#Cloud-Native Ecosystems

[i4technolab]

Java is an established programming language and an ecosystem that has dominated the software business for many years. According to TIOBE index rankings, Java was the #1 popular programming language in 2020 and the fourth best currently for bespoke software development.

The key factor for its intensive popularity is its security, which is why it is extensively used in a broad range of disciplines such as Big data processing, AI application development, Android app development, Core Java software development, and many more. It provides a large set of tools and libraries, as well as cross-platform interoperability, allowing customers to build applications of their choice.

[tardisblueten]

Desperate To Cool Off

[Tenth Doctor x Reader smut]

Content warning: SMUT (18+ ONLY), sex pollen, (slight) breeding kink! fem reader, riding, creampie, kinddd of subby/whiney/desperate doctor.

Summary: The Doctor and his companion accidentally get a hold of an aphrodisiac pollen on an alien planet.

Notes: This is my first time writing any kind of creative fiction really since MIDDLE SCHOOL... so please bare with me and let me know what you think! <3

The day started off typical. Well, typical for the Doctor and his companion. The Tardis had just abruptly landed in the middle of an exotic rainforest on an alien planet. The two of you stepped out of the Tardis and took in the breathtaking scenery. Beautiful alien trees and colorful vegetation surrounded you in every direction. Foreign bird-like, and insect-like creatures chirped and buzzed loudly. The forest floor was coated with twisting bright green vines that were dampened from the last rainfall. You wasted no time running off to explore, your face beaming with excitement. The Doctor smiled fondly at how cute you are when you’re excited.

You spent the adventure gawking at the outlandish plants. “Oh that’s an Arthropodemorus.” The Doctor informed you as you leaned in to get a closer look at the bizarre plant with teeth. “It kind of reminds me of a-” “Venus fly trap?” The Doctor cut you off, smugly grinning with his hands in his pockets. You glared at him and playfully rolled your eyes, “Yes.” Sometimes the know-it-all attitude of the Doctor annoyed you, but it definitely didn’t make you love him any less. “Distant cousins! They eat the pesky insects native to this planet. Helps keep them from over-populating the ecosystem.” He smiled.

“Oooh what about this one?” You were mesmerized by a beautifully weird looking flower, about the size of your head, just to the left of you. You crouched down to its level and the Doctor leaned over you to inspect the large plant. It had gorgeous thin spiky petals that faded from white to a deep purple. The middle part of the flower was an ominous dark red with a giant green stigma and stamens erecting from it. “Oh dear…” The Doctor nervously murmured. “Isn’t this just beautiful…” You whispered, inching in even closer to admire it. “Y/N… If I’m not mistaken, that’s a very dangerous plant-” The Doctor urgently tugged on your elbow, trying to get you to stand up. “I think it’s best if we took a step back just for safety precautions because-” 

Before you could even fully process the Doctor’s rambling, the flower suddenly puckered and viciously spat out an enormous thick cloud of yellow dust. It hit you right in the face causing you to jolt back and fall onto the ground. The Doctor stumbled back, nearly falling over himself as the cloud infiltrated his nostrils too. The both of you were stunned, coughing and choking on the cloud of gold pollen that slowly wafted throughout the surrounding area. “Y/N…” The Doctor gasped out between wheezy coughs. He fanned the air with one hand and helped you up to your wobbling feet with his other as you both struggled to breathe. The Doctor led the two of you back to the safety of the Tardis in a hurry, running as fast as both of your wobbly legs could carry you, nearly tripping on the exotic vines and roots of the forest floor. 

The Doctor slammed the Tardis door behind him. He leaned against it in distress as he hacked more. You ran towards the console and let your weak body crash to the floor. You both heaved for a few moments, desperately trying to catch your breath and finally breathe in some clean air. You looked up at the Doctor who was across the room. He was limply sitting on the floor, back leaning against the Tardis door, limbs sprawled out pathetically, chest heaving exhaustedly, face glistening with sweat and flushed bright pink, tickled with a few remaining particles of the golden irritant. His hair was more wild than usual, a few tendrils in the front clung to his face from the sweat. He looked so… good… That was all you could think as you weakly laid there and looked up at the man through your damp eyelashes. 

Your pink cheeks felt like they were on fire. There was an all consuming heat that burned you inside out. You felt beyond intoxicated. Your clothes clung to your sticky, sweaty body. All you wanted to do was rip your clothes off, to get some kind of relief from this dreadful heat. “Doctor…” You cried out to him from the floor. He would know how to fix this.  Whatever this was. You tried to stand up, your legs trembled and you almost fell back down on the way up.

“Y/N…” The Time Lord grunted as he shot out his palm to you, gesturing for you to stay away. He started to remove his overcoat and unbutton his dress shirt, desperate to cool off. “Don’t… don’t come any closer.” His voice was tired and hoarse from the violent coughing fit from earlier. “Doctor… please… What do I do?” You cried out helplessly again, slowly stumbling towards him despite his orders. You tugged at your shirt that was sticking to you.

The Doctor tried his best to be a gentleman and avert his gaze to anything else but he just couldn’t. Your shirt was drenched in your sweat, making it nearly completely see through and revealing the neon pink bra you wore. There was a deep ache he felt between his legs. “Doctor please…” You whined again. “I’m so hot.” You crumpled to the ground just a few feet in front of him. 

All the Doctor could do was just stare. But he wanted nothing more than to help you. You were his companion. He cared about you. He hated seeing you in so much distress like this. He needed to help you.

“T-take off your clothes…” He panted. Your head shot up at him and you quickly nodded. You wasted no time in ripping off your wet shirt and discarding it thoughtlessly. If it would rid you of this mind numbing heat, you would do anything he said. You sat up on your knees and hurriedly attempted to undo your jeans. Your shaky hands foolishly fumbled with the button. You gasped as your eyes caught the Doctor’s hands skillfully working on his own buttons of his white undershirt. His hands were so much larger than your own…Your mind started to wander off to the thought of what his fingers would feel like on you. In you. You felt a strong twinge between your thighs. You swiftly yanked down your jeans and the fire that took over your body was finally starting to extinguish just the tiniest bit. You sighed in relief and collapsed onto the Doctor, drunkenly throwing your arms around his bare shoulders. You felt sparks on your damp skin when it made contact with his. It still wasn’t near enough though.

All the Doctor could feel was your bra clad breasts squishing against his flushed jaw, and his trousers tightening. He knew exactly what this was. He knew from the moment he saw the deceitfully beautiful flower. He knew exactly what was happening. He knew exactly how much time you had until all hell broke loose. He knew exactly what the only antidote was. But he couldn’t. He just couldn’t do this to his best friend. It wasn’t professional and it broke all his codes. But the heat between his legs was only growing stronger and stronger. And he knew it was only a matter of time before he wouldn’t be able to control it any longer. 

The man gently pushed you off of him and anxiously but firmly placed his hands on your shoulders. The contact made your shoulders feel like they had just been struck by lightning. “Y/N…” He gulped as he looked into your dilated eyes. “That pollen that we got sprayed with… It was… an aphrodisiac.” His tone was low, a tone you’ve never heard come from him before. A tone that rumbled throughout your skeleton and deep into your core. “Y/N do you understand me?” Your eyes were glazed over, lids heavy. “Doctor…” You whispered, staring at his perfect plush lips. Your eyes traveled down to his exposed torso. His skin looked so soft. There was a faint red patch between his pectorals from the warmth. You wanted so badly to just glide your fingers over it. Kiss it. Taste his salty, sweaty heat on your lips, tongue. “The native race sometimes uses it to help with m-mating rituals…” His voice was urgent, anxious. Just the word ‘mating’ made you pitifully clench on nothing. You felt so empty. You needed so badly to be filled. “The side effects can include dizziness, intense hot flashes and…” You stared up at him, lips parted and eyes dilated with want. No. Need. “Intense sexual desire.” 

Your tits were threatening to burst out of your bra with every heavy breath you heaved. Your chest was glistening with sweat. The Doctor’s eyes traveled down to your panties that had a wet stain soaked through right where your clit would be. His breath caught in his throat at the sight. His throbbing dick was so hard and all he wanted was to be buried deep inside you. Put a baby in you. “Y/N…” He sighed quietly. 

