how do i stop my internalized homophobia?

Ngl anon, it's less stopping it and more talking over it. If you were raised in a strict, homophobic environment, that little voice is still going to be there cause it was a part of your development. So you shout over it instead with new data

"Being gay is a sin" okay I hear you but my friends are gay and I can't really see them as sinful people

"You're broken/wrong/living in sin" okay speak your truth bestie but I'm happier living my life authentically so I'm okay being wrong for now

"You're going to Hell" cool cool but what about now? Am I happy right now? Am I living this life in a way that benefits me now? I'm focusing on this life, not a potential afterlife

I'm very STEM-oriented so my therapist and I refer to it as "Plotting new data points" You kinda just have to listen to the internalized homophobia, say okay okay I hear you but have you considered this new data point that suggest a positive correlation between being openly LGBTQ and my own happiness? Yea I know this was regarded as a sin before but statistically speaking the chances of it actually being sin are insignificant. Yea it doesn't even have a 95% confidence interval. Loving who I am seems to have a positive outcome though but I'll need more positive queer experiences to be certain

I Despise You Darling

I despise everything about you. Your endless void eyes, freakishly long legs, ever smug smile, deceptively soft touch, strangely floral scent. All of it. You attack each of my senses every time you come near me. To think that we were once best friends, I had more faith in you than anyone, whenever I needed advice or a shoulder to cry on, I went to you first. You meant the world to me; it makes me feel sick whenever I remember how the girl I loved was a lie 

You betrayed me, your best friend, in the name of a grotesque experiment where I’m the lab rat. There’s no doubt that you started the fire that continues to burn my life, but I can’t deny that I’ve enjoyed pouring the gasoline. At first, I did my best to avoid becoming obsessed with you, constantly holding myself back knowing it was wrong, but you made it impossible. Your mind is a carefully curated garden brimming with all sorts of life. As each day went by, I wanted to pick another flower from it, feel another blade of grass, and bask in its intrigue. 

I learned so much about you through observation, that I never could as your friend. Last year when I found out that you’d been stalking me, I had no idea why you’d do such a thing, now I understand. If watching me gave you a quarter of the feelings I get from watching you, then I’d almost forgive your actions. Gazing at your life through an analytical lens elicits feelings in me I didn’t know existed. It’s almost impossible to describe the manic rush of joy and power I get. 

Although, I think we enjoy it in different ways based on how we view each other. To you I’m your favorite seed in your garden, you want to watch me grow into your ideal tree. So, you take what you know about how I function, and combine it with your understanding of the world to make a compost for me. As brutal as the water you drown me in and the harsh sun you scorch me with is, it’s all part of your method to make me grow. I am a creation you live to see reach its full potential.  

To me, you’re the opposite, a malicious computer program that I enjoy watching destroy itself. You have never felt an ounce of empathy and have always needed to control any device you encounter. Once you find a target, you infect them with your virus, mining every piece of their data, and adding them to your collection of stolen lives. You successfully did it to me, but unlike the others, you kept going. Focusing on my activity far after you were done stealing from me, constantly coming back to see how I’d adapt to a new trojan horse you threw.  

Soon, I became the only user you engaged with, no other piece of tech mattered unless it was connected to me, and God, did seeing you like that feed my ego. A smile forces its way to my face at your meticulous plans growing in detail and intensity as you can’t focus on anything else. I, a random individual with nothing but a hint of illness to him, is who you put all your resources into. I’m unable to fear you anymore, while I gaze at you practically living for me. In your efforts to crumble and rebuild my life. You’ve made yourself incapable of having your own.  

Both of us have embraced the worst aspects of ourselves through the sick experiments we’ve been running on each other. You may be the greater evil between us, but I’m no longer afraid to admit that I’ve become a devil myself. I mean, I lured you into an abandoned warehouse, called upon one of my allies to help me fight you, and then shot you ceaselessly, making sure it was in areas that would maim, but not kill you. Now why would I do that? To make you paralyzed, of course. I was incredibly particular about where I aimed.  

You’ll be unable to move your limbs for at least four months, which invigorates me. I’ve been watching you and your caretaker. It’s great seeing both your arms and legs in casts. You had already been losing your strength to your fixation on me, but now you’ll be incapable of running away. If you find yourself fearing me right now, know that whatever happens next is your fault. I’m not the Anti-Christ, so I’ll simply enjoy observing your lack of mobility, with no further harm, but prepare yourself because the moment you can walk, I’ll be waiting.  

Unless I’m lying like you always lied to me, and I’ll strike once one of your limbs heal. Maybe I’ll be tracking you even more and will be able to tell if you’re pretending that you haven’t healed so I don’t hurt you sooner. Maybe I won’t even wait for when your body starts recovering, and you’ll wake up to me standing over your bed with my hands on your neck. I know how much you like analyzing and picking out patterns with me, so I’ll make sure you never know what to expect. I could be bluffing, and this is all to scare you off, so I’ll be done with you, you’ll never know. 

Are you starting to regret choosing me for this? Does the thought that you’ve grown a deadly poison plant out of your control kill you? Or are you loving this as much as I am, and you want to rub yourself all over me to get a blistering rash? I think it’s a mix of both for you, but who am I to say, it’s not like I’ve been watching your every move, right? No matter what you feel, just remember, I despise you, darling. 

Hamilton Loses Australia F1 Engine As Mercedes Uncovers Cause of Failure

Lewis Hamilton has lost the power unit that failed in Formula 1's Australian Grand Prix, Motorsport.com has learned, with Mercedes having got to the bottom of what went wrong.

The seven-time world champion retired in the early stages of the race at Albert Park after his Mercedes engine shut down following sensors detecting an unspecified problem. The power unit was flown back to Mercedes' engine facility at Brixworth for post-race analysis to get an understanding of what happened, with no obvious explanation available immediately and the team unclear about whether or not it could be used again. But, ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Mercedes discovered that the issue was a terminal one, which means the engine cannot be brought back into the allocation pool that Hamilton has available Mercedes concluded that the retirement was caused by a bottom end failure, which has been traced back to a quality process issue rather than any specific design problem. The loss of one of the four engines Hamilton has for the season at such an early stage makes it likely that he will need to take an extra power unit, and therefore a grid drop, at some point later in the campaign. It appears that the bottom end failure was a one-off, with analysis of the other engines within the current pool for Hamilton and George Russell showing no concerns of there being the risk of a repeat. Hamilton's retirement from the Australian GP has heaped further misery on a troubled start to the season for Mercedes, which has not delivered the step forward hoped for from its 2024 car. The new W15 has shown a particular weakness in high-speed corners, and the team is trying to improve its tire temperature management to better extract more performance from the car. Despite the troubled first few races, Hamilton remained optimistic about the capabilities Mercedes had to turn things around. "I think it's all about perspective," he said. "I think for us, of course, we've not started the season where we wanted to be, but we've got a long way to go. You've seen in the past-last year, for example-just how things can switch in certain teams, looking like Aston, McLaren last year, who started on the back foot. Anything can happen in the sport. I think we've just got to learn as much as we can, take as much as we can from the data, remain positive, continue to work hard, and I would say it's not how you fall, it's how you get up. We're just going to continue to chase and fight, and hopefully we can be fighting at the front at some stage."

What up, Starry—You already know who it is! B)

Sorry about Tumblr being a buggy mess and crashing halfway through! I’ve experienced the frustration of losing writing due to crashes and it always sucks. But thank you for continuing to answer these questions and satiate my curiosity! Learning more about Missing Numbers is like reading a book that just keeps getting better and better and better with every new chapter. Also: don’t worry about the delays or how long responding takes! You come first and foremost. Your health/work/school/whatever it is ya got going on in your personal life, is infinitely more important than me getting an answer to a question. So please, take your time, as much as you need—I will wait.

