#Ecosystem and Digital Sales

[apacnewsnetwork0]

GenAI in India: Tech Industry Partnerships Catalyze Adoption

The likes of IBM, Tech Mahindra, Google Cloud, Netapp, Deloitte, ServiceNow and the likes are all jumping into the GenAI bandwagon. APAC News Network explores the dynamics of some of these partnerships.

GenAI or Generative AI is fast gaining grounds in India, especially in terms of acceptance by different stakeholders. These include the different enterprises across different verticals using GenAI in different facets of their businesses. Another stakeholder has been the Indian GenAI-based SaaS startups whose numbers too are rapidly rising every year. Add to this the IT services giants and software giants who too are jumping into the GenAI bandwagon. Last but not the least, the government too is supporting the GenAI revolution with proactive policy formation and creating appropriate implementation environment in the country.

Worldwide there is an explosion in the number of Gen AI-native SaaS companies and a surge in investment capital, with over $12 billion funneled into 60+ emerging domains in FY23 alone. The Indian players, on the other hand, raised $590 million in funding during the same time period.  While globally there are 259 generative AI startups as of 2024, in India there are around 20+ pure-play generative AI startups.

Also Read More Here : https://apacnewsnetwork.com/2024/04/genai-in-india-tech-industry-partnerships-catalyze-adoption/

[canvascraft]

Black Friday SEO Strategies: Maximizing Online Sales and Website Traffic in 2024

The Digital Battlefield of Holiday Shopping In the rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape, Black Friday has transformed from a single-day shopping event to a complex, multi-week digital marketing marathon. As online sales continue to surge, businesses must leverage sophisticated search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace. The Stakes of Black…

[lizardsfromspace]

Sometimes people fearing the end of physical media for movies rope in books too & physical books are fine. They're not going anywhere bc they're still how publishers make the majority of their money

If you look into the data, after an initial boom, the percentage of people reading print versus ebooks has remained pretty consistent, without major swings. It's still primarily paper books, as this graph from 2024 shows. Majorities still prefer physical books across all age brackets as well,

If you look at sales charts, at the start of the 2010s physical book sales took a big hit, but then ebook sales declined and now physical book sales are at or exceed where they were before they came along.

Now, the elephant in the room is that this data concerns ebook versions of books with physical copies, i.e. traditionally published ones. Because no one predicted that the primary market for ebooks would not be digital editions of every book, but an entirely separate ecosystem of independent and self-published books that would not exist were it not for ebooks.

But why ebook sales of traditionally published books declined so much after their initial boom is a question in need of an explanation. Let's check out the Amazon page for their current top selling book, the Handmaid's Tale

Oh, that's right! Ebooks COST MORE THAN PHYSICAL BOOKS now. But if you pay a $11.99 monthly subscription, you could read it for free! Anyway yeah this isn't a DVD/Blu-Ray situation physical books are not going anywhere anytime soon

[probablyasocialecologist]

Libraries have traditionally operated on a basic premise: Once they purchase a book, they can lend it out to patrons as much (or as little) as they like. Library copies often come from publishers, but they can also come from donations, used book sales, or other libraries. However the library obtains the book, once the library legally owns it, it is theirs to lend as they see fit.  Not so for digital books. To make licensed e-books available to patrons, libraries have to pay publishers multiple times over. First, they must subscribe (for a fee) to aggregator platforms such as Overdrive. Aggregators, like streaming services such as HBO’s Max, have total control over adding or removing content from their catalogue. Content can be removed at any time, for any reason, without input from your local library. The decision happens not at the community level but at the corporate one, thousands of miles from the patrons affected.  Then libraries must purchase each individual copy of each individual title that they want to offer as an e-book. These e-book copies are not only priced at a steep markup—up to 300% over consumer retail—but are also time- and loan-limited, meaning the files self-destruct after a certain number of loans. The library then needs to repurchase the same book, at a new price, in order to keep it in stock.  This upending of the traditional order puts massive financial strain on libraries and the taxpayers that fund them. It also opens up a world of privacy concerns; while libraries are restricted in the reader data they can collect and share, private companies are under no such obligation. Some libraries have turned to another solution: controlled digital lending, or CDL, a process by which a library scans the physical books it already has in its collection, makes secure digital copies, and lends those out on a one-to-one “owned to loaned” ratio.  The Internet Archive was an early pioneer of this technique. When the digital copy is loaned, the physical copy is sequestered from borrowing; when the physical copy is checked out, the digital copy becomes unavailable. The benefits to libraries are obvious; delicate books can be circulated without fear of damage, volumes can be moved off-site for facilities work without interrupting patron access, and older and endangered works become searchable and can get a second chance at life. Library patrons, who fund their local library’s purchases with their tax dollars, also benefit from the ability to freely access the books. Publishers are, unfortunately, not a fan of this model, and in 2020 four of them sued the Internet Archive over its CDL program. The suit ultimately focused on the Internet Archive’s lending of 127 books that were already commercially available through licensed aggregators. The publisher plaintiffs accused the Internet Archive of mass copyright infringement, while the Internet Archive argued that its digitization and lending program was a fair use. The trial court sided with the publishers, and on September 4, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reaffirmed that decision with some alterations to the underlying reasoning.  This decision harms libraries. It locks them into an e-book ecosystem designed to extract as much money as possible while harvesting (and reselling) reader data en masse. It leaves local communities’ reading habits at the mercy of curatorial decisions made by four dominant publishing companies thousands of miles away. It steers Americans away from one of the few remaining bastions of privacy protection and funnels them into a surveillance ecosystem that, like Big Tech, becomes more dangerous with each passing data breach. And by increasing the price for access to knowledge, it puts up even more barriers between underserved communities and the American dream.

11 September 2024

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Parker Molloy at The Present Age:

A new Media Matters report confirms what many of us have suspected for years: the right absolutely dominates online media. And it's not even close. According to their analysis, nine of the top ten online shows are right-leaning, with a total following of more than 197 million subscribers and viewers across platforms. The only left-leaning show to crack the top ten? Trevor Noah's "What Now?" with 21.1 million followers.

