#( iota three alice );

[thevisixnary]

@thedoctornumber11 asked: [ CHOICE ]:the sender and receiver embark on a mission: getting the perfect christmas tree.

Alice pulled up to the third Christmas tree lot they'd visited. They'd seen Christmas trees that came close but none that were just right. She had a good feeling about this place however as she pulled into the park. Alice found a parking space and climbed out. "I have a good feeling about this. At least I hope so, otherwise, we'll have to finish looking tomorrow." She said.

It was getting late, the sun had already set and it was getting dark. The night would fall quickly. And so would the cold; Alice wasn't fond of the cold.

[vxidlight]

@thedoctornumber11 continued from here.

“We need to figure out more,” he told her, “If we could confirm that it is indeed Earth, that would give us a lot to work with.  If we could get an exact location on Earth, that would be even better.  I wonder if we can find the ship’s landing coordinates or teleportation coordinates.  If they are sending a bunch of people down to the planet at the same location, that would be a good find.”

"Sounds like we need to find a computer terminal or someone kind enough to talk to us without trying to kill us." Alice said with humour in her voice. She was trying to make herself laugh as a way to hide the fact she was feeling extremely anxious about finding her sister.

[alicent-apologist]

i'm genuinely confused?? you seem to love alicent for the exact reasons you hate rhaenyra.

Hi! So I literally wrote like a thousand words to answer this and hated it. So I'm gonna try and summarise it.

Alicent is an incredibly strong character in a way that is very easy to overlook. She endures and she draws her line in the sand and she sticks to it.

She is a good queen who is beloved by the smallfolk and kept the country running while Viserys was indisposed.

She loves her children and is as good a mother as she can be. She protects her children - no Helaena will not be a hostage for the blacks, no Aemond's eye being slashed out will not be overlooked, she will protect Aegon from dragonfire with her own body. But she also doesn't spoil them. We see her berate Aegon several times (We know she shouldn't have slapped him. In Medieval times, that would be very mild. For God's sake Tommen and Joffrey have Pate the Whipping Boy. And that is considered normal!)

She is not 'special' - she doesn't have a dragon, isn't an amazing swordfighter. But despite all that she does her best for her family and for her country time and time again.

She has a very 'soft power' which is often disparaged but it works. To keep a country together you have to be good at politics, you have to make alliances and treat your allies well.

Rhaenyrs is completely entitled. She thinks that because she is a Targaryen she is special and honestly that just bugs me.

She doesn't care one iota what the nobles or smallfolk think of her. She actively says this! She buys into the Targaryen mythos so much that she actively wants people to think she is a kinslayer. One of the worst things you can be in Westeros but somehow she thinks that it bring her power. So she is completely out of touch with the general populace, goes out of her way to alienate the nobles that she should be working with and says out loud that the smallfolk don't matter.

Rhaenyra completely counts on the protection of her father and goes crying to him whenevr something isn't going the way she wanted it (Otto and Vaemond). Which just annoys me, like grow up and fight your own battles. Alicent does!

She teaches her children to be spoilt - doesn't even tell Luke that it's bad to slash out someone's eye - and also completely out of touch. Why is Jace holed up in Dragonstone learning Valyrian instead of interacting with the court? Why does he say it doesn't matter what anyone thinks? Newsflash, it does!

The fact that she even has illegitimate children and tries to put Jace on the throne and actively steals Baela's birthright. Again, completely out of touch and entitled. There are social contracts involved with being a noble and definitely in being royalty. She says it herself! Putting a bastard child on the throne is high treason! And yet!

Basically, I dislike people who are like 'rules are for other people', people who are just rude for no reason, and people who absolutely refuse to see that there are consequences to their actions. Rhaenyra is all three. Alicent is none of them.

Hopefully that clears it up!

[thedoctornumber11]

[CHECK]: after an unexpectedly violent situation, sender frantically rushes to check if the receiver is okay, cupping their face to look closer. - from Alice/Iota Three (she just has to make sure he is okay before anything)

The Doctor looked up at her. His hand had clearly been cut deep by the shattered glass and was currently bleeding quite badly, but he was fine besides that. "That could have ended much worse," he told her, "We need to figure out who planted that bomb. I'll be fine in a few hours. Time Lords heal up much quicker than humans even without regeneration."

[willsclugger-blog]

How to Choose Machine Tools

Grinding is the most accurate of all the simple machining processes. CNC software makes it possible to build products which are nearly not possible to make by hand or by the resources of conventional machinery. Disposable Setting Tool ought to be in a position to perform more than one sort of machining or metallic cutting operations.

But imagine you're an ant and you would like to climb from the base of a screw to the top. I would suggest that you to also have an easy exploitable machine, in the event that you want to test out something specific. If you're racing along a straight road, you may use gears to boost your speed, yet this time the catch is they'll lower your force. If you would like to pedal up a hill, you use gears to improve your force so that you don't need to work quite so hard, even though the catch is they reduce your speed at the identical time.

They supply an extensive collection of Fanuc replacement parts. In the sphere of drill presses, RYOBI and CRAFTSMAN appear to lead the area. Power flow by means of a machine stipulates a means to understand the operation of devices which range from levers and gear trains to automobiles and robotic systems. They're assembled from a standardized kind of components.

Especially if you're a shop that frequently works with big and heavy materials. Based on its usage and the kind of materials, you want to modify the inner `pad' pre-filer and wash the foam dust collector. A great illustration of these lathes is metal lathes which are available in a wide selection of shapes and sizes based on their application. And if it's loose, the blade starts serving the use of hammer which gives unnecessary pressure to the elements of the machine. It is among the absolute most laser-friendly materials available out there.

The print is subsequently washed in water. A-Line has safety equipment also. These simplified 5 steps will allow you to prepare the machines you will need to move forward on your analysis. Based on the jobs to be completed, you ought to use a different sort of machine tool. This procedure could be carried out manually but nowadays it's more common to use a computer controlled and automated lathe which, unlike in the manual procedure, does not need constant supervision via an operator.

The manufacturing quality of tools creates a situation that enables smaller compromises. The whole manufacturing work becomes computerised and no men are involved with the production procedure. Whether it is to increase tool performance, extend tool life or improve your process, We have the knowledge and products to make a positive impact on your bottom line.

All these factors add until the labor costs making it quite pricey. The base and a couple vital laps fit in carry on. In nearly all of the scenarios, you speak to a chatbot.

Yet is it obvious this small demonstration isn't pure. They vary from the fairly straightforward to the highly complicated. Code like this happens all of the time. It was May 2016 and by the time that I was prepared to begin packing my bags, I'd gone through three faceting machines to discover the perfect one.

They come with good excellent features and offer an ample quantity of cutting. For each of the system you decide on, you will have to stick to some basic actions to set them up. It enhances the tool carrying the capability to increase performance and production. We get precisely the same web of sustenance for absolutely any modern substance or device. However, there's one particular kind of sensor that is less prone to interference the present transducer (CT). The smaller the curvature radius and the greater the speed at a specific point in the path, the greater value of the essential acceleration.

On-line Customer Support A variety of sites nowadays offer you the choice to chat with customer support representative while they are navigating within the website. Be certain to include your resume, location and contact details. Machine Bob want to provide an extra message to Machine Alice. Machine learning is a significant portion of these personal assistants since they collect and refine the info on the grounds of your prior involvement with them. We'll be documenting this and a number of other IOTA projects later on on our public IOTA website which will be completed within the next few weeks. Take a look at our products page for additional information.

Search on any site selling Amada machine replacement parts and you're guaranteed to see them. Car wheels work the same. Our industrial showroom provides use cases to observe and relish.

[i-writeandread-blog]

Wonderland - Chapter 10

Authors Note- sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. It’s most likely not that great either, but I’m writing and I’m happy about that. If you want to be tagged let me know, thanks!

