#Seattle Process Servers

[amadeusgame]

September Devlog: Full Episode 1 Design Finalized

Per last month's devlog, this month's primary task was to finish the narrative outline and complete game design document for the full Episode 1 release. And I'm happy to announce that this is done, I have a concrete vision to follow, and now it's a matter of ticking off boxes on the to-do list until this thang is RELEASED. I'm getting REALLY excited about this project, and feeling like it is becoming more and more tangible.

Some quick updates before getting into the details:

I'm sure you all heard the kerfuffle about Unity; I've discussed where I'm currently at on the Tumblr blog here.

I went to PAX West (and the Seattle Indies Expo) and talked to a ton of indie devs! I wrote about a lot of upcoming indie games on the Tumblr blog here.

As always check the linktree (https://linktr.ee/amadeusgame) for all resources related to Amadeus. Most frequently updated are the Tumblr blog and Discord server, but these itch.io devlogs will continue monthly as well.

And now, for this month's updates. 

TL;DR--

PAX West & Seattle Indies Expo: more details on these events, specifically how much it helped me as a solo dev meeting and talking with other solo devs.

New Mechanics Envisioned: made a new paper prototype & sought playtester feedback to determine final control scheme vision.

Finishing the Narrative Outline: process for sitting down and mapping out the full Episode 1 narrative to guide the GDD

Completing the Game Design Document: process for taking the new mechanics & full narrative to fully outline the design for Episode 1

Recreation: media I engaged with this month for fun and inspiration!

Details below for those interested.

PAX West & Seattle Indies Expo

This was my first time attending PAX, and it was incredibly valuable. The Seattle Indies Expo (an adjacent, and completely free, event) in particular was fantastic, because I got to have really in-depth, one-on-one conversations with a lot of other small developers. So many of us are working on passion projects in our spare time, and wearing 20 different hats - from music composition to coding to project management to marketing - while also doing something else to pay the bills. So it felt very grounding to have honest discussions with so many other people who are all in the same boat. It also helped to find that a couple other developers came to the same answers I did on certain topics (virtually all of us are in agreement that you absolutely have to have deadlines that you take seriously, or you will never finish...), and one of the developers I spoke with mentioned something really helpful: that if you only have 1-2 hours to work on your game a week, decide EXACTLY WHAT you will work on in that time slot beforehand, so you've already started dedicating brain energy to the topic before the time comes.

I met a handful of developers who I'm likely to keep in touch with for the foreseeable future. It was a fantastic opportunity. Those of us out here making niche little passion projects really do feel the passion coming from each other. Gotta find your people and support each other!

I'll go ahead and plug my Amadeus blog Tumblr post on the subject again, because I'm also genuinely excited about a lot of these games: 10 Upcoming Indie Games to check out!

New Mechanics Envisioned

Never forget that busting out the sticky notes/scratch paper is an essential step in game design & development.

One of the major roadblocks I faced last month standing between me and finishing my GDD was that I knew I needed to rework the main interaction mechanic. I liked that it was WASD/point-and-click interchangeable, but it felt very unpolished. So one of my first tasks for this month was to figure out what, exactly, my vision for a polished interaction mechanic was. To do that, I revisited the very first step of game development, and made a paper prototype.

In doing this, I was able to identify the biggest source of my problem: I really like that you can control Amadeus - and not just a cursor, but this makes it impossible to interact with things that he can't get to (like looking at things in the sky). This is kind of at odds with the control scheme that seems most natural for the genre.

The central source of my problem was this:

The most straightforward control scheme for my game seemed to be point-and-click, where you don't have an actor you control but just directly interact with environments.

However; point-and-click mechanics are very hard on my wrists (because I have massively screwed up wrists), and I want to make a game that I can play comfortably - and for thematic reasons, this is all the more important!

Moreover; I just really like controlling a little guy and walking around as him.

I have come up with a solution that I think works well, at least on paper. One of my big goals this month is to prototype it in-engine, and hopefully get it in front of playtesters soon. The good news is that I got a lot of feedback from playtesters that the hybrid control scheme was a plus, and almost nobody used exclusively WASD or exclusively point-and-click, which tells me that my "utilize both" design philosophy feels right. Now I just need to polish it.

My goal is still to have a rebuilt demo, containing more or less the same content as the existing demo (unless...? but let's not get our hopes up too high!) with the new mechanics and control scheme, out this Winter. So far, still on track for that!

Finishing the Narrative Outline

THIS was truly the largest obstacle between me and a complete GDD. It is not possible to list out all assets needed in a game if you don't have a list of every scene in the game, and you can't have a list of every scene in the game without a complete narrative outline. Making the demo was easy in this respect - I already knew how my story started. I also knew more or less how it would end (or at least, several key climactic events). But there is no catharsis in a climax that lacks a rich, engaging, and well-developed journey to get there. That's the meatiest part of the game, and it's what I did not have.

Truth be told, I don't know whether the journey I am writing counts as rich, engaging, and well-developed. But I've finally made it concrete, and I think it has heart. This process was actually very rewarding, because I found that in asking myself questions (what is CHARACTER doing here, how does EVENT happen) I found really fascinating answers that made the entire story much more interesting than the one I initially set out to write.

I started just by creating a document titled "Episode 1 Outline" that looked something like this:

Intro

Prologue

Placeholder Scene

Placeholder Scene

Placeholder Scene

Climax

Outro

The reason I was actually able to get from that to a complete outline in less than a month is because, while it didn't really feel like it, I actually did a lot of "writing" last month. I spent the whole month watching a ton of werewolf movies and taking scribbled notes in my Amadeus brainstorming notebook, so I had a huge pool of ideas that were already swimming around in my head. This month's task wasn't to write a story I had no ideas about, it was to finally draw from all of my ideas and refine/organize them to a manageable and logical format.

Most importantly, I gave myself a deadline to finish this outline, and so the day of that deadline I sat down and looked at my intro, my climax and just thought of the "path of least resistance" to get from point A to point B that flowed well and made sense. The resulting outline is much, much shorter than I had initially envisioned (I had some utter delusions of an Umineko-length monstrosity of an introductory episode) - but it works, it tells the full story, and it's complete. And, as will be discussed in the next section, even this relatively "short" episode has so much to it that if it were any longer there's almost no way I would finish it on time.

I still don't have every single detail mapped out at this stage. That much was true for the demo as well. Many aspects of the story wrote themselves by building the game and the necessity of flavor text, signposting, etc.; so I'm leaving room for that. It is just specific enough that I know exactly what assets to make for it, and I know the purpose of each scene. This lets me write early scenes setting up to payoff in later scenes more effectively. I think it should be a good length to be engaging for the player while still letting me give it some polish. :)

Completing the Game Design Document

This was the big thing I needed to accomplish this month. I actually made solid progress on this last month, but I was unable to finish it because I didn't have a definite narrative outline, list of scenes, or finalized control scheme. Once I had these from my work this month, I was able to sit down and finish this document.

I want nothing more in the world than to share this document, because seeing it complete feels like such a massive victory. It shows that I know exactly what I'm doing and that I have solid direction for the development of Amadeus. It proves that this game is getting made. It's even color-coded!! Unfortunately, it contains absolutely GINORMOUS spoilers not just for Episode 1 but for Episodes 3, 4, and 5, which won't be out for years. So you'll just have to take my word for it.

The "Level Planning" and "Rule List" sections of this document needed the most attention, but they are also some of the most valuable for directing the full game's development.  

For the Level Planning aspect, I broke the scenes from my narrative outline down by gameplay type (point-and-click, pure dialogue, puzzle/other) and, in doing so, I found that I gave myself additional ideas for some things I wasn't sure about. Thinking about the narrative in a different way, by breaking it down into gameplay concepts, helped me make certain storytelling decisions and continue fleshing out additional narrative details. This is why I was OK leaving some things vague in my outline - I knew other aspects of development would help me fill in the blanks.

Creating the Rule List is something that, in a way, is helpful as a form of "pre-coding." It forced me to put some thought into how I will actually implement the mechanics I have been brainstorming and prototyping. I already have some ideas, and I already know at least a few edge cases/problems that are going to arise--but that means when it comes time to sit down and actually script things out, I won't be starting from scratch. I've already dedicated brainpower to considering the problem! It'll make it way easier to actually DO, since I've done the first step already.