Overall, right-leaning online shows have amassed nearly 481 million followers across platforms — almost five times more than the 104 million followers for left-leaning shows. On YouTube alone, right-wing channels have racked up 65 billion views compared to 31.5 billion for left-leaning content. These numbers are staggering, but they're not an accident. They're the result of a deliberate, well-funded strategy to colonize the digital media landscape with conservative voices. While left-leaning creators struggle to cobble together sustainable business models through Patreon donations and merchandise sales, right-wing personalities are frequently backed by billionaire money that allows them to build sophisticated media operations with professional production values and massive marketing budgets.

This isn't just about politics — it's about money, power, and the future of our information ecosystem. The Kochs, the Mercers, the Thiels, the Murdochs, the Uihleins — these aren't just wealthy families; they're kingmakers who understand that investing in media is investing in political power.

[...] Perhaps the most insidious aspect of this takeover is how right-wing content has seeped into supposedly non-political spaces. The Media Matters analysis found that 72% of online shows with an ideological bent that self-identify as non-political are actually right-leaning.

[...]

This infiltration of supposedly non-political spaces works precisely because it doesn't present itself as political propaganda. It's just bros talking about life, making jokes, and occasionally hosting a presidential candidate or anti-trans activist. And behind many of these seemingly independent creators? You guessed it — conservative money.

In contrast, progressive online media operates in a funding desert. While right-wing creators enjoy the backing of ideologically motivated billionaires, left-leaning voices must navigate a fragmented landscape of smaller donors, subscriptions, and advertising — all while competing against the right's well-oiled promotion machine.

Major progressive donors simply haven't prioritized building a comparable media ecosystem. George Soros, the right's favorite boogeyman, has primarily focused his giving on policy organizations and civil society groups, not media entities that could counter the Shapiros and Rogans of the world. Similarly, other wealthy liberal donors have directed their resources toward traditional political campaigns, issue advocacy, and established nonprofit journalism rather than investing in the creator economy.

Even when progressive funders do support media, they often impose restrictions and expectations that make it difficult to build large, sustainable audiences. While conservative backers give their content creators freedom to be entertaining, provocative, and commercially viable first, progressive funding often comes with strings attached around messaging, issue focus, and measurable policy impacts.

The approach means left-leaning creators are forced to prioritize substance over style, nuance over engagement, and education over entertainment — all while operating with a fraction of the resources available to their right-wing counterparts.

[...]

If progressives want to compete in the digital information space, they need to get serious about building and funding an ecosystem that can rival the right's dominance.

This doesn't mean mimicking the dishonesty and extremism that characterizes much of right-wing media. But it does require acknowledging some uncomfortable truths: entertainment values matter, production quality matters, marketing matters, and yes, money matters. Progressive donors need to take a page from the conservative playbook by making long-term, substantial investments in digital media with fewer strings attached. They need to fund not just serious policy content but also entertainment, comedy, sports, and lifestyle content that can reach beyond the already converted. More importantly, they need to recognize that building media power is not secondary to political organizing — it's an essential prerequisite. In an era when a single podcast host can reach more people than all the major cable news networks combined, media isn't just about informing people about progressive policies; it's about creating the cultural and informational environment where those policies can even be considered.

The right understood this decades ago when they began building their media apparatus. They knew that owning the megaphones was just as important as having something to say into them. It's long past time for progressives to learn the same lesson. The alternative is accepting a future where the digital public square is permanently tilted toward conservative voices — not because their ideas are more popular, but because they were willing to pay for the microphones.

Former Media Matters For America employee Parker Molloy wrote in her The Present Age column that the right-wing dominance on online media platforms is hurting left-leaning content creators and the Democratic Party at the ballot box.

[sweaterkittensahoy]

I do not understand why ebay sellers take the time to remaster vintage patterns so they're very readable and clearly saved at a very high resolution, and then only sell print copies.

No joke, I once ordered from someone on ebay who had clearly put a LOT of work into remastering the patterns they had. All of them were laid out so they could be printed on a single, double-sided 11x17 sheet at MOST. That's very impressive.

I ordered, I think, three patterns. And then they didn't show up in my email. I had thought I was ordering digital patterns because I usually shop on etsy and just assumed if a pattern had been digitized, I'd be getting a PDF in my email.

Nope. Paper pattern. In the mail. And, look, they look GREAT. But also I'm fascinated by the ecosystem implied by someone taking the time to digitize and re-layout vintage patterns and then sell ONLY paper copies to people. Surely it is cheaper per pattern to just load up a single listing with 25 pdfs. But i also don't know what it's like to list on ebay, so maybe the paper pattern IS easier. But they DO have digital goods for sale.

Anyway, random thought for tonight. I need to scan those paper patterns so I will always have clean copies and make the ones I ordered.

[perpetualnovelboyfriend]

reposting from r/romancebooks

Alt Text: r/Kindle post that states: FYI Amazon is removing Download and Transfer option on February 26. I went to download a book this morning and saw the following warning: Starting February 26, 2025, the "Download & Transfer via USB" option will no longer be available. You can still send Kindle books to your Wi-Fi enabled devices by selecting the "Deliver or Remove from Device" option. This post contains a screenshot of the warning.

u/Magnafeana's attached FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is “Download & Transfer via USB”? This is a website option to permit users to download their Amazon content library purchases directly to their PCs. This is a way to keep versions of your purchases in your own storage. This does not mean that the file is deDRM. The file remains AZW3 DRM locked.

Does this affect all kindles? This pertains to the website itself.

Will this affect other methods of Send to Kindle? No. You can still use other methods to send documents, PDFs, and EPUBs to your Kindle device either manually or via Calibre.

