#cloud based server

[fairytypingg]

whimsy gang wya⁉️

[folykill]

trying to focus on my(online, untimed) final exam but my head is full of hiveswap. what the hell do jadebloods do after exile.

[ffxivlilmeowmeow]

I am confused how I have excellent connection to the cloud server when my connection to the US server is always poor 🤔

[bytetechnosys]

Explore the fundamentals of cloud backup in this comprehensive beginner's guide. Learn how cloud backup works, its benefits, and why it's essential for safeguarding your data against loss, cyber threats, and system failures.

[fusiondynamics]

Future Applications of Cloud Computing: Transforming Businesses & Technology

Cloud computing is revolutionizing industries by offering scalable, cost-effective, and highly efficient solutions. From AI-driven automation to real-time data processing, the future applications of cloud computing are expanding rapidly across various sectors.

Key Future Applications of Cloud Computing

1. AI & Machine Learning Integration

Cloud platforms are increasingly being used to train and deploy AI models, enabling businesses to harness data-driven insights. The future applications of cloud computing will further enhance AI's capabilities by offering more computational power and storage.

2. Edge Computing & IoT

With IoT devices generating massive amounts of data, cloud computing ensures seamless processing and storage. The rise of edge computing, a subset of the future applications of cloud computing, will minimize latency and improve performance.

3. Blockchain & Cloud Security

Cloud-based blockchain solutions will offer enhanced security, transparency, and decentralized data management. As cybersecurity threats evolve, the future applications of cloud computing will focus on advanced encryption and compliance measures.

4. Cloud Gaming & Virtual Reality

With high-speed internet and powerful cloud servers, cloud gaming and VR applications will grow exponentially. The future applications of cloud computing in entertainment and education will provide immersive experiences with minimal hardware requirements.

Conclusion

The future applications of cloud computing are poised to redefine business operations, healthcare, finance, and more. As cloud technologies evolve, organizations that leverage these innovations will gain a competitive edge in the digital economy.

🔗 Learn more about cloud solutions at Fusion Dynamics! 🚀

[atcuality]

In today's digital landscape, data security and compliance are top priorities for businesses of all sizes. Cloud server management is essential for safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring regulatory compliance. This blog explores how effective cloud server management enhances data security and compliance through advanced technologies and best practices.

Cloud server management is crucial for businesses in the digital age to enhance data security and compliance. By utilizing advanced technologies, proactive monitoring, and adherence to regulatory standards, organizations can protect sensitive data and maintain trust with customers and stakeholders. Embracing cloud server management as a strategic investment can safeguard data assets and achieve operational excellence in the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

For businesses looking to strengthen their data security posture and achieve regulatory compliance, cloud server management is a cornerstone of robust IT infrastructure management. Ensure your cloud environment is effectively managed to fully benefit from enhanced data security and compliance assurance.

[best-develpoment-company]

Unraveling the Power of Managed Cloud Server Hosting: A Step-by-Step Guide?

In today's digital era, businesses are increasingly turning to "cloud server management solutions" to enhance efficiency, scalability, and security. One of the most sought-after options in this realm is fully managed cloud server hosting. This comprehensive guide will take you through the ins and outs of managed cloud server hosting, providing a step-by-step understanding of its benefits, implementation, and best practices.

Understanding Managed Cloud Server Hosting Managed cloud server hosting refers to the outsourcing of server management tasks to a third-party service provider. This includes server setup, configuration, maintenance, security, updates, and troubleshooting. By "opting for managed cloud hosting", businesses can focus on their core activities while leaving the technical aspects to experienced professionals.

Benefits of Managed Cloud Server Hosting Enhanced Security: Managed cloud server hosting offers robust security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, data encryption, and regular security audits to protect sensitive data and applications.

Scalability: With managed cloud hosting, businesses can easily scale their resources up or down based on demand, ensuring optimal performance and cost-efficiency.

Cost Savings: By outsourcing server management, businesses can save costs on hiring dedicated IT staff, infrastructure maintenance, and upgrades.

24/7 Monitoring and Support: Managed cloud hosting providers offer round-the-clock monitoring and support, ensuring quick resolution of issues and minimal downtime.

Step-by-Step Implementation of Managed Cloud Server Hosting

Step 1: Assess Your Hosting Needs Determine your storage, processing power, bandwidth, and security requirements. Identify the type of applications (e.g., web hosting, databases, e-commerce) you'll be hosting on the cloud server.