I know I am repeating myself a lot here, but it keeps coming up because it's important. Putting thought into something before you sit down to "do" it makes it SO much easier to actually do it when that time comes. This entire month has been effectively just that for the whole game: in making this GDD, I have put thought into every aspect of the game's development, so now that I can focus on making it, it's going to be so much easier. I already know where I'm going! What a weight off of my shoulders!!

The last thing I needed to flesh out in the GDD were my asset lists and screen mockups, which there isn't much to say about that can't be inferred from the title. I'll include the mockup for a new menu/settings screen I need to create though to tease some features I hope to implement:

I also included some (annotated) screenshots of the demo to remind myself what the game actually looks like with nicely drawn assets and not mockup scribbles...

Recreation

As with last month, I want to take some time to discuss media I've engaged with this month. This is for two reasons. First, I genuinely believe that it is impossible to create good art without engaging with other art. Second, talking about media I enjoy will probably give you a feel for my tastes, which may or may not inform how likely you are to enjoy the game I'm making. Although the best measure for that is still just playing the demo and seeing for yourself!

This month I spent the majority of my time playing Castlevania: Symphony of the Night with my roommate. Truthfully, I did not actually expect this to be relevant to Amadeus in any way because the genre is completely different. But I've never been happier to be wrong! The Halloween-y vibes are of course relevant as I am writing about werewolves, but I was also just so inspired by several really brilliant game design choices. This game features something that I like to call "style AS substance," and that is exactly what I want to convey in my own game. I also got a fantastic idea for something I've been brainstorming for Episode 3 thanks to this game, but I can't elaborate on that any further at this time.

Anyway, it was a fantastic game, and also fantastic inspiration. 10/10 would recommend to friends.

That's all for this month! There will be another devlog at the end of November, and now that the GDD is done, there should be a lot of development progress in that one. In the meantime, you can always bookmark the Linktree and check back for new resources.

[juhnkit]

Babel in Seattle (1998)

"The Space Needle was visible through the lobby's massive windows, its illuminated form like a transmission tower against the night sky. David had been having visions of it for weeks now, dreams where the structure housed massive servers and AI cores, processing data collected from every human in the city.

The discordant industrial rhythm of Marilyn Manson's "New Model No. 15" played distantly from someone's car stereo in the hotel parking garage, the mechanical beats and electronic distortion echoing through the concrete structure and seeping into the lobby. The song's themes about manufactured beings and control systems seemed eerily appropriate as David stood watching the couples moving through the lobby like programmed automatons, their social smiles and greetings indistinguishable from algorithms following predetermined scripts.

Sometimes the Space Needle spoke to him in the voice of his father, a Southern Baptist preacher who'd used the belt as freely as Bible verses."

-Babel in Seattle (1998)

#PsychologicalHorror

#TechnoHorror

#SeattleNoir

#90sHorror

#CircularNarrative

-----

[tomk447]

Cloud Revolution in Sports Officiating: The Next Generation of VAR

In the high-stakes world of professional sports, where split-second decisions can make or break a game, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system has been a game-changer. As someone who's spent over two decades in broadcast television, I've witnessed firsthand the evolution of this technology. And let me tell you, we're on the cusp of something truly revolutionary.

Picture this: It's a crucial NFL match between the Seattle Seahawks and the Cleveland Browns. A fumble occurs - a pivotal moment that could swing the game. But here's the kicker: the officials can't access the replay. In an age of instant global communication, this seems almost comical. Yet, it happened, highlighting the glaring issues plaguing current VAR systems.

Enter cloud-based replay technology - the new MVP in the world of sports officiating. This isn't just about storing data on remote servers; it's about reimagining how we approach fairness and accuracy in sports.

Cloud-based VAR promises real-time access to high-quality video feeds from multiple angles, scalability to handle events of any size, and consistency across venues. But that's just the warm-up. We're looking at AI-powered analysis that can spot infractions faster than you can say "offside." And the best part? It's potentially more cost-effective than traditional systems, making professional-level VAR accessible to smaller leagues and clubs.

Let's talk about the key players in this cloud-based revolution:

Hawk-Eye Innovations: Known for making tennis line calls less contentious, they're now bringing multi-angle synchronized video replay and AI-powered offside detection to soccer. The English Premier League is already reaping the benefits.

EVS: This overachiever in live video tech is streamlining the VAR process with instant replay from multiple camera angles and AI-assisted incident detection. It's turning VAR decisions from time-consuming ordeals into swift, decisive actions.

TVU Networks: Their TVU Replay system is the dark horse in this race. Imagine using smartphones and tablets as video sources for VAR - it's bringing big-league tech to the little leagues. The system can sync an unlimited number of sources and gives referees access to alternative broadcast feeds, capturing angles that might catch crucial moments the official feed missed.

ChyronHego: With their TRACAB Gen5 system, they're blurring the lines between player tracking and VAR, offering AI-driven offside line technology and cloud-based data processing.

Evertz: They're bringing high-quality, low-latency video streaming and AI-powered incident detection to the table, combining the best of sports broadcasting and cutting-edge tech.

So, what does this mean for the future of VAR? Buckle up, because we're in for quite a ride.

First off, VAR is going mainstream. Thanks to cloud-based solutions like TVU Replay, even local leagues might soon benefit from professional-level replay tech. It's democratizing fairness in sports.

User interfaces are getting simpler too. You won't need a computer science degree to operate these systems anymore. The future of VAR is intuitive and user-friendly.

AI integration is set to skyrocket. We might soon see systems that can automatically detect offsides, spot potential infractions, and maybe even predict controversial plays before they happen. It's like having a crystal ball for referees.

Visualization is getting a major upgrade. Think augmented reality overlays for offside lines, 3D reconstructions of plays, and maybe even holographic displays that bring the replay right onto the field.

Communication is also set for a revolution. Imagine seamless communication between on-field officials and VAR operators, real-time data for teams and media, and instant, clear explanations for VAR decisions delivered to fans.

But it's not all smooth sailing. With great power comes great responsibility, and cloud-based VAR brings its own set of challenges.

Data privacy and security are more crucial than ever. A data breach in high-stakes competitions could be devastating. Regulatory bodies will need to keep pace with the tech, adapting rules and regulations at breakneck speed. Officials and operators will need ongoing training to keep up with the advancements.

We'll also need to strike a delicate balance between technological assistance and human judgment. After all, we don't want to lose the human touch that makes sports so compelling.

Cost and accessibility will remain ongoing challenges. While solutions like TVU Replay are making VAR more accessible, ensuring advanced systems are available at all levels will be a tall order.

Network reliability is another potential stumbling block. Cloud-based solutions need stable, high-speed internet connections, which can be a challenge in more remote or less developed areas.

Despite these challenges, I'm excited about where we're headed. We're on the brink of a new era in sports officiating. One where decisions are made faster, more accurately, and more transparently than ever before.

Fans stand to benefit enormously too. Imagine being able to see the same replays and angles as the officials, right on your smartphone in the stadium. Or getting instant, clear explanations for VAR decisions during a broadcast.

As we look to the future, the possibilities seem endless. Will we see AI referees making real-time decisions? Virtual reality replays that put fans right in the middle of the action? The mind boggles at the potential.

One thing's for certain - the world of sports officiating will never be the same. And from where I'm sitting, with my feet up on a server rack and my head in the clouds, that's a very good thing indeed. The future of VAR is bright, it's in the cloud, and it's coming to a game near you. So grab your popcorn, sports fans. The show's about to begin, and trust me, you won't want to miss a single replay.