Why don’t I see this yet when I try this option? It seems there’s a mixed bag of people who get this message and don’t. I personally don’t. But I have verified with representatives and their team leads twice that this change will happen universally on February 26.

How can I back up my books? r/Calibre is a great resource itself that walks you through how to back up your books and read them elsewhere.

This makes me concerned about purchasing from Amazon. Are there any other options? Many

u/Magnafeana's resource list under the cut

I shared my resources here and here, but here’s a list: I always advocate for DRM-free media. I shared here some non-Amazon options (Abe Books is owned by Amazon BTW): Apple Books Rakuten Kobo (Kobo lets you use Adobe Digital Edition DRMs, which come as epubs) SmashWords itch.io Humble Bumble Eden Books Libby Barnes & Noble Nook (though I believe this contain DRM as well and, similar to this, you can no longer download Nook ebooks to your PC directly) BookFunnel Author directly (sometimes, you can purchase DRM-free ebooks from them or they gift it to you) Project Gutenberg (public domain) Internet Archive RoyalRoad (webnovels) Tapas (webnovels) Google Play Books ebooks.com Bookshops.com (however, there’s some controversy that, while this’ll partner with Kobo eventually, DRM Ebooks from Bookshop.org must be read on either their Apple or Android app, and this is in the US currently, but this thread on r/books talks about it more) Harlequin DL Site (Japanese media) J-Novel Club (Japanese) BOOK⭐️WALKER (Japanese) BookLive (Japanese) Honto (Japanese) I’m missing out on multiple retailers for Asian content, but so many of them are largely physical books rather than ebooks 😭 r/FreeRomanceBooks is also a great place to check out free books that may be available on non-Amazon platforms r/MM_RomanceBooks has daily release posts that include Sales & Deals that may be from non-Amazon websites as well as dedicated posts for sales & deals and stuff your ereader days that can have books beyond the Amazon ecosystem r/Fantasy is great at calling out humble bumble deals for fantasy books, where they are all ePUBS r/audiobooks has a great resources for options Some of my sources do encompass audiobooks, but there’s also: Hoopla GraphicAudio Kobo Audiobooks Libro.fm (DRM-free, IIRC) Google Play Audiobooks Humble Bumble Internet Archive Blogs (some audiodramas/audiobooks are hosted on the actual webnovel page) Teen Book Cloud Librovox (public domain) Just an FYI ☺️ But I will echo what I say in my other comments: KU is still a great subscription and Amazon does provide a lot of books. Amazon puts exclusivity for some authors as well, so remaining with Amazon isn’t a bad thing. If you can afford to shop elsewhere for ebooks or your library hosts the books you like, go for it! I certainly get things from Libby and other sites, but there’s a lot of books solely available through Amazon and that’ll be the only way to support the author. Do what’s affordable and accessible to you.

[paladingineer]

On Digital Dragons, Extinction, and Internet Ecosystems

I will preface this by saying that this was a shower thought, based on personal experiences that may simply be skewed by where I choose to spend my online time, and I have done absolutely zero research.

There's this website about hatching and raising pixel dragons called Dragon Cave. If I recall it was most popular in the late 2000s/early 2010s. The basic premise was that your dragons relied on clicks from other people, so you'd link your eggs/dragons elsewhere and hope people clicked on them enough for them to hatch/grow. Fairly simple. The dragons looked like this:

It wasn't uncommon to see them in people's signatures. For those unfamiliar with them, on most sites where you could post things, just like how you can choose your avatar and username, you were also allowed to write a "signature" that would appear after every single thing you posted. It was limited in both size and character count. The Dragon Cave dragons were sized so that they'd fit nicely into most websites' signature fields.

But I've noticed in recent years that signatures on websites are becoming less and less common - to the point where I just now felt I may need to explain what they are to the young'uns.

And I haven't seen Dragon Cave dragons in a while, either. These dragons relied on clicks from outside sources. They relied on being passively linked to in high traffic areas - primarily, the signatures in online discussions.

And with the decline of the signature field, so too did the dragons decline. They lost their "habitat" in the internet "ecosystem," and died out, just like a rare bird dying out when the forest it lived in is cut down.

I think the last place I actually saw one was Flight Rising - incidentally, also a website about raising pixel dragons. It's one of the few places that still uses signatures. You would think, then, that Dragon Cave dragons would thrive, given the appropriate niche and appealing to the primary audience of the forums. But they don't. They're quite rare to see.

And this is because they're outcompeted.

Flight Rising is a much more involved game than Dragon Cave, complete with a player-driven economy - not limited to the purchase and sale of items like most player economies, but also the purchase and sale of services, mostly artistic in nature. To feed, dress up, and customize your dragons, as well as purchasing new ones, you need money. And a lot of people get their money by engaging in these player-run businesses. Which means advertising. And where better to advertise than your signature? Sure, you don't need to take up the entire signature, but you're more likely to get clicks if you have something flashy than just a column of text links.

Which leaves no room for the Dragon Cave dragons, who are at the additional disadvantage of direct competition with the Flight Rising dragons for player engagement as well - if you're already playing an intricate internet dragon raising game, you're probably going to prioritize it over a different internet dragon raising game. And while the Flight Rising dragons themselves aren't generally linked directly in signatures, they are supported by the things that are, so can still be considered Flight Rising dragons "occupying" the signature. They draw their resources from it just like a Dragon Cave dragon, just in a different way.

The two types of dragon are competing for the same niche, and one of them is native to it, while also arguably being better adapted to it. There's a limit to how many Dragon Cave dragons can be raised at once because only so many fit on the signature bar, but the advertised player businesses can support any number of Flight Rising dragons. Flight Rising dragons simply make more efficient use of the digital real estate. And of course when push comes to shove, players are most likely going to prioritize "spending" that real estate supporting the dragons in the game they are currently playing over supporting dragons from a different game entirely.

And so the Dragon Cave dragons in their last remaining "habitat" are outcompeted by a more fit "species" and driven to "extinction."

