#Best cloud hosting services in US

[virtualizationhowto]

Best Self-hosted Apps in 2023

Best Self-hosted Apps in 2023 #homelab #selfhosting #BestSelfHostedApps2023 #ComprehensiveGuideToSelfHosting #TopMediaServersForPersonalUse #SecurePasswordManagersForSelfHost #EssentialToolsForSelfHostedSetup #RaspberryPiCompatibleHostingApps

You can run many great self-hosted apps in your home lab or on your media server with only a small amount of tinkering. Let’s look at the best self-hosted apps in 2023 and a list of apps you should check out. Table of contentsWhy Self-hosting?Plex: The Media Server KingJellyfin: Open Source Media FreedomEmby: A Balanced Media ContenderNextcloud: Your Personal Cloud ServiceHome Assistant:…

[mostlysignssomeportents]

How lock-in hurts design

Berliners: Otherland has added a second date (Jan 28) for my book-talk after the first one sold out - book now!

If you've ever read about design, you've probably encountered the idea of "paving the desire path." A "desire path" is an erosion path created by people departing from the official walkway and taking their own route. The story goes that smart campus planners don't fight the desire paths laid down by students; they pave them, formalizing the route that their constituents have voted for with their feet.

Desire paths aren't always great (Wikipedia notes that "desire paths sometimes cut through sensitive habitats and exclusion zones, threatening wildlife and park security"), but in the context of design, a desire path is a way that users communicate with designers, creating a feedback loop between those two groups. The designers make a product, the users use it in ways that surprise the designer, and the designer integrates all that into a new revision of the product.

This method is widely heralded as a means of "co-innovating" between users and companies. Designers who practice the method are lauded for their humility, their willingness to learn from their users. Tech history is strewn with examples of successful paved desire-paths.

Take John Deere. While today the company is notorious for its war on its customers (via its opposition to right to repair), Deere was once a leader in co-innovation, dispatching roving field engineers to visit farms and learn how farmers had modified their tractors. The best of these modifications would then be worked into the next round of tractor designs, in a virtuous cycle:

https://securityledger.com/2019/03/opinion-my-grandfathers-john-deere-would-support-our-right-to-repair/

But this pattern is even more pronounced in the digital world, because it's much easier to update a digital service than it is to update all the tractors in the field, especially if that service is cloud-based, meaning you can modify the back-end everyone is instantly updated. The most celebrated example of this co-creation is Twitter, whose users created a host of its core features.

Retweets, for example, were a user creation. Users who saw something they liked on the service would type "RT" and paste the text and the link into a new tweet composition window. Same for quote-tweets: users copied the URL for a tweet and pasted it in below their own commentary. Twitter designers observed this user innovation and formalized it, turning it into part of Twitter's core feature-set.

Companies are obsessed with discovering digital desire paths. They pay fortunes for analytics software to produce maps of how their users interact with their services, run focus groups, even embed sneaky screen-recording software into their web-pages:

https://www.wired.com/story/the-dark-side-of-replay-sessions-that-record-your-every-move-online/

This relentless surveillance of users is pursued in the name of making things better for them: let us spy on you and we'll figure out where your pain-points and friction are coming from, and remove those. We all win!

But this impulse is a world apart from the humility and respect implied by co-innovation. The constant, nonconsensual observation of users has more to do with controlling users than learning from them.

That is, after all, the ethos of modern technology: the more control a company can exert over its users ,the more value it can transfer from those users to its shareholders. That's the key to enshittification, the ubiquitous platform decay that has degraded virtually all the technology we use, making it worse every day:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/19/twiddler/

When you are seeking to control users, the desire paths they create are all too frequently a means to wrestling control back from you. Take advertising: every time a service makes its ads more obnoxious and invasive, it creates an incentive for its users to search for "how do I install an ad-blocker":

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/07/adblocking-how-about-nah

More than half of all web-users have installed ad-blockers. It's the largest consumer boycott in human history:

https://doc.searls.com/2023/11/11/how-is-the-worlds-biggest-boycott-doing/

But zero app users have installed ad-blockers, because reverse-engineering an app requires that you bypass its encryption, triggering liability under Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. This law provides for a $500,000 fine and a 5-year prison sentence for "circumvention" of access controls:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/12/youre-holding-it-wrong/#if-dishwashers-were-iphones

Beyond that, modifying an app creates liability under copyright, trademark, patent, trade secrets, noncompete, nondisclosure and so on. It's what Jay Freeman calls "felony contempt of business model":

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

This is why services are so horny to drive you to install their app rather using their websites: they are trying to get you to do something that, given your druthers, you would prefer not to do. They want to force you to exit through the gift shop, you want to carve a desire path straight to the parking lot. Apps let them mobilize the law to literally criminalize those desire paths.

An app is just a web-page wrapped in enough IP to make it a felony to block ads in it (or do anything else that wrestles value back from a company). Apps are web-pages where everything not forbidden is mandatory.

Seen in this light, an app is a way to wage war on desire paths, to abandon the cooperative model for co-innovation in favor of the adversarial model of user control and extraction.

Corporate apologists like to claim that the proliferation of apps proves that users like them. Neoliberal economists love the idea that business as usual represents a "revealed preference." This is an intellectually unserious tautology: "you do this, so you must like it":

https://boingboing.net/2024/01/22/hp-ceo-says-customers-are-a-bad-investment-unless-they-can-be-made-to-buy-companys-drm-ink-cartridges.html

Calling an action where no alternatives are permissible a "preference" or a "choice" is a cheap trick – especially when considered against the "preferences" that reveal themselves when a real choice is possible. Take commercial surveillance: when Apple gave Ios users a choice about being spied on – a one-click opt of of app-based surveillance – 96% of users choice no spying:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/05/96-of-us-users-opt-out-of-app-tracking-in-ios-14-5-analytics-find/

But then Apple started spying on those very same users that had opted out of spying by Facebook and other Apple competitors:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/14/luxury-surveillance/#liar-liar

Neoclassical economists aren't just obsessed with revealed preferences – they also love to bandy about the idea of "moral hazard": economic arrangements that tempt people to be dishonest. This is typically applied to the public ("consumers" in the contemptuous parlance of econospeak). But apps are pure moral hazard – for corporations. The ability to prohibit desire paths – and literally imprison rivals who help your users thwart those prohibitions – is too tempting for companies to resist.

The fact that the majority of web users block ads reveals a strong preference for not being spied on ("users just want relevant ads" is such an obvious lie that doesn't merit any serious discussion):

https://www.iccl.ie/news/82-of-the-irish-public-wants-big-techs-toxic-algorithms-switched-off/

Giant companies attained their scale by learning from their users, not by thwarting them. The person using technology always knows something about what they need to do and how they want to do it that the designers can never anticipate. This is especially true of people who are unlike those designers – people who live on the other side of the world, or the other side of the economic divide, or whose bodies don't work the way that the designers' bodies do:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/20/benevolent-dictators/#felony-contempt-of-business-model

Apps – and other technologies that are locked down so their users can be locked in – are the height of technological arrogance. They embody a belief that users are to be told, not heard. If a user wants to do something that the designer didn't anticipate, that's the user's fault:

https://www.wired.com/2010/06/iphone-4-holding-it-wrong/

Corporate enthusiasm for prohibiting you from reconfiguring the tools you use to suit your needs is a declaration of the end of history. "Sure," John Deere execs say, "we once learned from farmers by observing how they modified their tractors. But today's farmers are so much stupider and we are so much smarter that we have nothing to learn from them anymore."

Spying on your users to control them is a poor substitute asking your users their permission to learn from them. Without technological self-determination, preferences can't be revealed. Without the right to seize the means of computation, the desire paths never emerge, leaving designers in the dark about what users really want.

Our policymakers swear loyalty to "innovation" but when corporations ask for the right to decide who can innovate and how, they fall all over themselves to create laws that let companies punish users for the crime of contempt of business-model.

I'm Kickstarting the audiobook for The Bezzle, the sequel to Red Team Blues, narrated by @wilwheaton! You can pre-order the audiobook and ebook, DRM free, as well as the hardcover, signed or unsigned. There's also bundles with Red Team Blues in ebook, audio or paperback.

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

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/24/everything-not-mandatory/#is-prohibited

Image: Belem (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Desire_path_%2819811581366%29.jpg

CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

[ladyiristheenchantress]

Elemental Work Crash Course

Hello friends! As a west witch I find myself in a lot of elemental spaces, but as an elemental pagan I feel like we get little to no representation without wicca being present so this post is for all my friends who may be looking into elemental work and want to know what to expect! This is an introductory post so if anyone is interested in further information let me know in the comments!

