#Direct Selling Latest Update

[directsellingnow]

Tercel Herbs Pvt. Ltd. ने मनाई 2nd Anniversary; Talkatora Stadium में आयोजित हुआ भव्य समारोह

Direct Selling Latest Update: भारत की Direct Selling Industry में तेजी से उभर रही कंपनी Tercel Herbs Pvt. Ltd. ने 10 अक्टूबर को अपनी 2nd Anniversary Talkatora Stadium, Delhi में बड़े उत्साह और धूमधाम से मनाई। इस मौके पर कंपनी के CEO और Managing Director Mr. Dewanand Yadav, कंपनी के प्रमुख leaders, stakeholders और कई सम्माननीय व्यक्तियों की उपस्थिति रही। इस विशेष समारोह के मुख्य अतिथि के रूप में…

[sgiandubh]

Not all kilts are created equal, either

At the rate things are drastically mutating, as far as cons and fan events are concerned, it would seem the most democratic way to meet, greet and grab an autograph from S is to swallow even the most remote idea of self-esteem and join the crowds on that Sassenach Winter Tour. Beat the pavement with the huddled masses and wait for Ginger Jesus to wink encouragingly, as your knees give way and you melt into a puddle of fuzzy love for... Ahem... no, let's hope not, my quill got the better of my reason, on this one.

This will go on and on and on, until the Last Living Woman on Earth ever to have been touched by JAMMF's self-evident charm will stop writing idiocies like this one:

You would never be able to compare Glenmorangie and SS, just like you wouldn't do the same about S and Harrison Ford, excuse me. At least if you would like to keep some modicum of integrity, here.

I am sorry, Ford and Glenmorangie did not copy anything. They just used a beloved piece of garment, the kilt, to their advantage. The rugged (but sexy and ultimately interesting and kind) Highlander in a kilt was not invented by Diana Gabaldon, nor definitively embodied by Sam Roland Heughan.

'Erself explained many times over she could have chosen anything else (aliens immediately came to my sick mind, but perhaps not the best option, after all) when she first started writing that damned book. But an old Dr Who episode, featuring a Highlander named Jamie McCrimmon and then a punctual subplot detail in Eric Linklater's book Prince in the Heather, mentioning Clan Fraser's only survivor after Culloden sealed the deal. I did not invent these, even Wikipedia knows 😉. In doing so, she simply (and wisely profitably, it would seem) chose one of the most popular and intriguing cultural tropes - Scotland. The rest was easy enough, but never forget that on a different inspiration whim, we could be talking all the same about Jaime, the Impetuous Pirate of the Caribbean (Voyager trivia, anyone?) or even Jacques, the French fin-de-siècle gentleman thief. That she chose Scotland is our delight (I doubt Shipper Mom wouldn't have zapped over a pirate series, after all), and S's lifetime lucky strike, that's all.

Scotland has been immensely popular and fantasized about, from The Borders to the Kamchatka Peninsula, ever since Walter Scott published The Lay of the Last Minstrel, in 1805, to rousing success. And even more so, since Queen Victoria and Prince Albert first visited and fell in love with it, in 1842. All things Scottish, from the tartan to the sense of honor, never ceased to fascinate people all around the world. The Outlander universe is just one of Scotland's latest representations in popular culture and, forgive me for being blunt, not even the best known one.

And excuse me once more, men in kilts have been around ever since, too. John Brown, Victoria's morganatic spouse, included. For better, rather than for worse. My own mind doesn't have to travel very far just to immediately remember Sean Connery, but here is an updated list of celebrities who apparently think the kilt is fashionable as hell and tells a very interesting story of virility and fortitude: https://help.scottishkiltshop.com/hc/en-us/articles/18545441581069-How-Hollywood-Celebrities-Embrace-the-Kilt . It's pleasantly enough written and makes for quite an instructive, updated overview of what the kilt really means in popular culture and how it is being constantly used to ventilate above positive messages & values.

To write that Ford used Heughan's persona in that #ad is akin to uninformed blindness. To go even further and talk with confidence about associative marketing is adding insult to injury and proving the person does not have the remotest clue of what she is writing about.

To cut the story short, associative marketing is simply a sales' strategy directed to minority groups and/or fringe communities. A classic example is Tupperware selling its plastic tchotchkes to moms all around the world and by doing so, peddling the dream of gifting them extra time for themselves (finally!). In other words, the focus of the sales strategy is being mindful about a specific set of needs and priorities that must be addressed. You are selling a product alright, but you are selling it to a niche. Glenmorangie is the opposite of that, in fact: it is a worldwide known brand, appreciated and enjoyed, sometimes excessively, by men and women (and frat boys and girls), irrespective of age, cultural context (yes, even in Tehran!) or social status. I honestly fail to see where the associative marketing can be found in Glenmorangie's poster and would rather think of Sassenach Spirits' own strategy in those terms. Especially when you think again about those huddled masses beating the pavement in front of a non-descript liquor store, on Main Street, America (or Industrial Zone, America, to be more exact).

Oh, well, she probably wanted to say Glenmorangie is coat-tailing Norouzi's genius ideas, which would be disingenuous, if not ridiculous, above anything else. But it surely is my deepest, secret and probably naively altruistic wish for this cheap Sassenach Tour gimmick to be shelved aside, before things become truly, heartbreakingly pathetic.

Make no mistake. I am such a loyal idiot that I am still confident. But the clock is ticking, and not to their advantage. So, is that it, is this how things are going to happen, from now on: extortionate fan events and #silly bottle signing sessions?

What would JAMMF, aka Jamie Roy, the Edinburgh spirits' smuggler, think about all of this?

[markrosewater]

When you get questions about the likelihood of something happening again (for example different types of draft sets like conspiracy or commander legends) where they might not have sold as well as main sets but were still enjoyed by the community, you often say the likelihood is low. Do you mean it’s unlikely to happen again in general, or will just be a small percentage of future products going forward?

I understand not prioritizing these set styles in general if they don’t sell as well as main sets, but given their popularity and my own personal love of them it’s disappointing to think of them as going away entirely. Not every set will be a hit for everybody, which is fine, but a set having a smaller audience shouldn’t relegate it to the “don’t do again” pile. Maybe there’s a middle ground of every few years you release a new draft specific set at the volume of a single standard set with the expectation that it’ll sell out slower but would hole people over between releases like that?

Magic is a hungry monster. We will keep making more products, but there’s an ebb and flow to the type of product we make at any one moment in time.

Historically, the change cycles. The pendulum pushes in one direction, and eventually changes to a new direction, and so on. It ultimately returns to areas it was before, although updated with the latest design technology.

The current trend that is shaping things is Universes Beyond, but that’s just the hot thing of the moment. The pendulum, as always, will swing.