Step 2: Choose a Managed Cloud Hosting Provider Research and compare different managed cloud hosting providers based on their offerings, pricing, reputation, and customer reviews. Consider factors such as server uptime guarantees, security protocols, scalability options, and support services.

Step 3: Select the Right Cloud Server Configuration Choose the appropriate cloud server configuration (e.g., CPU cores, RAM, storage) based on your hosting needs and budget. Opt for features like automatic backups, disaster recovery, and SSL certificates for enhanced security and reliability.

Step 4: Server Setup and Configuration Work with your "managed cloud hosting provider" to set up and configure your cloud server according to your specifications. Ensure that all necessary software, applications, and security protocols are installed and activated.

Step 5: Data Migration and Deployment If migrating from an existing hosting environment, plan and execute a seamless data migration to the "managed cloud server". Test the deployment to ensure that all applications and services are functioning correctly on the new cloud server.

Step 6: Ongoing Management and Optimization Regularly monitor server performance, security, and resource utilization to identify potential issues and optimize performance. Work closely with your "managed cloud hosting provider" to implement updates, patches, and security enhancements as needed.

Step 7: Backup and Disaster Recovery Planning Set up automated backups and disaster recovery mechanisms to protect data against hardware failures, cyber threats, and data loss incidents. Regularly test backup and recovery processes to ensure their effectiveness in real-world scenarios.

Best Practices for Managed Cloud Server Hosting Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and mitigate potential security risks. Performance Monitoring: Continuously monitor server performance metrics such as CPU usage, memory utilization, disk I/O, and network traffic to optimize resource allocation.

Backup and Restore Testing: Test backup and restore procedures periodically to ensure data integrity and recovery readiness. Compliance and Regulations: Stay compliant with industry regulations and data protection laws relevant to your business operations. Disaster Recovery Planning: Develop and implement a comprehensive disaster recovery plan with predefined procedures for data restoration and business continuity.

In conclusion, "managed cloud server hosting" offers a myriad of benefits for businesses seeking reliable, scalable, and secure hosting solutions. By following the step-by-step guide outlined above and adhering to best practices, businesses can leverage the power of "managed cloud hosting" to streamline operations, reduce costs, and drive business growth in the digital landscape.

[not-athing]

I just updated the desktop theme on my blog. I think it looks pretty. The old one was from, like, high school.

Anyways. it's not done, but oh well. I got a new laptop and the first site i played with was Tumblr. I think that says a lot about me. (Also went on AO3 for like a second before going here. didn't even log on)

[8pxl]

♡ JUBILEE | pacific northwest based pixel artist

♡ WAYS TO SUPPORT MY ART

↳ wallpapers ↳ prints & merch ↳ cross stitch patterns ↳ deskmats & tapestries ↳ sticker by number kits ↳ continue to like & reblog my art

♡ MY PIXEL ART TUTORIALS

↳ simple landscapes (old) ↳ city tutorial (old) ↳ water reflection (old) ↳ clouds tutorial ↳ how i use values ↳ color process ↳ BONUS: bluesky 101

♡ OTHER PLACES TO FIND ME

↳ bluesky ↳ kofi ↳ discord server ↳ instagram | facebook | twitter | no longer active

♡ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT PROGRAM DO YOU USE? ↳ photoshop (i do NOT recommend it) WHAT PROGRAMS DO YOU RECOMMEND? ↳ pixquare (you can get 30% off with code 8PXL), aseprite, graphicsgale, even krita! HOW DID I LEARN PIXEL ART? ↳ trial and error basically. I started by just trying to create, and once I hit roadblocks I would google tutorials, or find similar artwork to what I'm trying to achieve. i started heavily doing monochromatic work then eventually working into more complex pieces! GOOD RESOURCES ON LEARNING PIXEL ART? ↳ lospec is a great learning resource. has tutorials, color palettes, and a large community. there's also lots of great tutorials on youtube, like adamcyounis. there's also saint11's great tutorials.

[fusiondynamics]

Available Cloud Computing Services at Fusion Dynamics

We Fuel The Digital Transformation Of Next-Gen Enterprises!

