to eventually destroy ETO once the source of its bugs were found.

ETO’s apparent escape, as well as the resultant loss of life at the production facility, resulted in a decision by the RAS to destroy all remaining CM4s currently in active deployment.

Later CM5s and CM6s were subsequently given much more restricted self-learning algorithms, with the very last line of models being produced in much fewer numbers so that designers could manually program and build each model to more effectively suit their specialized roles.

——————————————————————————

“ETO” was the final song I wrote for the IKE EP. I created its three-chord progression as early as fall of 2024 (around the same time I started working on the initial iterations of “TUKS”), though I only got around to writing and recording the bulk of “ETO” a couple of months later in May/June of 2025. Given its position as the album closer, I always wanted it to be a slow, calming song with a nice buildup to a sudden, powerful bridge, which I hoped would help it stand out from the rest of the songs on the album. I also thought it’d be fun if this song featured motifs from the other tracks of the album, which is why its buildup and outro include small, modified versions of the riffs from “IKE”, “TUKS”, and “ZAGHAZ”.

The song features a lot of chords with weird fretting positions, since I was going through a kick of trying to find out what weird chords I could play that still sounded reasonably nice. Additionally, the distorted bridge used to basically play the exact same thing as the clean buildup but with distortion added, but I realized later on that this made the bridge feel anticlimactic, as you were essentially just listening to the exact same thing you’d already heard for the last minute, just with distortion on top. Thus, I changed the bridge to now feature a new guitar solo instead. Normally, before I record anything, I write all of my solos in advance in my music notation program so I know how I want it the solos to sound; for this song, however, since my choice to include a solo was a “last-minute” decision, I ended up having to improvise a solo “on the spot” while I was recording. Or, more accurately, I sat in front of my computer for an hour improvising the solo in small chunks to find out what worked and then piecing it all together in the end.

[clatterbane]

Major quality of life (and probably foot health) upgrade obtained earlier this evening.

I had already been using what looks to be exactly the same model of heated insole to keep the now-fucked circulation foot less freezing--even at home in my trusty sheepskin slippers!--since it occurred to me as an option last fall. Only those came with unexpectedly shit battery packs, which turned out to take rechargeable AAs.

That was NOT what I thought I was getting, but hey. It's janky, but it just about worked with lots of battery charging. Until I had a battery pack malfunction start up a couple days ago in the single one I could find this year. 🤬

If I were Big Clive, I could have probably fixed that. As it was, I couldn't see any obvious loose connections in there to make it intermittently just refuse to work. So, after it decided to go on the fritz more often than not? Last night I just said "fuck it", and tracked down some more semi-affordable ones that are supposed to be decent at Kjell & Company. And prevailed upon Mr. C, who was willing to pop over to the closest location and pick them up after work.

Just in time before the coldest night so far, too. It's been just above freezing here all day, and isn't really expected to warm up much before Sunday or so.

These new ones do indeed appear to be the exact same insole units, but with hopefully decent lithium battery packs instead. Which take what seems to be exactly the same plug. So, charge those puppies right up and we are back in business! 😎

I am not happy about my one remaining meat foot staying cold to the touch even inside my own normal room temperature house for at least half the year, without some outside help. (Never mind how that tends to feel to the foot itself...) But, I am very glad to have that external heat source working properly again. Now we'll have to see how the battery life does hold up.

[viridianv0id]

Can I ask about the soldiers and schisms? I've always had a softspot for the two modified by hell cyborg sinners

MY GOD YES

(refrains from making a joke about the name schism)

okay so. ill actually just start with soldiers bc they also really interest me and were very much an inspiration for my oc !!

Seeing just how modified a Soldier is is really cool, to see how they improved upon the typical Stray form - to enhance the power they already had as a Stray - which actually in turn gives Strays a lot more intelligence than i think they're afforded (both in game and the fandom)

but Soldiers take it another level methinks

with their augments they have better control and the machine parts of them even slightly enhance the power of their energy - because when they get these enhancements they're suddenly a greater husk instead of a lesser husk like the stray - which is a BIG jump for a husk by the looks of it - at least comparing to other husks that is

Soldiers even end up ditching whatever instinct is in them to move *away* from V1, whatever these augments do it also instills a confidence in them seen in no other Stray, since they aren't afraid to deal a pretty harsh kick now they have sweet new metal kicks (pun intended lol)

I also like to think that the stray is more flimsy than it appears, and thats also maybe why the soldier has the stance it does (holding its primary arm canon over the front of its body - almost shielding it) and why there is specifically a piece of metal on its face, to protect its head a lot better as well as just generally supporting their frail build (bc lets be real, Strays are weak asf and if push comes to shove would not survive an attack from a SINGLE fucking Filth)

Schisms are also cool for the fact of being a conjoined soul - i actually like to think many schisms are lovers - with their love running so deep and wishing to remain in the afterlife together as they had in their lives - their sheer willpower allowed their souls to form in the exact same location

a show of being one with the other, being whole and fulfilled with your existence right by the side of the person you cared about the most

and id like to think this isnt just the case for monogamous couples, i really think poly couples have done the same and there are schisms out there that are made up of more than two souls

now there also very much could be accidental schisms - ones who truly did just happen to form and manifest in the exact same location but i feel like thats such a rare occurrence to happen

i think any modifications and augments the schism has are often just to help support the literal weight of two people in one, shared body - looking at the model the most obvious additions looks to be a support/ spinal upgrade as well as their blaster arm

[mockedandmonitored]

[File: New Generations.]

This will be touching upon the idea of new units and new toilets being made and “born” in this au as mentioned with the Toilets. One of the reasons I’m calling them new gens is because they’ve never seen the war nor it’s damage, thus making them stand out from our classic war criminals, second it's to make variation and explain their background.

Splitting things to make things simpler and then mixing similarities at the end. First up would be the

Hardware Newly-Forged

Any hardware made after the war, while rare, production is required as it's not uncommon for some officer to dish out "well deserved discipline" and leave units permanently decommissioned. Newly forged hardware can be identified by their usually less damaged frames and more yellow based energy sources. These units are less likely to conspire against their now creators and captors. Depending on the model also, certain upgrades are added to them to make them better suited at their jobs. The only units which are hardly produced would be the the TV men due to their more complicated systems which would be a waste of resources to mass produce only to suppress, why haven't they just removed it? One, haven't thought of it in the few years new units have been made, two, the systems are built so deeply into the Tvmen that they stop working without the presence of said systems. Hypothetically the Armada can make their own hardwares completely devoid of emotion and 100% obedient, but where’s the fun in that? They're usually treat the exact same as the war hardware, nothing different most of the time, there might be some hardwares which see the newly forged as "Fakes" created by the Armada but very few prove that right.

Moving onto the other species and more organic life forms of our AU, the Armada's Skibidi toilets, haha funni funni naaaaame.

