#workload management software

[taskopadinfo]

Workload Management Software

Taskopad is a robust workload management software designed to streamline task organization and enhance team productivity. With intuitive features and a user-friendly interface, Taskopad facilitates efficient task planning, collaboration, and tracking. From project management to daily to-do lists, this software empowers teams to prioritize tasks, set deadlines, and achieve milestones seamlessly. Elevate your workflow with Taskopad and experience a more organized and productive work environment.

[softwarereviewforall]

Asana vs. ClickUp vs. Monday.com: Choosing the Right Project Management Tool

Project management is a critical aspect of any business or organization. To streamline tasks, collaborate effectively, and ensure projects stay on track, businesses often turn to project management software. Asana, ClickUp, and Monday.com are three popular options in the market, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we will compare these three tools based on various criteria to help you make an informed decision.

Overview:

G2 Rating is a reliable metric to gauge user satisfaction and performance. In terms of star ratings, Monday.com takes a slight lead with 4.7, followed closely by Asana and ClickUp with 4.3 and 4.7, respectively.

Market Segment tells you where these tools are most commonly used. ClickUp is preferred in the small-business segment (79.8% of reviews), followed by Monday.com (65.4%) and Asana (55.1%). Monday.com also has a strong presence in the mid-market (42.8%).

Entry Level Price varies significantly, with Asana offering a free plan, ClickUp at $0 per member per month, and Monday.com starting at $8.00 per user per month.

Total Number of Reviews indicates the overall popularity and user base. Monday.com leads with a substantial 14,775 reviews, while Asana and ClickUp follow with 9,346 and 8,889 reviews, respectively.

General Ratings:

Meets Requirements: Monday.com leads with a rating of 9.1, closely followed by ClickUp at 9.0. Asana and ClickUp also perform well, with 8.7 and 9.1 ratings, respectively.

Ease of Use: Monday.com has the highest ease of use rating at 9.0, while Asana and ClickUp both score 8.6. These scores suggest that all three platforms are relatively user-friendly.

Ease of Setup: ClickUp stands out with a rating of 8.8, while Asana and Monday.com both score 8.7 and 8.2, respectively.

Ease of Admin: Monday.com takes the lead with a rating of 9.1, while Asana, ClickUp, and ClickUp follow closely with scores ranging from 8.6 to 9.1.

Quality of Support: Monday.com has the highest support rating at 9.0, followed by ClickUp and Asana at 8.9 and 8.4, respectively.

Business Partnership: Monday.com excels with a 9.2 rating, while Asana, ClickUp, and ClickUp trail with ratings between 8.7 and 9.2.

Product Direction: ClickUp leads with 9.5, closely followed by Monday.com at 9.4. Asana and ClickUp also score well, with ratings ranging from 8.4 to 9.4.

Tasks:

Creation & Assignment: All three tools excel in this category, with ratings above 8.7.

Due Dates: Again, all three tools perform well, with ratings above 9.0.

Task Prioritization: ClickUp leads with a rating of 9.3, while Asana and Monday.com score between 8.7 and 9.3.

To-Do Lists: All three platforms score well, with ratings above 8.7.

Dependencies: All three tools offer decent dependency management, with ratings around 8.6.

Mass Updates: ClickUp and Monday.com lead in this category, with scores above 8.6, while Asana lags behind with a rating of 8.3.

Drag & Drop: ClickUp and Monday.com are preferred for their drag and drop functionality, scoring above 8.9, while Asana scores 8.5.

Recurring Tasks: ClickUp and Asana excel in this category, scoring above 8.8, while Monday.com lags slightly with a rating of 8.5.

Setup:

Activities and Flows: Monday.com stands out in activities and flows with a rating of 9.1, while ClickUp and Asana score between 8.5 and 9.1.

Dependencies and Notifications: Monday.com leads with 9.0, while Asana and ClickUp score between 8.5 and 9.0.

Task Creation:

Creation & Assignment and Due Dates: All three tools score above 9.0 in these aspects.

Drag & Drop and Mass Updates: ClickUp leads in drag & drop and mass updates, scoring above 9.0, while Asana and Monday.com score slightly lower.

Automation:

Workflows and Customization: Monday.com and ClickUp lead in these categories, with ratings above 8.8, while Asana lags slightly.

Data Repository: All three platforms offer decent data repository functionality, with ratings around 8.4 to 8.8.

Communication:

Chat and Discussions: All three tools perform well, with ratings above 7.5.

External, Feedback, and Announcements: Monday.com and ClickUp lead in external communication, while Asana lags behind. In feedback and announcements, all three tools score well.

Projects:

Planning and Project Map: Monday.com leads with ratings of 9.3 and 9.0, while ClickUp and Asana score between 8.6 and 9.3.

GANTT and Calendar View: Monday.com and Asana lead in these categories, while ClickUp lags slightly.

Project Budgeting: All three tools offer decent project budgeting features, with ratings around 8.0 to 8.7.

Issue Tracking: All three platforms perform well in issue tracking.

Templates and Critical Path: Monday.com and ClickUp excel in templates, while Asana lags slightly. In the critical path category, all three tools offer decent functionality.

Time & Expense: Monday.com and ClickUp lead in time and expense management, while Asana scores slightly lower.

Methodologies: ClickUp leads in methodologies, while Monday.com and Asana score slightly lower.

Management:

Updates and Audit Trail: Monday.com leads in updates and audit trails, while Asana and ClickUp score slightly lower.

Integration: Monday.com and ClickUp excel in integration capabilities, while Asana lags slightly.

Task Management:

Task Prioritization and To-Do Lists: All three tools excel in these aspects.

Dependencies and Recurring Tasks: ClickUp and Monday.com lead in dependency management, while Asana scores slightly lower.

Administration:

Permissions and Procedures: All three tools offer strong administration features.

Remote Work: ClickUp excels in remote work capabilities, while Monday.com and Asana score slightly lower.

Content & Documents:

File Sharing and Notes: All three platforms offer strong document management and collaboration features.

Search and Versioning: Monday.com and ClickUp lead in search and versioning capabilities, while Asana lags slightly.

Resource Management:

Resource Definition and Capacity: Monday.com

Resource Scheduling: All three tools offer solid resource scheduling features, with ratings above 8.6.

Project Management:

Task Prioritization and Planning: All three platforms excel in these aspects.

Views and Scheduling: Monday.com and ClickUp lead in views and scheduling, while Asana scores slightly lower.

Critical Path and Dashboards: Monday.com leads in critical path and dashboards, while Asana and ClickUp score slightly lower.

Controls:

Custom Views and User Management: All three tools offer strong control features.

Calendars and Public Sharing: Monday.com excels in calendars, while Asana and ClickUp score slightly lower. In public sharing, all three tools offer decent functionality.

Generative AI:

Text Generation and Text Summarization: All three platforms offer generative AI capabilities, with Monday.com leading in text generation.

Project Monitoring:

Baselining / KPIs and Resource Allocation: All three tools perform well in project monitoring, with Monday.com and ClickUp leading in KPIs and resource allocation.

Workload: ClickUp excels in workload management, while Asana and Monday.com score slightly lower.

Workspace:

Configuration and Insights: All three platforms offer strong workspace management features.

Project Management:

Task Management: All three tools excel in task management, with ClickUp taking a slight lead.

Planning, Visibility, and Integration: All three platforms offer robust project management capabilities, with Monday.com leading in visibility and ClickUp excelling in integration.

Communication & Collaboration:

Communication Channels: All three platforms provide strong communication channel options.

Document Management: Monday.com and ClickUp lead in document management, while Asana scores slightly lower.