Fusion Dynamics provides future-ready IT and computing infrastructure that delivers high performance while being cost-efficient and sustainable. We envision, plan and build next-gen data and computing centers in close collaboration with our customers, addressing their business’s specific needs. Our turnkey solutions deliver best-in-class performance for all advanced computing applications such as HPC, Edge/Telco, Cloud Computing, and AI.

With over two decades of expertise in IT infrastructure implementation and an agile approach that matches the lightning-fast pace of new-age technology, we deliver future-proof solutions tailored to the niche requirements of various industries.

Our Services

We decode and optimise the end-to-end design and deployment of new-age data centers with our industry-vetted services.

System Design

When designing a cutting-edge data center from scratch, we follow a systematic and comprehensive approach. First, our front-end team connects with you to draw a set of requirements based on your intended application, workload, and physical space. Following that, our engineering team defines the architecture of your system and deep dives into component selection to meet all your computing, storage, and networking requirements. With our highly configurable solutions, we help you formulate a system design with the best CPU-GPU configurations to match the desired performance, power consumption, and footprint of your data center.

Why Choose Us

We bring a potent combination of over two decades of experience in IT solutions and a dynamic approach to continuously evolve with the latest data storage, computing, and networking technology. Our team constitutes domain experts who liaise with you throughout the end-to-end journey of setting up and operating an advanced data center.

With a profound understanding of modern digital requirements, backed by decades of industry experience, we work closely with your organisation to design the most efficient systems to catalyse innovation. From sourcing cutting-edge components from leading global technology providers to seamlessly integrating them for rapid deployment, we deliver state-of-the-art computing infrastructures to drive your growth!

What We Offer The Fusion Dynamics Advantage!

At Fusion Dynamics, we believe that our responsibility goes beyond providing a computing solution to help you build a high-performance, efficient, and sustainable digital-first business. Our offerings are carefully configured to not only fulfil your current organisational requirements but to future-proof your technology infrastructure as well, with an emphasis on the following parameters –

Performance density

Rather than focusing solely on absolute processing power and storage, we strive to achieve the best performance-to-space ratio for your application. Our next-generation processors outrival the competition on processing as well as storage metrics.

Flexibility

Our solutions are configurable at practically every design layer, even down to the choice of processor architecture – ARM or x86. Our subject matter experts are here to assist you in designing the most streamlined and efficient configuration for your specific needs.

Scalability

We prioritise your current needs with an eye on your future targets. Deploying a scalable solution ensures operational efficiency as well as smooth and cost-effective infrastructure upgrades as you scale up.

Sustainability

Our focus on future-proofing your data center infrastructure includes the responsibility to manage its environmental impact. Our power- and space-efficient compute elements offer the highest core density and performance/watt ratios. Furthermore, our direct liquid cooling solutions help you minimise your energy expenditure. Therefore, our solutions allow rapid expansion of businesses without compromising on environmental footprint, helping you meet your sustainability goals.

Stability

Your compute and data infrastructure must operate at optimal performance levels irrespective of fluctuations in data payloads. We design systems that can withstand extreme fluctuations in workloads to guarantee operational stability for your data center.

Leverage our prowess in every aspect of computing technology to build a modern data center. Choose us as your technology partner to ride the next wave of digital evolution!

[turanarin]

Rescue of Gotham's Prince (1)

“How should I kill Death?”

Danny thought about it all the way to Gotham. He wanted to tear and rend.

“I'll definitely kill”.

The aura of the Cursed City could be felt from miles away. The acid-green sky of the Ghost Zone rippled along its edges, creating a thin membrane. Clouds floated above the tall skyscrapers, and like beasts, they watched everything. As Danny approached the city, thousands of eyes glared at him, warning him of a painful death. Thunder rumbled around like the roar of a wild animal.

Not wanting to conflict with the distraught Lady Gotham right now, Danny opened a portal away from the city and entered the Life Spheres. The aura, although of lower intensity, still haunted this place. But something was wrong.

It was too quiet.

He felt a strange heat, and an unpleasant burning smell was coming from somewhere on the north side of the city. Unfortunately, he didn't have much time to investigate this anomaly. His priority was to save the Prince of Gotham.

Suddenly, the communicator in his pocket vibrated.

[…over], - came the sound as he inserted it into his ear. - [Phantom, over.]

- The Pharaoh.