We're not discussing How toilets have young tots running around, they just pop into existence when a Daddy and a Scientist with lots of free time and a large budget love each other very much.

The New Gen Skibidi Toilets

All new gens vary in shape, size and age, which ultimately similar to human aging. The most common is the usual run of the mill toilets with heads sticking out of them, of course there are the rich kids with bodies now produced to those who can afford them. These kids grow up underneath the eye of their parents and live rather peaceful lives due to all the hard work being preoccupied. Most new gens do Not realize that the hardwares are sentient and just believe them to be machines or even monsters depending on what they're told by those who surround them. Not sure what else to put here and I've stalled putting stuff out long enough-

For now? That's all folks! Have a nice day, night, or afternoon, feel free to ask questions or give suggestions!

[iocainesmoothie]

Been playing ffxiv, paid to skip HW but really enjoyed stormblood, saw emet-selch for the first time.

I'm very impressed that his first introduction to the player was to be shot and rag dolled down the stairs, it immediately differentiates him from the other ascians who just say ominous and vague nonsense that never amounts to anything. It was almost more sinister, because it really illustrates the point that the ascians are noncorporeal horrors piloting a meat puppet.

Also very minor detail but I noticed even back in stormblood, instead of writing a boring talk quest as "go talk to so-and-so", instead they say "go meet SOMEONE at such-and-such place". Like it's so very minor, but instead of straight up telling me who you're going to meet they just sorta hint and say how excited that person is to see you again.

Mechanically it's the exact same boring quest format, and maybe I don't otherwise even care about that character, but even that tiny bit of speculating who it is and the implication that they have any kind of emotional response AT ALL is already elevating the writing.

I get the majority of quest text boils down to telling the player to go to X or talk to Y or collect Z and there's only so many ways to do that, and clarity of communication is always top priority, but in something long format like an mmo where the player has likely plugged in a hundred hours already you can kinda assume they've been trained to expect a certain order of events and can play with the format a bit.

Also the last duty of sb was one of those "everyone shows up at the big battle as npcs and cheers at you to go on to the big boss while they hold back reinforcements" fights and it's very anime but honestly it always works on me.

Been leveling up dark knight, but I bought the level 80 warrior boost because I hate playing with other people and I wanted to solo a bunch of the main scenario raids instead of queueing. Also I'm playing dark knight because aesthetics, and tanking for a group is too much responsibility for me.

Honestly dk kinda sucks compared to paladin and warrior, way less mitigation and self healing, and though it feels like I'm doing more damage it's still not as much as a pure dps.

Also bought a bunch of clothes on the shop in a moment of weakness, but now my outfit is so cool I don't want to change into anything else! And I kinda miss wearing vanilla gear and seeing your outfit change as you pick up upgrades. Oh well atleast I'm cute and it avoids those awkward moments when a piece from a new set doesn't fit with your current fit.

Ffxiv clothing designs are so gorgeous, even the shitty low-level vanilla garbage is kinda cute. Ppl who buy store stuff obviously look good but I have way more respect for the glamours I see where people just got really creative with in-game items. The graphics are like 10 years out of date but the hair and clothes and faces are still miles better than some of biowares stuff (guys I love you I'm on your side let's figure this out you can't just make everyone bald)

Also I've noticed the cuts scene cameras do a trick anime does a lot to cut down animation costs, the framing and panning and angles do a LOT of the work when they otherwise can't get these limited models to emote that much. Or else they just fully cut away and let a sound effect imply an action took place and your brain just fills in the difference.

Anyway I'm addicted and am probably wasting a lot of time on things I should be doing instead but it's nice to have something to hyper fixate on for a while, and I haven't even started SB or EW and I've heard they're both life changing so maybe I'll just glut myself until I've wrung all the dopamine I can out of it.

Also I've realized there is such a jump in writing quality in SB that I'm only really emotionally attached to lyse and hien and the general, the rest of the scions are all kind of... idk unlikable?? They're all the same kind of snarky but not really funny, and speak intelligently but not really with any character or having much to say. Allisae being maybe the exception but I feel like she doesn't get much screen time compared to her brother.

It was very touching that she's the tough prickly one, but very honestly tells you she feels alone and sadly asks you not to leave her in a moment of vulnerability before the fight where she reaches for your hand desperately before her soul is teleported away. Like damn yeah this is manipulative but you got me! I'm invested now!

Also that little crystal cat boy was in arr and I never finished/paid attention to his quest line so idk how he ended up i SB, guess I'll find out.

[decks-writing-blog]

Free Them Chapter 2/3: Something's Wrong

Chapter One

~

For Bubby, Gordon made another robot based around a core. He made the orb smaller though, only a little bigger than a standard core. Which allowed for longer arms and legs. In the simulation they’d all had the same height but since he couldn’t transfer their human features, he had to do what he could to change up their appearances in other ways. The stocky robot fit Dr. Coomer so hopefully a thinner taller one would fit Bubby.

The robot meant for Tommy, he started with one of the bullet turrets’ bodies but taller and a bit thicker. As a bonus he added a little spinner attached to a little hat shape on top because the propeller cap had suited Tommy so well. It was motorized too so he could spin it as he pleased.

Sunkist’s design was easiest out of all of them. The Robotics Division already had a schematic for a robot dog a former employee had left in the files before leaving. Using it was maybe a bit questionable on how ethical it was but there was no way Gordon could come up with anything better. It was about as perfect as a robot dog design could get. And besides, it was technically property of Aperture and thus he was legally allowed to use it. Altering it slightly to be bigger and omitting its proposed programming so it’d be empty when connected to the simulation was easy.

With only one pod set to interface with the robots, they could only do one at a time. But with help from co-workers and Dr. Coomer, Gordon didn’t have to leave his pod to set up the next robot. Allowing him to monitor from inside and direct them to go in the agreed upon order; Bubby, Sunkist, and then finally Tommy. The player models had been changed to accommodate that order as well as be less creepy for Gordon to look at.

Once Tommy was through, Gordon paused for a moment to look around. The parking lot was empty as ever. No sign of anyone else or Black Mesa. Creepy to be alone in.

“Darnold!” he called out into it. “Mr. Coolatta! … Forzen I guess, maybe.” He was sentient too, wasn’t he? He’d seemed it. Meaning Gordon should free the three of them too, right? And if he was going to do that then… maybe he should free Benrey too even if part of him would rather not because it would mean dealing with him again.

But having thought about it an uncomfortable amount since, a lot of Benrey’s words at the end had felt off. “If you shoot me, I have to shoot back.” “You wanted me to be bad so I’m bad.” Gordon may be misremembering the exact phrasing but he recalled the gist of it. And Benrey’s motivation hadn’t made sense, almost as if he’d just been making shit up to turn into the big bad over. The video game had needed a boss battle after all and instead of making a brand new one, it took the guy Gordon was the most antagonistic with and built on that. Saving on resources. … Maybe. It was hard to know for sure. Benrey might’ve chosen entirely for himself to be the bad guy because he thought it would be fun.