Earth

Common Lessons tend to include grounding, understanding your place within it all like your social circles, life itself, or even the ecosystem. People also tend to find out how to see beauty even when they feel there is none, home and hearth magic, generational magic, and harnessing your own power. Its important to recognize earth is extremely giving, often giving things without expecting anything in return. Remember to give back to the earth when you can in your practice, it isn't fair to take things without giving back. Eventually earth takes all things back from the living, so remember that earth is as powerful as she is kind Darker Aspect/Element: Rot How to honor and find these teachings:

Going out in nature

Taking care of plants

Herbal work

Community service

Exploring

Grounding and meditation outdoors

Connecting to earth itself

Evaluating what it means to be human

Common forms of divination

Osteomancy (Burning Bones)

Abacomancy (Dirt)

Dendromancy (Tree reading)

Falling petals or leaves

Air

Common lessons from air tend to be quick and ever present, air speaks rather quickly to people and messages change! Its best to keep a log of signs and messages you receive because it tends to be a pebble trail on your journey. Air teaches how to keep calm in tense situations, creating your own path on the journey of life, going with the wind and learning to not value materialistic lifestyles, plus learning how to be more gentle with yourself and others!

Darker Aspect: Tempest How to honor and find these teachings:

Breath work

Spontaneity and leaving your comfort zone

Living to the fullest (however that might look for you!)

Dance or Hand motions

Meditations

Keeping sword or athame imagery as a talisman

Storm tracking

Common forms of divination:

Smoke Scrying

Wind Watching

Electromancy (By Lightning)

Austromancy (By Clouds)

Fire

Common lessons in fire encourage you to listen closely and not rely so much on searching for messages. In most mythos fire speaks once per session, when its burnt out usually the message is over. Fire teaches us how to be confident in our work, ambition, and performance. Fire likes to throw a lot at you and teach you adaptability, and most importantly how to be the best you can be. You can learn a lot from just a little flame.

Darker Aspect: Magma

How to Honor these teachings:

Practicing Confidence

Glamour Magic

Using your backbone/saying no more

Making friends in odd places

Hosting bonfires/tending to a hearth fire

Using candle magic

Common forms of divination:

Fire Scrying

Candle/Wax reading

Flame Shape reading

Casting knives

Water

Common lessons range depending on what you are looking for! Water can teach you how to be calm and collected, but also encourages you to be fluid! so if you need to unleash the flood you know when its appropriate to do so. You also learn how to go with the flow, how to be persistent, and how to be a fierce enigma. Water is also very humbling at times, so you will learn a lot about yourself.

Darker Aspect: Abyss

How to honor these teachings:

Emotion based meditations

Shadow work

Being in tune with yourself

Swimming

Boating

Fishing

Beach cleanups

Exploring your waterways

Common types of divination:

Water scrying

Waves

Rainfall

Storm tracking

Mist/Dew

Tip Jar

[sunshinesickies]

Arcane—Caitlyn x Vi Sickfic

Warnings— some angst and swearing

Here we go as requested! I tried my best to add a little more angst, but be warned it’s not proofread. But I hope you all enjoy it!

My I’m All Yours fic, but with Caitlyn sick instead of Vi, set after the war; what happens when Cait gets sick on the one day Vi can’t be with her?

The gentle glow of early morning sunlight glittered through the window of her study as Caitlyn sat at her desk, so enveloped in her work that she hadn’t realized the sun was starting to rise until a bright beam shone directly in her eye. She blinked, shielding her face with her hand as she glanced out the window, surprised that it was already morning.

She’d gotten up early to sneak in some work before Vi woke up. The two of them had spent the last few weeks relaxing and adjusting to their new lives after the war and their losses. It’s been hard, creating new daily routines and taking time for just them to be together, which is why for the past few mornings Cait had gotten up before dawn while Vi snored softly in bed. She just couldn’t twiddle her thumbs any longer and she knew Vi would give her some speech about giving herself more time and whatnot if she found out.

But today, to her utter annoyance, she’d awoken with a dull throb in her head, a nose that just won’t stop dripping, and the beginnings of a sore throat making itself more and more known in the last couple hours. Though it’s quite a nuisance, Cait supposes that now that her body can finally relax, it decided to throw her a curveball once more, in the form of this nasty head cold. She can remember vaguely this used to happen to her when she was younger. She’d get all stressed about some test at school, study nonstop, ace it, then a few days later when she’d finally relaxed, she’d catch a cold.

With a sniffle and a sigh, Caitlyn glanced at the clock, it was still too early for Vi to be up, so she could probably get a little more work in before joining her back in bed. But as she started reading again, somewhere in her clouded brain, she seemed to remember there was something important about today, yet she couldn’t quite recall what.

What she was forgetting was today, the new council is hosting an important meeting to further discuss the rebuilding of both Piltover and Zaun, what to do about what shimmer and Hextech was left, and how to better understand and aid the Zaunites who’d been ignored and neglected for decades. Vi had been requested to and promised to be there, while Cait had long since handed her council seat to Sevika so Zaun could be properly represented. Maybe she’ll go back to some position later, but for now she’s had more than enough politics taking up her life. And it isn’t that she’s not helping of course, she and Vi have been working closely to find good ways to put Cait’s family money to use, starting with implementing aid and services for the kids of the Lanes.

Caitlyn was deep in thought when she heard the soft creak of the study door opening, followed by the all too familiar steady pad of her girlfriend’s feet against the floor. She turned to see a half-awake yawning Vi shuffling towards her, eyes still cloudy from sleep, wearing just her boxers and a cozy looking dark maroon hoodie. The only new though Cait could muster was that the hoodie’s deep rich color was quite the contrast to Vi’s hair, highlighting it’s bright pink, sleep-tousled strands. The Piltonan smiled, lightly amused at the adorable sight in front of her.

As Vi reached her, she came ‘round the back of the chair, wrapping her strong arms lovingly around her girlfriend’s shoulder and leaning to press a kiss to her navy blue hair before resting her face there. “Good morning, darling.” Cait hummed, and if Violet had been more awake she might have noticed the bit of congestion that hung on each syllable and the gentle rasp to her voice. Caitlyn was glad she hadn’t, she hated submitting to weakness, and even though they had both learned to be vulnerable with each other even in such a small amount of time, Cait still wasn’t ready for this kind. The sleepy girl only mumbled something incoherent as Caitlyn tugged gently on her hoodie, silently signaling for her to come closer. Vi obeyed.

Quickly she was rounding the chair and moving to sit in her girlfriend’s lap, curling up and tucking her face into the crook of her neck. Caitlyn’s skin tickled as she felt Vi release a deep sigh and she instinctively wrapped her arms around the shorter girl, mirroring her earlier action and placing a gentle kiss to her hair. Vi yawned again, eyes fluttering closed as she just relaxed into Caitlyn’s hold.

“Not quite awake yet I see, huh?” Caitlyn mused, one hand moving to gently sift her fingers through Vi’s soft hair. The silence that followed was long enough for her to believe the girl in her arms had already fallen back asleep, even her breathing was deep and slow, but finally she heard a soft murmur, feeling lips move against her skin.

“why’re up so early, cupcake?” Caitlyn’s heart melted at the sweet nickname, however she barely registered Vi’s question as a sharp burn started to tickle her nose. Vi could feel the slight, sudden change in Caitlyn’s breathing as her breath hitched a few times. To avoid sneezing on her, she turned her head to the side, openly sneezing towards the floor.

“Huhh…hhiitschhooo! Nnhuhh’tChSHhuh! Huhhhuh-Thschshhuhh!!” She sniffled harshly after the unexpected triple. “Bless you.” Vi hummed sweetly, a small adoring smile on her face. She couldn’t recall ever really hearing her girlfriend sneeze, maybe a few silent stifles, but never like this. It was slightly amusing seeing her normally reserved girlfriend so clearly…not. “Ugdhh…sorry…I don’t…” Vi was now sitting up in Cait’s lap, practically straddling her as her hands steadied herself by hugging Caitlyn’s waist.

Vi was finally awake enough now to recognize the thick congestion present in her voice and when Caitlyn turned back to face her, eyes watery and cheeks pink, a frown dawned on her face as Vi connected the dots.

“You’re sick, Cait.” She stated what was now growing more and more obvious to her, her brows etched deep in worry. “Wh-why didn’t you tell me, love?” Caitlyn’s heart sank at the look on Vi’s face. Her words weren’t accusatory, but she could tell she was hurt that she hadn’t told her sooner. To be fair though, it came on fast, pretty much developing over night when they were both asleep.