[Dude, where are you now?!] - shouted from the other side. - [You're making terrible noise! Shouldn't you be at the palace?]

- It's a long story, - Danny said with universal weariness and continued driving. - Free? I'm going to need some help.

[What happened?]

***

With Tucker's help, he quickly found the entrance to the GIW base. A small tunnel in the mountain led from the city to the highway. There were scuffs on the asphalt in one place near the wall.

Danny felt like the door was protected from ghosts, and since there was no access to the local servers yet, it couldn't be hacked. But every second of delay cost the prisoners their lives. He had to take extreme measures.

Still wearing his royal uniform, he began manipulating the ectoplasm. A black cloak began to fall from his shoulders, hiding his figure. The high collar hid the lower half of his face and, pulling on the back edge, transformed the hood that hid his hair.

His hand touched the hidden door, the ice began to spread, and the temperature in the tunnel dropped sharply. Then he moved away from the wall, the ectoplasm gathered in his palms, concentrated to a high voltage, before shooting it into the frozen door. Under the instantaneous temperature drop, it couldn't stand and exploded.

From the passage formed, a corridor down was visible. There were red lights on the sides of the walls – the alarm had already turned on. Without wasting any time, Danny flew forward.

[Right], - Tucker said from his earpiece. - [There's an elevator at the end of the corridor.]

- Floor.

[Probably the seventh], - he clicked his tongue on an exhale. - [Security is on the way. They block access.]

- Accepted.

Just at that moment, Danny heard a lot of footsteps. To his surprise, it was a small group of Guys in White, and even so they were armed to the teeth.

- Fire!

The howl of blasters drowned out further words. Danny created an ecto shield when dozens of shots rained down on him, but that didn't stop his advance. He was rapidly approaching the group, covering his hands with ectoplasm and pushing them away with each blow. He disappeared before their eyes and seemed to instantly appear from behind, stabbing them in the back.

The smell of petricore from their weapons was replaced by burnt plastic with the crackle of electricity from the deflector. The moans of pain reached Danny, once again throwing the agent into a bunch of others. There were unconscious bodies in the hallway, and he was standing over them.

- Something's not right here, - Danny muttered, continuing on his way again. The elevator in front of him opened easily.

[Come on in, it's clear inside], - Tucker said from his earpiece. - [What's wrong?]

- Weak security, - Danny went inside the elevator, which began to descend. The numbers slowly changed.

[For my part, I can confirm that the video surveillance system has already been hacked by someone. And this someone is good, but most likely hacking GIW for the first time, leaving so many traces in their anti-ghost defense. Do you think someone was expecting you?] - Tucker sounded very worried now. - [Dude, is this guy worth it if it's a trap? Doesn't he just have a cool title?]

- No, - Danny whispered wearily, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. - The title of the Chosen by Death is like a mouthpiece for Them, and for the rest, living and dead, - it is an omen.

[That still doesn't explain why it's important to you. Surely Death won't destroy everything because of the murder of Their Chosen?] - Tucker mumbled thoughtfully before shouting in surprise. - [Wait! Should the Chosen be alive?]

- No and no, but who knows what will happen to him after death? - Danny noticed how the number on the panel reached seven, the doors in front of him began to open. - If he becomes a ghost, it's half the trouble, but if he goes to his afterlife? Now I know about this Chosen because I shared the burden of the title with him. Death won't warn me next time, not that They've done it before.

[Oh, my friend, why is there so much trouble?..]

- And this is the tip of the iceberg… - while Danny was running down the corridor, he stopped abruptly, turning his head into one of the corridors. - I think I've found him.

[Ok-kay], - there was strange static coming out of the earphone, and Tucker's voice sounded strange. - [Tch, I'll try to figure out what's wrong with the network.]

- Their server?

[In the process of hacking], - the noise in the background covered a little interference. - [But damn, they've gotten good at defense over the last month.]

- Don't take any risk…

[Destroy it if it doesn't crack, yes, yes, I know], - Tucker grumbled. - [Be careful.]

- Okay.

The corridors were strangely quiet. Danny became invisible, held back the cold core, and continued on his way. The antiphase walls made it difficult to pass through them, and the beeping of the core that he felt stopped, as if it had never existed, which did not help at all in the search.

Then there were voices. Rude and low, seemingly unnatural, and arguing about something. Their heart rate was elevated, they were worried, but they tried to hide it, because their breathing was normal.