(Also, young Red being just as much of a little shit as Blue was is surprisingly wholesome and I love that. And after seeing their heights I realized I’m the same height as Blue! That detail is not important in the slightest, I just thought it was funny.)

Anywho, let’s get into the meat and potatoes, shall we?

First things first: Y’all mentioned biology mechanics and the nature of Glitches? 👀 Well, guess what? I love that kinda stuff! My curiosity is piqued—please explain.

Second question though: What is Leaf’s Duty? What does she do and how do her powers(?) work? Are her abilities like how the move Imprison was in Fallen Leaf?

And third: What’s the relationship/dynamic between Leaf and Red? That comic y’all posted has me wondering what Leaf is warning others about.

That’s all for now though! Please take care of yourself. Have a good day/afternoon/night!

Ahh, thank you so much for your patience! its really appreciated,, im glad youve still been enjoying things- your comments (and your FANART OH MY GOD??) have still been giving us LIFE i truly cannot thank you enough!

Red and Blue’s childhood friendship and rivalry has always been something we’ve wanted to come off as just plain silly and enjoyable- I’m glad we’ve been succeeding in that, hehe. And Blue was actually originally going to be shorter (our height, actually), we just added a few inches to be nicer to him lol

Per usual now, we’ll keep the big stuff under the cut! It’s another long one: Consider this Leaf Lore Part Two.

For the Glitch stuff, we’ve been thinking and might make a BIG formal post going over all of Professor Maple’s speculation and studies, to make it a good access point for the worldbuilding of Missing Numbers. I can’t promise it’ll come soon, but! As a starting point, I do have a pre-written thing with information on different classifications of Glitch that should clear up a good bit to start with. 

Unless we get any sudden further realizations, every Glitch, Corruption, and Anomaly in Missing Numbers (and arguably in Pokemon as a whole) can fall under these five classifications.

Leaf’s duty is the main aspect of what we failed to touch on in your previous question. So, I’ll finish that part of the story. :) 

To answer your questions, we first have to establish how she got her powers. When Leaf died, she did not get to rest peacefully. Most who die in this world don’t. The afterlife for the fallen and forgotten is not pretty. It is not merciful. There is no heaven for the ones who do not matter to God. 

The Distortion exists in layers. At it’s lowest, the farthest from contact with the main reality, is a void of unused, scrapped, and null data. A graveyard, or worse yet, a dump where things that can no longer exist in the surface world go to rot. Unused data. Scrapped NPCs. Removed characters, Pokemon, items. 

Assets of old games that never carried over.

Leaf's soul was discarded here when she was erased from existence at the end of Abandoned Loneliness. Left to rot with the unborn Ghosts that had haunted them both with the intent to drag someone of significance down with them. Hoping they too might escape. That they might receive mercy through her. 

Unfortunately, Leaf was the unloved child. So instead she fell to their ranks, swallowed up by the abyss that was their resting place- thrust as far from reality, from her home, from her friends, from her purpose as feasibly possible. Still conscious. Still aware. Still suffering.

… Leaf was not one to accept things lying down. Leaf was a fighter. She hated injustice, unfairness. She wouldn’t stand for this. She wouldn’t lie down and give up. No matter how suffocating the darkness was. No matter how the bloodied hands tried to drag her further down. No matter how the chaos and corruption tried to break and dismantle her. 

No. Matter. What.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. And if there was one thing that defined Leaf even more than her bleeding heart, it was that her will was unbreakable.

So she climbed. Climbing over the damned- the forgotten- the spiteful- the vengeful- everything trying to hurt her and pull her down. Focused solely on escaping, on going up. Until things began to become more tangible. Until she could see more than black and red. Until there was light, and color. Until data became form- albeit still broken, chaotic. Numbers. Misplaced bricks. Impossible plants. Incomprehensible collision. 

Glitch City.

She broke through the floor of the second lowest layer of the Distortion, and though the surface’s light was still so far… She’d found solid footing. 

And here, though it may have been quieter… She wasn’t so alone.

The City had the odd few inhabitants. But the first that she met was a strangely familiar boy, a teenager that reminded her of someone she knew, but wrong. With a cocky, lopsided grin, unruly black hair, and bright red eyes. 

Someone who wanted out just as badly as she did.

Leaf and Red never knew each other outside of Glitch City. But during their time trapped there together as children, they were friends. Leaf wasn’t the first person Red befriended there… 

But she was significant. They were allies with a shared goal, after all, and if one of them could find a way out, they could get out together! They worked in tandem to find hope, grasp at an escape. Everything they could, as a possibility. They were friends, after all. Right?

Right?

… Leaf didn’t wholly trust Red. It wasn’t personal, but there were things that were risky. She could see the instability of corruption plaguing him, and she wanted to ensure her loved ones’ safety more than she wanted to escape. The greater picture was something that she could wrap her head around, even if it was hard to grasp.

Red was not the same. Laser focused on his goal and uncaring of the consequences, it was a factor that, over time, divided them more and more as Leaf realized the severity of Red’s condition, and began to think…

Maybe he was here for a reason. … Still, she tried to turn a blind eye. Let herself hope things weren’t that bad. 

The growing obviousness for his resentment towards Fire, though Red tried to hide it, didn’t help- her distrust towards him only grew, further clouded by her personal fears and dedication to protecting her loved ones.

And one day, while discussing a possible window for escape… She let a thought she’d been hiding slip. The final nail in the coffin.

Afraid for her brother’s life, and angry seeing how Red reveled in the idea of hurting him, she left him behind and didn’t look back.

From there, we aren’t sure of the exact details of how she escaped. But we know she had help on the surface- from someone a little too curious about the nature of the Anomalous, who was all too eager to free a willing entity. Professor Ace Maple (specializing in “anomalies”, and original to the Missing Numbers story!) helped free her soul. 

Of course, releasing a long-buried corrupted entity wouldn’t go unnoticed by the higher power that had put her there. But… It saw how careful she was. How she was now completely wary of all glitches. How she’d come to understand the dangers they posed to the world and the people in it.

So, the Almighty came to her in a Golden light. Extending an offer to her.

YOU CANNOT BE PERMITTED TO EXIST IN THIS WORLD AS YOU ARE.

THERE IS A REASON YOUR KIND WERE BURIED.

THIS WORLD IS ENDANGERED EVERY TIME CORRUPTION ESCAPES.

I MUST PRESERVE THE ORDER OF THIS REALITY.

BUT YOU, HEROINE, HAVE PROVEN TO BE SPECIAL.

I AM WILLING TO MAKE A COMPROMISE FOR YOU ALONE.

YOU KNOW THINGS I CANNOT PERMIT ANYONE TO KNOW.

YOU’VE SEEN THINGS I CANNOT PERMIT ANYONE TO SEE.

I CAN ALLOW YOU TO KEEP THESE MEMORIES, AND YOUR PRESENCE HERE, ON SIMPLE TERMS.

DO NOT SPEAK OF IT TO ANOTHER SOUL…

AND PUT THIS KNOWLEDGE TO USE.

YOUR SHACKLES WILL BE YOUR WEAPON. KNOWLEDGE. POWER. 

PROTECT MY WORLD. CLEANSE THE CORRUPTION. HOLD THEM BELOW.

YOU ALONE WILL SEE EVERYTHING, FOR YOU ALONE SHALL BE THE WARDEN.

BUT DO NOT FORGET WHERE YOU CAME FROM.

DO NOT FORSAKE ME.

… Of course she accepted the bargain. It was all beneficial in her eyes. Her complete freedom, and the ability to protect those she loved most in ways she never could have before. What happened in their childhood would never happen again now.

Thus, Leaf was blessed with her body yet again. Rightfully hers, and aged to grow with her. Though she’d never again be a Vessel, that was okay. She was something far greater now. 