“I-I dunno…I” Caitlyn started to stammer, guilt written all over her face but Vi stopped her with a gentle smile. “Hey, hey…it’s okay. Let’s just get you back to bed huh? You really should be resting, not…whatever this is.” Vi gestures to the complicated looking archives on Cait’s desk. Caitlyn nodded, suddenly too tired to care and Vi brushed some dark hair from her face before standing up. The sniffly girl didn’t even have a chance to try and stand up before Vi was carefully and effortlessly picking her up and holding her against her chest. She let out a small sound of surprise.

“Is this okay?” Vi whispered right as Cait nuzzled her face into her neck, her answer a faint gentle kiss to her skin. An affectionate smile settled on Vi’s pink lips as she carried Cait from the study, quickly making it to their shared bedroom.

As they entered the darker room, Vi held Cait a little tighter when she felt her shiver a little against her. A gentle kiss to the pale girl’s forehead confirmed her suspicions of the beginnings of a fever and Vi sighed as she made her way over to the bed. Caitlyn now sat on the side of the bed with Vi in front of her, cupping her cheek with her calloused yet gentle palm. The dark haired girl looked up into Vi’s stormy gray eyes to see a look so tender and loving, though there was something else behind it she couldn’t quite place.

She realized right then how much she craved Vi’s touch. She’d been stubborn earlier, pushing herself to work, but now, all she desired was to fall back against the silky pillows and have her girlfriend hold her, keep her warm. Caitlyn shivered again as a chill went down her spine and Vi’s brows furrowed impossibly deeper. “Here, love.” She quickly tugged off her thick hoodie and motioned for Cait to put her arms up.

“Thankds, Vi” She rasped, hugging the warm fabric closer around her before suddenly sneezing into sleeve. Vi couldn’t help but smile slightly as she blessed her. How could she not when even though she knew Cait must feel terrible, there was something so endearing, so adorable about seeing her in this state. Her normally put together girlfriend was an absolute mess right now and Vi’s pretty sure shes never been cuter.

Vi could see Caitlyn was thinking about something, her expression showing the familiar focus Vi learned she had when she was deep in contemplation. “What’s going on in there?” She sat down on the bed, placing a kiss to her forehead and Caitlyn takes a steadying breath. “will you hold me ‘till I fall asleep?” She asked, voice so low and soft Vi almost didn’t hear her. “Vi?” Cait prompted when the silence stretched too long and Vi was no longer looking at her.

“Cupcake, I-I can’t. The counsel meeting is this morning….” She looked back up, eyes filled with frustration. “…it starts soon and, and they need me there…but, ughhh, fuck!” She tore a hand through her hair. “I can’t…I can’t leave you like this, Cait…”

Caitlyn’s eyes started to water, her mind felt groggy and clouded, and she wanted nothing more in the world than to be curled up under the blankets being soothed by Vi’s comforting presence, but when she saw Vi’s torn expression, she blinked her tears away. She needed her, but they do too. You’re a Kiramman, Cait, pull it together she thought, and she was so close. However the little control she’d gained over her emotions just as quickly flooded back when Vi reached for her hands.

“C’mere.” Vi scooted closer and Caitlyn practically collapsed into her arms, the tears finally spilling over as heavy sobs wracked her body. Vi held her tightly, doing her best to show her how much this hurt her too. “I know, Cait, I know. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” She murmured in her hair, letting her cry until she grew too tired to.

With a wet sniff, Caitlyn pulled away. “It-it’s okay, Vi. I’ll be okay. They need you. And yes, I feel like shit right now…but to be fair, I’ve had you all to myself for quite some time now.” She offered a shaky smile, and Vi didn’t say anything but her eyes said, are you sure? Caitlyn grabbed Vi’s hand this time, silently bringing it up so she could place a reassuring kiss to her still-bruised knuckles.

“I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can. Then I’m all yours until you’re better.” Vi pulled her close again. A faint smile tugged at the corners of Caitlyn’s lips. “Am I not always yours?” She mused lightly, pouting up at her and Vi couldn’t hold back a small chuckle. “Smooth, Kiramman.” She had to use every ounce of willpower she had to not fall beneath the covers with her right then and stay with her, kiss that adorably intoxicating pout away.

“Promise me you’ll rest? No more work…I—I need you to take care of yourself, Cait.” She sighed deeply, tucking the soft blankets around the dark haired girl. They both had a tendency to ignore their own wellbeing, it was ingrained in them, which is why they’ve been working recently to keep each other on track. “I will. I’m sorry.” Caitlyn rasped quietly, glancing down as her fingers played with the hem of her duvet.

As her thank you, Vi leaned in close, locking her lips with Cait’s in a warm, tender kiss. She couldn’t care less about getting sick too, because it was Caitlyn, her Caitlyn. “You have nothing to be sorry about, cupcake. Not with me.” She whispered as she pulled away.

With a last somber smile, Vi stood up to get ready, putting on her nicest outfit and rest of her stuff as Caitlyn gazed at her lovingly. For a few minutes, Vi stumbled around the room, looking for random items along with a missing sock. “Here, there’s water and medicine on the table. Please get some rest and I’ll be back before you know it.” She dawned her jacket as she took one last look at her love who looked adorably sleepy all curled up in bed, the blankets pulled all the way to her chin.

Caitlyn nodded as she gazed across the room. “I love you, Violet.” She called, her voice raspy but sincere. “I love you too, cupcake.” And with that, Vi shuffled out of the room, making her way to the meeting with only one thing on her mind—how much she loved Caitlyn Kiramman…well, and oh how much she wanted to punch the universe for how today ended up going.

Vi tried her best to stay present, to offer her insights, advice and ideas for how to bring the two cities together in peace and equality, but as the minutes ticked by and her fingers started drumming lightly on the table, her only thoughts were of her girlfriend. Vi wished wholeheartedly she could be back home, tending to her every need, running her hands through her silky midnight hair, holding her impossibly close, soothing her complaints, blessing every sneeze, just going anything and everything to help her feel better. Good thing Sevika was there too to help give Zaun’s perspective.

Even though she was quite distracted, Vi knew by the end of the meeting that she’d done the right thing by being there, her perspectives and suggestions helping the council greatly. And the second they were free to go, she was rushing out the door so fast no one even had time to say a word. She practically ran the whole way home as she expertly and swiftly made her way through the city, dusting the rust off her parkour skills and taking every shortcut she knew. She made it to the Kiramman estate in record time.

Bolting through the long halls, Vi was almost back when she spotted a familiar silhouette at the end of hall. Caitlyn glanced up as Vi rushed to her, panic swimming in her ocean eyes. “V-vi…I-you…you weren’t here! I-I th-thought you…” She stumbled forward and Vi quickly caught her, holding her trembling form steady.

“Shit, Cait…wha-what’s wrong, why aren’t you in bed?” Vi grew more panicked as she saw how upset her girlfriend was, but she quickly deduced what might have happened when she noticed how flushed she was. Placing her palm to her forehead, Vi’s stomach lurched. “Shit you’re absolutely blazing, love.” She said more to herself than to Caitlyn who now had steady streams of hears falling down her cheeks. “I-it was so bad and I woke up and you, you weren’t there and…”

“Shhh, it’s okay, you’re okay.” Vi spoke softly, doing her best to hide her own panic for how sick Caitlyn had gotten in just a few hours and how guilty she felt for leaving. In an effort to reassure her, she pulled Cait into a tight, loving hug, her arms wrapped completely around her as she expressed what she couldn’t with words. Vi’s warmth and solidity was grounding and they held each other in the middle of the hall for a while, until Caitlyn’s sobs quieted to small wet sniffles. Finally, Vi pulled away slightly, pressing a featherlight kiss to her forehead, her thumbs moving to wipe the remaining tears that clung to her girlfriend’s flushed cheeks.

“You’re okay, cupcake. It was just a fever dream. It’s alright. I’ve got you.” She hummed. “Now let’s get back to bed. You must feel terrible, love.” Caitlyn nodded at her words and no sooner was Vi picking her up like before, holding her close to her chest, and carrying her once more to their shared bedroom.

Caitlyn couldn’t quite make out what happened next, but soon she felt her body start to relax as she clung to Vi, huddled beneath their thick blankets with something miraculously cool being pressed against her forehead.

“mhmm…mine.” Cait softly breathed, her mind slipping in and out of consciousness. Vi’s heart swelled, infinitely grateful to finally be able to comfort her and hold her tightly in her arms. “Yeah, all yours’, cupcake, and I’m not leaving again.” She whispered ever so softly in response, feeling Cait’s hold on her waist tighten slightly at her words.