[freehawaii]

KE AUPUNI UPDATE - OCTOBER 2024

Our Land, Our Inheritance One of the most profound expressions of who we are as a people is found in Queen Liliʻuokalani’s open letter that begins with, “Oh, honest Americans… ” It was her direct appeal to the American people to do what’s morally right and speak out for the return of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Although her letter makes many profound points, I will concentrate on one particular passage… “…do not covet the little vineyard of Naboth's, so far from your shores, lest the punishment of Ahab fall upon you, if not in your day, in that of your children, for "be not deceived, God is not mocked." As she often did, Queen Liliʻuokalani cited a passage from the Bible. In this instance, 1 Kings 21:1-24 that told of the deceitful way King Ahab and his evil wife Jezebel framed and executed a man, Naboth, so they could take his land which he had refused to sell to them… The reason Naboth wouldn’t sell the land was, he regarded it as his inheritance and a blessing, not a piece of commercial real estate. He had inherited the land from his forefathers and his kuleana was to make it productive (which is why Ahab wanted it) and then pass it on to his (Nabobʻs) children and descendants. By citing this story, Queen Liliʻuokalani goes to the heart of the difference in how Hawaiians, as opposed to Americans and other colonizers, regard land. Hawaiians and other native peoples see land as an inheritance that comes from Akua with the kuleana (responsibility) to mālama (care for) so that it can bless them and their future generations. To our kūpuna, just like Naboth, land is not a commodity that can be bought and sold for instant gratification or to build empires, it was to bring and sustain abundant life and future generations. When King Kamehameha III issued the Hawaiian Bill of Rights in 1839 and promulgated the Hawaiian Kingdom Constitution in 1840, instruments that are Western in form, he was careful to infuse them with Hawaiian values of kuleana, malama ʻāina, ola i ka wai, aloha ʻāina. When he redistributed the lands from traditional rights — where he as King had absolute rule over all the lands — he put the lands of Hawaiʻi (except for a little needed for the government) into the western system of private ownership, but with a caveat: that those lands would be held in perpetuity. Whether the King, chiefs or commoners held the title, these privately owned lands could not be sold outside of the family, their heirs and descendants. Furthermore, customary international law holds that in the event of a regime change, internal or conquest or annexation by a foreign power, only the government lands would forfeit to the new government. Privately owned lands would remain in the hands of the title owner. Thus, by placing the lands of the Hawaiian Archipelago into the western legal system of private land ownership, King Kamehameha III safeguarded Hawaii’s lands from being sold outside the family or being seized in the event of an invasion, an annexation (lawful or fake) or certainly, an illegal occupation. So why have we been dispossessed of our lands? Because every step of taking and pillaging of the Hawaiian Islands by the United States was done with total disregard of all laws except those the US imposed for its own benefit and purposes. Even today, Hawaiians’ lands are being stolen and Hawaiian are being evicted by corrupt judges weilding corrupt State of Hawaii laws. The hope we have is that soon the tables will turn and a day of reckoning will come, the lands restored… and the punishment of Ahab fall upon the wrong doers. 

“Love of country is deep-seated in the breast of every Hawaiian, whatever his station.” — Queen Liliʻuokalani ---------- Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono. The sovereignty of the land is perpetuated in righteousness. ------ For the latest news and developments about our progress at the United Nations in both New York and Geneva, tune in to Free Hawaii News at 6 PM the first Friday of each month on ʻŌlelo Television, Channel 53. ------ "And remember, for the latest updates and information about the Hawaiian Kingdom check out the twice-a-month Ke Aupuni Updates published online on Facebook and other social media." PLEASE KŌKUA… Your kōkua, large or small, is vital to this effort... To contribute, go to:   • GoFundMe – CAMPAIGN TO FREE HAWAII • PayPal – use account email: info@HawaiianKingdom.net • Other – To contribute in other ways (airline miles, travel vouchers, volunteer services, etc...) email us at: info@HawaiianKingdom.net All proceeds are used to help the cause. MAHALO! Malama Pono,

Leon Siu

Hawaiian National

[blyghthound]

HI okay i revamped sylvie's backstory to incorporate a mix of old and new ideas that ground her better in her motivations. the transition between her different stages of life is also smoother and more earned imo.

her google doc is updated, but i'm also posting a jot-note version under the cut. tried to condense it as much as possible, but she's got a decent amount of lore.

should be about a 3.5 min read! (obvi not required to but i do appreciate anyone who takes the time to skim it!)

Early Life (Until age 16)

Sylvie (originally Selesahn) was born in Val Royeaux’ alienage.

Poverty drew her to a life of crime, starting a small-time con ring with friends that turned into an amateur career as a thief and full-time rascal.

Found herself in and out of jail throughout adolescence.

After a brutal (and disproportionate) sentence, she felt lost – guilt for her mother’s despair pushed her to find honest work.

Secured a job as a servant in the city, but started to steal from her noble master to sell for extra coin. Eventually stole something meaningful – she was confronted at her home by guards and escaped the city, running away from another jail sentence, and from a life and home that bore little love for her.

Found a Grey Warden recruitment camp outside the city. Followed them to Montsimmard, earned the attention of Warden-Captain Emilie Chastain

Early-Mid Warden Career – Montsimmard (17-33y/o)

Sylvie tried and failed to make a life for herself in Monstsimmard, resorting to thievery and finding herself in a familiar pattern with the law.

Captain Emilie happened to find her tossed out of her latest jail stint, and offered her a chance at another life with the Wardens. Sylvie accepted.

Began her training as a Warden initiate at 17. With the arrival of the Fifth Blight, she took her Joining and survived.

The following 11 years transformed her life – after a rocky start she found her place among the Wardens, earning a promotion to Sargeant for her proven dedication, loyalty, and belief in their cause.

The first time in her life she felt she had value.

Inquisition (33-34 y/o)

Sylvie was initially swayed by the false Calling, but broke free after a failed ritual and rebelled against Clarel’s use of blood magic. Rounded up (with others) as a sacrifice for their dissent, Sylvie escaped and sought for a way to reach Weisshaupt for help.

Disguised her Wardenhood as she ventured North.

Encountered an Inquisition outpost in Orlais during her travels, and learned of the Inquisitor seeking out Grey Wardens.

Connected with Skyhold, and disclosed herself as Senior Warden Sylvie Hallan to the Inquisitor. Offered her aid and intel in return for saving the Wardens from themselves.

Present at Adamant. Lost her Captain and countless others dear to her. Sylvie was drawn into a dark pit of anger, grief and betrayal.

Post-Inquisition (34 y/o)

Returned to her fractured Order in Montsimmard, persistently wrote to Weisshaupt calling for accountability for Adamant and Clarel’s actions.

5 months later, Weisshaupt invites Orlais’ new Warden-Commander and a small delegation of Orlesian Wardens for a memorial ceremony. Sylvie’s attendance is requested.

Following the ceremony, the First Warden acknowledges Montsimmard’s delicate state (and indirectly, Sylvie's concerns) and as a show of good faith, offers the Warden-Commander to leave a representative at Weisshaupt to act as an advocate for their needs as they collectively rebuild the Order.

Sylvie’s loyalty and persistence is recognized and she is made Warden-Ambassador of Orlais.

Sylvie is transferred to Weisshaupt.

Late Warden Career – Warden-Ambassador (34-39 y/o)

Sylvie’s duties included attending closed-door meetings with Weisshaupt authorities as they navigated their current disarray. She earned a reputation for being outspoken, direct, and strong-willed.

Her stance was twofold: aggressive efforts to recruit, and better transparency between higher and lower Warden ranks.

Outside of this, she devoted herself to recruitment, training, and transfers to Orlais. Developed a passion for building up new recruits and watching them grow.

Warden numbers dwindled over the years – sparking her concern. Soon, Sylvie found that her advocacy lost it's weight. An old wound of distrust reopened, sown from Clarel’s debacle. She believed Weisshaupt's leadership hid something from them.

Due to Warden scarcity, she found herself assigned to an emergency relief unit, headed by her closest friend, Warden-Captiain Deshar, set for the Hunterhorn Mountains.

The Dread of Hunterhorn (39 y/o)

Ran into mutated darkspawn running rampant in the mountains’ Deep Roads tunnels.

In a perilous battle, Sylvie is gravely injured. Many of their unit perish.

Miraculously saved by the dwarves of Kal-Sharok. They reluctantly see to Sylvie’s wounds, saving her life. They reconstruct her face and replace her broken and missing teeth with silver dentures and crowns.