Collaboration: All three tools excel in collaboration features.

Remote Collaboration:

Alignment and Accountability: All three platforms offer strong remote collaboration features.

Connectivity and Offline Mode: Monday.com leads in connectivity, while Asana and ClickUp score slightly lower. In offline mode, all three tools offer decent functionality.

Cost Management:

Project Budgeting and Time & Expense: All three platforms offer decent cost management capabilities, with Monday.com and ClickUp leading in project budgeting and time & expense management.

Profitability: All three platforms provide robust profitability tracking features.

Integration:

Front Office and Back Office: All three tools offer strong integration options.

External Data: All three platforms offer good external data integration capabilities.

In conclusion, Asana, ClickUp, and Monday.com are all strong contenders in the project management software market. The choice between them largely depends on your specific business needs, preferences, and budget. ClickUp is ideal for small businesses and offers extensive customization options. Monday.com stands out in terms of user satisfaction, making it a reliable choice for small and mid-market businesses. Asana, on the other hand, offers a free plan and is a well-rounded choice with a focus on task management and collaboration. Consider your unique requirements and user preferences to make an informed decision for your project management needs.

[taskopad59]

Efficient Workload Management Software for Optimal Productivity

Simplify your workload management with our advanced software. Achieve optimal productivity by effectively tracking tasks, managing projects, and prioritizing assignments. Discover the power of streamlined work processes. Try our workload management software today and experience a new level of efficiency.

[cassandraturcotte]

Top Tools for Workload Management

This infographic highlights top tools for workload management to streamline processes and optimize performance.

[efficiencytracker]

The Future Of Work Is Fair: Why Workload Distribution Matters More Than Ever

Optimizing work distribution is crucial for enhancing productivity, reducing stress, and achieving organizational goals. This article delves into the realm of workload distribution, uncovering innovative strategies and best practices to streamline workflows and maximize efficiency in any workplace setting. 

By understanding the principles of effective workload division and implementing actionable techniques, businesses can empower their teams to work smarter, not harder, ultimately driving success and fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence. Join us as we explore the key principles and practical strategies for achieving optimal workload division and unlocking the full potential of your workforce.

What Is Work Distribution? 

Work distribution refers to the allocation and assignment of tasks, responsibilities, and projects among individuals or teams within an organization. It involves distributing the workload in a balanced and equitable manner to ensure that each team member has a manageable amount of work that aligns with their skills, capacity, and availability. Effective work distribution aims to optimize productivity, minimize bottlenecks, and prevent overburdening or burnout among team members. 

It often involves strategic planning, communication, and coordination to ensure that tasks are assigned appropriately and that resources are allocated efficiently to meet organizational objectives. By implementing sound work distribution practices, organizations can enhance efficiency, promote collaboration, and achieve better outcomes across projects and initiatives.

Is Workforce Management Software Beneficial To Analyze Work Efficiency?

workforce management software can be highly beneficial for analyzing work efficiency within an organization. These software solutions typically offer a range of features and functionalities designed to track and analyze various aspects of workforce performance, such as time and attendance, productivity metrics, task completion rates, and resource allocation. 

By capturing and consolidating data from different sources, workforce management software provides valuable insights into how employees are utilizing their time, where productivity bottlenecks may exist, and how resources can be optimized for better efficiency.

Additionally, workforce management software often includes reporting and analytics tools that allow managers and stakeholders to generate customizable reports and dashboards, providing visibility into key performance indicators (KPIs) and trends over time. This data-driven approach enables organizations to identify areas for improvement, make informed decisions about resource allocation and staffing levels, and implement targeted interventions to enhance work efficiency.

How To Balance Unbalanced Workload?

Balancing an unbalanced workload within a team or organization requires a strategic approach and effective communication to ensure that tasks are distributed fairly and efficiently. First and foremost, it's essential to assess the workload division among team members, identifying any disparities or areas of imbalance. This may involve analyzing the volume and complexity of tasks assigned to each individual, as well as considering factors such as skills, experience, and availability.

Once the workload imbalance has been identified, the next step is to reallocate tasks and responsibilities in a manner that promotes equity and maximizes productivity. This may involve redistributing tasks among team members based on their strengths and capabilities, leveraging cross-training opportunities to build skill diversity within the team, and prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance.

Tips To Managing Workloads

Prioritize Tasks: Start by identifying tasks that are urgent and important, and focus on completing them first. Use tools like Eisenhower's Urgent/Important Principle to categorize tasks based on their priority level.

Set Realistic Goals: Be realistic about what you can accomplish within a given timeframe and set achievable goals. Break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Delegate Tasks: Delegate tasks to team members who have the necessary skills and capacity to handle them. Effective delegation not only lightens your workload but also helps develop the skills and confidence of your team members.

Communicate Expectations: Clearly communicate deadlines, expectations, and priorities to team members to ensure everyone is on the same page. Regular check-ins and status updates can help keep everyone accountable and informed. Also Watch: Leading Employee Engagement and Workforce Productivity Tool

Final Words!

Effective workload distribution is a cornerstone of organizational success, ensuring that tasks are assigned equitably and efficiently to maximize productivity and employee well-being. Throughout this article, we've explored the importance of balancing workloads, the challenges associated with workload division, and strategies for managing workloads effectively. 

By prioritizing tasks, setting realistic goals, delegating responsibilities, and fostering clear communication, organizations can optimize workload division and create a supportive work environment where employees can thrive.

[govindhtech]

Tech Breakdown: What Is a SuperNIC? Get the Inside Scoop!

The most recent development in the rapidly evolving digital realm is generative AI. A relatively new phrase, SuperNIC, is one of the revolutionary inventions that makes it feasible.

Describe a SuperNIC

On order to accelerate hyperscale AI workloads on Ethernet-based clouds, a new family of network accelerators called SuperNIC was created. With remote direct memory access (RDMA) over converged Ethernet (RoCE) technology, it offers extremely rapid network connectivity for GPU-to-GPU communication, with throughputs of up to 400Gb/s.

SuperNICs incorporate the following special qualities:

Ensuring that data packets are received and processed in the same sequence as they were originally delivered through high-speed packet reordering. This keeps the data flow’s sequential integrity intact.

In order to regulate and prevent congestion in AI networks, advanced congestion management uses network-aware algorithms and real-time telemetry data.

In AI cloud data centers, programmable computation on the input/output (I/O) channel facilitates network architecture adaptation and extension.

Low-profile, power-efficient architecture that effectively handles AI workloads under power-constrained budgets.

Optimization for full-stack AI, encompassing system software, communication libraries, application frameworks, networking, computing, and storage.

Recently, NVIDIA revealed the first SuperNIC in the world designed specifically for AI computing, built on the BlueField-3 networking architecture. It is a component of the NVIDIA Spectrum-X platform, which allows for smooth integration with the Ethernet switch system Spectrum-4.

The NVIDIA Spectrum-4 switch system and BlueField-3 SuperNIC work together to provide an accelerated computing fabric that is optimized for AI applications. Spectrum-X outperforms conventional Ethernet settings by continuously delivering high levels of network efficiency.

Yael Shenhav, vice president of DPU and NIC products at NVIDIA, stated, “In a world where AI is driving the next wave of technological innovation, the BlueField-3 SuperNIC is a vital cog in the machinery.” “SuperNICs are essential components for enabling the future of AI computing because they guarantee that your AI workloads are executed with efficiency and speed.”

The Changing Environment of Networking and AI

Large language models and generative AI are causing a seismic change in the area of artificial intelligence. These potent technologies have opened up new avenues and made it possible for computers to perform new functions.