[neveronsundays]

This argument is from one blog. Here are some other sources with info on the environmental impact of AI:

"But when it comes to the environment, there is a negative side to the explosion of AI and its associated infrastructure, according to a growing body of research. The proliferating data centres that house AI servers produce electronic waste. They are large consumers of water, which is becoming scarce in many places. They rely on critical minerals and rare elements, which are often mined unsustainably. And they use massive amounts of electricity, spurring the emission of planet-warming greenhouse gases. "

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/ai-has-environmental-problem-heres-what-world-can-do-about

"The training process for a single AI model, such as an LLM, can consume thousands of megawatt hours of electricity and emit hundreds of tons of carbon. AI model training can also lead to the evaporation of an astonishing amount of freshwater into the atmosphere for data center heat rejection, potentially exacerbating stress on our already limited freshwater resources. These environmental impacts are expected to escalate considerably, and there remains a widening disparity in how different regions and communities are affected. "

https://hbr.org/2024/07/the-uneven-distribution-of-ais-environmental-impacts

"The International Energy Agency estimates that by 2026, electricity consumption by data centers, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence could reach 4% of annual global energy usage — roughly equal to the amount of electricity used by the entire country of Japan."

"Training and running an AI system requires a great deal of computing power and electricity, and the resulting carbon dioxide emissions are one way AI affects the climate. But its environmental impact goes well beyond its carbon footprint.

“It is important for us to recognize the CO2 emissions of some of these large AI systems especially,” says Jesse Dodge, a research scientist at the Allen Institute for AI in Seattle"

I think almost all of the environmental case against AI is factually incorrect fear mongering, or "misinformation"

[otiskeene]

Top 5 Cloud Migration Tools Of 2024

Remember the days when we had to back up our mobile data every six months? Back then, smartphone storage struggled to keep up with our habit of constantly capturing photos, videos, and downloading new apps and games. We had no choice but to create folders on our computer hard drives, meticulously organized by month and year.

Although those times were simpler, transferring data from our phones to computers was a daunting task. Now, imagine the immense challenge businesses face when they need to migrate entire datasets between storage services, particularly to the cloud. The very thought can be overwhelming!

Thankfully, Cloud Migration Tools make this process more manageable. With features like automated data discovery, seamless transfer capabilities, and centralized management, these tools facilitate smooth and low-risk cloud migrations at scale. Their advanced replication engines ensure data is transferred with its integrity intact.

If you're on the hunt for a Cloud Migration Tool for your organization, join us as we explore the top 5 Cloud Migration Tools of 2024. Keep scrolling!

Today’s businesses rely on large servers and data centers that store data for millions of users. To optimize costs, enhance performance, and leverage new capabilities, companies often need to overhaul their IT infrastructures and transition to different cloud services.

Migrating mission-critical data and workloads is a highly complex task that can disrupt operations if not handled carefully. This is where Cloud Migration Tools become essential. They automate the entire migration process—from thorough discovery and analysis of current environments to seamlessly transferring and replicating data to the target cloud platform while maintaining its integrity.

The centralized management capabilities of these tools allow for coordinated cross-functional migrations with minimized risks and downtimes. Equipped with these powerful solutions, businesses can modernize confidently, ensuring business continuity.

So, following last year’s top 5 Cloud Migration Tools, let’s dive into our updated list of the top 5 Cloud Migration Tools for 2024. Read on!

Top 5 Cloud Migration Tools Of 2024

By using Cloud Migration Tools, businesses can enjoy enhanced scalability and agility, reduced IT costs, robust security and compliance, and uninterrupted operations while leveraging cutting-edge cloud capabilities. These tools ensure a smooth transition to the cloud, enabling organizations to future-proof their IT infrastructure and drive innovation.

Let’s take a look at the top 5 Cloud Migration Tools for 2024—in no particular order.

Tool 1: ShareGate

ShareGate is a robust cloud migration tool developed by a Montreal-based company specializing in SharePoint migration and management. Founded in 2009, ShareGate employs over 250 people and has offices across North America and Europe, serving major clients like Montblanc, Crocs, Fujitsu, and Ikea. Recently, ShareGate was also recognized as a Winter Leader by G2.

Making its debut on our list this year, ShareGate enables secure and seamless migration of on-premises data to the cloud, including SharePoint sites, file shares, Microsoft Teams, and more. Its centralized dashboard provides complete visibility during migrations, minimizing risks and downtime. ShareGate’s migration capabilities focus on identifying and transferring only changed content for maximum efficiency. Automated tools like bulk editing, permissions mapping, and metadata management simplify the migration process.

Where ShareGate truly stands out is in its AI capabilities, featuring engines that automatically classify and extract meaningful metadata from unstructured content during migration. Its machine learning algorithms can also identify redundant, outdated, and trivial content that can be excluded from migrations, saving significant time and effort.

Tool 2: SkyKick

SkyKick, based in Seattle, Washington, is a leading provider of cloud migration solutions. Founded in 2011, the company has over 320 employees and serves clients worldwide through its partners. Major clients include Kinetix, Sikich, SNP Technologies, and B-FortyOne. In 2023, SkyKick won the IAMCP Americas P2P Awards!

Making its first appearance on our list, SkyKick excels at seamlessly migrating entire on-premises IT environments to the cloud, including email, files, applications, and servers. With its automated discovery, assessing existing infrastructure becomes easier, leading to more predictable cloud migration costs. Its centralized management console provides full visibility, allowing for streamlined, end-to-end management of the migration process.

But there's more! SkyKick's key differentiator is its focus on the entire cloud transition lifecycle, from migration planning to post-migration cloud infrastructure management. Its advanced cloud backup and cloud manager tools help optimize IT operations, security, and costs in the cloud. Additionally, its machine learning capabilities identify storage inefficiencies, security risks, and compliance violations, simplifying your cloud journey.

Tool 3: AWS Migration Hub

This next business needs no introduction! Amazon, founded in 1994, employs over a million people worldwide and serves clients across all industries. AWS has received numerous awards, including being named one of the World’s Most Valuable Brands in the Brand Finance Global 500 and ranking third on the list of Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies in 2024.

Appearing on our list for the second time in a row, AWS Migration Hub offers a centralized location to monitor and manage migrations from on-premises or other cloud providers to AWS. It also provides features to create visualizations for real-time insights across migration workflows, enabling coordination across teams, offices, and workloads.

One of the coolest features of AWS Migration Hub is its integration capabilities. As part of the AWS ecosystem, it allows you to combine data from AWS partner solutions under one unified dashboard, helping you avoid silos and streamline operations across large-scale cloud migration projects. Additionally, it offers automation capabilities that enhance overall operational efficiency.

Tool 4: Quest Migration Manager

Quest Software, a global leader in cybersecurity, data intelligence, and IT operations management, was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, United States. Quest employs over 4,000 people across 39 countries and was acquired by Clearlake Capital in 2021. Its major clients span industries such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.

Making its debut on our list, Quest Migration Manager simplifies the process of moving on-premises workloads, including files, SharePoint sites, public folders, and more, to Microsoft 365 or Azure. Its project-based approach makes it easier to scope and manage complex migration projects at scale. Automated discovery, analysis, and reporting tools provide comprehensive insights into cloud infrastructure, enabling precise migration planning.

But that’s not all! Quest offers proprietary Integrated Data Management technology that ensures superior migration fidelity compared to other tools. By capturing and replicating granular file attributes, permissions, and metadata, data integrity is preserved during cloud transitions. Its intelligent content routing and filtering functionalities also optimize what gets migrated, reducing cloud storage needs and costs.

Tool 5: IBM Cloud For VMware Solutions

Founded in 1911 and headquartered in Armonk, United States, IBM is one of the world’s largest technology companies, with over 282,000 employees across 175 countries. IBM’s clients include leading organizations in virtually every industry vertical. In 2024, IBM products earned over 17 placements in G2’s Best Software Awards. A legend for a reason!

Featured on our list for the first time this year, IBM Cloud for VMware Solutions allows for the seamless migration and extension of on-premises VMware workloads to the IBM Cloud without the need for modifications or conversions. VMware's fully software-defined data center stack runs natively on IBM's global cloud bare metal servers, making migration simple while preserving existing operations, tools, and processes.

Moreover, it offers enterprise-grade capabilities for scaling and running mission-critical workloads in the cloud. With advanced automation, self-service management, and predictive analytics, you can optimize cloud performance and costs post-migration. Enterprise-grade security and support services ensure business continuity, allowing your business to transition to and from clouds effortlessly.

In Conclusion

Cloud Migration Tools empower businesses of all sizes to modernize their IT infrastructures, tapping into the scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency of the cloud. From automated workload discovery and analysis to seamless migration execution, these tools streamline transitions while minimizing risks and downtime. However, with so many solutions available, organizations need to carefully evaluate their unique requirements around workload profiles, cloud preferences, migration complexities, budgets, and operational needs.

