#Convert presentation to PDF

[loverofstufflof]

Ways to consume Journey to the West (without needling to buy and read a full translation)!

I’ve noticed that a lot of people can’t read the book for a lot of different reasons, so I’ve compiled a couple of my favourite ways of consume the story while bypassing these problems, categorized by the various issues I’ve come across.

Note that this is mainly for English speakers, as that’s the language I default to for translations.

The book is too inaccessible/expensive for me to obtain physically

Journey to the West Research has an entire blog post dedicated to compiling free PDF versions of the book. This includes many languages, not just English.

I struggle with reading text in that quantity

There are abridged versions of the story, my personal favourite is the one by Julie Lovell—it’s approximately a quarter of the original story’s length, and mainly focuses on the most iconic chapters. These versions are also typically more easily found in local bookstores.

I struggle with reading novels in general

The story has been converted into audio form! Here are the ones off the top of my head, each listed with their own pros and cons:

Journey to the West: An Audio Drama Series is an original translation told in a read-aloud format, in which the host, Lin, acts as a kindly librarian reading to a group of awaiting 1st graders. She gives every character a distinct voice and personality, and she’s obviously delighted to be able to share her culture with the listeners. The show used to have free translation notes, where Lin gets to act as a disgruntled translator going on about the intricacies of the Chinese language and historical/mythological contexts, but these now require a subscription to access. This show is the reason why I know how to pronounce these characters’ names.

Legends Summarized: The Journey to the West by Overly Sarcastic Productions is one that I’m sure I don’t need to include (because of how widespread it is) but feel I should because someone is gonna mention is anyways. It’s a very summarized, very sarcastic retelling of Red’s favourite chapters in the book, accompanied by fun visuals and the excitement of someone who clearly knows and loves what they’re talking about. As Red has said herself, this series should not be your only source of JTTW knowledge, as she simplifies it a ton to make it more digestible. Great for people who are just getting into the story and want a general overview, not great for people who want a more in-depth understanding of the themes and other complexities.

Journey of the Monkey King is a podcast akin to a longform, more in depth version of the OSP series. It consists of two Irish comedians discussing one chapter per episode; one of them (Caoimhe) has read the book, the other (MJ) hasn’t. The format is mainly Caoimhe giving a comedic abridged version of the chapter while MJ gawks in horror at whatever absurdity the Monster-of-the-Week presents. Because it’s hosted by Irish people, there isn’t much cultural context given, and some names are butchered, however I do find this one a lot easier to follow in comparison to the Audio Drama Series, and it’s far more detailed than Legends Summarized.

Journey to the West English Amateur Audiobook is one that is on my radar but have not started. To my current knowledge, it is an audiobook version of the WJF Jenner translation, which is notable to me because most of these types of podcasts are derived from the Anthony C Yu translation, so this one would be a nice listen to compare how the two went about handling the text.

Please know that this post isn’t intended to shame anyone into consuming the story; it’s not for everyone! But I’ve come across my fair share of aspiring fans who couldn’t access the book in a way that suited them (including myself) so I wanted to make this knowledge more generally know for anyone else who might need it :]

[hags-lair-zine]

HAG'S LAIR ZINE #02: HEART OF ICE

We proudly present you the second issue of the zine! Please enjoy!

All the links to the creators are clickable.

The best way to say thank you is to follow these fantastic people!

If you would like to participate in the next issues of the zine, join Hag's Lair Discord sever!

Join Hag's Lair: Discord server dedicated to Baldur's Gate villains

[copperbadge]

Our HR Director at work is a nice person but she is not on the best terms with a lot of technology, and I did not conceal my adroitness with Microsoft Office Suite quickly enough when I was hired. I am thus burdened with the glorious purpose of a number of document editing/management tasks for HR, most notably the keeping of the company org chart.

We have a big board meeting coming up, so I had to do a revamp of the org chart for our CFO to present to the board, and we've been back-and-forthing about it for about two weeks, in terms of layout, content, reporting lines, colors, that kind of thing. We finally got it completed; everything was included and proofed, the design was approved, the Visio file had been converted to a PDF so nobody could fuck with it...

Eight minutes after I sent the PDF to our HR Director, one of my colleagues sent out a very brief and abrupt email stating that today was the last day for one of her direct reports. I don't know if he was fired or quit without notice but he worked in our finance office, so if he was fired that should be...interesting.

[harpersessentials]

HARPERS' ESSENTIALS - 1st Edition | July 2023

A SIMBLR MAGAZINE DESIGNED TO PROMOTE FREE, LOST AND OLD SIMS 4 CUSTOM CONTENT; WITH IN-MAGAZINE DIRECT LINKS TO DOWNLOAD THE CC PRESENTED.

READ IT BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW (flipbook)

disclaimers:

Old CC considered here as all Sims 4 Custom Content previous to 2020. But newer CC will also be presented, as long as it's freely available.

Only direct links to tumblr pages which share no ad/paywall download links in sites/platforms like SimFileShare, Patreon (free), CurseForge, Dropbox, Onedrive, Google Drive, Mega and Mediafire.

next edition is going to be published sometime in august 😉 you can send/share cc suggestions, wcif or even your own sims to be models. i'd really love having your feedback about the magazine to improve it in the next edition. many thanks to all. also, if you find something amiss in the magazine, please let me know.