GPU-accelerated computing plays a critical role in the development of AI by processing massive amounts of data, training huge AI models, and enabling real-time inference. While this increased computing capacity has created opportunities, Ethernet cloud networks have also been put to the test.

The internet’s foundational technology, traditional Ethernet, was designed to link loosely connected applications and provide wide compatibility. The complex computational requirements of contemporary AI workloads, which include quickly transferring large amounts of data, closely linked parallel processing, and unusual communication patterns all of which call for optimal network connectivity were not intended for it.

Basic network interface cards (NICs) were created with interoperability, universal data transfer, and general-purpose computing in mind. They were never intended to handle the special difficulties brought on by the high processing demands of AI applications.

The necessary characteristics and capabilities for effective data transmission, low latency, and the predictable performance required for AI activities are absent from standard NICs. In contrast, SuperNICs are designed specifically for contemporary AI workloads.

Benefits of SuperNICs in AI Computing Environments

Data processing units (DPUs) are capable of high throughput, low latency network connectivity, and many other sophisticated characteristics. DPUs have become more and more common in the field of cloud computing since its launch in 2020, mostly because of their ability to separate, speed up, and offload computation from data center hardware.

SuperNICs and DPUs both have many characteristics and functions in common, however SuperNICs are specially designed to speed up networks for artificial intelligence.

The performance of distributed AI training and inference communication flows is highly dependent on the availability of network capacity. Known for their elegant designs, SuperNICs scale better than DPUs and may provide an astounding 400Gb/s of network bandwidth per GPU.

When GPUs and SuperNICs are matched 1:1 in a system, AI workload efficiency may be greatly increased, resulting in higher productivity and better business outcomes.

SuperNICs are only intended to speed up networking for cloud computing with artificial intelligence. As a result, it uses less processing power than a DPU, which needs a lot of processing power to offload programs from a host CPU.

Less power usage results from the decreased computation needs, which is especially important in systems with up to eight SuperNICs.

One of the SuperNIC’s other unique selling points is its specialized AI networking capabilities. It provides optimal congestion control, adaptive routing, and out-of-order packet handling when tightly connected with an AI-optimized NVIDIA Spectrum-4 switch. Ethernet AI cloud settings are accelerated by these cutting-edge technologies.

Transforming cloud computing with AI

The NVIDIA BlueField-3 SuperNIC is essential for AI-ready infrastructure because of its many advantages.

Maximum efficiency for AI workloads: The BlueField-3 SuperNIC is perfect for AI workloads since it was designed specifically for network-intensive, massively parallel computing. It guarantees bottleneck-free, efficient operation of AI activities.

Performance that is consistent and predictable: The BlueField-3 SuperNIC makes sure that each job and tenant in multi-tenant data centers, where many jobs are executed concurrently, is isolated, predictable, and unaffected by other network operations.

Secure multi-tenant cloud infrastructure: Data centers that handle sensitive data place a high premium on security. High security levels are maintained by the BlueField-3 SuperNIC, allowing different tenants to cohabit with separate data and processing.

Broad network infrastructure: The BlueField-3 SuperNIC is very versatile and can be easily adjusted to meet a wide range of different network infrastructure requirements.

Wide compatibility with server manufacturers: The BlueField-3 SuperNIC integrates easily with the majority of enterprise-class servers without using an excessive amount of power in data centers.

[4chan]

Still standing

On the afternoon of April 14th, a hacker using a UK IP address exploited an out-of-date software package on one of 4chan's servers, via a bogus PDF upload. With this entry point, they were eventually able to gain access to one of 4chan's servers, including database access and access to our own administrative dashboard. The hacker spent several hours exfiltrating database tables and much of 4chan's source code. When they had finished downloading what they wanted, they began to vandalize 4chan at which point moderators became aware and 4chan's servers were halted, preventing further access.

Over the following days, 4chan's development team surveyed the damage, which to be frank, was catastrophic. While not all of our servers were breached, the most important one was, and it was due to simply not updating old operating systems and code in a timely fashion. Ultimately this problem was caused by having insufficient skilled man-hours available to update our code and infrastructure, and being starved of money for years by advertisers, payment providers, and service providers who had succumbed to external pressure campaigns.

We had begun a process of speccing new servers in late 2023. As many have suspected, until that time 4chan had been running on a set of servers purchased second-hand by moot a few weeks before his final Q&A, as prior to then we simply were not in a financial position to consider such a large purchase. Advertisers and payment providers willing to work with 4chan are rare, and are quickly pressured by activists into cancelling their services. Putting together the money for new equipment took nearly a decade.

In April of 2024 we had agreed on specs and began looking for possible suppliers. Money is always tight for us, and few companies were willing to sell us servers, so actually buying the hardware wasn’t a trivial problem. We managed to finalize a purchase in June, and had the new servers racked and online in July. Over the next few months we slowly moved functionality onto the new servers, but we had still been relying on the old servers for key functions. Everything about this process took much longer than intended, which is a recurring theme in this debacle. The free time that 4chan's development team had available to dedicate to 4chan was insufficient to update our software and infrastructure fast enough, and our luck ran out.

However, we have not been idle during our nearly two weeks of downtime. The server that was breached has been replaced, with the operating system and code updated to the latest versions. PDF uploads have been temporarily disabled on those boards that supported them, but they will be back in the near future. One slow but much beloved board, /f/ - Flash, will not be returning however, as there is no realistic way to prevent similar exploits using .swf files. We are bringing on additional volunteer developers to help keep up with the workload, and our team of volunteer janitors & moderators remains united despite the grievous violations some have suffered to their personal privacy.

4chan is back. No other website can replace it, or this community. No matter how hard it is, we are not giving up.

[jaeyunluvbot]

midnight fiction

genre/tags 𝟅𝟈 coworkers to lovers, strangers to lovers, coworker!wonbin x fem!reader, fluff, tiny bit of angst

word count 𝟅𝟈

NOT PROOFREAD

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

You sit at your desk, fingers moving deftly across the keyboard as you try to make a dent in the long list of tasks piled up for the day. The to-do list pinned to your monitor catches your eye, each unchecked box causing a pang of stress.

“Y/N!” Your manager’s voice breaks your focus, and you turn to see him walking toward you, his usual “I need you to do something for me” smile plastered across his face.

“Got a second? The new hire’s here—can you give him the tour? Show him the ropes?”

You smile curtly and hold back a deep sigh. “Sure. I’d be happy to.”

“I knew I could count on you!” he says, flashing you a grin before heading off.

You push back from your desk, grabbing the folder he’d dropped on your desk, and mentally preparing yourself. Usually, you love helping people, but your workload is already overwhelming, and your manager adding random tasks constantly certainly doesn’t help.

As you make your way to the lobby, you spot him—Wonbin. He stands near reception, tall and a little stiff in his crisp shirt and tie. His eyes flit around the room, a mix of curiosity and nervousness on his face. Clearly a new hire.

“Wonbin, right?” you call, forcing a friendly smile as you approach.

He turns toward you, and his face lights up. “Yeah, that’s me. You must be Y/N.”

“That’s me,” you reply, extending a hand. “Welcome to the team. I’m here to give you the grand tour.”

“Thanks,” he says, shaking your hand firmly. “I really appreciate it. Sorry to take up your time.”

The sincerity in his voice catches you off guard, but you brush it aside. “No problem. Let’s get started.”

As you lead him through the office, you point out the essentials—the break room, the conference rooms, the kitchen. “We have free coffee here, and snacks, but if you value your life, don’t touch anyone’s lunch in the fridge,” you say with a smirk.