“Just sleep now, Cait. I’m all yours.”

[zeriah-binchiette]

So I know that the address of Nick Fuentes is being posted around (I’m keeping it off of this post to prevent possible removal, but it’s all over if you look his name up on Tumblr). It appears that Google is censoring anything related to that specific address. It’s blurred out on Google Maps (though there are pictures uploaded right next to it), and the only search results I got were real estate listings.

This is your friendly reminder that Big Tech is not your friend and they will comply with the oppressors. I know it’s not the most ideal solution, but if you’re concerned about privacy and security in the upcoming years, look into alternate services for your daily online life. Proton Mail is a great service for email, and they offer other things like VPN and cloud storage. I pay for a business account (about $15 US a month) because I use extra email addresses and personal domain names, but there are cheaper or free plans available.

You can also replace most of the online tools that Google, Apple, and Microsoft provide with third party or self-hosted services like Nextcloud. I’m tech enough that I set up my own private server with Nextcloud, so I’m in control of the flow and location of my data. If you have tech inclined friends, you could discuss setting up a shared server, or look into alternate solutions.

Our digital footprints are becoming a commodity which can be sold to the highest bidder or used to train data models. While it isn’t always feasible, I urge you all to look into alternatives and make whatever changes fit your life the best. While it’s not always feasible to entirely get rid of Google, Microsoft, Apple, and/or Amazon from our lives, we can take steps to minimize what they can collect from us.

[niqhtlord01]

Humans are weird: The fall of Reservoir

From the audio recording of Frin Yuel Retired Artark, Recipient of the Stone of Valor, Hero of the Battle of Reservoir Recordings restricted from public distribution by order of Central Command.

“I have been called many titles over my years of service, but there has been none more insulting to me than the “Hero of Reservoir”.

There was nothing heroic about that engagement; at least not from our side of the battle.

Yes, yes, I know; what madness do I speak against our glorious people to not call us all heroes on the field of battle. Hear this old soldier out and decide after if your judgment is as strong as you think.

We were half way through the first contact war with humanity when we stumbled upon their core world of Reservoir. It was a backwater colony planet that had just transitioned from a colony into a functioning world of their empire when our fleets darkened their skies.

By that time I had been in several intense battles with the humans, but this was the first time we were attacking a well-established metropolitan world of theirs. At best our early skirmishes had been in space or along resource worlds that had their mining operations established.

The orbital battle was over quickly. The human planet had no orbital defense platforms and only a small fleet was present which was quickly swept aside. No sooner had the last of the human ships been destroyed in low orbit above the world did the ground invasion begin.

I remember watching as the first and second wave of our infantry forces detached from the troop carriers and began their descent below the cloud cover. My war host was in the third wave so while we waited for deployment we watched the video feeds of the first and second.

It was not a smooth landing.

The moment they broke the cloud cover they were met with withering barrages of anti-aircraft fire from emplaced redoubts and mobile vehicles. Scores of dropships were violently ripped apart or had their engines damaged and spiraled out to the surface below. I can remember hearing troops in the latter calling out for help right up until the moment they impacted the ground and the feed went silent.

It is not easy to listen to your comrade’s die….. I can still hear them sometimes in my dreams. Even now after all these years I can close my eyes and listen to their tortured souls calling out to us again and again……

……….

Apologies; I got a bit side tracked there.

Eventually the second wave was able to carve out safe landing zones and signaled the third wave to deploy.

We launched with vengeance in our hearts and fire in our bellies. Our one purpose now to avenge our fallen friends and shatter whatever human fools had slayed them.

The humans for their part did not make our task easy. Over the span of several weeks we had to grind their resistance down meter by bloody meter, losing thousands of warriors with the capture of each one of their cities. Yet our resolve was unwavering and though our losses mounted the day finally came when I found myself standing outside the final human bastion of their world.

Even when cornered like vermin the humans refused to surrender. We shelled their city for days, reducing their towers of stone and metal to rubble and yet they only burrowed deeper and became that much harder to dislodge. Vehicles that went into the city were beset on all sides by craven hit and run attacks, while our scouts were ambushed and cut down by well concealed snipers. This went on for several days until our commander had finally had enough.

When the order finally came to storm the city a great war cry was let out from our warriors and we poured into the city. I wish I could say there was some battle plan or larger strategic picture we were following, but the reality was we were storming one building at a time before advancing to the next.

That is where I found my worthy foe.

Within the heart of sector G17 there were reports of a lone human soldier causing untold damage to our attack. I ignored the reports at first, but as the day progressed the reports continued to come in only far worse. Now they said the human soldier had slain a hundred warriors and still stood their ground. By the end of my fourth block cleared I was hearing that an entire cohort had been wiped out and now warriors were avoiding the area.

At this notion of fear spreading through the ranks of my brothers I was filled with a seething rage and made my way to sector G17 to confront this human champion myself. It was not hard to find them, as the trail of bodies led straight to them. As I followed the trail I realized that the reports had not exaggerated the casualty list; if anything they had underestimated the dead.

Standing at the entrance to a metal bunker of some sort stood the foe I sought. They wore power armor standard to their people but damaged in several places. The paint had long since been scorched away by ricochets, their once proud cloak torn in a dozen places and hanging limply from their waist; yet their rifle was still firmly clutched in their hands so tightly I wondered if even the gods themselves could pry it from their grasp.

While I approached the warrior I saw three of my fellow soldiers come forward and try to slay the human first. The first went down with deep hole in their chest where the human’s plasma shot had carved through them. The second warrior used this opportunity to close the distance with the human but with a swift backhand from the power gauntlet their neck was snapped and they collapsed to the ground. The third soldier made it close enough to land a blow against the human, adding to the collection of gashes already dotting the armor. Their combat blade dug deep between the leg joints and the human let out a cry of pain. The third soldier twisted the knife inside the joint, reveling in the victory to come. I watched as the human let their weapon fall from their hands and clasped the third warrior’s head between their mighty gauntlets. In a grueling and morbid motion the human crushed the third warrior’s skull like a grape and let the broken body fall to the ground.

The human stood motionless after the melee, which to my surprise had taken less than a minute to complete. They made to pick up their fallen weapon as they finally registered my presence but the blade wound had done more damage than they expected causing them to tumble to the ground in a loud bang.

I watched for a moment as they crawled towards it in an attempt to bring it to bear before I casually kicked it out of their reach. It was then that more of my warrior brethren began to flood into the area and saw me standing over the human that had done such horrendous damage to our forces. One by one they began chanting my name as if I had been the one to bring the foul beast low and called for me to end their life once and for all; but all I could focus on was the human before me.

Through their visor I saw the face of the human looking up at me. A thin red stream of blood ran from the corner of their mouth with specs of blood dotting the inside of the helmet from where they had coughed it.  Their eyes…….even though their body was broken and defeated their eyes never once showed a hint of remorse or pleading as they fixed me with a death glare. If it was possible I half imagine they were trying to kill me with their stare right there and then before I emptied my clip into their chest cavity.

I just stood there with my finger held down on the trigger as round after round of plasma energy burned into them while the surrounding soldiers cheered. The human died half way through the clip but I kept my fingers firmly on the trigger until every shot was emptied.

As you know after that I was given the title “Hero of Reservoir” for I had seemingly killed the human butcher all by myself. There were of course the video feeds from the warriors helmets that came before me that contradicted that sentiment but central command quickly quashed that notion; erasing or restricting what footage there was while fabricating their own that made me out to be the ‘Hero” after all. With the substantial losses they had taken claiming the planet they needed someone they could hoist up and show the homeworld to as a sign of admiration and prowess in our war against the humans.

Like I said before I never cared for the name. Not because it was based on a lie, but from what I discovered when I went to investigate the bunker the human soldier had been so ferociously defending.

It took several explosive charges to pop off the hinges but with a loud thunderous boom the door finally gave way and I led a war party inside. We had expected some sort of redoubt or military bunker and went in with our weapons firing on anything that moved; which was fortunate as the door led into a series of tunnels dotting the city filled with humans.

My fellow warriors were lost to the blood lust and carved their way through the humans as if they were made of paper while I stopped and examined the nearest fallen human.

They were a frail thing, not half the size of a normal human adult. I believe they were called “children” by their cultural standards and were designated as the youth of the species. The child lay huddled in a corner they had attempted to hide in when the breaching charges had gone off but were caught by the explosion nonetheless and died.

As I gently pulled on them to turn them around I saw that the child had been holding something tightly against their chest. When I saw what it was I recoiled and nearly fell over another dead human from my realization.