[quads004]

Please Start Archiving in the US

With current events, I think it is prudent that everyone, that is able to, needs start archiving shit. I am a former library worker but I do not know much about cybersecurity. If you do want to go down that route please research and keep you and your archive safe :). The more copies that are preserved, then the more likely it is that the media will survive. Even if you save only 2 files that is still important!

First, I will list how to create an computer archive and best practices, then I will provide a list of known targets and suggested materials to add.

You need somewhere to store your data most people will use their computer's storage drive but you need to have backups! Do not rely on cloud storage solutions, they require internet connection are vulnerable to data breaches, and the companies that store that data must follow any laws that the government may decide to pass. USBs or external hardrives are best options. CDs can be used in a pinch, but are more likely to degrade as well as having lower storage capacity then the previous options. Use whatever you have lying around, you do not need to spend money if you don't want to.

When saving data use file formats that are common and able to be read without use of a special software. (that means no .docx) PDF/A is the gold standard for archiving. It is a subtype of pdf that contains metadata, such as typefaces and graphical info, that ensure the files are read properly in the future. Adobe Acrobat is able to save and convert documents into PDF/A. PDFTron, DocuPub, and Ghostscript are all free or have free versions that create pdf/a files. PNG, JPEG2000, .txt, MP3, wav, are other common file types that the Smithsonian recommends for data storage. For a full list of types to use and avoid, see the sources cited at the bottom.

What are we archiving?

Please gather both fiction and nonfiction resources. Nonfiction collection ideas: Current news clips, local history of marginalized communities, interviews, biographies, memoirs, zines, and art pieces. Saving scientific research is incredibly important! In 1933, one of the first places they targeted was the Institute of Sexual Science. Lots of what was stored there was never recovered. Environmental science, trans and intersex health, and minority history will likely be targeted first. For fiction, the most commonly challenged books last year were: 1) GenderQueer by Maia Kobabe 2) All Boys Aren't Blue by George Johnson 3) This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson 4) The of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 5) Flamer by Mike Curato 6) The Bluest Eyes by Toni Morrison 7) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews 8) Tricks by Ellen Hopkins 9) Let's Talk about it (Teen guide to sex, relationships, and being a human) by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan 10) Sold by Patricia McCormick I present this list so you have an idea of what is normally targeted. Books that describe racism and queer identities are most common, but other targets include any depictions of violence, drugs, sex. Use your personal archive to accumulate data that you personally are passionate about. The more niche a topic the more likely it is that other people will not have it in their storage.

Lastly, please remember as an archivist you are not there to determine if a piece is worthy of being saved. Just because you do not like or agree with the message does not mean it will be saved from being banned. All artworks amateur or professional are worthy of being archived.

Sources: ALA 2023 Banned Books https://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10

How to create a PDF/A file https://www.research.gov/common/attachment/Desktop/How_do_I_create_a_PDF-A_file.pdf

Smithsonian Data Management Best Practices and File Formats https://siarchives.si.edu/what-we-do/digital-curation/recommended-preservation-formats-electronic-records https://library.si.edu/research/best-practices-storing-archiving-and-preserving-data

[cityof2morrow]

Social Scenes: Lifesyles

Published: 8-07-2023 | Updated: 11-21-2023 (pdf update) *Due to character limits, all gameplay instructions have been moved to the gameplay PDF.

SUMMARY The Social Scenes series explores social gameplay in The Sims 2. Whether you’re a storyteller or casual simmer, these mods will help you better manage the social landscape in your game.

Lifestyles (Version 1) (Simmons 2023) add new levels of personality and social gameplay to Sims 2. Sims will recognize and respond to others based on group membership (or lack thereof).

Assign, randomize, and edit lifestyles for all sims.

Customize behaviors in five categories: Wrath, Theft, Violence, Indiscretion, and Disrespect.

Create designated meeting spots for lifestyle groups to build relationships.

New “Ask About Lifestyle” social.

Devotion and zeal towards lifestyles evolve via age and talk/ask/hang out socials. Attraction/relationships remain unchanged unless your sim becomes too zealous.

Have sims convert others to their lifestyle group.

Non-intrusive, runs mostly in the background.

Unlike Greek house events (University EP), or dates and casual group outings (Nightlife EP), lifestyles aren’t mini-game scenarios. Lifestyle assignments are permanent unless changed by in-game events (i.e. conversion), and groups can have unlimited members. Sims are limited to one lifestyle group at a time.

DETAILS Requires all Eps/SPs. Lifestyles (Version 1) (Simmons, 2023) is a cosmetic edit of G-Rated Religion (Almighty Hat and Larky, 2016) and Religions/Angels & Nurses (Hatch, 2017-2019). Most credit for this mod is due to work by previous modders. My version generalizes in-game text from “religions, deities, tenets, faith, zeal, nun/sister” to “lifestyles, groups, devotion, zeal, friend” a la Sims 4 (2015; 2019; 2022). While explicit religious language is removed, you can still create religions if you wish. This mod includes NPC data which must be removed separately from package files when uninstalling. See notes for uninstallation below. DOWNLOAD (choose one) LIFESTYLES V1 from SFS | from MEGA GAMEPLAY PDF from SFS | from MEGA read about installation, gameplay, troubleshooting, compatibility, uninstallation, and more. READ PICTORIAL (tutorial w/ pics) HERE. CREDITS Thanks: Conflict Reports: @kaylynn-is-typing. Simmers, especially modders with open policies. Sources: G-Rated Religion (Almighty Hat and Larky, 2016), Religions/Angels & Nurses (Hatch, 2017-2019), Sims 4 (EA, 2014-Present).