He chuckles, his nervous energy easing a bit. “Good to know. Anything else I should know?”

“Stick with me, and you’ll survive,” you joke, surprising yourself with how easily the words come.

“I’ll hold you to that,” he says, flashing a grin.

By the time the tour ends, you begrudgingly admit he’s not as bad as you’d expected. He’s polite, eager to learn, and genuinely seems to care about getting things right. Still, you’re trapped under a mountain of work, and the extra time you’re spending with him feels like another item on your already endless to-do list.

“Alright,” you say as you stop near his desk. “That should cover the basics. Let me know if you have any questions. I’m just over there.”

“Thanks, Y/N. I’ll try not to bother you too much,” he says with an earnest smile.

You give him a strained smile before heading back to your desk, already trying to refocus on your workload. But something about his tone lingers in your mind—a small, not unpleasant, but still unwelcome distraction.

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

Weeks later, the two of you have settled into an unspoken rhythm. Wonbin often comes to you for help, and while it cuts into your work time, you can’t bring yourself to turn him away. He’s quick to pick things up and always grateful, which softens your frustration even on the busiest days.

“Alright, for this system,” you say one afternoon, sitting beside him at his desk, “you need to make sure the codes match these formats. If not, you’ll get an error that’ll make you want to quit on the spot.”

He leans closer to your monitor, his face contorted in concentration. “Got it. Match the formats or die.”

“Exactly,” you reply with a chuckle. “Here, give it a try.”

He takes the keyboard, carefully navigating the program. “Like this?”

“Perfect. Just double-check the—”

“Y/N!” Your manager’s voice interrupts again, sharp and expectant.

You swivel in your chair, already bracing yourself for another request. “Yes?”

“The scheduling software is acting up again. Can you fix it? And after that, HR needs help with the training program revisions.”

You plaster on a polite smile, even as irritation prickles beneath your skin. “Sure thing.”

“Great. Thanks!”

As he walks away, you stare blankly at Wonbin’s monitor, overwhelmed by everything you still need to do, plus these new tasks.

“Wow,” Wonbin says softly, breaking the silence.

“What?” you ask, turning back to him.

“Do they always dump this much on you?” he asks, disbelief clear in his voice.

You give him a tired smile. “Pretty much. I’ve got a knack for being reliable, I guess.”

“That’s not fair,” he says, frowning.

“It’s just how it is,” you reply with a shrug, masking your frustration. “Anyway, let’s finish this up so I can deal with that mess.”

Wonbin watches you for a moment, his expression pensive, before nodding and turning back to the screen. As you work together, you try to push your stress aside, but you can’t help but notice the way he looks at you—like he sees right through you.

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

The buzz of conversation and clinking glasses filled the air as your team settled into a lively bar for the evening. It wasn’t your first choice for how to spend a Friday night, but you’d gone along with it—mostly out of guilt for turning down every other optional team event.

Wonbin, obviously, had found his way to your side the moment you arrived. “First office outing,” he said, holding up his drink with a sheepish smile. “Don’t let me embarrass myself too much.”

“I’ll try,” you said, grinning despite yourself.

The evening kicked off with lighthearted conversations and drinks, but it didn’t take long before someone spotted the karaoke machine in the corner. A cheer rose from the group as a few coworkers rushed to sign up for songs, dragging the less enthusiastic along with them.

“No way I’m singing,” you said, taking another sip of your drink.

“Oh, come on,” Wonbin teased, leaning closer. “You can’t let them have all the fun. Besides, it’s a team thing—bonding, right?”

You gave him a skeptical look. “You’re way too eager for someone who’s been here for like five minutes.”

He laughed. “I’m just trying to fit in. Plus, karaoke’s fun. You should try it.”

You laugh and shake your head furiously, “Singing really isn’t my thing, so no thanks.”

He drops it there and you appreciate him not pressuring you to venture too far outside of your comfort zone.

It didn’t take long for the microphone to find its way to you. Someone had signed you up—likely as a joke—and before you could protest, your coworkers were chanting your name.

“You’ve got this,” Wonbin said, nudging you toward the stage with an encouraging grin.

Reluctantly, you chug the rest of your drink, and made you way to the stage, picking the first familiar song you see, deciding it was better to just get it over with. The music started, and as you sang, you felt your nerves ease. By the end of the song, you were smiling, met with loud applause and cheers from the team.

“Not bad!” Wonbin called out as you returned to your seat, cheeks flushed from the attention.

“Don’t get used to it,” you muttered, though you couldn’t help laughing.

When it was his turn, Wonbin took the stage with the same amount of energy he had at work, a lot. He picked a fast-paced, upbeat song and leaned fully into the performance, complete with exaggerated dance moves that had the entire room doubling over with laughter.

You couldn’t stop smiling as you watched him. He looked so carefree, so genuinely happy, and it was contagious.

You’d never noticed how attractive he actually was, usually too distracted with your work and general disdain for the office environment. You brush the thought off as quickly as it had entered your mind, not needing to add a crush, however small, to your already hectic life.

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

The outing ended with you and Wonbin leaving together, walking side by side toward the bus station. The streets were quieter now, the buzz of the bar replaced by the soft hum of passing cars and the occasional whooshing of the wind.

“That was… surprisingly fun,” you admitted, glancing at him.

“See? Told you karaoke’s not so bad,” he said, smirking.

You chuckled, shoving your hands into your pockets. “Alright, fine. You win this one. But seriously, you were… something else up there. That dance routine?”

“I aim to entertain,” he said with mock pretentiousness, making you laugh again.

As the laughter faded, you found yourself relaxing in his presence in a way you hadn’t expected. The conversation turned quieter, more genuine, as you opened up about the stress you’d been feeling at work. He listened intently, nodding occasionally, his expression softening.

“You do way too much for that place,” he said finally. “They don’t deserve you.”

His words caught you off guard, and for a moment, you didn’t know how to respond. “It’s just… part of the job,” you said lamely.

“Doesn’t mean it’s fair,” he said, his tone firm. “You deserve a break, Y/N. Or at least someone to help take some of the load off.”

You gave him a small smile, touched by his sincerity and care. “Thanks, Wonbin.”

He shrugged, but his eyes stayed on you, warm and steady. “Anytime.”

You turn away from him, your shoulder gently shoving against his as you resume walking towards the bust stop. Your face feels suddenly a bit warm, but you elect to blame it on the biting wind.

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

Your surprising new after-work routine had started as a coincidence. One evening after work, you found yourself walking toward the bus station at the same time as Wonbin. The conversation was light, filled with random musings about the day and jokes about a particularly obnoxious coworker who always seemed to have something urgent five minutes before clocking out.

The next day, it happened again. Then the day after that. Before long, it became a routine.

“Okay, so tell me if I’m crazy,” Wonbin said one evening as you both trudged along the quiet sidewalk. His breath puffed in the cold air. “But does Mr. Lee always call for a meeting just to hear himself talk?”

You snorted. “Absolutely. The man loves the sound of his own voice. Did you notice he always asks questions, then interrupts when you answer?”

Wonbin’s laugh rang out, warm and genuine. “Right? It’s like, ‘Why even ask, man?’”

You shook your head, still grinning. “It’s honestly a skill. He could teach a class on how not to communicate.”

“Sign me up,” Wonbin said, mock-serious. “I need to be prepared.”

The conversation flowed effortlessly, the stress of the workday melting away as you teased each other and bonded over shared grievances. It was strange, but comforting—having someone who just got you.