The chains could Imprison any code they touched, and they were completely under her control. With these, she could fight and restrain any anomalies necessary. She was also given the one-of-a-kind ability to freely move between the Main world, and the Distortion… To ensure that no activity occurred in either that could allow the escape of something catastrophic.

Of course, things weren’t perfect. The world and the people in it had changed since she’d been gone. It had been years. People would be different.

Blue, for one. It was hard to face him again. Tensions never stopped being high between them. They both remembered, after all.

She mostly just cared about her brother, now. It took her a bit to find him, idle at the top of Mount Silver. 

It was heartbreaking to see the emptiness in his eyes. Him barely acknowledging her. The realization that he’d never… He’d never looked for her. Never tried to free her. 

Never even mourned. 

She still loved him. She always would. He was her family. He was the only one who’d been anything like her.

It was okay that he got everything she had. It was okay that he’d completely replaced her. It was okay that he now had everything she ever wanted. It was okay that he wasn’t the one who looked for, found, freed her, instead of a complete stranger. It was okay that when he spoke it was soulless and objective and only reminding her of her duties. it was okay. it was okay. 

It was okay that he didn’t care. 

It was okay that he was living the life she should’ve wanted DESERVED that he was destined to.

It was okay that she had to protect him. It was part of her duty, after all.

She wasn’t bitter. She wasn’t mad. She loved him.

… And then there was Red- “Glitchy,” as she now called him, unwilling to give him the name that belonged to her brother. He never did give up on her. He was PISSED, mind you, that somehow she had escaped and left him and the others stuck down there behind- but he still refused to back down.

They were enemies now, though. As he grew more restless- and more powerful, much to Leaf’s horror- his imprisonment became a direct responsibility of hers. And as Professor Maple grew more curious about glitches, unknowingly bringing him closer and closer to true freedom, even though she felt indebted to them, she had to resist their studies. Warn them of everything- especially him.

“I thought you hated injustice. Don’t you think this is unfair?”

Still, she had to face him often. And even in his madness, and even in chains, Red could speak so… Persuasively. 

“If you could escape, why shouldn’t I? You have the ability to free me.”

“And I know you’re hiding me from the others. Don’t they deserve to know?”

“You knew as a KID that Blue was looking for me. Doesn’t HE deserve it?”

“I think you know this isn’t the right thing to do.”

“You’re making a mistake.”

“But it’s okay. I’m not mad. I can be patient.”

“I’m sure you’ll come around.”

“After all, you’re just like me and you know it.”

I gave winged nosk lore in cogr Main Antagonist in SOGR : agent donning of the Princess Hornet/ shorten to nosket

Ever since Den Elder didn’t participate, hunter donning of Crawlid was sent by the superiors to learn about more the weavers. Hunter donning of crawlid went to spy on herrah and looked upon her memories, she was supposed to just spy on the weavers, but she learnt more about herrah, hornet, and the weakness of the devouts.

Thanks to nosket it made easier for nosks to hunt stalking devouts.

However an infected weaver attacked nosket and not knowing how to fight in weaver form she immediately shapeshift back into her own nosk form, caught in the act, the weavers were terrified and especially after the big accident with den elder and if that wasn’t enough she was also spotted by herrah and her guards and of course herrah was furious that she was deceived and  the devouts were really pissed at the fact that they were giving information to a nosk.

So herrah and her guards immediately started hunting down nosket. Nosket was very in fact terrified and was outnumbered. They were fast but luckily for nosket. So she ran She was faster thanks to her more agile body. Her cloak of her mask was torn by the thrust of herrah’s needle but luckily for her she missed and headed back to the nosk den. While she was trying to go back to the nosk den. She heard about gossip about the infection happening in deepnest. But didn’t have the time to gather data because she was being hunted down.

Herrah didn’t even try to dare follow her knowing that from what that leads is a pit full of even more monstrous beasts. When she arrived to the nosk den she started telling all on what she knew on her experience in the weavers den and very helpful tips and information that it made easy to hunt. And the superiors were very pleased that there is someone  that actually gave on what the den needed to hear. And also nosket warned them about the strange orange substance that is affecting most bugs and what they call it the infection and didn’t have any time to gather data because herrah and her devouts caught her in the act.

the news spread rapid like wild fire in the den about the infection

nosket also made a deal to the superiors that if they granted her freedom and protection. She would continue to share more information.

MALEDICTION CHAPTER she sent back again to learn more about the infection and to find any cure or prevention about it….however it didn’t turn out very well for the den and knowing this is where the chaos begins……

So, after the nosk sighting, herrah and her guards are way more active and cautious than before and the place was heavy guarded. One of the devouts immediately spotted nosket despite her being in disguise and they started chasing her again. So nosket ran once again in panic and tries to hide. After losing sight of herrah’s guards. She went out of her hiding spot and continued with her research.

From what she knew from the infection is that it is like a parasite that eats your brain until you become nothing but a mindless morsel. She kept observing on how the infection works and suddenly she witnessed one of herrah’s guards got infected. As she watched him slowly gets consumed by the infection. The devout attacked nosket.

But this time nosket was too slow to react but she managed to escape once again…. But however she got an wound from the accident and it got infected…from that accident. She started seeing a fake illusion of the den and realized that it is all pointless that nosks just hunt, lure, mate, and kill and the endless pointless cycle of madness continues .She saw mysterious white figure who told her that its pointless that why should you have your own mind and that sapience is the root of all evil and must be destroyed. The infection was the ultimate chain of paradise and it unites others and a hive mind is what makes a superior civilization

Driven mad with madness and power, nosket’s new mission is now to infect the entire den

nosket is the one who kept sabotages the doors of the den and makes it harder for the soldiers to do their job and the superiors are just angry and confused

OUUG She's going crazy going stupid .... n she parallels den elder really well!! Given they were caught the exact same way, jus went down completely different paths afterwards ..... oug

And then nosket infection </3 You love to see it

Reviewing Star Trek TNG - S3E13 "Déja Q"

Look, I know the last episode was about terrorist conflict and the difficulties that can arise in trying to stop it, with neither side being entirely in the right.

But look! Q's back! The funny man! We all like the funny man, don't we?

Good. Now stop looking at his bulge.

THE PREMISE

The Enterprise arrives at Bre'el IV to prevent the planet's moon from losing orbit and colliding with the surface. Suddenly, Q appears naked on the bridge. He explains that he's being punished by the Q Continuum for spreading chaos throughout the universe, and has been stripped of his powers, except for his vast intellect. Per his request, he was given a human form and transported to the Enterprise, where he seeks asylum from Picard.

This goes about as well as you'd expect, and Picard throws him in the brig. As Q starts to come to terms with his new mortal body and its many quirks, the crew works to find a solution as the moon continues to fall from its orbit.

MY REVIEW

After so many deathly serious storylines, it's nice to have a funny episode for a change. And Q is the perfect character for the job. The falling moon is basically just an excuse to have some stakes, but it gets the job done.

The majority of the humour comes from his interactions with the rest of the crew, beginning with Worf escorting him to the brig.

Q: What must I do to convince you people?!

Worf: Die.

Q: Oh, very funny, Worf. Eat any good books lately?

Picard is obviously sceptical of Q's claims, believing the falling moon to be his doing. But Q insists that he has nothing to do with it and that he really is just a human now. He even has the experience to prove it.

Q: A couple of hours ago, I realised that my body was no longer functioning properly. I felt weak. I could no longer stand. The life was oozing out of me. I lost consciousness.

Picard: You fell asleep.

Q: Oh, terrifying.

This episode has a ton of great quotes. It's going to be hard not to include them all.

Q is at least able to convince Picard that he could help them return the moon to its orbit with his vast IQ of 2005 (for context, the highest recorded IQ is only 263). Picard still has his doubts though, and assigns Data to keep Q out of trouble.

Down in engineering, progress is slow. Q suggests that they simply change the gravitational constant of the universe, and then develops a back pain from leaning over to look at a display table. Dr Crusher comes down to help him, and the result looks less like she's straightening his back and more like she just broke out the anal beads.