[plethoraworldatlas]

Congress’ unfounded plan to ban TikTok under the guise of protecting our data is back, this time in the form of a new bill—the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” H.R. 7521 — which has gained a dangerous amount of momentum in Congress. This bipartisan legislation was introduced in the House just a week ago and is expected to be sent to the Senate after a vote later this week.

A year ago, supporters of digital rights across the country successfully stopped the federal RESTRICT Act, commonly known as the “TikTok Ban” bill (it was that and a whole lot more). And now we must do the same with this bill. 

As a first step, H.R. 7521 would force TikTok to find a new owner that is not based in a foreign adversarial country within the next 180 days or be banned until it does so. It would also give the President the power to designate other applications under the control of a country considered adversarial to the U.S. to be a national security threat. If deemed a national security threat, the application would be banned from app stores and web hosting services unless it cuts all ties with the foreign adversarial country within 180 days. The bill would criminalize the distribution of the application through app stores or other web services, as well as the maintenance of such an app by the company. Ultimately, the result of the bill would either be a nationwide ban on the TikTok, or a forced sale of the application to a different company.

Make no mistake—though this law starts with TikTok specifically, it could have an impact elsewhere. Tencent’s WeChat app is one of the world’s largest standalone messenger platforms, with over a billion users, and is a key vehicle for the Chinese diaspora generally. It would likely also be a target. 

The bill’s sponsors have argued that the amount of private data available to and collected by the companies behind these applications — and in theory, shared with a foreign government — makes them a national security threat. But like the RESTRICT Act, this bill won’t stop this data sharing, and will instead reduce our rights online. User data will still be collected by numerous platforms—possibly even TikTok after a forced sale—and it will still be sold to data brokers who can then sell it elsewhere, just as they do now. 

The only solution to this pervasive ecosystem is prohibiting the collection of our data in the first place. Ultimately, foreign adversaries will still be able to obtain our data from social media companies unless those companies are forbidden from collecting, retaining, and selling it, full stop. And to be clear, under our current data privacy laws, there are many domestic adversaries engaged in manipulative and invasive data collection as well. That’s why EFF supports such consumer data privacy legislation. 

[innomaxstartup]

How to Start a Business from Scratch in 2025 – A Step-by-Step Guide for New Founders

Thinking about launching your own business but don’t know where to begin? You’re not alone. In 2025, starting a business from scratch is more accessible—and more competitive—than ever before. Here’s how to do it right.

🚀 Introduction: Why 2025 Is the Perfect Year to Start a Business

The rules of entrepreneurship are changing fast. Thanks to AI tools, digital platforms, and remote work, building a business from scratch has never been more possible—or more exciting.

But with opportunity comes complexity. The startup world in 2025 is competitive, fast-paced, and constantly evolving. If you’ve got an idea and the ambition to bring it to life, this guide will walk you through how to start a business from scratch—step by step.

Whether you’re launching a tech startup, a local service, or a creative venture, this practical roadmap will help you move from dream to launch with clarity and confidence. Importance of Startups for India’s Economy 

Startups play a pivotal role in shaping India’s economy by creating jobs, fostering innovation, and contributing significantly to GDP growth. As of 2022, startups accounted for about 2.64% of employment in the Indian market, highlighting their importance. The government of India has recognized this potential and launched various initiatives, such as the Startup India scheme, to support startup growth through funding, mentorship, and favorable policies. This ecosystem has propelled India into the ranks of top global leaders in innovation and entrepreneurship. 

 Step 1: Validate Your Business Idea

Don’t build before you validate.

Many new entrepreneurs fall in love with their idea before checking if people actually need it. In 2025, with customer attention at a premium, market validation is non-negotiable.

Here’s how to validate:

Talk to potential customers (online or offline).

Use tools like Google Trends, Reddit, and Quora to check demand.

Launch a quick landing page with tools like Carrd or Webflow and collect signups.

Offer a pre-sale or pilot to gauge interest.

If no one bites, pivot or refine.

Step 2: Do Market Research

Understand your customers, competitors, and trends.

Before spending time or money, study the landscape. What’s trending in your industry? Who else is offering similar products or services?

Use:

Google & YouTube for trend spotting.

SEMrush or Ubersuggest for keyword and competitor analysis.

Statista, CB Insights, or even Instagram/TikTok for emerging consumer behavior.

Find your edge. Your unique value proposition (UVP) is what will separate you from the noise in 2025.

 Step 3: Write a Simple Business Plan

This isn’t corporate homework—it’s your action blueprint.

In 2025, your business plan doesn’t have to be 40 pages long. Keep it lean, focused, and useful. Include:

What you’re selling

Who it’s for

How you’ll reach customers

Cost to build/operate

Revenue model (how you’ll make money)

Short-term and long-term goals

Tools like Notion, LivePlan, or Canva Business Plan templates can help make it painless.

 Step 4: Choose a Business Name & Register It

Your brand starts with a name.

Make it:

Easy to remember

Easy to spell

Relevant to your offering

Available online (domain + social handles)

Use tools like Namechk, GoDaddy, or NameMesh to check availability. Once chosen, register it in your country or state. In India, use the MCA (Ministry of Corporate Affairs) portal. In the US, check with your Secretary of State’s website.

Don’t forget to buy the domain and secure the social media handles.

 Step 5: Handle Legal & Financial Basics

Yes, it’s boring—but skipping it can cost you.

Choose a business structure (sole proprietorship, LLP, private limited, etc.)

Apply for licenses or permits based on your industry.

Open a business bank account.

Set up accounting tools like Zoho Books, QuickBooks, or even Excel if you're bootstrapping.

Separate personal and business finances from day one.

If unsure, talk to a startup consultant or accountant. Step 6 : Choose the Right Business Structure

In 2025, many new founders prefer flexible setups that protect their personal assets and allow easy growth. You can choose from:

Sole Proprietorship (easy, but less protection)

LLP/LLC (more legal protection, preferred for small businesses)

Private Limited Company (ideal for startups looking to raise funds)

Each country has its own rules, so check your local regulations or consult a business advisor.

