#complete list of google hacks

[pyrrhiccomedy]

What sort of proof would you need to believe that a fundraiser was real?

I actually put in the legwork to verify one of these fundraisers today (I wanted to see how hard it was to actually vet one of these posts). It took about an hour, but I was satisfied by the end of it that the person in question exists, is who they are claiming to be, has a GoFundMe, and that the GoFundMe being spread around is probably the same one being linked to (I wasn't 100% satisfied by what I could find on that count? but I ended up in a place where I was reasonably confident). I'm happy to share my work, and have added it below.

I've gotten a lot of nasty messages since making that post accusing me of being anti-Palestine. My heart and money is 100% with Palestine, and I've given as much as I can afford, to reputable aid organizations. I believe both in a free Palestine, and doing your own research on the recipients of your money when you decide to financially contribute to a cause.

Anyway, this is the GoFundMe that I think is legit, and below is the legwork I did to reach that conclusion. While I still think it is better to give to a relief organization if your goal is improving the lot of the people in Gaza, I don't think this one is a scam.

This is the fundraiser for Eman Zaqout, who - first of all - is a real person! This is very easy to verify: Googling her name returns a LinkedIn with a complete work history (she is a molecular biologist), her profile with Unesco, and her profile with the Palestine Academy for Science & Technology. You know, the kind of stuff you'd expect to see when you Google someone. Great start.

Next step: Is the person running this GoFundMe the real Dr. Zaqout? (While I have some sources which say she is in a PhD fellowship and does not yet have her doctorate, she is listed as Dr. Zaqout at the Palestine Academy for Science & Technology, and I'd prefer to use the honorific in case it may in fact be more appropriate.)

So. Dr. Zaqout joined LinkedIn in 2014. And she does link to her Instagram from her LinkedIn, and her Instagram links to the GoFundMe. That's a great start!

However, it's worth mentioning that her contact information on LinkedIn was updated less than 3 months ago (which includes the link to her Instagram). Given the number of Palestinians whose accounts have been hacked or spoofed by scammers in order to lend their scams legitimacy, I don't love that change. That coincides with the surge in scam activity following the All Eyes on Rafah movement gaining momentum. Plenty of Palestinians have had their entire social media presences stolen by scammers.

However again - her LinkedIn (which, as established, may be compromised) also links to a TikTok account! And the TikTok account has video! And that sure looks to me like Dr. Zaqout in the video! While the photo of her on LinkedIn is no longer trustworthy since we know her account has been updated in the past 3 months, there is also a photo of her here at Palast.ps, which is a legitimate scientific organization. And yeah, sure, a dedicated scammer could have hacked that too, but there are also photos of her on LinkedIn that look like this:

It's not the best photo in the world, but it's identifiably her. Fabricating this kind of ephemera is more than I would expect of your typical charity scammer.

And in the most recent TikTok video of her, she's even talking about a GoFundMe, on 7/17! And she posted another video on 7/21 in which she is not seen, but you can hear her voice, and it does sound like her.

Today is August 2nd. The last two videos uploaded to Dr. Zaqout's TikTok are just photo collages, so they can't be used to verify that she still has control of her social media accounts. But for now, I'm prepared to say with some confidence that that woman is Dr. Eman Zaqout, that Dr. Zaqout is legitimately a Palestinian scientist, she did actually start a GoFundMe, and that she was posting about it as recently as 12 days ago.

All right all right, we are cooking folks. The last questions we need to answer: is this actually Dr. Zaqout's GoFundMe? The last scenario we need to rule out is that her social media presence was stolen in the last 12 days.

Let's start with that GoFundMe.

First of all, it's not being run by Dr. Zaqout. That's normal: GoFundMe isn't supported in Palestine, and all Palestinians will have to rely on friends or family abroad to set up their campaigns and collect donations on their behalf. This campaign is being run by a Mazin Fakak. I think that's supposed to be this Mazin Fakak, which makes sense; he is based in Quebec, and Dr. Zaqout either studied at or is in close affiliation with McGill University, which is in Quebec. He also lists Arabic as one of his spoken languages. So far this is a plausible connection for Dr. Zaqout to have. His LinkedIn profile also hasn't been updated in over a year, which makes me disinclined to think this is a recently-stolen scam account.

My one issue here is that when I Google Fakak, this is all that comes up. A LinkedIn profile created in 2014 that hasn't been touched in over a year, and two GoFundMe fundraisers for Palestinian families. And Dr. Zaqout never mentions Fakak anywhere. I would feel 100% confident of this fundraiser if she did.

But while my investigation into Fakak didn't turn up anything that confirms the connection to Zaqout, it also does nothing to disprove it, and the circumstantial evidence available to me lends credibility to the claim. So while I land somewhere around 80% on the verifiable credibility of this GoFundMe, please balance that against my 95%+ confidence in Zaqout's legitimacy, and the fact that she appears to still have control of her socials as of 12 days ago. If she posts on TikTok with another live video again (and not a photo slideshow, which can't be considered verification of anything), then I'd say this one is completely safe.

[funishment-time]

🔵 Kodaka BlueSky Q&As: Male DR Characters (Specific) Part 1

(See part two, Nov & Dec 2024, here.)

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: Please be advised! Translations of all Japanese answers derive from a combination of Google Translate and my manager's three-quarters-remembered Japanese. We've tried our best to work out what he's saying, but there will be mistakes here and there. Do not take this as gospel!

To avoid spreading (too much) misinfo, where we're completely boggled about an answer, we've decided not to even make an attempt. We'll still list the post, but mark it accordingly.

➡��� AN IMPORTANT NOTE FROM KODAKA BEFORE READING:

First of all, the questions answered here are not official. Everything that is official is what is said within the work. In contrast, this is simply what Kodaka, the creator, thinks, and it is not the correct answer. Use this as a starting point to enjoy the depth of each character, or to say, "That's not right!" and enjoy it with your own interpretation. I think of this as a way of communicating with the characters who live in fiction. This is important, so please spread the word.

💕 FEBRUARY 2024:

Q: What do you think of Matsuda Yasuke?!

A: As I was writing, I thought he was a fascinating and cool guy.

/////

Q: Is there any difference in the mindset of Ouma Kokichi (main story) and Ouma Kokichi (salmon mode)?

A: I didn't write Salmon Mode, I left that up to the staff.

NOTE: As stated, Kodaka didn't write V3's "dating sim" mode. You'll see him refer to that a few times.

/////

Q: If you have a favorite character in Danganronpa, I'd like to hear it and why.

A: I wrote them all as if they were the main characters, so I like them all, but I guess it's Monokuma. He was the first character I created.

/////

Q: Before the release of V3, Saihara-kun was often mistaken for a woman, but was that something you were aiming for? Also, was it you who chose the voice actor?

A: That wasn't my intention. I did want him to appear timid, though. I think out of the several candidates I received, Hayashibara-san was my first choice, and I said "Yes, please!"

/////

Q: Were there any characters that you had trouble moving around the narrative after creating them? If not, please tell us which character was the easiest to move!

A: Tanaka Gundam was too much of a chuunibyou and it was difficult. The ones that were easiest to move were Monokuma, Ouma, and Hagakure!

NOTE: A "chuunibyou" is a kid, generally 12-13, who believes they have secret powers or a grand backstory. Gundham's a bit old to be a chuuni by Kodaka's own admission in the DR2 artbook, but that was apparently part of the charm (and why it was so difficult to write him). It's spiritual Naruto running.

/////

Q: A question! Fujisaki's middle school uniform is different in the anime version of DR1 (navy blue collar) and Ultra Despair Girls (pink collar). Is there any intention behind this? I'd like to play Kodaka's games even years and decades from now! I'll continue to support you 🎮

A: With anime, there are a lot of different things going on and things like color settings often change. Thank you! I'll keep working hard so that everyone can enjoy it, even if it kills me!

/////

Q: How happy do you think Hinata would be if you gave him some kusamochi?

A: Hinata: "Oh, kusamochi! I love it! Hey, let's eat it together! Oh, I'll go make some tea!"

NOTE: Kusamochi is a type of sweet.

/////

Q: What happens if you point an electrified hammer or Komaru's megaphone-type hacking gun at Keebo?

A: This is gross discrimination against robots! Don't ever do this!

/////

Q: Ishimaru-kun, do you like to put lemon on your fried chicken?

A: He's the type of person who likes to put lemon on others' portions as well.

/////

Q: After the ending of the Hope Arc anime, what are Hinata and the others doing? Are they still supporting the Future Foundation from behind the scenes? Or are they just normally affiliated with the Future Foundation?

A: I guess he pretends to act the role as an enemy of the world, ostensibly as an enemy of the fallen Future Foundation, but uses his talents to save various people as he moves from one place to another.

/////

Q: Could you please tell us what kind of discussions and circumstances took place among the production team that led to Tanaka Gundam's pants becoming like that?

A: It's just for fun.

/////

Q: Lately, I've been wondering about Ishimaru's life in junior high school, and I'm in a state where all I can eat is sweet food!

A: He had a free-spirited friend like Shin-chan from Crayon Shin-chan, and he was constantly being pushed around by him. But then the friend moved away, and young Ishimaru was lonely.

/////

Q: What's going on with Kamukura Izuru after Danganronpa Anime 3: Future Arc/Despair Arc? Do you feel like Kamukura Izuru has lost his personality?

A: I figured that he had fused with Hinata...or rather, that he had been almost absorbed into him.

/////

Q: I would like to know the people who are "not boring" to Ouma...

A: Boring people.

/////

Q: What do you think of Sakura Ogami, Kenshiro?

A: Although he has mixed feelings towards her, he believes she is a good rival.

/////

Q: Why did Momota-kun want to hug Akamatsu-san in v3-1? Was it because he had romantic feelings for her, or did he want her to hit on him in the confusion, or did he have any ulterior motives?

A: Momota immediately hugged her in gratitude.

/////

Q: Sorry if this has already been said. When I first watched Danganronpa, I was really drawn to Togami-kun's charm, but even though he has no flaws, does he have a weakness for his favorite person or for ____?

A: Weak to Naegi.

/////

Q: Does Komaeda Nagito know about cat memes?

A: I want to see a Komaeda cat meme. Someone make one. A Ouma cat meme would be fine too.

/////

Q: What does it look like to those around you when you are doing Logic Dives or Hangman's Gambit?

A: "Hinata! Come back! Hey, can you hear me?! No good, I'll have to give you stronger medicine!"

NOTE: It's unclear who's answering. Mikan?

🍀 MARCH 2024:

Q: Excuse me for the second question! Komaeda's parents have passed away, so who raised him when he was a child? I'm also curious if Komaeda's hair is bed hair or naturally curly 🙏🏻

A: "I grew up alone. Luckily. I have curly hair."

/////

Q: Hello! I've always loved the Danganronpa 3 anime!! 🥲 (I'm waiting for new merchandise to come out♡) I have a question. After the main story of the anime, Munakata Kyosuke continues to fight the remnants of despair while carrying the memory of Yukizome and Sakakura, but did he end up finding happiness in the end? If you feel like it, please answer! 🙇‍♂️

A: He fights here and there, covered in wounds, and sometimes sleeps, reminiscing about the past... This lonely battle continues. The only time he can be happy is when he is able to forgive his own sins.

/////

Q: Please tell me what type of girl you like, Amami-kun!! (Sorry if this has already been said 💦)

A: Rich.

/////

Q: What kind of clothes does Fujisaki Chihiro like to wear (or usually wear)?

A: Unisex jeans.

NOTE: It's not exactly a question so I won't list it here, but a Chihiro fan responded with excitement, at which Kodaka replied "100 points for your reaction."