However, Q's comment makes Geordi realise that they could reduce the moon's gravitational constant so they could push it. So there's that. Meanwhile, Data takes Q to Ten Forward to get something to eat for the first time in his existence.

Q's questions about normal experiences like eating really make you think about how much we take a seemingly ordinary experiences like taste for granted. Think about it: you put food in your mouth, and a ton of tiny sensors on a giant muscle in your mouth tell the brain if it's good or not. Weird.

Data explains that taste can even depend on a person's mood, and that certain foods can help people feel better.

Q: I'll have ten chocolate sundaes.

Data: I have never seen anyone eat ten chocolate sundaes.

Q: I'm in a really bad mood.

In all seriousness, Q's dynamic with Data is probably the best part of this episode. On one side, you have an immortal being whose greatest wish is to become human, and on the other you have a newly-mortal being who wants to stop being human as soon as possible.

After a very entertaining confrontation between Q and Guinan (especially after their history that was hinted at in Q Who) which results in Guinan stabbing Q's hand for proof of his humanity, the Enterprise encounters a cloud of plasma which attacks Q.

It turns out that when you piss off a ton of species for centuries with no consequences, they're going to get revenge at the first opportunity. Case in point, the cloud is revealed to be the Calamarain (count to four), a species which Q tormented in the past. He admits that his main reason for choosing the Enterprise was self-protection. Back in engineering, the Calamarain (then three more) attack again and almost pull Q through the hull, but Data saves him.

While Dr Crusher and Geordi work to fix Data, Q can't understand why Data would sacrifice himself for him. He realises that he wouldn't have done the same if the situation had been reversed.

"As I learn more and more what it is to be Human, I am more and more convinced that I would never make a good one. I don't have what it takes… without my powers I'm frightened of everything. I'm a coward… and I'm miserable. And I can't go on this way."

Knowing that the Enterprise will never be safe as long as he's on board, he takes a shuttlecraft to distract the Calamarain (you can see), with all of Picard's attempts to save him (see? he does care!) failing.

Just as it seems that Q is about to sacrifice himself to save the Enterprise, another Q (played by Corbin Bernsen) appears. Let's call him Q2 for short. I guess those clothes are just standard issue for a Q's human form.

Q2 confesses that he's been watching the whole time and even disabled the Enterprise's systems. He notes Q's act of selflessness, and Q dying right after sacrificing himself would just result in centuries of paperwork. So he gives Q his powers back and tells him to stay out of trouble, like stopping him from obliterating the Calamarain (you'll come with me).

With no sign of Q or the Calamarain, Picard assumes that they're dead.

Cue Q showing up on the bridge with a mariachi band.

"AU CONTRAIRE, MON CAPITAINE! HE IS BACK!"

This is one of my favourite GIFs ever.

Since Q is in the mood for celebration, he gives the crew a series of gifts, including giving Riker a pair of scantily-clad women.

Riker: I don't need your fantasy women.

Q: Oh, you're so stolid! You weren't like that before the beard!

It's called character development, Q. You should try it sometime.

Anyway, Q takes a hint and leaves, but not before bestowing a parting gift: a short burst of uncontrollable laughter. About ten seconds of pure, real emotion.

Geordi: Data, why are you laughing?

Data: ...I do not know. But it was a wonderful... feeling.

And of course, Q leaves with a hint that he and Picard will meet again.

Throughout the episode, Q proposes that he become a full-on member of the crew. And as much as I love him... I'm really glad they didn't go through with it. Q is at his best in occasional doses. Each of his appearances so far have given him something new and interesting to do, because one of the unwritten rules of Star Trek is that when you write a Q episode, you do that fucker right. And so far, they have.

Don't believe me? Well, this episode is the source of not one, but two meme formats!

If that won't convince you that this is a great episode, then I don't know what will!

8/10 - Truly a classic.

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Blog Post 6

Cloud Gaming Becomes the Main Event: A New Chapter in Accessibility for Video Games

Cloud gaming is starting to show promise as a leader in the ongoing evolution of the video game industry. Supporters hailed it as the next big thing in innovation, pointing to a time when players won't need to pay for bulky downloads or pricey hardware to access powerful games. Will cloud gaming, however, actually transform the way we play, or is this just marketing speak?

The possible advantages are undeniable. You can play games on the cloud without a powerful PC or console. Games are available to a larger audience because they can be streamed straight to any device with a strong internet connection. Those on a tight budget or casual gamers may find this especially appealing (Omdia, 2023). Imagine being able to play the newest AAA game on your cheap laptop—which wouldn't typically be able to handle such demanding software—or on your phone while you commute.

Cloud gaming offers the industry a chance to grow its player base and possibly boost earnings. Subscription models, akin to those of streaming services like Netflix, may offer access to enormous game libraries. However, realizing this potential requires overcoming a few major obstacles.

Internet infrastructure is cloud gaming's largest obstacle. A flawless gaming experience depends on having dependable, fast internet with minimal latency. Games can lose their immersion and enjoyment due to lag and buffering. Cloud gaming's global reach is further hampered by the fact that many regions continue to struggle with limited internet access or data caps (GamesIndustry.biz, 2023).

Cloud gaming is a technology that has unquestionable potential despite these obstacles. It has the potential to grow into a significant player in the video game industry as internet infrastructure and business models change. It remains to be seen if it takes over as the dominant force or if it gets along with traditional consoles. We'll have to wait and see if cloud gaming becomes the main event or stays on the sidelines.

References

Jijiashvili, G. (2024) Game subscriptions and Cloud Gaming Market Forecast, Omdia. Available at: https://omdia.tech.informa.com/OM012251/Cloud-Gaming-and-Subscription-Revenue-Forecast (Accessed: 01 April 2024).

Abrahams, S.N., and D. (2022) Cloud gaming is being sold as the next stage of video game innovation, but consumers will have the last word, GamesIndustry.biz. Available at: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/cloud-gaming-is-being-sold-as-the-next-stage-of-video-game-innovation-but-consumers-will-have-the-last-word-opinion (Accessed: 02 April2024).

This Free AI Image Generator Is A Game Changer - Here's Why

Creating beautiful digital art used to require expensive software and powerful computers. But with ThinkDiffusion, anyone can now generate stunning images using just a web browser.

ThinkDiffusion harnesses the power of Stable Diffusion, one of the most advanced AI image generators, to provide an easy and intuitive online platform for AI-assisted creativity. With its browser-based interface and no setup required, ThinkDiffusion removes all the technical barriers that previously made AI art inaccessible to most people.

In this ThinkDiffusion review, we'll take an in-depth look at its key features and benefits, show you how it works, and explain why it's become the top choice for millions of artists worldwide seeking an easy way to unleash their imagination.

How ThinkDiffusion Works

Using just a web browser like Chrome or Firefox, you can start generating images within seconds of visiting ThinkDiffusion.com. Simply select from a range of pre-trained Stable Diffusion models and begin crafting prompts to describe the type of image you want the AI to create.

ThinkDiffusion's intuitive UI makes the prompt-and-generate process seamless. You can refine your prompts iteratively, getting new image variations with each change, until you achieve the perfect result. The AI is highly responsive, often generating high-quality images within just a few seconds.

Under the hood, ThinkDiffusion leverages the powerful Stable Diffusion model trained on billions of images from the internet. By removing all the technical setup normally required to run Stable Diffusion locally, ThinkDiffusion delivers this state-of-the-art AI through an easy web interface. The result is AI art creation made accessible to everyone.

Key Features

Browser-Based Access ThinkDiffusion runs entirely within your web browser, with no downloads or installations required. This makes it accessible from any device with an internet connection, including phones and tablets.

Intuitive Interface The clean and simple UI focuses on the creative process. Key tools like text prompts, iteration controls, and image download are easy to find and use.