His hot breath was centimeters away from your face. You hastily closed the gap and kissed his lips feverishly. The growing desire between your thighs was taking over you. You needed relief. There was nothing else that occupied your mind other than him. His fingers. His lips. His tongue. His body. His dick. You pushed him down onto his back and straddled his lap, deepening the passionate kiss with your tongue. The Doctor gasped into your mouth and fought back with his own tongue. There was spit pooling at both of your mouths but it only made you kiss him harder. You felt like you would die if you didn’t have him inside you right now. 

Your hands extended down between you and him to quickly take off his slacks and discard them without breaking the animalistic kiss. His large hands reached behind your back to unclasp the hooks of your pink bra. “Need you,” He breathed into your mouth. Your tits sprung out almost cartoonishly after your bra was removed. “Need to make these get even fuller.” He wasted no time grabbing at your boobs and gently tweaking and massaging the nipples, making you moan and writhe. You grabbed at his brown locks, tugging hard which made him jump and whine loudly. It was a pathetic, squeaky sound coming from a man such as him. It only made you wetter. With his slacks off, you could better feel his twitching bulge beneath you. You shifted your hips, grinding his aching erection against your throbbing clit. You sucked at his neck and grinded harder. The both of you moaned loudly. “It's not enough,” He panted, eyes shut tight and hands gripping your hips. You couldn’t agree more. “Fuck, I need you darling.” He growled. 

His hand snaked down between the two of you to push down his briefs and pull out his rigid cock. You didn’t have time to gawk at the size of him because he was already urgently pushing your panties to the side and lining his dick up with your soaked cunt. He teased your clit with the tip and threw his head back at just the mere touch. “Fuck, there’s no time for that.” You panted as you swiftly grabbed his dick and sat on it. You both watched the obscene view of your drenched pussy slowly swallowing his stiff pink cock. You leaned in towards his handsome face as you grabbed the sides of his cheeks, both of you moaning in pleasure. The Doctor’s jaw hung open in a heavenly expression you swore would make you cum right there. Your body tensed up as he finally slid all the way in you. You finally felt so full. 

“Shi-” The Doctor exclaimed as you started bouncing on his dick. “I need you- Fuck- I need you.” He kept chanting over and over underneath you as you desperately rode him. You moaned in ecstasy and threw your head back, screwing your eyes shut, holding his hands tightly on either side of his head as if you were about to collapse if you didn’t hold onto him. “Your pussy-” He gasped. “‘Squeezing me so tight… Fuck- You got me so close already,” He admitted, too intoxicated with the pollen to be embarrassed that he was already nearing the edge. You rode him harder, faster, deeper. His length kissing parts of you so deep you didn’t even know existed. Your heart was banging wildly against your chest. There was only one thought that equally took over both of your minds.

The Doctor gasped harshly and gripped your hips so tight that your eyes shot open at him. “Need to- fuck- fill you up.” He groaned. Your pussy tightened around him at his words and the man grabbed the back of your hair, pushing you down closer to his face. His lower abdomen was rubbing against your clit oh so right with every thrust making you squeak with intense pleasure. “Oh fuck!” He moaned loudly into your mouth as he felt his balls tighten. He held you tightly and lovingly as he frantically bucked his hips into your pussy. The base of his cock was dripping with your abundant amount of slick, sliding against your sensitive clit over and over. You whined as your walls clamped down on his cock. The man couldn’t even form a word, he just let out a loud moan as his thrusts into you got more and more erratic and desperate. Your mind could only focus on the sole thought of milking his cock dry and suddenly you were on the verge of cumming. The Doctor was already dangerously close, but as soon as he felt your body tense up, and your walls pulsing around him, he pushed you closer against him and tightened the grip on your ass. Your orgasm took over your body. Intense waves of ecstasy washing over you making you cry out. The Doctor groaned out. Your cunt spasmed around the man’s cock as he shot large hot ropes of cum deep inside your pussy. His hips finally started sputtering but more cum just kept filling you up. 

You fell limp against his broad chest as you struggled to catch your breath. The time lord’s hips slowly halted to a stop, his moans turning into sensitive whimpers as your pussy still spasmed around his spent cock. You laid on top of him, his cock still inside you, panting heavy. You hugged each other close, and gently stroked each other’s hair.

“I feel better.” You finally said after some time of just recovering and resting on top of him. The fire within the both of you was finally extinguished. The once thick and humid air of the Tardis suddenly felt so much cooler and crisp. The Doctor looked at you adoringly and smiled, “Me too.”

[archaic-stranger]

the environmental science students

understanding how everything is interconnected

analyzing how we impact the world around us

evenings in the lab, analyzing soil and water samples

pressing plant specimens between the pages of your textbooks

dirt marking the creases of your palms

a strong sense of justice

ice cold water from a glacial lake

looking for the past in tree rings and ice cores

science textbooks alongside Walden and Silent Spring

a garden filled with native plants

seeking a more sustainable way to live

long summer afternoons, warm and languid

the faint sound of birdsong, a backdrop for your thoughts

picnics with your friends after a long day of fieldwork

tracking change in an ecosystem over time

studying everything from geology to atmospheric chemistry

helping to shape how environmental policy is written

seeing firsthand how species adapt to changes in their environment

pointing out different types of clouds

a desert after rain, alive with brilliant color

memorizing biogeochemical cycles, the systems that keep us alive

[taydarowletenthusiast]

COTO Realm Info #1: Thickwood

By the name, you can tell that Thickwood is Owlverse's equivalent of COTL's Darkwood. The biggest difference lies in the trees that inhabit this region.

More information below:

Thickwood is known for its humongous trees that reach farther than the clouds. This trees, named by the locals as the Millennium Cedars, are fabled to have been planted by the First Gods during the world's creation, so they are considered sacred. Cutting down these trees is a major violation of the forest and is very much punishable.

There is little to no sunlight on the forest floor, so any trees that grow beneath the shade are extremely stunted in growth. Each Millennium Cedar is big enough to house its own mini ecosystem in its stump, roots, and branches. Some residents even made spacious homes out of some hollowed trees.

(Artist's note: I took a big inspiration from Giant Sequoia trees to create this realm. I liked the idea of a place that highly treasures its native plants, so I thought "...aw, what the heck. Thickwood supports wildlife conservation. Canon."

[respectoughfully]

My home planet in my Star Trek Dr

𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑠, also called 𝑀𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑎 𝑍𝑎𝑚𝑚𝑖 (velisianese 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐺𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠) or 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑆𝑖𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑦, is the planet on which I was born and grew up. It's located on the border in the Beta Quadrant, between the United Federation of Planets and the Romulan Free State, near the Azure Nebula. 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑠 is particularly regarded for it’s natural beauty, abundance of resources, cultural wealth and exquisiteness of it’s arts.

From space the planet appeares as a silvery-blue orb speckled with the green of the mainland, all enveloped in griseous web of thick clouds. It's orbiting the star 𝐸𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑣𝑖𝑘𝑎 𝑉 and have two natural satellites, the twin moons called 𝐾𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑜 and 𝑃𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑠 and one artificial satellite, VNS 14-550 "Leyda", serving as research base for the Velisian Scientific Society.

𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑠 have an oceanic climate, meaning that there are frequent rainfalls and the typical humidity is quite high, high winds appears on the basis too. There are relatively cool summers and mild winters throughout the year, divided by short and wet springs and autumns. The average annual temperatures are typically 13 to 22°C (55 to 72°F). Exceptions to this are the tropical islands close to the equator, where temperatures can reach even above 30°C (86°F). Planet's atmosphere contains almost half as much oxygen as that of the Earth, and it's gravity is one-fifth lower. The sky in a day have a lilac-blue colour, similar to that seen on Earth in the morning, while at night it takes on a deep navy blue hue. The day there lasts 28 hours and a year 420 days.

About 80% of the surface is covered by seas and oceans, the shimmering waves of unique clearness and azure color. They're most beautiful in the full-moons nights, when tiny flecks of silver in it starts to entirely mirror the moonlight. The water is shining brightly under the dark sky. Some say that if you look in the depths for long enought you can see the reflection of your own soul in it.