Staying at Jared's house isn't that bad. Everyday he wakes me up with breakfast in bed, every night he kisses my forehead before closing his eyes. He thinks I'm asleep when he crawls into bed usually sometime after midnight, but I am not. I don't let him think otherwise because I like this nightly routine. It shows me his respect for me. He hasn't pressured me once for sex in the two weeks I have been here.

Jared had hired a home nurse to come in and basically keep me company. I could do everything on my own. It only took three or so days to gain enough strength to start walking around. Once I did I really didn't need anyone to help me. I was fine to go home the other day, but Jared hadn't really been around for me to explain to him my intentions. After everything he has done, I didn't want to just disappear on him.

He has been so busy with the album and then he had some engagements come up that he had agreed to prior to meeting me, that he couldn't get out of. Not to mention they released the dates for a European tour in the spring to coincide with the album release. It was no doubt a very busy time for him and the band. He didn't bring up his work with me and I didn't ask questions. We hardly ever saw each other so there really hadn't been any conversations.

~~~~~~~

It is day 16 at Jared's house. I am feeling way too cooped up. I want to get out of this house, I want to take a drive.  As luck would have it, and I mean bad luck... the excuse to get up and go comes in the form of a phone call.

"Hello?" I answer.

"Yes I am sitting." The person on the other end is my old friend Darlene.

"Yes, Dar, I swear I am sitting. What is going on?" I ask thinking this is a joke.

"You have got to be kidding me?"

"No, no, you're lying. Shut the fuck up. You're fucking lying." I scream at the top of my lungs.

Jared runs in and finds me doubled over the bed half screaming and half crying. 

"Ali, what's wrong? What hurts?"

"He's... uhh... gone. He... is... dead." I say through sobs.

"Who Alice? Who is dead?"

"Nicky"

"I don't understand. Who is Nicky?"

"Nicky, my best friend's boyfriend. My friend. He is gone. I've got to go. I need to go home. They airlifted Gemma to Duke, she may not make it."

"I'm coming with you!" Jared says without hesitation.

"No, you have too much going on.  I can do this alone.  I appreciate all you've done."

"Ali, I want to be with you. Just let me clear my schedule and we will fly out first thing tomorrow morning."

"No, Jared. I have got to go now.  If Gemma doesn't make it, I'd never forgive myself for not being there."

Jared left the room without saying anything and I can't tell if it is because I refuse to let him rearrange his life for me.  I start grabbing the few odds and ends I have lying around his room so I can leave LA as soon as humanly possible.

Jared walks back in quietly and comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.  This startles me.

"Shhh shhh, it's just me. Everything is going to be okay.  I've went ahead and booked a flight for you.  It leaves in 3 hours.  It was the only one available this short notice."

"Jared, you didn't have..."

"I wanted to.  I'm gonna fly out tomorrow, I promise.  I'm gonna be with you every step of the way, and that's final."

"Thank you."

"It's my pleasure.  Ali, you've wormed your way in to this ice cold heart of mine.  Don't you know you have me wrapped around your finger?"

"Yeah whatever Leto."  I roll my eyes.

"Did you just roll your eyes at me?"

"Maybe."  I say coyly.

Jared pulls me backwards and we both tumble onto the bed.  He rolls over facing me, leaning in so that his lips find mine.  This kiss was sweet and gentle, yet had anger and desperation in it.  I got lost in it.  My hands fisting his hair.  His beard scratching my face.  I needed air.  He tends to take my breath away even in the small glances he occasionally gives me.  He thinks he is wrapped around my finger but it really is the other way around. 

As soon as I break the kiss, reality sets in.  For one small iota of a moment I had forgotten what was going on.  He is a distraction and I wouldn't normally mind, but I have a flight to catch.

"Jared, I gotta get to the airport."

"We have time."

"No, I can't get sidetracked right now.  Please don't be mad.  I'll make it up to you."

I stand up, walk to the door, turn around and blow him a kiss.  He smiles as I leave him for the first time in what feels like a long time.  I tell myself that this is actually a good thing.  The heart grows fonder when you're apart.

The drive to the airport from Jared's seems longer than it should and I am sure it is because I don't know what kind of hell awaits me in North Carolina.  I cringe at the thought just as I am pulling into the long term parking at LAX.  I don't know how long I will be gone but the shorter the stay the better.  I'll be there as long as Gemma needs me.  She'd do the same for me, if ever I was in her shoes.

I am grateful that the doctor had prescribed pain medication when I left the hospital.  Up until now I hadn't used any, but the only way I am getting any sleep on this plane tonight is if I am medicated.

                         ———————————

It feels odd that Ali isn't in my bed tonight. I am already packed and I was able to get any meetings or engagements put on the back burner with the help of Emma and Shayla. Everything is working out in one way or another, but I can't seem to fall asleep.

Every part of me says I should be here working and not getting too involved with a woman right now. I have so much going on and this has really complicated things. I don't have many people I can count as friends in my life, but I know I can always call on Shannon. There isn't anything we wouldn't do for each other. I call his number and he answers within two rings.

"... Shan, I just don't know what to do here. I was thinking about how crazy I'd be if anything ever happened to you. So I get it, this is her best friend. If she loves Gemma as much as I love you, then I would need someone good and pure to help me through the tough shit."

"Yeah but Jay, you aren't good and pure."

"You know what I mean. I know I shouldn't get too attached, but..."

"Okay, so my advice to you is to consider all angles here. So far, you've managed to keep working even while she was getting better at the house. As much of a distraction that she is, she really hasn't been that disruptive."

"True."

"But, Jay, we all function on our drugs of choice. Me, it's always been alcohol and drugs. You on the other hand, it's been work and chicks. Can you sacrifice either of those things?"

"You quit using."

"Yeah, but you saw how hard that fight was..."

Shannon was right. I was managing fine with work, and I hadn't had any of my previous temptations show up unannounced. But what if work suffered because of Ali? What if I keep falling for her and I can't be faithful? I don't want to hurt her.

Ali and I haven't made any agreements about being exclusive, but I respect her and she deserves someone who can only be with her. I know I want to give her that but I am not sure I can be trusted. I need to put myself in the line of fire, I need to be tested.

As soon as I think about that, I remember how reluctant Alice was to be with me after my little white lie.  She had made reference to being hurt before.  If you think about it, we all have, but something tells me her hurt is more than just the run of the mill break up.  There was a pain in her eyes when she opened up and told me she couldn't trust me. I'd have to find out sooner or later what exactly had happened.

"Okay Shannon, I'll weigh the pros and cons, but if I'm being honest here, I at least want to try. You said mom wants us to be better men. I do want to be a better man. I've been thinking a lot about settling down. Maybe Ali came right at the perfect time... anyway I'm gonna try to get some sleep." We say our goodbyes and disconnect the call.

I lay in bed tossing and turning, wondering how I could prove to myself that I could be faithful. How I could put myself in the line of fire being around hundreds of girls all throwing themselves at me and turning each and every one of them down. This would be hard for me as it's been over fifteen years since I was in a committed relationship and that relationship ended because of infidelity.

I believe in the idea of soulmates. I like the sound of it. And it's true Ali is me in female form. We laugh at the same things, we do the same silly things when we think no one is looking. We both like attention, me more than her. We both are creative. There's so many similarities and very few things that make us different. She probably is my soulmate. I smile at the thought of that.

~~~~~~

I wake up and blink my eyes a few times.  Sometime in the night I must have fallen asleep.  I'm grateful because I have a long flight ahead of me and I won't be able to sleep on the plane.  I take a quick shower and eat a banana for breakfast.  The lab became alive sometime around my last gulp of juice.  I wash my glass and step into the office to bid everyone a farewell.

Everyone looks at me incredulously as I've got very neutral clothing on topped off with a black hoodie and sunglasses.  It's imperative that I am as incognito as possible.  I am in no mood to deal with any paparazzi today. 