Pre-Trained Models Popular Stable Diffusion models like Automatic1111 are pre-installed and ready to use. You can also upload custom models trained on your own data.

File Management Upload images from your device or cloud storage for reference prompts. Save your creations locally or to the cloud from within ThinkDiffusion.

Extensions Support Hundreds of creative extensions like Deforum, SadTalker and ControlNet are available to supercharge your image generation.

Multiple Concurrent Sessions Run multiple AI sessions simultaneously for increased productivity. Manage all sessions from a single dashboard.

Free Trial & Paid Plans ThinkDiffusion offers a generous free trial as well as affordable subscription plans for unlimited usage.

Why ThinkDiffusion Is The Best Choice

Easy To Use No technical skills required - just point and click within your browser to start creating AI art.

Powerful Results Leverages the cutting-edge Stable Diffusion model to produce photorealistic and imaginative images.

Accessible Anywhere Works on any device with a modern browser. Take your creativity on the go from your phone or tablet.

Extensive Features Robust tools for file management, concurrent sessions, extensions and more provide advanced creative control.

Affordable Pricing Free trial plus reasonably priced plans make high-quality AI art accessible to all budgets.

Active Development The ThinkDiffusion team continues expanding capabilities and optimizing performance with regular updates.

If you're ready to unleash your creativity and start generating stunning AI images in just your web browser, it's time to try ThinkDiffusion. With a generous free trial, you have nothing to lose.

Click the button below to get started crafting your first AI-assisted artwork within minutes. Discover why millions have already made ThinkDiffusion their go-to tool for easy and powerful online image generation.

Get Started With ThinkDiffusion For Free

iReady for Students: Navigating the Online Learning Experience

In the fast-paced digital age, online learning has become an integral part of the educational landscape. Among the plethora of e-learning platforms available, iReady stands out as a dynamic and adaptive tool designed to cater to individual student needs. This guide is specifically tailored to students, helping you navigate the online learning experience with iReady. Whether you're new to the platform or looking to optimize your learning journey, we'll explore how to make the most of iReady.

Getting Started with iReady

Access Your Account: To begin your iReady journey, your teacher will provide you with login details. Keep these secure, and log in to the platform to access your personalized learning path.

Personalize Your Profile: Make your i-ready experience unique by customizing your profile with a picture and a few personal details. It's a fun way to make the platform feel like your own.

Take the Diagnostic Assessment: The first step is the diagnostic assessment. This assessment evaluates your current proficiency in math and reading. Don't stress; it's designed to identify areas where you need the most support.

The Learning Path

Interactive Lessons: Your learning path consists of interactive lessons that adapt to your skill level. The more you engage, the more the platform learns about your strengths and weaknesses, ensuring each lesson remains engaging and challenging.

Adaptive Learning: iReady's unique feature is its adaptability. It will adjust the content based on your performance, providing targeted support where needed and extra challenges when you're ready for them.

Regular Progress Checks: iReady continually monitors your progress. These assessments are like personal tutors, ensuring you're always on track to meet your learning goals.

Setting and Achieving Goals

Personal Goals: Set personal goals for your iReady journey. These goals could be as simple as improving your math skills or mastering a particular reading concept.

Celebrate Achievements: Remember to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Positive reinforcement will keep you motivated and engaged in your learning.

Engagement and Success Tips

Consistency is Key: Regularly engage with iReady. Try to set aside specific times for your online learning, just as you would for traditional classroom learning.

Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude towards learning. It's okay to make mistakes; they are opportunities to learn and grow.

Seek Support: Don't hesitate to reach out to your teacher or a classmate if you're struggling with a particular concept. Collaboration can be a powerful learning tool.

Make It Fun: Remember that learning can be enjoyable. Find ways to make your iReady experience fun, whether it's through interactive lessons or gamified challenges.

Track Your Progress: Regularly check your progress on the platform. The data and insights provided can help you understand your strengths and areas that need improvement.

Overcoming Challenges

Technical Issues: If you encounter technical problems, ensure you have a stable internet connection and are using a compatible device. If issues persist, reach out to your school's IT department for assistance.

Staying Engaged: If you find yourself losing interest, take a break, and come back to it with a refreshed mind. Also, speak to your teacher or a parent if you're facing engagement issues.

Seeking Help: If you're ever unsure about a concept or need clarification, don't be afraid to ask questions. Your teacher is there to help, and there are often additional resources available to support your learning.

Conclusion

iReady is more than just an online learning platform; it's a personalized journey that adapts to your needs and helps you reach your educational goals. By following the tips and guidelines in this guide, you'll be well on your way to making the most of your iReady experience. Embrace the digital age of learning, and let iReady be your guide to success in math and reading. Your education is in your hands, and iReady is here to support you every step of the way.

Tag Your Way to Stock Market Riches with This Clever AI Tool

Tired of digging through overwhelming amounts of data and news to find your next great stock pick? Or endlessly scrolling Stocktwits hoping to spot that diamond in the rough? A new AI-powered platform called Tickertags aims to make collaborating, discovering, and tracking stock ideas easier than ever.

I. Introduction to Tickertags

Founded in 2018, Tickertags lets you organize and discuss stocks with a simple tag-based system. Just tag stocks with custom keywords like "cloud-computing", "undervalued", or "high-growth" to track them. Following specific tags opens up a treasure trove of promising new ideas. The intuitive interface cuts through the clutter of traditional stock tracking.

II. Key Features and Benefits

At its core, Tickertags combines social engagement with AI-driven data aggregation. The platform's algorithms scrape reliable sources to assemble real-time news, charts, metrics, and analysis for your tagged tickers. You'll stay effortlessly updated on the stocks that matter most to you. The community feed also lets you share and discuss tagged stocks with fellow investors. Get diverse perspectives beyond just your own. Follow proven experts to discover what stocks they're tracking. Or find promising new ideas by exploring trending tag conversations.

III. Using Tickertags for Idea Discovery

For premium subscribers, Tickertags offers advanced screening, alerts, data visualizations, research reports, and private collaboration tools. But the free service still provides tremendous value for the average investor.

IV. Tickertags Premium Subscription

The company faces competition but Tickertags' innovative tag-based mechanics for organizing ideas set it apart. Tags make collaborating on stock research intuitive and productive.

V. Tickertags Apps and Platforms

As Tickertags continues improving its algorithms and growing its engaged user base, the platform's value could snowball thanks to network effects. The future looks bright for this promising startup that's using AI to reinvent social stock research.

VI. Competitor Analysis

So if you're ready to turbocharge your investing research, head over to Tickertags. Once you experience the power of simplified idea tracking and collaborative discovery, you'll be tagging your way to stock market riches in no time! Tickertags is clearly the best platform out there for social stock research. Sign up for a free account today.

VII. Conclusion and Future Outlook

Tickertags clearly stands out as the most innovative and user-friendly platform available for streamlining your stock research through collaborative social tagging. Its AI-powered features for idea tracking, discovery, and discussion are unmatched. As Tickertags continues to refine its algorithms and grow its engaged community, the platform's potential is immense thanks to powerful network effects. The future of social investing is bright with Tickertags leading the way. So if you're ready to take your stock research to the next level, sign up for a free Tickertags account today! You have nothing to lose by trying it out, and the potential benefits to your investing strategy could be tremendous. Get started now by creating your account at Tickertags website. Read the full article

Monster MC May: Alice

Alice as a Timekeeper

(Time manipulation/ think of something similar to Danny Phantom’s clockwork)

As an observer, there is no reason for her to interact directly with mortals or demons anymore- no need to speak. No need to rest.

Alice thought she’d been spared the worst of the potion when she still seemed unharmed a week later, so the incident was more or less forgotten. But accidents started to pile up. Missed deadlines, burned meals. It his her in class as she watched the second hand slow to a stop- she accidentally willed it so out of boredom.