So, why wait? Begin your cloud migration journey today!

[daily-forum]

Shady Lawyer Shawn Harju Accused of Enabling Fraud Scheme

Recent article in Law360 describe recently filed litigation against a Washington attorney by the name of Shawn Harju. Harju has been sued for enabling aninvoice scheme that led to fraudulent $20 million dollars financing for her purported clients. Law360 provides a copy of the lawsuit and a criminal complaint filed by prosecutors in California. In another recent lawsuit against another Shawn Harju client (Defenders Northwest, LLC and its purported owners, Brian and Michele Hall of Gig Harbor, Pierce County, Washington) similar allegations have been made. Harju has not responded to multiple inquires for comment for this editorial. The lawsuit described in Law360 was filed in King County Superior Court in Seattle, Washington, where Shawn Harju used to work as a construction defects litigation lawyer in her previous law firm. The Equinox law firm and Shawn Harju were escrow agents for the allegedly fraudulent financing transactions, according to the complaint and the Law360 article. The case is Highmore Financing Co. I LLC v. Equinox Business Law Group PLLC et al., case number 24-2-14405-6, in King County Superior Court. Allegedly Shawn Harju and her law firm accepted payments from a private equity fund and conspired with Harju’s clients to fraudulently disburse payments to several companies owned by or associated theminstead of paying a computer equipment supplier, Law360 and the complaint alleges. During the due diligence period, the alleged fraudsters submitted false financial information, fabricated bank statements and fabricated corporate documents, according to the complaint. After Shawn Harju and her cohorts/clients got a hold of the money, they altered invoices for the computer servers and ancillary equipment, including falsely inflating the billed amounts by millions of dollars, the complaint states. Shawn Harju’s purported clients were indicted in 2022 on wire fraud and money laundering charges in federal court in California, according to open-source information. Shawn Harju has not been criminally charged as of the date of this article. The lawsuit in Washington state court alleges Equinox and Shawn Harju knowingly processed the fake invoices and made fraudulent payments to affiliated companies and persons, who diverted the funds. According to Law360 and the complaint against Harju, Shawn Harju “helped Greig and the Greig companies get Highmore to increase the line of credit and offer more funds, even though Equinox and Harju knew the Greig companies could not afford to borrow more money”. Shawn Harju, according to open source is a director and vice chair of the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce in Washington state. She is also purported owner of Chrysalis Solutions PLLC (https://business.fedwaychamber.com/list/member/chrysalis-solutions-pllc-1113324), her legal and consulting firm, and Three Trees Yoga, LLC and is affiliated with a Land Rover automotive restoration business called Defenders Northwest, LLC, which is also being sued for fraud. It is this affiliation with Defenders Northwest, LLC that may signal a pattern of deception. Defenders Northwest is managed by Brian T. Hall and his spouse, Michele A. Hall. Brian Hall and Michele Hall and their business is being sued for fraud and negligence arising out of an alleged massive car restoration scam, as described in several lawsuits filed in California and a related action in Washington. The lawsuits claim that Shawn Harju acted as a partner and enabler andparticipated in the filing of fake liens to conceal the alleged fraud.

Read more at: https://www.law360.com/articles/1853533/wash-law-firm-ex-atty-aided-in-20m-fraud-suit-alleges?copied=1

[full-stack-salary]

Full-Stack Developer Salaries in 2024: What To Expect

Full-stack developers play an indispensable role in technology's ever-evolving landscape, serving as bridges between front-end and back-end development. Like Swiss Army knives for software developers, full-stack developers possess all-round skill sets capable of handling anything from server management to crafting stunning user experiences. As we enter 2024, it's essential that we comprehend full-stack developer salaries to know what can be expected this year.

A Look into Full-Stack Developer Landscape

Before delving deeper into Full Stack Developer salaries for 2024, it's essential to gain an overall perspective of this profession. Full-stack developers are in high demand due to their versatility, possessing skillsets such as proficiency with front-end technologies as well as back-end technologies, knowledge of multiple programming languages, and database and server management.

Full-Stack developers have become invaluable assets to companies of all sizes and industries due to their adaptability. They can take a project from its conception through execution more smoothly while eliminating multiple roles required in its completion and streamlining development processes.

Factors Influencing Full-Stack Developer Salaries

Understanding these factors is integral to setting realistic salary expectations for 2024 for full-stack developers and employers alike.

Experience is one of the biggest factors affecting full-stack developer salaries, and junior full-stack developers tend to earn less than more experienced full-stack developers with greater experience and portfolio projects under their belts. As developers gain more expertise, they see their earning potential increase exponentially.

Geography: Cost of living and demand can differ drastically by geography; tech hubs such as Silicon Valley, New York City, and Seattle tend to offer higher salaries to compensate for high costs of living; in comparison, smaller cities and rural regions usually provide lower compensation and have cheaper living costs.

Company Size and Financial Health: Company size and financial health can have an enormous impact on salary levels. Established tech firms may provide higher pay with comprehensive benefits packages than startups or smaller businesses, yet smaller enterprises could present opportunities for equity or non-monetary compensations that go beyond standard wage structures.

Knowledge, Skills, and Technologies: Mastery of particular programming languages or technologies may result in higher salaries for developers. Expertise with in-demand languages like JavaScript, Python, or Ruby on Rails could command higher wages, while knowledge of frontend or backend frameworks may also impact earnings positively.

Education: Although formal degrees aren't usually necessary to become a full-stack developer, having one may still increase salary potential and open doors to higher-paying positions and career growth prospects. Many employers prefer candidates with at least an undergraduate or master's degree in computer science or a related subject. Education can open doors to better positions with greater compensation as well as professional advancement potential.

Certifications: Full Stack Developers who pursue certifications, particularly in niche fields like cybersecurity, cloud computing, and DevOps, can increase their marketability and earning potential in an ever-competitive job market. Many developers strive to obtain certifications to maintain an edge.

Soft Skills: Full Stack Developers require more than technical know-how; strong communication, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork abilities are equally valued by employers and can lead to increased salaries in leadership or project management roles.

Remote Work: Remote working has altered the dynamics of Full Stack Developer salaries significantly, often awarding their pay based on geographical factors, which may prove advantageous if they reside in areas with lower living costs.

Full-Stack Developer Salaries in 2024

Now that we've covered the factors impacting full-stack developer salaries, let's investigate salary trends in 2024.

Demand Continues to Rise: Full-Stack Developers remain highly in demand as companies seek versatile developers who can handle multiple aspects of a project at the same time, eliminating the need for multiple specialists and thus strengthening job prospects through 2024.

High Salaries in Tech Hubs: Full Stack Developer salaries will remain highly competitive in Silicon Valley and New York City tech hubs; however, living costs in these locations remain expensive, so developers should carefully evaluate their financial priorities when making this decision.

Remote Work Opportunities: Remote work has long been trending upward, giving Full Stack Developers an opportunity to work for companies located in high-cost regions while enjoying lower living expenses where they reside, creating competitive salaries and an improved work-life balance for themselves in this way.

Specialization Pays Off: Developers who specialize in certain technologies, such as blockchain, AI, or cybersecurity, often command higher salaries due to their expertise in niche fields. Each specialization presents different challenges and responsibilities, which translate into greater compensation packages for developers who pursue it as their specialty.

Experience is key. As with most things in life, experience opens doors for higher earning potential in full-stack development. Senior full-stack developers with several years' worth of experience often receive significantly higher pay than their junior counterparts.

Education and Certifications: Employers value education and certifications highly. Candidates holding relevant degrees or certifications have an edge when searching for jobs and can negotiate higher salary offers.

Soft Skills and Leadership: Experienced Full Stack developers often assume leadership positions or transition into project management, making their salaries higher in these positions than those without strong soft skills or leadership abilities.

Full-Stack Developer Salary Range

Full Stack Developer salaries may differ considerably based on factors mentioned earlier, so to provide more of a picture, let's investigate expected salary ranges in 2024 for Full Stack Developers:

Junior Full Stack Developer (0–2 Years Experience): $55,000 to $85,000 For entry-level positions with limited experience, these figures usually fall in this range.