But even if that was the case, he was still sentient and the simulation had run its course. They’d keep it on file but they’d disconnect it from their machines so they could start running the next upgraded iteration of the project. Gordon had put it on hold but he couldn’t afford to do so for much longer without getting reprimanded. So anything that was sentient needed to be moved out sooner rather than later. And that included Benrey… assuming he was still alive anyway. He might’ve been killed for good this time.

Gordon would look for him and the others later though. He didn’t have robots ready for them yet anyway. First came, waking up and helping introduce the rest of the Science Team to the real world.

~

“… all looks like this too,” Dr. Coomer was saying as Gordon stepped out of the VR pod. “The whole world is this crisp. And just you wait until you see the sky. It’s very blue. Also, I forgot to mention, we’re at Aperture!”

“The competition?” Bubby asked.

“Yes. Black Mesa’s real apparently, they used its name and logo in the video game as a part of a joke.”

“So that means the Resonance Cascade didn’t really happen, huh?” Tommy asked.

“Not yet.”

“And probably not ever,” Gordon said as he stepped into the conversation, stepping over Sunkist’s new form at the same time. “We don’t know what they’re working on over there but it’s probably not whatever we came up with.”

“Hello, Gordon!” Even after being freed from the game and simulation, Dr. Coomer still had the quirk of repeating lines.

Tommy’s yellow-lit eye widened as he turned to face him. “Wow, Mr. Freeman you look so… so… high-def!”

Bubby had settled on a light blue for his eye. He looked Gordon up and down. “You’re fatter in real life.”

“Yeah, and?”

“And it suits you. Your player model or whatever the fuck it’s called, looked like a scrawny wimp trying to cosplay as a traffic cone. This,” Bubby gestured with his hand, indicting Gordon’s whole body, “is much better looking.”

“Thanks… I think.” Looking better than something that looked bad didn’t mean he looked good.

“You’re beautiful, Gordon!” Since day one, Dr. Coomer had insisted everything was beautiful. This was the fist time he’d said it about Gordon though.

“Uh… let’s not go that far.” He’d barely bothered to brush his hair this morning, only enough to get the tangles out, and his beard needed a trim, resulting in him no doubt looking a mess. He didn’t know because he’d wisely avoided looking in the mirror. “Instead, let’s make sure everything’s working with your new bodies and stuff and then I’ll show you guys ‘round the lab.”

~

Because Gordon would have to go specifically seek them, they made the next ‘player’ model portable. Something he could carry around for when he found the person he was looking for. “Like a pokeball!” Tommy had said which wasn’t too far off from a good metaphor. But it wasn’t a ball but instead a cube. Gordon was dropping the Black Mesa bit after all and cubes were kind of Aperture’s thing.

They made the robot intended for Darnold first. Gordon went with another turret shaped body, tweaking it until he ultimately landed on an egg-like shape. Not the most creative thing in the world but it was visually distinct. No one wanted to look like a copy of someone else.

Next came finding Darnold in the simulation. Which was easiest done while inside it after forcing the spawn point to change to the Black Mesa building. They didn’t have Darnold’s lab marked so Gordon chose the spot he thought might be closest to it.

The result of which was being dropped in a dimly lit concrete hallway, its two still functioning lights buzzing and flickering ominously overhead. Hopefully for the sake of the employees, the real Black Mesa wasn’t like this because even if the place had been properly lit, it would’ve made the hall only marginally more friendly. In hindsight maybe he should’ve gone looking for everyone in unknown locations first so the Science Team could’ve joined him and kept him company. Too late now though and hooking up another four ports just so he wouldn’t be lonely would’ve been too much work to be worth it. And so, rolling his shoulders, virtual though they were, he got to work looking for Darnold.

The game was over and thus enemies weren’t spawning anymore. A good thing but it did leave the place feeling barren and far too quiet. It wasn’t unlike some of the nightmares he’d had since the game had ended. In those though, his hand was always missing and pouring more blood than it had ever bled in the simulation’s reality – when he’d lost the real thing years ago, it had presumably bled quite a bit more but he’d fainted at the sight of it and had been brought in for medical care long before waking. Looking down at his model’s restored hand grounded him.

Blessedly, his guess wasn’t too far off as it didn’t take terribly long before he found the elevator leading to Darnold’s lab. Going down it gave him an odd almost deja-vu feeling that made the silence particularly heavy.

Darnold was in the same place Gordon had first seen him, behind the counter. If he was making another potion, there was no evidence of it currently as he just stood there, looking down at the counter. He looked up as the elevator clunked into place at the bottom. “Ah, Mr. Freeman, you’re back.”

“Yep.” Gordon walked over to stand on the other side of the counter. “What you been up to since we left?”

“Oh, you know, this and that, working on that evil flavor mostly. It’s a bit more difficult than I’d thought it’d be. But I can see your hand is like your other hand now. How’d that happen?”

“Let’s just say it grew back. But anyway um…” How did Gordon tell him that this world was fake? That was kind of dire news, wasn’t it? Especially since it was on a timer for being turned off permanently. And the world had already kind of ended because the game had. It was all just stasis now.

“Something’s wrong, isn’t it?” Darnold broke the silence left by Gordon’s pause. “Everything is… quiet now. Or maybe ‘quiet’s not quite the right word. Plenty of things still make noise.” To demonstrate, he knocked one of the bottles off the counter, causing it to loudly clatter to the floor. “But there’s still something wrong… I think. Especially since you’re here, alone without your friends. That’s not right. Did something happen to them?”

“They’re fine, better than fine actually.” They were free. “But you’re right, something’s wrong with the world. It’s uh… It’s a video game simulation that you’re an AI NPC inside of.”

Darnold was silent for a long few seconds as he stared at Gordon before finally… “Oh. I suppose that makes sense. It certainly explains why you got a gun for a hand from my potion. It’s much easier to fight bad guys when you got a gun for a hand.”

“You don’t seem to bothered by it.” Gordon hadn’t expected much shock from the Science Team because he’d been sure they already knew on some level anyway. He hadn’t gotten that impression from Darnold though.

“I’m not. There were just so many little things that make more sense now. Like how only my recent memories feel actually real, you know? The stuff from before feels like I’m recalling a fun tale about a potion scientist that becomes slightly less fun when I remember it’s me. One’s memories aren’t supposed to sound like a fiction tale. It’s a relief to know the cause of that, actually. I had a theory that I might be a secret sleeper agent, in so deep even I don’t know I’m a false identity until I hear the secret phrase and go on a killing rampage. It’s part of why I was scared to go on that adventure with you guys because what if the military were the ones that would activate me? I don’t like violence.”

“Well, can’t blame you for that. Anyway, you wanna go on a different kind of adventure? One that isn’t violent.”

“Ooh, yes!”