I make it to the airport with minutes to spare and board the flight.  As soon as I can, I take my laptop out and work on more lyrics.

"Started a stranger, a love endangered

The edge of a night

The face of an angel, the heart of a ghost

Was it a dream?"

I had started the song as a love letter to America, but I can't help but feel it's also a love letter to Alice too.  The lyrics I just wrote are definitely to her.  I can't wait to sing it to her the first chance I get.  I write as much down as I can and close the computer when the flight crew tells us we are approaching our descent.

Before I know it the plane has landed and I'm headed to the hospital in a hired car.  Once there I send a text to Ali asking if she's at the hospital.  She confirms that she is in the operating room waiting area and that she hasn't been able to see Gemma yet.

I walk in to the waiting room where there are a few people sitting around talking.  I take notice of Ali looking at her phone, no doubt waiting for my reply.  I clear my throat and all eyes are on me.  The only ones that matter are her bright blue ones.  She stands up and runs into my waiting arms.

@branded-with-a-j @burritoverload @llfd1977 @nikkitasevoli @msroxyblog @lolainblue @snewsome756 @lady-grinning-soul-k @letojokerownsme

[ztafraternity]

Celebrating Two New Links

This article was originally published in the Winter 2019 issue of Themis magazine.

By Monica Ceja, Extension Manager (@utsazta alumna)

People often wonder how the process of starting a new chapter of a sorority works. We regularly receive emails from potential new members, Zetas and other stakeholders asking how they can start a Zeta Tau Alpha chapter.

In ZTA, this process is called extension. Our Extension Director, who sits on National Council, leads our extension efforts with numerous steps along the way. Before ZTA can even think about opening a new chapter, a College Panhellenic or its host institution must vote to open for extension. From there, the College Panhellenic leads the application and presentation process to select the organization it feels would be the best fit on its campus.

Last spring, ZTA was selected to start chapters at three institutions. In the fall 2018 semester, we installed two new chapters—Lambda Rho Chapter at Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia, and Lambda Sigma Chapter at The University of Texas at Tyler (see pages 4–7)—and reactivated our Alpha Eta Chapter at University of Cincinnati, which will be featured in the spring 2019 issue of Themis.

While each institution varies in location, size and mission, one thing remains true as each link of our Chain is forged: A group of powerful young women realizes the opportunity in starting a ZTA chapter. Just like Maud Jones Horner wrote about our Founders, each group of charter new members wishes “to be something big and greater, to reach far out, and to have influence wherever we meet.”

Lambda Rho

In 1897, a “youthful band of entrepreneurs” chartered J.S. Green Collegiate Institute in Demorest, Georgia. One year later, our “little band of nine” began calling themselves “???” before chartering in the state of Virginia. The entities, now Piedmont College and Zeta Tau Alpha, continued to make history as ZTA installed Lambda Rho Chapter, the first fraternal organization at Piedmont.

ZTA’s extension efforts began in August 2018 as Leadership Consultants arrived on campus to recruit potential new members. Extension Director Dolores Gonzales Gastineau led recruitment efforts to extend bids to the chapter’s founding new members for a joyous Bid Day celebration on Sept. 8, 2018.

Pictured: National Officers and chapter members checked out the Chain of Chapters. 

Throughout the chapter’s new member experience, the women demonstrated what sorority life is all about by successfully partnering with the women’s soccer team to raise funds for ZTA’s philanthropy and hosting weekly sisterhood events.

Six short weeks later, Lambda Rho’s Initiation and Installation celebrations began on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. Gamma Pi and Iota Theta chapters conducted Initiation services Saturday evening, and Gamma Pi initiated Lambda Rho Chapter President Rowan Bumpass on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018.

Following Rowan’s Initiation, Mrs. Gastineau installed the chapter and its officers with assistance from Vice President Collegiate II Laura Moak Redman. Former National President Alice McCann Mathews, Fraternity Housing Corporation Secretary-Treasurer Stephanie Arnette Powell, Ritual Committee Chairman Kery Reinkemyer Webb, Province President VII-A Sara Dowless Herndon, PP VII-B Lori Dixon Bunn, PP VII-G Ruth Lovett McMullen, Director of New Chapters for Lambda Nu Hannah Strickland Groseclose, and DNCH for Lambda Rho Lindsay Lucas all attended Sunday morning’s ritual services.

Pictured: Chapter President Rowan Bumpass (third from the left) accepted the Baby Cup from Leadership Consultants Kenzie Johnson, Abby Carberry and Thalia Pantoja

Sunday afternoon, chapter members, advisors, guests, National Officers and campus officials gathered for a celebratory luncheon in Piedmont’s Student Commons. Piedmont College President Dr. James F. Mellichamp welcomed guests and Rowan thanked attendees on behalf of the chapter and acknowledged that the chapter would “leave a lasting impact at Piedmont College.”

Lambda Sigma

On Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, Lambda Sigma Chapter was installed at The University of Texas at Tyler. ZTA alumnae, chapter members and their guests celebrated the chapter’s installation with a luncheon at The Cascades of Texas. UT Tyler Panhellenic leaders supported Lambda Sigma by attending along with Greek Affairs Coordinator Robert Smith and NPC Area Advisor Jessi Stone Reel (Theta Eta Chapter, Stephen F. Austin State University).

Initiation and Installation festivities began Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, as Zeta Sigma and Theta Eta chapters initiated 47 new sisters. Saturday morning, Zeta Sigma Chapter initiated Lambda Sigma Chapter President Baleigh Thurman, and National President Alicia Patten Williams and Extension Director Dolores Gonzales Gastineau conducted the installation of the chapter and its officers with assistance from Director of New Chapters for Lambda Sigma Staci Musgrove.

Pictured: Extension Director Dolores Gonzales Gastineau (left) and National President Alicia Patten Williams presented the traditional silver tray, a gift from the Fraternity, to chapter President Baleigh Thurman. 

Leading up to its installation, Lambda Sigma Chapter began making an impact right after Bid Day on Sept. 20, 2018. ZTA’s extension team recruited a plethora of outstanding leaders, including UT Tyler’s student government president, student athletes, resident assistants, orientation leaders, spirit squad captains and more.

Chapter members didn’t just lead in their on-campus positions. In October, Lambda Sigma Chapter hosted its first Pink Out volleyball game with the UT Tyler athletic department, and chapter members volunteered regularly for different organizations around East Texas throughout the semester. The chapter assisted a nursing home, animal shelter and children’s center and continued to Think Pink® by making blankets for a breast cancer treatment center.

Pictured: Charter members celebrated the Installation of their chapter throughout the weekend. 

The chapter also made connections “within our circle” with the Tyler, TX Alumnae Chapter through a joint Founders’ Day event and a Pure Barre alumnae-collegiate sisterhood. The alumnae chapter provides a full advisory board to support Lambda Sigma and assisted during extension recruitment and Initiation.

As the Rose Capital of America, Tyler, Texas, bills itself as “a natural beauty.” ZTA at UT Tyler feels like a natural fit as our 256th link and 18th active chapter in Texas. “I instantly fell in love and knew ZTA was where I needed to be,” chapter President Baleigh said in her luncheon address. “I suppose once you know, you just know.” We know Lambda Sigma will continue to achieve great things.