NOTES Altered Text Lists: Dialog prim string sets (0x0000012D/301), Attributes (0x00000100/256), and MakeActionString prim string sets (0x0000012E/302).

[randomsporefacts]

the space prototype's height maps are present in Data/Planets as txt files like this. normal1.txt to normal14.txt

it seems to just be the value of every channel from 0 to 255 per pixel

they can just be loaded ingame easily by right clicking and pressing Load Planet Height Map, and inserting one of the txt files

so here are all the 14 height maps in order, viewed ingame

you can use the raise and lower tools to modify the terrain manually, and then right click, and save terrain map to save it in the same format

then you can reapply it safely

curiously it will also read any txt file with no errors. heres me inputting the maxis creation dates file i have, and the the adventure health values one, on top of a manually-created empty map txt (because it doesnt actually overwrite the entire file)

not just txt files! it will read anything! most files dont bring much results though as they dont have nicely separated numbers that the game can interpret. here is it reading the pdf for the spore prima guide. which isnt much but its there

anyway heres me tossing in every dang txt file (minus the empty map) in this folder together on top of the LOL map

and me keysmashing a bunch and then trying to space it out to match. so you can sort of make some noise here

also the resolution of the map is 64x48

theoretically itd be easy to write a tool to convert any arbitrary greyscale 64x48 image into a map for the space prototype, but i dont have enough programming knowledge

[timesothercompany]

I made a thing!

Paint Program is a compilation of 26 Microsoft Paint files I made in the early 2000s, and recently rediscovered on an old laptop. 

Zine 29 pages 5 x 7" Inkjet printed Edition of 8 2024

Concept, text, & design by Jo Minhinnett

Below I've written in diaristic detail about the logistics of designing and printing it with very few skills to do so...

Background:

I had this zine idea a few years ago when I was cleaning out my mom's condo and going through our old family laptops, from back in the day when a household only had one computer. The MS Paint files I found there were likely migrated from an even older desktop computer because I wouldn't have owned a laptop in 2003 when the earliest files were dated. The files were BMPs and PNGs and I made sure to retain all the original file names in the zine.

How I made it:

This was a headache to layout as the graphic files were geriatric and I wanted a true-to-screen Microsoft color palette printed on paper, which doesn't work when you convert the files to PDF or drop them into Photoshop (at least without a ton of work; photoshop doesn't recognize the colors in these image files and appears to auto approximate the color). I was out of my wheelhouse and I'm still curious to know how a designer would go about handling these files to get an authentic color match in Photoshop. I spent SO long trying to figure this all out and did a ton of print tests because I NEEDED that MS Paint palette to look turn of the 21st century and not have the colors changed to whatever present day Adobe software wanted them to be.

In the end, Microsoft speaks to Microsoft, so I laid it all out in Powerpoint and called it a day. This was kind of a 'give up' moment for me, but in hindsight, after all the tests, it proved to be the most logical and un-fussy way to do it. I also had to print the zine from Powerpoint if I wanted to get "true" MS Paint colors, which really slowed everything down and made it impossible to print many copies (crying inside a little). I printed on my Epson home printer and a stack of 50lb. premium matte Red River Paper (cardstock weight) which is almost too much and too heavy , but I loved how there was no bleed-through and how it made the book feel extra tactile. If you have memories of printing out your MS Paint creations on office paper circa 2003, you know how terrible and soggy that was and my heart goes out to you. I think I over-compensated with the 50lb. weight because of this traumatic memory. All to say, the inkjet print quality is simply astounding, pure matte heaven! I hand-punched the binding holes and hand-assembled each one with the plastic coil. I am over the moon with how it turned out.

Takeaways:

Making this zine was wonderful and nostalgic. My only hope is to have a bigger edition one day, and I'd definitely need to change the materials to be able to make it more affordable and distributable. I think the end result fetishizes MS Paint a lot because the print quality would never have been this good back then and on certain pages, it kind of fools me for a second. Like, wait a second, does that actually look good? For the most part, it doesn't though: the graphics were never created with artistic intention and I made sure to include files that were especially brainless (although I kept out any that were remotely vulgar). It's all part of the low-fi aesthetic that I love, which was dictated by the only widely available technology for the average consumer in the early 2000s. I wasn't particularly creative or intentional with the technology and I think that's really the point of this zine as an everyday record and artefact of Y2K teens.

[xiaokuer-schmetterling]

PODFICCER RESOURCE

https://cloudconvert.com

CloudConvert is an online file converter. We support nearly all audio, video, document, ebook, archive, image, spreadsheet, and presentation formats

UPDATE: YOU CAN SET THINGS TO AUTOMATICALLY UPLOAD YOUR CONVERTED MP3 FILES TO GOOGLE DRIVE !!!

==========

BLESS THIS AMAZINGLY USEFUL TOOL ✧｡٩(ˊᗜˋ )و✧*｡

so as part of my podficcing project, i want to include readings of tumblr ficlets. (will be referring to these as podlets) was trying to figure out a way to do this without involving archive.org as a middleman everytime. AND THEN I REMEMBERED THIS EXISTS [discovered it while in college lol extremely useful to convert PDF scans to more easily editable formats and vice versa] !!!

now without having to put down my fire tablet i am able to:

read the ficlet, which records into a .wav format, convert it to .mp3 so tumblr will accept it, and then add the podlet directly to a reblog without having to do any of the workarounds i was considering (involving my screen busted iphone or the library computer or emailing myself files to download on the necessary device)

I AM VICTORIOUS

[priteshwemarketresearch]

Green Ammonia Market Statistics, Segment, Trends and Forecast to  2033

The Green Ammonia Market: A Sustainable Future for Agriculture and Energy

As the world pivots toward sustainable practices, the green ammonia market is gaining momentum as a crucial player in the transition to a low-carbon economy. But what exactly is green ammonia, and why is it so important? In this blog, we'll explore the green ammonia market, its applications, benefits, and the factors driving its growth.