Gordon reached into his inventory and pulled out the cube. Tossing it on the ground activated it, turning it into a wall with a shimmering portal on it. Doing it like that was Bubby’s idea as he’d rightfully pointed out, “It’s weird to step into a person, especially if it looks like you, so make it something they can walk through.” “And it’s more accurately a hole in the simulation,” Dr. Coomer had cheerfully added.

“Step through this and your AI will be put into a robot body in the real world so you can like… see it and interact with it and stuff.”

Darnold stepped around the counter to approach it. “Well, I’m not big on robots but they’re pretty cool sometimes, I suppose. The real world though, I think I would like to see it.” He stepped through. Having eased the transition, it was far smoother and almost instant.

~

Gordon’s next thought was to design a bot for Mr. Coolatta. Before he could really get started on it though, Tommy pulled him aside. Into a broom closet for some reason but it was private so it would apparently do. The only light was through the cracks in the doors and Tommy’s robotic eye, making it kind of uncomfortable.

“Mr. Freeman, you’re uh… you’re making a robot for my dad, right? Or thinking about it.”

“Of course, yeah. I’m doing him next. I wouldn’t call him a friend but like… you know? He’s your dad so even for just that reason, I wouldn’t leave him.”

“Oh um… I didn’t mean… I wasn’t making sure you would because… I just wanted to ask if you intended to because I was pretty sure that you did intend to. Which is what I wanted to talk about because you don’t need to. He’s already… Well I guess I should start from the beginning since we’re not keeping secrets anymore.

“My dad’s not part of the simulation. He came from outside of it. I can’t tell you want he is… he uh… didn’t even tell me that. But he did tell me that him meddling with the simulation to create me is why your more advanced AI’s became fully sentient. I just thought I should tell you so you don’t waste time or resources on him when he doesn’t need it because he’s already left the simulation.”

“So it wasn’t my program that brought them to life?”

“Not by itself, no, sorry. Your program was good enough to attract my dad though so it’s still very impressive Mr. Freeman. That’s nothing to uh… shake a stick at, you know?” He lifted a hand to mime shaking a stick, the servos’ whirring in his wrist was almost loud when pressed in so close to him.

Gordon wasn’t that surprised. He was good but he wasn’t ‘create a program that could create whole thinking people’ good. The technology wasn’t there yet, not on Earth anyway. Bring in an outside alien force though and then they were getting somewhere. It had been a nice fantasy while it had lasted though.

“So… what about you then? Are you like him? Could you have left the simulation whenever too?”

“No. I’m too new for that. I can only exist in technology right now. One day I’ll be stronger though and will be able to manifest physically. … That’s what Dad said anyway. But right now I’m basically the same as the others but that won’t always be the case. I don’t know what am I other than that. I think he knew I would tell you eventually so he didn’t tell me everything that he could’ve.”

So during all of Gordon’s interactions with him, Mr. Coolatta had just been messing with him. Not that that was surprising, just the extent of it. The assumption that he was just another sentient AI had been unquestioned until now. But on the bright side, Gordon wouldn’t have to deal with him anymore.

“All right, I guess uh… we’ll do Forzen next then.”

“And last or uh…” Tommy trailed off.

“Yeah, we’ll do Benrey too if we can. Do you think it was the game that made him a bad guy?” Why else would he be open to suggesting the idea? Other than maybe the fact that Benrey used to be his friend.

“I… don’t know. Maybe. It doesn’t hurt to give him one more chance now that the game isn’t manipulating anything in case it did though. Assuming he’s even still alive.”

“We’ll see, I guess. But Forzen first.” Which wasn’t going to be pleasant but so be it. Sometimes doing the right thing wasn’t pleasant.

~

With Forzen being part of the fictional US military it only seemed logical to use the rocket turret as the base for his robot design. Like with the designs based off the normal turrets though, the first thing Gordon did was remove the weaponry. Leaving him with another orb once he shifted it to also have arms and legs. He was running out of ideas.

“What about a cube?” Bubby suggested as he leaned against Gordon’s shoulder to look at the computer. “Cubes and orbs seem to be the only thing you guys know how to make. So just put an eye on one and call it good.”

It was more complicated than that of course but Gordon did it. The end result wasn’t bad, surprisingly. Not as sleek as his other designs had turned out but it was a cube so it wasn’t supposed to be. It would do.

Once that was done being built, the hardest part so far began; finding Forzen. Gordon set the spawn point to the last place he’d seen the guy; the place he set the ring of turrets around Sunkist. It was marked because it was a transition zone.

The ring of turrets was still there, undisturbed. Behind it, the elevator and it’s truck were gone though, still at the bottom presumably. Gordon started for the button that would call it back up. Before he got there…

“Hey.”

With a flinch, he snapped around to see Forzen stepping out from behind one of the boxes placed off to the side. Wow, what luck, running into him immediately. Gordon wouldn’t have minded putting off the encounter a little longer but it was probably better this way anyway.

“You can teleport too?” he asked, pointing at Gordon.

Gordon spawning in at the start of the room would look like he was teleporting in, huh? “Uh… sort of.”

“Cool. Why are you back here though? This place has been empty for… a while now.” The game would’ve stopped spawning enemies in this area, including the non-character soldiers, as soon as Gordon had left it. Leaving Forzen to wander around bereft of anything even resembling company. Which is probably why he’d approached, huh? He’d had to have been alone for a long while now. Long enough to not be as skittish as before. In hindsight, Gordon should’ve realized that about Forzen’s position sooner. Better late than never though.

“I’m here to get you out. First though, why are you here?”

Forzen shrugged. “It’s the last place I saw anyone. This place ain’t real, is it?” Apparently it was easy to figure.

“It’s a simulation, yeah.”

“Damn it. Is the Irate Gamer fake too?”

“No, he’s real.” Gordon wasn’t up to date on Youtube stuff but he was online enough to hear about such things. “I’m pretty sure the simulation somehow connected itself to the internet.” It’s the only way to explain the mentions of things he and his team hadn’t provided it with. Perhaps that too was related to Mr. Coolatta’s meddling.

“Sweet. The internet went out a little while ago though so if you could fix it, that’d be great.” Of course he was more concerned about that than getting out.

“Instead of that, how about I just get you out of the simulation? And then when you’re in your new robot body you can hop onto one of the computers in someone’s lab.” As he spoke Gordon pulled out the next cube. He tossed it down, creating the portal wall. “Through there.”

Forzen looked at him. The lack of detailed facial animations made his expression hard to read but it felt like he was studying him. “What if it’s a trap, huh?”

“It’s not. I have no reason to like you but the simulation’s time is limited. We gotta turn it off and disconnect it eventually. So you’ll basically die if you don’t go through. And I don’t dislike you that much. I promise you can watch all the Youtube you want on the other side.” Gordon would encourage it even if kept Forzen out of his hair.

Forzen studied him for a few seconds longer before approaching the portal. “This better not be a trick.” He went through it.