The child had been clutching a stuffed toy animal, not a side arm as his fellow warriors had believed.

With a grim realization I came to the conclusion that this was not a military bunker or the last vestiges of the human military lurking within the walls of these tunnels. They were human civilians who had been led into the depths of their city in the hopes they could survive the coming battle.

I tried to call off the attack into the lower levels but by then our warriors were lost to the haze of battle. By the end some three hundred human civilians were massacred in that bunker; their bodies sealed within a rocky tomb when we detonated charges to collapse the bunker complex.

That is why I hate being called a hero for that awful battle.  I am a pretender, a charlatan, a fraud; held up to justify the deaths on both sides as if a statue of me will someone make us forget what we had done.

The real hero of reservoir died by my hand, giving their life to defend the defenseless.

[technosigils]

building an opensource collection of 'net services

hi there! im mia :) im a computer nerd with too much time on her hands.

im making this post to bring a project of mine into the world; a fully opensource and collaborative collection of online tools. this will grow over time, but for now, there is one thing active and two planned. (read on below)

CalicoDrive

a nextcloud instance! currently offering a bunch of very useful things:

50GB of free cloud storage

a Markdown notetaking tool

a shareable, open calendar

a photo gallery

web bookmark storage, and

some organisation and collaboration tools.

many of the cloud storage services we rely on are corporate, and require exorbitantly priced subscriptions. alongside that, data on them is often subject to a huge array of impenetrable terms/conditions.

what makes this different? firstly, your data is controlled by you. it is entirely encrypted on disk and can only be decrypted with your selected password. you own the data the same way you would were it on an external hard drive or flashstick.

secondly- its free! while you can pay 20$ once off or 5$ a month to upgrade storage quota and support the project, the core of it is entirely and utterly free to use.

matrix.calicocore

(full disclaimer- this service isn't online yet. it's planned to be active within the next month at the very maximum, very likely sooner.)

what's matrix? i am absolutely sure you've heard of IRC- internet relay chat. im also sure you've heard of discord.

matrix is a modern federated chat protocol- if you took the best of IRC, and you took the best of Discord, and combined them into an opensource and *free* protocol for real-time messaging? that's matrix, baby!

matrix functions similarly to the fediverse (more on that later). when you sign up, you select a homeserver, which is the infrastructure your account is hosted on. your homeserver determines who you're federated with, your most easily accessible spaces, and the little tag at the end of your name.

so what's matrix.calicocore going to be? a homeserver! the idea here is to bring communication and community into our hands, and away from the hands of big tech corporations who really don't care about us. it'll be federated with other spaces and servers, and run collectively.

fedi.calicocore

if you've ever used mastodon, fedi.calicocore will be a server compatible with it. this is still in the very very early stages as a project, so i cant detail much, but stay tuned.

things to note, disclaimers, etc

this project is in its early days. i cant guarantee perfect stability, though it has been tested and run for a few days already. please don't expect a perfect replacement for existing services YET.

secondly, in regards to calicodrive; your data is fully encrypted in two ways, both within the nextcloud instance and on the physical spinning rust. this means if you majorly forget your password, there's a possibility of losing it- but that trade-off is worth it for the security.

this all sounds great! how can i sign up?

for now, this is the link to the nextcloud:

https://drive.calicocore.space

in the very near future, there'll be a central discussion space on the matrix, too, which you're encouraged to introduce yourself on!

lastly:

who is this for?

these services and tools are made by a disabled trans woman. they will prioritise people vulnerable on the current internet, and focus on building a safe space for trans, non-binary, and queer people; as well as disabled people and people of colour.

you can sign up if you are not one of these, however you will be expected to defer to the marginalised members and be generally respectful of the purpose of the space!

[countzeroor]

I've been thinking long and hard about the BDS Microsoft Boycott call. The request focused on Microsoft Games, on the basis that, in theory, that's the easiest part of the Microsoft financial ecosystem for people to disconnect from in order to send a message. This includes pushing people (including parents) to uninstall and get their kids to stop playing Minecraft.

First off, the way the game industry is now, unfortunately, is that game developers or even full divisions of larger companies that underperform - or even just indy developers who self publish and underperform, just get shut down and everyone gets fired. Even if we boycott South of Midnight as part of the BDS movement and clearly communicate that message, what's more likely to happen is the company would be shut down, everyone would be fired, and a bunch of alt-right chuds would ignore the BDS boycott and call this a triumph of "Get Woke, Go Broke". They might even try to co-opt the movement as a half alliance of convenience, half desire to redirect the movement for antisemitic ends, with no actual interest in the plight of the Palestinian people.

There was an opportunity here to point people towards alternatives outside of either abandoning the software entirely, or alternative programs people who want to boycott can use to abandon something that they didn't think they could.

First, and this feels weird to say, Minecraft is something that doesn't have a lot of alternative replacements - it's a sandbox that allows children to indulge their imagination to create large scale ambitious projects that can't be replicated the same way as, for example, Lego, because they take no space in the real world, and thus you have no real world storage concerns, both in terms of space and in terms of risk of damage. The alternative to Minecraft isn't Palworld or Ark Survival Evolved. It's Roblox. And Roblox is also a bunch of dark patterns and sexual predators stacked on top of each other in a trenchcoat.

https://youtu.be/cGAXGroHZKA?si=SNfL_seTHlLTzLh4

https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2024-roblox-pedophile-problem/

Now, on the other hand, Microsoft will happily charge you money to host a Minecraft server through them, and that puts money in the Azure division, the part that is directly aiding and abetting Israeli war crimes. But you don't have to go through Microsoft. You can run your own Minecraft server. Microsoft even tells you how to do it.

https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/360058525452-How-to-Setup-a-Minecraft-Java-Edition-Server

So, cancel your Minecraft Worlds subscription, and roll your own server. You can even set it up so it stays in your network, so your kid's friends have to come over to use it (or so it stays in the family).

Next up - Microsoft pushes OneDrive hard as part of Windows 11. They also pushed it hard on Windows 10. They insist that it's the best and biggest way, and easiest way to backup your data. It's not. There are myriad alternatives, from Google Drive, to Dropbox, to the Apple iCloud (if you use iOS devices). And, OneDrive uses Azure Cloud services to host your data

So, disable OneDrive, and go somewhere else. I've listed several alternatives above, but if you're okay with the backup being on site, you can also build a NAS (Network Attached Storage) server to store files locally. This does have the disadvantage that if something damages your house, your kinda in trouble, though using something like Backblaze on the NAS can make up for that.

Then there's the whole Microsoft 365 suite. Azure is connected to the Microsoft Office part of the business, and they've been incorporating some of those services, like Copilot, into Microsoft 365. So, again, there are alternatives.

LibreOffice has been around for years, is free, and runs locally with no cloud hooks. You can replace Outlook with Thunderbird, or the BetterBird fork.

Finally, there are the hooks to Copilot, which also runs on Azure, which Microsoft runs in the operating system. Turn that shit off.

https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/software/how-disable-copilot-in-windows-11

Also, turn off the Bing websearch hooks as well, as those also connect to Azure.

https://www.howtogeek.com/826967/how-to-disable-bing-in-the-windows-11-start-menu/

Also, if you use DuckDuckGo, that links with Bing for part of their search results, so you may want to switch back to Google or find another search engine in the interim.

[wphostzone]

What is Web Hosting? Discover Types, Key Factors, & 2024’s 12 Best Web Hosting Platforms.

Web hosting—the physical presence of your website on the internet—is essential for your online business. Without dependable web hosting, you jeopardize your capacity to run your business and meet your consumers’ expectations.

Understanding web hosting and how it works can be difficult, particularly for people who are unfamiliar with the notion. This article will clearly describe web hosting, explain the many types of web hosting plans available, and outline the essential factors to consider when selecting a hosting company.

What is web hosting?

Web hosting uses internet-facing hardware and software to provide web services to end users. It is where your website and services are stored, processed, and delivered.

At its most fundamental, web hosting consists of secure internet interfaces and communications, computer server hardware and storage, web server software, and content (text, pictures, audio/video).

However, most web hosting solutions also include database servers, content management systems, e-commerce tools, security and authentication, and other applications required for websites to function and remain secure.

The web hosting sector is critical and is expected to increase by more than 20% year between 2024 and 2028.

How much does web hosting cost?

Hosting charges vary, typically based on capabilities. You may pay $10 per month for a simple billboard-style website to market your business online, or much more if you run a successful e-commerce store with thousands of clients.

To successfully select web hosting that works for you, you simply need to understand your goals and how to translate them into hosting requirements.

Types of Web Hosting

Shared hosting.