Step 7 : Build Your Online Presence

If you’re not online, you’re invisible.

In 2025, your digital presence is as important as your product. Get started with:

A clean, responsive website (WordPress, Wix, or Webflow)

Active social media profiles (LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, depending on your audience)

A basic Google Business Profile if you’re local

Email marketing tools like Mailchimp or Beehiiv

Build credibility through consistency, not perfection.

 Step 8: Create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Start simple, launch fast.

Whether it’s a physical product, digital service, or mobile app, launch with the minimum set of features needed to test real demand.

Your MVP might be:

A no-code app built with Glide or Bubble

A service offered through DMs and GPay

A prototype product made by hand

Speed is your friend. Launch. Learn. Improve.

Step 9: Start Marketing Early

If you build it, they won’t come—unless you market it.

Use cost-effective methods to start:

Organic social media content

Blogging and SEO (try ChatGPT to draft posts!)

Influencer partnerships or product seeding

Referral programs or giveaways

Cold outreach (emails, DMs, calls)

In 2025, community is currency—build yours early and nurture it.

 Step 10: Explore Funding Options (If Needed)

If your startup requires capital, explore:

Bootstrapping (your own savings)

Friends & family

Crowdfunding (Kickstarter, Ketto, etc.)

Angel investors or venture capital

Startup accelerators or incubators

Pro tip: Even if you’re not raising money yet, create a pitch deck. It clarifies your vision and makes you look investor-ready.

Benefits of Government Schemes for Startups1. Financial Support: 2. Tax Exemption 3. Simplified Compliance 4. Easier Public Procurement 5. IPR Support 6. Access to Funding 7. Incubation and Mentorship 8. Mentorship and Skill Development 9. Networking Opportunities 10.Promotion of Innovation

Conclusion: 2025 Is the Best Time to Build. So Start.

Starting a business from scratch isn’t about waiting for the “perfect” moment. It’s about taking the first small step, validating, building smart, and learning fast.

In 2025, you don’t need a million-dollar idea. You need clarity, a problem to solve, and the grit to keep going.

✅ Ready to launch your startup?

At Innomax Startup Advisory, we help first-time founders go from idea to impact with mentorship, incubation, funding support, and everything in between. Don’t do it alone—get expert help that actually moves you forward.

👉 Visit https://innomaxstartup.com/ to get started. Your business starts now Let’s build it—step by step.

[zooplekochi]

Automate Simple Tasks Using Python: A Beginner’s Guide

In today's fast paced digital world, time is money. Whether you're a student, a professional, or a small business owner, repetitive tasks can eat up a large portion of your day. The good news? Many of these routine jobs can be automated, saving you time, effort, and even reducing the chance of human error.

Enter Python a powerful, beginner-friendly programming language that's perfect for task automation. With its clean syntax and massive ecosystem of libraries, Python empowers users to automate just about anything from renaming files and sending emails to scraping websites and organizing data.

If you're new to programming or looking for ways to boost your productivity, this guide will walk you through how to automate simple tasks using Python.

🌟 Why Choose Python for Automation?

Before we dive into practical applications, let’s understand why Python is such a popular choice for automation:

Easy to learn: Python has simple, readable syntax, making it ideal for beginners.

Wide range of libraries: Python has a rich ecosystem of libraries tailored for different tasks like file handling, web scraping, emailing, and more.

Platform-independent: Python works across Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Strong community support: From Stack Overflow to GitHub, you’ll never be short on help.

Now, let’s explore real-world examples of how you can use Python to automate everyday tasks.

🗂 1. Automating File and Folder Management

Organizing files manually can be tiresome, especially when dealing with large amounts of data. Python’s built-in os and shutil modules allow you to automate file operations like:

Renaming files in bulk

Moving files based on type or date

Deleting unwanted files

Example: Rename multiple files in a folder

import os folder_path = 'C:/Users/YourName/Documents/Reports' for count, filename in enumerate(os.listdir(folder_path)): dst = f"report_{str(count)}.pdf" src = os.path.join(folder_path, filename) dst = os.path.join(folder_path, dst) os.rename(src, dst)

This script renames every file in the folder with a sequential number.

📧 2. Sending Emails Automatically

Python can be used to send emails with the smtplib and email libraries. Whether it’s sending reminders, reports, or newsletters, automating this process can save you significant time.

Example: Sending a basic email

import smtplib from email.message import EmailMessage msg = EmailMessage() msg.set_content("Hello, this is an automated email from Python!") msg['Subject'] = 'Automation Test' msg['From'] = 'you@example.com' msg['To'] = 'recipient@example.com' with smtplib.SMTP_SSL('smtp.gmail.com', 465) as smtp: smtp.login('you@example.com', 'yourpassword') smtp.send_message(msg)

⚠️ Note: Always secure your credentials when writing scripts consider using environment variables or secret managers.

🌐 3. Web Scraping for Data Collection

Want to extract information from websites without copying and pasting manually? Python’s requests and BeautifulSoup libraries let you scrape content from web pages with ease.

Example: Scraping news headlines

import requests from bs4 import BeautifulSoup url = 'https://www.bbc.com/news' response = requests.get(url) soup = BeautifulSoup(response.text, 'html.parser') for headline in soup.find_all('h3'): print(headline.text)

This basic script extracts and prints the headlines from BBC News.

📅 4. Automating Excel Tasks

If you work with Excel sheets, you’ll love openpyxl and pandas two powerful libraries that allow you to automate:

Creating spreadsheets

Sorting data

Applying formulas

Generating reports

Example: Reading and filtering Excel data

import pandas as pd df = pd.read_excel('sales_data.xlsx') high_sales = df[df['Revenue'] > 10000] print(high_sales)

This script filters sales records with revenue above 10,000.