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

A few weeks into your routine, the weather took a sharp turn. That day, you’d rushed out the door, forgetting your jacket in your scramble to make it on time. By the time you and Wonbin started your walk to the bus station, the cold had sunk its teeth into you.

“Are you seriously not wearing a jacket?” Wonbin asked, glancing at you as you shivered beside him.

“Forgot it at home,” you admitted, hugging yourself for warmth. “It’s fine. I’ll survive, we’re almost at the bus stop anyways.”

He frowned, stopping in his tracks. Before you could ask why, he shrugged off his own jacket and draped it over your shoulders.

“Wonbin—no, you’ll freeze!” you protested, trying to hand it back.

“Relax,” he said, waving you off. “You’ve helped me so much with work—even though you’re swamped. It’s the least I can do.”

You hesitated, looking at him. “Are you sure?”

“Positive,” he said with a small smile. “I’ll be fine. My bus is quicker, anyway.”

The jacket was warm, carrying the faint scent of his cologne. You pulled it tighter around yourself, your face heating despite the chill. “Thanks,” you mumbled.

He grinned. “Anytime. Just don’t forget it again, or I might start charging you.”

You rolled your eyes, but your heart felt lighter. The walk continued, the silence between you now companionable. You glanced at him, his hands shoved in his pockets against the cold, and a thought you hadn’t dared to entertain before crept into your mind: maybe, just maybe, there was something more here.

It didn’t take long for your routine walks to the bus station to evolve into hanging out outside of work. At first, it was casual—a quick coffee after a long day, or splitting fries at the diner near the office. But soon, those quick moments turned into hours of talking, laughing, and getting to know each other beyond the walls of cubicles and meeting rooms.

One evening, after an especially frustrating day, the two of you sat on a bench at a small park near the bus stop. The air was crisp, and Wonbin had insisted on grabbing hot chocolate, claiming it was the ultimate stress relief. You had to admit, despite the chill, it was helping.

“So,” Wonbin said, leaning back on the bench and licking his cone thoughtfully. “Any progress on that scheduling software you were cursing under your breath all day?”

You groaned. “Don’t remind me. I feel like I aged ten years trying to fix that. Honestly, it’s just one more thing making me wonder if I should stick around here.”

Wonbin turned to you, his brows knitting in confusion. “What do you mean?”

You hesitated, not sure why you felt nervous admitting it. But with him, it was easy to be honest. “I’ve been looking at other jobs,” you said finally. “I don’t know if I want to stay at the company. It’s just… a lot. And I feel like I’m always being forced to work on something way above my paygrade, you know?”

Wonbin stayed quiet for a moment, staring down at his half-melted cone. “Yeah, I get that,” he said softly. “But, selfishly, I think you should stay.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Why’s that?”

He grinned, but there was something in his tone that felt unusually sincere. “Because I’d miss you too much if you left.”

The words hung in the air, catching you off guard. He said it casually, almost like a joke, but the way his eyes lingered on yours told a different story.

You laughed nervously, trying to ease the tension you suddenly felt. “Well, that’s sweet, but I don’t think ‘keeping Wonbin company’ is a valid reason to stay in a job I hate.”

“Hey, it could be a selling point,” he said with a playful smirk. “Think about it: ‘Excellent coworker morale boost included.’”

You rolled your eyes, but the smile tugging at your lips was impossible to hide. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Maybe,” he said, shrugging. “But I mean it. You’ve made this whole thing so much easier for me. I don’t know how I’d survive without you.”

Your heart fluttered, and you quickly looked away, focusing on the streetlights flickering in the distance. “Well, I haven’t decided anything yet,” you said, your voice quieter.

“Good,” he said, nudging your shoulder gently. “Because the office wouldn’t be the same without you. And neither would my life.”

The conversation drifted to other topics, but his words stayed with you long after you’d said goodbye for the night.

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

This day had been nothing short of brutal. Deadlines were looming, the to-do list on your desk seemed to grow longer instead of shorter, and your manager had barely acknowledged all the extra work you’d been handling. By the time five o’clock rolled around, you were drained and on the verge of breaking down in tears.

As you packed up your things, Wonbin appeared by your desk, his usual bright smile in place. “Hey,” he said, tilting his head to study your expression. “You okay?”

You forced a tired smile. “Just a long day.”

He frowned, clearly unconvinced. “Come on, we’re leaving. You need a break.”

You blinked, surprised. “What?”

“Arcade,” he said, grabbing your bag off the back of your chair and slinging it over his shoulder. “Let’s go.”

“Wonbin, I’m not exactly in the mood—”

“Exactly why we’re going,” he interrupted, a teasing grin lighting up his face. “Trust me. It’ll help.”

Reluctantly, you followed him, not having the energy to argue with him after the day you’d had.

He practically drags you out of the office, grabbing your hand to guide you, and surprisingly, he doesn’t let it go until you reach your destination.

The arcade was brightly lit and buzzing with energy, packed with kids and teens shouting excitedly over games. As you stepped inside, you couldn’t help but laugh. “Wonbin, we’re the only adults here.”

“So?” he said, unfazed, already scanning the room for a claw machine. “We’re twenty-something. That’s basically still kids, right?”

You shook your head, the stress of the day momentarily lifting. “Debatable.”

But it didn’t take long for you to get swept up in the fun. The two of you battled it out at a racing game, shot hoops side by side, and groaned dramatically when the claw machine refused to let go of the stuffed animal Wonbin had been trying to win for you.

By the time you were done, your cheeks hurt from smiling and your bad mood was a distant memory. Wonbin had even won you a cute plush from a claw machine, and when you’d tried to pay him back for the cost of how many tries it took him to win, he brushes you off, claiming it’s a way for him to thank you for helping him when he was still a new employee.

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

You can’t help but feel a touch of sadness at the ending of your little outing, selfishly wanting to spend more time with Wonbin, even though you knew you could use some rest too, probably more than he could.

The two of you walk side by side to the bus stop, occasionally exchanging hushed words, but mainly enjoying the quiet of the city at night.

The bus stop was quiet, the streetlights casting soft swaths of light over the sidewalk. You stood side by side, the energy of the arcade still lingering in the air between you.

“Feeling better?” Wonbin asked, his tone more gentle, almost loving now.

“Much,” you admitted. “Thanks for dragging me out. I needed that.”

He smiled, shoving his hands into his pockets. For a moment, he seemed to hesitate, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by something more serious.

“Y/N,” he started, his voice unusually quiet.

You turned to him, tilting your head. “Yeah?”

He took a deep breath, meeting your eyes. “I like you. I mean, really like you. And I know it’s probably bad timing with everything going on, but… I want to take you out. On a real date.”

Your heart skipped a beat, warmth blooming in your chest at his words. But just as quickly, reality set in.

“Wonbin,” you said softly, your voice tinged with regret. “You know how strict the company is about coworkers dating. I can’t… I don’t want to risk either of our jobs.”

His face fell slightly, but he nodded, his understanding clear. “Yeah, I figured you’d say that. I just… I wanted you to know how I feel.”

You offered a small, sad smile. “I’m really glad you told me. And if things were different…”

He smiled faintly, his usual brightness dimmed but still there. “It’s okay. I get it.”

The bus arrived, and you both climbed on, sitting in your usual seats together. The ride was quiet but comfortable, his confession lingering in the air between you.

Though you hadn’t said it out loud, you couldn’t shake the realization that you liked him too. And now, you weren’t sure how to handle the growing feelings that had been set in motion.