Sylvie and Deshar are sent off as soon as she's stabilized. Still recovering, they come across a mining village of surfacer dwarves that host them until Sylvie heals.

They bestow her the nickname “Silvermaw.”

Dishonourable Discharge (39-42 y/o)

Sylvie connected with Warden Ramesh upon returning to Weisshaupt, found they experienced similar horrors. (Re: Tevinter Nights: The Horror of Hormak)

Her push for action was met with dismissal due to a lack of resources. As her faith in Weisshaupt’s leadership faltered, she took matters into her own hands – attempting to reach out to non-Warden allies for help, exchanging unauthorized information.

Her breach of protocol is discovered. The First Warden orders her to return to Orlais. Sylvie refuses – unable to turn her back on what she witnessed. Results in a messy crashout.

Disobeyed a direct order, resulted in her dishonourable discharge for insubordination.

Sylvie leaves the Grey Wardens.

The Blight Hounds (42-44 y/o, Present)

With nowhere left to go, Sylvie decided to seek out the dwarven village in the mountains. They remembered her as Silvermaw, the Warden with silver teeth.

Offered protection against the darkspawn in the mountains, trained some of the dwarves to protect themselves against the blight.

One day, she finds a familiar face among the dwarves. Her old friend, Warden-Captain Deshar.

Deshar offers her a chance to join the Blight Hounds, to find the source of the mutated darkspawn they found long ago. Ramesh, having left for is Calling, left his notes for them.

Hesitant at first, Deshar promises her return to the Wardens once their mission is through.

Skeptical, she accepts. It’s a chance to go home, after all.

[hdcrackerssivakasi]

Best Crackers Shop in Sivakasi – Where to Buy the Finest Diwali Crackers Online and Offline

Sivakasi – the firecracker capital of India – is known far and wide for its vibrant, high-quality fireworks industry. Every Diwali, people across the country rush to get their hands on the best fireworks, and the question that echoes everywhere is: “Which is the best crackers shop in Sivakasi?”

Let’s break it down and help you discover the right place to buy safe, affordable, and thrilling fireworks.

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Why Sivakasi Crackers Are Special

Sivakasi produces over 90% of India’s fireworks. What makes these crackers special isn’t just the variety—it’s the quality, safety, and innovation behind each product. From sky shots and fancy bombs to ground chakkars and sparklers, Sivakasi is where the real Diwali magic begins.

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What Makes a Cracker Shop the "Best"?

Here are the key things to look for when choosing a crackers shop in Sivakasi:

Manufacturer Prices: Avoid middlemen—buy directly from trusted manufacturers or shops that sell at factory rates.

Online and Offline Availability: The best shops offer both options—buy in person or order online.

Quality Assurance: Top brands only. No low-grade or unsafe products.

Wide Variety: From kids’ items to grand sky displays, all under one roof.

Customer Support: Easy communication via WhatsApp, Instagram, or phone.

Delivery Across India: Fast, neat, and safe delivery services.

Verified Reputation: Active on social media, listed on Google Maps, and with good customer reviews.

Custom Packages: Whether you want a 3000, 5000, 10000 rupees package or a custom bundle—they have it ready.

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HD Crackers Sivakasi – A Trusted Name

One of the best shops that checks all the above boxes is HD Crackers Sivakasi. Here’s why they stand out:

Direct from Sivakasi manufacturers at best prices

Pan-India delivery with quality packaging

Customizable cracker combo packages

Updated Instagram (@hdcrackers_sivakasi) and website (www.hdcrackers.com)

Verified on Google Maps for offline visits

Safe, branded products only

Bulk orders for families, companies, and events

Option to buy crackers online

They also run regular updates on YouTube and Pinterest to showcase new arrivals and trending items—perfect for cracker lovers who want to stay updated.

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Final Thoughts

Whether you're buying crackers for a family celebration, a big event, or reselling them in your city—Sivakasi is the place to go. And choosing a reliable, transparent shop like HD Crackers ensures you get the best bang for your buck—literally.

Don’t fall for scams or unknown sources. Buy smart, buy safe, and make this Diwali unforgettable.

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Have you bought crackers from Sivakasi before? Share your experience in the comments!

For the latest cracker updates, follow HD Crackers on Instagram and visit their official site.

[frozen-snowflakesandsunflowers]

Further Frozen 3 and 4 details from Jennifer Lee | Latest update

Jennifer Lee's first interview is in my previous post.

In another interview on The Walt Disney Company page, Jennifer talks about the future of Frozen with some very subtle hints for the third and fourth installment.

WDC (The Walt Disney Company) asks Jennifer Lee,

“You directed Frozen and Frozen 2, and this year is its 10th anniversary. Not to mention, the opening of World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland. Ten years later, what has made Frozen everlasting?”

Jennifer Lee replies,

“I believe it’s both the story of familial love with these two sisters, and the idea of love conquering fear. I recently visited World of Frozen, and it is awe-inspiring. You are a citizen of Arendelle the moment you walk into the land.”

WDC finishes off with the question, “Is there anything you can tell us about Frozen 3?”

Jennifer answers,

“Only what we have already shared, which is the team is hard at work, we are deeply excited about the story we are shaping together, and it’s so epic it may not fit into just one film.”

So what we are given is that like the previous movies it has a theme of fear while still continuing to focus on the sisters and their love for each other. Frozen was about fear Vs love and Frozen 2 was fear Vs change or love Vs change.

Some of us already predict what the next theme conquering fear and faced by love will be trust given the podcast theme of trust.

I find it quite interesting how she uses the word “epic” to describe the story. When Agnarr finishes telling Elsa and Anna his story about the enchanted forest, Anna says “Wow Papa!... That was epic!"

You may think Jennifer could be referring to something like war or similar events as to the past told in Frozen 2 but no I don't think that's what she's getting at.

Actually she's trying to tell us that Frozen 3 and 4's events will be big and game changing like these events that went down in the enchanted forest.

What's really great to note is that they're taking the story slow and steady panning it into two movies, handling it with care and not rushing it unlike Frozen 2 and trying to avoid last minute story changes like Frozen. She's really trying to sell the movies' story and being honest I like how everything is. Not too much is given away, they're getting us prepared and aware of the pace of the story, and how many movies it'll fit into. They're handling production differently and better. The only thing we must do is hope this calmness remains throughout and nothing is rushed. The promotion of the movie should also be big as that affects the movies' success. But it's a good strategy for us to also be cautiously optimistic for that reason. But yeah so far it sounds promising.

[farcillesbian]

Hey Peach I won't ask anything super incriminating or anything but do you need a VPN to torrent stuff? Or really good antivirus?

I know I should look into how to do that stuff but before I attempt anything of the sort, I wanna know if I should beef up my security before I start sniffing around.