💻 5. Scheduling Tasks

You can schedule scripts to run at specific times using Python’s schedule or APScheduler libraries. This is great for automating daily reports, reminders, or file backups.

Example: Run a function every day at 9 AM

import schedule import time def job(): print("Running scheduled task...") schedule.every().day.at("09:00").do(job) while True: schedule.run_pending() time.sleep(1)

This loop checks every second if it’s time to run the task.

🧹 6. Cleaning and Formatting Data

Cleaning data manually in Excel or Google Sheets is time-consuming. Python’s pandas makes it easy to:

Remove duplicates

Fix formatting

Convert data types

Handle missing values

Example: Clean a dataset

df = pd.read_csv('data.csv') df.drop_duplicates(inplace=True) df['Name'] = df['Name'].str.title() df.fillna(0, inplace=True) df.to_csv('cleaned_data.csv', index=False)

💬 7. Automating WhatsApp Messages (for fun or alerts)

Yes, you can even send WhatsApp messages using Python! Libraries like pywhatkit make this possible.

Example: Send a WhatsApp message

import pywhatkit pywhatkit.sendwhatmsg("+911234567890", "Hello from Python!", 15, 0)

This sends a message at 3:00 PM. It’s great for sending alerts or reminders.

🛒 8. Automating E-Commerce Price Tracking

You can use web scraping and conditionals to track price changes of products on sites like Amazon or Flipkart.

Example: Track a product’s price

url = "https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09XYZ123" headers = {"User-Agent": "Mozilla/5.0"} page = requests.get(url, headers=headers) soup = BeautifulSoup(page.content, 'html.parser') price = soup.find('span', {'class': 'a-price-whole'}).text print(f"The current price is ₹{price}")

With a few tweaks, you can send yourself alerts when prices drop.

📚 Final Thoughts

Automation is no longer a luxury it’s a necessity. With Python, you don’t need to be a coding expert to start simplifying your life. From managing files and scraping websites to sending e-mails and scheduling tasks, the possibilities are vast.

As a beginner, start small. Pick one repetitive task and try automating it. With every script you write, your confidence and productivity will grow.

Conclusion

If you're serious about mastering automation with Python, Zoople Technologies offers comprehensive, beginner-friendly Python course in Kerala. Our hands-on training approach ensures you learn by doing with real-world projects that prepare you for today’s tech-driven careers.

[mariacallous]

As Donald Trump’s administration continues its relentless reorganization of the United States federal government, documents obtained by WIRED showed this week that the Department of Defense is looking at cutting as much as three-quarters of its workforce that’s specifically focused on stopping proliferation of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, the US Army is using its “CamoGPT” AI tool to “review” diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility policies per Trump administration orders. The military originally developed the AI service to improve productivity and operational readiness.

US civil liberties organizations are pushing the director of national intelligence. Tulsi Gabbard, to declassify details about Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act—a central overseas wiretap authority that is notorious for also capturing a large number of calls, texts, and emails made or sent by Americans. And the US Justice Department on Wednesday charged 10 alleged hackers and two Chinese government officials over digital crimes spanning more than a decade as part of China’s extensive hack-for-hire ecosystem.

Ongoing analysis from a consortium of researchers led by Human Security found that at least a million low-price Android devices, like TV streaming boxes and tablets, have been compromised as part of a scamming and ad fraud campaign known as Badbox 2.0. The activity, which the researchers say comes out of China, is an evolution of a previous effort to backdoor similar devices.

And there's more. Each week, we round up the security and privacy news we didn’t cover in depth ourselves. Click the headlines to read the full stories. And stay safe out there.

Cybercriminals Allegedly Used a Backdoor to Steal Taylor Swift Tickets

Two people who allegedly worked as part of a group to access nearly 1,000 tickets to concerts and other events—many for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour—before selling them on for more than $600,000 profit were arrested and charged with the potential crimes in Queens this week. Tyrone Rose, 20, and Shamara P. Simmons, 31, of Jamaica, Queens, were arrested and arraigned in connection to the theft and sales, according to Queens district attorney Melinda Katz.

Between June 2022 and July 2023, it is alleged that 350 orders—totaling 993 tickets—on ticketing platform StubHub were accessed at a third-party contractor called Sutherland. “The Sutherland employees, defendant Tyrone Rose and an unapprehended accomplice, allegedly used their access to StubHub’s computer system to find a backdoor into a secure area of the network where already sold tickets were given a URL and queued to be emailed to the purchaser to download,” the district attorney’s office wrote in a statement.

They then emailed URLs to another accomplice who has since died, the office says, before posting the tickets to StubHub for resale. While the investigations are ongoing, the District Attorney’s office claimed the proceeds of the cybercrime totaled around $635,000 and also involved tickets for Ed Sheeran concerts, NBA games, and the US Open Tennis Championships.

Payment Provider Linked to ‘Largest Illicit Online Marketplace’ Loses Banking License

Every year, criminals make billions from the operations of highly organized scam compounds in Southeast Asia. As these operations have grown in sophistication, so has the wider ecosystem that supplies them with the technology and services needed to run the scams. And experts say there’s no bigger marketplace than Huione Guarantee—a Cambodian gray market selling scam services that researchers claim has facilitated more than $24 billion in transactions.

This week, according to a report by Radio Free Asia, the banking arm of Huione Guarantee’s parent company, Huione Group, had its financial license suspended by officials in Cambodia. According to the report, the Huione Pay service had its license withdrawn for failing to comply with “existing regulations.” The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and crypto tracing firm Elliptic previously had linked money moving through Huione Pay to cyberscamming. “They are willing facilitators of pig butchering and other fraud, so any regulatory action against them should be welcomed,” Elliptic founder Tom Robinson claimed to Radio Free Asia.