“Lost track of time” has become a literal expression for her. While she trained herself to control her powers, she had to keep a metronome beat in her headphones at all times. It became easier to control as the energy continued to grow from being only used in small doses so far. And right when Alice thought she’d gotten a solid grip on it- time stopped completely.

Or so she believed, because no one moved around her. But that wasn’t quite right. It hadn’t stopped, Alice had simple stepped outside of its influence. And to her absolute delight, she could now single out individuals from this new position outside of time.

While she could age them in seconds, or revert them back to children, she found a particular joy in making them live through odd time distortions, similar to the ones she lived through while getting use to her powers. Alice took special pleasure messing with Solomon, forcing his body to catch up a bit to his real age and watching him struggle through sudden aches and pains.

Alice has never taken a strong interest in the psychological science, but her new situation allowed from interesting experiments and an endless stream of data. Is there really a limit to cell regeneration? Do demons also have internal clocks? What if your bones are old but the flesh young- will your body age faster or will it reject the skeleton? How many cycles of the same day can a person live through before going mad?

Alice keeps an eye on her friends and love, and while she laments their agony over her disappearance, she sees that they will eventually recover- years down the road- so she has no intention of coming back and having Barbatos remove her powers.

Barbatos has met his match. Let’s hope he has a stomach for games because Alice oh so badly hates to lose.

Pray you don’t catch her attention and end up her latest play thing- she’ll drive you to insanity long before anyone believes your paranoia and fear.

Xfinity Cable Box Blinking Green: What Does It Mean and How to Fix It

Are you tired of being interrupted during your favorite TV shows or movies because of a blinking green light on your Xfinity cable box? If so, you're not alone! The green light is a sign that something isn't quite right with your device, and it can be frustrating to deal with. But don't worry, we've got you covered! In this blog, we'll explore the top reasons why your Xfinity box might be blinking green and what this means for your device. We'll provide you with helpful tips and troubleshooting advice to help you fix the issue and get back to enjoying your favorite content in no time. So, whether you're a long-time Xfinity user or just getting started, this blog is for you! Keep reading to learn more about this common issue and how you can prevent it from happening again. What does it mean when the Xfinity box blinks green? A blinking green light indicates that there is an issue with the device. If the issue is not resolved, you may experience interrupted service or be unable to watch TV altogether. It is important to address the problem as soon as possible to ensure uninterrupted service. Why is my Xfinity box blinking green? There are several possible reasons why your Xfinity cable box might be blinking green. Here are some of the most common causes: Connectivity Issue  One of the most common reasons for a blinking green light is a connectivity issue. This issue can be caused by a number of factors, such as loose or damaged cables, faulty connections, or a weak signal. If there is a connectivity issue, your cable box may not be able to receive or transmit data properly, resulting in a blinking green light. No Signal  A blinking green light may indicate a connectivity issue. This means that the cable box is not receiving a strong enough signal from the cable line or that the cable box is not properly connected to the TV. The problem could be caused by loose or damaged cables, faulty connections, or a weak signal. To fix the issue, you can try reseating the cables, checking the connections, or moving the cable box to a different location. Software Update  Another common reason for a blinking green light on your Xfinity cable box is a software update. Xfinity regularly releases software updates to improve the performance and features of their service.  During the update process, your cable box may display a blinking green light. This is usually a temporary issue that resolves itself once the update is complete.  If your cable box continues to display a blinking green light after the update, it may indicate a problem with the update process or with the software itself. Device Isn't Activated Yet  If you've recently set up a new Xfinity cable box or moved it to a new location, it may not be activated yet. This can cause the green blinking light to appear. To activate the cable box, you will need to call Xfinity customer support and provide them with the serial number of the device. Once the device is activated, the green blinking light should disappear. Hardware Issue  A blinking green light can also indicate a hardware issue with your Xfinity cable box. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a faulty power supply, overheating, or other internal problems. A hardware issue can prevent your cable box from functioning properly, resulting in a blinking green light. If you suspect a hardware issue, it is best to contact Xfinity customer support for assistance. Power Outage  A power outage can cause your Xfinity cable box to lose its connection to the Xfinity network, resulting in a blinking green light. When the power comes back on, the cable box may take some time to reconnect to the network and display a steady light.  If the blinking green light persists after the power has been restored, it may indicate a problem with the cable box or with the network connection. How to Troubleshoot a Blinking Green Light on an Xfinity Cable Box A blinking green light on your Xfinity cable box is an indication of a problem with the device. However, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue and resolve it. In this section, we will discuss the following steps in detail: Check Cables  The first step is to ensure that all cables are properly connected to the cable box and the TV. Check if there are any damaged cables and replace them if necessary.  Make sure that the cables are securely plugged in to avoid any loose connections that may result in a blinking green light.  If you have multiple devices connected to your TV, ensure that the cable box is connected to the TV through the HDMI input.  If the issue persists, you may want to try using a different HDMI port on your TV or a different cable box altogether. Power Cycle  A power cycle is a simple process that involves unplugging the cable box from the power source for about 30 seconds and plugging it back in. This can help resolve any temporary issues that may be causing the blinking green light. Wait for the cable box to reboot and see if the issue is resolved.  If the problem persists, try unplugging the cable box and the TV from the power source and wait for a few minutes before plugging them back in.  You can also try resetting the cable box by pressing and holding the "Power" and "Menu" buttons on the front of the box for 10 seconds. Authorize your device When your Xfinity cable box blinks green twice, it means that the device needs to be authorized. The authorization process ensures that the box is activated and ready to receive a signal.  Once the authorization is complete, the green blinking light should turn solid, indicating that the device is now functioning properly.  To authorize your digital adapter, you can contact Xfinity customer service through the Service Hotline or via online chat. They will guide you through the process and help you complete the authorization.  Keep in mind that if your device is not authorized, you will not be able to access any of the channels or features of your cable service. Check Signal Strength  A weak signal can cause a blinking green light on your cable box. To check the signal strength,  - Head to the "Device Settings" menu and select "System Information."  Check if the signal strength is low and if so, try moving the cable box to a different location. Make sure that the cable box is not obstructed by any objects or placed near any electronic devices that may interfere with the signal.  If the signal strength is still low, contact Xfinity customer support for further assistance. You can also try checking the signal strength at the main cable input to your house, as a low signal there could indicate a problem with the cable service itself. Check for Outages  Xfinity occasionally experiences service outages in certain areas. To check if there is an outage in your area, go to the Xfinity website and enter your ZIP code.  If there is an outage, the website will display an estimated time for restoration. Wait for the restoration time and check if the issue is resolved.  You can also check the Xfinity My Account app for any service alerts. Check your remote If you suspect that your Xfinity remote is not working properly, you can try using the power switch on the front panel of the cable box to operate your TV.  If you're able to turn the TV on and off using the power switch, it's likely that the remote is malfunctioning. To fix the problem, try replacing the remote and pairing the new one with your Xfinity cable box. You can also try resetting the remote by removing the batteries and holding down the "Setup" button for a few seconds before reinserting the batteries.  If the problem persists, contact Xfinity customer support for further assistance. Contact Xfinity  If the above steps do not resolve the issue, contact Xfinity customer support for further assistance.  The customer support team will guide you through additional troubleshooting steps and determine if there is a need for a technician to come out and inspect the cable box.  In some cases, a faulty cable box may need to be replaced, and the Xfinity customer support team will arrange for a replacement. Preventing the Issue from Happening Again: To prevent the issue from happening again, consider the following tips: - Use high-quality HDMI cables to ensure a stable connection between the cable box and the TV. - Avoid placing the cable box near any electronic devices that may interfere with the signal. - Keep the cable box and the TV in a well-ventilated area to prevent overheating. - Consider investing in a surge protector to protect your cable box from power surges that may damage the device. - Regularly update your cable box firmware to ensure that it is running on the latest software version. - If you experience frequent outages or signal issues, consider upgrading to a higher tier of service or switching to a different provider that offers better signal quality and reliability. In addition to the above tips, it is also recommended to perform regular maintenance on your cable box by cleaning it periodically to remove any dust or debris that may accumulate over time. This can help prevent overheating and other performance issues. Another way to prevent the issue from happening again is to avoid exposing your cable box to extreme temperatures or humidity levels. Avoid placing the device in direct sunlight or near any heat sources, such as heaters or radiators, as this can cause the device to overheat and malfunction. Finally, it's a good idea to be mindful of any physical damage to the cable box, such as scratches, cracks, or dents. Any physical damage to the device can compromise its performance and lead to issues such as blinking green lights. If you notice any physical damage to your cable box, contact Xfinity customer support for assistance. Read the full article