Danny could see a faint hum nearby, very quiet, like a dying man. He flew to the door, where he could still hear the conversation. A strange conversation for scientists experimenting on ghosts.

- …B, he's not breathing, there's no pulse…

Before anyone could finish, Danny kicked down the door, sending it flying against the opposite wall. GIW hadn't bothered to reinforce the insides at bases other than Illinois, which played to his advantage. There were a couple of people in black suits standing in the way of the piece of iron. One of them managed to jump aside when the other was sent to the wall.

- B! - someone shouted.

The whole group tensely looked back to the doorway, where no one was in sight. Danny was heading towards the three remaining ones. He was able to hit and push away the man in the red suit. Another man in dark blue one placed a block near his head, as if he could have foreseen the blow, or, most likely, did it on reflexes. At the same time, the third person, the shortest one with a yellow cape, swung his sword towards him, but it went through his intangible body.

Danny swung again to stab the man in blue in the stomach. Suddenly, he felt a burning sensation in his shoulder, looked up and saw a bat-shaped blade stuck in it. The weapon clattered as he became intangible again and took a few steps back to the center of the room, where there was a surgical table with a motionless body. The man was lying unconscious, possibly dying, as could be seen from the absence of a heartbeat and breathing, his face was hidden by a domino mask.

The only thing that calmed Danny was the faint rumble of the core. But he still needed urgent medical attention. Death seemed to be gathering nearby, giggling, but gently stroking a single white curl.

“Crazy.”

- Who's there? - growled the man who had been slammed by the door, which was now lying on the floor, and light dents were visible on the wall. He held up well, perhaps his armor protected him better than one could imagine.

The little one was still holding the sword, twisting his head slightly. The man in blue was standing next to the red one. The woman in black who threw the weapon at him was next to a man in a similar black suit.

- Shut up, B, - the man in blue grumbled, raising his hands as if in surrender. - Uh, Invisibleman, I don't know who you are, but on that table, - he pointed to the center, - lies my friend who… died. Are we just going to pick him up and leave?

Danny immediately felt the acrid smell of rust and alcohol. Tension with a trace of heavy sadness covered the room. The word dead made everyone's heart rate go haywire, even if they didn't change outwardly.

This is definitely not what GIW would do.

2 part

[atcuality]

How Cloud Server Management Enhances Data Security and Compliance

In today's digital landscape, data security and compliance are paramount concerns for businesses of all sizes. As organizations increasingly rely on cloud infrastructure to store and manage their data, effective cloud server management plays a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring regulatory compliance. This blog explores how cloud server management enhances data security and compliance, leveraging advanced technologies and best practices.

Understanding Cloud Server Management

Cloud server management involves the administration and optimization of cloud-based servers, ensuring they operate efficiently, securely, and in alignment with organizational goals. This includes tasks such as monitoring server performance, managing resource allocation, implementing security protocols, and ensuring data integrity.

Data Security in Cloud Server Management

1. Enhanced Security Measures: Cloud server management platforms provide robust security features, including encryption, access controls, and multi-factor authentication (MFA). These measures help protect data from unauthorized access and cyber threats, mitigating risks associated with data breaches and cyberattacks.

2. Regular Security Updates: Managed cloud services often include regular updates and patches to address security vulnerabilities promptly. Cloud server management teams monitor security advisories and implement updates to strengthen server defenses against emerging threats.

3. Data Backup and Disaster Recovery: Effective cloud server management includes regular data backups and disaster recovery planning. Automated backup schedules ensure data resilience and continuity, enabling quick recovery in the event of data loss or system failure.

4. Compliance with Regulations: Cloud server management facilitates compliance with industry-specific regulations and data protection laws, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS. Managed service providers (MSPs) ensure that cloud environments meet regulatory requirements through audit trails, data access controls, and privacy measures.

Benefits of Cloud Server Management for Data Security

1. Scalability and Flexibility: Managed cloud services offer scalability to accommodate growing data volumes and fluctuating demands. Scalable infrastructure allows businesses to maintain performance without compromising data security or compliance standards.

2. Proactive Monitoring and Threat Detection: Cloud server management includes real-time monitoring and proactive threat detection capabilities. Security incidents and anomalies are identified promptly, enabling swift response and mitigation to minimize potential impact on data security.

3. Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing cloud server management to experienced providers can be cost-effective compared to maintaining in-house IT infrastructure. Managed services reduce operational expenses associated with hardware maintenance, security staffing, and compliance audits.

Implementing Cloud Server Management Best Practices

1. Partnering with a Reliable MSP: Choose a managed service provider with a proven track record in cloud server management and data security. Ensure they adhere to industry best practices and compliance standards relevant to your business.

2. Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and assessments of your cloud infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities and ensure adherence to security policies and regulatory requirements.

3. Employee Training and Awareness: Educate employees on data security best practices, including password management, phishing awareness, and secure data handling procedures within cloud environments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cloud server management plays a pivotal role in enhancing data security and compliance for businesses operating in the digital age. By leveraging advanced technologies, proactive monitoring, and adherence to regulatory standards, organizations can mitigate risks, protect sensitive data, and maintain trust with customers and stakeholders. Embrace cloud server management as a strategic investment to safeguard your data assets and achieve operational excellence in today's evolving cybersecurity landscape.

For businesses seeking to fortify their data security posture and achieve regulatory compliance, cloud server management is not just a necessity but a cornerstone of robust IT infrastructure management. Ensure your cloud environment is managed effectively to reap the full benefits of enhanced data security and compliance assurance.

[madraynesims]

Wallpaper Converted From: Animal Crossing: New Horizons for The Sims 2 and The Sims 3

Today we celebrate the 4th anniversary of Animal Crossing: New Horizons! Oh, and my 4th anniversary of being on tumblr! This set includes over 300 wallpapers for The Sims 2 and The Sims 3. I will most likely do a Sims 4 version in the future, as that game would require me to create 2 more textures per wallpaper, because it has 3 wall heights, so I'll need more time to make them. In the meantime, SimderTalia has converted some wallpapers to The Sims 4 already, so you could grab those! I will list some of them below. Please let me know if you run into any issues.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons collection file for The Sims 2 and The Sims 3 can be found on my collection files page: Found Here

Disclaimer: The swatch above is just a small showcase of what's included, there is a total of 386 walls. Some walls aren't included because I simply didn't have the texture, or I need more time to recreate it. This conversion only contains still images, some of these are supposed to be animated in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. I would like to release animated versions of them for The Sims 2 in the future.

Downloads:

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Wallpaper For The Sims 2 - SFS For The Sims 3 - SFS For The Sims 4 - N/A Alt Download - Patreon Credits: Most textures extracted by nimaid. A few extracted by @yarn-enquiries. Converted by me Enjoy my work? Consider becoming a Patreon or buying me a coffee!

Wallpaper from Animal Crossing: New Horizons Information: Prices and categories vary based on my best judgement. Texture size: 256x512 Wallpapers NOT included in this set; Brick Garden Wall, Chain-Link Fence, Dungeon Wall, Falling-Snow Wall, Ice Wall, Laboratory Wall, Mermaid Wall, Palace Wall, Rope-Net Wall, Sci-Fi Wall, Server-Room Wall, The Roost and Able Sisters SimderTalia's wallpapers for The Sims 4; Part 1, Part 2, Dreamy Set (includes 5 sets of walls), Kisses Wall, Aurora Wall, Snowflake Wall, Ice Wall, Iceberg Wall and Falling-Snow Wall (no brick/window), Antique Brick Wall and Rose Walls, Able Sisters Wall, Mossy-Garden Wall, Spooky Wall, Sky Wall, Future-Tech Wall and Sci-Fi Wall (stars only), Underwater Wall, Mermaid Wall (background only) and Ocean-Horizon Wall (no clouds), Forest Wall and Mush Wall

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Cars bricked by bankrupt EV company will stay bricked

On OCTOBER 23 at 7PM, I'll be in DECATUR, presenting my novel THE BEZZLE at EAGLE EYE BOOKS.