Russian Cryptocurrency Exchange Garantex Taken Down in Law Enforcement Action

The US Department of Justice announced an operation this week with Germany and Finland to disrupt the digital infrastructure behind notorious Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex. For years, the platform has allegedly been used for money laundering and other criminal transactions, including sanctions evasion. The DOJ claimed in its announcement that “transnational criminal organizations—including terrorist organizations” have utilized the exchange. Law enforcement said that the platform has processed at least $96 billion in cryptocurrency transactions since April 2019. US authorities said they froze over $26 million in funds used to facilitate money laundering as part of the Garantex takedown.

Scammers Are Impersonating Notorious Ransomware Attackers to Extort Targets

The FBI warned this week that scammers pretending to be attackers from the BianLian ransomware gang are demanding ransoms from corporate executives in the US. The demands include claims that the group has breached a company’s network and threaten to publish sensitive information unless a target pays up. Such criminal digital extortion is common enough that scammers apparently feel that they can plausibly make the claims and intimidate targets without even attacking them. The FBI says that the scammers’ ransom demands say that they come from BianLian and range from $250,000 to $500,000 payable via a QR code that links to a Bitcoin wallet. The real BianLian group has links to Russia and has targeted US critical infrastructure since June 2022, according to a November alert from the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

[titanrpg]

Hey, Lex, got a question. At some point in the last two decades, somebody in the indie space mentioned that it was all well and good to develop a system, but that what a lot of games lack is support, and that supplemental material like monster- or magic-folios or adventure modules or what have you. The argument was something to the effect that we have sort of a lot of one off, single page or even whole simulation systems, but once you have the base thing, there's not really much suggested to do with it, and while plenty of GMs and tables don't need help getting started, plenty do.

Is this anything, y'think? Do you have thoughts on the subject of supplemental material? Do you think it "helps" your ttrpgs, for whatever metric that... is measuring, lmao.

Hey! I've heard this here and there, and I'll share my thoughts as a relative newcomer (I'm around the 2.5 year mark of seriously making my own games).

I don't think it's a problem to have one-off games and barebones systems. In fact, make it as barebones as possible, and you have yourself an SRD essentially. We all know I love me an SRD.

That being said, the whole deal with Caltrop Core (my first SRD) was lowering the barrier to entry for people to start making games. If you can sufficiently lower a barrier, it'll be much easier for people to start. It goes for full TTRPGs as well. An ecosystem of support is the dream for any system, but the step I take before that is including materials in my game to help people get started.

Even though I don't consider myself the type of player who needs the extra help/content, I still like seeing a starter adventure or a table of ideas, as it helps me find where to start. Examples of play are also a big part of this. Wanderhome does a really nice job of this (is there anything this game doesn't do a really nice job of?).

Identifying the action you want someone to take and doing everything in your power to minimize the friction/number of steps between that person and the action -- that's digital marketing in a nutshell.

People mostly apply this thought process to sales, but it works for everything. When I'm finishing up a game, I'm concerned with one action in particular: someone actually playing my game.

As indie devs, it can often feel like no one actually plays our games. (Side note: I think it's worth making peace with this aspect of indie publishing. I make games because I like making games. If people play my stuff, great. If they don't, okay. I would have made this thing anyway.) If this is something you're worried about with a project, I believe the best thing to do is identify the type of supplemental material that will bridge the gap from reading the game to running/playing it. To me, that's what "helping" my TTRPG means. I often see quickstart one-pagers for medium sized games, and I think that's a really strong option.

You also do not have to have this supplemental materials ready when you first hit "Publish" on itch.io or wherever. For one of my own game jams, I wrote a minimum playable version (MPV, is that a thing?) of HEXFALL. Then later I went back and added a bunch of materials (new hex types, new maps, new examples, new story hooks) to help people get started as easily as possible. I pitched it as an expansion, and even came up with a cool dramatic subtitle which I always love doing.

It's really up to the designer and where they're at. If you're out here trying to build a publishing business, then I think this type of material should be included in your base game. Hobbyists should do whatever is most fun for them.

Thanks for the fun question! I hope I answered sufficiently!

[adamsea-boat]

How To Buy A Boat Online: A Complete Guide

The idea of owning a boat has long been associated with adventure, freedom, and luxury. With more boats for sale online than ever before, navigating the waters of boat ownership has never been easier. Whether you’re looking for a power catamaran, a pontoon boat, or even a kayak, the digital marketplace offers more convenience, variety, and transparency than traditional methods.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about buying a boat online — how to do it smartly, securely, and with confidence.

Why Buy a Boat Online?

Convenience at Your Fingertips

Gone are the days of visiting multiple boatyards or flipping through endless classified ads. Online platforms offer a vast inventory of boats for sale, available to browse anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re in Florida searching for used boats for sale or just daydreaming about your next yacht rental in Miami, digital listings bring your dream boat closer to reality.

Competitive Pricing & Variety

Online marketplaces aggregate listings from all over the world, offering a wider range of options, be it budget-friendly small boats for sale or high-end luxury yachts. You can easily compare prices, features, and models without dealing with high-pressure sales tactics.

Informed Decisions

Digital platforms usually offer detailed specifications, high-resolution images, inspection reports, and even video tours. This means you can make informed decisions before even stepping onboard.

How AdamSea Simplifies Online Boat Buying

One platform that stands out in the online marine marketplace is AdamSea. Unlike basic listing sites, AdamSea offers a complete ecosystem for both buyers and sellers, streamlining every part of the process.

A Verified Marine Community

AdamSea connects verified buyers, sellers, and service providers within a single, secure network. This reduces risks, especially for high-value purchases like yachts or power catamarans.

Smart Matching

The platform’s intelligent search tools help buyers find boats for sale based on preferences like type, location, price range, and even services such as inspection or documentation.

End-to-End Support

AdamSea offers features beyond just listings, such as secure payments, and certified boat inspections.

Inspection, Delivery & Secure Payments

Trust, Verified

One major concern with online purchases is trust. AdamSea mitigates this by offering third-party inspections from certified professionals. This ensures that what you see online matches what gets delivered.