/////

Q: What is your favorite food, Momota-kun? What is your favorite drink? Or your favorite planet or your favorite galaxy. Anything is fine, I want to know. Please tell me about Momota-kun.

A: "I like big portions and colorful things. Things that have an American feel to them."

/////

Q: Excuse me for asking a question...! When he goes to a restaurant such as a family restaurant to celebrate a sports festival or cultural festival, does Keebo have to split the bill?

A: "I split the bill. I have fun using the serving robots."

NOTE: Probably referring to restaurants in Japan that have automated servers. Cold, Keebo.

/////

Q: What kind of dreams does Ouma-kun have when he catches a cold?

A: Infinitely multiplying Keebos.

/////

Q: I wonder what would happen if you forced food and drink into Keebo's mouth?

A: It comes out of the lower half of his body as warm as a microwave oven.

/////

Q: I like Kuwata Leon, and I want to know more about him. Are there any stories about him that haven't been revealed yet? I'd like to know if there are any...

A: "I'm always looking for band members. Lately, I've been thinking about getting into TikTok, so I'm recruiting cute girls."

/////

Q: Please tell us what type of girl you like, Komaeda-kun!

A: "I love girls who are full of hope, and I hate girls who are full of despair too much to love them."

/////

Q: Ouma was held captive by Gonta overnight in a pretty hopeless room with a ton of bugs flying around, so how did he manage to survive?

A: "I stopped thinking about it."

/////

Q: Please tell me what type of girl Owada Mondo likes!!

A: At the very least, he seems to dislike noisy ones.

/////

Q: I want to know what type of girl Ouma likes!

A: "Anyone who will listen to anything I say."

/////

Q: Does Fujisaki have a favorite food?

A: Mini katsudon.

NOTE: Katsudon is a pork cutlet bowl.

/////

Q: Hi Mr. Kodaka! What kind of music does Monokuma like? Is it different than what Junko would like?

A: Monokuma likes enka.

NOTE: Enka is a Japanese style of music often compared to the blues or jazz.

/////

Q: whats korekiyos favorite holiday?

A: To make friends with his sister.

/////

Q: What did Jin think of the Reserve Course? Did he see them as a cash cow, like the researchers at Hope's Peak, or as talentless underachievers?

A: Originally it was meant to be a safety net and a growth opportunity, but at some point it became mainly about collecting payments, which caused some conflict.

/////

Q: [You guys are going to think I'm making this up, but I believe the question had something to do with how Nagito would ask Hajime to hang out with him. It's since been deleted, but I think there are still screenshots, which I will find and half-assedly machine translate ASAP.]

A: "First, I have to do something about Nanami."

/////

Q: [Similar to the above, I'm pretty sure this question had to do with how Nagito would ask someone out romantically. Again, it's since been deleted, but I think there are still screenshots, which I will, again, find and half-assedly machine translate ASAP.]

A: "I'll go out with you if you do something about Nanami."

/////

Q: Excuse me for asking a question! In Ultra Despair Girls, Fujisaki Taichi had a photo of Fujisaki [Chihiro] in a sailor uniform, looking like they were in their rebellious phase (?)! It's so cute! I'd really like to know how the photo was taken and if there are any untold details about the Fujisaki family!

A: No matter what Fujisaki [Chihiro] is, their father can't help but take pictures because they are a cute kid, but Fujisaki [Chihiro] themself is embarrassed, and since those around them are becoming more and more rebellious, they are acting a little like a rebel, but later they will probably feel sorry for their father and be depressed.

/////

Q: I want to know what type Saihara-kun likes!!!

A: People with a strong sense of purpose, regardless of gender.

/////

Q: When Kodaka's account was hacked on April Fool's Day, Ouma referred to Gokuhara as a friend from his school days, but is there anyone else Ouma could call a friend other than Gokuhara?

A: "Once I talk to someone, we're friends. If I meet someone, we're friends. However, I don't mind putting my friends through bad situations."

/////

Q: What should I do to date Ouma-kun?

A: I think he would be amused and come up to you if you first implanted a brain into an animal, or mounted in a car, or a full-body prosthesis.

🥬 APRIL 2024:

Q: Sorry if this question has already been asked. Ouma-kun reminds me of someone who can fall in love with anyone who is fun to be with. Does Ouma-kun care about gender, or can he fall in love with anyone he finds interesting regardless of gender? Does he only fall in love with interesting people ・・・? ��‍♀️ Thank you, Mr. Kodaka.

A: It has nothing to do with gender or romantic feelings, it's just about whether it's fun or not.

/////

Q: What kind of girls does Gonta Gokuhara like?

A: A girl who likes bugs.

/////

Q: I have a little question, what kind of sweets Kazuichi likes besides sweet drinks? Gummies, marshmellows, chocolate or maybe something else? :3

A: I think he likes colorful candy.

/////

Q: Even though you have a serious personality, Amami-kun, you look like you're frivolous to everyone around you, so is there a reason why you wear so many accessories? Or do you simply like fashion?

A: "I just like fashion. I dress the way I like when I can, especially since I'm in an environment where I can't dress fashionably."

/////

Q: What does Ouma Kokichi think about being short?

A: "I'm lucky that it doesn't feel intimidating."

/////

Q: Were the execution machines in Danganronpa 1 made by Soda from Danganronpa 2?

A: You've got a good point, don't you?

/////

Q: Excuse me for asking a question! Was Dr. Idabashi, who created the Ultimate Robot Keebo, also a student at Hope's Peak Academy?

A: I'll take that story!

/////

Q: who would you choose to solve a mystery and why? kirigiri, saihara or halara?

A: It would be great if the three of them performed together!

🌺 MAY 2024:

Q: What is Komaeda Nagito usually thinking about?

A: "Is there hope lost somewhere?"

/////

Q: What did Kamukura-kun think of Hinata-kun?

A: The most boring.

/////

Q: Which Danganronpa character do you think would like shark movies?

A: Soda.

/////

Q: Excuse me for asking a question! Is the story about the school festival in the Danganronpa original drama CD written by Kodaka-san? There is a scene in the drama where Fujisaki wants to wear a cute apron, which was quite unexpected for Fujisaki in the main story, so it was a shock. Was there a possibility that Fujisaki would embrace cute things in the main story as well?

A: I think I only wrote the very first one. The one that has a white and black disc. If I remember correctly.

/////

Q: I’m curious, What kind of person does Kokichi like?

A: rich person

/////

Q: Excuse me for asking a question! I think that in the articles(?) released during the development stage there were many scenes that were not in the main story. Were these scenes faked to hide the contents of the main story, or were they actually there during production? I'm curious if there were any scenes where Fujisaki-kun was suspected in court!

[This person included this image:]

A: This is an image made up for a proposal. It was made before the story even existed.

☀️ JUNE 2024:

Q: How many characters in Danganronpa will listen to Komaeda's long speeches until the end?

A: None.

/////

Q: I'd like to know something about Komaeda Nagito's childhood, even if it's something trivial!!

A: "I wore diapers."

/////

Q: I'm curious how Komaeda-kun would express his feelings if he fell in love with someone.

A: He'd put you in a very unhappy situation in order to make you feel the hope of happiness.

/////

Q: Hello, Kodaka! It's an honor to ask you a question... so how can we interpret Nagito's ambiguous relations with certain characters in the series? Just saying.

A: Please interpret it as you wish.

/////

Q: Were Shinguji-kun's parents aware of his relationship with his sister? If so, what did they think about it?

A: I'll keep my mouth shut because if I mention it, I'll get in a horrible lot of trouble.

NOTE: Kodaka's talking as himself here, pretending like if he says anything he'll get hurt in some way. Don't take this as solid fact, but I think the implication here is less an IRL one (Spikechun would be mad) and more an in-universe one (Kork and Korkette would do something to you). But, again: that is me and my manager's theory.

/////

Q: Would Togami also use polite language when speaking to someone higher up in the organization?

A: He does not use honorifics. Byakuya is Byakuya.

/////

Q: Why did Kamukura's hair grow so long and his eyes change color?

A: Abnormal development.

/////

Q: Who is the most possible female character that would or might have a romantic relationship with Komaeda during Danganronpa 2? (Only characters in Danganronpa 2)

A: female character?

NOTE: The infamous post. It's reaaaaaaal.

/////

Q: Excuse me for asking! Keebo is a school uniform wearing robot, but what about summer uniforms? Are there times when he no longer wears a school uniform?

A: [His summer uniform is a] cooling fan installed on the side.

/////

Q: If Hinata-kun were to be punished, what do you think it would be like? I think he would die a boring death quickly.

A: Incidentally, I once came up with the idea of punishing him by freezing both his hands and feet with liquid nitrogen, and then shocking him to death as he watching them get crushed by a hammer… but of course I rejected the idea.

/////

Q: Togami-kun may be the most handsome among 1, 2, and V3, but who are the other students who can be called handsome? I think Ishimaru-kun might actually fall into the handsome guy category!

A: Keebo in terms of being well-groomed and having no skin problems.

/////

Q: Since Nagito Komaeda often says that despair is a stepping stone to hope, I don't have an image of Nagito Komaeda being troubled. However, I would like to hear what kind of worries he has if any!

A: If she were to become an adult, it would be Peko. The one who surpasses her is Tsumiki.

NOTE: As in, he'd worry about Peko or Mikan. Now, whether Kodaka means Geeto would worry about them as people or over the fact that they'll kick his ass, that's less clear. But they're on his mind.

🎇 JULY 2024:

Q: A question from a Teruteru fan (keeping with the topic of it being hot outside): Who do you think is the character with the most romantic potential for Hanamura?

A: Hanamura.

/////

Q: Hello sensei, I have a question. I'm seeing a controversy going on right now with overseas fans being attacked by people who are associating Komaeda with female characters using this post. Is Komaeda really gay? Or is this just a joke post? It's said to be official information, but is it true?

A: It's so hopeless. The more hopeless it is, the brighter hope shines.

NOTE: This was about the infamous Female Character? post.

/////

Q: How do you view women and men, Komaeda? Does he have different opinions about them or is he simply indifferent to both genders?

A: Ask Komaeda himself.

NOTE: I probably won't be archiving many more of the Komaeda sexuality posts unless they're particularly funny or insightful, because a lot of them are repetitive. Sorry. Kodaka's not budging, y'all.

/////

Q: Can Komaeda drive?

A: With his luck.

/////

Q: If there was a cut-in where Togami would rebuttal, what do you think he would say?

A: "Bow down, you fools!"

/////

Q: If Nagito were to play videogames, which game and/or genre is his favorite?

A: Gorilla Tag

NOTE: Like the Steam VR game...? Maybe? Unless this is referring to something I can't parse out. Kind of hilarious to imagine Nagito as a return to monke guy, though.

/////

Q: What's Momota's favorite planet?

A: The first one he'll discover.

/////

Q: Since Matsuda Yasuke worked on the Kamukura project, did he perform the operation?

A: More or less, you know what I mean?

NOTE: Disclaimer on this one, as we're not 100% sure what he's trying to say or if he's just being silly as usual. We think he's casually implying that Matsuda outlined the experiment but didn't actually perform it, so he kind of did "do" the operation in a symbolic/spiritual sense. Especially since we believe it's canon Matsuda did not wield the scalpel so to speak? If we recall correctly? Regardless, if anyone can shed light on this, we'd be appreciative. Completely unrelated: his use of "わかるっしょ" wakarussho made my manager laugh, as she says that's something no middle aged man would say. It's more of a teenaged girl/gyaru kind of thing, but Kodaka often talks like this apparently. Channeling Junko...

/////

Q: If Saihara-kun were to be executed, what do you imagine it would be?

A: He wakes up in a hospital after the ending of Danganronpa V3 and it was all just a dream with him in a vegetative state.