[whatwoulddelanydo]

If one tried to construct the Temple of Literature from only the fifty “pillars” below, it would collapse spectacularly. Nevertheless, here is a contingent group of titles that, to paraphrase Christopher Higgs, if I hadn’t read and reread over the years, I wouldn’t be myself. How much that is worth, I’m not sure. 1)   Djuna Barnes—Nightwood 2)   Charles H. Kahn—The Art and Thought of Heraclitus (an edition of the fragments with commentary) 3)   William Shakespeare—Sonnets, Tragedies, most of the Comedies . . . 4)   Eileen Myles—Inferno, The Importance of Being Iceland. 5)   Charlotte Brontë—Jane Eyre, Villette 6)   Jane Austen—Emma, Mansfield Park, Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion 7)   Marquis de Sade, 120 Days of Sodom, Julliette 8)   Shoshana Felman, “Turning the Screw of Interpretation” (from Writing and Madness) 9)   Herman Melville—Moby-Dick, Billy Budd, The Confidence Man, and the shorter works 10) Sir Thomas Browne—Urn Burial, Religio Medici, correspondence 11) Walter Pater—The Renaissance, Imaginary Portraits, “A Child in the House,” Marius the Epicurean 12) Richard Hughes—A High Wind in Jamaica, In Hazard 13) George Eliot—Middlemarch, Daniel Deronda 14)   Michel Foucault—The History of Madness, The Birth of the Clinic, The Order of Things 15)  Joanna Russ—The Female Man, We Who Are About to . . ., On Strike Against God, “Souls,” The Two of Them 16)   Guy Davenport—Tatlin! The Jules Verne Steam Balloon, Da Vinci’s Bicycle, The Death of Picasso, Twelve Stories, A Table of Green Fields, Eclogues, The Geography of the Imagination, The Hunter Gracchus, Every Force Evolves a Form, A Balance of Quinces, The Balthus Notebook 17)   Jacques Derrida—Of Grammatology, Writing and Difference, Dissemination, Glas 18)   Roger Zelazny—His short fiction in four volumes. 19)   F. Scott Fitzgerald—The Great Gatsby, Tender is the Night, the short stories 20)   Nathanael West—Miss Lonelyhearts, A Cool Million, The Day of the Locust, The Dream Life of Balso Snell, 21)   Henry Roth—Call it Sleep 22)   Virginia Woolf—To the Lighthouse, The Waves, Flush, The Years, A Room of One’s Own 23)   Vladimir Nabokov—Lolita, Pnin, Pale Fire 24)   Mark Twain—Huckleberry Finn, The Diary of Adam and Eve 25)   Christina Stead—The Man Who Loved Children 26)   Baruch de Spinoza—Ethics, Tractatus Theologico-Politicus 27)   William Faulkner—The YoknapatawphaCounty sequence of stories and novels 28)   W. H. Auden—The Sea and the Mirror, The Age of Anxiety, The Selected Poems 29)   Ron Silliman—The Alphabet 30)   Alan Moore & Eddie Campbell—From Hell 31)  Alan Moore & Kevin O’Neill—The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (series one & two) 32)   Marilyn Hacker—First Cities, Selected Poems 1965—1990, Squares and Courtyards, Winter Numbers, Desesparanto, Names 33)   Junot Diaz—Drown, The Brief, Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, This Is How You Lose Her 34)   Willa Cather—My Ántonia, Song of the Lark, A Lost Lady, My Mortal Enemy, Not Under Forty, Collected Stories (Library of America) 35)   Jean Genet—Our Lady of the Flowers, Miracle of the Rose, A Thief’s Journal, Funeral Rites, Querelle de Brest, The Maids, Deathwatch, The Balcony, The Blacks, The Screens 36)   James Joyce—A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Dubliners, Ulysses 37)   Gertrude Stein—Lectures in America, The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, How to Write, Three Lives, Wars I Have Seen, Ida, Lucy Church Amiably, The Making of Americans, Tender Buttons 38)  John Livingston Lowe—The Road to Xanadu: A Study In The Ways Of the Imagination 39)   Erich Auerbach—Mimesis 40)   John Keene—Annotations 41)   Honoré de Balzac—Lost Illusions 42)   Gustave Flaubert—Sentimental Education 43)   William Gaddis—The Recognitions, Carpenter’s Gothic 44)   Brian Evenson—The Wavering Knife (contains “Barcode Jesus,” one of the finest American short stories of the last sixty years) 45)   Theodore Sturgeon—collected short stories in 13 volumes (1938—1987, indispensible reading) 46)   Thomas M. Disch—Camp Concentration, On Wings of Song, Getting into Death (stories), The Man Who Had No Idea (stories), Fundamental Disch (stories, librettos, and essays) 47)   Samuel Beckett—Malloy, Malone Dies, The Unnamable, More Pricks Than Kicks, all the plays 48)   Malcolm Lowry—Under the Volcano 49)  Walter Benjamin—The Writer of Modern Life: Essays on Charles Baudelaire, Brecht, The Arcades Project 50)  William H. Gass—Omensetter’s Luck, The Heart of the Heart of the Country, On Being Blue, Willie Masters’ Lonesome Wife, The Tunnel, all the nonfiction. Some Corinthian Capitals for the 50 Columns Above: 1)    Susan Sontag—I, etcetera The flatness of Sontag fictive prose is seriously off-putting to many readers—and many serious readers at that. She wanted to make her points through architecture, rather than music or ekphrasis. And in this collection of short works, she did. Along with “The Way We Live Now,” they are exemplary. I read and reread them and I always learn from them. 2)    Glenway Wescott—The Pilgrim Hawk This is another miracle of narrative architecture. One corner is left un-built—the one that would have fixated around the homosexual fascination the young chauffeur exerts over the entire party. (The fact that there is so clearly room for it is what suggests that it is there, under the rest of the text.) Right now, you have to fill it in for yourself, but the rest is right there, as pristine as you’d expect to find it in Jane Austen. 3)    Michael Cunningham—The Hours This is one of the most important novels in the development of the American novel because it answers a challenge first articulated by Leslie Fiedler in his 1960 work, Love and Death in the American Novel. Claimed Fiedler, the novel as a genre must strive to encompass a rich set of deep and resonant relations between a man and a woman. And until the historical situation much improves in terms of equality, the cross-gender friendship at the center of this book is about the best we can hope for that is not just lies and/or simple fantasies. 4)    Longus—Daphnis and Chloe One of the oldest novels and one of the most effective. This is romance stripped to its bones; it’s quite wonderful and filled with narrative magic. 5)    Hugo Von Hofmannsthal—The Lord Chados Letter Whenever I feel myself straying near writers’ block, I read this witty farewell to literature by a young medieval much too full of his own accomplishments, and I go dancing away and back to the writing desk and get happily to work again. 6)    Leonid Tsypkin—Summer in Baden Baden. This astonishing chronicle of pathological gambling addiction is breathless and frightening, and is made more so when we realize that it is the great novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky who was so afflicted. With our return to the present, the ending is heartbreaking as we meet the scholars who are, themselves, addicted to their pursuit of the minutiae of Dostoevsky’s life, and what they have put at stake to pursue their obsessions and make this story recountable. This great short novel is by a Russian doctor and scholar who wrote only one.

“For Big Other on William H. Gass’s Birthday,” by Samuel R. Delany

Maybe if I read all these I’ll be able to soak up an iota of Delany’s greatness.

[courtneyvbrooks87]

Understand blockchain – and why everyone won’t shut up about it

Understand blockchain – and why everyone won’t shut up about it

Blockchain, a distributed ledger that connects a growing list of blocks of data, is a decentralized technology that records transactions between two parties.

Resistant to tampering once blocks have been added to the network, the technology delivers a concrete database of information that is secure and is continually being updated across a network of computers known as nodes. In order to ensure that copies of the database are the same, checks are constantly undertaken by the network.

There are essentially three parts to the recording process: the record between the parties involved, the block, which is where records are put together, and the chain where all the blocks are eventually added.

How does a record get added to the blockchain?

Let’s take the familiar characters, Alice and Bob.

Alice is selling four of her coins to Bob for $200. The record lists details of the transaction, including a digital signature from each person and timestamp.

The record is then checked by the network, with nodes ensuring that the details of the transaction are valid, for instance, does Alice have the four coins she claims to sell to Bob? Once the information has been confirmed as true, the record is accepted by the network.