Request Sample PDF Copy:https://wemarketresearch.com/reports/request-free-sample-pdf/green-ammonia-market/1359

What is Green Ammonia?

Green ammonia is ammonia produced using renewable energy sources, primarily through the electrolysis of water to generate hydrogen, which is then combined with nitrogen from the air. This process eliminates carbon emissions, setting green ammonia apart from traditional ammonia production, which relies heavily on fossil fuels.

Applications of Green Ammonia

Agriculture

One of the most significant applications of green ammonia is in agriculture. Ammonia is a key ingredient in fertilizers, and its sustainable production can help reduce the carbon footprint of farming. By using green ammonia, farmers can produce food more sustainably, supporting global food security while minimizing environmental impact.

Energy Storage

Green ammonia can also serve as an effective energy carrier. It can be synthesized when there is surplus renewable energy and later converted back into hydrogen or directly used in fuel cells. This capability makes it an attractive option for balancing supply and demand in renewable energy systems.

Shipping Fuel

The maritime industry is under increasing pressure to reduce emissions. Green ammonia has emerged as a potential zero-emission fuel for ships, helping to decarbonize one of the most challenging sectors in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

Benefits of Green Ammonia

Environmental Impact

By eliminating carbon emissions during production, green ammonia significantly reduces the environmental impact associated with traditional ammonia. This aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and achieve sustainability goals.

Energy Security

Investing in green ammonia can enhance energy security. As countries strive to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, green ammonia offers a renewable alternative that can be produced locally, minimizing reliance on imported fuels.

Economic Opportunities

The growth of the green ammonia market presents numerous economic opportunities, including job creation in renewable energy sectors, research and development, and new supply chain dynamics. As demand increases, investments in infrastructure and technology will drive innovation.

Factors Driving the Growth of the Green Ammonia Market

Regulatory Support

Governments worldwide are implementing policies and incentives to promote the adoption of green technologies. These regulations often include subsidies for renewable energy production and carbon pricing mechanisms, making green ammonia more competitive.

Rising Demand for Sustainable Solutions

With consumers and businesses becoming increasingly aware of their environmental impact, the demand for sustainable solutions is on the rise. Green ammonia aligns with this trend, providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional ammonia.

Advancements in Technology

Ongoing advancements in electrolysis and ammonia synthesis technologies are making the production of green ammonia more efficient and cost-effective. As these technologies mature, they will further enhance the viability of green ammonia in various applications.

Conclusion

The green ammonia market represents a promising avenue for sustainable development across agriculture, energy, and transportation sectors. As technology advances and regulatory support strengthens, green ammonia is poised to become a cornerstone of the global transition to a greener economy. Investing in this market not only contributes to environmental preservation but also opens up new economic opportunities for innovation and growth.

[bouncehousedemons]

For the last two weeks I have been working my arse off on a huge pitch document for a client. They do not want a Powerpoint presentation, they've insisted it be formatted as a document that they can read at their leisure (a Word doc that we will convert to a PDF)

I was working on it today, when my head of department burst into the document, accidentally erased reams of my work and made other portions huge and red, then proceeded to message me on Teams all: "ooops, haha, you can just re-do that, right?"

Me, internally: YOU FUCKING IDIOT, YOU SAVAGE, MY FISTS WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOUR FACE WITH THE FORCE OF A THOUSAND GUSTS OF WIND!

Me, actually: *swallowing back blood* yeah, that's fine.

I've never actually put my head through a wall before, but I feel as though I have enough anger induced adrenaline coursing through me at this very moment that I could do it and feel little to no pain.

[crystalprompter]

Crystal Prompter Delivers the Perfect Presentation Duo: POP 24 and EP 30K Now Enhancing Gimpo Art Village

On November 12, 2024, Crystal Prompter made an exciting addition to Gimpo Art Village with the delivery of their ultimate prompter setup. Known for their top-notch quality, Crystal Prompter’s products continue to impress, and this combination of the POP 24 monitor and EP 30K electric pedestal is no exception. This powerhouse duo brings efficiency and precision to presentations, raising the bar for what’s possible in professional setups.

POP 24 monitor stands out for its versatility and user-friendly design. Supporting multiple file formats, including PPT and PDF, it easily adapts to various professional settings, simplifying presentations and lectures. With a brightness of 250 cd/m² — higher than most standard monitors — and HDMI compatibility, it provides clear, vivid images that enhance the visual quality of any presentation.

Click here https://crystalprompter.com/

But what truly set the POP 24 apart was its integrated up/down and left/right inversion functions. Paired with an external converter, this feature made it possible to control presentations with just a single remote — no need for extra setups or adjustments. This streamlined approach meant presenters could focus entirely on their content, knowing the tech would work effortlessly behind the scenes.