Mid-Level Full-Stack Developer (2–5 years of Experience): $85,000 to $120,000 Developers with several years of experience and an expanding project list may enjoy salaries within this range.

Senior Full Stack Developer (5+ Years Experience): $120,000 to $200,000+ Experienced and knowledgeable senior developers in specific areas can command salaries exceeding $120,000 in tech hubs or in specialized roles; their salaries could even surpass $200,000.

Specialized Full Stack Developers: Salaries can differ significantly based on a developer's specialty and demand for it; earnings in these roles could range anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000 or beyond, depending on technology used and experience level.

Remote Full Stack Developers: Remote developers typically earn salaries that depend upon either their personal location or that of the employer's. Developers in lower-cost regions may earn competitive wages when compared with similar jobs available locally.

Be mindful that these ranges are approximate; variations can depend on the individual circumstances of both the developer and employer. Negotiation skills, market competitiveness, and other considerations also play a factor.

Negotiating Your Full Stack Developer Salary in 2024

When it comes to negotiating your salary as a full-stack developer, several strategies should be kept in mind:

Research: Conduct research into salary ranges specific to your location, industry, and experience level using resources like Glassdoor, Indeed, or Payscale as resources for accurate information. These sites can offer invaluable guidance.

Attract Employers with Your Skills: Be sure to highlight your unique set of abilities during the interview process, from your skillset and experiences to your portfolio or certifications or specializations that make you an attractive candidate, through any certifications that may make an attractive candidate impression.

Be Flexible: Be open to discussing benefits beyond your base salary, such as equity, bonuses, remote work options, and professional development opportunities.

Think About Cost of Living: If you are applying to jobs in higher-cost regions, request that their salary match up with that cost of living; employers often have greater budget flexibility in these places.

Practice Negotiating: Get prepared for salary negotiations early by role-playing them with friends or mentors to build confidence and refine your negotiating techniques.

Do Not Accept an Offer in Hast: Take time to carefully consider each compensation package offered, such as benefits, working conditions, and potential for growth in a company, before accepting.

Conclusion

Looking forward to 2024, full-stack developer demand remains strong, with salaries remaining competitive. Your salary as a full-stack developer depends on a range of factors, including experience, location, specialization education, and negotiation skills; these should all play a part.

Remote work opportunities and continued expansion in the tech industry provide Full Stack Developers with an exciting future. By keeping abreast of industry trends, perfecting skillsets, and successfully negotiating salary offers, you can secure an outstanding career as a full-stack developer through 2024 and beyond. Your salary should reflect both the value you bring and the contributions you make within this fast-evolving field of technology.

[iamnotafraidtokeeponliving]

seattle voice labs and scinguistics discord servers are great resources, you can find the invites easily through google. seattle voice labs I know has a presence on major social media platforms like youtube. some people will tell you voice training is pointless for trans guys without hrt, but that's just straight-up wrong. it takes time and effort, but it's worth the investment. there are resources out there (just make sure you're listening to an actual trained trans voice coach, not a random trans person giving their unprofessional opinion). you literally just have to do a few drills every day to work out the mechanics of a masculinized voice and then practice until it becomes habit. trust the process.

Chat do you guys know ANY ways to get a deeper, more masculine sounding voice. I dont care how unhealthy it is, its either this or dead so id rather a fucked up throat. Anyway, whatever works, please.

[lighthouse-enjoyers-anonymous]

The CSH pipeline (aka my downfall)(aka my favorite band ever)

Last year around June, I listened to Car Seat Headrest for the first time, I think starting with Sober to Death. I had seen mention of the band before in memes about it being "incel" "male manipulator" music, but it was associated with a lot of bands I already had an interest in. My first instinct when seeing that something is being shit on is to go and consume the media so I can judge for myself whether it's actually that bad or if the fanbase is just being characterized by a couple shitty fans and if it's being meme-ified like Weezer. This has lead me down some questionable paths but I ultimately like this way of consuming media because I do end up finding new stuff I enjoy without being restricted to what's popular. I started listening to Mitski because I saw a tumblr post about how people don't like her work. Idk. Anyways I loved Sober to Death and started listening to their other top songs to get a feel for it. I think I mainly just listened to Twin Fantasy and Teens of Denial at first, then ToS and MBIKMB after a while. I wasn't hardcore into it and I knew barely anything about the band except I had picked up somewhere that Will was a furry (I have zero idea when I learned this but at the time I thought it was the most hilarious thing I've ever heard). I was just focused on my other interests much more (you know how it is). Fun fact, my ex included "It's Only Sex" on our relationship playlist when we dated in March, which

1- is an absolutely insane red flag 2- proves I knew about the band earlier than I remember Flash forward to February. I must have seen CSH mentioned a lot more on tiktok or pinterest or something, because I suddenly had a lot of interest in it. Sometimes I get waves of "oh god i'm a fake fan for not knowing everything about this subject" and that spurs some manic search to CONSUME ALL. I started listening to every album available on spotify, learned about Will's pre-CSH projects, and was instantly hooked.

This guy had written songs that spoke to me in a way only several other artists had in the past. On top of that, he had lived less than an hour away from me for the majority of my life (until he relocated to Seattle in 2014), AND most of his music was written at the age I am now. There was something so personal to me about it. Obviously, it was a popular-ish band so it wasn't really underground or anything, but it wasn't known by everyone so I still had the opportunity to introduce it to my friends for the first time. That being said, I still got teased a bit for listening to "sad gay furry music" :/ Touché.

Anyways, I then learned about 1 Trait Danger. Oh boy. I had heard the "Timmis" sound going around on tiktok without realizing it. God Andrew Katz is amazing too. It was silly, it was stupid, it had a new plotline to follow for each album, there was a discord server, there were costumes, there was Will Toledo, there was SO MUCH TO LEARN. So naturally I joined the Patreon so now I get some sick behind the scenes video game development content.

Deeper into the rabbithole comes Cate Wurtz's comics, which are mentioned in several CSH songs, and generally help to contextualize Will's work. Holy Shit I love Crow Cillers. I only started reading it yesterday. I have yet to fully understand what's going on because there is such a mash up of themes. It's entirely possible I made a mistake and managed to skip some crucial lore, but I'll figure it out eventually. Ynce Iche is badass. Other things that this hyperfixation has caused me to get into:

Radiohead and Weezer. more stereotypical incel music but I D K

Costume design? I'm in the process of building a trait mask, and I will make another post about this because I need help!!

animation, possibly. I'm hoping to animate parts, if not all, of 1 Trait Bangers. I have no prior experience with animating so this will be.... fun...

video production. I am ALSO in the process of creating a series of tiktok style videos to all of twin fantasy. if each one is about a minute, I should have... 71 videos. 1 down, 70 to go! This is cool because I got to visit the spot in Harper's Ferry mentioned in BL-I-D.

CSH livestreams. I looove the acoustic sound. Do miss the other band members though. Lots of his covers have lead me to find new music as well.

Will Toledo's tumblr. I scrolled all the way to the bottom of it and i'm attempting to compile a playlist of every song he mentions on there.

Will Toledo's spotify monthly playlists. That funky guy is listening to soooo much welsh folk. This raises questions about what the possible new album will sound like, but I'm down for anything!

Andrew Katz's instagram reels. I love these funky little videos it's like a vine revival with all of our favorite band members.

Will Toledo's high school bands/comics. The Mr. Yay Okay facebook page is so blessed I love seeing shitty home video recordings of them playing with a Ouija board.

New friends! Shout out to the cool people on the 1td discord server. game nights are always hilarious

Pop culture references. I have been convinced to buy several books simply bc they were mentioned in a song or his tumblr. also I started NGE and I will eventually get to Twin Peaks.

That's all for now! I should be able to update as I find more stuff to deep dive into, and as my creative projects unfold. It's going to be a busy couple of months in my house though, as I prepare for college. If I end up switching hyperfixations before I complete anything, I must apologize. But I don't owe "you" anything. I say to my singular follower, cheezbot. Hi cheezbot.