There are few phrases in the modern lexicon more accursed than "software-based car," and yet, this is how the failed EV maker Fisker billed its products, which retailed for $40-70k in the few short years before the company collapsed, shut down its servers, and degraded all those "software-based cars":

https://insideevs.com/news/723669/fisker-inc-bankruptcy-chapter-11-official/

Fisker billed itself as a "capital light" manufacturer, meaning that it didn't particularly make anything – rather, it "designed" cars that other companies built, allowing Fisker to focus on "experience," which is where the "software-based car" comes in. Virtually every subsystem in a Fisker car needs (or rather, needed) to periodically connect with its servers, either for regular operations or diagnostics and repair, creating frequent problems with brakes, airbags, shifting, battery management, locking and unlocking the doors:

https://www.businessinsider.com/fisker-owners-worry-about-vehicles-working-bankruptcy-2024-4

Since Fisker's bankruptcy, people with even minor problems with their Fisker EVs have found themselves owning expensive, inert lumps of conflict minerals and auto-loan debt; as one Fisker owner described it, "It's literally a lawn ornament right now":

https://www.businessinsider.com/fisker-owners-describe-chaos-to-keep-cars-running-after-bankruptcy-2024-7

This is, in many ways, typical Internet-of-Shit nonsense, but it's compounded by Fisker's capital light, all-outsource model, which led to extremely unreliable vehicles that have been plagued by recalls. The bankrupt company has proposed that vehicle owners should have to pay cash for these recalls, in order to reserve the company's capital for its creditors – a plan that is clearly illegal:

https://www.veritaglobal.net/fisker/document/2411390241007000000000005

This isn't even the first time Fisker has done this! Ten years ago, founder Henrik Fisker started another EV company called Fisker Automotive, which went bankrupt in 2014, leaving the company's "Karma" (no, really) long-range EVs (which were unreliable and prone to bursting into flames) in limbo:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Karma

Which raises the question: why did investors reward Fisker's initial incompetence by piling in for a second attempt? I think the answer lies in the very factor that has made Fisker's failure so hard on its customers: the "software-based car." Investors love the sound of a "software-based car" because they understand that a gadget that is connected to the cloud is ripe for rent-extraction, because with software comes a bundle of "IP rights" that let the company control its customers, critics and competitors:

https://locusmag.com/2020/09/cory-doctorow-ip/

A "software-based car" gets to mobilize the state to enforce its "IP," which allows it to force its customers to use authorized mechanics (who can, in turn, be price-gouged for licensing and diagnostic tools). "IP" can be used to shut down manufacturers of third party parts. "IP" allows manufacturers to revoke features that came with your car and charge you a monthly subscription fee for them. All sorts of features can be sold as downloadable content, and clawed back when title to the car changes hands, so that the new owners have to buy them again. "Software based cars" are easier to repo, making them perfect for the subprime auto-lending industry. And of course, "software-based cars" can gather much more surveillance data on drivers, which can be sold to sleazy, unregulated data-brokers:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/24/rent-to-pwn/#kitt-is-a-demon

Unsurprisingly, there's a large number of Fisker cars that never sold, which the bankruptcy estate is seeking a buyer for. For a minute there, it looked like they'd found one: American Lease, which was looking to acquire the deadstock Fiskers for use as leased fleet cars. But now that deal seems dead, because no one can figure out how to restart Fisker's servers, and these vehicles are bricks without server access:

https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/08/fisker-bankruptcy-hits-major-speed-bump-as-fleet-sale-is-now-in-question/

It's hard to say why the company's servers are so intransigent, but there's a clue in the chaotic way that the company wound down its affairs. The company's final days sound like a scene from the last days of the German Democratic Republic, with apparats from the failing state charging about in chaos, without any plans for keeping things running:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/07/east-germany-stasi-surveillance-documents/

As it imploded, Fisker cycled through a string of Chief Financial officers, losing track of millions of dollars at a time:

https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/31/fisker-collapse-investigation-ev-ocean-suv-henrik-geeta/

When Fisker's landlord regained possession of its HQ, they found "complete disarray," including improperly stored drums of toxic waste:

https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/05/fiskers-hq-abandoned-in-complete-disarray-with-apparent-hazardous-waste-clay-models-left-behind/

And while Fisker's implosion is particularly messy, the fact that it landed in bankruptcy is entirely unexceptional. Most businesses fail (eventually) and most startups fail (quickly). Despite this, businesses – even those in heavily regulated sectors like automotive regulation – are allowed to design products and undertake operations that are not designed to outlast the (likely short-lived) company.