The EP 30K electric pedestal is the perfect match for the POP 24, providing robust support with a smooth, quiet lift. With a 3-stage electric motor capable of lifting up to 30 kg to a height of 1250 mm, this pedestal handles even the heaviest setups without a hitch. Its rectangular base structure minimizes vibrations, keeping everything stable, no matter how high it’s raised. And thanks to the soft-locking system and noise-free urethane wheels crafted from lightweight aluminum, moving and adjusting the equipment is as easy and quiet as a whisper.

Together, the POP 24 and EP 30K offer a seamless, user-friendly experience that anyone can appreciate, whether for solo broadcasts, lectures, or professional presentations. Crystal Prompter has once again proven why they’re trusted by professionals who want equipment they can rely on, day in and day out. With this setup, Gimpo Art Village has a new tool for success — showing that, in the world of presentations, Crystal Prompter truly knows how to shine.

POP 24 is designed for easy and quick setup, allowing users to assemble it with minimal effort. Its portability makes it highly convenient to move and reassemble, making it adaptable for use in various locations and environments.

Convenient and Cost-Effective Electric Pedestal (EP 30K)

Crystal Prompter is your trusted partner in broadcasting, dedicated to supporting your journey every step of the way. We don’t just set up small studios — we build large-scale broadcasting environments that meet top industry standards. With years of experience, we understand your needs, big or small, and are committed to managing every situation with efficiency and stability. Our approach ensures clear, thoughtful support, always focused on what matters to you.

Let’s elevate your broadcasting together with Crystal Prompter’s dedicated support.

Visit our website to explore a wide range of products.

[harpersessentials]

HARPERS’ ESSENTIALS - 4th Edition | October 2023

A SIMBLR MAGAZINE DESIGNED TO PROMOTE FREE, LOST AND OLD SIMS 4 CUSTOM CONTENT; WITH IN-MAGAZINE DIRECT LINKS TO DOWNLOAD THE CC PRESENTED.

READ IT BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW (flipbook)

featured cc creators: @meghewlett @simlaughlove @maytaiii @toxicsimlish @softerhaze @jellypawss @m3lodiam-s1ms @renlishsims @crypticsim @bellassims @isjao @nynsimmer @hazelios @millkflower @trillyke @mmsims @arethabee @llazyneiph @gisheld @ctrl-sims-blog @pakupakutapir @cabsim @lightdeficient @adelarsims @revolution-sims @pinkpatchy @loverettsims @dissiasims @llamaloaf (cupidjuice) @prettydarinka @simatomica (slytherinsim) @pixlmonster @deetron-sims @kalissimsblog @casteru @ilkup @valhallansim @kotcatmeow @luumia @bluecravingcc

thank you all for your beautiful creations

disclaimers:

Old CC considered here as all Sims 4 Custom Content previous to 2020. But newer CC will also be presented, as long as it’s freely available.

Only direct links to tumblr pages which share no ad/paywall download links in sites/platforms like SimFileShare, Patreon (free), CurseForge, Dropbox, Onedrive, Google Drive, Mega, Mediafire. and TSR

next edition is going to be published in early november 😉 you can send/share cc suggestions, wcif or even your own sims to be models. i’d really love having your feedback about the magazine to improve it in the next edition. many thanks to all. also, if you find something amiss in the magazine, please let me know.

[zyphur]

Practice Guide for COMPUTER

Before starting your daily practice routine, read and seriously consider the following:

A. DAILY AFFIRMATIONS

How fortunate I am that in this life I am one who has been allowed to create beauty with COMPUTER

It is my resposibility to create peace, beauty and love with COMPUTER

B. I WILL BE KIND TO MYSELF

IT IS ONLY COMPUTER

No matter my level of development in COMPUTER, how good or bad I think I am, it is only COMPUTER and I am a beautiful person

I will not compare myself with my colleagues. If they do COMPUTER beautifully, I will enjoy it and be thankful and proud that I live in fellowship with them.

They will always be someone with more abilities in COMPUTER than my own as there will be those with less.

C. REASON TO DO COMPUTER

To contribute to the world's spirtual growth.

To contribute to my own self-discovery and spirtual growth.

To pay homeage to all the great practioners of COMPUTER, past and present, who have added beauty to the world

D. RID YOURSELF OF THE FOLLOWING REASONS FOR BEING A PRACTITIONER OF COMPUTER

To create self-esteem

To be hip

To manipulate

To get rich or famous

for more information on the origins of this piece, visit https://git.tilde.town/dozens/practice

— converted from PDF to rich text, from tilde.town zine seven pg.49

[tsreviews]

WP Genie Review: The Ultimate AI Virtual Assistant for WordPress

Key Features of WP Genie:

AI Page Builder: 

Say goodbye to the days of struggling with complex web design tools. With WP Genie, you can effortlessly create web pages, landing pages, and sales funnels that are not only visually stunning but also optimized for conversion. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can bring your online vision to life.

AI Virtual Assistant: 

Imagine having a dedicated assistant available 24/7 to handle routine tasks. AI can schedule appointments, manage your emails, and engage with customers, all while adapting to your specific needs and preferences. This means you can focus on the strategic aspects of your business and leave the repetitive tasks to your virtual 

AI "Data-Trained" ChatBOT - Easily train WP Genie on your own data ( website, PDF, text or even Q&A) to sell and support customers on your website 24/7

AI Writer: 

Need high-quality content at lightning speed? WP Genie generates articles, blog posts, and marketing materials with remarkable efficiency. Whether it's creating informative blog posts or crafting persuasive ad copy, AI has your back, saving you time and ensuring consistency in your messaging.