/////

Q: What would it be like if Ouma-kun was punished?

A: It's live action. And the actors are amateurs who just monotone "It's a lie!"

🌭 AUG 2024:

Q: I was looking at a conversation about punishments, and I was wondering, if Kamukura was to be punished, what would it be like?

A: He would be reminded endlessly of the days he spent as Hinata Hajime.

/////

Q: Please tell me why Keebo hates vending machines! I'll do anything!

A: I think he has mixed feelings whenever he sees a machine that is only being used by humans. Imagine this. What if a human being was deprived of the freedom to speak and move, and was forced to only accept money and offer drinks?

/////

Q: Are you naturally not smart, Ishimaru-kun? Do you feel like you make up for it through hard work?

A: "I'm just a serious and straightforward person who believes that hard work will always be rewarded."

/////

Q: Ouma's skin is as white as a corpse. Why is it like that?

A: Because Ouma is definitely unhealthy.

/////

Q: Was there a time when Hinata would repeatedly try new things in order to get into Hope's Peak Academy, only to be devastated by the fact that he had no talent?

A: "That's right. I kept repeating that cycle and realizing that I would never amount to anything."

🍁 SEPT 2024:

Q: Personally, I have the image of Komaeda having low blood pressure and being a bit bad at waking up in the morning, but on the other hand, I get the feeling he might wake up very early and say things like "This is a morning of hope!" Kodaka-san, do you think Komaeda is good or bad at waking up in the morning?

A: "I wake up in despair, wondering if the morning of hope will come soon."

/////

Q: [The question has now been deleted, but the answer is cute, so I'm keeping it despite the lack of context.]

A: For Ouma, love is just a game.

🎃 OCT 2024:

Q: I'd like to know what Saihara's casual clothes look like.

A: “I like simple clothes and don't like flashy ones. I don't like patterns either. I always wear the same clothes.”

/////

Q: Even though Togami is such an important character in the franchise, why has he never been added to any merchandise collaborations? 

A: I wonder why? Is he unpopular? Maybe it's pressure from the Togami conglomerate...

/////

Q: Does Sakakura Juzo have any friends other than Munakata Kyosuke and Yukizome Chisa?

A: “The only other people I have are subordinates.”

/////

Q: What specific crimes does Ouma Kokichi's organization (DICE) commit?

A: Very stupid and annoying crimes.

/////

Q: Is there anything decided for Amami-kun's punishment? I'm sorry for asking you so many questions💦

A: All of his sisters gather together and go on a voyage, but a killing spree breaks out and they disappear one by one, leaving only one person left, unable to be saved... He commits suicide after having nightmares about it.

NOTE: This one's weird, so take it with a grain of salt. My manager and I aren't sure if Kodaka's saying that Rantaro's sisters would all kill each other and then he'd commit suicide, or the last remaining sister would commit suicide. We're also unsure if Rantaro would be participating in said killing game. You might be thinking that Rantaro would be the suicide, but not all of Kodaka's BSky punishments are actual fatal executions. Some he's devised are really just torture. Regardless, Rantaro gets a horrifying deal here.

/////

Q: If there was a punishment for Ki-Bo, what would it be like?

A: He has been modified into a vending machine, and although he has thoughts, he cannot speak; he simply takes money and hands out drinks, until one day he breaks down and is miserably discarded.

[feudalconnection]

The Nomination Period for the 2nd Term 2025 Inuyasha Fandom Awards is now CLOSED!!

Hey everyone!

Below the cut you'll find a complete list of all of the Fanfiction nominations received for this term! You can also find the full list of all nominations on Google Docs.

Click here for the complete list of Fanart nominations.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this term for taking the time to do so. We hope you enjoyed your experience! If you have any feedback on the nomination form, please don't hesitate to reach out to the mod-team! If you do not see your nomination, please reach out to us as soon as possible!

We strongly encourage that when you view a work of art or read a fanfiction, please reblog or leave a comment to let the creators know how much their work and talent is appreciated!

As a reminder, we are giving 3 weeks time to enjoy all of the creations. The voting period will begin June 6th and end June 20th.

In order to be able to vote, you'll need to register so we can keep it all neat and clean. We will be posting the link to the voting form on the first day of the voting session.

Got a question? Check out our FAQ or send us an ask. You can also message one of the mods directly!

Thank you to everyone who nominated for making this 2nd Term absolutely wonderful, and happy voting!

For our nominees: This term the lovely @mayarab created nominee banners for each individual category. Please click here to download your banner!

Best Action/Adventure

“Falling Through Time” by @theshipthatgotaway / SimpforSessKag (AO3)

“Wild Rabbit Chase” by @justafewsmallsteps / HelikaAkileh (AO3)

“Nowhere With You” by Langus (AO3)

“Way Down We Go - The Wolf and the Miko” by CarpathianRose (AO3)

“Skinny Love” by emanime5 (AO3)

Best AU/AR

“The Lord and the Pauper” by @classysassy9791 / ClassySassy (AO3)

“Unexpected Match” by @ladydanitar

“Pretty But” by @rinandyarn

“Nosey Neighbors” by @elkonigin

“Runs With Wolves” by thereddqueen (AO3)

“As the World Falls Down” by @sereia1313 / Sereia13 (AO3)

“Beyond the Pale” by @ruddcatha

“Many Glowing Moons” by Woodrosia (AO3)

“The Runaway” by Kitty_Katya (AO3)

Best Canon Universe

“Beneath Goshinboku” by Ldesu (AO3)

“Falling Through Time” by @ theshipthatgotaway / SimpforSessKag (AO3)

“Please Just Stop” by @kstewdeux

“You and Me After All” by Chiaztolite (AO3)

“Cupid Only Misses Sometimes” by @dawnrider

Best Angst

“Wild Rabbit Chase” by @ justafewsmallsteps / HelikaAkileh (AO3)

“A Growing Need” by @novemberwaterwanderer / novemberwanderer (AO3)

“inertia” by @noprobllama92

“Unraveled” by HoneydewTutu (AO3)

“dripping” by @transvampirerights / transfreak (AO3)

Best Dark

“Divided Hearts” by Simply_ivy (AO3)

“Where My Heart and Soul Dwell” by Ashlovelyart (AO3)

“I Love the Flaws You Try to Hide” by @cannibalsforbreakfast / Laeoukka (AO3)

“The Bond” by @wbficaholic / wonderbug (AO3)

“Thy Thralldom Come” by TheMondayChild (AO3)

“Between Love & Fear” by Narwhal01 (AO3)

Best Drama

“Satisfied” by @ sereia1313 / Sereia13 (AO3)

“Unexpected Match” by @ ladydanitar

“Full Exposure” by @inuyashamybeloved / InuScarlett (AO3)

“Hack” by @timetravellingpaperbag

“Beyond the Pale” by @ ruddcatha

“You and Me Equals Three” by Chiaztolite (AO3)

“Veil” by @meghnaww

“To Catch a Demon” by Alaviles (AO3)

“Sealed With a Kiss” by @k9plus1 / WickedsNonProfitWhoreganization (AO3)

“Keep Me, Miroku” by waffaluserr (AO3)

Best Humor/Parody

“The Battle of the Beans” by @mrfeenysmustache / AshMish111 (AO3)

“‘Til Death Do Us Part” by @ elkonigin

“Helping Hands” by @ ladydanitar

Best NSFW

“Satisfied” by @ sereia1313 / Sereia13 (AO3)

“Bound by Fate” by @ theshipthatgotaway / SimpforSessKag (AO3)

“The Office Party” by @ inuyashamybeloved / InuScarlett (AO3)

“i am all hunger” by @theawfuledges / abovetheruins (AO3)

“The Southern Scandal” by Kitty_Katya (AO3)

Best One-Shot

“Forged by Fire” by @the-lone-huntress / Wandering_Huntress (AO3)

“The Office Party” by @ inuyashamybeloved / InuScarlett (AO3)

“But Tonight (I Need You To Stay)” by @golden-writes / GoldenEyedFury (AO3)

“Cupid Only Misses Sometimes” by @ dawnrider

“no one's ever made me feel the way that you do” by ninemangoes (AO3)

“please try not to be so mean” by ninemangoes (AO3)

“Invasive Species” by @shikonstar

“Unfinished Business” by slothykins (AO3)

Best Character Portrayal

“Let This Go” (Tsubaki) by @jewel-shard / Jewel_shard (AO3)

“Full Exposure” (Inuyasha) by @ inuyashamybeloved / InuScarlett (AO3)

“Mad World” (Kagome) by @gr33nbride / Greenbride (AO3)

“cabinet ghosts” (Inuyasha) by @snotcrates / bby_rabbit (AO3)

“Farewell” (Mama Higurashi) by Aradiablue (AO3)

“Close Quarters” (Kagome) by BurntBones_and_HotCoffee (AO3)

“The Runaway” (Koga) by Kitty_Katya (AO3)

Best InuKag Romance

“a little different, mostly the same” by gomehnasai (AO3)

“Cavernous Conversations” by @ dawnrider

“please try not to be so mean” by ninemangoes (AO3)

Best Thruple Romance

“New Beginnings” by @rileyoe1 / RileyOE (AO3)

“The Cabin” by ShyGuyVi (AO3)

Best Romance

“Bound by Fate” by @ theshipthatgotaway / SimpforSessKag (AO3)

“no one's ever made me feel the way that you do” by ninemangoes (AO3)

“Just Friends” by @violetasteria

“Hedonist” by PrettyWoofEars (AO3)

Best Rare Pair

“Palmistry” by @ classysassy9791 / ClassySassy (AO3)

“Higurashi” by @ jewel-shard / Jewel_shard (AO3)

“Presumptuous” by @ rileyoe1 / RileyOE (AO3)

Best Fluff

“Birthday Surprises.” by @gr33nbride / Greenbride (AO3)

“Cold Company” by @yoshifics / Yoshishisha (AO3)

“Little Things” by DivineGlory (AO3)

“a little different, mostly the same” by gomehnasai (AO3)

“Lowered Guard” by @lynnnexus / Lynn_Nexus (AO3)

Best Serial

“Helping Hands” by @ ladydanitar

“Between Love & Fear” by Narwhal01 (AO3)

Best Ficlet

“A New Adventure” by @rinandyarn

“In Another Life” by @serial-doubters-club / hakomorebi (AO3)

Best Classic

“Smile” by HalcyonMoments11 (FFN)

“Pennies and Dimes” by @witchygirl99

“The Lucky Ones” by @isilwath / Terri Botta (AO3)

“Little Family” by @xoxopandapanda / foodnetworkstar (AO3)

“The Ronin” by @mamabearcat

“Everything Has Changed” by @sagemcmae

“Hunter’s Moon” by @mythicamagic

“Light Me a Lantern” by @inuyashasforest / Novaviis (AO3)

Best Completed

“The Long Game” by the_ethical_klepht (AO3)

“Don’t Buy Me Flowers” by ShyGuyVi (AO3)

“Love and Politics” by @ ruddcatha

Side note: If you see works without a link, please look higher up on the list. Due to tumblr's link & tag limit on posts, duplicate works and creators had to be un-tagged/linked.

[lith0000000]

Is privacy important to you?

So recently, I've seen an uptick of people interested in privacy regarding electronics (phones, pc, what have you). When I say people, I'm referring to non-techy people, like myself. I know my way around my computer and can do some basic troubleshooting for hardware/software, but beyond that, I'm sort of helpless. I don't know anything about hacking or cybersecurity and the only coding I can do is some html. I'm below a novice haha. So, if you're that sort of person, then maybe this could be of interest to you. What I am about to discuss involves no coding or really any in depth knowledge regarding technology. You don't have to be Elliot Alderson for this.

>Why does privacy even matter?