The land is a huge continent called 𝐷𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑛, the land of fertile black soil on which mainly vines and fiber crops are grown. There are also acres of lush green forests and deep valleys, crossed by rapid rivers and lakes. On the south we have the 𝑀𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑦 𝑀𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠, nine-thousanders in the shadow of which marble is mined. Behind them is a strip of frozen solid sea. It's other shore is the Stone Wall - a gigantic uplift of rock that surrounds the planet's pole like a ring. In turn, the most important deposits of silver, on which the most of velisian economy and industry are based, stretch on the west, so there are many mining towns and also factories there.

The mainland is surrounded by a cluster of islands, called the 𝐻𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒'𝑠 𝐼𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠. They are not very well populated by themselves, but their tropical climate and remarkable historical relics of the origins of our civilisation makes them a popular travel and recreation locations for both natives and travelers from other planets.

The planet's capital and also it's largest city is 𝐴𝑡𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑖, located on high hills in the central part of 𝐷𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑛. It's where the most important state institutions are located, such as the Houses of Parliament and the seat of the Supreme Court. It's also a centre of cultural life, symbolised by 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐾𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑙𝑒𝑑𝑔𝑒, a gigantic library housing the largest collection of information in both physical and digital form in the Quadrant. In it's direct vicinity, towering over the city, is the 𝑅𝑜𝑦𝑎𝑙 𝑃𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒.

But not all cities on the planet were build on the surface. In order to prevent excessive alteration of the ecosystem, some were constructed underground, carved directly out of the rocks and another were build underwater - they are located in air-filled energy bubbles, the surfaces of which are preventing water from getting in. We call both of them 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠. They draw light from the outside through an extensive system of mirrors.

The political system of the planet is a constitutional monarchy (system of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organised government). The current 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 is 𝑇𝑎𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑛 𝑆𝑎𝑏𝑎𝑒 𝑅𝑎𝑔ℎ𝑎𝑟’𝑛𝑜 𝐼𝑉 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑦𝑑𝑎 (my dad <3) and the 𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟 is 𝐴𝑟𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑎 𝑇𝑦𝑎 𝑊𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑟'𝑛𝑎 𝑀𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑒.

The planet is the manufacture of luxury items exported to almost all corners of the known universe. This are objects made of marble and silver like sculptures or jewellery as well as these materials in their raw state, but also beautifully woven fabrics made from natural fibres, exquisite wines and spices and the famous “velisianese white honey” made from the nectar of flowers found only there and known for their medicinal effects.

(all pictures are from Pinterest)

[pokemonbiologyirlthetabletop]

Xurkitree

Xurkitree (#796)

Xurkitree xurkitree

General Information: Xurkitrees play the vital ecological role of producer on their homeworld—this means that they serve the ecological equivalent of plants, in the sense that they convert energy from the abiotic environment into useable biotic energy.

There is no average size for Xurkitrees in their native world, for they are capable of growing eternally until they die of other causes, such as an inability to gather enough energy for itself. In fact, this is a major cause of death in the species: starvation. Some Xurkitrees have been known to reach hundreds of feet tall.

A group of Xurkitrees is called a forest.

Special Ability: Lightning Eater: All electric-type attacks are redirected to Xurkitree and consumed. 1/10 of the damage that would have been taken is instead converted into HP.

Habitat: Xurkitrees are native to the world called Ultra Plant, where they are a foundational keystone species. Their homeworld is a world of endless lightning storms, which they safely absorb and convert into biological energy. The sunlight that does exist is more hypothetical, for much of it is hidden behind dense storm clouds that seldom fade, and the world is dark except for the light produced by the Xurkitrees.

Life Cycles: Xurkitrees are a sexless species only capable of reproducing with its own kind, dittos, and Mews. They reproduce fairly slowly, and the children that they do have are cared for and protected by its parents. There are few predators of a Xurkitree once it reaches a large enough size, though there are some primary consumers who may fancy a bite out of a baby Xurkitree. Of course, there are parasites and commensalistic relationships, too. As the Titans of their world the Xurkitree have little to fear and mostly small annoyances. Their biggest source of competition is from each other, for as an individual gets bigger they require more and more electricity from the environment, which ultimately forces other Xurkitrees to move to better feeding grounds. However, this competition is largely passive, and unlike plants on Earth who are unable to move from where they were sown, the Xurkitree can simply pick themselves up and leave if they are feeling overcrowded.

When a Xurkitree is ready to reproduce, which occurs at the startlingly late age of level 35, they will seek out a mate that they fancy. There is no specific mating ritual for this, but they are known to give pretty rocks to each other and build a nest for their egg(s) with those rocks. And many a couple can be observed dancing in the stormy winds together. They will have about 5-8 eggs together. Half of them will reach reproduction age, and the other half will perish from various natural causes such as disease, heavy parasite loads, or predation. Of the remainder, not all Xurkitree find a mate.

Xurkitrees can live upwards of 200 years in the wild, though most will die of starvation closer to 150 years old. The death of a Xurkitree is like a whalefall in the abyss: a huge ecological event that fuels the entire ecosystem for years to come. Throughout the entire population of Xurkitree, which is well into the hundreds of thousands across their homeworld, one of these 150/200-year-old deaths occurs frequently in a year randomly across the planet.

Behavior: Xurkitree are gentle, curious giants of Ultra Plant. They mean you no harm.

When they want to eat ground electricity for any reason, they will spread their limbs out and anchor themselves into the ground like a tree. Often this is done in groups.

Diet: Xurkitree eat electricity. They absorb it directly from lightning strikes and they can absorb it from the ground, too.

Conservation: Least Concern

Relationship with Humans: Xurkitrees do not live on Earth and have no meaningful relationship with humans. However, astrobiologists find them fascinating, and are one of the safest alien lifeforms to study. In the worlds where Ultra Beasts are known and studied, the Xurkitrees are just as curious about humans as humans are of them.