AI Video, VSL & Webinar Creator:

Lights, camera, AI action! Creating captivating videos, sales presentations, and promotional content has never been easier. WP Genie crafts engaging visuals and delivers compelling messages that leave a lasting impact on your audience.

AI Audio & Voiceovers:

Take your multimedia marketing to the next level with AI-generated audio content and professional voiceovers. From podcast intros to explainer videos, AI ensures your audio materials are top-notch, enhancing engagement and brand professionalism.

AI Graphics Designer:

No need for design expertise or expensive graphic designers. AI can quickly and creatively design graphics for your banners, images, and social media posts. Your visuals will be on point, catching the eye of your audience.

AI Copywriter:

When inspiration is scarce, AI steps in as your writing muse. It crafts persuasive, attention-grabbing copy for your ads, product descriptions, and marketing campaigns. Get ready to amaze and convert your audience with compelling content.

AI Course Creator: 

The world of online education is at your fingertips. WP Genie simplifies the creation of digital courses, enabling you to share your expertise and knowledge with a global audience. Creating and sharing valuable educational content has never been more exciting.

AI eBook Creator:

Unleash your creativity and knowledge in the form of e-books. WP Genie streamlines the process, allowing you to publish digital books effortlessly. Share your insights and stories with the world, all while keeping your audience engaged.

AI Flipbook Creator: 

Flipbooks bring a touch of interactivity to your content. WP Genie turns static content into dynamic, engaging flipbooks, providing a unique and captivating way to present your information.

AI Audio Book Creator: 

Transform your written content into an auditory experience with AI. It converts your text into compelling audiobooks, offering your audience an alternative way to consume your content, and making it accessible to a broader audience.

AI Logo & Business Card Creator:

Your brand deserves the best, and AI delivers. AI can design professional logos and business cards that accurately reflect your brand identity and make a memorable impression on your audience.

AI Text to Images:

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[axolotlclown]

Would you happen to have some studies to back up the "more than one coffee means you're addicted" thing, please? Pretty sure I've seen that disproven as a lens to understand addiction through at all

~ 🪴

Hey! So sorry I never saw this anon. It never appeared in my notifs and I'm really bad about checking my askbox.

You have asked a question that falls in line with a field I am very passionate about! I found some interesting articles in my school library. I'm going to go ahead and write this response, but I'm still waiting on access to a few journals. I'll have to convert those ones to PDFs as they are likely behind paywalls.

Anyway, here's my long post where I intend to rant about a lot of different barely related topics. Caffeine addiction is one of those really controversial but historically significant subjects in psychology!

So let me start off with how to read and break down a journal. It's one of those things where if you don't go to college and specifically major in a research related field, no one ever teaches you how to do it. That sucks.

So when you're looking at a journal, the first thing you want to do is background check the author. What school did they go to? What degrees do they have? (For research, they should have a Ph.D. no matter what.) What is their current place of employment?

Often companies, or other private businesses, will commission someone to do some research and fudge the results to make that company look better. We saw this recently in regards to gender affirming care. The United States House of Representatives had proposed legislation to restrict gender affirming care for transgender youth. The Republican sponsor of the bill had presented a single piece of research that he claimed was significant. The research found that transition regret rates were somewhere in the 30% range. (I don't remember exactly and I know that I could quickly look it up, but I just spent the past two hours reading addiction research. I'll find it tomorrow.) Upon looking into the author and the sponsors of this research, psychologists found that the journal the congressman presented was commissioned by a conversation therapy center in Florida. The research held obvious bias, poor peer review, and inconclusive results. The bill didn't pass. I'm not sure they even voted on it, actually.

Anyway, this is why we need to be critical of the research we read. Chocolate, wine, caffeine, gender dysphoria, and autism are notorious subjects that require more scrutiny before reading.

So, caffeine addiction. This is a subject that more than one field is interested in. Before you read an article, you need to be sure what question you are asking. Psychologists are concerned with a more scientific or factual approach. In this context, a psychologist would be researching the concrete effects of caffeine on mood, sleep, and other psychological disorders. Sociologists are more concerned with the overall social consequences of caffeine addiction. They would be asking how mood and sleep affected family, work, and personal welfare. For your question, we're going to look into the psychological aspect. Also, I'm studying psychology, not sociology, so I would feel like an idiot answering those types of questions.

This distinction matters. When I opened my school's EBSCOHost database, I simply typed in "caffeine addiction" to start. I was bombarded with sociological articles and journals about the affects of caffeine addiction on productivity at work and on mood. Strange overlap with psychology. Two problems: some of the top articles had researchers with ties to coffee companies, and all "caffeine addicts" were self-reported. For the latter, this meant that there was no standard for how much caffeine was consumed. Rather than being a concrete article about caffeine consumption, it was more of a survey of public opinion. You want to avoid those unless you specifically want to know about the public opinion. Even psychologists run surveys all the time (they're cheap and easy), but people often lie on surveys, even if they're anonymous.

So I typed in more specific key words and came up with these articles. I'll talk about some without leaving a link, but that's because I had to request the PDFs for sharing. I'll come back to this post and link them. (Let me know if the ones I do link are broken.)

Okay, so I'm going to start off with a journal that interested me, personally. This study actually observed the effects of caffeine on psychiatric patients. This is an important reminder that different drugs influence different brains. Someone with ADHD experiences caffeine differently for a neurotypical person. Caffeine is a stimulant, and ADHD medications are stimulants. Cool. What about other disorders?