Six down, one more to go. The most potentially problematic of them all. But it was worth a try if Benrey was still alive enough to be pulled from the simulation. He’d come back from the dead before so it was at least worth the attempt.

~

Next Chapter

[walkingthroughthisworld]

(via XM1 Abrams Main Battle Tank by DarkWizard83 on DeviantArt)

The original prototype vehicle that led to one of - if not the - most powerful tank in the world, and current backbone of Us armored forces, the M1 Abrams MBT.  Born out of the failed German-American MBT-70 project, the XM1 was developed by the Chrysler Motor Corporation, and in 1978 Chrysler delivered to the Army a sleek, low-silhouette heavy tank that incorporated every major technological feature of the day, including computerized controls and a laser rangefinder.   But the most significant design feature of the new tank was its use of Chobham composite armor on the hull and turret.  While the exact nature and composition of Chobham armor remains a closely guarded secret, the evidence suggests that it utilizes a matrix of ceramic armor tiles, layered between the vehicle's internal steel and external armored plating.  When a high-velocity projectile - such as a round fired from a tank or an anti-tank missile - hits the armor, the explosion produces a high-velocity jet of gas that shears through the armor plating.  In normal armor, this jet of gas - once it had passed through the outer armor - would blast into the hull of the tank, causing irreprible damage and often killing the crewmen inside.  However, with Chobham armor's interweaved layers of ceramic composite, the forces that would normally tear into a tank's hull are forced to spread out and dissipate over a much wider area, leaving the inner hull intact.  This not to say that Chobham armor renders a tank invincible - any hit will still cause exterior damage, and a powerfiul direct hit could still damage or disable the tracks or sensitive electronic equipment.  But it would keep the crew alive, and often protect the tank itself enough to keep fighting. Another key crew safety feature is the vault-like armored compartment that houses the Abrams' primary ammunition.  One of the primary causes of a tank's destruction has not been the direct result of armor-pierecing hits, but the inderict results of those hits ignigting and detonating the tank's munitions.  To protect this, a kevlar and steel armored plate seperates the crew from the ammunition store.  Same with the tank's fuel supply.  Even if the compartments were pierced, and the ammunition or fuel ignited, the protective plates would insulate the crew from explosion and fire.   In combat, the Abrams has proven to be second to none.  During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, M1s were able to take out Iraqi tanks at distances as long as 4km.  Of the nearly 2,000 Abrams to see combat in the conflict, only 18 were ever taken out of service due to combat damage, and none resulted in any crew casulties.  In 2003 and onwards during Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Abrams again demonstrated a mastery of the battlefield, driving to Baghdad virtually unopposed.  However, the Abrams clearly showed its vulnerability to ambush attacks, with a number of M1s severly damaged and disabled from RPGs, and far more frequently by roadside IED bomb traps.  However, even when caught in some of the largest IED explosions, crew casualties have so far been astoundingly low, a testament to the M1s protection and survivability. While no future M1's are planned for production, a number of older models are currently slated for upgrade to current standards over the next few years, and the Abrams will continue to serve with the Us Army and Marine Corps. for mcuh of the century to come. M1 Abrams Vehicle Stats: Type: Main battle tank Manufacturer: General Dynamics Land Systems First deployed: 1980 Crew: 4 Length: 9.76 m Width: 3.65 m Height: 2.88 m Weight: 61.4 tons Armor: Classified Armament, primary: 1 x 105mm M68 rifled tank gun; later models equipped with 120mm M256 smoothbore tank gun Armament, secondary: 2 x 7.62mm FN-Browning M240 machineguns, 1 x .50-cal Browning M2 BMG machinegun Ammo stowage, primary: 55 rounds Ammo stowage, secondary: 11,000 rounds 7.62mm, 1,000 rounds .50-cal Powerplant: Textron Lycoming AGT1500 1,500hp gas-turbine engine Max speed: 72 km/h Max range: 498km Operators: Australia, Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, USA

[beardedhandstoadshark]

I've never owned a DS before and I'm really interested in purchasing one but I have no idea which one I should go with. I know there's the regular, the 3ds and the XL, so which one would you recommend?

Depends on your preference! I‘m gonna go a bit into detail here so you know what you’re buying, and there’s a TLDR in bold at the bottom, but if it’s still too muddled please don’t hesitate to ask!

Also, disclaimer, whenever I talk about pricing it’s from my own perspective, so for all we know, I could buy something super cheap that’s really expensive for you and vise versa, so it’s better to check it for yourself still.

For starters, there‘s quite a lot of different versions of the console, with the og DS and 3DS even counting as their two separate lines.

Generally speaking I’d say go with a 3DS, as they can also play every DS game on top of their own (which doesn’t work the other way around) and the hardware’s only half as old, so it’s less likely to die on you in the near future. However that makes them more expensive, too.

XL just means bigger screen/console. It’s just like when a phone comes out in regular and big size. For some folks the added space is too much to properly hold it anymore, for others the regular size is too small to do anything. Depends on your preference. For comparison:

The DSi and New 3DS are both kinda like "upgraded“ versions of the DS/3DS, respectively.

Left is a DSi, right is a New 3DS XL. They both have the same sizes as their normal counterparts, so the size comparison still works. (Ignore the low screen light on the DSi, I just didn’t bother changing it back lol. On Max brightness they‘re the same.)

If you don’t plan on playing any Gameboy Advance games, absolutely go with a DSi instead of a regular DS. They go for the same price (at least here) but the DSi has better hardware and way more functions, while being way less of a brick compared to the og DS. Apparently the max screen brightness is also higher than the og? Idk tho.

Theres also the DS lite, which is a DS that looks like a DSi, but again. Same price, might as well go with the upgrade. In any case, they’re also both harder to accidentally snap in two than the og model lol.

The New 3DS only has better hardware but no new software compared to the regular 3DS. But it’s got extra buttons! Very rarely used, but they exist. It’s kinda like 60 fps vs 30 fps, if that makes sense? The hardware difference is noticeable especially right after you switch, but you can also live without it, and sometimes it doesn’t make that big of a difference.

Like, if I play Hyrule Warriors, the regular 3DS is barely holding it together on 20fps and can’t even do 3D while the New one‘s playing pretty smooth and lets you play with 3D. And only THEN does the N3DS goes down on the same level as the regular 3DS because it’s essentially playing the game in double for the 3D effect to work. Meanwhile Mario Bros 2 plays the exact same on both of them.

What you could also do, is get a 2DS. It’s like a 3DS, but in 2D. All the features of a 3DS except for the whole 3D gimmick, so it’s basically like the Switch Lite. You also can’t fold it like the other ones, unless you get a New 2DS XL, which is foldable again, but that ones‘ price range is all over the place. The normal 2DS seems to sell generally cheaper than all the other 3DS consoles, at least.