The answer to this question will vary from person to person. I, for one, do not like the idea of any corporation hoarding my data to sell or store or do fuck all with. If this does not bother you, I'd consider asking yourself if you're comfortable with, let's say, something like Google knowing everything about you. And I mean everything. Suppose that doesn't bother you, then okay. Maybe think about how it would feel if your classmates or coworkers knew what Google knows about you. Corporations also extend to governments because they're jerking each other off, so something to keep in mind. And individuals, people like you and I, work for these entities. And these people can abuse your data. For any reason.

Your data is a tool for them to control you. You might not realize it until it's too late. I'm being a little vague here because this point alone could be an entire wall of posts.

Additionally, something to consider is the level of privacy that you may require. If you are someone who attends public protests or is part of some sort of organization that criticizes your government, you are at risk of potential scrutiny or harassment. Obviously, but I mean specifically from a lack of privacy practices. Maybe from your government or somebody who opposes your views, etc. And depending on how you've been communicating about these gatherings or communities, you're potentially putting others at risk as well. If you're one of the people who's in charge of organizing or playing a large role, some of the methods I will be going over will likely not be enough to protect you. Activists and journalists need a different level of privacy that I can't begin to match.

Listed below are some videos that I watched that really helped me to understand why this is important.

“I Have Nothing to Hide” – The Dangerous Myth About Privacy

Is it impossible to be private online? (Eric's channel has been very helpful for me personally because his explanations do not alienate the tech illiterate)

>So...Where do I start?

Luckily, there are small steps you can take to prevent some information about you from being hoarded. And I say some, not all. Unfortunately, the only way to completely avoid all of this is to live out in a cabin in the middle of nowhere and never use the internet ever. Which I can assume you don't want because you're reading this on a website right now! You will have to make some compromises for some of these options, and if you can't replace all of these and only some, that's fine. Most of these can be adjusted in just a few minutes, if that.

General

Oh my god, stop using chrome. I'm serious, please stop. If you are using chrome to read this, close out of this and download firefox. or brave or chromium or whatever. I use firefox, and the second you download firefox, download ublock origin. Ads on the internet are completely out of control. Firefox is not foolproof either, other add-ons can provide not just a more private experience, but also a much smoother one. ClearURLs removes tracking elements from urls. And it's open source. There are a few others, but I don't know everything lol. There are VPNs you can use, but I only ever use one if I'm away from home and using the Wi-Fi at work or something.

Stop using google search engine. In firefox, you can set something else by default. I just use duckduckgo, but there are alternatives. You can also turn off the ai bullshit. Find one that works best for you and your needs.

Email. So this is one I have not moved yet. I still have gmail for my youtube account. I also have to use gmail for my university. I do have a protonmail, though, that I've been slowly moving over to. This could be an easy fix for some people, while impossible for others. This is something that I am willing to compromise on. Again, you can't have it all with how things are set up. I'm sure there are some ways to circumvent this, but I am not aware of it. For things like drive and docs there are also some alternatives, but I don't use drive all that much, so finding an alternative isn't that pressing for me. There's proton drive, which functions similarly, and several paid options, but I'm trying to keep this process free for people just starting to be privacy-conscious.

Signal is a good messenger especially if you're moving from something like facebook messenger, instagram, whatsapp, whatever. It's end to end encrypted and pretty modern (so stuff like emojis, reactions, voice messages) You do need a phone number though, but again, better than just whatsapp. More people are moving to it now, so you might have an easier time introducing friends to it.

Cellphone

Alright, so this is going to depend on a few factors, mainly whether you have Android or iOS. I had an iPhone for a long time, up until last year. I was never an Apple fanboy, it's just what I had, but I wasn't deep in the ecosystem by any means. I've always used a Windows computer, so I didn't have a Mac or apple watch or whatever. I had an ipad but sold it to a friend last year because I transitioned to using my Wacom full time on my PC. I only say that because if you like your apple products just keep in mind that while you are secure (apple does have great security), you may not be private. iOS is closed source, so it's more difficult for third parties or hackers to get your data, but apple has it. And apple can do whatever. Also, you are limited to the ways you can customize your phone.

I will link a video on someone who discusses privacy on iphone but aside from the few things I listed above I can't really help you much further than a few other points. Sorry.

A brief guide to privacy for iPhone

If you have an Android based phone you are in luck. Most Android phones allow you to put a different os on your cellphone since you can access the bootloader (unlike iphones) BUT your phone in most cases has to be OEM unlockable. Phones from carriers like Verizon aren't able to be unlocked because Verizon is weird and kinda treats their consumers like shit lol. I own a Google pixel 9 and I will admit I splurged on this phone by buying it brand new. It was on sale, I got a bonus at work and hey what can I say... Also my iphone 12mini was shitting itself so it was time for a new phone. The money must have been burning a damn hole in my pocket. In retrospect though, the smarter thing would have been to buy used or an older model. Which I will be doing in the future. Back on track though.

You're probably scratching your head here: if he was just complaining about google why the hell does he have a Google phone?

I'm glad you asked, hypothetical voice in my head.

Grapheneos is a os that is only available on Google pixels (I believe from 6 onward). What it does is basically degoogles your phone. So removes google services. And the thing is, you can redownload these services but refuse network permissions and limit what they can and cannot do or have access to. Or tweak settings that you would not otherwise have access to. You have control over your device and it actually somewhat feels like your device. It's easy to install...like, modding a ds takes longer than installing graphene on your phone. Here is a video that I watched that goes over specifics and installation.

Here is the grapheneos website

For non google phones there's calyxOS but I have no personal experience with it. But both of these OS give you back some ownership on your device by letting the user control how their cellphone functions and not a company. Also, it can help your phone feel a little smoother because it removes a lot of proprietary apps that companies like Samsung add to android. If your phone can't be unlocked, then start by switching to alternative apps and delete as many proprietary apps as possible. Watch this video on fdroid.

Remove face ID if you're able and remove fingerprints as well. It might be a bit inconvenient but it's much safer. I understand that these may be great accessibility tools for some so just do what you can. Turn off location when you're not using it. With graphene, you can give map applications your approximate location, not your exact location. There are also map options that can be disconnected from network, and you can save routes, but I use public transportation and really need to see when my bus is going to arrive. My cities bus app is so shit sometimes. Again, another example of compromising that is going make you ask what's important to you, and if you're willing to risk your privacy for it.

If you watch most of these videos, you'll hear a lot of these points are going to overlap.

I was considering discussing what you can do for your PC, but I'm a complete noob. I've been using Linux mint for a little bit now, and I avoid the terminal most of the time because I'm a little baby. Even still, I recommend getting away from windows if you're able. Especially if you have a windows 10 computer since Microsoft is dropping support this fall iirc. Linux mint is super beginner friendly and much lighter on your computer, so even better if your PC is older.

Some videos that might help you decide if Linux could be a good alternative for you.

Switching to Linux: A Beginner’s Guide

Why Linux is Better Than Windows 11

Linux Mint 22: Excellent Distro for Windows Users

Linux Mint for Gaming (2025) | Linux Gaming Setup (for Beginners) Pt. 1

This privacy stuff can go so deep and you'll feel kinda crazy lol. Once you learn about what people can do with this data, and read about how people's lives have been ruined by it getting into the wrong hands, it'll never leave your head. But it's important to start small. And start sooner rather than later.

Social media was something I considered discussing but I think it could be added to a later post since this is kinda long already. I hope this is somewhat helpful, I tend to ramble a lot of the time. If you're someone who is a bit more savvy than I, then please reply with any info that you think could be important. But remember that this post is for basic beginners who are just now learning about this stuff so keep it simple. Thanks for reading!

[pinkwhiskerglitter]

Pepper Poppers

Chapter 2: New Beginnings

[Shane POV]

The alarm forces him up from slumber groaning as the pounding to his head accompanies this. He gets out of bed and changes into his work uniform. When he leaves his room he sees Jas eating a stack on pancakes and Marnie slicing some apples.

“Hey kiddo, I’m off to work see you later” Shane pats Jas on her head and nods to Marnie before leaving for Joja.

15 minutes later and he’s clocked in back to the mundane cycle of stocking and listing items. Sam eventually stumbles in and greets Shane like he usually does. Shane envies how happy Sam can be in such a mind-numbing place. How he has more potential and life in him than he ever did.

The routine begins of Shane stocking and documenting and Sam... being Sam.

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

[Farmer POV]

The fresh morning air wakes the farmer up and she looks around confused for a second as to why she’s in a rundown shack.

“Oh yea, career swap.” she mutters, getting herself out of bed and into a pair of overalls and a t-shirt. She looks through the seeds and tools she was gifted when she first moved in here and looked up how to care for parsnips. After a few articles and TikTok's she got a general idea and walked out to her new farm.

It wasn't a bad land, but it was a mess. Being abandoned for who knows how long has affected the grounds way more than she would like. Overgrown grass, rocks, and trees for as far as the eye can see floods the place. She looks around for a patch of land to start her parsnips with little rubble to disturb the process. Awkwardly trying to tilth, the soil and plant the seeds took longer than expected but was eventually completed.

“Guess I should start with clearing up this land, can’t be a successful farmer without land” she says and begins cutting away at a small area removing rocks, weeds, and whatever else has overgrown in the area. She remembers she has an axe and runs to her home to grab it.

It’s heavier than expected but she grips it and walks to a smaller tree to try and hack away at it.

“Here goes nothing” she says before she swings the axe with all her strength. The axe just sticks into the trees bark and she is out of breath sweating up a storm.

“I should have kept my gym membership.” she cries trying to pull the axe out of the tree. After an embarrassingly long struggle she finally gets it lost and delivers another messy blow. The farmer works away at the tree for what seems like ages until it finally falls, and she’s left with the stump. This is when it dawns on her that she has no idea what to do with a fallen tree, or a stump. After a few google searches, she decides to break the wood into smaller pieces and store them somewhere until they’ll get a use. This process was long and tiring, draining the farmer of her energy.

After that fiasco the farmer realizes if she’s going to start over, she will need to become more educated about this new lifestyle. She can’t stop to google everything and needs to become more knowledgeable about farming. The farmer showers off the day's work and plans out a schedule to help educate this new lifestyle.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[Shane POV]

The clock hits 5 and like a porgram code in a computer Shane gets out of work and follows his routine of heading to the saloon. When he enters the building, the air is back to normal. No more extra buzz or light like the previous night. He signs in relief and returns to his usual corner with the same beer he always drinks. He’s back to a fly on the wall observing people around him and thinking about nothing but the bitter taste of beer on his tongue and the smell of peppers in the air.

Marnie eventually walks up to Shane, which isn't unusual but not exactly something she does often.

“Shane dear, maybe some nights after work you should skip the Saloon and head back home. Jas misses spending more time with you and been asking for you. I know you find comfort here and everything hasn’t been easy, but she still needs you.” the warm woman said with a pleading look in her eyes.

Shane sighs and looks up at her. He wants nothing more than to brush her off and curl into a ball and disappear but at the end of the day she’s right and Jas does need him.

“Yea ok.” he mutters, turning away from Marnie before putting some cash on the table and walking out of the Saloon.

“Great two nights in a row I leave the Saloon early.” He grunts as he walks back to Marnie home.

When he enters the house, he looks around for Jas just to find her with the chickens.

‘Hey uncle Shane.” Her eyes light up and she runs to hug him”

“Hey Jas, whatcha doing in here with these lovely ladies? Isn’t it your bedtime.” Shane questions.

“Yea but no one was home, and I wanted to pet your chicken.” She cheers. Shane smiles at her and bends down to pet his favorite chicken as well.