[so-writing]

i’m sorry i didn’t tell you earlier. With Barzy in a diner eating a grilled cheese 🫣🫣

-T

(sad/angst blurb weekend)

Sharp cheddar sandwiched between parmesan crusted sourdough bread: The Ol’ Reliable. 

It was your favorite sandwich in the world and it was sitting in front of you getting cold while you processed what Mat Barzal, your freshly minted fiance, was telling you. There was no way this was happening. Not now, not after everything had finally started to fall into place. 

“Baby,” he was smiling but it didn’t quite reach his eyes, “you still here with me?” 

Of course you were. You’d always be with Mat, no matter what the circumstances were, the two of you were a team. 

“Yeah, sorry, this is just a lot to take in.” 

“I know. I’m trying my best to accept the fact that it’s finally real. I knew it was coming but really living it is something entirely different.”

His last sentence brings your thoughts to complete halt, “you knew it was coming?”

Mat shrugs and pulls a fry off of your plate. He pops it in his mouth and pretends to enjoy it but you know better. It probably tastes like acid, or better yet, betrayal. 

“I did.”

“You didn’t tell me, why? I thought we were a team?”

“We are a team.”

“So why am I just finding out you’ve been traded to the fucking Kraken? Why am I just finding out you need to pack tonight and be on a plane in a few hours to Seattle? Why am I just fucking finding out you’re leaving when you knew you were leaving?!”

The sound of your voice is rising in tandem with the anger you’re feeling and you can’t stop yourself from lashing out at the server who simply came to check on how the food is.

“Tell me,” you practically spit at her, “how would you feel if that man that just proposed to you took a job on the other side of the country and didn’t tell you? Would that piss you off?” 

“Uh, I, uh,” she stutters but finds her footing after a few moments, “I wouldn’t love it.” 

“So you’d be upset, right?”

“Yes.” 

“Because this man is supposed to be the man you plan to spend the rest of your life with. How could he keep something so big from you?” 

The server had snuck away while you were ranting but you didn’t care. You weren’t focused on her. You were focused on the man across the table from you.

Mat’s regular order at the diner was gouda and pepperjack sandwiched between gluten free wheat and stuffed with jalapeno peppers: The Risk Taker. 

The irony didn’t escape you. 

Unlike your sandwich sitting cold on your plate, Mat was downing his like he hadn’t eaten in weeks and, despite the spice, loving every second of it. 

“Can you stop fucking eating that sandwich and talk to me?!” 

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. I didn’t think it was a done deal until I got the call.”

“When did you get the call?”

He’s sheepish and doesn’t make eye contact as he takes another bite of his sandwich, “three days ago.” 

You can’t believe it. You could’ve made so many plans in three days. In the hockey world, three days is a long time and you both know it. 

“We should get home,” you roll your eyes and ask the server for a box for your sandwich, because you’re definitely not wasting it, “we need to pack you up.” 

The car ride back to your shared apartment is silent and you glance at Mat a few times, noticing that he opens and closes his mouth to say something more than once. The two of you move in silence as Mat speaks to his agent on the phone and you pack his suitcase with the things he’ll need the most. 

You pack everything you feel is essential for him to take to his new home in Seattle and you don’t hesitate to pull the beautiful pear shaped diamond off your ring finger and drop it into his suitcase before closing the lid and zipping it up. 

“All done,” you shout out of the bedroom and he rushes in to grab the bag. He gives you a quick kiss and promises he’ll book you a flight out to Seattle as soon as he’s landed. 

Twelve hours pass before you get an email to confirm a flight to Seattle. You ignore it and wait. He’ll see the ring eventually. 

An hour later he calls and you don’t answer. He calls again and again and again. You don’t answer. Mat sends countless text messages and you don’t respond to any of them. 

He made his choice when he found out he was leaving and kept it from you. A few days pass and you finally decide to entertain his bullshit. The first thing you see is the last message he sent. 

It’s a picture of your ring sitting in his palm. No text is included. 

You slide your phone into your pocket and head out to grab a bite to eat at your favorite diner. The booth you and Mat always occupy is open and you seat yourself before picking up the menu, hellbent on ordering something new and out of your comfort zone. 

The waitress comes up and takes your drink order. You ask her what she recommends and she tells you what her favorite sandwich is. 

Sharp cheddar, swiss, provolone, sandwiched between texas toast filled with deep fried macaroni and cheese patties, cheddar cheese sauce and pulled pork: The Mistake.

-

should I do more of these blurb weekends?

[rockislandadultreads]

NoveList: Best Adult Fiction 2022 

Here are a handful of books that made NoveList's best adult fiction list for 2022! Did you know NoveList is a database you can access with your library card to find reading recommendations? Check it out on our website here!

In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh

Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha's Vineyard. But everything changes when her mom drops the mother of all bombshells - Brielle is a princess in the kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, King Tiwa Jimoh Adebayo, is failing.

Distraught by her mother's betrayal, Brielle is further left spinning when the Ọlọrọ Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before assuming the throne or the crown will be passed to another. Uncertain who to choose from the council's list of bachelors, she struggles with the decision along with the weight of her new role in a new country. With her world totally shaken, she must take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring.

This is the first volume in the “In Search of a Prince” series. 

The Fervor by Alma Katsu 

1944: As World War II rages on, the threat has come to the home front. In a remote corner of Idaho, Meiko Briggs and her daughter, Aiko, are desperate to return home. Following Meiko's husband's enlistment as an air force pilot in the Pacific months prior, Meiko and Aiko were taken from their home in Seattle and sent to one of the internment camps in the West. It didn’t matter that Aiko was American-born: They were Japanese, and therefore considered a threat by the American government.

Mother and daughter attempt to hold on to elements of their old life in the camp when a mysterious disease begins to spread among those interned. What starts as a minor cold quickly becomes spontaneous fits of violence and aggression, even death. And when a disconcerting team of doctors arrive, nearly more threatening than the illness itself, Meiko and her daughter team up with a newspaper reporter and widowed missionary to investigate, and it becomes clear to them that something more sinister is afoot, a demon from the stories of Meiko’s childhood, hell-bent on infiltrating their already strange world.

Just By Looking at Him by Ryan O’Connell

Elliott appears to be living the dream as a successful TV writer with a doting boyfriend. But behind his Instagram filter of a life, he’s grappling with an intensifying alcohol addiction, he can’t seem to stop cheating on his boyfriend with various sex workers, and his cerebral palsy is making him feel like gay Shrek.

After falling down a rabbit hole of sex, drinking, and Hollywood backstabbing, Elliott decides to limp his way towards redemption. But facing your demons is easier said than done.

One-Shot Harry by Gary Phillips 

Los Angeles, 1963: African American Korean War veteran Harry Ingram earns a living as a news photographer and occasional process server: chasing police radio calls and dodging baseball bats. With racial tensions running high on the eve of Martin Luther King’s Freedom Rally, Ingram risks becoming a victim at every crime scene he photographs.

When Ingram hears about a deadly automobile accident on his police scanner, he recognizes the vehicle described as belonging to his good friend and old army buddy, a white jazz trumpeter. The LAPD declares the car crash an accident, but when Ingram develops his photos, he sees signs of foul play. Ingram feels compelled to play detective, even if it means putting his own life on the line. Armed with his wits, his camera, and occasionally his Colt .45, “One-Shot” Harry plunges headfirst into the seamy underbelly of LA society, tangling with racists, leftists, gangsters, zealots, and lovers, all in the hope of finding something resembling justice for a friend.

Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall 

Valentine Layton, the Duke of Malvern, has twin problems: literally.

It was always his father’s hope that Valentine would marry Miss Arabella Tarleton. But, unfortunately, too many novels at an impressionable age have caused her to grow up…romantic. So romantic that a marriage of convenience will not do and after Valentine’s proposal she flees into the night determined never to set eyes on him again.

Arabella’s twin brother, Mr. Bonaventure “Bonny” Tarleton, has also grown up…romantic. And fully expects Valentine to ride out after Arabella and prove to her that he’s not the cold-hearted cad he seems to be.

Despite copious misgivings, Valentine finds himself on a pell-mell chase to Dover with Bonny by his side. Bonny is unreasonable, overdramatic, annoying, and…beautiful? And being with him makes Valentine question everything he thought he knew. About himself. About love. Even about which Tarleton he should be pursuing.