The record is then added to a block along with other records, which will be included to the blockchain. Each block has a unique hash code attached to it and contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block in the chain.

The block is then added to the blockchain with the hash codes showing the order the blocks are connected. This process is then repeated when another transaction is made.

It is the hash codes which keep the blockchain safe as they are difficult to change. A hash code is created by a mathematical function that generates 64 numbers and letters. Regardless of the file size, it will always make up a string of 64 numbers and letters, each of which will be unique.

So, if Alice wanted to change the transaction with Bob, any change to the original hash code would create a new one. This, in turn, would break it from the block it was attached to as that one still holds the original hash code.

In order to restore the block, Alice would have to change the next block, breaking it from the one it was originally linked to. She then has to recalculate that block to connect the chain again, and so it would continue until the first ever block launched. However, the likeliness of this taking place is slim due to the difficulty involved and the significant amount of computing power to do so.

The evolution of the blockchain

The blockchain is primarily linked to the existence of Bitcoin. Created by a pseudonymous person or group of people known as Satoshi Nakamoto, the first block, known as the Genesis Block, was launched on the network in early 2009, starting the Bitcoin blockchain.

Since then it has evolved into something much greater, with other blockchains coming into existence: Ethereum, EOS, Cardano, IOTA, Stellar, and NEM to name a few, all of which are creating something different for the advancement of the technology.

For now, though, the Bitcoin blockchain’s most popular use case is cryptocurrencies.

This is down to the fact that cryptocurrencies are aiming to solve a problem: giving people back control of their money, which Nakamoto noted in Bitcoin’s white paper.

Aside from cryptocurrency use cases, the technology can be used for almost anything of value, but still has some maturing to do. Some of the areas the technology is being applied include supply chains, banking, voting, healthcare, and property rights, which are all in varying stages of development.

Other blockchains Ethereum

The Ethereum blockchain is one of the biggest by market cap – and some even say its blockchain network might even be bigger than Bitcoin. This is a decentralised ledger that lets developers create and deploy smart contracts and decentralised applications (dapps).

Similar to Bitcoin’s blockchain, in that nodes on the network share a record of each transaction, the only difference is that Ethereum focuses on running smart contracts. This is achieved with its programming language Solidity, forming them through the Turing-complete Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). A Turing-complete system is a programming language that enables users to specify actions, which will automatically allow policies or smart contracts to execute at any given time.

It is these smart contracts which can move value around and represent the ownership of property without needing a middleman. A few examples of where smart contracts are being used include real estate, property deeds, banking, and healthcare. Similar to how a traditional agreement works, smart contracts define rules and penalties; however, they are automatically able to enforce the obligations of the agreement.

Another side of Ethereum is the area that focuses on dapps. These have real-life use cases ranging from job marketplaces to virtual games. One dapp that gained popularity when it launched in 2017 was CryptoKitties, a blockchain-based video game that lets users buy, collect, sell, and breed different virtual cats. The popularity of it reached a point when one cat was sold for $170,000.

Cardano

Home of the ADA altcoin, Cardano is a decentralized public blockchain and cryptocurrency project. According to its website, it’s “developing a smart contract platform which seeks to deliver more advanced features than any protocol previously developed.”

The network uses its proof-of-stake algorithm Ouroboros, which determines how individual nodes reach a consensus about the network. In December, IOHK, the blockchain research development company, which is one of the organisations developing Cardano (the others being the Cardano Foundation and Emurgo), announced the launch two development tools in test format: Plutus and Marlowe.

These will enable startups and financial services to write smart contracts on the Cardano blockchain.

Even though this is available in a test format, it remains to be seen if and when financial services and startups will implement the tools available.

Stellar

Stellar is a blockchain-based ledger that is working to connect banks, payment systems, and people.

According to its website, the platform is aiming to “expand access to low-cost financial services to fight poverty and maximize individual potential.” It claims to enable thousands of transactions per second by moving money across borders, which it states is reliable and quick for a low fee.

Yet, as the Stellar network works within banks, it’s considered a centralized process. It remains to be seen what clear benefits will be seen for the end consumer.

Ripple

Similar to Stellar, Ripple is aiming to enable “secure, instantly and nearly free global financial transactions of any size with no chargebacks.” It’s also not completely decentralized.

The Ripple ledger is built on an open source protocol, and “supports tokens representing fiat currency, cryptocurrency, commodities, or other units of value such as frequent flier miles or mobile minutes,” according to Wikipedia. Ripple has a native cryptocurrency called XRP as well, which is one of the largest cryptocurrencies by market cap.

Among its customers, it counts a number of large banks, payment providers, and currency exchange services.

These are just a few of the blockchains available. Yet, they paint a picture of where the technology has come and shows how it’s continuing to advance. It’s important to note, though, that each of these blockchains are still very much in the early stages of development. Much has yet to be done to determine their impact and how they could change the way we conduct business.

This post is brought to you by eToro. eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptocurrencies, as well as trading CFD assets. Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Cryptocurrencies can fluctuate widely in price and are, therefore, not appropriate for all investors. Trading cryptocurrencies is not supervised by any EU regulatory framework. Past performance is not an indication of future results. This is not investment advice. Your capital is at risk.

Published February 12, 2019 — 17:18 UTC

Source link http://bit.ly/2GHMU7A

[vanessawestwcrtr5]

Understand blockchain – and why everyone won’t shut up about it

Understand blockchain – and why everyone won’t shut up about it

Blockchain, a distributed ledger that connects a growing list of blocks of data, is a decentralized technology that records transactions between two parties.

Resistant to tampering once blocks have been added to the network, the technology delivers a concrete database of information that is secure and is continually being updated across a network of computers known as nodes. In order to ensure that copies of the database are the same, checks are constantly undertaken by the network.

There are essentially three parts to the recording process: the record between the parties involved, the block, which is where records are put together, and the chain where all the blocks are eventually added.

How does a record get added to the blockchain?

Let’s take the familiar characters, Alice and Bob.

Alice is selling four of her coins to Bob for $200. The record lists details of the transaction, including a digital signature from each person and timestamp.

The record is then checked by the network, with nodes ensuring that the details of the transaction are valid, for instance, does Alice have the four coins she claims to sell to Bob? Once the information has been confirmed as true, the record is accepted by the network.

The record is then added to a block along with other records, which will be included to the blockchain. Each block has a unique hash code attached to it and contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block in the chain.

The block is then added to the blockchain with the hash codes showing the order the blocks are connected. This process is then repeated when another transaction is made.

It is the hash codes which keep the blockchain safe as they are difficult to change. A hash code is created by a mathematical function that generates 64 numbers and letters. Regardless of the file size, it will always make up a string of 64 numbers and letters, each of which will be unique.

So, if Alice wanted to change the transaction with Bob, any change to the original hash code would create a new one. This, in turn, would break it from the block it was attached to as that one still holds the original hash code.

In order to restore the block, Alice would have to change the next block, breaking it from the one it was originally linked to. She then has to recalculate that block to connect the chain again, and so it would continue until the first ever block launched. However, the likeliness of this taking place is slim due to the difficulty involved and the significant amount of computing power to do so.

The evolution of the blockchain

The blockchain is primarily linked to the existence of Bitcoin. Created by a pseudonymous person or group of people known as Satoshi Nakamoto, the first block, known as the Genesis Block, was launched on the network in early 2009, starting the Bitcoin blockchain.

Since then it has evolved into something much greater, with other blockchains coming into existence: Ethereum, EOS, Cardano, IOTA, Stellar, and NEM to name a few, all of which are creating something different for the advancement of the technology.

For now, though, the Bitcoin blockchain’s most popular use case is cryptocurrencies.

This is down to the fact that cryptocurrencies are aiming to solve a problem: giving people back control of their money, which Nakamoto noted in Bitcoin’s white paper.