Dedicated Hosting

VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting

Cloud hosting

Continue Reading The Blog Post Click Here...

[centizen]

Cloud Squatting: Understanding and Mitigating a Modern Cyber Threat

Cloud computing is central to both business and personal data storage. A critical and emerging threat is cloud squatting.This phenomenon, a digital variant of the notorious domain squatting, involves the unauthorized occupation of cloud resources. It poses significant risks, making it a crucial concern for everyone, from casual cloud users to IT professionals and business owners.

Understanding cloud squatting

Cloud squatting is the practice of occupying cloud resources, such as storage accounts, domain names, or service identifiers, often for exploitative purposes. This could range from reselling these resources for profit to hosting harmful content or phishing scams. Cloud squatting not only mirrors traditional domain squatting but also extends to trafficking cloud resources like cloud computing instances or web applications, typically for malicious intentions.

The risks involved

Cloud squatting presents various risks:

Data theft: Unauthorized instances can store or transmit stolen data.

Security breaches: They can act as platforms for attacks on other systems.

Reputation damage: Companies suffer if their services are impersonated.

Legal and financial repercussions: In cases of brand damage and loss of customer trust.

For example, an attacker might use a service resembling a legitimate one, deceiving users into sharing sensitive information, leading to data breaches and tarnished reputations.

Mitigation strategies

Effective mitigation of cloud squatting involves a multi-faceted approach:

Proactive registration: Secure variations of your business’s cloud resource names.

Regular audits: Ensure all cloud services are legitimate.

Monitoring and alert systems: Detect unauthorized or misleading registrations.

Employee training: Educate about risks and the identification of suspicious services.

Legal protections: Utilize trademarks and enforce anti-squatting policies.

Security tools and best practices: Use AI-driven solutions and update security measures regularly.

Stakeholder education: Inform teams and customers about these risks.

Rapid response plan: Have a plan to address incidents swiftly.

Collaboration with cloud providers: Utilize their anti-squatting policies.

Reserved IP addresses: Transfer owned IPs to the cloud and manage records.

Policy enforcement: Prevent hard coding of IP addresses and use reserved IPv6 addresses.

The future of cloud security

As cloud technologies evolve, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. This makes proactive security measures and constant vigilance essential. Emerging technologies, like AI-driven security solutions, will play a crucial role in combating these threats.

Cloud squatting is a modern cyber threat that demands awareness, understanding, and proactive action. Implementing robust security strategies and staying informed about the latest trends in cloud security can significantly protect valuable digital assets. By addressing the risks and employing comprehensive mitigation strategies, individuals and businesses can safeguard their presence and integrity in the cloud.

Centizen, your trusted partner in cloud consulting and staffing provides unparalleled expertise and solutions to guard against threats like cloud squatting, ensuring the security and efficiency of your digital infrastructure.

[10-best]

10 Best Web Hosting in Karachi

The right choice of web hosting can make all the difference when it comes to hosting a website. Whether you’re starting a small blog or launching a large online store, you need a fast, reliable, and secure hosting provider. Karachi, the bustling business hub of Pakistan, has many hosting providers to choose from.

List of Top Karachi's Hosting

In this guide, we’ll look at the 10 best web hosting in Karachi to help you make an informed decision.

1. QW Hosting

QW Hosting is a standout choice for web hosting in Karachi. Known for its reliability and excellent customer support, QW Hosting provides shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers. They focus on fast performance, security, and ease of use. If you are looking for a hosting provider that offers great uptime, excellent speed, and 24/7 support, QW Hosting is the one to go for.

Their hosting plans are affordable, and they offer a user-friendly control panel, making it easy for beginners to get started. Whether you need hosting for a personal blog or a business website, QW Hosting can meet your needs with its high-quality services.

2. HosterPK

HosterPK is one of the most popular hosting providers in Karachi. They offer a variety of hosting options, including shared hosting, cloud hosting, and dedicated servers. Their services are well-suited for both beginners and advanced users. One of the standout features of HosterPK is its focus on providing local server locations, ensuring fast loading speeds for Pakistani users.

The customer support team is responsive and ready to help at any time, which is a big plus for people new to web hosting. HosterPK also offers affordable pricing with flexible plans, so you can find something that fits your budget.

3. HostBreak

Another top contender in Karachi’s web hosting scene is HostBreak. They offer shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting solutions. HostBreak is known for its fast server speeds and great customer support. Their servers are optimized for WordPress, which makes them a good choice for those looking to run a WordPress website.

What sets HostBreak apart is its reliability. The uptime is excellent, which means your website is less likely to face downtime. They also provide free SSL certificates, which are essential for securing your site and building trust with your visitors.

4. WebSouls

If you’re looking for affordable yet reliable hosting in Karachi, WebSouls could be a great option. They offer shared hosting, cloud hosting, and VPS hosting, all with high uptime and excellent customer support. WebSouls focuses on providing an easy-to-use experience for beginners. Their hosting plans come with many useful features, such as free backups, unlimited bandwidth, and free domain registration.

WebSouls also stands out for its transparent pricing, so there are no hidden costs. This makes it a great option for those on a budget who want solid web hosting.

5. SiteGround

Although SiteGround is an international hosting provider, it has a strong presence in Karachi and Pakistan. Known for its excellent customer service and high-speed servers, SiteGround offers shared hosting, cloud hosting, and dedicated hosting. The user interface is simple and easy to use, making it a good choice for both beginners and experts.

SiteGround offers 24/7 customer support and is praised for its fast response times. Their servers are optimized for various content management systems, including WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.

6. BlueHost

BlueHost is another global brand with a strong presence in Karachi. They offer a variety of hosting plans, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers. BlueHost is especially known for its integration with WordPress, making it a popular choice for bloggers and website owners.

The hosting plans come with free SSL certificates, domain names, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you peace of mind if you're unsure. BlueHost offers a user-friendly control panel and excellent customer service, which is available 24/7.

7. PakHost

As a local hosting provider in Karachi, PakHost offers a range of affordable web hosting options. Whether you need shared hosting, VPS hosting, or a dedicated server, PakHost has plans to suit your needs. Their hosting services come with a solid uptime guarantee, ensuring that your website is always accessible.

PakHost offers a cPanel-based control panel, making it easy to manage your hosting account. Their customer support is reliable, and they offer 24/7 assistance for any issues that may arise.

8. InMotion Hosting

Although InMotion Hosting is not based in Karachi, it is still one of the top choices for many Pakistani website owners. Known for its fast and reliable hosting services, InMotion Hosting offers a range of plans, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers.

InMotion Hosting provides excellent customer service, with a team that is ready to help whenever needed. Their servers are optimized for speed, ensuring fast page load times for your visitors. The company also offers a 90-day money-back guarantee, which is a great option if you’re not satisfied with their service.

9. A2 Hosting

Another international provider that is popular in Karachi is A2 Hosting. They are known for their speed, offering ultra-fast page load times, which is crucial for website performance. A2 Hosting offers shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers. They provide free SSL certificates, unlimited storage, and free website migration.

One of the best features of A2 Hosting is its Turbo plans, which give your website an extra performance boost. This is ideal for sites that require higher speed and resources.

10. GoDaddy

GoDaddy is a well-known name in the hosting industry and is widely used in Karachi. Although its hosting plans can be a bit pricier compared to local providers, GoDaddy offers solid customer support, high uptime, and fast loading speeds.

They offer a range of hosting options, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers. GoDaddy is a good option for businesses that need reliable, secure, and feature-rich hosting.

Conclusion

Choosing the right web hosting provider is essential for the success of your website. Whether you are just starting or have an established business, the hosting provider you choose can make a big difference in terms of website performance, security, and customer experience.

The 10 best web hosting in Karachi listed above offer a wide range of services to suit different needs and budgets. From local providers like QW Hosting, HosterPK, and HostBreak to global providers like SiteGround and BlueHost, there are plenty of options to choose from.

When making your decision, consider your website's specific needs, such as the type of site you’re running, your budget, and the level of support you require. Happy hosting!

[saasboosterhub]

Unbeatable Value: Why Hostinger is the Best Choice for Affordable Web Hosting

Did you know Hostinger now offers a Biggest ever Black Friday sale Up to 85% off hosting + website builder + Extra Flat 20% discounts on all hosting plans? This amazing deal shows Hostinger's strong commitment to quality and value. They want to help everyone, from small businesses to website dreamers, without costing too much.