Classification: Xurkitrees are the namesake species for their entire branch of life, thus simply called Xurkitree xurkitree.

~~~~~~~~

Hey guess what, if you like my stuff, this is my website where you can find other Pokémon I've written on and more information about the game that I’m slowly making! Check it out! I write books sometimes too.

[mariacallous]

Since Russian troops invaded Ukraine more than three years ago, Russian technology companies and executives have been widely sanctioned for supporting the Kremlin. That includes Vladimir Kiriyenko, the son of one of Vladimir Putin’s top aides and the CEO of VK Group, which runs VK, Russia’s Facebook equivalent that has increasingly shifted towards the regime’s repressive positioning.

Now cybersecurity researchers are warning that a widely used piece of open source code—which is linked to Kiriyenko’s company and managed by Russian developers—may pose a “persistent” national security risk to the United States. The open source software (OSS), called easyjson, has been widely used by the US Department of Defense and “extensively” across software used in the finance, technology, and healthcare sectors, say researchers at security company Hunted Labs, which is behind the claims. The fear is that Russia could alter easyjson to steal data or otherwise be abused.

“You have this really critical package that’s basically a linchpin for the cloud native ecosystem, that’s maintained by a group of individuals based in Moscow belonging to an organization that has this suspicious history,” says Hayden Smith, a cofounder at Hunted Labs.

For decades, open source software has underpinned large swathes of the technology industry and the systems people rely on day to day. Open source technology allows anyone to see and modify code, helping to make improvements, detect security vulnerabilities, and apply independent scrutiny that’s absent from the closed tech of corporate giants. However, the fracturing of geopolitical norms and the specter of stealthy supply chain attacks has led to an increase in questions about risk levels of "foreign" code.

Easyjson is a code serialization tool for the Go programming language and is often used across the wider cloud ecosystem, being present in other open source software, according to Hunted Labs. The package is hosted on GitHub by a MailRu account, which is owned by VK after the mail company rebranded itself in 2021. The VK Group itself is not sanctioned. Easyjson has been available on Github since 2016, with most of its updates coming before 2020. Kiriyenko became the CEO of VK Group in December 2021 and was sanctioned in February 2022.

Hunted Labs’ analysis shared with WIRED shows the most active developers on the project in recent years have listed themselves as being based in Moscow. Smith says that Hunted Labs has not identified vulnerabilities in the easyjson code.

However, the link to the sanctioned CEO’s company, plus Russia’s aggressive state-backed cyberattacks, may increase potential risks, Smith says. Research from Hunted Labs details how code serialization tools could be abused by malicious hackers. “A Russian-controlled software package could be used as a ‘sleeper cell’ to cause serious harm to critical US infrastructure or for espionage and weaponized influence campaigns,” it says.

“Nation states take on a strategic positioning,” says George Barnes, a former deputy director at the National Security Agency, who spent 36 years at the NSA and now acts as a senior advisor and investor in Hunted Labs. Barnes says that hackers within Russia’s intelligence agencies could see easyjson as a potential opportunity for abuse in the future.

“It is totally efficient code. There’s no known vulnerability about it, hence no other company has identified anything wrong with it,” Barnes says. “Yet the people who actually own it are under the guise of VK, which is tight with the Kremlin,” he says. “If I’m sitting there in the GRU or the FSB and I’m looking at the laundry list of opportunities… this is perfect. It’s just lying there,” Barnes says, referencing Russia’s foreign military and domestic security agencies.

VK Group did not respond to WIRED’s request for comment about easyjson. The US Department of Defense did not respond to a request for comment about the inclusion of easyjson in its software setup.

“NSA does not have a comment to make on this specific software,” a spokesperson for the National Security Agency says. “The NSA Cybersecurity Collaboration Center does welcome tips from the private sector—when a tip is received, NSA triages the tip against our own insights to fully understand the threat and, if corroborated, share any relevant mitigations with the community.” A spokesperson for the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which has faced upheaval under the second Trump administration, says: “We are going to refer you back to Hunted Labs.”

GitHub, a code repository owned by Microsoft, says that while it will investigate issues and take action where its policies are broken, it is not aware of malicious code in easyjson and VK is not sanctioned itself. Other tech companies’ treatment of VK varies. After Britain sanctioned the leaders of Russian banks who own stakes in VK in September 2022, for example, Apple removed its social media app from its App Store.

Dan Lorenc, the CEO of supply chain security firm Chainguard, says that with easyjson, the connections to Russia are in “plain sight” and that there is a “slightly higher” cybersecurity risk than those of other software libraries. He adds that the red flags around other open source technology may not be so obvious.

“In the overall open source space, you don’t necessarily even know where people are most of the time,” Lorenc says, pointing out that many developers do not disclose their identity or locations online, and even if they do, it is not always possible to verify the details are correct. “The code is what we have to trust and the code and the systems that are used to build that code. People are important, but we’re just not in a world where we can push the trust down to the individuals,” Lorenc says.

As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has unfolded, there has been increased scrutiny on the use of open source systems and the impact of sanctions upon entities involved in the development. In October last year, a Linux kernel maintainer removed 11 Russian developers who were involved in the open souce project, broadly citing sanctions as the reason for the change. Then in January this year, the Linux Foundation issued guidance covering how international sanctions can impact open source, saying developers should be cautious of who they interact with and the nature of interactions.

The shift in perceived risk is coupled with the threat of supply chain attacks. Last year, corporate developers and the open source world were rocked as a mysterious attacker known as Jia Tan stealthily installed a backdoor in the widely used XZ Utils software, after spending two years diligently updating it without any signs of trouble. The backdoor was only discovered by chance.

“Years ago, OSS was developed by small groups of trusted developers who were known to one another,” says Nancy Mead, a fellow of the Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute. “In that time frame, no one expected a trusted developer of being a hacker, and the relatively slower pace provided time for review. These days, with automatic release, incorporation of updates, and the wide usage of OSS, the old assumptions are no longer valid.”

Scott Hissam, a senior member of technical staff also from the Carnegie Software Engineering Institute, says there can often be consideration about how many maintainers and the number of organizations that work on an open source project, but there is currently not a “mass movement” to consider other details about OSS projects. “However, it is coming, and there are several activities that collect details about OSS projects, which OSS consumers can use to get more insight into OSS projects and their activities,” Hissam says, pointing to two examples.

Hunted Lab’s Smith says he is currently looking into the provenance of other open source projects and the risks that could come with them, including scrutinizing countries known to have carried out cyberattacks against US entities. He says he is not encouraging people to avoid open source software at all, more that risk considerations have shifted over time. “We’re telling you to just make really good risk informed decisions when you're trying to use open source,” he says. “Open source software is basically good until it's not.”

[w0efulboopsoul]

Razorbacks: Sky Titans of Eryndara

Razorbacks are a keystone dragon species native to the planet Eryndara, celebrated for their immense size, solitary demeanor, and ability to influence the atmosphere. These serpentine, wyvern-like creatures possess a single pair of hind limbs and expansive wings that also serve as terrestrial appendages, allowing them to dominate the upper atmosphere at altitudes of 30,000–50,000 feet. Their greyish-blue matte coloration and towering, sharp spines along their backs and tails give them their distinctive "Razorback" name. Lacking magic or human speech, they exhibit high intelligence and fire-breathing capabilities, thriving as filter feeders whose slow flight (15–30 mph) triggers supercell storms proportional to their size.

Morphology and Anatomy

Body Structure: Razorbacks boast elongated, lightweight bodies stretching 300–500 feet from snout to tail. They feature a single pair of clawed hind limbs for minimal ground mobility and lack forelimbs entirely. Their expansive, membranous wings—spanning up to 1,000 feet in elders—double as awkward, bird-like supports for hopping or dragging on land.

Head: Their heads are angular and squared, designed for efficient filter feeding. Inside their mouths, bristle-like teeth, akin to baleen, allow them to gulp air and extract sustenance such as Aetherial Wisps and other atmospheric organisms.

Horns and Head Crest:

Horns: Two striking horns protrude from the head, jutting and curving forward like those of a bull. These may function as defensive tools, mating displays, or stabilizers for airflow during flight.