Aside from cryptocurrency use cases, the technology can be used for almost anything of value, but still has some maturing to do. Some of the areas the technology is being applied include supply chains, banking, voting, healthcare, and property rights, which are all in varying stages of development.

Other blockchains Ethereum

The Ethereum blockchain is one of the biggest by market cap – and some even say its blockchain network might even be bigger than Bitcoin. This is a decentralised ledger that lets developers create and deploy smart contracts and decentralised applications (dapps).

Similar to Bitcoin’s blockchain, in that nodes on the network share a record of each transaction, the only difference is that Ethereum focuses on running smart contracts. This is achieved with its programming language Solidity, forming them through the Turing-complete Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). A Turing-complete system is a programming language that enables users to specify actions, which will automatically allow policies or smart contracts to execute at any given time.

It is these smart contracts which can move value around and represent the ownership of property without needing a middleman. A few examples of where smart contracts are being used include real estate, property deeds, banking, and healthcare. Similar to how a traditional agreement works, smart contracts define rules and penalties; however, they are automatically able to enforce the obligations of the agreement.

Another side of Ethereum is the area that focuses on dapps. These have real-life use cases ranging from job marketplaces to virtual games. One dapp that gained popularity when it launched in 2017 was CryptoKitties, a blockchain-based video game that lets users buy, collect, sell, and breed different virtual cats. The popularity of it reached a point when one cat was sold for $170,000.

Cardano

Home of the ADA altcoin, Cardano is a decentralized public blockchain and cryptocurrency project. According to its website, it’s “developing a smart contract platform which seeks to deliver more advanced features than any protocol previously developed.”

The network uses its proof-of-stake algorithm Ouroboros, which determines how individual nodes reach a consensus about the network. In December, IOHK, the blockchain research development company, which is one of the organisations developing Cardano (the others being the Cardano Foundation and Emurgo), announced the launch two development tools in test format: Plutus and Marlowe.

These will enable startups and financial services to write smart contracts on the Cardano blockchain.

Even though this is available in a test format, it remains to be seen if and when financial services and startups will implement the tools available.

Stellar

Stellar is a blockchain-based ledger that is working to connect banks, payment systems, and people.

According to its website, the platform is aiming to “expand access to low-cost financial services to fight poverty and maximize individual potential.” It claims to enable thousands of transactions per second by moving money across borders, which it states is reliable and quick for a low fee.

Yet, as the Stellar network works within banks, it’s considered a centralized process. It remains to be seen what clear benefits will be seen for the end consumer.

Ripple

Similar to Stellar, Ripple is aiming to enable “secure, instantly and nearly free global financial transactions of any size with no chargebacks.” It’s also not completely decentralized.

The Ripple ledger is built on an open source protocol, and “supports tokens representing fiat currency, cryptocurrency, commodities, or other units of value such as frequent flier miles or mobile minutes,” according to Wikipedia. Ripple has a native cryptocurrency called XRP as well, which is one of the largest cryptocurrencies by market cap.

Among its customers, it counts a number of large banks, payment providers, and currency exchange services.

These are just a few of the blockchains available. Yet, they paint a picture of where the technology has come and shows how it’s continuing to advance. It’s important to note, though, that each of these blockchains are still very much in the early stages of development. Much has yet to be done to determine their impact and how they could change the way we conduct business.

This post is brought to you by eToro. eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptocurrencies, as well as trading CFD assets. Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Cryptocurrencies can fluctuate widely in price and are, therefore, not appropriate for all investors. Trading cryptocurrencies is not supervised by any EU regulatory framework. Past performance is not an indication of future results. This is not investment advice. Your capital is at risk.

Published February 12, 2019 — 17:18 UTC

Source link http://bit.ly/2GHMU7A

[thevisixnary]

@thedoctornumber11 continued from x. "We are here," he told her, leading the way outside. "Welcome to Kharn. We are headed over to that building over there I think, or at least that's where the message came from."

Alice grabbed her sweater off the railing and followed him outside. It was dark, but Alice's eyes quickly adjusted to the gloom. "Lead the way," She said with a smile, even though she felt a little weary being there out of nowhere.

[vxidlight]

@thedoctornumber11 continued from here.

“Maybe we should go back to your place and figure out some of this?” he asked her, “Perhaps we should ask your biological parents if they had some kind of connection with aliens or something, I don’t know.  There has to be some sort of explanation.”

"You can always try asking my mother," Alice said softly, diverting her eyes. She looked down at her hands. "As for my father, no one has seen him in years. He left when I was twelve." She sighed and looked up. "He probably wouldn't know anything anyway." She shrugged.

[adrianjenkins952wblr]

Understand blockchain – and why everyone won’t shut up about it

Understand blockchain – and why everyone won’t shut up about it

Blockchain, a distributed ledger that connects a growing list of blocks of data, is a decentralized technology that records transactions between two parties.

Resistant to tampering once blocks have been added to the network, the technology delivers a concrete database of information that is secure and is continually being updated across a network of computers known as nodes. In order to ensure that copies of the database are the same, checks are constantly undertaken by the network.

There are essentially three parts to the recording process: the record between the parties involved, the block, which is where records are put together, and the chain where all the blocks are eventually added.

How does a record get added to the blockchain?

Let’s take the familiar characters, Alice and Bob.

Alice is selling four of her coins to Bob for $200. The record lists details of the transaction, including a digital signature from each person and timestamp.

The record is then checked by the network, with nodes ensuring that the details of the transaction are valid, for instance, does Alice have the four coins she claims to sell to Bob? Once the information has been confirmed as true, the record is accepted by the network.

The record is then added to a block along with other records, which will be included to the blockchain. Each block has a unique hash code attached to it and contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block in the chain.

The block is then added to the blockchain with the hash codes showing the order the blocks are connected. This process is then repeated when another transaction is made.

It is the hash codes which keep the blockchain safe as they are difficult to change. A hash code is created by a mathematical function that generates 64 numbers and letters. Regardless of the file size, it will always make up a string of 64 numbers and letters, each of which will be unique.

So, if Alice wanted to change the transaction with Bob, any change to the original hash code would create a new one. This, in turn, would break it from the block it was attached to as that one still holds the original hash code.

In order to restore the block, Alice would have to change the next block, breaking it from the one it was originally linked to. She then has to recalculate that block to connect the chain again, and so it would continue until the first ever block launched. However, the likeliness of this taking place is slim due to the difficulty involved and the significant amount of computing power to do so.

The evolution of the blockchain

The blockchain is primarily linked to the existence of Bitcoin. Created by a pseudonymous person or group of people known as Satoshi Nakamoto, the first block, known as the Genesis Block, was launched on the network in early 2009, starting the Bitcoin blockchain.

Since then it has evolved into something much greater, with other blockchains coming into existence: Ethereum, EOS, Cardano, IOTA, Stellar, and NEM to name a few, all of which are creating something different for the advancement of the technology.

For now, though, the Bitcoin blockchain’s most popular use case is cryptocurrencies.

This is down to the fact that cryptocurrencies are aiming to solve a problem: giving people back control of their money, which Nakamoto noted in Bitcoin’s white paper.

Aside from cryptocurrency use cases, the technology can be used for almost anything of value, but still has some maturing to do. Some of the areas the technology is being applied include supply chains, banking, voting, healthcare, and property rights, which are all in varying stages of development.

Other blockchains Ethereum

The Ethereum blockchain is one of the biggest by market cap – and some even say its blockchain network might even be bigger than Bitcoin. This is a decentralised ledger that lets developers create and deploy smart contracts and decentralised applications (dapps).

Similar to Bitcoin’s blockchain, in that nodes on the network share a record of each transaction, the only difference is that Ethereum focuses on running smart contracts. This is achieved with its programming language Solidity, forming them through the Turing-complete Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). A Turing-complete system is a programming language that enables users to specify actions, which will automatically allow policies or smart contracts to execute at any given time.