Im really out of my element here 😭

hi hi, so there are a couple of things I do to keep my computer/data safe when torrenting - first of all, yes, a VPN is a great idea!! the one time I forgot to turn on my VPN before torrenting something at my parents house my dad got a letter from our internet provider about it 😵‍💫 (it basically was something about "your IP address was used to download copyright infringing material, don't do it again").

it's generally best practice to have some type of VPN set up before torrenting! try to stay away from free VPNs, from what I understand they're not the most reputable and oftentimes they're profiting off selling your data (the ol' "if they're not making money off the product then *you're* the product"). I hear good things about Mullvad and ProtonVPN - I believe at least Proton does have a free tier that just has a limit to how fast you can download things with it!

as far as antivirus goes, it's got its pros and cons. I actually don't always have it turned on, and I'm not a big fan of the built in Windows Defender (it tends to have a lot of false flags) - I like MalwareBytes and I'll do an occasional scan of my computer after downloading stuff & before actually running things. I personally find that antivirus programs tend to quarantine video game installation files when I try to run an installer for a game I torrented, which causes the installation to fail and then I have to go manually check the antivirus to un-quarantine the files 🙄 which is why I end up not having mine running all the time. but if it makes you more comfortable def keep it on, and just remember to check for quarantined files if you're having weird errors trying to install anything!

however I do also make sure that I'm visiting sites I generally trust so that lowers my chances of downloading anything sketchy (though not 0 - be mindful of what you download and open on your computer, especially executables (.exe files)!!) I find all sites I use either via direct recommendations from trusted friends who are very knowledgeable about information security and stuff, or from the r/piracy subreddit's megathread (they have a lot of recommendations for all different kind of media, and also a lot of helpful info about cautious pirating in general)

also, make sure that the torrent client you use is good! I've always used qBittorrent - it's pretty easy to use and set up, it's straightforward, open source, ad-free, and also has a lot of handy features (one of them being a feature in the advanced settings where you can have it only do things with your torrents while your computer is connected to your VPN, which is good for keeping your real IP address secure. if you want help figuring out that setting just reach out again and I'm happy to help!) whatever you do, please don't use μTorrent lol, that one sucks. also, you don't have to update it every time it comes out with an update, but it's generally a good idea to check the qBittorrent subreddit when an update does come out just to see if it deals with anything important security-wise - just recently, a pretty major backdoor vulnerability was identified and fixed, so it was actually pretty critical that everyone update to the latest version (to anyone reading this, make sure you're on 5.0.1 and nothing older than that!)

and also, a good Adblock like ublock origin will help keep you from accidentally clicking on nefarious links when trying to download things on the internet, so make sure you have that set up too!

also also, some regular websites (especially streaming services) HATE VPNs so if you have one running and you're trying to watch something on like, Netflix or your cable provider's streaming site and it's not working, pause the VPN till you're done! and that's where having your torrent client set up to automatically pause all torrents while your VPN is off comes in handy.

also also also, a note on torrenting etiquette - when you are torrenting something from other people (aka peer to peer/P2P file sharing) you are considered a "peer" and the people who have the full files and are sharing them with you via torrent are called "seeds". peers need to be connected to seeds to be able to receive the file. you will also have a ratio for each torrent - this is the amount of data you have sent vs how much you have received. a ratio of over 1.0 means you've sent more than you've received and is considered to be "good form". I usually stop seeding a torrent once it reaches above 1.0, and I do also often go stop seeding a lot of stuff below the 1.0 ratio if it looks like it has a lot of seeds, but I like to keep seeding when it seems like I'm the only one or just one of a few people seeding, especially for media that I already had a hard time finding, to make it a bit easier for someone else trying to torrent it. there are some things that I've waited months to finish torrenting just because nobody was seeding at all for a while 😭 so I do what I can to keep torrents alive myself.

sorry this ended up longer than I thought it would be, and probably longer than you expected, but I hope this is helpful! happy sailing the digital seas, anon :D

[voidboymads]

Fic and Personal Updates

Writing had to take a back burner again this past week and a half T-T had work this past weekend (I sell crocheted stuff at a market) and a few days before had some teeth pulled and I’m bogged down with orders this week.

I have a pretty good direction with this latest chapter of Instability but I just need to find the time and mind set to work on it D;

I rearranged my office the other day and created a cozy nook to read and lounge about so I may use that corner as my mojo to write this weekend 🤞

[buysellram]

Efficient GPU Management for AI Startups: Exploring the Best Strategies

The rise of AI-driven innovation has made GPUs essential for startups and small businesses. However, efficiently managing GPU resources remains a challenge, particularly with limited budgets, fluctuating workloads, and the need for cutting-edge hardware for R&D and deployment.

Understanding the GPU Challenge for Startups

AI workloads—especially large-scale training and inference—require high-performance GPUs like NVIDIA A100 and H100. While these GPUs deliver exceptional computing power, they also present unique challenges:

High Costs – Premium GPUs are expensive, whether rented via the cloud or purchased outright.

Availability Issues – In-demand GPUs may be limited on cloud platforms, delaying time-sensitive projects.

Dynamic Needs – Startups often experience fluctuating GPU demands, from intensive R&D phases to stable inference workloads.

To optimize costs, performance, and flexibility, startups must carefully evaluate their options. This article explores key GPU management strategies, including cloud services, physical ownership, rentals, and hybrid infrastructures—highlighting their pros, cons, and best use cases.

1. Cloud GPU Services

Cloud GPU services from AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure offer on-demand access to GPUs with flexible pricing models such as pay-as-you-go and reserved instances.

✅ Pros:

✔ Scalability – Easily scale resources up or down based on demand. ✔ No Upfront Costs – Avoid capital expenditures and pay only for usage. ✔ Access to Advanced GPUs – Frequent updates include the latest models like NVIDIA A100 and H100. ✔ Managed Infrastructure – No need for maintenance, cooling, or power management. ✔ Global Reach – Deploy workloads in multiple regions with ease.

❌ Cons:

✖ High Long-Term Costs – Usage-based billing can become expensive for continuous workloads. ✖ Availability Constraints – Popular GPUs may be out of stock during peak demand. ✖ Data Transfer Costs – Moving large datasets in and out of the cloud can be costly. ✖ Vendor Lock-in – Dependency on a single provider limits flexibility.

🔹 Best Use Cases:

Early-stage startups with fluctuating GPU needs.

Short-term R&D projects and proof-of-concept testing.

Workloads requiring rapid scaling or multi-region deployment.

2. Owning Physical GPU Servers

Owning physical GPU servers means purchasing GPUs and supporting hardware, either on-premises or collocated in a data center.

✅ Pros:

✔ Lower Long-Term Costs – Once purchased, ongoing costs are limited to power, maintenance, and hosting fees. ✔ Full Control – Customize hardware configurations and ensure access to specific GPUs. ✔ Resale Value – GPUs retain significant resale value (Sell GPUs), allowing you to recover investment costs when upgrading. ✔ Purchasing Flexibility – Buy GPUs at competitive prices, including through refurbished hardware vendors. ✔ Predictable Expenses – Fixed hardware costs eliminate unpredictable cloud billing. ✔ Guaranteed Availability – Avoid cloud shortages and ensure access to required GPUs.

❌ Cons:

✖ High Upfront Costs – Buying high-performance GPUs like NVIDIA A100 or H100 requires a significant investment. ✖ Complex Maintenance – Managing hardware failures and upgrades requires technical expertise. ✖ Limited Scalability – Expanding capacity requires additional hardware purchases.

🔹 Best Use Cases:

Startups with stable, predictable workloads that need dedicated resources.

Companies conducting large-scale AI training or handling sensitive data.

Organizations seeking long-term cost savings and reduced dependency on cloud providers.

3. Renting Physical GPU Servers

Renting physical GPU servers provides access to high-performance hardware without the need for direct ownership. These servers are often hosted in data centers and offered by third-party providers.

✅ Pros:

✔ Lower Upfront Costs – Avoid large capital investments and opt for periodic rental fees. ✔ Bare-Metal Performance – Gain full access to physical GPUs without virtualization overhead. ✔ Flexibility – Upgrade or switch GPU models more easily compared to ownership. ✔ No Depreciation Risks – Avoid concerns over GPU obsolescence.

❌ Cons:

✖ Rental Premiums – Long-term rental fees can exceed the cost of purchasing hardware. ✖ Operational Complexity – Requires coordination with data center providers for management. ✖ Availability Constraints – Supply shortages may affect access to cutting-edge GPUs.