Head Crest: A flexible head crest adorns the top of the skull, potentially used for visual signaling or sensing changes in air pressure.

Fins and Neck Spines:

Fins: Positioned on the head or neck, these fins serve as rudders or stabilizers, improving flight precision.

Neck Spines: Razor-sharp spines line their thick, bulky neck, extending downward from the head, enhancing both defense and aerodynamics.

Spines Along Back and Tail: Towering, sharp spines trace the length of their backs and tails, amplifying their imposing silhouette and possibly aiding in flight dynamics.

Coloration: Their greyish-blue matte finish provides camouflage against Eryndara’s tempestuous skies, blending seamlessly with clouds or the faint luminescence of Aetherial Wisps.

Adaptations: Surviving at high altitudes demands expansive lungs or gill-like structures for oxygen extraction, a robust digestive system, and an internal heat source to fuel their fire-breathing ability.

Size and Scale

Dimensions: Razorbacks range from fledglings with 50–100-foot wingspans to mature adults with 500–800-foot spans, while elders exceed 1,000 feet. Their bodies weigh between 50–100 tons, supported by hollow bones or gas-filled chambers for buoyancy.

Growth: Growth is a gradual process, spanning centuries to reach full maturity. Elders, aged over 1,000 years, represent the pinnacle of the species.

Atmospheric Niche: They glide effortlessly on thermal currents at extreme altitudes, seldom descending after fledging.

Ecology and Feeding

Diet: As filter feeders, Razorbacks sustain themselves on atmospheric organisms, Aetherial Wisps, and moisture drawn from storm clouds, which they condense through their storm-inducing presence. During rare descents, they may scavenge large carcasses or consume mineral-rich rocks.

Feeding Mechanism: Their bristle-like teeth efficiently filter air, wisps, and vapor, providing the nourishment needed to support their massive forms without conventional hunting.

Ecological Role: By concentrating wisps and moisture into storms, Razorbacks redistribute nutrients across Eryndara, fostering a thriving aerial ecosystem that benefits smaller creatures.

Behavior and Life Cycle

Solitary Nature: Razorbacks are solitary by nature, only converging during infrequent mating seasons every few centuries, possibly prompted by wisp blooms or atmospheric anomalies.

Temperament: Generally non-hostile, they disregard smaller dragons unless provoked, showcasing their intelligence through adept storm navigation and threat evasion.

Reproduction: Mating takes place on lofty peaks or cliffs, where females lay a single enormous egg. In Asteria, these eggs are tended within the Dragon Hatchery, reflecting a cultural bond with the species.

Lifespan: With lifespans stretching thousands of years, Razorbacks fledge after 50–100 years, mature over centuries, and achieve elder status beyond 1,000 years.

Supercell Storms

Description: Their flight triggers supercell storms featuring rain, hail, lightning, and winds ranging from 75–120 mph, with intensity scaling alongside their size.

Causes: A combination of air displacement, internal heat, metabolized wisps, and wing-generated vortices interacts with Eryndara’s volatile skies to spawn these storms.

Scale Examples:

Fledgling (100–200 feet): Light rain and winds of 10–20 mph.

Mature (500–800 feet): Full supercell with hail and gusts of 50–70 mph.

Elder (1,000+ feet): Hurricane+ force tempests with arcane lightning.

Ecological and Cultural Role

Keystone Species: Razorbacks profoundly influence Eryndara’s climate, their storms either nourishing or ravaging the land while sustaining an intricate aerial food web.

Cultural Significance: In Asteria, they are venerated as sky titans, their storms embodying power and renewal. The Dragon Hatchery’s role in nurturing their eggs highlights their deep cultural importance.

(This will be updated as lore is updated)

[djarins-cyare]

Hey Jem

Can we have a peek at The Last of Us inspired Mando fic from your WIP folder?

Love, El

Hey El, thanks for the ask!

I had a feeling someone would ask about this one. It’s the most recent idea in my WIP folder, and since I’ve been busy writing Hush, I haven’t actually written any scenes from it yet 🥺. But I have done some casual research and written an outline, so I’ll share everything I can about it…

In the Legends continuity, there’s a planet in the Mid Rim called Nyriaan with a very rich but unusual ecosystem that includes thousands of different species of fungi. It’s not a particularly populous planet, with just a mining colony that settled there to extract madilon ore (used in hyperdrives) and some groups who’ve crash-landed on the planet throughout the ages and have effectively become ‘natives’.

That’s the other thing about Nyriaan: it’s covered by a thick cloud layer that blocks communications and makes it extremely difficult to land on the planet’s surface. To land safely, you need assistance from an ion shield generator in orbit, which projects an ion shield around the ship to protect it from the constant storms.

My story is set when Grogu is away at Jedi Camp, and Din is chasing a lucrative bounty because he has little else to keep his mind off missing Grogu, plus he needs to make money to buy a new ship and find his covert. The tracking fobs say she’s on Nyriaan, which is listed as her homeworld, but two other bounty hunters went there to retrieve her, and neither returned. Now Din is taking a shot.

He is more cautious, though – we know he’s a good hunter, and part of that is because he does his research. He finds reports that Nyriaan went ‘dark’ a few years back. This wasn’t initially a concern because everyone already knew you couldn’t communicate through its weird magnetic field anyway, except no communications were coming from the crew manning the ion shielding station in orbit anymore. The New Republic sent teams to investigate, but nobody ever returned, not even from the orbital station.

Usually, the loss of a mining operation would be a concern, but the New Republic has cut its losses for two reasons. Firstly, in 8 BBY, the Empire implemented a new mining technology to mass-strip the planet of its madilon ore, and over 10 years, much of its resources were depleted (not to mention a quarter of the planet’s land mass was destroyed). Following the project’s destruction by Rebel insurgents in 2 ABY, mining had halted almost entirely anyway. And secondly, Nyriaan is not a “member world”, having not signed the Charter, so if any further disaster has befallen its citizens, they’re on their own.

Now that Din knows even more people have gone there and never returned, he has even more reason to be cautious. He can’t find any other information, and he can’t convince anyone to accompany him on the job, so he’s going alone.

He leases a ship with a carbon freezer (since he hasn’t yet got his own after the Crest was destroyed, and he needs something to bring back the bounty in), gathers his best weapons, and flies to Nyriaan’s orbital station. There, he has his first encounter with strange zombies who try to attack him. They’re covered in lesions that look like fungus, and their skin is grey. Thanks to his beskar protecting him, he has a lucky escape and manages to activate the ion shield for a limited amount of time, then gets back to his ship and rides the shield down to the planet’s surface through the storms.

He lands just outside Locus, the planet’s mining settlement – technically the capital city, having been established 100 years before, but more the size of a town than a city, with a population of only a few thousand people. But something has been niggling him about the way those zombies looked…

Din suddenly remembers reading about a parasitic fungus on Nyriaan called “Falsin’s rot”, which causes lesions like the ones he noticed, although it usually kills the victims. He rechecks his research before he leaves the ship to make sure, and another entry catches his eye: there’s another fungus called “tempest’s blessing”, which lives in symbiosis with a host organism and increases the host’s visual acuity. He learns that native Nyriaanans would sometimes use tempest’s blessing in their purifying rituals, applying the spores (that look like grey dust) to their bodies. That explains the grey skin.

What he doesn’t understand at this point is that these two species have crossbred (insert some terrifying ecological catalyst for this mutation thanks to the Empire’s strip-mining operation on Nyriaan), causing the symbiotic tempest’s blessing to take on the parasitic properties of Falsin’s rot, killing the host and taking over their body so it can become ambulatory.

Thus, we have a TLOU sitch on our hands.

There follows an epic adventure wherein Din has to navigate this scary landscape with a few thousand fungus zombies out to get him as he tries to track down his bounty, who obviously turns out to be gorgeous and capable (she’s gotta be to survive in this nightmare place). They have to fight for their lives to escape, and of course, the orbital station is unmanned (except for zombies), so there’ll be no ion shield to protect Din’s ship when he tries to leave the planet, meaning he’s a little bit trapped here. As is she – it turns out she had no idea what had befallen her homeworld, and she wants off as much as he does. So they must work together to find a way to survive and escape.

And of course they’re gonna fall in love while they do.

That’s about all I’m willing to reveal plot-wise for now!

All the little details already existed in Star Wars, albeit Legends rather than Canon (the source for Nyriaan’s history is a 2010 RPG called Galaxy of Intrigue, which was excluded from Disney’s list of Canon material), but I just loved how much was already there to draw on. There are some other nifty little factoids about this planet, too, like the fact that in 3956 BBY, a Sith starship crashed on Nyriaan, and the survivors’ descendants inbred until they eventually became deformed subhumans known as the Children of the Tempest, who howled like beasts and hunted with spears on the steamfields outside the city. Their Sith leader, Darth Glovoc, was placed in stasis after the crash, and they revered him as a sleeping deity. Of course, the mutant fungus infects them, creating an even freakier and more dangerous type of zombie than the regular human miners Din encounters on the orbital station and in the city… and what happens if the fungus infects Darth Glovoc?? Do we have a boss-level zombie with Sith powers on our hands?!