“Okay little lady it’s time to get you in bed, Marnie would kill me if I let you stay up any longer.” Shane picks up Jas and brings her to her bed tucking her in like the previous night. As much as Shane hates this town and his life, he loves Jas and wants to give her the opportunity to be better. It’s unfair she got stuck with him and must witness times he over drinks or falls into a hole that's hard to get out of, but he wants to provide what he can and hopefully help her make a life he wished he got.

He knows he’s not cut out for parenthood. He knows nothing about people, and even less about children. He wonders if what he’s doing is right or if he should have given up custody but in his own selfish way, he could not part ways with Jas. He needs her and he hopes she needs him. The only reason he’s been here this long was for Jas and he knows he can’t leave her; she’s already lost so much. His eyes begin to water at the thought, and he leaves her sleeping figure to go to his room and crack open an emergency beer. He knows he shouldn’t do this nasty habit when any emotion arrives but it’s an addiction he doesn’t want to break. After a few cans Shane still doesn’t feel drowned out enough, so he whips out his bottle of peanut butter whiskey and takes a few chugs. This was finally enough to numb out his mind and make his world spin in the way he finds comfort.

Soon enough Shane eventually passes out and the house is quiet once more.

[AN]

Thanks for reading :3

Find me in ao3 @AristotleOfShane

[daryatalia]

Completed my Second Game Jam!!

I completed Brackeys second game jam of 2024! The theme was Calm Before the Storm, and I was one of 1500 submissions!

I cannot fully express how happy I am to have finished my second game jam! The team I worked with were super amazing and I will go into their skills and what I appreciated later.

The game we made was a resource management, mobile defense, hack n' slash. While the submission build is not 100% functional, it still shows off some really cool systems and designs, and I'm very happy with how it turned out! I am continuing to do post-release updates and any new builds will be submitted to our Github while the Game Jam voting is ongoing.

Please check out Automik Breakers and submit your rating and thoughts if you can! All feedback is welcome because I may be fixing/completing it or need to know if it needs fixing.

Designing and programming this game was really fun! This was a week long game jam with a secret theme that was revealed on Day 1. Before the jam, I wasn't sure if I would work solo or as a team, so I drafted some ideas ahead of time for each theme that I was confident I could independently make systems for. Some of those ideas were an endless "swimmer", house break-in incremental horror, and helping neighbors with tasks around the neighborhood.

Ultimately, I decided to find a team. I'm still quite new to game jams and really enjoyed meeting people last time. I searched within Brackey's Discord server to find open teams looking for a programmer, either for Unity or Unreal Engine. I reached out to many cool people and ended up creating a team of my own! I made a Discord server for us to collaborate it, as well as the GitHub repo, Google Drive, and Miro. I focused a lot on making sure everyone was comfortable with one another and that everyone could contribute their skills to the project the way they wanted to.

Once the theme was announced, we started workshopping ideas day one. With team members in multiple time zones from NA to Europe, we met several times over the next two days to hammer out the main game genre, game loop, and systems. There were many ideas and possibilities, so talking through how we would implement each aspect of it and what assets would be needed for development helped us land on our chosen game. We made sure to keep the theme in mind throughout the development of systems, design, narrative, and artwork.

The biggest challenges for me as both a developer, designer, and team lead were managing scope and schedules. We knew what systems we wanted, but getting them to interact properly was already going to be a challenge, and we were essentially developing two "Game Modes" to function as one. As such, we were mindful to keep a list of minimum viable features and to knock additional features into "if we can" territory. When it comes to scope, to improve I would say I would start digital prototype development and systems design even a day sooner, and to build certain features one at a time until completion rather than bouncing around a bit (this is my experience). Using User Stories was especially helpful for helping me organize what the goals of development were, even more so then the task list I made for the team.

When it comes to scheduling, we have 9 team members in 5 different time zones, so making sure work and delegations were queued up for when I was offline and others were up was very important. Task lists as well as morning "hi-hello-today we will-" really helped with managing expectations and updating the whole team on development progress. It was really satisfying seeing the whole team interact and work together. I was actively learning from my fellow programmers, Spoon, Necron, and GraphicEdit, and I hope everyone else can say the same. Also, I think having a diverse time zoned team also helped us with maximizing production development without burning everyone out. Knowing something was being done around the clock without forcing anyone to crunch or sacrifice IRL activities was really nice.

Scope ultimately led to our game being less than 100% complete. We didn't have much time the last 2 days to tune the enemy strength, add greater significance to delivery items, attach power-ups to each resource item, or to fine-tune additional bugs. The story also wasn't able to iterate correctly, the random deliveries queue is still in-production, and the custom deliveries option could be more clear. I'm satisfied that these are aspects that I know can be improved and lead to a satisfying and complete game with replay value.

As for contributions, personally, I worked on a few different things throughout the jam. I managed onboarding team members, creating and updating team resources, and developing task lists for async development. I supported the team by reviewing sounds and music, artwork, and game systems. I developed the Cargo Controller ( the script that controls the movement and inventory of the cargo vehicle), the Hub Manager (the script that controls the inventory of the Hub during "Calm Mode", as well as the assignment of deliveries), and the Storm Mode Journey (which controlled the "Storm Mode"s game loop). With assistance from Spoon, I also worked on the Game Manager, making sure that it had access to both game modes and could keep track of persistent objects and values like our currency, story deliveries, and delivery items. With his assistance I also created the scriptable objects for the various resource and delivery items based on Spoons SO script.

I worked on the UI for the Hub, designing potential layouts, finding references, coordinating with the team on colors and fonts, and laying out the structure and prefabs using Unity's UI system. It was a bit of a headache but only because the nesting got so deep and the layout groups were a little unpredictable. Still, a much more satisfying and improved experience than my last game jam. Thank you to Rusty for the beautiful UI panel art!

Most days, I would start work off by connecting with the team, seeing what they needed to be successful, updating docs as necessary, all before digging into my code or UI responsibilities. My experience in project management really helped me succeed in this, as well as the dedication and talent of the team I was working with.

Thank you to RatDrum for developing the music for this game, as well as additional sound effects. Thank you to JollyGoodFriend for developing sound effects, as well. Thank you to Rustyscreech for designing the UI art and backgrounds and the Cargo Cart, as well as the concept art for the characters. Thank you to Danieluxx for designing the character animations. Thank you to Necron for developing the enemy systems. Thank you to Spoon for developing the background pooling system, the Base Item scriptable objects, and the inventory system, and for helping to optimize my and Necron's code. Thank you to GraphicEdit for developing the main menu and pause menu UIs, for developing the for-now unutilized save system, and for supporting Github commits and troubleshooting. Thank you to SirSunstone for writing a captivating story for our game world, and integrating it piece-by-piece into the Story missions, as well as for coming up with a cool list of items for us to implement.

THANK YOU to our team! Could not have done this without you all!

I'm so excited for my next game jam and to see what else I can do!

[the-sleepy-archivist]

Online Privacy and Security Tips

I am a firm believer that people should be able to be anonymous and secure online. Over a lifetime of trial and error, I've slowly learned the best ways to protect myself, and I'd like to pass on that knowledge to anyone who wants to hear it.

Last updated May 2024 (added links to news articles about PimEyes being used to identify someone in real life)

Switch to Firefox for your main browser on Windows and Android

Avoid any browser based on the Chromium project (like Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome), as Google has a major conflict of interest that prevents it from truly having users' privacy interests at heart. It makes ~70-80% of its revenue from its highly targeted advertising business, for which it must collect as much information about you as possible. That means that no matter how badly certain parts of Google want to build privacy into the browser, business interests and pressure will always supersede them, or at least force a compromise that still enables some tracking. Firefox is owned and maintained by a non-profit, so it does not have that same conflict, and it shows in the features it builds (and does not build) and the way it treats its users.

I made a list of my favorite Firefox extensions if you want to make your internet experience more pleasant and/or more secure!

Note: on iOS (i.e. iPhones), Firefox' functionality is limited by Apple restrictions and I do not recommend it - using Safari with Extensions like Adguard or 1Blocker is more secure and will give you a better experience. I made a list of my favorite iOS Safari extensions too!

Use a reputable password manager

I suggest 1Password (avoid LastPass and all of the password managers built into browsers, they're not safe). A good password manager increases your online safety by:

Helping you avoid password reuse (a common cause of account hacking)

Generating complex passwords that are difficult to guess or brute-force, and

Allowing you to keep records of all the different sites you have accounts on (so you can quickly change passwords in the event of a breach or delete your accounts on them when they outlive their usefulness)

Delete old accounts you no longer need

If your data has been deleted, no one can steal and leak it if they manage to hack the company.

Sign up for alerts from HaveIBeenPwned (HIBP) to be notified when your data is leaked in a site hacking.

This allows you to quickly change your password, hopefully before anyone is able to decrypt it (if it wasn't stored properly) or use it (if it was easy to guess). If you have reused that password on other sites, be sure to change your password on those sites either.

Note that some leaks don’t actually have any info about what website they were stolen from; if criminals just dump a huge text file onto a hacking forum that has your username and an accompanying password in it, HIBP doesn’t necessarily know what site they hacked to get that info. This is where a password manager like 1Password will come in handy, because 1P can actually use HIBP’s API to check each of your passwords and see if any of them have been leaked before. It will alert you if you need to change a specific password, even if you weren’t aware that site had been hacked.

Note: 1P only sends the first 5 characters of the password hashes to HIBP, not the passwords themselves. You can read more about the feature and how it preserves your privacy here.

Assume all profile pictures on any site are public, and avoid using your face for them if possible

New AI-powered sites like PimEyes can take an image of you, identify your face, and search for it in other, unrelated images around the internet. I searched for myself using a recent image that had never been posted to the internet before, and it immediately identified me in completely separate images I was using as my profile pictures on Facebook and LinkedIn and provided links to my accounts there. In this new AI era, assume anyone who snaps a picture of you can link you to your identity on any website where you have publicly posted your face before. This is not hyperbole; fans used PimEyes to identify a cameraman at a Taylor Swift concert using nothing more than a screenshot of a video taken of him by a concertgoer. Note: for what it's worth, you can submit an opt-out request to PimEyes if you are worried about someone using it to find your accounts online, but it requires you to submit images of your face and your government ID to the company...

Never post the same (original) image on two accounts that you do want to keep separate

Even a simple reverse image search can allow someone to link your different sites together (i.e. don't post the same vacation sunset photo on both Facebook and Tumblr because anyone can use that to link those sites together. Even if your Facebook or Instagram images are private, a follower of yours on one of those sites could still find the Tumblr you are not comfortable sharing with anyone. Marking your Tumblr as hidden only discourages search engines from indexing it; shady companies can and will ignore that and index it anyway.

[denpadokei]

Is no one else concerned about the songs on KAFU’s profile that don’t have any producers listed with them?

The Hatsune Miku profile has a few of them too I think, where the artist is just voice synth. Does anyone else know why they’re not credited or where they come from? Are they made by members of her company? I get how posting music onto a much more popular account will get more eyes to it, but surely these people want don’t want to remain anonymous, maybe these are artists who don’t want to be credited? I know making an account to post music on Spotify is tedious too, and I know it’s possible for other people to hack\access another account without permission, is it obviously that though? I’m worried they’re somehow generated? Spotify has a lot of trouble with AI generated music being uploaded to popular profiles, but all the ones I’ve found actually do seem to use KAFU and sound too good to be AI. They could also be covers of pre-existing songs that I just don’t know. I can’t have been the only person to ask this, so sorry if it’s repetitive, I don’t really like KAFU either I just like finding as much voice synth music as I can. And a lot of them sound completely different so I struggle to believe it’s one person.