The Online Exam Platform Makes Taking "Exams From Home" Easier and More Convenient

The Online Exam Platform guarantees that it will make tests easier to understand for teachers as well as for students. The number of students taking exams online is expected to continue growing. Universities and other types of educational institutions, such as coaching institutes, have abandoned the conventional manner of examination. As a response to the prevailing conditions, they have decided to use technology as a cutting-edge approach for carrying out tests. Examining students in a safe environment is an essential need for educational establishments. As a result of this, with the advent of new technology, an efficient online test platform has become a necessity of the hour, due to the many advantages it offers and taking into consideration the concerns about its level of safety. It provides high-quality and secure online testing options. Improves the organization's standing in the community. There is a risk that the integrity of the test will be compromised if it is administered online. Students from all across the world are seeing this profound shift now taking place.

How Does the Greatest Online Exam Platform Facilitate Examinations?

It Has Several Benefits, Such as Follows:

Flexibility: Before the introduction of online tests, students had to go to testing facilities to take exams. They no longer had to travel to the center to take the test and try it in private with the introduction of the online exam platform.

Saving Time and Money: The traditional inspection procedure is time-consuming and involves several phases. However, it removes the necessity for an invigilator and speeds up the whole procedure.

Test security: Educational institutions spend a lot of money on exam security. With "Take My Proctored Exam for Me" you can check the Proctoring Exam and make sure the exam is safe.

Simplicity in Preparing and Administering Tests: Many teachers and students are still getting used to the idea of online assessments, so they need clear instructions on how to make, give, and take them. To make the whole task easier, demos and frequently asked questions (FAQs) should be available at the beginning or on the website, where they are easy to find. The candidates should also be able to take the test with ease, starting with how easy it is to log in. Every candidate's credentials should be in the software system, and users should be able to change or add to them at any time.

Scalability: Scalability refers to the capacity of several users/candidates to participate in an assessment at the same time, regardless of geographical constraints. The online platform should be supported by a strong server structure that can meet the scalability and response time requirements. In the event of a power outage or other unforeseen events, the server should be able to maintain the data without losing it.

Built-in Feature for Proctoring: Proctoring or monitoring is an important part of every test or exam. The correctness and level of proctoring have a lot to do with how reliable the data from assessments are. Some candidates try to take the easy way out and use cheating or other unethical methods to pass the test. The anti-cheat feature is a great fit for a good online assessment system. It works in different ways at different levels and makes sure that cheating never happens during an exam. Some of the most common ways to proctor a computer-based test or an online assessment are to use a webcam, record audio, and video, or share your screen.

Conclusion: Online Exam Software makes it easier for teachers and students to take tests. Teachers can make tests for each subject or each topic and grade students based on how well they do. It also checks the students out before they take the test. Also, you can change the test so that it fits your needs. It is an effective way to make exams go smoothly

How to get started with DeFi

“DeFi is what happens when you combine the power of crypto with the openness of the internet”

–Nick Szabo

Recorem has conducted another fantastic Masterclass on how to get started with the De-fi with Shalu Panwar, Co-Founder of Trikl, as our guest speaker. From being an IIT Bombay graduate to establishing her own startup, she has come a long way.

The event provided a roadmap for those who want to get into DeFi. The event kickstarted with evolution of internet and what is web3

Web 1.0 :

Read only

Web 2.0:

Participatory

Centralized

Web 3.0:

No intermediaries

Decentralized

USE CASES OF WEB 3.0

Defi: Ecosystem of financial applications based on blockchain that operates without any third party or central administration

NFTs: Non-fungible tokens are new type of digital token where every token is different and holds unique characteristics

Metaverse: Metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds focus on social connection

Web2 to Web3: so many use cases in web2 which can be made better in web3 world

DAOs: Entity structure in which tokenholders participate in the management

WHAT IS DEFI?

Decentralized finance is an ecosystem of financial applications based on blockchain technology that operate without any third party or central administration intervention. it uses a P2P network to establish decentralized applications that would enable everyone to connect and manage their asset regardless of their status and location. It aims to provide an open source transparent and permissionless financial Service environment

BENEFITS

Transparency- Since the defi app is open source it is completely auditable to know exactly what the smart contract is doing in terms of functions user permissions and user data

Transactions are in real time- The underlying blockchain is updated the moment a transaction is completed, and interest rates are updated multiple times every minute.

Many DeFi protocols are open source. Ethereum and other projects are built with open-source code, which is available for anyone to view, audit and build on. Developers can easily connect multiple DeFi applications built on open-source technology to create new financial products and services, without having to seek permission.

TRADITIONAL V/S DECENTRALIZED

Decentralized finance continues to gain traction in part because it is more open and transparent than traditional Finance

Anybody with programming skills can take part in building financial services and tools on top of public blockchain

User onboarding and easy access is the main driver of the growth of traditional finance

One must obtain proper license and authorization from regulators has limited information around the traditional financial system

WHAT ARE WALLETS AND ITS TYPES

Custodial Wallet vs Non custodial wallet:

Non custodial crypto wallets give you complete control of your keys and therefore your funds

Most (but not all) web based Crypto wallet are custodial wallet and it’s very likely that the first time you purchase Crypto via custodial wallet.

Hot Wallet vs Cold Wallet

Hot wallets are always connected to the internet.

These are less secure but have more accessibility prone to Cyber attacks risk of losing assets

Cold Wallets are offline wallets. They have a physical hardware present to store the assets.

They are more safe but not at all suitable for regular payments.

ARC OF DECENTRALIZED FINANCE

Lending: Offering cryptocurrency loans in a trustless manner. You or smart contract hold the money instead of banks or centralised party

Collateralized loan- borrowers need to deposit tokens worth more than the loan amount.

Liquidity: Total value locked without liquidity, there is no DeFi.

DeFi protocols provide incentives to the liquidity providers.

Low liquidity leads to slippage.

USE CASES OF DEFI

1. Asset Management:

-Solution for network users to sell, buy and transfer digital asset and manage them -Maintain their sensitive data and the privacy of their account

2.DAOs

3. Synthetic assets:

Assets whose value is derived from a different asset or benchmark

Synthetic assets are tokens that are digital representations of derivatives

4.P2P lending and borrowing

CHALLENGES IN DEFI

Low Liquidity

Bad User experience

Smart contract bugs

Oracle manipulations

Regulations

You have successfully taken your first step into the world of DeFi.