Key Takeaways

Hostinger offers an unbeatable Extra Flat 20% discount on all hosting plans

Hostinger is a top-rated web hosting provider known for its affordable yet reliable services

Hostinger's hosting plans cater to a wide range of users, from small businesses to large enterprises

Hostinger's commitment to quality and performance ensures a seamless online experience

Hostinger's user-friendly interface and extensive features make website management a breeze

Understanding Hostinger's Web Hosting Services

Hostinger has many website hosting plans for businesses and people. They offer budget-friendly hosting and WordPress optimized hosting too.

Shared Hosting Solutions

Hostinger's shared hosting is great for beginners or small sites. It's budget-friendly with weekly backups, free SSL, and 24/7 support.

Cloud Hosting Options

Hostinger's cloud hosting is scalable and strong. It has instant resources, automatic backups, and top security. It's perfect for growing businesses.

WordPress Specialized Hosting

Hostinger has WordPress optimized hosting for WordPress users. It comes with WordPress pre-installed, automatic updates, and server tweaks for smooth running.

Hostinger has many website hosting plans for all needs. They focus on being affordable, fast, and reliable. They aim to make customers happy and keep improving.

Why Hostinger is the Best Choice for Affordable Web Hosting

Biggest ever Black Friday sale

Up to 85% off hosting + website builder + Extra Flat 20% discounts

Hostinger is great for reliable hosting that's easy on your wallet. It offers fast web hosting at a good price. This makes it a favorite for both businesses and individuals.

Hostinger is known for its affordable prices without losing quality. It uses the latest tech and efficient systems. This means you get lots of features for a low cost.

But it's not just about the price. Hostinger focuses on speed and has a big network of data centers. Your site will load fast and work well everywhere. This makes your site better for visitors and helps your business grow.

"Hostinger's reliable hosting and lightning-fast speeds have been a game-changer for my business. It's the perfect balance of affordability and top-notch performance."

Hostinger also has an easy-to-use interface and lots of tools. You can easily set up your site with one-click installers and website builders. This makes it simple for anyone to start their online presence.

Hostinger is good for anyone, from small businesses to big companies. Its cheap web hosting offers great value. It's the best choice for affordable web hosting without losing quality.

Cutting-Edge Performance and Speed Features

At Hostinger, we know fast web hosting is key for a great user experience. We've got top-notch features to make your websites super fast. Our LiteSpeed web servers, global data centers, and caching solutions make sure your fast web hosting needs are met.

LiteSpeed Web Servers

Our web hosting uses LiteSpeed web servers. They're super efficient and handle lots of traffic well. Your websites will load fast, giving your visitors a smooth and secure hosting services experience.

Global Data Center Network

Our data centers are all over the world. This means your websites are close to your visitors. You get faster load times and a better user experience, no matter where they are.

Built-in Caching Solutions

Our web hosting plans have advanced caching solutions that boost your website's speed.

LiteSpeed Cache and Redis Cache reduce server load and page load times. Your visitors will have a smooth experience.

These caching solutions work in the background. They make sure your website is always fast, without you having to do anything.

With Hostinger's top performance and speed features, your websites will load super fast. This will make your online presence shine and give your visitors a great experience.

Security and Reliability Measures

At Hostinger, we know how important it is to keep your website safe and running well. That's why we have many security features and ways to keep your site up and running. This helps your business grow and succeed online.

Robust DDoS Protection

Our hosting services have strong DDoS protection. This keeps your website safe from bad attacks that could stop it from working. Our system watches for and blocks bad traffic, so your site stays open and your customers happy.

Secure SSL Certificates

All our plans include free SSL certificates. This means your website's data and talks are safe from others seeing them. It's key for making your visitors trust you and keeping their private info safe.

Reliable Data Backup and Restoration

Hostinger backs up your website data often, so you're safe if something goes wrong or data gets lost.

With just one click, you can bring back your website to a time before problems started. This cuts down on lost time and keeps your business running smoothly.

Uptime Guarantee

We're proud of how reliable our hosting is, which is why we promise 99.9% uptime. This means your website will be open for your customers all the time. You can focus on making your online business bigger without worrying about it going down.

At Hostinger, we're all about giving you safe and reliable hosting. Our strong security and dependable setup mean your website is in great hands. This lets you focus on making your online business a success.

User-Friendly Interface and Website Management Tools

At Hostinger, we know web hosting can be hard for some. Especially for those new to the web. That's why we made our control panel and website management tools easy to use. Now, anyone can create and manage their website easily.

hPanel Control Panel Overview

Our hPanel is a dashboard that lets you control your web hosting. It's easy to use and navigate. You can manage your domains, websites, and emails all in one place.

Whether you're a pro or new to websites, hPanel makes it easy. It helps you work smoothly and efficiently.

One-Click Installers

Hostinger's one-click installers make it easy to set up CMS like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.

With just a few clicks, you can start your WordPress-optimized hosting and bring your ideas to life.

No need for technical skills. Our tools do the hard work, so you can focus on your website.

Website Builder Integration

For those who like a guided website creation, Hostinger has a website builder. It lets you make professional-looking websites without coding. You can build a blog, store, or corporate site easily and enjoyably.

Feature

Benefit

User-friendly control panel

Streamlined website management and easy access to all your hosting tools

One-click installers

Quickly set up popular CMSs like WordPress with no technical expertise required

Integrated website builder

Design professional-looking websites using a drag-and-drop interface

At Hostinger, we want to help our customers succeed online. Our easy-to-use interface and website management tools make hosting smooth, no matter your skill level. Start your online journey with Hostinger today.

Pricing Plans and Special Offers

Hostinger is a top choice for cheap web hosting and budget-friendly hosting. They offer many website hosting plans to fit different needs.

Now, Hostinger has a Biggest ever Black Friday sale

Up to 85% off hosting + website builder + Extra Flat 20% discounts

on all plans. This makes their prices even better for those looking for cheap web hosting.

Shared Hosting Plans

Hostinger's shared hosting starts at $0.99 per month. It's ideal for small businesses and individuals. You get a free domain, SSL, and lots of storage and bandwidth.

Cloud Hosting Solutions

For more power, Hostinger's cloud hosting is great. Prices range from $3.99 to $15.99 per month. It's perfect for growing businesses and big websites.

WordPress Specialized Hosting

Hostinger has special plans for WordPress users. Starting at $1.99 per month, they're optimized for WordPress. This means your WordPress site will run smoothly.

Hostinger has many website hosting plans for all budgets. With the

Extra Flat 20% discounts , it's a great choice for affordable web hosting.

Conclusion

Hostinger is the top pick for affordable web hosting. It offers fast performance and strong security. Plus, it's easy to use.

Hostinger has many hosting options. You can choose from shared, cloud, or WordPress hosting. It also has 24/7 support and special deals.

Hostinger is dedicated to giving you the best web hosting experience. Choose Hostinger for a great start online. You'll be in good hands.

FAQ

What makes Hostinger the best choice for affordable web hosting?

Hostinger offers great hosting at low prices. It's perfect for those who want reliable and cheap web hosting. Their value, performance, and easy-to-use interface make Hostinger a top pick.

What types of hosting services does Hostinger offer?

Hostinger has many hosting services. You can choose from shared hosting, cloud hosting, or WordPress hosting. Each type meets different needs, so you're sure to find what you need.

How does Hostinger ensure fast and reliable performance?

Hostinger uses fast web servers and a global network. They also have caching solutions. These features make your website load quickly and perform well.

What security and reliability measures does Hostinger have in place?

Hostinger focuses on security and reliability. They have DDoS protection, SSL certificates, and backups. They also guarantee your website will be up and running.

How user-friendly is Hostinger's hosting platform?

Hostinger's platform is easy to use. It has a simple control panel and one-click installers. It's great for anyone to manage and grow their website.

What are Hostinger's pricing plans and special offers?

Hostinger has plans for every budget. They offer shared, cloud, and WordPress hosting. They also have special deals, like a 20% discount now.

Does Hostinger provide 24/7 customer support?

Yes, Hostinger's support team is available all the time. They can help with setup, problems, or account management. Their experts are ready to assist you.

[michelpaul]

Why Troop Messenger is the Best Alternative to Discord

In today’s fast-paced world, effective communication and collaboration are essential for teams to succeed. While Discord has gained popularity for casual and gaming communities, many businesses and organizations need a more secure and feature-rich platform. Troop Messenger is the ultimate solution for those looking for a powerful and secure Discord alternatives. Here’s why Troop Messenger stands out as one of the best alternatives to Discord.

Unparalleled Security

One of Troop Messenger’s key strengths is its commitment to security. Unlike Discord, which primarily caters to casual users, Troop Messenger offers enterprise-grade security features like end-to-end encryption, data retention policies, and role-based access control. These ensure that your business communication remains private and protected from unauthorized access.