🔹 Best Use Cases:

Mid-stage startups needing temporary GPU access for specific projects.

Companies transitioning away from cloud dependency but not ready for full ownership.

Organizations with fluctuating GPU workloads looking for cost-effective solutions.

4. Hybrid Infrastructure

Hybrid infrastructure combines owned or rented GPUs with cloud GPU services, ensuring cost efficiency, scalability, and reliable performance.

What is a Hybrid GPU Infrastructure?

A hybrid model integrates: 1️⃣ Owned or Rented GPUs – Dedicated resources for R&D and long-term workloads. 2️⃣ Cloud GPU Services – Scalable, on-demand resources for overflow, production, and deployment.

How Hybrid Infrastructure Benefits Startups

✅ Ensures Control in R&D – Dedicated hardware guarantees access to required GPUs. ✅ Leverages Cloud for Production – Use cloud resources for global scaling and short-term spikes. ✅ Optimizes Costs – Aligns workloads with the most cost-effective resource. ✅ Reduces Risk – Minimizes reliance on a single provider, preventing vendor lock-in.

Expanded Hybrid Workflow for AI Startups

1️⃣ R&D Stage: Use physical GPUs for experimentation and colocate them in data centers. 2️⃣ Model Stabilization: Transition workloads to the cloud for flexible testing. 3️⃣ Deployment & Production: Reserve cloud instances for stable inference and global scaling. 4️⃣ Overflow Management: Use a hybrid approach to scale workloads efficiently.

Conclusion

Efficient GPU resource management is crucial for AI startups balancing innovation with cost efficiency.

Cloud GPUs offer flexibility but become expensive for long-term use.

Owning GPUs provides control and cost savings but requires infrastructure management.

Renting GPUs is a middle-ground solution, offering flexibility without ownership risks.

Hybrid infrastructure combines the best of both, enabling startups to scale cost-effectively.

Platforms like BuySellRam.com help startups optimize their hardware investments by providing cost-effective solutions for buying and selling GPUs, ensuring they stay competitive in the evolving AI landscape.

The original article is here: How to manage GPU resource?

[saintmeghanmarkle]

I disagree with Sarah Vine's opinions on Harold in her latest DM piece: SARAH VINE: Happy 40th Harry. But has all the pain been for nothing? by u/Von_und_zu_

I disagree with Sarah Vine's opinions on Harold in her latest DM piece: SARAH VINE: Happy 40th Harry. But has all the pain been for nothing? Understandably, Harry is a wounded soul. [Nope. He has exceeded the Diana card limit in my opinion. He is not the only child ever to lose a parent.] But being in great pain [I think he is just a great jerk] does not confer the right to inflict the same on others – nor by doing so is your own suffering necessarily alleviated. [Harold's "suffering" is largely self inflicted. Choosing a bully for a wife. Choosing drugs as therapy. Being a self-absorbed spiteful bully himself. Etc.] Part of being a grown-up is realising this, and trying to end the cycle of unhappiness rather than perpetuate it. [Harold lives in a Never Neverland in his own mind. He never wants to grow up and take responsbility for anything.]Harry, though, has done the opposite. He has visited a terrible revenge on his father and the Queen, and turned on William and Kate for no obvious reason other than, perhaps, their decision to side with the King. [Um, hello. He is jealous of his brother and his wife. More sausages and all.]No wonder ­neither William nor Charles want to see him. In particular, Harry’s behaviour has been utterly toxic in light of the King and the Princess of Wales being treated for cancer. If he really is the kind, thoughtful soul his supporters claim, in his heart he must know this to be true. [Does he have a heart? I am uncertain.]And yet, while I despair of his methods and actions, part of me understands why he wanted to leave. [I do not think he intended to actually leave. He thought they would cave and beg him to come back on the terms he and his wife wanted because he and his wife are such hot stuff.] And though many sought to blame Meghan, I don’t believe it was ever really about her. It was about Harry and his damaged relationship with his family – and his desire to break his own generational curse. [Spare me the genetic pain. He is malevolent.] For that, I can’t help but grudgingly respect him. [R-E-S-P-E-C-T. That is not what it means to me.]It takes huge courage and determination to go against people’s expectations – and in Harry’s case, the nation’s. That he has done so is testament to his strength of character. [He has no strength or character in my opinion.] That he did it so viciously and so vindictively, though, is not.Should he be contemplating an ‘official’ return to the UK? [Shudder. No one wants him back.] I don’t think so. That would be a step backwards and mean all that pain was for nothing. [It would also mean he was wrong and he will never admit that to himself or anyone else. And what about his family's pain? ] He needs to find his own way forward. [Go to rehab Harold.] His decision not to update his autobiography, Spare, was a step in the right direction. [But was it a decision or a consequence of destroying all his materials?] But he’s got a long way to go to prove he has a new role to play without exploiting past capital. [He is still dining out on his family. He has nothing else to sell or offer.]Harry, I wish you the happiest of birthdays. May it mark the start of a new and more positive chapter in your life – and for all the royals. [Harold has his own chapter of joy?! How mindful! How demure!] Sarah - clue in! Harold is a loser! https://ift.tt/b4SZDmj post link: https://ift.tt/RktwY9f author: Von_und_zu_ submitted: September 15, 2024 at 05:13AM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit disclaimer: all views + opinions expressed by the author of this post, as well as any comments and reblogs, are solely the author's own; they do not necessarily reflect the views of the administrator of this Tumblr blog. For entertainment only.

[luigiblood]

Some thoughts about Nintendo Switch Online retro games since last time

This is essentially going to be not much of a post but I guess I could talk about a few things about its future since with all the updates that we got since last time.

We'll talk about UI code, Pokémon, NES, Fire Emblem and N64.

UI code upgrade

Literally the next day since my last post about it, on March 16th, Nintendo added new NES, SNES and GB titles. Under the hood, they did do a massive change to the user interface programming, bringing pretty much every NSO app to the latest user interface codebase that GB and GBA NSO had.

That said it brings absolutely no visible changes, NERD has just made sure to bring everything up-to-date. This is just more stable and probably easier to program and manage UI code.

Pokémon Stadium 1 & 2

On April 12th, Nintendo released Pokémon Stadium to NSO + Expansion Pack, and with no Transfer Pak support.

Of course, what did I even expect since there's no old mainline Pokémon titles yet (if ever?).

My opinion about Pokémon on NSO is that it will get stuck to only spinoffs. My worst case realistic scenario (aside from no rerelease) is Pokémon Company selling the old gens at $15 piecemeal (yes, $5 more than on 3DS Virtual Console).

Personally I expect Pokémon Company to be very strict about Pokémon management, and those games are highly abusable with glitches, honestly and are kind of region locked, too to some extent especially between japanese and international players, but they still bothered to rerelease them and supporting them with a way to transfer your Pokémons out of the games. It's also abusable if you supported the Transfer Pak in Pokémon Stadium titles since they also work like extra boxes for your Pokémons and those support save states, which was explicitly removed out of the 3DS Virtual Console release...

They did also release Pokémon Stadium 2 this week, also without Transfer Pak support.

I did look at the emulator really quick and did find that they added new functions for Lua script hacking for the games, and it does kinda look like they rebuilt the entire thing from a new version at least.

I'll speak more about N64 emulation later.

Mystery Tower

Fast forwarding a bit, on June 6th, Nintendo added more NES, SNES and GB titles. One of them was Mystery Tower by Namco.

This bothered me, because I knew what this game was, but the title did absolutely not sound right. Turns out this title is actually brand new, they had this title in their collection, the original title was "BABEL" which is interesting since this means it is a first case of title change hacks on NSO. That said I did eventually find out that Japan also had a title change to "The Tower of Babel", which was also done in collections, but also the Wii U Virtual Console release!