After the 2008 crisis and the collapse of financial institutions like Lehman Brothers, finance regulators acquired a renewed interest in succession planning. Lehman consisted of over 6,000 separate corporate entities, each one representing a bid to evade regulation and/or taxation. Unwinding that complex hairball took years, during which the entities that entrusted Lehman with their funds – pensions, charitable institutions, etc – were unable to access their money.

To avoid repeats of this catastrophe, regulators began to insist that banks produce "living wills" – plans for unwinding their affairs in the event of catastrophe. They had to undertake "stress tests" that simulated a wind-down as planned, both to make sure the plan worked and to estimate how long it would take to execute. Then banks were required to set aside sufficient capital to keep the lights on while the plan ran on.

This regulation has been indifferently enforced. Banks spent the intervening years insisting that they are capable of prudently self-regulating without all this interference, something they continue to insist upon even after the Silicon Valley Bank collapse:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/03/15/mon-dieu-les-guillotines/#ceci-nes-pas-une-bailout

The fact that the rules haven't been enforced tells us nothing about whether the rules would work if they were enforced. A string of high-profile bankruptcies of companies who had no succession plans and whose collapse stands to materially harm large numbers of people tells us that something has to be done about this.

Take 23andme, the creepy genomics company that enticed millions of people into sending them their genetic material (even if you aren't a 23andme customer, they probably have most of your genome, thanks to relatives who sent in cheek-swabs). 23andme is now bankrupt, and its bankruptcy estate is shopping for a buyer who'd like to commercially exploit all that juicy genetic data, even if that is to the detriment of the people it came from. What's more, the bankruptcy estate is refusing to destroy samples from people who want to opt out of this future sale:

https://bourniquelaw.com/2024/10/09/data-23-and-me/

On a smaller scale, there's Juicebox, a company that makes EV chargers, who are exiting the North American market and shutting down their servers, killing the advanced functionality that customers paid extra for when they chose a Juicebox product:

https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/2/24260316/juicebox-ev-chargers-enel-x-way-closing-discontinued-app

I actually owned a Juicebox, which ultimately caught fire and melted down, either due to a manufacturing defect or to the criminal ineptitude of Treeium, the worst solar installers in Southern California (or both):

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/27/here-comes-the-sun-king/#sign-here

Projects like Juice Rescue are trying to reverse-engineer the Juicebox server infrastructure and build an alternative:

https://juice-rescue.org/

This would be much simpler if Juicebox's manufacturer, Enel X Way, had been required to file a living will that explained how its customers would go on enjoying their property when and if the company discontinued support, exited the market, or went bankrupt.

That might be a big lift for every little tech startup (though it would be superior than trying to get justice after the company fails). But in regulated sectors like automotive manufacture or genomic analysis, a regulation that says, "Either design your products and services to fail safely, or escrow enough cash to keep the lights on for the duration of an orderly wind-down in the event that you shut down" would be perfectly reasonable. Companies could make "software based cars" but the more "software based" the car was, the more funds they'd have to escrow to transition their servers when they shut down (and the lest capital they'd have to build the car).

Such a rule should be in addition to more muscular rules simply banning the most abusive practices, like the Oregon state Right to Repair bill, which bans the "parts pairing" that makes repairing a Fisker car so onerous:

https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/27/24097042/right-to-repair-law-oregon-sb1596-parts-pairing-tina-kotek-signed

Or the Illinois state biometric privacy law, which strictly limits the use of the kind of genomic data that 23andme collected:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3004

Failing to take action on these abusive practices is dangerous – and not just to the people who get burned by them. Every time a genomics research project turns into a privacy nightmare, that salts the earth for future medical research, making it much harder to conduct population-scale research, which can be carried out in privacy-preserving ways, and which pays huge scientific dividends that we all benefit from:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/01/the-palantir-will-see-you-now/#public-private-partnership

Just as Fisker's outrageous ripoff will make life harder for good cleantech companies:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/26/unplanned-obsolescence/#better-micetraps

If people are convinced that new, climate-friendly tech is a cesspool of grift and extraction, it will punish those firms that are making routine, breathtaking, exciting (and extremely vital) breakthroughs:

https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/10/08/norways-national-football-stadium-has-the-worlds-largest-vertical-solar-roof-how-does-it-w

Tor Books as just published two new, free LITTLE BROTHER stories: VIGILANT, about creepy surveillance in distance education; and SPILL, about oil pipelines and indigenous landback.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/10/10/software-based-car/#based