TLDR: your options are a

DS

DS Lite

DSi

DSi XL

For the regular DS line, and for the 3DS line a

3DS

3DS XL

New 3DS

New 3DS XL

2DS

New 2DS XL

If you only have under 100 bucks or don’t care about 3DS games,I‘d say go with one of the DSi. All consoles of the DS go for more or less the same price, and it’s got the best hardware and features of them.

If you’ve got extra pocket change, go with any of the 3DS consoles instead, as there’s just more games for it on top of a better hardware and less age. Your cheapest option is a 2DS, but a regular 3DS isn’t that far off either. They might even go for the same price, if you’re lucky? If you wanna, you can go also with a New 3DS if it’s a lot of pocket change.

And if you vibe with a bigger screen, take the XL version of whatever line you chose! Except for the 2DS XL, somehow its 3D counterpart is cheaper than the 2D XL again.

Also, ALL of these consoles come in multiple colors!

TLDRTDLR: DSi for price or any of the 3DS line for more games, imo

…and if you get any of them and the shoulder buttons are broken, that’s completely normal. You can drop them 100 times and the console is fine, but play Mario Kart too often and the shoulder buttons stop working lmao.

[ppyco]

OnePlus Expands Watch 3 Lineup with 43mm Model Launching on July 8

The OnePlus Watch 3, first introduced in February, launched exclusively in a 46 mm size. On July 8, OnePlus will expand the lineup with a new 43 mm model, whose key specifications and color options have already been confirmed by the company.

The 43mm model features a 1.32-inch display, compared to the 1.5-inch screen on the 46mm variant. It weighs 1.3 oz (36.8 g), making it lighter than the 1.75 oz (49.7 g) 46mm model.

OnePlus said that the Watch 3 43mm, having a stainless-steel body, will be available in Black Steel and Silver Steel colors, and both will include an upgraded "Mind & Body Evaluation" feature.

Additionally, the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm will feature a "real-time barometer," which, OnePlus says, "can evaluate your body’s level of fatigue every 30 minutes."

Expected 43 mm Features

We anticipate the OnePlus Watch 3 43 mm to include nearly identical features to the 46 mm version.

It will feature a One-touch 60-second Health Check-In that provides a summary of your heart rate, SpO₂, vascular age, body temperature, and stress levels. In addition, it offers over 100 sports modes with pro-grade metrics — including running, tennis, cycling, skiing, and more — along with dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS for highly accurate route tracking.

Internally, it is expected to retain the same Snapdragon W5 + BES2800 dual processor architecture, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB storage, dual-band Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, full GPS, NFC, and various sensors (heart rate, SpO₂, skin temperature) running ColorOS Watch 7.0 atop Wear OS 5 .

While the 43 mm model’s battery will be slightly smaller due to its reduced size, OnePlus is likely to optimize it to maintain multi‑day battery life, though exact figures will be revealed on July 8.

[autoversemobility]

What to Check Before You Buy Car Parts Online in India for a Used Vehicle

Increasingly, people in India are purchasing car parts online, particularly used car owners seeking to save money on repairs and upgrades. However, be cautious as you proceed through this process. There are often specific needs for used cars, and buying the wrong part can waste time and money. Here are some things to always check before you buy car parts online India to ensure a smooth transaction.

Verify the Exact Part Number

Used cars may have undergone repairs or modifications in the past, so the parts currently installed may not match the original components. Don't just rely on the make and type of the car; also check the part number. A unique number is typically engraved or written on most car parts to facilitate easy identification. To find an exact match, use this number when you search.

Confirm Vehicle Compatibility

The majority of online stores in India let you sort goods by brand, model, year, and type of vehicle. These filters are helpful, but don't rely solely on them. It's essential to read product details twice to ensure the part fits your model, especially if your car is an older or less popular model. Pay attention to the type of fuel (gasoline or diesel), the engine size, and the type of drive when you buy car parts online India.

Check Seller Reputation and Reviews

It's essential to buy from a seller you can trust. Seek out sellers who have a lot of positive feedback, verified sales, and in-depth customer reviews when you buy car parts online India. Read what other Indian buyers who bought the same part for similar cars have to say. If the price looks good, avoid buying from sites that lack reviews or have unclear descriptions.

Inspect Warranty and Return Policies

Since you're buying a used car, there's a greater chance that the parts won't work together or will have fitting problems. Check to see if the part has a warranty, and more importantly, learn how to return or trade it. Many Indian sites typically allow you to return items and receive assistance with broken or incorrect parts. However, be sure to read the fine print first.

Assess Condition: New vs. Refurbished

In India, numerous websites offer a wide range of new and used car parts for sale. It may be cheaper to buy car parts online India that has been restored, but the quality varies. Before purchasing a refurbished part, ensure it comes with testing certifications or a guarantee that it will function properly. If durability and dependability are more important to you, consider purchasing new parts from well-established brands.

Compare Prices Across Platforms

Don't just go with the first answer you see. You can compare the same part on different sites that are specific to your business. Authorized sellers will sometimes sell parts on marketplaces for less money. Prices often change, so shopping around at different places can save you a significant amount of money.

Conclusion

When you buy car parts online India, it can be cheap and easy, but only if you conduct thorough research first. Always ensure they work together, only purchase from reputable sellers, and read the return policy carefully. Getting your used car back in great shape won't cost a fortune if you do it the right way. Autoverse Mobility is a leading digital distributor of car parts, ensuring that garage owners and vendors receive their orders on time and with excellent service.

[a1draftingnet]

CAD Design Services by A1 Drafting

At A1 Drafting, we offer comprehensive CAD (Computer-Aided Design) drafting services that transform your ideas into clear, professional, and permit-ready plans. Whether you’re a homeowner with a rough sketch, an architect needing technical precision, or a contractor seeking accurate bid drawings, our expert team delivers high-quality results tailored to your exact requirements.

Who We Work With

We proudly serve a wide spectrum of clients:

Architects and Engineers who require detailed construction documents and scalable 2D/3D designs.

Homeowners planning renovations, additions, or custom builds who need clear and compliant plans.

Realtors and Property Developers needing as-built plans, site layouts, or marketing visualizations.

Contractors and Builders looking for accurate drawings for bidding and project execution.

Business Owners developing new spaces or upgrading existing structures.

Government and Municipal Projects that require local code compliance and submission-ready plans.

Our knowledge of city and county requirements, especially across Arizona, gives us a unique advantage in meeting permit standards and minimizing rejections or delays. We also serve clients in other states, offering the same level of quality and expertise nationwide.

Our Approach

Every project is unique, and we treat it that way. From your very first consultation, we take the time to understand your goals, assess your existing inputs (sketches, dimensions, or ideas), and begin crafting a plan that’s both functional and professionally detailed.

We make the process as seamless as possible:

You send us your sketches, notes, or concepts—even rough ones.

We convert them into precise CAD files that reflect all structural, functional, and aesthetic considerations.

You receive professional PDF drawings suitable for building permits and contractor bidding.