Anyway please try this puzzle game, just keep in mind the direction and how you can turn around stuff based on how you face it.

Fire Emblem

On June 23rd, Nintendo released Fire Emblem for the GBA NSO app. But Japan also had Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade, the actual first GBA Fire Emblem title, as we only started to get these games since the second GBA title.

I'll refer to them as FE6 (The Binding Blade) and FE7 (Fire Emblem) from now on.

This update was interesting for a couple reasons.

It just so happens that the japanese version of FE7 can link to FE6's completed save files to unlock a couple things in the game.

So now, when you go into multiplayer, after the first player selects FE7, the second player is allowed to select either FE7, or FE6 for "Link Cleared Save Data" (official english text). Another player can simply share their save files to another player.

This also means that the GBA app now has the ability to load different games for each player depending on the choice of the first player who serves as the host.

(This screenshot is me messing around with the functionality.)

However this is not the only noteworthy thing to happen, because it wouldn't feel fair for a single player to not being able to transfer their own FE6 saves to FE7. Well, they did actually implement a hack for single player too!

They actually reimplemented the linking process inside the emulator just to avoid emulating a second GBA for it, and it would seamlessly transfer the save data just fine.

If you're wondering about what it unlocks, a quick read made me figure out that it skips Lyn's story, and add new scenes to the epilogue and other small additions as well. Those new epilogue scenes are available in the US version by default, but not in the EU versions for some reason. They can also be accessed in the JP version without a save transfer by finishing the game 9 to 11 times (what the heck).

This functionality working as it is really cool, honestly, and it makes a process less painful to do like it was back then, and it did make me feel confident in the transfer of data between games like with Golden Sun & Golden Sun: The Lost Age or the Zelda Oracle games... speaking of...

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages/Seasons

Those two games ended up randomly coming at the end of July this year. They are known for being two parts of a fuller story if you link each of them from whatever order you start them with.

And that's where my disappointment came in to remind me of the terrible reality that is Nintendo Switch Online.

It is doable for two players to share their save files to each other through multiplayer, but if you wanna do the games yourself on your own in single player, you'll have to input the password you get from the other game.

That is kinda sad considering it's the first player who selects the save file from the other player, it could have been very easy to setup in a way that's easy to use without needing to implement any specific user interface, but that didn't quite happen.

I hope they'll bother for Golden Sun considering the tiers of password this game can have with Golden Sun: The Lost Age, but I am starting to think if the game does offer a way to transfer without needing any additional work, they wouldn't do it. In the case of Fire Emblem, this way of save transfer was the only way to do it.

I did not mention much about this, but Oracle of Ages/Seasons are also known for having exclusive content if you play those games on a Game Boy Advance. After looking into it though, it does not seem like we're missing much, but it's kinda sad that they're not really in their most definitive way to play them.

Pokémon Trading Card Game

Two weeks after those last two games, Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Stadium 2 were released.

The cool thing about this game, is that they emulated the infrared communications.

At least, Card Pop does work, for sure, which does require emulation of the IR communcation... or does it?

Upon a quick inspection of the emulator code, I found out that the emulator does indeed patch the game ROM's functions, and thanks to the disassembled Pokémon Trading Card Game offering me a lot of information, I found out that they absolutely don't emulate the IR communications at all and outright replace the IR functions to point to a invalid 0xDD opcode (opcodes are small commands that CPU executes)... which probably points to a function in the emulator to specifically manage this. Ain't that funny? In any case though, they do at least let all IR communications work just fine, and that's what matters.

(For the nerds who wants to look this up, the emulator keeps SHA1 hashes of the ROM you can easily search for, then points to a struct of 100 bytes original to compare, 100 bytes to patch, address, size, and something else I don't get.)

I ended up looking this up as someone pointed me to this video:

It turns out in the original game, one of the cards, the Phantom Venusaur, is impossible to obtain due to a mistake in the calculations of the odds, on which this video explains very well in detail.

This is the reason that motivated me to look at how the emulator might patch the game, and see if they fixed this issue: They did not fix this problem, I see no patch for any of the relevant code for this.

So, NERD, if you're reading this, look at 06:5D92, you can definitely fix this in one way or another.

N64 emulation

So... the Pokémon Stadium 2 release at least updated the emulator in some way, because they added new functions for the Lua scripting for N64 game hacks, and some of the UI engine stuff got shuffled around.

Then I tried some of the games, to see if some things got fixed:

F-Zero X did NOT get its framerate drop fixed.

Goldeneye's Dam level has texture tiling fixed. Interesting.

Since I noticed this last thing, it was pointed to Graslu00 who knows the game in and out and already compared the emulation of the game on NSO and Xbox... to a disappointing degree.

Here's his thread about the fixes... or rather the lack of: https://twitter.com/Graslu00/status/1688994099477528576

The update did also some additional fixes to Pokémon Stadium 1, though I don't really know much about it other than it relates to rendering and soft reset in some way.

Unfortunately the N64 emulator is still not up to snuff, but I think the most annoying thing is still the controls. The default controls suck, let us change them in the emulator, per game! Offer also better stick emulation!

It still pains me to rely on the Switch OS remap feature, it's not good for this, it messes too much with some of the macros, it sucks!

It annoys me when I see the text "Change Control Method" in the emulator files too, you guys clearly thought about it! Why isn't it a feature after months with nothing?

Future releases

There's still a couple N64 games left that were explicitly announced for 2023, such as 1080° Snowboarding, Excitebike 64 and Mario Party 3.

That said Japan also had plans for release of Harvest Moon 64 (which I see no reason why we can't get it now that Harvest Moon SNES got released since), but also Goldeneye 007, on which Japan has it on the highest age rating (CERO Z).

Considering how the plans are going and how lazy everything is (sorry devs, I'm sure you guys know already, but most of the results of this just don't impress me and don't fill me with confidence aside from GB/GBA somehow), I just think N64 NSO will randomly get a 18+ rating and put every N64 game under parental control bullshit out of nowhere with no warning for Japan.

Also, where's the alternate languages for NES and SNES games?

[govindhtech]

Apple M4 Powers Up the iMac: Blazing Speed for Creatives

Apple M4 iMac Predictions

24 Apple iMac

Apple M4 chips may be introduced when Apple updates the 24-inch iMac in 2024. Apple intends to update the Mac series, including the iMac, with AI-focused M4 CPUs. This document details Apple’s M4 iMac ambitions.

Apple M4

Apple may incorporate the M4 chip from the latest iPad Pro models in the forthcoming 24-inch iMac. Since iMacs have M3 chips, the M4 will be a direct upgrade.

Apple M4 is a second-generation chip based on the M3’s 3-nanometer technology with performance and efficiency improvements. Apple M4 CPU outscored M3 chip by 25% in Geekbench benchmark test, suggesting considerable performance boost.

The Apple M4 had 3,695 single-core and 14,550 multi-core scores, compared to 3,087 and 11,702 for the M3.

Apple’s M4 processor has a 10-core GPU and CPU with four performance and six efficiency cores. Apple uses an M4 with a 9-core CPU in the iPad Pro, but the iMac may not have it.

Other Macs will have upgraded M4 Pro, M4 Max, and M4 Ultra CPUs, while the 24-inch iMac, which is equal in price to the MacBook Air, will only have the M4 chip.

Create

No signs suggest Apple will revamp the iMac soon the last overhaul was in 2021. The 2024 iMac refresh may focus internal improvements over exterior design changes.

Computers and displays are merged in the iMac. It fits on a desktop due to its narrow profile and 11.5mm thickness. It has a pastel chin and comes in bright shades.