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

The past few weeks had been a blur. Work piled higher than ever, and the looming deadline for the big project had consumed almost every waking moment. You’d barely had time to think, let alone spend any quality time with Wonbin. Your evenings were spent in exhaustion, collapsing into bed before you could even reply to his last message.

Despite the distance, he never complained. He still texted you every day—little updates about his life, random memes, or just simple “Don’t forget to eat!” reminders. You tried to keep up, but it wasn’t the same as seeing him in person.

You missed him. And it seemed like he missed you too.

The stress at work finally hit a breaking point one late night as you stared at your computer screen, the relentless grind taking its toll. With a deep breath, you decided enough was enough. On a whim, you updated your resume and applied to a few jobs, not really expecting much.

But to your surprise, an offer came in—one that promised better hours, a higher paycheck, and the kind of work-life balance you hadn’t experienced in years. The decision wasn’t easy, but deep down, you knew it was the right one.

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

Two weeks later, your resignation letter had been submitted, you were on your very last day, and your going-away party was in full swing.

The office was buzzing with energy, laughter echoing through the room as your coworkers gathered to celebrate your time at the company. For the first time in ages, you felt like you could breathe again. The weight of work stress had finally lifted, and for the first time in a long while, you felt genuinely happy.

Wonbin was there, of course, standing off to the side with his usual warm smile, watching you with an expression you couldn’t quite place.

“You look happy,” he said softly when you crossed paths during the party.

“I feel happy,” you admitted. “It’s like I can finally move on from… everything.”

His smile grew a little wistful. “It suits you.”

As the party wound down and the others began to leave, you found yourself volunteering to stay behind and clean up. Wonbin joined without hesitation, the two of you working in comfortable silence as you packed away decorations and collected stray plates and cups.

The quiet was soothing, a stark contrast to the chaos of the last few months.

“So,” you said suddenly, breaking the silence. “About that date?”

Wonbin froze mid-step, blinking at you as if he hadn’t heard correctly. “What?”

You turned to him, a small, teasing smile playing on your lips. “You said you wanted to take me out, but I don’t date coworkers, remember?”

His brows furrowed in confusion, and then realization dawned. His eyes widened. “Wait… you’re not my coworker anymore.”

“Exactly,” you said, your grin widening.

The joy on his face was instant, a brilliant smile spreading across his features as he closed the distance between you in a heartbeat. Without hesitation, he leaned down and kissed you—soft and sweet, filled with all the feelings you’d both been holding back for months.

When he pulled back, his expression was full of wonder. “You’re serious about this?”

“Very,” you said, your cheeks warm. “I thought you’d be sad to see me go though. Something about missing me too much?”

He laughed, his voice soft and full of affection. “I’ll miss you, sure. But now I can do this…” He kissed you again, slower this time, his hand gently resting on your cheek.

When he pulled away, he grinned. “So yeah, it’s a win in my book.”

You laughed, your heart lighter than it had been in months. Maybe leaving the job was the right move after all—especially if it meant stepping into something new with him.

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

AUTHOR'S NOTE 𝟅𝟈 this one was requested by my best friend so kenz if ur reading this, ur welcome pookie! i lowkey love this one, so pls make sure to leave a like and comment if u also enjoyed it.

masterlist.

[taskopadinfo]

Workload Management APP - Taskopad

Taskopad is a cutting-edge Workload Management App designed to streamline tasks and enhance productivity. With intuitive features and seamless integration, Taskopad simplifies project tracking, team collaboration, and deadline management. This Workload Management Software empowers users with customizable dashboards, priority settings, and real-time updates. Boost efficiency, meet deadlines, and achieve your goals effortlessly with Taskopad—the ultimate solution for organized and effective workload management.

[softwarereviewforall]

Top 10 Work Management Software - G2.com

Sure, here is a longer version of my last answer that avoids repetition:

Work management software is a suite of tools that helps teams organize, track, and collaborate on projects and tasks. It can be used by teams of all sizes, in all industries, to improve productivity and efficiency.

Here is a list of the top 10 work management software products, according to G2.com:

Smartsheet

monday.com

ClickUp

Asana

Quickbase

Podio

GanttPRO

Teamwork.com

Screendragon

Scoro

These software products offer a wide range of features, including:

Task management

Project management

Collaboration tools

Time tracking

Reporting and analytics

They also integrate with a variety of other business applications, such as CRM, ERP, and HR software.

Benefits of Using Work Management Software

There are many benefits to using work management software, including:

Improved productivity: Work management software can help teams to be more productive by streamlining workflows, automating tasks, and providing real-time visibility into project progress.

Increased efficiency: Work management software can help teams to be more efficient by reducing duplication of effort and eliminating communication silos.

Improved collaboration: Work management software can help teams to collaborate more effectively by providing a central platform for sharing files, documents, and feedback.

Enhanced reporting and analytics: Work management software can help teams to generate reports and analytics that can be used to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and make better decisions.

How to Choose the Right Work Management Software for Your Team

When choosing a work management software product, there are a few factors to consider:

Team size: Some software products are designed for small teams, while others are designed for large teams. Choose a product that can scale with your team as it grows.

Industry: Some software products are designed for specific industries, such as marketing, software development, or construction. Choose a product that is tailored to the needs of your industry.

Features: Consider the features that are most important to your team. Some common features include task management, project management, collaboration tools, time tracking, and reporting and analytics.

Integration: Consider the other business applications that you use. Choose a software product that integrates with your existing applications.

Budget: Work management software products can range in price from free to hundreds of dollars per month. Choose a product that fits your budget.

Additional Tips for Choosing and Using Work Management Software

Here are a few additional tips for choosing and using work management software:

Get input from your team: When choosing a work management software product, get input from your team to understand their needs and preferences.

Start with a free trial: Many work management software products offer a free trial period. This is a great way to try out a product before you commit to buying it.

Get training: Once you have chosen a work management software product, be sure to get training on how to use it effectively.

Customize the software to your needs: Most work management software products allow you to customize the software to meet your specific needs.

Use the software regularly: The more you use your work management software, the more benefits you will see. Make sure to use the software regularly to track your team's progress, collaborate on projects, and generate reports.

How to Increase the Length of Your Last Answer

Here are a few tips on how to increase the length of your last answer without repeating yourself:

Provide more detail: When describing the benefits of using work management software, provide more detail about how each benefit can impact your team. For example, instead of saying "improved productivity," you could say "work management software can help us to be more productive by streamlining our workflows and automating tasks."

Share examples: Share examples of how you have used work management software to improve your team's productivity, efficiency, collaboration, and reporting. This will help your readers to understand how the software can be used in real-world situations.

Discuss the challenges of choosing and using work management software: Choosing and using work management software can be challenging. Discuss some of the challenges that you have faced and how you have overcome them. This will help your readers to learn from your experience.

Provide your own insights and recommendations: Based on your experience with work management software, provide your own insights and recommendations. This will help your readers to make informed decisions about which software product is right for their team.

[political-us]

The U.S. energy consumption is expected to rise with the increasing adoption of AI, electric vehicles (EVs), and cryptocurrency mining, but the exact amount depends on multiple factors like efficiency improvements, grid expansion, and renewable energy adoption. Here’s a breakdown of how these technologies could impact energy demand:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Data Centers

• AI requires massive computing power, increasing electricity demand from data centers.

• In 2022, U.S. data centers consumed about 2.5% of total electricity (~200 terawatt-hours, TWh).

• AI workloads could double or triple data center energy use by 2030, potentially increasing U.S. electricity demand by 5%–10%.

• Efficiency Gains: AI hardware and software improvements may offset some of this demand.

2. Electric Vehicles (EVs)

• The transition to EVs will increase electricity demand but reduce oil consumption.