One day, I’ll actually write it, and you’ll find out!

[bonefall]

I am a very normal person who gave her real life cats warrior names, and now I am being a very normal person who spends her lunch break translating them into Clanmew:

Owlberry: Huobayab. Huo (eagle owl) + bayab (blackberry/brambles). She’s a big, fluffy, mostly dark brown cat who is motherly and protective but can definitely be very prickly, so I think it fits well. Her real name is Cheesecake.

Batwhisker: Fepfr’hussk. Fepfr (long eared brown bat) + hussk (whisker). The first thing I said upon seeing him, an eight week old bundle of rage, was “Oh my GOD his EARS” so I love this. He’s a tuxedo with big ears and BIG whiskers. His real name is Junior Bacon Cheeseburger. Fun fact: nothing is legally stopping you from naming a cat Junior Bacon Cheeseburger.

Poppyfang: Liafiki. Liafi (poppy) + ki (fang). She’s a calico and her real name is Poptart. This sounds very dainty and pretty which is very accurate to the real cat.

Turtlecloud: this is where I need help; is there a Clanmew word for Turtle yet? Google tells me they’re not native to Britain which genuinely surprised me. Of the introduced species I found on Wikipedia, she vaguely resembles the European pond turtle, she’s a dark tortie with a few specks of very bright orange. Her suffix will be -hai (fat cloud) because good lord she is a fat little cloud. Her real name is Ginger, and she is Poptart’s wikffra.

Hazelsnap: Her prefix was originally meant to reference hazelnuts, but after searching the spreadsheet I love Geehees- (hazel slender moth) for her, because it looks pointy and weird, and the real cat was the pointiest and weirdest animal I ever met, plus she was very small and flighty like a moth. I referenced my silly nickname for her, based on the noise she used to make, to invent the word “grecc”— the “ekh” noise cats make when you startle them, the Activation Noise, a sudden surprise. Geehees’grecc. Her real name was Hazel Grace/Grecc and she has since gone to walk in Starclan, and is squinting at me judgmentally even as I type.

It is such a shame that mainline WC doesn't do more with the idea of a cat carrying multiple names, unironically they should have taken inspiration from Cats: The Musical for that. You are doing the lord's work by sharing the kittypet names, love it

I'll give you two new words plus related terms, just to get a Clanmew phrase for hazel trees out there, though I'd absolutely keep Hazelsnap's prefix as Geehees because that's perfect.

Turtle = Ooba

Turtles are an invasive species in the UK, you're correct! They are released as a product of the pet trade, where they can wreak havoc on water ecosystems. They tend to like ponds and lakes more than rivers, though.

So it's usually ShadowClan that's encountering them, and they have a FAVORITE use for the little guys... their shells make perfect soup bowls.

The word for "Turtle" and the word for "Bowl" are the same. A bowl of turtle soup is an Ooba-en-Soogwa Ooba (Bowl/Turtle-of-Soup Bowl/Turtle). Turtle shells are also valued as decorative dishes, almost like our idea of 'fine china.' It's a morbid joke in ShadowClan that the first food a bowl holds is the turtle that it used to be.

(I need to come up with some kind of phrase similar to "having your own ass handed to you" but it's "Being served in your own shell." "He made you into the bowl AND the soup")

Stumptail's daughter Turtlebelly in Clanmew is Oobaboma. Bowl-Belly.

Unfortunately for Clan cats but FORTUNATELY for the ecosystem, there aren't any turtles in the Lake territory. Not ones that breed, anyway, ShadowClan has immediately killed the 2 or 3 irresponsible releases that have occurred in the past 10 years since they've been here.

Hazel (Corylus avellana) = Ans

One of the most important trees for Clan use. It's a small, thin-wooded plant that makes the PERFECT size for harvest. It's the wood that WindClan tends to use to reinforce tunnels, it's supple and strong enough for use in building, and produces helpful "cob" nuts that can be used as a prey lure.

In BB, Hazeltail's name, her whippy tail like a hazel branch, and young wisdom were taken as a sign that she would one day be a fantastic builder. Since she's not dead in this AU she is going to be rising through the ranks there.

Most Clans don't have a particular word for Hazelnuts. They call them Nekboq Ans. ThunderClan, however, uses them as prey lures on a frequent basis. They call them Ansneb, and it is part of a 3-stem verb "to lure."

Lured/Luring/Will Lure = Ansnebok/Ansnebo/Ansneb

As a prefix in a name, Ansneb is best translated as "Cob" or "Hazelnut," but based on context can mean "alluring," "tempting," or "bait."

[i4technolab]

In a world where security is paramount, Java looks to be an unrivaled platform getting better with every new update. It is a premier programming language and an extraordinary ecosystem with the ability to deal with security concerns more effectively, thanks to its important tools and libraries.

Another aspect of Java’s unrivaled success is its “Write Once, Run Anywhere” principle. It doesn’t require recompilation when developing Java applications, which makes it the best choice for cross-platform software development.

Java is highly chosen for a wide range of projects, including AI/ML application development, Android app development, Bespoke Java software development, bespoke Blockchain development, and many more.

[the-outer-topic]

Battletech: Mira planetary report

Mira Planetary Report 3025 year

Recharging station: none

ComStar Facility Class: B

Population: 3 million

Percentage and level of native life: 15% mammal

Note: These refer to land life, like most colonized worlds, native life is replaced with Terran species, nobody bothers with ocean life, unless is relevant somehow. In Mira case, algae are vital to the ecosystem but this means commercial fishing is not practicable as it clogs nets.

Star System Data

Star Type: F6III (subgiant)

Position in System: 4th planet (Mira IV)

Distance from Star: Approximately 3.16 AU (within the habitable zone of an F6III star)

Travel Time to Jump Point: 10 days at 1G acceleration

Mira orbits an F6III subgiant star, larger and brighter than Sol (a G2V star), which extends the habitable zone farther out and increases dropship travel time to the jump point compared to Terra’s 6-8 days. The 10-day journey reflects the standard BattleTech transit model: dropships accelerate at 1G for half the voyage, perform a turnover, and decelerate at 1G to arrive at zero velocity.

Planetary Data

Diameter: 12,000 km (comparable to Terra)

Gravity: 0.9g

Atmosphere: Standard, breathable; slightly thinner than Terra’s but enriched with oxygen due to abundant oceanic algae

Hydrosphere: 85% water coverage

Natural Satellites: Two small moons

Population: 2.8 million (as of 2975)

Government: Part of the Capellan Confederation (liberated by the 1st St. Ives Lancers in 2975)

Mira, the fourth planet in its system, orbits an F6III subgiant star at approximately 3.16 AU, placing it within the habitable zone. Its diameter and gravity (0.9g) are close to Terra’s, making it comfortable for human habitation. The atmosphere, though thinner than Terra’s, supports life with a higher oxygen content due to widespread algal blooms in its vast oceans, which cover 85% of the surface. Two small moons influence tidal patterns, while a strong magnetosphere shields the planet from stellar radiation. In 2975, Mira was liberated by the 1st St. Ives Lancers, integrating it into the Capellan Confederation.

Year Length: 1300 Earth days (3.55 years), with ~325-day seasons, orbiting at ~3.16 AU around a ~2.5 solar mass F6III star.

Axial Tilt: ~23.5°, supporting southern Russia/Crimea-like seasonal cycles.

Latitudinal Climate Gradient:

Temperate Zones (20°–50°N/S): Southern Russia/Crimea-like (5–25°C, 400–800 mm rainfall), with coastal resorts and agriculture.

Mountainous Regions: Caucasus-like, cooler (0–15°C), with snowfall.

Equatorial Zones (0°–20°N/S): Warm, humid (25–35°C, 800–1200 mm rainfall), supporting algal blooms.

Astronomical Quirk: Strong magnetosphere shields against F6III radiation; two moons stabilize orbit and tilt.

Oceanic Nature: 85% water coverage drives albedo, cloud cover, and precipitation, moderating climate for habitability.

Stellar Characteristics and Perception Mira’s parent star, an F6III subgiant, differs significantly from Sol (a G2V star) in ways that shape the planet’s environment and how its sunlight is perceived:

Luminosity: The F6III star is far more luminous than Sol, emitting approximately 20–30 times more light. This increased output pushes the habitable zone farther out, allowing Mira to sustain life at 3.16 AU despite the star’s intensity.

Apparent Size: From Mira’s surface, the star appears larger in the sky than Sol does from Terra. Given the F6III star’s larger physical size and the adjusted distance of the habitable zone, its apparent diameter might be 1.5–2 times that of Sol as seen from Earth, creating a striking visual presence.

Light Temperature: With a surface temperature of 6,500–7,000 K (compared to Sol’s 5,772 K), the star’s light is bluer and more intense. This higher color temperature results in a harsher daylight compared to Terra’s warmer, yellower sunlight. The bluish tint could require adaptations for human comfort—such as tinted visors or specialized architecture—and might influence plant photosynthesis, favoring species adapted to bluer wavelengths.

The sunlight on Mira is indeed harsher due to its intensity and blue-shift, contrasting with Sol’s gentler glow, altering the planet’s aesthetic and environmental dynamics.