It is these smart contracts which can move value around and represent the ownership of property without needing a middleman. A few examples of where smart contracts are being used include real estate, property deeds, banking, and healthcare. Similar to how a traditional agreement works, smart contracts define rules and penalties; however, they are automatically able to enforce the obligations of the agreement.

Another side of Ethereum is the area that focuses on dapps. These have real-life use cases ranging from job marketplaces to virtual games. One dapp that gained popularity when it launched in 2017 was CryptoKitties, a blockchain-based video game that lets users buy, collect, sell, and breed different virtual cats. The popularity of it reached a point when one cat was sold for $170,000.

Cardano

Home of the ADA altcoin, Cardano is a decentralized public blockchain and cryptocurrency project. According to its website, it’s “developing a smart contract platform which seeks to deliver more advanced features than any protocol previously developed.”

The network uses its proof-of-stake algorithm Ouroboros, which determines how individual nodes reach a consensus about the network. In December, IOHK, the blockchain research development company, which is one of the organisations developing Cardano (the others being the Cardano Foundation and Emurgo), announced the launch two development tools in test format: Plutus and Marlowe.

These will enable startups and financial services to write smart contracts on the Cardano blockchain.

Even though this is available in a test format, it remains to be seen if and when financial services and startups will implement the tools available.

Stellar

Stellar is a blockchain-based ledger that is working to connect banks, payment systems, and people.

According to its website, the platform is aiming to “expand access to low-cost financial services to fight poverty and maximize individual potential.” It claims to enable thousands of transactions per second by moving money across borders, which it states is reliable and quick for a low fee.

Yet, as the Stellar network works within banks, it’s considered a centralized process. It remains to be seen what clear benefits will be seen for the end consumer.

Ripple

Similar to Stellar, Ripple is aiming to enable “secure, instantly and nearly free global financial transactions of any size with no chargebacks.” It’s also not completely decentralized.

The Ripple ledger is built on an open source protocol, and “supports tokens representing fiat currency, cryptocurrency, commodities, or other units of value such as frequent flier miles or mobile minutes,” according to Wikipedia. Ripple has a native cryptocurrency called XRP as well, which is one of the largest cryptocurrencies by market cap.

Among its customers, it counts a number of large banks, payment providers, and currency exchange services.

These are just a few of the blockchains available. Yet, they paint a picture of where the technology has come and shows how it’s continuing to advance. It’s important to note, though, that each of these blockchains are still very much in the early stages of development. Much has yet to be done to determine their impact and how they could change the way we conduct business.

This post is brought to you by eToro. eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptocurrencies, as well as trading CFD assets. Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Cryptocurrencies can fluctuate widely in price and are, therefore, not appropriate for all investors. Trading cryptocurrencies is not supervised by any EU regulatory framework. Past performance is not an indication of future results. This is not investment advice. Your capital is at risk.

Published February 12, 2019 — 17:18 UTC

Source link http://bit.ly/2GHMU7A

[thedoctornumber11]

“ i think i’m falling in love with you. “ - from Alice/Iota Three

"I feel exactly the same way about you," the Doctor told her, blushing bright red.

[bobbynolanios88]

Understand blockchain – and why everyone won’t shut up about it

Understand blockchain – and why everyone won’t shut up about it

Blockchain, a distributed ledger that connects a growing list of blocks of data, is a decentralized technology that records transactions between two parties.

Resistant to tampering once blocks have been added to the network, the technology delivers a concrete database of information that is secure and is continually being updated across a network of computers known as nodes. In order to ensure that copies of the database are the same, checks are constantly undertaken by the network.

There are essentially three parts to the recording process: the record between the parties involved, the block, which is where records are put together, and the chain where all the blocks are eventually added.

How does a record get added to the blockchain?

Let’s take the familiar characters, Alice and Bob.

Alice is selling four of her coins to Bob for $200. The record lists details of the transaction, including a digital signature from each person and timestamp.

The record is then checked by the network, with nodes ensuring that the details of the transaction are valid, for instance, does Alice have the four coins she claims to sell to Bob? Once the information has been confirmed as true, the record is accepted by the network.

The record is then added to a block along with other records, which will be included to the blockchain. Each block has a unique hash code attached to it and contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block in the chain.

The block is then added to the blockchain with the hash codes showing the order the blocks are connected. This process is then repeated when another transaction is made.

It is the hash codes which keep the blockchain safe as they are difficult to change. A hash code is created by a mathematical function that generates 64 numbers and letters. Regardless of the file size, it will always make up a string of 64 numbers and letters, each of which will be unique.

So, if Alice wanted to change the transaction with Bob, any change to the original hash code would create a new one. This, in turn, would break it from the block it was attached to as that one still holds the original hash code.

In order to restore the block, Alice would have to change the next block, breaking it from the one it was originally linked to. She then has to recalculate that block to connect the chain again, and so it would continue until the first ever block launched. However, the likeliness of this taking place is slim due to the difficulty involved and the significant amount of computing power to do so.

The evolution of the blockchain

The blockchain is primarily linked to the existence of Bitcoin. Created by a pseudonymous person or group of people known as Satoshi Nakamoto, the first block, known as the Genesis Block, was launched on the network in early 2009, starting the Bitcoin blockchain.

Since then it has evolved into something much greater, with other blockchains coming into existence: Ethereum, EOS, Cardano, IOTA, Stellar, and NEM to name a few, all of which are creating something different for the advancement of the technology.

For now, though, the Bitcoin blockchain’s most popular use case is cryptocurrencies.

This is down to the fact that cryptocurrencies are aiming to solve a problem: giving people back control of their money, which Nakamoto noted in Bitcoin’s white paper.

Aside from cryptocurrency use cases, the technology can be used for almost anything of value, but still has some maturing to do. Some of the areas the technology is being applied include supply chains, banking, voting, healthcare, and property rights, which are all in varying stages of development.

Other blockchains Ethereum

The Ethereum blockchain is one of the biggest by market cap – and some even say its blockchain network might even be bigger than Bitcoin. This is a decentralised ledger that lets developers create and deploy smart contracts and decentralised applications (dapps).

Similar to Bitcoin’s blockchain, in that nodes on the network share a record of each transaction, the only difference is that Ethereum focuses on running smart contracts. This is achieved with its programming language Solidity, forming them through the Turing-complete Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). A Turing-complete system is a programming language that enables users to specify actions, which will automatically allow policies or smart contracts to execute at any given time.

It is these smart contracts which can move value around and represent the ownership of property without needing a middleman. A few examples of where smart contracts are being used include real estate, property deeds, banking, and healthcare. Similar to how a traditional agreement works, smart contracts define rules and penalties; however, they are automatically able to enforce the obligations of the agreement.

Another side of Ethereum is the area that focuses on dapps. These have real-life use cases ranging from job marketplaces to virtual games. One dapp that gained popularity when it launched in 2017 was CryptoKitties, a blockchain-based video game that lets users buy, collect, sell, and breed different virtual cats. The popularity of it reached a point when one cat was sold for $170,000.

Cardano

Home of the ADA altcoin, Cardano is a decentralized public blockchain and cryptocurrency project. According to its website, it’s “developing a smart contract platform which seeks to deliver more advanced features than any protocol previously developed.”

The network uses its proof-of-stake algorithm Ouroboros, which determines how individual nodes reach a consensus about the network. In December, IOHK, the blockchain research development company, which is one of the organisations developing Cardano (the others being the Cardano Foundation and Emurgo), announced the launch two development tools in test format: Plutus and Marlowe.

These will enable startups and financial services to write smart contracts on the Cardano blockchain.

Even though this is available in a test format, it remains to be seen if and when financial services and startups will implement the tools available.

Stellar

Stellar is a blockchain-based ledger that is working to connect banks, payment systems, and people.