• If EV adoption reaches 50% of new car sales by 2030, transportation electricity demand could rise by 10%–15%.

• Smart Charging & Grid Management: If managed well, EVs could charge during off-peak hours to reduce strain on the grid.

3. Cryptocurrency Mining

• Crypto mining is highly energy-intensive. In 2023, Bitcoin mining alone consumed about 120 TWh globally, with the U.S. accounting for ~40% of that (~48 TWh).

• If crypto adoption and mining expand further, electricity demand could rise by 2%–5%.

• Renewables & Efficiency: Some mining operations are integrating solar/wind energy to reduce grid impact.

Overall Impact on U.S. Energy Use

• The U.S. currently consumes about 100 quadrillion BTUs (~4,000 TWh) annually.

• By 2035, AI, EVs, and crypto could increase electricity demand by 15%–25%, depending on adoption rates and efficiency improvements.

• The shift to renewables and nuclear will be critical in meeting this demand without increasing carbon emissions.

[itscoucouharry]

Rewritten Scars Chapter 4

Prepare for sweet sweet Harry. This part turned out better than I thought it would. As always enjoy!:)

My Masterlist

Chapter 4: The Shift

Y/N’s POV

The next few weeks at Styles Enterprises were a whirlwind. Between adjusting to your new role and navigating the awkward tension of working in the same building as Harry Styles, you barely had time to catch your breath. To your surprise, he seemed to be taking your words seriously. There were no smug comments, no unnecessary run-ins. He gave you space, and you appreciated it.

But then little things started happening.

It began on a Tuesday morning when you arrived at your desk to find a mug waiting for you—a sleek black ceramic mug, steam curling from the top, carrying the unmistakable scent of your favorite coffee: caramel macchiato with a hint of hazelnut.

You froze, staring at the mug like it might explode. A sticky note was stuck to the side, the handwriting annoyingly neat.

“Thought you might need this. — H”

You looked around the office, half-expecting him to pop out from somewhere and smirk at you, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Still, you couldn’t help but take a sip. It was perfect—just the way you liked it.

Harry’s POV

Harry watched from the corner of the office, pretending to review some reports while keeping an eye on you. He couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips when you lifted the mug, sniffed it suspiciously, and finally took a sip. He’d spent a ridiculous amount of time scrolling through your Instagram the night before, hoping to find some clue about your coffee order. He’d hit gold when he stumbled across an old photo captioned, “Starting the day right: caramel + hazelnut = heaven.”

He knew it was a small gesture, but it was a start.

Y/N’s POV

You didn’t look in his direction, but he saw the slight softening in your expression as you set the mug down. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to give him a glimmer of hope.

Over the next few days, more changes became noticeable. Harry made sure your workload was manageable, subtly redirecting overly demanding projects to other team members without making a big deal of it. He arranged for your team to get new ergonomic chairs after overhearing you mention a sore back. He even went out of his way to greet you every morning with a simple, “Good morning, Y/N,” his tone sincere and devoid of any arrogance.

At first, you couldn’t help but be suspicious. Was this some elaborate ploy to win you over? But the more you observed, the harder it was to deny that his efforts felt… genuine.

Harry’s POV

Every night, Harry replayed your words from the confrontation in his office. He knew he couldn’t erase the pain he’d caused, but he was determined to show you that he’d changed. That he wasn’t the same cruel boy who’d tormented you.

He made a point of asking your team for feedback—not in a way that singled you out, but just enough to gauge how things were going for you. He listened when they mentioned your frustrations, like the outdated software slowing down your work, and immediately approved a system upgrade.

It wasn’t about buying your forgiveness. It was about creating an environment where you didn’t have to feel the way he’d made you feel all those years ago.

Y/N’s POV

You noticed the changes but refused to acknowledge them directly. You didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of thinking he’d won you over. But the morning you walked into the office and found a sleek new laptop on your desk with another note—“For when the old one acts up again. Hope this helps.- H”—you felt a pang of something you couldn’t quite place.

Reluctantly, you began to wonder: Could people really change?

Harry’s POV

He didn’t expect a thank-you for the coffee, the laptop, or the chairs. Hell, he didn’t even expect you to speak to him outside of work matters. But that didn’t stop him from trying. Every little gesture, every effort to make your experience at Styles Enterprises a good one, was a step toward redemption in his eyes.

One evening, long after most of the office had cleared out, Harry sat at his desk, scrolling through a list of potential wellness initiatives for employees. He’d heard you mention during a meeting that mental health support was often overlooked in corporate environments, and he wanted to make sure that wasn’t the case here.

He drafted an email to HR suggesting an in-house therapist be made available for employees, attaching a few articles about the benefits. His finger hovered over the “Send” button for a moment before he clicked it.

It was just one more step in a journey he wasn’t sure he’d ever complete. But for the first time in his life, he didn’t mind the work.

Y/N’s POV

That Friday, you found yourself working late again, your office nearly empty as the city lights twinkled through the windows. Your new laptop hummed softly as you wrapped up an overdue report. You stretched your arms over your head, groaning quietly at the ache in your back.

“Burning the midnight oil?”

You jumped, startled by the voice. Turning, you saw Harry leaning casually against the doorway, holding two steaming paper cups.

“What are you doing here?” you asked, more sharply than you intended.

He raised the cups in his hands. “Thought you might need a pick-me-up.” He approached slowly, placing one on your desk. “Decaf caramel macchiato—extra hazelnut. Don’t worry, I checked this time. No surprises.”

Your stomach twisted—not with anger, but something far more dangerous. “You’re really going all in on this nice-guy act, huh?”

“It’s not an act,” he said quietly, pulling a chair from the empty desk beside you and sitting down. His green eyes locked onto yours, soft and unguarded. “I know I have a lot to make up for. But I want to.”

You rolled your eyes, though the heat creeping into your face betrayed you. “I’m starting to think you’re trying to bribe me with coffee.”

“Is it working?” he asked, his lips curling into a faint, boyish smile.

You couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped. “Maybe a little.”

He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. “I mean it, Y/N. I’m not doing this because I want you to forgive me overnight. I’m doing it because… I care. I’ve hurt you enough. The least I can do is try to make your life a little better now.”

The sincerity in his voice made your chest tighten. “You don’t owe me anything, Harry. I don’t need you to—”

“I do owe you,” he interrupted, his voice firm but gentle. “I owe you an apology for every word I ever said that made you doubt yourself. For every time I made you feel small. And I owe you a hell of a lot more than coffee and a new laptop to make up for it.”

The vulnerability in his words left you speechless. For the first time, you allowed yourself to see the man he’d become instead of the boy he used to be. And, God help you, that man was making it hard to stay angry.

“Harry…” you started, your voice faltering.

“What?” he asked softly, leaning in just enough that you could smell the faint hint of cedarwood cologne on him.

Your heart raced as you searched for something to say, but nothing came. Instead, you felt yourself drawn to the warmth in his gaze, the way his lips quirked up like he could read your mind and was waiting for you to catch up.

“Why are you being so sweet?” you whispered finally.

His smile widened, but it wasn’t smug—it was soft, disarming. “Because I want to be. Because I’ve spent too much time being an idiot, and I’m done with that. And because…” He hesitated, his eyes flicking to your lips for just a second before returning to your face. “Because you deserve it.”

The air between you shifted, charged with something electric. You hated how fast your pulse was racing, how the flutter in your stomach betrayed every ounce of resolve you’d built up.

“You’re trouble,” you muttered, shaking your head.

“Only the good kind,” he countered, his voice low.