This is the first volume in the “Something Fabulous” series.

[motherlimabean]

Oh yeah, just as a BTW, I'm hosting a Collegestuck RP server. If y’all could reblog and share this around to get more folks to join, that’d be a great help!!!

THIS IS AN 18+ SERVER. K thanks.

This AU contains both trolls and humans. You can take a canon character or bring your own fan character!

Her Imperious Condescension, after her husband died when his youngest child turned 13, decided to not induct Earth into one of her colonies. And to respect his dying wish for his descendants live a decent life, she opened a school in his name.

There are some tensions between Earth and Alternia, many unsure if the Empress will continue to uphold the treaty and peace between the two planets.

Trolls that go to Earth must go through a process to prove they can follow basic societal norms on Earth, and if they comply, they may stay on Earth until proven otherwise.

School takes place in Seattle, WA; and this arrangement has been stable for approximately 50 years. Here's the invite! :D https://discord.gg/9huhbHQk6n

[system76]

UYPP: Ben Ruel's Garage Garden

Back in March, we announced the winners for our Unleash Your Potential Program, in which six participants got to configure their own System76 computer to use for their awesome projects. This first awesome project is the Garage Garden, helmed by awesome project-er, engineer, and mighty green thumb Ben Ruel. We sat down with Ben to see how his project has been growing on the Meerkat.

Can you tell us about the Garage Garden project? What's it all about?

I spent a career with the Coast Guard and came up here—my final tour with the Coast Guard was in Juneau. Being in southeast Alaska, we’re constrained with what they call off-the-road systems, and the only way in or out of town is by boat or by plane. So all of our food comes up here by barge for a small nominal fee, or by aircraft for an incredibly large fee.

When I came up to Juneau with my wife and kids 11 years ago, we noticed that by the time our produce gets up here, it’s lived on a barge a week, two weeks out of Seattle, and you have no shelf life left on them. We started trying to grow food within the first year of getting here, and we came to the conclusion pretty quickly that with 300 days plus of rain every year, outdoor growing wasn’t really a viable option. That’s when we started a hobby farm in a garage growing some stuff in soil under fluorescent lights, as odd as that sounds.

Since then, we’ve progressed into hydroponics, but we’ve done it very manually. We go out every other day and take readings by hand, so I’ve been doing some research about building IOT devices that will talk back and automate some of the readings. My dream would be using it to actually control the concentration of nutrient solutions that we use. The overall goal is we’re going to build the hydroponic monitoring network of IOT devices, and use the Meerkat as a control center for the devices and a repository for all the data. We’ve also been doing some investigating behind the scenes into whether or not it could grow enough legs to become a business.

Is there a specific type of produce that you’re starting with?

We’ve been all over the road. Right now we’ve got lettuce. We’ve always got some kind of green leafy vegetables whether it’s any variety of lettuce that will grow hydro, some bok choy and tatsoi, and we’re growing kale like it’s going out of style. We’ve grown cucumbers to the point where I think I’ve harvested 65 pounds of cucumbers off of 4 plants over the last couple of months, but we’re really constrained by our size.

I live in a relatively small 3-bedroom house, and we’re just using a one-and-a-half car garage as our grow area. Right now I’ve got two tents. As funny as it sounds, cannabis is legal in Alaska and has been forever—my wife and I don’t touch the stuff, but because it’s been legalized, the infrastructure and the supplies that we need are freely available. We’re growing tomatoes in a tent that’s designed for marijuana growth. It works really well. It helps to maintain efficient temperature control; you can maintain temperature and humidity, block out extraneous light if you don’t want it, and cycle the lights on and off.

Depending on whether it’s too hot in the summer we’ll run the lights at night, and in the wintertime we’re looking for extra warmth, we can shift the cycle and run the lights during the day. Our big benefit up here is that, because Juneau’s all on hydroelectric power, electricity is really cheap.

What variables are being monitored?

With hydroponics, there’s a good number of parameters that you’ve got to try and keep track of. You’re basically diluting nutrients in a solution of as pure water as you can get. You want to keep track of things—your pH can’t be too acidic or too alkaline, for example.

The other big parameter is the electrical conductivity, or total dissolved solids. You want to make sure you’ve got the right concentration of nutrients, and that your nutrient solution isn’t salting up. As you’re adjusting pH back and forth, it’ll start demineralizing salt, so tracking that data gives you a good indication for when it’s time to dump the reservoir and start over.

We’re doing it manually now. I go out every couple of days and we take samples, and sit down and log it into a spreadsheet. The Meerkat acts as a control center for programming devices, keeping a repository of the programming for the IOT devices that we’re using (Arduinos with the esp8266 chips) as well as running different database programs as Docker containers, so that they can be spun up and knocked down fast enough as we try and figure out what the best way to move forward is. We’ve got a couple of database servers that I’ve been playing around with, trying to break from traditional SQL and looking at NoSQL type of databases.

I’m not an IT guy by trade. I’m more of an electronics guy, so I’m kind of doing it as a study-by-night type of project.

What has your experience been like with the Meerkat so far?

I’m actually completely blown away by the Meerkat’s performance. It’s astounding what that small form factor and footprint is able to do. I’ve used Linux for a number of years, and basically everybody’s heard of System76. I’ve seen Pop!_OS before and never really played with it all that much, but I’ve actually grown to love it. The feel, the ergonomics, the interface, and even down to the color schemes that come bone-stock right out of the box. They just make more sense to me. I’m looking forward to the COSMIC update after researching that to see how the differences in the workflow will affect things.

What software are you using for this project?

Right now we’re writing in Docker containers and running the Tick Stack from Influx. We’re also running Telegraf, Protograph, Capacitor, playing around with the Time Series Database, I’ve got a container running MongoDB I run with SQLite, and there’s a couple different IDEs I’ve got loaded on there as well for programming Arduinos or esp8266 chip flashing.

How was the setup process for the machine?

It was up and running within 10–15 minutes of pulling it out of the box. I actually took it to work, too. We do a lot of work with government agencies, and I’ve been doing a lot of microwave radio repair. I’ve got a pretty small workbench at our shop here in Juneau, so using the Meerkat to drive all of our test equipment to control the radio while logging data coming out of the radio, it was perfect. It had enough horsepower to remotely control the test equipment. I wasn’t pushing it all that hard, but setting it up and going back and forth between having it at home or at work, it was negligible to get it up and running.

Stay tuned for further updates from Ben Ruel’s Garage Garden and cool projects from our other UYPP winners!

[inoshantblog]

"CRYPTOCOMMISSION" THIS IS BETTER THAN INVESTING IN SHAREMARKET

This is better than share market and you can earn in many way in this digital currency.

 Here’s something special for you regarding cryptocurrency

Click here

  These are some best cryptocurrency for your commission

If you invest in little bit good currency you will definetly get something than sharemarket

1. Binance – Best Cryptocurrency Exchange Overall

2. Kraken – Best Customer Service

3. Coinbase – Best Platform for Bitcoin Buyers and Beginners

4. eToro – Crypto and Forex in One Place

5. Bisq – Best Decentralized Platform

6. Coinmama – Good Brokerage Service for Bitcoin

7. Bittrex – Best For Security

8. Gemini – Best For Traders From the United States

 Describing all above currencies.

1. Binance – Best Cryptocurrency Exchange Overall

This platform is based in Malta, even though it has branches in different parts of the world. It is a perfect option for beginners and experts alike. Not only that, but the platform has around 200 coins in total, ranging from the usual ones like Bitcoin to their native coin known as Binance Coin.

Binance Pros

Secure     Asset Fund for Users (SAFU)

Native     Binance Coin (BNB)

Approximately     200 cryptocurrencies to trade

0.1     percent flat trading fees

Binance Cons

US     residents must use Binance.us which     has only 80 cryptocurrencies available

Potential     issues with ID verification

Slow-to-respond     customer service

Binance offers a range of services such as margin trading, futures trading, and a lot more. Their fee remains at 0.1 percent on most transactions, but they also have a credit card brokerage service for more convenient purchases and sale of cryptocurrencies (at higher fees).

Security might not be something to worry about when using this platform, thanks to their system known as Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU), ensuring users from theft of funds. On the downside, however, this platform’s 2FA and ID verification processes can take quite a while to set up.