Our team remains available for revisions and support throughout the design and approval process.

Most municipalities now accept digital submissions, and we optimize your files accordingly—saving you time, paperwork, and trips to city offices. This also cuts down on fees you might otherwise pay contractors or drafters to handle submittals.

With over 95% of our work done online, our clients benefit from convenience without compromising on quality. You can review plans from the comfort of your home or office, even after hours.

What We Offer

2D Drafting and 3D Modeling: Accurate floor plans, elevations, sections, and photorealistic renderings.

Code-Compliant Plan Sets: We adhere to local and national building standards, ensuring permit acceptance.

As-Built Drawings: Perfect for remodels, renovations, or legal records of existing structures.

Shop and Construction Drawings: Tailored for contractors, millworkers, and specialty fabricators.

Site Planning & Space Planning: Efficient layouts for residential, commercial, and industrial use.

Measurement & Survey Services: When needed, we perform on-site measurements using precise tools.

Technology That Works for You

Our CAD files are created using industry-standard software, ensuring compatibility with:

CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) for fabrication and automated machining.

CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) for analysis and simulation.

BIM (Building Information Modeling) systems for collaboration among architects, engineers, and contractors.

In today’s globalized work environment, it’s essential that your plans can be instantly shared with collaborators across the world. CAD files make this possible, and our secure file-sharing methods ensure that only authorized team members can access or edit sensitive information. This is not only crucial for intellectual property protection but also prevents costly errors due to unauthorized changes.

Why A1 Drafting?

Experience You Can Trust: With years of CAD expertise across residential, commercial, and municipal projects, we know what works—and what gets approved.

Time-Saving Efficiency: Skip the waiting rooms. Get plans delivered, reviewed, and submitted from your inbox.

Professional Communication: We maintain ongoing communication at every stage, so you’re never left wondering about progress.

Cost-Effective Solutions: Our streamlined process minimizes overheads and eliminates the need for repeat submittals.

High Standards of Security: File access is strictly permission-based, giving you complete control over who can view or edit your drawings.

Our Process – Simple and Streamlined

Initial Contact – Share your project vision, goals, and existing documents.

Design Phase – We create the first draft using industry-leading CAD software.

Review & Feedback – You review and send feedback; we revise accordingly.

Final Delivery – Receive finalized PDF plans and CAD source files.

Post-Delivery Support – Need changes later? We’re still here for revisions and additions.

Let’s Get Started

Your vision deserves precision, reliability, and professional execution. Whether it's a small residential remodel or a large-scale commercial build, A1 Drafting is your trusted partner for all your CAD design and drafting needs.

Get in touch today to start your project and see how easy and effective working with us can be.

For more details on our products and services, please feel free to visit us at: house drafting arizona, house plan drafting arizona, architectural drafting AZ, architectural drafting Gilbert, architectural drafting near me & architectural  drafting Scottsdale.Please feel free to visit us at:https://www.a1drafting.net/

[serenatechie]

Why OTT Personalisation Is the Future of Streaming: AI-Powered User Experiences

Introduction: The Evolution of OTT and User Expectations

The global rise of digital entertainment has redefined how content is delivered and consumed. Today’s audiences expect more than access—they demand personalised experiences tailored to their individual tastes and moods. With the growth of platforms powered by OTT solutions, streaming services are evolving from static libraries to intelligent, responsive environments. This shift is not just about convenience; it’s about creating lasting engagement and emotional connection with the audience.

As competition intensifies among global and regional players, providers must focus on user experience, content discovery, and seamless navigation—making OTT personalisation a top priority for the future of streaming. Platforms that fail to adopt these technologies risk falling behind as viewers seek richer and more relevant experiences.

Whether you're looking to build an OTT platform or upgrade your OTT streaming solution, integrating smart personalisation is the key to staying ahead, meeting dynamic user demands, and standing out in an oversaturated market.

What Is OTT Personalisation and How Does It Work?

OTT personalisation involves tailoring content, recommendations, interfaces, and notifications based on each user’s behavior, preferences, and interactions. It ensures that no two users have the exact same experience, which keeps engagement levels high. By leveraging data analytics, AI, and machine learning, OTT platform providers can dynamically adapt what a viewer sees and experiences—be it through recommended shows, customised watchlists, or suggested categories.

For those exploring how to build an OTT app or how to build OTT platforms from scratch, personalisation is now a must-have feature—not an option. It's becoming a differentiating factor that determines user satisfaction, retention rates, and overall platform success. Without it, platforms risk delivering a generic experience that drives users away.

The Role of AI and Machine Learning in Personalised Streaming

AI plays a critical role in delivering custom OTT solution development by analyzing user behavior patterns, watch history, and preferences. Machine learning algorithms help predict what users are likely to watch next, optimizing content placement and user interaction to increase the chances of engagement.

This is particularly beneficial for IPTV OTT solutions and VOD solutions, where vast content libraries require intelligent sorting and presentation. AI models also help segment audiences, tailor advertisements, and even adjust video quality based on network conditions—all while ensuring scalability across millions of users. Advanced AI tools can detect viewing moods and contextual moments, making personalisation even more precise.

Benefits of Personalisation for Viewers and OTT Providers

Personalisation is not just an add-on but a strategic advantage for platforms aiming to thrive in the competitive OTT landscape. It bridges the gap between content abundance and user satisfaction, ensuring every viewer feels valued and understood.

Enhanced User Engagement: Viewers stay longer and return more often when they feel the content is curated for them. Personalised notifications and recommendations keep them informed about new or missed content. It creates a sense of belonging and familiarity, driving consistent platform visits. Engaged users are more likely to explore premium or exclusive content offerings.

Higher Conversion Rates: Personalised interfaces improve content discovery, boosting subscription and rental rates in SVOD, TVOD, and AVOD models. Users are gently nudged toward upselling opportunities without feeling overwhelmed. Tailored promotions and offers have a higher probability of success compared to generic campaigns.

Improved Retention: With the right OTT video solution, fewer users churn due to irrelevant content or poor experience. Retained users contribute to positive word-of-mouth and organic platform growth. A loyal user base reduces the cost of acquiring new customers over time.

Scalable Monetization: Supports diverse monetization models across live streaming solutions and VOD platforms. Targeted ads achieve better engagement, improving advertiser satisfaction. Enables implementation of hybrid monetization models blending SVOD, TVOD, and AVOD seamlessly.

Real-Time Adaptation: AI can dynamically respond to user actions, a game-changer in live video streaming solutions. Real-time content adjustments enhance viewer satisfaction during live events. Immediate feedback loops allow platforms to fine-tune recommendations on the go.

Key Features of an AI-Powered OTT Platform

An AI-powered OTT platform is the backbone of the next-generation streaming ecosystem. These platforms offer unmatched scalability, responsiveness, and user-centric design capabilities.