Here's the Sparknotes of the study, "Caffeine intoxication was more prevalent in psychiatric patients than in healthy subjects. The amount of caffeine intake was shown to be associated positively with the severity of pathology and inversely with sleep quality."

The study goes more into depth about the different psychological disorders that different patients had. There were 401 patients participating in this study (150 healthy individuals). Overall, continuous caffeine intake showed a decline in sleep quality and a general increase in severity of other mental illnesses.

So what causes that? What is caffeine? Here's an article that looks into studies about caffeine consumption and performance, as well as what the causes of an addiction could be and what constitutes an addiction. This is one I recommend giving a read, as it helps to illuminate a common problem with researching intoxicants.

Here's the big take away: "Although caffeine is widely perceived to have beneficial psychostimulant effects, appropriately controlled studies show that its apparent beneficial effects on performance and mood are almost wholly attributed to reversal of the withdrawal effects that occur after fairly short periods of abstinence (e.g. overnight)."

In habitual coffee users, the increase of mood and performance after consumption of caffeine is caused by the removal of withdrawal symptoms. Grouchy mood and lack of coordination are symptoms of caffeine withdrawal. Where one may perceive positive reinforcement for initial consumption, for habitual consumers, withdrawal symptoms become a negative reinforcement.

So, for people that drink coffee everyday, it's less about getting the positive effects of caffeine, but rather avoiding the negative effects of withdrawal. This can be classified as an addiction. There is now a reliance on this substance.

Something this article also points out is that caffeine is not just found in coffee. It's found in chocolate and most medications these days as well. Therefore, complete stone cold abstinence from caffeine can be next to impossible, making control groups difficult to find. This leads to the varying research and controversy between psychologists.

Okay, but coffee can't be as bad as alcohol or anything right? Caffeine is practically harmless! Let's take a look into an article discussing the health impacts of caffeine. (I'll provide the full text to this one tomorrow.)

In Dr. Saimaiti's article titled, "Dietary Sources, Health Benefits, and Risks of Caffeine," she explores the benefits of occasional consumption of caffeine and weighs them against habitual overconsumption of caffeine.

While occasional consumption can actually improve mood and cognitive ability, these benefits are lost with daily consumption.

Few people drink their coffee black. For those that put creamer, milk (especially oat), or straight sugar or syrups in their coffees daily, they may be overconsuming sugar. This is especially hard on an empty stomach. This is part of the reason you "crash" later in the day. The sugar raises your blood sugar. For most healthy people, this may not be the biggest deal in the world. For others, it could be a key factor in developing diabetes later in life. In general, don't drink coffee on an empty stomach. Have it with a meal. It's also easier on your liver.

Speaking of liver, what does your body do with the caffeine after you drink it? Caffeine follows the same principle as alcohol. Occasional consumption of red wine can help thin your blood and lower your hemoglobin (something that women may be more concerned about as they get older). However, daily consumption of wine can cause stress on the liver and potentially lead to dementia later in life (I say potentially because there has been a correlation, but no solid research as to why. While correlation does not always mean causation, it's important to acknowledge them in the meantime.)

Caffeine behaves in the same way. Continuous consumption of caffeine can put some real stress on your liver over time.

Caffeine is dangerous for those with cardiovascular problems. While this seems like a "duh!" point, many people don't know that they may be prone to cardiovascular issues until an event happens. This sounds like fear mongering, but it's something to take into account.

The article discusses pregnant women as well, but I would hope that's intuitive? Maybe not? If you're pregnant you should avoid intoxication in all forms.

I'll drop this quote from the conclusion of the article for now (I felt weird quoting text that you can't access yet, so I'll come back with more quotes when I can give you the PDF): "the long-term or over-consumption of caffeine can lead to addiction, insomnia, migraine, and other side effects."

The point is, caffeine consumption can be more dangerous to some than others in general, but excessive consumption with lack of knowledge can lead to long-term damage to one's health.

Okay, that study talks about a relatively small niche. Let's get broad. Let's talk about sleep and cognitive performance. (Another study I'll have the PDF for tomorrow.)

In Dr. Gottselig's article titled, "Random Number Generation During Sleep Deprivation: Effects of Caffeine on Response Maintenance and Stereotypy," she looks at the effects caffeine has on cognitive performance during sleep deprivation.

The conclusions of this research makes a very important point: "caffeine preserves simple aspects of cognitive performance during sleep deprivation, whereas caffeine may not prevent detrimental effects of sleep deprivation on some complex cognitive functions."

This article particularly found that while small cognitive functions such as motor ability improved with caffeine, complex cognitive functions such as problem solving and memory declined.

While a college student could read this and understand that pulling an all nighter and drinking 10 Red Bulls probably won't help them pass their test, there's something much more to be said about these findings.

One sleep deprived night won't kill you, and certainly drinking a cup of coffee to get you through the day won't either. But caffeine cannot prevent the damage that regular sleep deprivation does. Sleep deprivation leads to memory loss, worsening symptoms of depression/anxiety/ADHD, increased chances of developing dementia early (this one is real), and a decline in overall cognitive ability.

Rough. But it is a trap. If you have insomnia, caffeine may feel like your only choice to be somewhat functioning throughout the day. Caffeine promotes symptoms of insomnia. It's a vicious cycle if you can't afford proper treatment, and one, that I hope, that will be addressed with time.

So if you have the ability, it's better to prioritize a good night's sleep. I'll come back to this.