Impact of Oceans and Cloud Cover Mira’s extensive oceans, covering 85% of its surface, interact with the star’s intense sunlight to moderate its effects. The brighter, more energetic light drives higher rates of evaporation compared to Terra (which has 71% water coverage), leading to increased cloud formation. This thick cloud cover acts as a natural filter, reflecting a portion of the star’s radiation back into space and diffusing the remaining light. As a result, the harshness of the sunlight is lessened, softening its impact on the surface and contributing to a more temperate climate. This interplay between intense stellar output and planetary water creates a balanced, livable environment despite the star’s power.

Geography

Mira is predominantly a waterworld, with oceans covering 85% of its surface. Its limited landmass consists of archipelagos and small continents, many featuring mountainous terrain. These islands, often volcanic in origin, exhibit active tectonics, akin to Terra’s Oceania region. Volcanic activity is moderate rather than absent, as waterworlds with fragmented landmasses typically experience tectonic movement due to thinner crusts and mantle convection—though less intense than on continents with massive tectonic plates. The scarce flat land is reserved for agriculture and settlements, while the mountains yield coal and metallic ores, though not in quantities sufficient for major industry. Offshore platforms exploit hydrocarbons (oil and gas) from the ocean floor, as the mountainous land lacks significant sedimentary deposits typical of flat terrains where fossil fuels accumulate.

Climate

Mira’s climate is moderated by its extensive oceans, which act as a heat sink to prevent extreme temperature swings. The temperate zones on larger landmasses resemble southern Russia—warm summers and cool winters—while coastal areas and islands enjoy a milder, Crimea-like climate, ideal for resorts. The mountains, similar to the Caucasus, experience cooler temperatures and seasonal snowfall. Despite orbiting a hotter F6III star, Mira’s water coverage balances the climate, making it more pleasant than Tikonov (a harsh world orbiting a G8V star). The temperate zones align with the Kuban and Crimea, offering a respite for Tikonov nobles accustomed to continental rigors.

History

Mira was settled in the early 22nd century by Russian colonists from nearby Tikonov, who named it “Mira”—Russian for “world” and “peace”—reflecting its tranquil appeal. Initially an independent colony, it was annexed by the Marlette Association by 2306. In 2309, the Tikonov Grand Union, under General Diana Chinn, captured Mira after a 23-week campaign, integrating it into their domain. Its proximity to Tikonov (a single jump away) and pleasant environment made it a resort planet, with its continent parceled out into luxury estates for Tikonov nobility.

During the Succession Wars, Mira’s strategic location transformed it into a contested frontier. In 2829, the Bloody Suns mercenary unit invaded, expecting an easy victory over the Third Chesterton Cavalry. The defenders resorted to chemical weapons, prompting Duke Hasek of the Federated Suns to order a nuclear strike, followed by the Eighth Crucis Lancers’ ruthless mop-up. This brutal conflict left a lasting mark. Mira changed hands repeatedly between the Capellan Confederation and Federated Suns, serving as a staging base for attacks on Tikonov. In 2975, it was liberated by the 1st St. Ives Lancers, integrating it into the Capellan Confederation.

Economy

Mira’s economy is modest, shaped by its sparse population and limited resources. Its textile industry, producing high-quality fabrics, has earned it the nickname “clothiers to the galaxy,” with exports reaching across the Inner Sphere.

Sea mining of hydrocarbons via offshore platforms in the shallow waters sustains some light and heavy industry, compensating for the lack of easily extractable mineral resources and fertile arable land, which has prevented major industrial or agricultural development.

Notable Features

Molotosky Water Purification Process: A Mira innovation, widely adopted for its efficiency in water purification.

Luxury Estates: Historic resorts of Tikonov nobles, blending Russian and Asian architectural styles, now cultural landmarks.

Textile Industry: Renowned for craftsmanship, a cornerstone of Mira’s identity.

Cultural Heritage: Reflects its Tikonov settlers’ Eurasian roots, evident in architecture and traditions.

Military Significance

Mira’s proximity to Tikonov makes it a strategic linchpin. Its ports and spaceports support military logistics, and its history as a staging base underscores its value in conflicts between the Capellan Confederation and Federated Suns.

[stevenketterman2]

The Evolution of DJ Controllers: From Analog Beginnings to Intelligent Performance Systems

The DJ controller has undergone a remarkable transformation—what began as a basic interface for beat matching has now evolved into a powerful centerpiece of live performance technology. Over the years, the convergence of hardware precision, software intelligence, and real-time connectivity has redefined how DJs mix, manipulate, and present music to audiences.

For professional audio engineers and system designers, understanding this technological evolution is more than a history lesson—it's essential knowledge that informs how modern DJ systems are integrated into complex live environments. From early MIDI-based setups to today's AI-driven, all-in-one ecosystems, this blog explores the innovations that have shaped DJ controllers into the versatile tools they are today.

The Analog Foundation: Where It All Began

The roots of DJing lie in vinyl turntables and analog mixers. These setups emphasized feel, timing, and technique. There were no screens, no sync buttons—just rotary EQs, crossfaders, and the unmistakable tactile response of a needle on wax.

For audio engineers, these analog rigs meant clean signal paths and minimal processing latency. However, flexibility was limited, and transporting crates of vinyl to every gig was logistically demanding.

The Rise of MIDI and Digital Integration

The early 2000s brought the integration of MIDI controllers into DJ performance, marking a shift toward digital workflows. Devices like the Vestax VCI-100 and Hercules DJ Console enabled control over software like Traktor, Serato, and VirtualDJ. This introduced features such as beat syncing, cue points, and FX without losing physical interaction.

From an engineering perspective, this era introduced complexities such as USB data latency, audio driver configurations, and software-to-hardware mapping. However, it also opened the door to more compact, modular systems with immense creative potential.

Controllerism and Creative Freedom

Between 2010 and 2015, the concept of controllerism took hold. DJs began customizing their setups with multiple MIDI controllers, pad grids, FX units, and audio interfaces to create dynamic, live remix environments. Brands like Native Instruments, Akai, and Novation responded with feature-rich units that merged performance hardware with production workflows.

Technical advancements during this period included:

High-resolution jog wheels and pitch faders

Multi-deck software integration

RGB velocity-sensitive pads

Onboard audio interfaces with 24-bit output

HID protocol for tighter software-hardware response

These tools enabled a new breed of DJs to blur the lines between DJing, live production, and performance art—all requiring more advanced routing, monitoring, and latency optimization from audio engineers.

All-in-One Systems: Power Without the Laptop

As processors became more compact and efficient, DJ controllers began to include embedded CPUs, allowing them to function independently from computers. Products like the Pioneer XDJ-RX, Denon Prime 4, and RANE ONE revolutionized the scene by delivering laptop-free performance with powerful internal architecture.

Key engineering features included:

Multi-core processing with low-latency audio paths

High-definition touch displays with waveform visualization

Dual USB and SD card support for redundancy

Built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet for music streaming and cloud sync

Zone routing and balanced outputs for advanced venue integration

For engineers managing live venues or touring rigs, these systems offered fewer points of failure, reduced setup times, and greater reliability under high-demand conditions.

Embedded AI and Real-Time Stem Control

One of the most significant breakthroughs in recent years has been the integration of AI-driven tools. Systems now offer real-time stem separation, powered by machine learning models that can isolate vocals, drums, bass, or instruments on the fly. Solutions like Serato Stems and Engine DJ OS have embedded this functionality directly into hardware workflows.

This allows DJs to perform spontaneous remixes and mashups without needing pre-processed tracks. From a technical standpoint, it demands powerful onboard DSP or GPU acceleration and raises the bar for system bandwidth and real-time processing.

For engineers, this means preparing systems that can handle complex source isolation and downstream processing without signal degradation or sync loss.

Cloud Connectivity & Software Ecosystem Maturity

Today’s DJ controllers are not just performance tools—they are part of a broader ecosystem that includes cloud storage, mobile app control, and wireless synchronization. Platforms like rekordbox Cloud, Dropbox Sync, and Engine Cloud allow DJs to manage libraries remotely and update sets across devices instantly.

This shift benefits engineers and production teams in several ways:

Faster changeovers between performers using synced metadata

Simplified backline configurations with minimal drive swapping

Streamlined updates, firmware management, and analytics

Improved troubleshooting through centralized data logging

The era of USB sticks and manual track loading is giving way to seamless, cloud-based workflows that reduce risk and increase efficiency in high-pressure environments.

Hybrid & Modular Workflows: The Return of Customization

While all-in-one units dominate, many professional DJs are returning to hybrid setups—custom configurations that blend traditional turntables, modular FX units, MIDI controllers, and DAW integration. This modularity supports a more performance-oriented approach, especially in experimental and genre-pushing environments.