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Why Image Resizing And Compressing is Important

Resizing an image is one of those impenetrable problems many people have trouble with. I don't know why, because it should be a very easy task. You can do so on your desktop or by using an online image resizing app. When it comes to online images, size matters a lot. Particularly for people with poor internet connections who can't wait for a page with pictures to load. These people often become irritated and abandon the platform in search of another. Make sure you upload appropriately sized images to the internet. That wasn't so difficult to understand, was it? However, even though resizing is so easy, people continue to snap large-sized images with digital cameras and then attempt to post them on the web. Often resulting in sluggish websites. You can use a quick online image compresser tool such as Réduire Taille JPG. Why Image Resizing is Important Knowing how to properly use digital images is an essential tool for making your website stand out from competitors. Resizing images without losing their quality is also a great way to make an excellent first impression on visitors, who are most often captivated by pictures above all else. Another important reason behind the need to redimensionner image properly is page speed. Make Image Files the Correct Width and Height Content management systems like WordPress automatically provide you with size options when you add a picture, so if you use one of those, you may suppose you're all set! However, it's essential to note that these tools only affect the size at which the image is displayed; the file size is unaffected. You can see this step by right-clicking on an image and selecting "open image in a new tab;" you'll see the picture in all its original-size glory. This may be all good if you're already using fairly small images, but it will still slow down your page load time if the images you've used are significantly bigger than how they'll appear on the page. Instead of depending on your CMS to size images, use an image editor like Photoshop, or free tools like Réduire Taille JPG or even good old Microsoft Paint, to réduire taille image to the correct size. Compress Your Images The other major component of photo resizing is compression. Simply put, image compression is a way to optimize images to reduce their file size, ideally without reducing (or noticeably reducing, anyway) image quality. How this works is fairly technical, but in layman's terms, compression squishes the data of your photo into smaller packages to send from the server to the browser, where it's reassembled into the original image. There are two ways to do this: Lossless compression compresses the data in such a manner that the original can completely reduire taille photo without a loss of image quality. This is what you'll want to go for in most cases – otherwise, your images will start to look pixelated and less crisp. Lossy compression allows for images to get much smaller in file size but with a reduction in image quality. Is it possible to resize an image without losing its quality? Yes! It is easy to do so. But first, you need to understand how to compresser image. Speaking of photo types, there are various common image file formats commonly used online. JPEG is one of them. Used to optimize web pages, JPEG's are convenient, given their reduced jpg size and quick loading speeds. PNG is a step up from JPEG, offering high quality but at the cost of advanced file sizes and reduced page speed. With powerful programs like Photoshop, different photo types can be easily transformed into other formats. Keep a common purpose in mind, as remaking from a low-resolution format to a high-resolution setup will not necessarily improve the quality of your picture.

Some Differences Between AWS Fully-Managed And Self-managed Services

You can utilize AWS managed services benefits or oversee everything yourself while you’re attempting to introduce or move cloud applications or administrations. Be that as it may, this is a tough choice.

Getting everything completely overseen by solid AWS managed cloud services has all the earmarks of being undeniably more effective, however, there are a few controls you could need to relinquish during this interaction. Also, on the off chance that you have all the control, you need to take all of the responsibility when something turns out badly.

Data — The Fortune Every single human in this tech time would concur with the term that Information is a fortune and it is the foundation of any business. Envision two situations, one fine day you awaken and open your PC yet every one of your information has crashed! Horrendous isn’t it? Losing cash sounds far superior to losing information. By Defending the information, you are protecting your business as well

Self-Management Having full control causes you to feel strong, and being in control gives you the control to do all that you please and transform anything whenever. This incorporates the information and aptitude to complete these arrangements without anyone else.

You’ll need to bear the obligation from beginning to end. You’ll run the occurrence and start every one of the administrations inside it. Whether there are any new programming refreshes, patches, security glitches, or fixes, you’ll need to instantly deal with them.

Does this appear to be something you maintain that should do constantly? To keep steady over all that and cause yourself more pressure? To this end, AWS oversaw administrations are the more problem-free choice.

Completely AWS Managed Services

What does the AWS Managed Service Provider do? With regards to Completely managed services, the firm assumed the entire liability of dealing with the AWS nonstop. AWS continues to extend and update its elements and determinations thus the Expert AWS executive’s specialist organizations know well about the niche and corner of cloud services. They offer steady help and moment investigating before your in-house group spot the issues.

A few Situations: In specific situations, you can determine and sort out the center EC2 examples while designing an AWS-oversaw administration, while a few others will not. Investigate Amazon LightSail. It doesn’t permit you to determine EC2 occurrences exclusively, even though they truly do select and use them. In this situation, computational power can be characterized. While in Amazon RDS, you can pick the EC2 highlights.

Lambda is one more type of this administration that assumes full command of the EC2 occasions and doesn’t uncover them. The computer chip will deal with everything, while at the same time picking the complete memory required is all you need to do. Even though you may not see it, the servers exist and will assist with introducing the holder.

Wellaware AWS partner connects with relationships to be capable, secure, and reasonable by streaming key data to their laborers, so they can remotely screen and control genuine assets.

Managed Services: Fully-Managed vs. Self-Managed… How would you choose?

You learn about “Managed Service”: completely made due, independent, cloud computing solutions on neighborhood cloud and that is only the start. What’s the significance here? A couple of associations essentially have to focus on the business — others, like me need to change and move up to figure out pay, cost and advantage. The underlying step is sorting out a touch more about Managed Services.

‍How might you close what is suitable for you? The directed expert center deals with checking, managing, and also issue objectives for picked IT systems and capacities for your good of you. Benefits usually include: alerts, noticing, security, fixing the board, data support and recovery, and security, and that is only the start.

Made due: The provider will manage the server, virtual classified association/cloud, high openness parts, organization foundation, os foundation, patches, etc. for you.

Disadvantage: Cost, This huge number of extra assist features with willing go with a more prominent expense tag. Limited Course of action, There is consistently no control over the key plan. You routinely can’t change your response.

Free: You and your gathering will manage all of the things referred to already.

Expected gain: Cost, Your organization’s cost will be a ton lower yet will your general cost genuinely be lower in Independent? This will truly depend on how your gathering changes errands work versus RTB — Keep up with the Business.

The course of action: You have limitless power over the plan and plan you execute. Taking everything into account, this is the primary decision.

Is there another decision? For sure, Merge the cost improvement of totally managed customizations on designing and level of help with a “participation-based — directed expert center.”

On Managed Services and the Market for Self-Managing Services

Managed Services in the public cloud are huge information development regarding gas pedals and there is a basic opportunity for untouchables to outfit associations with Self-Regulating Organizations in cloud business focuses that give a similar advantage suggestion. There’s no dismissing that directed organizations in the public cloud offer an exceptional advantage by allowing associations to avoid a fair piece of denial and, taking everything into account, apply their undertakings to locales that will affect the primary concern.

Foulness is a word that here suggests essential (i.e., evident) work that doesn’t without assistance from any other person produces a high ground and is habitually distractingly mentioning the reason behind hindering the development of an advantage in various locales. Credit Jeff Bezos for the use of rottenness and writing the more notable saying “undifferentiated difficult work”. This is the work it takes to achieve creation status on essential bits of your response. There is a continuum of reasonable definitions for what readies a something creation a ton depends upon the setting for a particular plan and the business regard it conveys. Those two things factor seriously into what primary and useful trade-offs you can make. Anyway, the bar continues to go up from execution, openness, and, especially, security perspectives. To this end, I say real work is essential and obvious. Further, getting these right takes significant dominance and people who can complete that function admirably are both tricky and exorbitant to keep. Cloud Continuum offers a range of cloud-based programming arrangements purposefully intended to meet interesting requirements.

What are Managed Services? Any business capacity that an MSP controls and executes for its clients is suggested as a directed organization. Workforce the board, finance, IT the chiefs, and other non-pay creating components of an affiliation that runs in the background are models. Regardless, as a rule, when we examine supervised organizations, we’re implying directed IT organizations. Taking everything into account, the IT system is the foundation of any business, gigantic or little. Managing an internal IT structure isn’t simply exorbitant, but it moreover requires speculation. It includes selecting the key people and placing assets into advancements and organizations to reliably offer and manage IT organizations.

Cloud solutions overhaul the ability to scale considering the way that the cloud expert center supplies commonly significant establishment and writing computer programs, an association does not have to place assets into its resources or disperse extra IT staff to manage the assistance