They know of no iMac enhancements other than the Apple M4 chip.

Larger iMac?

Despite rumours, a 30-inch iMac was still in development in mid-2023. Its release date is unknown. As of May 25, 2024, Apple has no larger iMac. Current 24-inch iMacs include M3 chips. In 2024, rumours of a bigger iMac with an M-series CPU had faded. Apple hasn’t confirmed a 30-inch model for 2025.

Expect a larger iMac: Rumours say Apple may sell a larger iMac in the future.

Connect Mac to external display: You can add a larger external monitor to your iMac or Mac mini. This maximises screen space and lets you choose size and resolution.

Consider Mac Studio: The Mac Studio is fast and may be used with a larger display for a strong desktop arrangement.

Launch Day

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman expected a 24-inch iMac M4 processor update “around the end of the year.” The iMac may launch at October or November Apple events with new Macs. Pre-year MacBook Pro and Mac mini improvements are anticipated. Since the iMac was updated in October 2023, an October 2024 release would conclude the year.

The M4 processor outperforms the M3 with a 10-core CPU (6 efficiency and 4 performance) and GPU. Hardware-accelerated ray tracing and 16-core Neural Engine are featured. The M4 iMac could handle video editing and 3D rendering.

Apple iMac M3

They expect the new iMac to have a 24-inch Retina 4.5K display like the M3 model. Apple may possibly offer more colours for the upcoming iMac, like the M2 model. The M4 iMac will be a major upgrade from the M3. Keep an eye out for Apple’s M4-powered iMac later this year if you want a powerful and adaptable desktop.

Based on rumours and leaks, the M4 iMac may include these features:

The next-generation 24-inch iMac is believed to have the M4 chip, which Apple used in the current iPad Pro versions.

The M4, a second-generation microprocessor with faster and more efficient performance, uses the same 3-nanometer technology as the M3.

The M4 outperformed the M3 on Geekbench by 25%. Apple’s M4 processor contains a 10-core CPU and GPU with six efficiency and four performance cores.

Design: The M4 iMac will have a slim, colourful aluminium casing like the M3.

Seven brilliant colors blue, green, pink, silver, space grey, yellow, and orange are likely.

256GB of M4 iMac storage can be expanded to 2TB of SSD storage.

The M4 iMac will have 8GB of starting memory and up to 16GB of unified memory.

Reports and leaks suggest these specs for Apple’s M4 iMac:

M4 Chip had 10 cores: 4 efficient, 6 performant.

Ten cores and second-generation 3-nanometers make the GPU more efficient and performant than M3.

24-inch 4.5K Retina screen, True Tone, P3 colour gamut.

SSDs start at 256GB and RAM up to 2TB.

Standard unified memory is 8GB, customisable to 16GB.

Dual SDXC card slots, USB-C connections, Thunderbolt 4 connectors.

From last update, there was no mention of a “M4 iMac.” Apple regularly updates their products with newer processors and features. Apple’s custom Mac CPUs are generally labelled “M”.

The M1 chip, which delivered exceptional performance and energy economy, changed Apple’s desktop and laptop computers. An M4 iMac may use this special silicon to boost power and efficiency. I prefer Apple’s official releases or trusted tech sources for the most accurate and current information.

Read more on Govindhtech.com

[labetenwar]

Hey friends !

I'm back online after a few days of break. Thruth is my computer has been broken. It seems that I made the processor burn out of too much hard work and this is going to become really reavelant next.

Actually those few days of forced vacation was for the better. Maybe you know that a few days ago I had a really bad mental breakdown to the point of putting myself in danger. Those last days I had a lot of time to process the recent events and the conclusion is bad.

Thruth is my small art business is in a really bad state. The sad true is that I'm working my ass off on a daily basis for peanuts. I have tried my best, I have tried to cut my expenses but bills keep suffocating me and I'm reaching bottom.

It deeply sadden me but I have came to the conclusion that I can no longer selling my creations for a living. It has always been difficult. For a reason beyond my comprehension I have never managed to build a large audiance online or during conventions. I have supporters and I am really gratefull to every single one of them for having me going this far. But this is no longer enough to survive.

I have been thinking a lot and I think that the best move now is to find the « easiest » job I can find, part time or something not to draining. This pill is really hard to swallow especially because it is something I have tried to avoid for my entire life. I'm really scared because my latest job experiences has been from, difficults to, complete nightmare fuels. I'm scared that I will no longer have the time an the energy to draw and this is more nightmare fuel since I have built my entire identity around my creations. I know as a matter of fact that work is draining me totally. After my last job it tooks me a year to find back the sparkle to create. But the facts are here, If I keep trying this bad to earn money with my creations it wont ends well.

I hope I could keep casually selling my creations from time to time but relying entirely on them to survive is no longer an option. I am not built to survive in this capitalistic era and I have enough years of experiences now to see the all picture and understand that I never will.

I know it seems that I'm making a big deal out of nothing but in the meantime I have seen that the warning signals have never been so alarming and I hate that I have to move on from my dream job. It feels unreal. It feels even more bitter when I remember how confident I was at the end of 2023, maybe it was just denial. Besides, I won't elaborate how much I'm still suffering the lose of my baby bunny Pépin, but trust me when I say 2024 has been horrible so far. It's easy to tell actually, I can't have a conversation with anyone without bursting into tears.

I know it might feels unatural to share all of this online but I have never been good at separating my personal and profesional life like some kind of partitioned computer. Profesional me is drowning in the same pool than private me so I have never knew where to draw the line.

From now on, I'm going to need a new life direction. I assume my plan starting now is focusing my energy on finding this job. I guess I'll keep my Patreon running for now and keep casually updating my social media but I'm probably won't be actively on the hunt for new clients. I assume I could keep taking commissions from time to time when I have the time and energy. On my free time, I'll try to concentrate on my personal projects, comics and merchs, because I love creating those. I also love having booth at conventions, so I hope I could keep doing that without the pressure to make some money.

I think that's it. Thanks for sticking arround even in those bad times, I'll keep being around. See you soon.

[digital-marketing-for-dentist]

Leveraging Google Ads for Dental Clinics in USA

In today’s digitally-driven world, the success of a dental clinic often hinges on its online visibility and marketing strategies. Among the plethora of digital marketing tools available, Google Ads stands out as a powerful platform for reaching potential patients and expanding the clinic’s client base. However, effectively harnessing the potential of Google Ads requires a strategic approach tailored to the unique needs of dental clinics. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the best practices for running successful Google Ads campaigns specifically designed for dental clinics.

Comprehensive Keyword Research: Keywords form the foundation of any successful Google Ads campaign for dental clinics, it’s essential to conduct thorough keyword research to identify terms and phrases that potential patients are likely to use when searching for dental services. Focus on both general keywords (e.g., “dental clinic,” “dentist near me”) and specific keywords related to services offered (e.g., “teeth whitening,” “orthodontic treatment”).

Targeted Ad Groups: Organize your Google Ads campaign into targeted ad groups based on specific services or treatments offered by your dental clinic. This segmentation allows for more precise targeting and enables you to craft tailored ad copy that resonates with potential patients searching for those particular services.

Compelling Ad Copy: Write compelling ad copy that highlights the unique selling points of your dental clinic. Emphasize factors such as expertise, experience, patient satisfaction, and any special offers or promotions. Incorporate relevant keywords into your ad copy to improve relevance and quality score, which can lead to better ad placement and lower costs per click.

Utilize Ad Extensions: Take advantage of ad extensions to provide additional information and improve the visibility of your ads. Location extensions are particularly beneficial for dental clinics, as they help potential patients find your clinic easily by displaying your address, phone number, and a link to directions directly in the ad.