Smart Recommendations: Based on preferences and behavior, these suggestions improve as the system learns more about each viewer’s unique interests. AI models predict binge-worthy content before users search for it. Recommendation engines adapt to seasonal trends and special events.

Adaptive UI/UX: Interface changes to match user needs, such as language preference, color theme, or device-specific layouts. Offers screen size optimization for better viewing on mobile, tablet, or smart TVs. Customised menu layouts simplify navigation for different user demographics.

Dynamic Playlists: Auto-updated playlists tailored to user mood or genre, such as 'Workout Mix,' 'Relaxing Weekend,' or 'Top Picks for You.' Playlists evolve based on recent user interactions and time of day. Collaborative playlist features allow sharing among friends and family.

Voice and Visual Search: Enhanced discoverability for large VOD platforms using voice commands or image-based searches. Visual search enables users to find content by scanning posters or frames. Voice assistants can recommend content based on natural language queries.

Real-Time Analytics: Feedback-driven content suggestions improve over time, ensuring recommendations remain relevant. Analytics dashboards provide insights into user preferences and platform usage patterns. Real-time data guides content acquisition and production decisions.

Real-World Use Cases: How Leading Platforms Use Personalisation

Real-world applications of personalisation showcase how top OTT giants have leveraged AI to redefine user engagement and retention strategies. These examples serve as benchmarks for emerging platforms.

Netflix: Uses AI to customise thumbnails, descriptions, and recommendations based on individual viewer preferences and past interactions. Experiments with personalisation to drive watch time per session. Adjusts content placement based on trending regional and global interests.

YouTube: Adjusts content on the homepage using user interaction data like watch time and click-through rates. Suggests videos dynamically based on viewer’s real-time activity. Utilizes AI to suppress irrelevant content for a cleaner browsing experience.

Spotify: Delivers hyper-personalised playlists such as 'Discover Weekly' and 'Daily Mix' using collaborative filtering and deep learning. Recognizes listening patterns to suggest genre mixes or podcast episodes. Updates mood-specific playlists based on time of day and location.

Amazon Prime Video: Uses real-time data to predict trending content and optimise homepage suggestions. Recommends bundles or multi-season content for prolonged engagement. Tailors promotional banners based on individual subscription packages.

How Personalisation Boosts Engagement, Retention, and Revenue

Personalisation transforms passive viewers into active participants, driving deeper emotional and transactional connections with the platform. It elevates both the user journey and the business bottom line.

Lower churn rates: Users feel valued when their preferences are recognised, reducing the urge to leave. Curated content decreases the likelihood of boredom and platform fatigue. Consistent personalisation fosters daily or weekly return habits.

Higher lifetime value (LTV): Long-term engagement leads to higher average revenue per user (ARPU). Loyal users are more open to upselling and cross-selling opportunities. Reduced churn lowers customer acquisition costs in the long run.

Increased ad revenue (via OTT TV solutions): Personalised ads result in better click-through rates and conversions. Advertisers are willing to pay a premium for targeted, high-quality impressions. Enhanced ad relevance reduces viewer irritation and ad-skipping behavior.

Greater ROI for every OTT platform provider: Platforms optimize their content library based on user consumption trends. Better ROI justifies investment in AI infrastructure and data science teams. Competitive advantage leads to market leadership in the OTT space.

Challenges in Implementing OTT Personalisation at Scale

While personalisation unlocks significant value, deploying it at scale requires overcoming technical, regulatory, and operational hurdles. These challenges shape how platforms invest in infrastructure and partnerships.

Data Privacy Compliance (GDPR, CCPA): Personal data must be collected transparently with user consent. Regulatory breaches can lead to severe financial penalties. Data anonymization techniques are essential to balance privacy and utility.

Scalable AI Infrastructure for large user bases: Cloud-based systems must handle millions of concurrent data points. Model training requires high-performance computing and storage resources. Real-time inference must not degrade platform responsiveness.

Cross-Platform Synchronization across web, mobile, Smart TVs: User preferences must sync seamlessly across devices for a consistent experience. Ensuring device-specific optimisation without redundancy is complex. Multi-device personalisation enhances stickiness and multi-screen engagement.

Latency & Performance issues in live streaming apps: Real-time recommendations must not cause buffering or lag. Live events demand ultra-low-latency AI-driven content adjustment. Edge computing can reduce central server load and improve performance.

How Innocrux Enables Smart OTT Personalisation Solutions

Innocrux provides a comprehensive suite of tools and services to help businesses harness AI-driven personalisation for their OTT platforms. These offerings cater to various industries and content genres.

Custom OTT solution development with built-in AI features: Solutions are tailored for entertainment, education, fitness, and corporate training sectors. AI modules are integrated from the ground up for maximum efficiency. Development ensures scalability to handle future platform growth.

Scalable white label OTT solutions: Ready-to-deploy platforms reduce time-to-market for new OTT ventures. Flexible branding options for diverse regional and international markets. Enables startups and enterprises alike to launch with confidence.

Personalised VOD platforms and live streaming solutions: Content discovery is enhanced via dynamic carousels and watchlists. Live event platforms adjust content feeds based on viewer preferences. Supports multilingual personalisation for global audiences.

Deep analytics and smart recommendations: Dashboard insights guide content strategy and user acquisition campaigns. Recommendations evolve based on user cohort analysis and segmentation. Real-time metrics inform platform design and feature rollouts.

Support for hyper-targeted audience experiences: Personalisation spans content, ads, interface, and notifications. Enables micro-targeting for niche user segments. Boosts platform loyalty through relevant, context-aware engagement.

Future Trends: Hyper-Personalisation, Voice AI, and Predictive UX

The future of OTT platforms lies in extreme personalisation where every interaction feels tailor-made. These trends are redefining the boundaries of user experience and technological sophistication.

Voice AI integration for hands-free search: Voice commands will become the primary mode of content discovery. Natural language processing will decode complex viewer queries. Smart TVs and wearables will offer deeper voice assistant integration.

Predictive UX to pre-load likely content paths: AI will anticipate what users want before they act, reducing clicks. Pre-buffered content will eliminate wait times for popular shows. Predictive engines will curate home screens based on real-time context.

Context-aware streaming for smart TVs and wearables: Platforms will adjust content based on user location and activity. Smart suggestions during workouts, travel, or relaxation periods. Ambient streaming experiences will adapt to environmental factors.

AI-generated video summaries and highlights: Viewers can preview content via automatically created synopses. Sports, news, and events will feature instant AI-edited highlight reels. Short-form summaries will drive engagement for long-form content.

Conclusion

Personalisation is no longer a luxury—it’s a core pillar of every best OTT streaming solution. Whether you're delivering workouts, entertainment, or education, personalised OTT and VOD platforms are essential for viewer satisfaction and business growth.

With advanced tools from providers like Innocrux, you can build OTT platforms, apps, and live video streaming solutions that truly connect with your audience, increase platform loyalty, and drive long-term revenue.