Versatile Deployment Options

Troop Messenger provides flexibility with its multiple deployment options. Businesses can choose between SaaS (cloud-based), on-premise, or self-hosted setups, unlike Discord, which is solely cloud-based. This flexibility ensures that organizations in sensitive sectors like defense, government, and BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) can maintain full control over their data.

Rich Collaboration Features

Troop Messenger offers a comprehensive suite of collaboration tools that outshine Discord. Features include:

One-on-One and Group Messaging: Send instant messages to individuals or groups with ease.

Audio and Video Calls: Conduct high-quality calls for effective remote communication.

Screen Sharing: Share your screen in real time to enhance collaboration.

File Sharing: Send large files securely and without hassle.

Burnout Chat: A unique feature for self-destructing messages, ensuring sensitive information remains confidential.

Seamless User Experience

While Discord is user-friendly, it often feels cluttered and overwhelming for professional users. Troop Messenger’s intuitive interface is designed specifically for productivity and efficiency. Its clean layout and customizable features make it ideal for teams of all sizes.

Advanced Integration Capabilities

Troop Messenger integrates effortlessly with a wide range of tools and platforms, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and APIs for custom integrations. This makes it a versatile choice for businesses that rely on multiple tools to streamline their workflows.

Designed for Business Communication

Unlike Discord, which was originally created for gaming communities, Troop Messenger is purpose-built for professional communication. It meets the unique needs of industries such as:

Government Agencies: With its secure on-premise deployment.

BFSI Sector: With robust compliance features and data encryption.

Defense Organizations: Offering secure and private communication channels.

Affordable and Transparent Pricing

Troop Messenger offers competitive and transparent pricing plans that cater to businesses of all sizes. Unlike Discord, which has limitations on premium features, Troop Messenger’s plans include all essential features without hidden costs. The value it provides far outweighs its cost, making it an excellent investment for organizations.

Why Troop Messenger is Better than Discord

If you’re looking for an alternative to Discord, Troop Messenger is the best choice for several reasons:

Enhanced Security: Ideal for businesses that prioritize data privacy.

Professional Features: Tailored for corporate communication, unlike Discord’s gaming-focused features.

Flexible Deployment: Options for SaaS, on-premise, and self-hosted setups.

Scalable: Suitable for teams and organizations of all sizes.

Industry-Specific Use Cases: Perfect for government, defense, NGOs, and private sectors.

Conclusion

While Discord is a popular platform for casual communication, Troop Messenger goes above and beyond to meet the needs of businesses and organizations. Its robust security, advanced features, and professional focus make it the ultimate Discord alternative for teams seeking a secure and reliable collaboration tool. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, Troop Messenger can transform how your team communicates and collaborates, ensuring productivity and success.

If you’re ready to elevate your team’s communication, make the switch to Troop Messenger today!

[nexustechnoware]

Why AWS is the Best Cloud Hosting Partner for Your Organization – Proven Benefits and Features

More entrepreneurs like e-store owners prefer Amazon Web Services (AWS) for cloud hosting services this year. This article will single out countless reasons to consider this partner for efficient AWS hosting today.

5 Enticing Features of AWS that Make It Perfect for You

The following are the main characteristics of Amazon Web Services (AWS) in 2024.

Scalable

The beauty of AWS is that a client can raise or lower their computing capability based on business demands.

Highly Secure

Secondly, AWS implements countless security measures to ensure the safety of a client’s data. For example, AWS complies with all the set data safety standards to avoid getting lawsuits from disgruntled clients.

Amazon secures all its data centers to ensure no criminal can access them for a nefarious purpose.

Free Calculator

Interestingly, AWS proffers this tool to help new clients get an estimate of the total hosting cost based on their business needs. The business owner only needs to indicate their location, interested services, and their zone.

Pay-As-You-Go Pricing Option

New clients prefer this company for AWS hosting services because this option lets them pay based on the resources they add to this platform.

User-Friendly

AWS is the best hosting platform because it has a user-oriented interface. For example, the provider has multiple navigation links plus instructional videos to enable the clients to use this platform.

Clients can edit updated data whenever they choose or add new company data to their accounts.

Unexpected Advantages of Seeking AWS Hosting Services

Below are the scientific merits of relying on Amazon Web Services (AWS) for web design and cloud computing services.

Relatively Fair Pricing Models

Firstly, the AWS hosting service provider offers well-thought-out pricing options to ensure the client only pays for the resources they utilize. For example, you can get a monthly option if you have many long-term projects.

Limitless Server Capacity

AWS offers a reasonable hosting capacity to each client to enable them to store as much company data as possible. Therefore, this cloud hosting partner ensures that employees can access crucial files to complete activities conveniently.

Upholds Confidentiality

AWS has at least twelve (12) data centers in different parts of the world. Further, this provider’s system is relatively robust and secure to safeguard sensitive clients’ data 24/7.

High-Performance Computing

Unlike other cloud hosting sites, AWS can process meta-data within seconds, enabling employees to meet their daily goals.

Highly Reliable

Unknown to some, over 1M clients in various countries rely on AWS for web development or hosting services. Additionally, AWS is available in over 200 countries spread across different continents.

Finally, AWS’s technical team spares no effort to implement new technologies to safeguard their clients’ data and woo new ones.

Summary

In closing, the beauty of considering this partner for AWS hosting is that it has a simple layout-hence ideal for everyone, including non-techies. Additionally, the fact that this partner is elastic ensures that this system can shrink or expand based on the files you add.

At its core, AWS offers various cloud services, such as storage options, computing power, and networking through advanced technology. NTSPL Hosting offers various features on AWS hosting aimed at improving the scalability of cloud infrastructure for less downtimes. Some of the services NTSPL Hosting offers include pioneering server administration, version control, and system patching. Given that it offers round the clock customer service; it is a good option for those looking for a solid AWS hosting solution.

Source: NTSPL Hosting

[venadad]

Transform Your Cloud Experience with Vultr

Vultr is revolutionizing the way businesses approach cloud hosting with its high-performance infrastructure and user-friendly interface. Designed for developers and enterprises alike, Vultr offers a range of services, including Cloud Compute, Block Storage, and Bare Metal servers, all backed by SSD technology to ensure lightning-fast performance.With a commitment to 100% uptime and a global network of data centers, Vultr ensures that your applications run smoothly no matter where your users are located. Its flexible pricing model allows you to pay only for what you use, making it an economical choice for startups and established businesses alike.Whether you need to deploy a simple website or manage complex applications, Vultr provides the tools and resources you need to succeed in the cloud.Ready to elevate your cloud hosting experience? Discover how Vultr can meet your needs today!

[sonukumargami1]

How to Choose Web Hosting? Get 10% Off on Hostinger!

In today's digital world, if you want to start your website or bring your business online, choosing a good web hosting provider is extremely important. Getting hosting from a reliable platform like Hostinger can be the best option for you. Along with this, now you can also get 10% off by using the code CDHOSTINGER.

What is web hosting and why is it important?

Web hosting is a service that makes your website available on the Internet. It stores your website files on a server, so that anyone can access it. Choosing the right hosting platform is important as it affects the speed, security, and performance of your website.

Why Choose Hostinger?

Hostinger is a popular and trusted web hosting provider. It offers affordable and feature-rich packages for new users. Some of its key benefits are given below:

1. Highly Affordable Plans

Hostinger plans are very affordable compared to other platforms, and you can make it even cheaper by availing a 10% discount.

2. Fast Servers

Hosting er’s servers improve loading speeds, making your website load faster.

3. Excellent Customer Support

Hostinger offers 24/7 live chat support so that any of your issues can be resolved immediately.

4. Free Domain and SSL Certificate

Many of Hostinger’s plans include a free domain and SSL certificate, which increase the security and reliability of your website.

5. Simple and User-Friendly Interface

Hostinger’s control panel is easy to use, making it quite simple to create and manage a website.

How to avail of Hostinger plans and discounts?

1. Visit Hostinger’s website.

2. Choose a hosting plan as per your requirements.

3. Enter the code CDHOSTINGER on the checkout page and get an instant 10% discount.

How to choose the right Hostinger plan?

For beginner users: If you are starting a website for the first time, Hostinger's shared hosting is perfect.

For large businesses: Choose VPS or Cloud hosting.

For e-commerce websites: WooCommerce hosting is the best fit.

Conclusion

Hostinger is a reliable, affordable, and user-friendly hosting platform. With it, starting your website will not only become easy but also affordable by getting 10% off using the code CDHOSTINGER.

Start your online journey and move toward success with Hostinger! Buy Now!