(That’s the gist of it but you can keep reading if you’d like 💖)

I ask because there’s a couple I really like that I want to see translations of, which I’m sure I can find without asking this, but it doesn’t seem right that these people aren’t being credited. Isn’t something to do with KAFU’s company commissioning people? I know they’ve done that before but then why does it look like no one else cares about the lack of credit. Makes me think there’s a big list of artists somewhere or something. These uncredited KAFU songs are still being uploaded to this day. I assume the art in the album covers is stock imagery or generated too, since I can’t find any credit of that either. I’d reverse image search if I could. And like, actually put the names of the songs into Google to translate or look for any info.

I tried this with an uncredited album called “blocks”. The title is in English and so are all the songs, so I think that’ll be the easiest to find. Yet I got nothing other than the Spotify link and the autogenerated(?) audios on YouTube, which are also just on the KAFU topic.

It’s not hard to find these, I think more than half of the songs on KAFU’s profile are uncredited though I haven’t actually looked. It just annoys me so maybe it seems like more to me idk.

If there’s an answer please link me to it, or if someone else has already asked. I hope this is already an ongoing thing, though I think it’ll be really boring when solved. Interact if you want someone to properly investigate this 🥺I dunno. When searching “KAFU uncredited” in Google I didn’t get any other posts about it.

EXAMPLES AND INFO THAT I COULD FIND:

My favourite uncredited Kafu songs are called, when put through deepl, “Christmas Rose”, “From Liebe/From Leave”, “mermaid”, and “Unsold Lullaby”, the last of which I have managed to find an artist called “Kristallo” for. All their other songs use Kafu but have Kristallo credited as a secondary artist. This lullaby one is the only one that doesn’t I think. This makes me think it may be the case for a lot of others, but Christmas Rose and mermaid are common song names to pinpoint (there are at least two other mermaids featuring Kafu, both are credited but neither of them are this strange one. There’s also Haribote by namigroove which is uploaded to one of their Spotifys (they have a separate English one?) but is also on KAFU’s profile as a separate song (the title isn’t in romaji) without namigroove credited. This could also be the case for some others again. Another weird thing is that when searching Kafu in a playlist with any of these songs in, they don’t come up. All I get is ones from the KAF YOU album. I wondered if there were different Kafu profiles but I could only find one where all of these songs are uploaded too. But when searching for them under Kafu they just don’t appear. That’s probably sone unrelated glitch though.

[smrutishree]

What Are the Top Skills in Demand on Hirekingdom, and How Can You Showcase Them?

Understanding and showcasing the top skills in demand can significantly enhance your visibility and attractiveness to potential employers. Here’s an overview of the top skills currently sought after on Hirekingdom and effective strategies for showcasing them:

Top Skills in Demand

Technical Skills

Programming Languages: Skills in languages like Python, Java, JavaScript, and SQL are highly sought after, particularly for roles in software development, data science, and IT.

Data Analysis and Visualization: Proficiency in tools such as Excel, Tableau, Power BI, and knowledge of statistical methods are in demand for data-related roles.

Cybersecurity: Skills in network security, ethical hacking, and familiarity with cybersecurity tools and practices are crucial as companies focus on protecting their digital assets.

Soft Skills

Communication: Effective verbal and written communication is essential across all industries, helping in collaboration, client interactions, and presentations.

Problem-Solving: The ability to identify issues and develop solutions is highly valued, especially in roles that require critical thinking and innovation.

Adaptability: Flexibility and the ability to thrive in a changing environment are important, particularly in fast-paced or evolving sectors.

Project Management

Agile and Scrum: Knowledge of Agile methodologies and Scrum frameworks is important for managing projects efficiently and adapting to changes.

Leadership and Team Management: Skills in leading teams, managing resources, and ensuring project success are critical for managerial and senior roles.

Digital Marketing

SEO and SEM: Expertise in search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) is valuable for roles in digital marketing and online advertising.

Content Creation: Skills in creating engaging content for blogs, social media, and other platforms are in demand as companies seek to build their online presence.

Customer Service and Sales

Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Proficiency in CRM tools like Salesforce is important for managing customer interactions and sales processes.

Sales Strategies: Skills in developing and executing sales strategies are crucial for driving revenue and achieving business goals.

Financial Skills

Financial Analysis: Skills in analyzing financial statements, budgeting, and forecasting are essential for roles in finance and accounting.

Accounting Software: Familiarity with accounting software such as QuickBooks or SAP is often required for finance positions.

How to Showcase These Skills on Hirekingdom

Optimize Your Profile

Detailed Descriptions: Include detailed descriptions of your skills and experiences related to the top in-demand skills in your Hirekingdom profile. Use specific examples and achievements to demonstrate your expertise.

Skills Section: Ensure that your profile’s skills section highlights the top skills you possess. Utilize relevant keywords to improve visibility in search results.

Include Certifications and Courses

Relevant Certifications: List any certifications or training courses related to in-demand skills. Certifications in programming languages, project management (e.g., PMP), or digital marketing (e.g., Google Analytics) can validate your expertise.

Continuous Learning: Show your commitment to professional development by mentioning any recent courses or workshops you’ve completed that are relevant to current job market demands.

Showcase Projects and Achievements

Portfolio: Create a portfolio showcasing projects where you applied in-demand skills. For example, include case studies of data analysis projects, successful marketing campaigns, or software development projects.

Achievements: Highlight specific achievements related to your skills. For instance, mention how your SEO efforts led to increased website traffic or how your project management skills resulted in a successful project delivery.

Utilize Endorsements and Recommendations

Request Endorsements: Ask colleagues or supervisors to endorse your skills on Hirekingdom. Positive endorsements from others can add credibility to your claimed skills.

Get Recommendations: Request recommendations from previous employers or clients that emphasize your proficiency in key skills. These testimonials can reinforce your expertise and build trust with potential employers.

Engage in Relevant Content and Discussions

Share Insights: Share articles, insights, or thought leadership content related to your top skills on Hirekingdom. Engaging in discussions and providing valuable input can demonstrate your expertise and keep your profile active.

Participate in Groups: Join groups or forums on Hirekingdom related to your skills. Active participation in these communities can help you stay updated on industry trends and showcase your knowledge.

Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letters

Customize Applications: Tailor your resume and cover letters to highlight the skills that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Use specific examples to illustrate how you’ve applied these skills in previous roles.

Use Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords related to the top skills in your application materials to pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and capture the attention of recruiters.

Leverage Job Matching and Analytics Tools

Job Matching: Use Hirekingdom’s job matching features to find roles that align with your skills and experience. This ensures that you are applying for positions that best fit your expertise.

Analyze Trends: Utilize Hirekingdom’s analytics tools to understand the demand for specific skills and adjust your profile and applications accordingly.

Showcase Soft Skills Through Examples

Provide Context: When showcasing soft skills, provide context and examples of how you’ve demonstrated these skills in your professional experience. For instance, describe a situation where your problem-solving skills led to a successful outcome.

Conclusion

By understanding and showcasing the top in-demand skills on Hirekingdom, you can significantly improve your chances of attracting the attention of potential employers and securing desirable job opportunities. Optimize your profile, highlight relevant achievements, and utilize Hirekingdom’s tools and features to effectively present your skills and stand out in a competitive job market.

[jayinkshinydex]

Welcome to JayInk's Shiny Living Dex!

Hello! My name is JayInk! (Feel free to call me Jay or Ink.)

I've recently been made aware of my relatively unnatural good luck when it comes to finding Shiny Pokemon. So I've decided to try and make a complete Shiny Living Dex.

This side blog will be dedicated to documenting my journey through this process. Statistics, strategies, stories, screenshots, and general thoughts will be posted periodically. While this is mostly for personal use, I hope anyone who follows along will enjoy themselves!

Some rules and guidelines for this challenge:

No hacked, emulated, or computer generated Pokemon, obviously

That said, Event and Mystery Gift Pokemon are fair game

Most Alternate Forms that don't revert or require a hold item will count as their own Pokemon

Regional Forms will count towards the Generation they were introduced, ie, Alolan Vulpix counts as a Gen 7 Pokemon, Galarian Zigzagoon counts as Gen 8 Pokemon, ect.

Challenge ends once all Pokemon that are possible to obtain as shiny have been obtained

Follow the links below to check on my progress and plans!

Shiny Living Dex Spreadsheet (Google Sheets)

Current Hunt List (Google Docs)

Pokedex Progress

Accessible Games

[marukissnack]

Totally for SCIENCE purposes only....

🏠 😍🧑‍🍳🫵🐢💵🧑‍🤝‍🧑🦸

aaaaaaaaaand another question of my ooooowwwnnn.....

which iteration of TMNT do you think has inspired your AU the most?

Anon you’re spoiling me here ( ；∀；) Lots of longer answers in this one so BUCKLe UP BOYS

Find the list of questions here!

🏠 What is the Lair like?

This is an interesting one, ‘cause in this AU their lair and their home are two separate places!

I’ve mentioned/implied multiple times before that Yoshi, the turtles’ “uncle” & official guardian, is still human. Because of this, My AU turtles live topside in what’s essentially a large apartment.

I…definitely 100% made their home in the sims, and spent hours in first-person Google maps roaming the streets of NYC to find a real live building as reference to make it that much more realistic. It was a lot of fun. That is not sarcasm. I also plan to recreate their hideout in the basement of the sims lot when I get motivation, and I’ll be posting it entirely once it’s complete. But for now, have a basic description!

Their “house” is a three story building, purchased at a time when the housing market was not impossible, and passed down generations of Hamatos. On the main floor is the Hamato Dojo (name pending) where Yoshi works by teaching people (mostly children) the art of ninjutsu. This is also where the turtles do most of their formal training sessions, and when they were tots they sometimes had to hide/hangout in the staff kitchen but I’ll get into that bit some other time.

The second floor is their main living quarters. I tried to imitate a very apartment looking layout for it, but it takes up the entire floor if that makes sense. 5 males, 4 teenagers, 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. You can probably imagine the chaos that takes place in the morning. Ha. Yoshi gets his own room, Mikey & Leo share another, and Raph & Donnie share the Master bedroom because those two are the most picky about their personal space and they both NEED their own desks. Couldn’t just SHARE like Leo & Mikey do. Smh my head.

The third floor shares the exact same layout as the second, very apartment building like. It is currently unoccupied. The reason they don’t use it is because technically it can be rented out, and Yoshi’s father (another bit I’ll get into some other time) wants him to do that (for more money), so they can’t use it so it stays in decent shape for future occupants. It most likely is/will be rented out during the story, but it’s also very likely it will be a complete rando who has no purpose in the main story.

NOW THE LAIR, which the turtles call their Hideout. It is in the sewers. The main entrance is the manhole in the alleyway conveniently right by their house, like literally climb out the window, jump down the fire escape, boom, right there. There is a slight walk through the tunnels to get to the main area, but it’s very close. The hideout itself isn’t super lived in, but a majority of their hobbyist things are down there due to the lack of space in the apartment, for example:

A lot of Leo’s musical instruments are down there, like a portable keyboard, an abandoned drum set they found, etc.

Mikey keeps his spray paints and messier art stuff there

Donnie’s built his big, mainline PC down there, you know the one, the one that does the heavy technological stuff like the serious hacking. Idk. Anyway, a majority of what would be considered his “lab” is down there.

Raph…he hangs out down there. Lmao, most of his hobbies are on his main PC in his room so he just follows his brothers to hang out tbh. There is a sort of Rage Room a little ways away from the main area that Mikey put together for the two of them to blow off steam.

There’s a couch they found on the side of the road one night that they dragged across town to take down there. Some old beanbags. Idk, I haven’t visualized in the sims yet, my decor game severely lacks when it’s just in my head. This is typically where they’ll go when they need out of the apartment but don’t wanna get all human-disguised for the public.

😍 Are there any romances in your au?