And for the first time in years, you didn’t feel the weight of anger or resentment when you looked at him. Instead, you felt your heart start to crack open, just a little.

“Maybe,” you said softly, a small smile tugging at your lips. “But don’t push your luck.”

He grinned, leaning back slightly but keeping his gaze locked on yours. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

But the way his eyes lingered on you, warm and hopeful, told you this was far from over. And for once, you weren’t sure you wanted it to be.

[ui-alcoholic]

Enterprise 64/128 (1985) (formerly ELAN 64/128)

After the 1982 introduction of the ZX Spectrum, Hong Kong trading company Locumals commissioned Intelligent Software to develop a home computer in the UK. During development, the machine had the codename DPC. The machine was also known by the names Samurai, Oscar, Elan, and Flan before the Enterprise name was finally chosen. The succession of name changes was mainly due to the discovery of other machines and companies with the chosen name.

The Enterprise has a 4 MHz Z80 CPU, 64 KB or 128 KB of RAM, and 32 KB of internal read-only memory that contains the EXOS operating system and a word processor. The BASIC programming language was supplied on a 16 KB ROM cartridge, it had to be inserted into the left side of the machine. Cartridges containing other programming languages ​​(Forth, Lisp, Pascal) were also produced. In this way, games or user programs could be stored on the cartridges. The maximum supported ROM size of the cartridges was 64Kb.

Two application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips take some of the workload off of the central processor. They are named 'NICK' and 'DAVE' after their designers, Nick Toop, who had previously worked on the Acorn Atom, and Dave Woodfield. 'NICK' manages graphics, while 'DAVE' handles sound and memory paging. The Z80, like all 8-bit CPUs, could only address 64 KB of memory, so "bank switching" was required to access more memory. The Enterprise's memory can be expanded to 4 MB without any tricks (and this is a 'plain' 8-bit machine like the ZX-Spectrum or Commodore 64)

Enterprise was announced to the press in September 1983, and some 80,000 machines were pre-ordered by the time of its April 1984 sales launch. The product did not ship until 1985, by which point the UK home computer market was already dominated by the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, and Acorn BBC Micro with the 16-bit era on the horizon (Commodore Amiga, Atarti ST, etc)

After the initial manufacturing run of 80,000 units, it is believed that no further units were made, so the Enterprise is among the rarer home computers of the 1980s.

source of images: 8bit home computer museum

more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterprise_(computer)

https://www.theregister.com/2013/10/24/elan_flan_enterprise_micro_is_30_years_old/

[sonic-femininomenon-zine]

Super excited for this zine! Just wondering, what would be the expectations of a potential moderator?

Thanks for asking!! Not sure whether you mean expectations in terms of responsibilities or in terms of the application, so I'll answer both ways.

All mods will be involved in the zine's creation as a whole, discussing themes, contributor applications, pitches, etc. There will be several different mod roles for this project, each with their own additional responsibilities:

Formatting mod: Will be responsible for managing the different sections and assembling the zine. Should have access to and proficiency in a software suitable for assembly.

Graphics mod: Will be responsible for creating templates and graphic elements for advertising, branding, and organization. This will include announcements, countdowns, mod & contributor features, and more. May be responsible for drawing characters as part of promotions, but this responsibility will be shared with other moderators and contributors depending on workload and others' interest.

Communications mod: Will be responsible for managing social media and email, including responding to questions, making promotional posts, and sending contributor emails.

Art mod: Will be responsible for managing the artist contributors, including overseeing check-ins, ensuring art is in line with the zine's theme, and providing feedback when needed.

Writing mod: Will be responsible for managing the writing contributors, including overseeing check-ins, ensuring writing is in line with the zine's theme, and providing feedback when needed.

General mods: Will be responsible for answering questions, keeping track of contributors, and enforcing server and zine rules.

Note that all mods will be able to contribute their own work to the zine as well! Being a mod doesn't exclude you from being a contributor; just be aware of the workload you take on and what you'll be able to manage.

As for applications, each role will require different types and levels previous experience according to the role's responsibility. Previous experience modding zines is ideal, but not required. (I myself am brand new to this; I've participated in zines, but not as a mod!) We'd also like to have mods across a variety of time zones, especially for general mods.

Hope this answered your question! Let me know if anything needs clarifying or elaboration.

[budgetslow]

PART 1: Recruitment (END)

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

Who would have thought that Enkai freelancing would grant them... additional skills other than being a software engineer?

Being an information broker. Then working briefly under █████████ [This text has been omitted from this document.] that required a tactician.

It wasn't bad, working under them. The workload was manageable. Nobody asked questions, which was very good. They didn't think they could come up with an excuse about their nonfunctional eye, anyway.

It was during their time being a tactician that they realized that something was changing within them. Their mouth constantly felt dry, they stared at their colleagues more, and they had to eat more to compensate for their increased hunger.

Hunger. Wait... what? Hunger?

They called in sick the next day.

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

In front of their bathroom mirror, they covered their mouth with their hand. What was happening? Just a few months ago, they felt fine. Normal. Nothing was wrong with them.

They looked at the person staring back at them through the mirror.

What in the world were those floating around them?

They looked up. Horns. And wisps.

Their hands trembled as they stared. Petrified, they slowly took a step back.

Then another, then another. Until they hit the wall behind them. They slid down, landing on the floor.

Hundreds of questions ran through their mind. How were they supposed to answer them all? Even with their apparent 'intelligence', there were questions that they didn't have the answers to, such as...

What were they, anymore?

Confusion turned into self-doubt. That self-doubt turned into anger. And anger... led to them stomping out the bathroom. They slammed the door behind them.

They didn't even notice they twisted the doorknob so hard that they broke it.

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

And... another letter sent, only days later. They sighed as they slumped in their chair.

What was with life ruining them? Just as they were about to do well, somehow, something always went wrong. Was it them at this point? They weren't sure.

Why? For once, they couldn't comfort themselves with an excuse. Now, they were back to square one.

What a pain.

What were they supposed to do now?

Well, they could always go back to freelancing. That was their first backup plan, anyway. Alone it was, again-

Ping. Notification on their laptop. Their head immediately turned to the screen, and what they saw was... very interesting.

A strange symbol. But different from the one they had gotten before when they were first freelancing.

'We see potential in you. Do you wish to join us? Respond accordingly.'

Somehow, they knew this wasn't spam. It was too ominous, too.. organized to be any of the messages they got every day. The layout was perfect.

At this point, what was there left to lose?

They began typing up a reply right away.

Little did they know that they would be roped into the organization that was the VALORANT Protocol.

And with that, within a few weeks, they would be known as 'Stratus', a Controller for the team.

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

The following weeks and months after, fellow agents around them would talk to them, and they, being as respectful as ever, responded with a gentle smile. Even to those who seemed untrustworthy, or scary. They'd always approach them, and they'd eventually let their guard down, sometimes telling them their greatest nightmares.

And in turn, they'd give them closure. Guidance, if they needed it. Nothing more than what they asked.

Like a cloudy day, pleasant for those who wished to stay.

And yet, none could feel the tension towards the 3rd agent of the Protocol. However slight it was, it was still there.

Just like the scar below their nonfunctional eye. A prime showing of what they have gone through.

Despite knowing this, they hesitated.

They saw themselves within him. Whatever he's turned into, they knew that despite his appearance, he was still human. Still capable to feel, still capable to empathize.

That made them relax whatever lingering anger they had towards him. For now.

They wondered if the agents knew what they knew. But they'd rather not speak about it.

Some things were better left unsaid.

[The document officially ends here.]