According to its website, the platform is aiming to “expand access to low-cost financial services to fight poverty and maximize individual potential.” It claims to enable thousands of transactions per second by moving money across borders, which it states is reliable and quick for a low fee.

Yet, as the Stellar network works within banks, it’s considered a centralized process. It remains to be seen what clear benefits will be seen for the end consumer.

Ripple

Similar to Stellar, Ripple is aiming to enable “secure, instantly and nearly free global financial transactions of any size with no chargebacks.” It’s also not completely decentralized.

The Ripple ledger is built on an open source protocol, and “supports tokens representing fiat currency, cryptocurrency, commodities, or other units of value such as frequent flier miles or mobile minutes,” according to Wikipedia. Ripple has a native cryptocurrency called XRP as well, which is one of the largest cryptocurrencies by market cap.

Among its customers, it counts a number of large banks, payment providers, and currency exchange services.

These are just a few of the blockchains available. Yet, they paint a picture of where the technology has come and shows how it’s continuing to advance. It’s important to note, though, that each of these blockchains are still very much in the early stages of development. Much has yet to be done to determine their impact and how they could change the way we conduct business.

This post is brought to you by eToro. eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptocurrencies, as well as trading CFD assets. Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Cryptocurrencies can fluctuate widely in price and are, therefore, not appropriate for all investors. Trading cryptocurrencies is not supervised by any EU regulatory framework. Past performance is not an indication of future results. This is not investment advice. Your capital is at risk.

Published February 12, 2019 — 17:18 UTC

Source link http://bit.ly/2GHMU7A

[teiraymondmccoy78]

Understand blockchain – and why everyone won’t shut up about it

Understand blockchain – and why everyone won’t shut up about it

Blockchain, a distributed ledger that connects a growing list of blocks of data, is a decentralized technology that records transactions between two parties.

Resistant to tampering once blocks have been added to the network, the technology delivers a concrete database of information that is secure and is continually being updated across a network of computers known as nodes. In order to ensure that copies of the database are the same, checks are constantly undertaken by the network.

There are essentially three parts to the recording process: the record between the parties involved, the block, which is where records are put together, and the chain where all the blocks are eventually added.

How does a record get added to the blockchain?

Let’s take the familiar characters, Alice and Bob.

Alice is selling four of her coins to Bob for $200. The record lists details of the transaction, including a digital signature from each person and timestamp.

The record is then checked by the network, with nodes ensuring that the details of the transaction are valid, for instance, does Alice have the four coins she claims to sell to Bob? Once the information has been confirmed as true, the record is accepted by the network.

The record is then added to a block along with other records, which will be included to the blockchain. Each block has a unique hash code attached to it and contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block in the chain.

The block is then added to the blockchain with the hash codes showing the order the blocks are connected. This process is then repeated when another transaction is made.

It is the hash codes which keep the blockchain safe as they are difficult to change. A hash code is created by a mathematical function that generates 64 numbers and letters. Regardless of the file size, it will always make up a string of 64 numbers and letters, each of which will be unique.

So, if Alice wanted to change the transaction with Bob, any change to the original hash code would create a new one. This, in turn, would break it from the block it was attached to as that one still holds the original hash code.

In order to restore the block, Alice would have to change the next block, breaking it from the one it was originally linked to. She then has to recalculate that block to connect the chain again, and so it would continue until the first ever block launched. However, the likeliness of this taking place is slim due to the difficulty involved and the significant amount of computing power to do so.

The evolution of the blockchain

The blockchain is primarily linked to the existence of Bitcoin. Created by a pseudonymous person or group of people known as Satoshi Nakamoto, the first block, known as the Genesis Block, was launched on the network in early 2009, starting the Bitcoin blockchain.

Since then it has evolved into something much greater, with other blockchains coming into existence: Ethereum, EOS, Cardano, IOTA, Stellar, and NEM to name a few, all of which are creating something different for the advancement of the technology.

For now, though, the Bitcoin blockchain’s most popular use case is cryptocurrencies.

This is down to the fact that cryptocurrencies are aiming to solve a problem: giving people back control of their money, which Nakamoto noted in Bitcoin’s white paper.

Aside from cryptocurrency use cases, the technology can be used for almost anything of value, but still has some maturing to do. Some of the areas the technology is being applied include supply chains, banking, voting, healthcare, and property rights, which are all in varying stages of development.

Other blockchains Ethereum

The Ethereum blockchain is one of the biggest by market cap – and some even say its blockchain network might even be bigger than Bitcoin. This is a decentralised ledger that lets developers create and deploy smart contracts and decentralised applications (dapps).

Similar to Bitcoin’s blockchain, in that nodes on the network share a record of each transaction, the only difference is that Ethereum focuses on running smart contracts. This is achieved with its programming language Solidity, forming them through the Turing-complete Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). A Turing-complete system is a programming language that enables users to specify actions, which will automatically allow policies or smart contracts to execute at any given time.

It is these smart contracts which can move value around and represent the ownership of property without needing a middleman. A few examples of where smart contracts are being used include real estate, property deeds, banking, and healthcare. Similar to how a traditional agreement works, smart contracts define rules and penalties; however, they are automatically able to enforce the obligations of the agreement.

Another side of Ethereum is the area that focuses on dapps. These have real-life use cases ranging from job marketplaces to virtual games. One dapp that gained popularity when it launched in 2017 was CryptoKitties, a blockchain-based video game that lets users buy, collect, sell, and breed different virtual cats. The popularity of it reached a point when one cat was sold for $170,000.

Cardano

Home of the ADA altcoin, Cardano is a decentralized public blockchain and cryptocurrency project. According to its website, it’s “developing a smart contract platform which seeks to deliver more advanced features than any protocol previously developed.”

The network uses its proof-of-stake algorithm Ouroboros, which determines how individual nodes reach a consensus about the network. In December, IOHK, the blockchain research development company, which is one of the organisations developing Cardano (the others being the Cardano Foundation and Emurgo), announced the launch two development tools in test format: Plutus and Marlowe.

These will enable startups and financial services to write smart contracts on the Cardano blockchain.

Even though this is available in a test format, it remains to be seen if and when financial services and startups will implement the tools available.

Stellar

Stellar is a blockchain-based ledger that is working to connect banks, payment systems, and people.

According to its website, the platform is aiming to “expand access to low-cost financial services to fight poverty and maximize individual potential.” It claims to enable thousands of transactions per second by moving money across borders, which it states is reliable and quick for a low fee.

Yet, as the Stellar network works within banks, it’s considered a centralized process. It remains to be seen what clear benefits will be seen for the end consumer.

Ripple

Similar to Stellar, Ripple is aiming to enable “secure, instantly and nearly free global financial transactions of any size with no chargebacks.” It’s also not completely decentralized.

The Ripple ledger is built on an open source protocol, and “supports tokens representing fiat currency, cryptocurrency, commodities, or other units of value such as frequent flier miles or mobile minutes,” according to Wikipedia. Ripple has a native cryptocurrency called XRP as well, which is one of the largest cryptocurrencies by market cap.

Among its customers, it counts a number of large banks, payment providers, and currency exchange services.

These are just a few of the blockchains available. Yet, they paint a picture of where the technology has come and shows how it’s continuing to advance. It’s important to note, though, that each of these blockchains are still very much in the early stages of development. Much has yet to be done to determine their impact and how they could change the way we conduct business.

This post is brought to you by eToro. eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptocurrencies, as well as trading CFD assets. Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Cryptocurrencies can fluctuate widely in price and are, therefore, not appropriate for all investors. Trading cryptocurrencies is not supervised by any EU regulatory framework. Past performance is not an indication of future results. This is not investment advice. Your capital is at risk.

Published February 12, 2019 — 17:18 UTC

Source link http://bit.ly/2GHMU7A