There is no explicit romance, and VERY very few implied (like…one, lol). I considered it for a few of the adult characters, but ended up deciding that I just don’t feel it’s necessary to include in the story I wanna tell.

Mikey does have a crush. But there is no hope for it going anywhere, and he knows that, so I don’t really count it as a “romance”. Just a teen with a celebrity crush. Nothing more.

🧑‍🍳 Who is the best cook?

Of the main cast? Raph, but don’t tell the others; he has a reputation to maintain.

Yoshi’s pretty good, too. Fresh grown herbs do wonders for a meal.

🫵 Who do you project onto the most?

….That’s funny because I project onto all of them all the every all the time. But I GUESS that’s not the question sooo…

Me: Geez this is such a weird thing that I do. Probably from my ADHD or whatever.

Me: ……

Me: Here you go, Mikey.

🐢 Are your turtles different species?

YES! :D I spent many hours researching turtle species to find the right ones for each of them. Leo gave me the HARDEST time, fr.

Donnie is a False Map

Leo is a River Cooter

Mikey is a Yellow-Bellied Slider

Raph is a Common Musk (aka stinkpot)

And as I mentioned in my last post, Sandro is a turtle, so he gets included. He is a Red-Eared Slider.

There is also a Painted Turtle.

💵 How do your turtles make money? Or do they only scavenge?

As mentioned above: Yoshi is a human! With a human business! And gets money for it! Crazy! Each turtle gets some form of allowance idk how much I haven’t really thought about it, but they do get something.

On top of that, there are some other forms of income that the boys have developed.

Raph occasionally livestreams gaming. People are crazy about his hyper realistic vtuber model, it’s rigged so well and the 3D textures wtf (Don’t tell Yoshi he’d FREAK!)

Donnie helps people choose parts for PC builds and/or builds it for them. All his reviews have the same format: “I heard good things about this guy, so I gave him a chance. Kinda freaky how I was told to just drop off all the super expensive parts outside an alleyway and walk away, and when I turned around they were immediately gone. Like, those were definitely just stolen lmao. But then the next day, there was my perfectly built PC right there, right when he said it’d be done. Absolutely insane experience, definitely some kind of cryptid. 5 stars.”

Mikey does art commissions and probably some kinda webcomic

Leo definitely has some kind of “I will make banger background tunes for your business/livestream/etc.” listing on fiverr.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Is April considered a sibling?

Yeah…yeah, eventually. April is an only child, so she DEFINITELY learns to see them as brothers. Because they don’t meet until the story’s actually started, it takes some time. But eventually the Hamatos become a second family to her, and they start to forget there were times where April wasn’t sitting on their couch. Plus, they’ve always had that 6th chair at the table practically waiting for the final family member to arrive, and it just makes sense for her to be there.

…they’re gonna need to buy more chairs soon.

🦸 Is Casey a vigilante?

In a way.

I’m gonna be honest, my Casey is not very fleshed out at the moment, as he doesn’t come into the story for some time. But I do know that Casey has a heart for good and justice, and hates the clear disconnect with how some people are treated differently for seemingly no reason. And he hates the way that those in authority deal with it all. But I don’t think he is very active in this passion, in the ways of his canon counterparts, at least not early on.

I think, where he is now, he’s one push away from running head first on the vigilante’s path. If only a red garbed turtle would show up and like shove him over or something. Wouldn’t that be crazy?

❓Which iteration of TMNT do you think has inspired your AU the most?

That’s a funky one! I’m a big fan of every iteration (I still have not seen them all, but I hold each one I have consumed very close) so there’s not one specific iteration that serves as THE inspiration. I’m sorta taking bits and pieces from each —a character from here, a hobby from there, a storyline to reference here, etc.— what I feel fits the best for the story I want to tell. I’m also wanting to try new things that haven’t been seen in official turtle media yet (afaik), y’know, like…“What if Donnie was the oldest? How would that change how his personality manifests?“ — “What if Splinter didn’t mutate and was a human instead of a rat? How would that affect how the turtles were raised and where they live?”

So in a way, I suppose Rise is my biggest inspiration? As it’s the first show to REALLY change up the status quo outside of just tone (with Raph being the oldest & leader, Shredder being an ancient demon instead of Just Some Evil Dude, etc.). But each iteration is uniquely different in its own special ways. And I love that.

Anywho, uhhh… For the overall tone of the story, 2012 is what I’m using as an “inspiration”/guideline; a slightly darker, more serious take but still very silly and humourous.

I’m also snagging quite a bit from Mirage comics (and sort of by extension 2003 show?).

So like. To answer your question:

Yes.

[feudalconnection]

The Nomination Period for the 3rd Term 2024 Inuyasha Fandom Awards is now CLOSED!!

Hey everyone!

Below the cut you'll find a complete list of all of the Fanfiction nominations received for this term! You can also find it on Google Docs.

Click here for the complete list of Fanart nominations.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this term for taking the time to do so. We hope you enjoyed your experience! If you do not see your nomination, please reach out to us as soon as possible!

We strongly encourage that when you view a work of art or read a fanfiction, please reblog or leave a review to let the creators know how much their work and talent is appreciated!

As a reminder, we are giving 3 weeks time to enjoy all of the creations. The voting period will begin October 6th and end October 20th.

In order to be able to vote, you'll need to register so we can keep it all neat and clear. We will be posting the link to the voting form on the first day of the voting session.

Got a question? Check out our FAQ or send us an ask. You can also message one of the mods directly!

Thank you to everyone who nominated for making this 3rd Term absolutely wonderful, and happy voting!

Best Action/Adventure

"Nowhere With You" by Langus (AO3)

"Dear Sesshoumaru" by @ladydanitar

"In the Blood" by @dawnrider

"Wild Rabbit Chase" by @justafewsmallsteps / HelikaAkileh (AO3)

Best Alternate Universe/Reality

"Palmistry" by @classysassy9791

"Sense and Sensibility, An Inuyasha Retelling" by @ruddcatha

"i beg of you" by @thegoldenappleofdiscord / feudalreesespieces (AO3)

"What Happens in Vegas" by @rainandyarn

"It takes a friend to open your eyes" by @ruddcatha

"The Merrier" by TheMondayChild (AO3)

Best Canon Universe

"Whatever It Takes" by Emmyyasha (AO3)

"Sesshomaru: A Feudal Fairy Tale" by @acb6293

"Love Language" by @shikonstar

"Wishful" by @rileyoe1

"what she doesn't want" by @ssukidesu

"Without Regret" by PrettyWoofEars (AO3)

Best Angst

"Sacrifices" by @elkonigin

"Legacy" by @fandomobsessions016

"Held Up in the Rain" by @mrfeenysmustache / AshMish111 (AO3)

"Still a Fan" by TheMondayChild (AO3)

"Don't Buy Me Flowers" by ShyGuyVi (AO3)

Best Dark

"Lest the Past Haunts Me" by mauigurl808 (FFN)

"Legacy" by @fandomobsessions016

"Panic Mode" by @mitsiepitsie-blog

"Still a Fan" by TheMondayChild (AO3)

"Gilded Cage" by WickedNonProfitWhoreganization (AO3)

"Broken" by @my-inukag-fanfiction / InuKaglover69 (AO3)

"vampire empire, baby doll" by @lutelyre

Best Drama

"We Can't Be Friends" by Red_Spiderliliy (AO3)

"Inevitable" by @justafewsmallsteps / HelikaAkileh (AO3)

"Many Glowing Moons" by Woodrosia (AO3)

"Smoke and Mirrors" by flamethemightydragon (AO3)

"Nowhere With You" by Langus (AO3)

Best Humor/Parody

"Hack" by @timetravellingpaperbag

"the yakuza boyfriend" by @thegoldenappleofdiscord / feudalreesespieces (AO3)

"Sesshomaru Mer-made a Mistake" by @flowingsakura

"Wishful Chaos" by @inuyashamybeloved / InuScarlett (AO3)

"Breaking the Ice" by @pipistrellee / Pipistrellus (AO3)

Best NSFW

"Here With You" by SomeKndOfNature (AO3)

"Many Glowing Moons" by Woodrosia (AO3)

"Daddy, Please" by @fawn-eyed-girl

"What Happens in Vegas" by @rainandyarn

"The Office Party" by @inuyashamybeloved / InuScarlett (AO3)

"Satisfied" by @sereia1313

"Hot for Teacher" by LianaDawn (AO3)

Best One-Shot

"Whatever it Takes" by Emmyyasha (AO3)

"i beg of you" by @thegoldenappleofdiscord / feudalreesespieces (AO3)

"Pray miko, beg..." by Catzchen (AO3)

"The Office Party" by @inuyashamybeloved / InuScarlett (AO3)

"you, I thought I knew you" by DrPearlGatsby (AO3)

Best Character Portrayal

"Sacrifices" (Inuyasha) by @elkonigin

"Dear Sesshoumaru" (Sesshomaru) by @ladydanitar

"Wishful Chaos" (Inuyasha) by @inuyashamybeloved / InuScarlett (AO3)

"A Memory of Red Flame" (Sota) by @artistefish

"A Fleeting Moment" (Kaede) by Simply_ivy (AO3)

Best InuKag Romance

"Inevitable" by @justafewsmallsteps / HelikaAkileh (AO3)

"Here With You" by SomeKndOfNature (AO3)

"In the Blood" by @dawnrider

"My Brother's Bestfriend" by @keichanz

Best MirSan Romance

"More Than Enough" by @serial-doubters-club / hakomorebi (AO3)

"Sense and Sensibility, An Inuyasha Retelling" by @ruddcatha

"An Auspicious Fortune" by @fawn-eyed-girl

"Scars" by @skyelara

Best Romance

"time will tell" by @savethelastdan / Shespitsfire (AO3)

"For the Dancing and the Dreaming" by @flowingsakura

"Our Special Love" by @jeremymarsh

"Red" by @sagemcmae

"This is Unnecessary" by @jewel-shard

Best Fluff

"Home" by @witchygirl99

"Riding my Professor" by ValentineHeart14 (AO3)

"Boyfriend's Hoodie" by @classysassy9791

"Love Language" by @shikonstar

"Peony For Your Thoughts" by @sereia1313

Best Serial

"Hanyou Holidays" by @dawnrider

"Firsts" by @soliska / Evilillusions (AO3)

"Beneath Goshinboku" by Ldesu (AO3)

"Spiritual" by @rileyoe1

"This Is How I Show You" by @minakok

"Your Place or Mine?" by LianaDawn (AO3)

Best Ficlet

"From the Brink" by @serial-doubters-club / hakomorebi (AO3)

"The Western Lord's Dilemma" by @theshipthatgotaway / SimpforSessKag (the_ship_that_got_away) (AO3)

"Boyfriend's Hoodie" by @classysassy9791

"Shippo's Wish" by @heynikkiyousofine

Best Friendship Portrayal

"Hachi the Raccoon-Dog" (Hachi & Inuyasha) by @jewel-shard

"The Inquizition" (Miroku & Inuyasha) by @kstewdeux

"Coterie" (Miroku & Inuyasha) by @elkonigin

"Prayer Hands wear Cursed Gloves" (Miroku & Kagome) by @mrfeenysmustache / AshMish111 (AO3)

Best Completed

"Hack" by @timetravellingpaperbag

"Held Up in the Rain" by @mrfeenysmustache / AshMish111 (AO3)

"Nuts About You" by @shikonstar

[genericnbbuddy]

This reply is QUITE long... But because the knowledge here is actually worth it.

As p1r4cy websites were mentioned here, I'll share some websites to add to the list. There is also tools and advice on here and at the end

Yandex: Russian hosted search engine. After what happened with Ukraine [I won't talk about it as it's off-topic] and the following retirement of websites like Netflix and Spotify from that country, Put1n basically made piracy legal in Russia. That means it'll index p1r4t3d content, unlike Google or Yahoo! that block those stuff.