Optimized Landing Pages: Ensure that your Google Ads lead to optimized landing pages that provide a seamless user experience and encourage conversion. The landing page should be relevant to the ad’s messaging and feature clear calls-to-action prompting visitors to schedule an appointment, contact the clinic, or learn more about the services offered.

Ad Schedule and Geo-Targeting: Utilize ad scheduling and geo-targeting features to reach potential patients at the right time and in the right locations. Identify peak times when users are most likely to search for dental services and adjust your ad schedule accordingly. Geo-targeting allows you to target ads to specific geographic locations where your target audience is located.

Monitor and Analyze Performance: Regularly monitor the performance of your Google Ads campaigns and analyze key metrics such as click-through rate (CTR), conversion rate, and return on investment (ROI). Use this data to identify areas for improvement and make informed adjustments to your campaign strategy.

A/B Testing: Conduct A/B testing experiments to compare different ad creatives, headlines, and landing page variations. By testing and optimizing various elements of your ads, you can refine your approach and maximize the effectiveness of your campaigns over time.

Budget Management: Set a realistic budget for your Google Ads campaigns and allocate funds strategically across different ad groups and keywords. Monitor your spending closely and adjust your budget allocation based on the performance of individual campaigns and the overall return on investment.

Stay Updated and Adapt: The digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving, and Google frequently updates its advertising platform. Stay informed about the latest trends, features, and best practices in Google Ads for dental clinics, and be prepared to adapt your strategy accordingly to stay ahead of the competition.

In conclusion, mastering Google Ads requires a combination of strategic planning, continuous optimization, and a deep understanding of your target audience. By implementing these best practices tailored to the unique needs of dental clinics, you can elevate your online presence, attract more patients, and grow your practice effectively in the digital age.

[hopieyuh]

Food Storage Container with a Built-in Cooling System (Powered by Solar Energy).

In the fast-evolving landscape of food storage solutions, our latest product aims to redefine the way we preserve perishable items. The Food Storage Container with a Built-in Cooling System, meticulously designed and powered by solar energy, marks a groundbreaking stride towards sustainable and efficient food storage. Let's delve into the intricate details of this innovative product through the lens of the Business Model Canva.

1. Customer Segments:

Our Food Storage Container caters to a diverse range of customer segments, from households seeking sustainable storage solutions to outdoor enthusiasts in need of portable and efficient food preservation during activities such as camping or picnics, with a focus on boarding students or tenants of Central Mindanao University (CMU) who wish to preserve their food to reduce expenses, campers and ecologically minded clients who emphasized sustainability

2. Value Proposition:

Centrally rooted in our product is a steadfast commitment to offering users an unparalleled solution for extending the shelf life of perishable items. Our built-in cooling system, powered by solar energy, not only guarantees freshness but also aligns seamlessly with the escalating demand for eco-friendly and energy-efficient alternatives. With a focus on preserving, maintaining quality, and extending the consumption window of food items, our product serves as a reliable means to prevent and reduce spoilage of perishable goods. Moreover, its versatility shines through, as its utilization remains viable at any time and from any location, providing convenience and efficiency to users across diverse settings.

3. Channels:

Employing a versatile multi-channel strategy, our product seamlessly reaches customers through various avenues, encompassing online platforms and carefully chosen retail outlets. This strategic approach ensures accessibility and convenience for a diverse customer base. Our sales force, adept in marketing and advertising, spearheads our presence in both online and select retail spaces. In the online domain, we leverage web sales via our online storefront and e-commerce platform. Additionally, our presence is augmented through partner stores, strategically positioned in popular online shopping apps and dedicated appliances stores. This multi-pronged distribution strategy aligns with our commitment to reaching customers through channels that suit their preferences and lifestyles.

4. Customer Relationships:

We foster strong customer relationships by providing comprehensive support through user manuals, personalized online assistance or online guides, offering appliance maintenance, and responding promptly to customer inquiries while servicing e-commerce, ensuring satisfaction and responsive customer service. Regular updates on maintenance and new features further engage our customers.

5. Revenue Streams:

Direct selling of solar food containers to students at set prices, offering discounts, promotions, and refurbishment services for product longevity. The Food Storage Container presents a one-time purchase model with additional revenue streams through accessories like replacement cooling modules and eco-friendly cleaning solutions. This model ensures a steady income while offering customers the flexibility to enhance their product over time. 

6. Key Resources:

At the core of our operations are key resources that drive our success: cutting-edge manufacturing facilities, sustainable material sourcing, and a team of dedicated engineers committed to ongoing improvements in cooling technology. These resources are instrumental in upholding the standards of our products, ensuring both quality and innovation. Our resource portfolio encompasses a variety of elements, ranging from raw materials and skilled experts to branding, copyrights, and patents. Additionally, we leverage valuable assets such as customer databases, personal funds, and the integration of renewable light energy. This comprehensive array of resources positions us at the forefront of our industry, facilitating continuous advancement and reinforcing our commitment to excellence.

7. Key Activities:

Our core activities, including product development, rigorous quality control, and continuous exploration of eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient technologies, underscore our commitment to innovation. These efforts position us at the forefront of the industry, where regular updates and improvements exemplify our dedication to staying ahead. In terms of production, we focus on specific design variations, offering a range of colors and sizes, and ensure efficient delivery with multiple payment options like COD, COP, and Gcash. Our problem-solving initiatives are comprehensive, providing customers with a detailed appliances manual that covers aspects like product features, installation processes, diverse use cases, potential risks, and solutions to commonly faced challenges. These structured activities collectively embody our dedication to delivering a cutting-edge product while ensuring customer satisfaction through informative and solution-oriented support materials.

8. Key Partnerships:

Strategic collaborations lie at the core of our business, establishing robust partnerships with solar technology providers, environmental organizations, and retailers. These alliances not only fortify the backbone of our operations but also contribute significantly to the sustainability and extended market reach of our innovative product. Key partners encompass online platforms such as TikTok, Shopee, and Facebook, alongside crucial connections with electricians. While our key suppliers primarily consist of wholesalers, the specifics are yet to be finalized. Essential resources, both physical, including raw materials, and human, in terms of expertise, are acquired through these strategic partnerships. Key activities performed by our partners involve production, focusing on manufacturing processes, and establishing partnerships to seamlessly integrate our product into online shopping platforms. These collaborative efforts collectively propel our business towards success, emphasizing both environmental responsibility and efficient market presence.

9. Cost Structure:

Our primary expenditures encompass critical areas such as research and development, manufacturing processes, marketing campaigns, and the steadfast commitment to maintaining sustainable practices. These investments are indispensable, forming the financial backbone to ensure the creation of a high-quality, eco-friendly product that aligns with our core values. The cost structure comprises fixed and variable elements. Fixed costs range from PHP 5,500 to PHP 6,500, providing the foundation for our operations. Variable costs, on the other hand, involve allocating funds to essential components like raw materials, including an evaporator (PHP 1,000 to PHP 2,000), a small solar panel (around PHP 2,000), stainless steel for the container (PHP 1,000), and plastic containers (ranging from PHP 50 to PHP 200 per unit). Additionally, variable costs encompass man labor, with electrician services in the range of PHP 300 to PHP 800 per day. These detailed cost allocations are pivotal in sustaining our commitment to delivering an innovative and eco-conscious product to our valued customers.

In conclusion, the Food Storage Container with a Built-in Cooling System is not merely a product; it's a testament to our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Through the lens of the Business Model Canva, we envision a future where our revolutionary food storage solution becomes a household staple, reshaping the way we think about freshness and sustainability.