For now, why is caffeine addiction so controversial then? Well, it may not be for long. While there was a push to add "caffeine" to the list of diagnosable addiction in the DSM since the 1980's, the inconsistent and inconclusive research has led to a standstill. As we say with Dr. Jame's article, it is difficult to get a control group for caffeine. However, as research for alcohol and marijuana progresses, our knowledge of how to properly study intoxicants does as well.

The long-term health side effects of caffeine are still being studied as well. While this aspect isn't unique to caffeine at all (marijuana, for example, is just now getting approved for research, where before it was illegal), it's still worth acknowledging what we do know, for now at least.

So, coming back to the DSM. There's a new one coming out pretty soon. It's the talk of the town among psychologists right now. Everyone is arguing about what should be in the DSM-6. It'll be crazy when it does come out. Autism, OCD, Gender Dysphoria, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Facial Dysmorphia are just a few examples of disorders that will likely be completely recategorized.

(Unrelated, but Autism Spectrum Disorder is a big one because a lot of psychologists are arguing that it shouldn't be classified as a disorder at all. The reason being is that Autism is so common, that psychologists are theorizing that the majority of the population falls on the spectrum somewhere. Either way, the diagnosis is about to completely change because of this fact.) (Well, all of them are big ones. I could make a whole separate post about it.)

Anyway, the push to make caffeine diagnosable is becoming a promising endeavor as research continues to come out.

One psychiatrist pushing for this is Ronald Griffiths. In his opinion piece, Griffiths recalls his patients experiencing caffeine withdrawal symptoms that led to a decline in the quality of life. One of his patients was diagnosed with breast cancer and needed to stop drinking coffee immediately. This patient struggled with severe withdrawal symptoms that were difficult to manage while on cancer treatment.

Griffiths explains how difficult it was to treat this patient because it wasn't something he could easily diagnose with the DSM-5, something insurance companies use to decide whether they're going to pay for care or not. Add on the bills for cancer treatment, and you rapidly have a distressing situation on your hands.

Joseph DeRupo, spokesman for the National Coffee Association in the U.S. as quoted in this article states, "What we have here is really the opinion of one scientist who is a lone voice against the accepted view of the scientific community."

Lone voice? In barely an hour I was able to find 5 credible articles, all backed by credible researchers, supporting the understanding that American society consumes too much caffeine. You can take a General Psych class in college and the textbook would spend half a chapter going over caffeine addiction and the controversial research around it. Coffee companies piss me off. And most companies use slave labor to harvest their beans and lobby to prevent legislation to prevent it. Guillotine.

Griffiths also claims that "[e]ven people who consume as little as 100 milligrams of caffeine a day—the equivalent of one small cup of coffee—can become physically dependent."

So this ask is pretty old, but I'm guessing it was in response to me saying that you should only drink one cup of a random beverage a day and the rest be water. This keeps you hydrated and helps cut out where the majority of your sugar intake is. I called it the "desert beverage" and that "coffee counts."

It really does. In the morning, one feels tired, foggy, and grouchy. "Don't talk to me until I've had my morning coffee." They would make their coffee out of habit, barely minding the taste of it—drinking to medicate the headache they've already caused.

Life is worth celebrating, and if we can find little things in our day to celebrate, we should! When coffee becomes a habit, it's just a habit. That's sad.

I worked as a barista for a while at a coffee shop that hired people with intellectual disabilities. That experience is what made me switch my major to psychology in the first place. But I saw the joys coffee could bring, and the damage it can do, too. I had a coworker who would come in and throw a tantrum if we didn't immediately stop what we were doing and make him a coffee—and again in two hours before the end of his shift. It's upsetting.

I do remember the joys, too. Our manager would show us a new niche coffee drink from a random country. We would make cubanos like they would in Haiti and talk about the different names they had in different countries around the world. It ruled.

I don't drink coffee every day anymore. But it's always a wonderful thing when I do. You don't need to have an "excuse" to drink a cup of coffee—you don't need to celebrate anything at all. Coffee, tea, wine, soda, and juice should be celebrated as they are. Drinking them out of habit destroys joy. Intentional habits create stable foundations in life. Unintentional habits create monotony and boredom.

Anyway, the sleep thing I said I'd come back to. So if you're having trouble sleeping, here's the hot tip: avoid screens 30 minutes before going to bed. That sounds easy, but how many of us scroll our phones, watch TV, or play a video game right before bed? It's not worth it.

Instead, do something away from your phone that you enjoy. I like to read, but you can draw, journal, listen to some music, practice an instrument, or write something. Doesn't matter, just don't use your phone or laptop. Set a 30 minute timer for time.

If you're still struggling to sleep, you may find meditation useful. Meditation uses techniques that make your brain send beta waves which relaxes you and is the first step to falling asleep. But! If you try to learn some meditation, you'll have to commit to practicing it every night for it to be useful. It's a skill that requires practice.

Anyway, I could make a whole separate post about evening/morning/afternoon routines as that is another one of my passions, but yeah.

TLDR; An occasional cup of coffee is actually great and wonderful, but you really shouldn't drink it every day, especially more than once a day.

PS. I love Red Bull cream sodas more than the God that created them, I swear, but I only drink maybe one or two energy drinks a year. Energy drinks will dissolve your liver faster than hydrochloric acid can. An alcoholic drinking 5 packs of beers a day will look at your liver and be impressed. Also the Panera lemonade should be illegal. That shit is CRAZY. That bitch had more caffeine than a Bang energy drink. It literally killed a man. Wild.