Lib-gen: It kinda amaze me it wasn't mentioned here. I usually search up for academic books on here, but I know there's some other goodies in there. If the link doesn't work, that's because the feds seized it, but a quick "Google" (wink, wink) search can help there (they're constantly renewing the domains, so it's not so easily overturn).

Anna's Archive: It scrapes the books from other sources, so you'll hardly DON'T find what you want. However, you either pay a donation to get the faster downloads (which, even when I'm a p1r4cy activist, I recommend to spend that money on buying from small publishers [they're struggling, so it helps them]) or wait a long time. hey have torrents, but I couldn't figure out how it works.

Privacy Guides: Whenever you enter p1r4cy websites, do at least the basic recommendations on here. You won't regret it if you do, but you'll surely regret it if you don't.

FreeMediaHeckYeah: You'll get a lot of free resources on here, both legal and not. 100% recommended (it's an organized list of links to other sites, some previously listed).

MediaSavvy: Similar to the previous one, but more focused on p1r4cy.

Awesome P1r4cy: Idem. I highly recommend reading the linked Wikipedia article.

To complete, I'll link some Reddit and Pinterest links, plus a lil bonus for TTRPG players

Reddit

/r/piracy Megathread (where I got most of the links), /r/piracy Guides (iirc, matrix and similar niche messaging protocols are neat imho tbh), /r/piracy FAQ, Two links for TTRPG content: 1, 2

Pinterest

(everything here is legal, 'cause Pinterest)

Non AI-based: 1, 2, 3 (only last one is not already mentioned, only here for completeness), 4, 5 (this is only YouTube channels, ignore the AI ad), 6, 7 (some AI tools mentioned), 8

AI based (FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PLEASE DON'T USE IT TO MAKE "ART"): 1, 2

(if someone can and do download those image, extract the text, get the links to the pages and publish it, please mention me and I'll reblog it giving them credits)

FINAL SURPRISE :D

Yeah, we all hate 4chan, and we all know the code was glued with saliva, making it easy to hack. But we can't deny this is a goodie

Da Docs

Before I go, I must say: There is NO excuse for being ignorant now. There is NO excuse for wasting your time neither. The Internet is full of good stuff, and I've just handed it to you on a golden plate. Just enter the links, and enjoy the vast ocean of knowledge, culture and useful tools and information. GL :D

refseek.com

www.worldcat.org/

link.springer.com

http://bioline.org.br/

repec.org

science.gov

pdfdrive.com

[digitalmarketingdosanddonts]

Real Estate SEO in 2025: Rank Higher for “Near Me” Property Searches | SVB Digital Marketing

Real Estate SEO in 2025: How to Rank for “Near Me” Property Searches

In 2025, the way people search for property has changed and it’s changing fast. Homebuyers, renters, and investors aren’t typing long keywords anymore. They’re speaking to their phones: “Show me apartments near me.” “Real estate agent near me.” “3BHK villa for sale nearby.”

These are high-intent, location-driven searches, and Google treats them with urgency. If your real estate business isn’t showing up in these moments, you’re missing out on the leads that are closest to closing.

So how do you rank for “near me” property searches in 2025? Partner with the best marketing companies in India to elevate your content strategy and achieve better results.

Why “Near Me” Isn’t Just a Keyword It’s a Signal of Serious Intent

When someone searches “property near me,” they’re likely:

Actively looking in that moment

Located in or near your service area

Ready to make a decision soon

That makes them one of the most valuable users you can attract to your site. Unlike general traffic, “near me” traffic is immediate, actionable, and often mobile-driven.

If your website or business listing isn’t optimized for these micro-moments, you're leaving high-quality leads for your competitors to claim.

5 Ways to Rank for “Near Me” Real Estate Searches in 2025

1. Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the frontline of your digital visibility. Make sure it includes:

Complete address and service areas

High-resolution images of properties

Updated contact info and hours

Keyword-rich business description

Active posts highlighting new listings, open houses, or testimonials

Bonus Tip: Regularly respond to reviews and use the Q&A section to answer common local property queries.

2. Create Hyperlocal Landing Pages

Generic pages titled “Real Estate Services” won’t rank for neighborhood-level searches. You need SEO-optimized pages like:

Luxury Apartments in Bandra, Mumbai

Townhouses for Sale in Surrey, UK

Ready-to-Move Flats near Business Bay, Dubai

Use localized language, highlight landmarks, and link to nearby amenities to build local context that Google can understand and users can trust.

3. Optimize Content for Voice & Mobile Search

In 2025, voice search is no longer emerging it’s mainstream. Structure your website content around natural language queries, such as:

“Where can I find affordable 2BHK flats near me?”

“Is there a good realtor near the metro station?”

Answer these questions directly in FAQs, blogs, and service descriptions. Also, ensure your site is fast-loading, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate.

4. Use Local Schema Markup

Add structured data (schema) to your site to help Google connect your listings to specific locations. Include:

Address schema

Real estate agent schema

Open house event markup

Review schema for star ratings

This helps your pages qualify for rich results and improves map visibility both of which support “near me” rankings.

5. Encourage Local Reviews and Location-Based Mentions

Ask clients to mention their area in reviews. For example:

“SVB Realty helped us find a fantastic apartment near Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi.”

These small mentions act as relevance signals, boosting your authority for nearby search queries.

The Shift to Hyperlocal is Here to Stay

Buyers want speed, convenience, and relevance. In 2025, your real estate business doesn’t just need to be online it needs to be findable at the exact moment someone is ready to act.

“Near me” isn’t a trend it’s the new standard in real estate search behavior.

And it’s not about hacking algorithms it’s about building a trusted, location-specific, user-friendly online presence that mirrors the way people search for homes today.

At SVB Digital Marketing Services, we help real estate brands become discoverable exactly when it matters most. From local SEO strategy and landing page creation to content marketing and Google Business optimization, we build digital foundations that convert searches into sales. If your real estate brand is ready to dominate the “near me” market, let’s make your visibility work harder.

[satrthere]

🎓 How to Claim Google VEO3 Premium Student Plan for Free (No University Required)

The demand for cloud services and productivity tools is growing rapidly in 2025. If you’re someone who needs access to advanced Google features but can’t afford a subscription, there’s a 100% working method to get Google VEO3 Premium Student Plan for free — no student ID or tuition needed.

With the help of a VPN, a temporary student email, and basic internet tools, you can get 15 months of premium access, 1 TB Google Drive space, and more — completely free. Let’s break it down step by step.

✅ Why Choose Google VEO3 Premium?

Google VEO3 Premium is a complete productivity package for students and professionals. Here's what you get:

1 TB of cloud storage

Pro-level access to Docs, Meet, Sheets, and more

Tools optimized for collaboration and online learning

Extra security and faster performance

Free use for 15 months if verified as a student

But what if you’re not enrolled in a university? That’s where this guide comes in.

🧩 The 3 Tools You Need

To activate this method, you’ll need:

A Gmail account

A VPN (to change your online location)

A temporary .edu email

A VCC (Virtual Credit Card) or PayPal for verification

Don’t worry — you won’t be charged. These steps are just for identity validation.

🛠️ Step 1: Create or Use a Gmail Account

If you already have a Gmail account, you can use it. Otherwise:

Visit: Gmail Signup

Register a new account with a secure password

Confirm with your mobile number

A fresh Gmail helps keep everything clean and reduces errors.

🌍 Step 2: Set Up a VPN

The student premium offer is geo-restricted. You need to appear as if you are in the U.S., Canada, or U.K. for it to work.

➡️ Click here to get your VPN

Download the VPN from the link

Install it on your PC or phone

Connect to a U.S. or U.K. server

Keep it active throughout the whole process

This is the key to unlocking the student portal.

📧 Step 3: Get a Free .EDU Email

Visit a free .edu email generator or temp service:

🔗 TempUMail – Free .EDU Email Provider

Choose a .edu email from the list

Copy it

Stay on the website — you’ll need to access your inbox for verification

This will serve as your student email during registration.

💳 Step 4: Add Payment for Verification

Although it’s a free plan, Google still requires a payment method to verify identity.

You can use:

A Virtual Credit Card (VCC)

Or your PayPal account

No actual charges will happen. Just follow the instructions and verify.

🚀 Step 5: Activate Google VEO3 Premium

Now that you’re verified:

Log in using your Gmail

Enter the .edu email on the student plan page

Confirm the link sent to the .edu email

Add your payment method

Enjoy 15 months of full access!

🎯 Benefits You’ll Enjoy

Once your account is activated, you’ll unlock:

✔️ Google VEO3 Premium plan

✔️ 1TB secure cloud storage

✔️ Pro tools for work, study, and meetings

✔️ Seamless sync with mobile and PC

All for zero cost.

🛡️ Important Notes

Don’t disconnect the VPN until the setup is complete

If an email doesn’t work, generate a new .edu address

Use this method on your personal device to avoid issues

Don’t forget to bookmark this page: 👉 HERE

🎉 Conclusion: Smart Hack for Smart Users

This method has helped thousands of users in 2025 get access to a world-class productivity suite for free. It's safe, fast, and 100% working if you follow the instructions exactly.

💡 Want to get started? 👉 Grab your free VPN here Start enjoying the full power of Google — without paying a dime.

[likithaedu]

Top IT Courses in Bangalore

Looking to build a strong career in IT? Bangalore is the place to be!

Known as the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore is home to top tech companies, booming startups, and some of the best educational institutions in the country. Whether you're a fresh graduate or a working professional aiming to upskill, the city offers a wide variety of IT courses tailored to meet industry needs.

Why Choose Bangalore for IT Courses?

Tech Hub: Home to giants like Infosys, Wipro, TCS, and global players like Google, Microsoft, and IBM.

Startup Capital: A vibrant ecosystem that opens doors for internships, projects, and job placements.

High Demand: Constant need for skilled IT professionals in fields like AI, cloud, cybersecurity, data science, and full-stack development.

Networking: Endless opportunities to connect with tech experts, attend meetups, and explore innovation.

Popular IT Courses in Bangalore

Here’s a list of high-demand IT courses you can pursue:

1. Full Stack Development

Learn front-end, back-end, and databases to build complete web apps. Perfect for aspiring software developers.

2. Data Science & Analytics

Master Python, R, machine learning, and big data tools to become a data-driven decision maker.

3. Cloud Computing

Courses on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud to help you build scalable cloud applications.

4. Cybersecurity

Gain expertise in ethical hacking, risk assessment, and network security to protect digital infrastructure.

5. Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Dive deep into AI models, neural networks, and real-world applications in automation and prediction.

6. UI/UX Design

If you’re creative and tech-savvy, UI/UX design will help you craft user-friendly digital experiences.

Top Institutes Offering IT Courses in Bangalore

Indian Institute of Science (IISc)

International Institute of Business Studies (IIBS)

IIIT-Bangalore

UpGrad & Great Learning (Online + Offline options)

NIIT, Aptech, and Jetking – for job-oriented courses

Coding bootcamps like Masai School and Newton School

Career Opportunities After IT Courses

Software Developer

Data Scientist

Cloud Architect

Cybersecurity Analyst

DevOps Engineer

UI/UX Designer

IT Project Manager

The average starting salary in Bangalore’s tech space ranges from ₹4–10 LPA, depending on your skills and specialization.

Final Thoughts

If you're planning to step into the IT world or upgrade your tech skills, Bangalore is the ideal destination. With endless opportunities, real-world exposure, and industry-relevant courses, your journey in tech can truly take off here.

So why wait? Start your IT journey today in the city that never stops coding!