These setups often require:

MIDI-to-CV converters for synth and modular gear integration

Advanced routing and clock sync using tools like Ableton Link

OSC (Open Sound Control) communication for custom mapping

Expanded monitoring and cueing flexibility

This renewed complexity places greater demands on engineers, who must design systems that are flexible, fail-safe, and capable of supporting unconventional performance styles.

Looking Ahead: AI Mixing, Haptics & Gesture Control

As we look to the future, the next phase of DJ controllers is already taking shape. Innovations on the horizon include:

AI-assisted mixing that adapts in real time to crowd energy

Haptic feedback jog wheels that provide dynamic tactile response

Gesture-based FX triggering via infrared or wearable sensors

Augmented reality interfaces for 3D waveform manipulation

Deeper integration with lighting and visual systems through DMX and timecode sync

For engineers, this means staying ahead of emerging protocols and preparing venues for more immersive, synchronized, and responsive performances.

Final Thoughts

The modern DJ controller is no longer just a mixing tool—it's a self-contained creative engine, central to the live music experience. Understanding its capabilities and the technology driving it is critical for audio engineers who are expected to deliver seamless, high-impact performances in every environment.

Whether you’re building a club system, managing a tour rig, or outfitting a studio, choosing the right gear is key. Sourcing equipment from a trusted professional audio retailer—online or in-store—ensures not only access to cutting-edge products but also expert guidance, technical support, and long-term reliability.

As DJ technology continues to evolve, so too must the systems that support it. The future is fast, intelligent, and immersive—and it’s powered by the gear we choose today.

[itidoltechnologies]

Outsourcing in 2025: Why India is Leading the Way in the Tech Revolution

In 2025, the global business landscape is evolving at lightning speed, and outsourcing remains a pivotal factor in helping companies stay competitive, innovative, and cost-effective. While outsourcing has long been a key business strategy, India has solidified its position as the global leader in this space, especially in technology. As organizations worldwide turn to outsourced tech solutions to fuel their growth, Indian companies, especially those like IT Idol Technologie, are leading the charge by reshaping the future of the tech landscape.

Outsourcing in 2025: The Need for Agility, Efficiency, and Innovation

As businesses face the pressure of rapidly evolving markets, the need for flexibility, innovation, and efficiency has never been more crucial. Outsourcing allows organizations to tap into global talent pools, access specialized expertise, and scale faster than ever before. In 2025, companies are increasingly turning to outsourced partners to help them adapt to new challenges, innovate with cutting-edge technologies, and deliver results quickly and cost-effectively.

Outsourcing offers a multitude of benefits: businesses can reduce overhead costs, enhance operational efficiency, and gain access to top-tier talent without the complexities of recruitment and training. In the tech industry, these advantages are particularly significant, as companies look for ways to stay ahead of the curve without draining resources.

India: The Epicenter of Outsourcing Excellence

Why has India become the go-to destination for outsourcing? The answer lies in its unique combination of highly skilled talent, cost-effective services, and a growing tech ecosystem. India has long been the leader in IT outsourcing, but in 2025, it has taken that legacy to new heights. Indian companies are not only providing basic IT services but are now at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge tech solutions, from custom software development to cloud services, data engineering, and more.

With a vast pool of highly educated professionals and a robust tech ecosystem, India offers the perfect environment for businesses looking to leverage outsourcing in the tech space. Indian tech companies have evolved to meet the growing demand for more complex and specialized services, and this is where firms like IT Idol Technologies are making a significant impact.

IT Idol Technologies: Leading the Paradigm Shift in Tech Outsourcing

IT Idol Technologies is at the heart of this transformation. As a forward-thinking outsourcing partner, IT Idol is helping businesses navigate the challenges of the digital age by offering tailored tech solutions that drive growth and innovation. Whether it’s custom software development, mobile app development, cloud computing, or digital commerce, IT Idol Technologies is leading the way in delivering high-quality, scalable, and cost-effective services that enable businesses to stay competitive.

The key to IT Idol’s success lies in its deep understanding of the tech landscape and its ability to adapt to the unique needs of each client. By leveraging its expertise in emerging technologies and staying ahead of industry trends, IT Idol ensures that businesses can continue to innovate while benefiting from the efficiency and cost savings that outsourcing provides.

How IT Idol Technologies is Helping Businesses Thrive in 2025

In 2025, companies are looking for outsourcing partners who can offer more than just basic services—they need a strategic ally who can provide innovative solutions that drive growth. IT Idol Technologies offers just that, with its specialized focus on high-demand areas like:

Custom Software Solutions: Helping businesses build tailored software to optimize operations and solve complex problems.

Mobile App Development: Developing native and cross-platform apps that engage users and enhance customer experiences.

Cloud Computing: Enabling businesses to scale quickly, securely, and cost-effectively with cloud-based solutions.

Digital Commerce: Providing comprehensive e-commerce solutions that help businesses reach customers and increase sales.

IT Idol’s ability to combine technical expertise with a customer-centric approach makes it a standout partner for businesses looking to stay ahead of the competition.

Unlock the Power of Outsourcing with IT Idol Technologies

As outsourcing continues to be a driving force in the global tech landscape, India remains the leader, offering businesses the ability to access top-tier talent and innovative solutions. IT Idol Technologies is at the forefront of this shift, providing companies with the tools and expertise they need to thrive in 2025 and beyond.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Whether you need custom software, mobile apps, cloud computing, or digital commerce solutions, IT Idol Technologies is here to help. Contact us today to discover how we can help you leverage the power of outsourcing to accelerate growth and innovation in your business.

[besttimeblogs]

Powering the Next Wave of Digital Transformation

In an era defined by rapid technological disruption and ever-evolving customer expectations, innovation is not just a strategy—it’s a necessity. At Frandzzo, we’ve embraced this mindset wholeheartedly, scaling our innovation across every layer of our SaaS ecosystem with next-gen AI-powered insights and cloud-native architecture. But how exactly did we make it happen?

Building the Foundation of Innovation

Frandzzo was born from a bold vision: to empower businesses to digitally transform with intelligence, agility, and speed. Our approach from day one has been to integrate AI, automation, and cloud technology into our SaaS solutions, making them not only scalable but also deeply insightful.

By embedding machine learning and predictive analytics into our platforms, we help organizations move from reactive decision-making to proactive, data-driven strategies. Whether it’s optimizing operations, enhancing customer experiences, or identifying untapped revenue streams, our tools provide real-time, actionable insights that fuel business growth.

A Cloud-Native, AI-First Ecosystem

Our SaaS ecosystem is powered by a cloud-native core, enabling seamless deployment, continuous delivery, and effortless scalability. This flexible infrastructure allows us to rapidly adapt to changing market needs while ensuring our clients receive cutting-edge features with zero downtime.

We doubled down on AI by integrating next-gen technologies from a bold vision that can learn, adapt, and evolve alongside our users. From intelligent process automation to advanced behavior analytics, AI is the engine behind every Frandzzo innovation.

Driving Digital Agility for Customers

Innovation at Frandzzo is not just about building smart tech—it’s about delivering real-world value. Our solutions are designed to help organizations become more agile, make smarter decisions, and unlock new growth opportunities faster than ever before.

We partner closely with our clients to understand their pain points and opportunities. This collaboration fuels our product roadmap and ensures we’re always solving the right problems at the right time.

A Culture of Relentless Innovation

At the heart of Frandzzo’s success is a culture deeply rooted in curiosity, experimentation, and improvement. Our teams are empowered to think big, challenge assumptions, and continuously explore new ways to solve complex business problems. Innovation isn’t a department—it’s embedded in our DNA.

We invest heavily in R&D, conduct regular innovation sprints, and stay ahead of tech trends to ensure our customers benefit from the latest advancements. This mindset has allowed us to scale innovation quickly and sustainably.

Staying Ahead in a Fast-Paced Digital World

The digital landscape is changing faster than ever, and businesses need partners that help them not just keep up, but lead. Frandzzo persistent pursuit of innovation ensures our customers stay ahead—ready to seize new opportunities and thrive in any environment.We’re not just building products; we’re engineering the future of business.