2. Kraken – Best Customer Service

This cryptocurrency platform takes pride in offering amazingly fast bank withdrawals, being available in most parts of the world, and charging low fees. The fees are between 0 and 0.36 percent, which is dependent on your type of trading as well as your trading volume for the last 30 days – you will enjoy lower fees if you trade more.

Kraken Pros

Wonderful     customer support

Available     worldwide

Strong     reputation

Fast     bank withdrawals

Considerably     low transaction fees

Kraken Cons

Some     bugs and issues

Not     the largest selection of altcoins

This platform also facilitates discreet trading through its dark pool feature, which is another reason it is quite popular. You will, however, note that the user experience is not the best in the market if compared to other platforms. The platform’s UI needs a little bit of tweaking to make it more user-friendly.

3. Coinbase – Best Platform for Bitcoin Buyers and Beginners

Coinbase is, hands-down, one of the best platforms for Bitcoin exchanges online. It is used by lots of beginners who are trying to get their hands on digital currency. For this reason, it is a common platform for those looking to make both deposits and withdrawals of the most popular coin in the market – Bitcoin.

Coinbase Pros

Intuitive     UI for beginners and experts alike

Best     place for Bitcoin purchase

30     million users worldwide

Accepts     debit cards, credit cards, and wire transfer

Coinbase Cons

Sluggish     customer support

Rather     extensive monitoring of trades

Fees     are a little bit on the higher side

In addition to facilitating fast deposits and lots of payment methods, this platform has a UI that is almost perfect and easy to understand. Here, you can trade the most popular cryptos, including Litecoin, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others.

Having been founded in 2012 and accruing a total of over 30 million active users currently, this platform is truly popular for a good reason.

One of the slight downsides of the platform is transaction fees that are somewhat higher compared to the best platforms for crypto exchange. The fees here are in the form of a 0.5 percent premium, after which you have to pay a slight fee depending on the amount that you trade.

Well, you may say that such are the fees that you pay to enjoy a well-designed UI as well as get your services from a popular crypto trading platform.

Is There a Difference Between Coinbase and Coinbase Pro?

There, indeed, is a slight difference between Coinbase Pro and Coinbase. Formerly known as GDAX, Coinbase Pro is a separate app that is meant for expert crypto investors. It is also more geo-restricted compared to the normal Coinbase app.

4. eToro – Crypto and Forex in One Place

If you are a fan of both the worlds of forex and crypto, then eToro should be your go-to platform. This might be the best platform yet for traders interested in having their fingers in many pies. The platform can be used from both its web or mobile platform.

eToro Pros

Choose     between web and mobile platforms

Has     been in operation since 2007

Can     be used for both crypto and forex

Supports     up to 94 cryptocurrency pairs

eToro Cons

Not     a crypto-specific site

Supports     only 14 crypto coins

It is also good to keep in mind that eToro has a dedicated crypto wallet app that utilizes multisig authorization for added security when investing with other parties. Having been established in 2007, eToro has done a great job in building a recognizable reputation for itself.

The only downside is the fact that they support a mere 14 crypto coins, even though it is a catalog of the most popular coins.

5. Bisq – Best Decentralized Platform

This is a decentralized crypto exchange platform. As such, its servers spread out all over the world, which makes it almost resistant to attacks. In that light, this is one of the best platforms for the purchase of different types of cryptocurrency in terms of security.

Bisq Pros

Brilliant     security

Open-source     code

Usable     in the United States

No     ID required

Bisq Cons

Does     not allow the use of credit cards for deposits

What is more? The platform’s source code is discussed openly on GitHub and Slack, which makes it all transparent. One thing to keep in mind about the platform is that you will be charged 0.001 BTC and some extra mining fees for transactions, regardless of whether you are selling or buying.

The main downside is that the service only allows wire transfers for deposits. Also, after Litecoin and Bitcoin, the rest of the cryptocurrency is negligible.

6. Coinmama – Good Brokerage Service for Bitcoin

This is simply not a cryptocurrency exchange platform; rather, it is a brokerage service. What this means is that you can use the service to purchase your preferred Crypto coins from them rather than from other users.

Coinmama Pros

Live     pricing in EUR and USD

Buy     up to 10 different cryptocurrencies

Amazing     customer service

Buy     Bitcoin without a hassle

Coinmama Cons

No     mobile app

2.9-3.9     percent trading fees

You     will need a European bank to sell BTC

The main benefit of transacting that way is that you are sure of faster and safer transactions. You, however, might want to be aware of the 2.9–3.9 percent fees. On the positive side, you can purchase up to 10 different crypto coins from this platform and still get to enjoy a considerably competitive rate.

Their customer service is an outstanding one, too. Overall, however, the platform’s system seems to be more favorable to European users and might as such not be the best platform for US users.

7. Bittrex – Best For Security

This platform came into existence in 2013 in Seattle, courtesy of computer security experts who were former employees of Blackberry and Microsoft. This is one of the best, if not the best, cryptocurrency exchange platform in terms of security. It is worth noting that they have never experienced a security breach, which is not typical in the world of cryptocurrency.

Bittrex Pros

Attractive     trading volumes

Top-notch     security

Lots     of currency pairs

US     laws-compliant

Bittrex Cons

Does     not offer the best customer service

No     leveraged margin trading

This platform works with a flat 0.25 percent trading fee, which is somehow okay in terms of the pricing. Bittrex is available on a worldwide basis, even though some of the advanced features that it offers, such as margin trading, are not.

Also, all withdrawals and deposits are supposed to be via wire transfer, which is not something that everyone will find pleasurable.

Nonetheless, that does not take away the fact that this platform is one of the most secure. The owners believe in it so much that they offer full insurance on 80-90 percent of the user funds should there be an unlikely event of a breach.

8. Gemini – Best For Traders From the United States

This platform was founded in the year 2015 by the twins who sued Zuckerberg for allegedly stealing the Facebook idea. Gemini is, without a doubt, a platform that is highly respected in the United States. It is renowned for having considerably low fees and strict trading security.

Gemini Pros

USD     accounts insured

Easy-to-use     platform

Strong     security

0-1     percent fee, which is quite affordable to most

Gemini Cons

Personal     data required

ID     required when signing up

Has     had a software crash in the past

In addition to the fact that Gemini specializes in Ethereum and Bitcoin, it is also quite easy to use, making it a good choice for the new, inexperienced user. However, users have to keep in mind that their ID and personal data are necessary when signing up. For this reason, it may not be the best option for those looking to protect their identity.

Hope you like these blog, Thank You so much for reading.

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Prior to the cancellation of her 2020 tour, Sophie Allison, a.k.a. Soccer Mommy, was ready to hit the road and promote her latest record, color theory. To make it up to her fans, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter has been trying to provide performances and content across a variety of digital platforms.

The Nashville-based artist has remained very active as the entire music industry holds as a standstill. Notably, Allison did a livestream performance on the Club Penguin Rewritten platform, a remake of the popular late-00s multiplayer game of the same name; the event was so popular that it crashed the server after over 10,000 members joined the stream. She also dropped her own Zoom backgrounds.

Now, the band are releasing a slew of music videos designed by the digital artist Bella Clark. Clark places Allison and her band in the various cities she was planning on visiting via her tour: Minneapolis, Chicago, Toronto, and Austin. The twist is that Soccer Mommy is recreated in 8-bit pixels, allowing the band to jam out in Atari-style models of the Minneapolis skyway, a spooky Chicago hotel, and a decrepit Toronto subway station.

In the Minneapolis version, the band are caught in the middle of a hectic rush hour; shadowy, pixelated commuters scurry about the skyway as the band “performs” the song “crawling in my skin.”

“We wanted to find something off beat, and Minneapolis having skyways is just so cool!” said Clark. “It was kind of a playful creative process.”

“It’s really hard having our tour be postponed because I was really excited to play all of the songs on color theory for everyone, ‘crawling in my skin’ in particular,” said Allison. “I hope this little 8-bit performance can hold everyone over until the tour can happen.”

If you want to join Soccer Mommy on her “8-Bit Tour,” you can catch the band performing in Chicago; Seattle; Toronto; and Austin, Texas.