Delivery Without the Hassle

Whether you’re buying a pontoon in Vancouver or a sailboat in Miami, global delivery support makes it easier than ever. Logistic partners coordinate everything from pickup to drop-off, even across borders.

Safe Transactions

AdamSea uses secure payment method, ensuring funds are only released when the boat passes inspection and is officially handed over. This adds a layer of financial protection, especially useful when dealing with high-ticket purchases.

What is the best way to buy a boat?

The best way to buy a boat is to follow these essential steps:

Decide on the type of boat you need based on usage, location, and budget.

Search verified listings on trusted online platforms.

Request a professional marine inspection or survey.

Review ownership documents, including title, maintenance records, and registration.

Use a secure payment method to protect your funds.

Arrange insured delivery or pickup from the seller.

Following these steps ensures a safe and informed boat-buying experience.

Pro Tips Before You Hit “Buy”

1. Know Your Needs

Don’t just get swept away by sleek designs. Think about usage: Will it be for fishing, leisure, or water sports? A pontoon is great for family fun, while a catamaran suits longer cruising.

2. Set a Budget

From affordable small boats for sale to luxurious yachts, there’s a wide spectrum of pricing. Factor in additional costs like insurance, docking, fuel, and maintenance.

3. Verify Documentation

Always ensure that the title, registration, and maintenance records are in order. AdamSea provides assistance with boat documentation and compliance, making this process much simpler.

4. Test & Inspect

Wherever possible, schedule a sea trial. If you’re buying remotely, a certified inspection can act as your eyes and ears, ensuring peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

The marine industry is rapidly evolving, and online buying is becoming the norm. Platforms like AdamSea not only showcase boats for sale but also offer a secure, end-to-end solution tailored for modern buyers. From Florida’s vibrant boat rental scene to international yacht purchases, the online boat market is vast and ready for exploration.

So, whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a weekend explorer, your dream boat is just a few clicks away.

[garynavaro69]

MyDot Consulting Launches in Petaling Jaya to Empower SME’s & Startups with Strategic Business Solutions

Petaling Jaya, Selangor – 7th April 2025 – MyDot Consulting, a new-age business consultancy firm, has officially opened its doors in Petaling Jaya, offering tailored growth strategies, digital transformation, and operational efficiency solutions for SMEs, startups, and entrepreneurs.

With Malaysia’s SME sector contributing 38.2% to the national GDP (Department of Statistics Malaysia, 2024), MyDot Consulting aims to bridge the gap between traditional business practices and next-generation digital strategies, helping local businesses scale smarter and faster.

Key Offerings:

✅ Business Strategy & Market Expansion

✅ Digital Transformation & Automation

✅ Financial Advisory & Funding Support

✅ Startup Mentorship & SME Growth Programs

Mr. Amirul Zulkefli, Founder & CEO of MyDot Consulting, stated:"Many SMEs and startups struggle with scaling due to outdated processes or lack of digital adoption. At MyDot Consulting, we combine data-driven insights with hands-on execution to help businesses thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Petaling Jaya’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem makes it the perfect hub for our operations."

Why Petaling Jaya?

As a key business and tech hub in the Klang Valley, Petaling Jaya hosts a growing number of innovative startups, tech firms, and SMEs—making it an ideal location for MyDot Consulting’s launch. The firm will also collaborate with local incubators, government agencies, and industry leaders to provide holistic support.

Upcoming Initiatives:

🔹 SME Digitalization Bootcamp (Q3 2025)

🔹 AI & Automation Webinars for SMEs

🔹 Partnerships with MDEC & MAHSC

🔹 Startup Scaling Masterclass Series

🔹 Women in Business Mentorship Program

Contact Information:For media inquiries, interviews, or partnership opportunities, please contact:

Contact Person: Ganesh Nava

Company: MyDot Consulting

Email: sales@mydotconsulting.com

Website: www.mydotconsulting.com

Social Media:

LinkedIn: MyDot Consulting

[volansoft]

Mobile App Development Company Jaipur | VolanSoft

Transform Your Business with Jaipur's Leading Mobile App Development Company

In today's digital age, having a powerful mobile presence isn't just an option – it's a necessity. As a premier mobile app development company in Jaipur, VolanSoft Technologies understands the unique challenges businesses face in creating impactful mobile solutions. We've spent years helping local businesses, startups, and enterprises transform their digital presence through innovative mobile applications. Our journey as a mobile app development company in Jaipur began with a simple mission: to help businesses connect with their customers through seamless mobile experiences. Today, we're proud to have served over 150+ clients across various industries, from e-commerce to healthcare, delivering solutions that drive real business growth.

The Mobile App Revolution in Pink City

Jaipur's tech landscape has evolved dramatically in recent years. As businesses encirclement digital transformation, the demand for quality mobile app development services has soared. We've witnessed firsthand how local businesses have transformed their operations through custom mobile applications. For instance, one of our clients, a traditional Rajasthani handicraft retailer, saw a 150% increase in sales after launching their mobile app.

Why Choose a Local Mobile App Development Partner?

While there are countless app development companies worldwide, partnering with a local mobile app development company in Jaipur offers unique advantages. Our team understands the local market dynamics and cultural nuances that can make or break your app's success. We're not just developers – we're your neighbors who speak your language and understand your business challenges.

Our Development Process: Where Innovation Meets Tradition

At VolanSoft, we blend modern development methodologies with traditional business values. Our process begins with understanding your vision through personal meetings at our Jaipur office. We then craft a detailed roadmap that aligns with your business goals. Our experienced developers use the latest technologies while maintaining the personal touch that Jaipur businesses are known for.

Custom Solutions for Every Business

Whether you need an Android app, iOS app, or both, our team delivers solutions tailored to your specific needs. We've helped local restaurants create order management apps, developed inventory tracking solutions for textile manufacturers, and built customer engagement platforms for retail businesses. Each project is unique, and we treat it as such.

The VolanSoft Difference

As an established Top mobile app development company in Jaipur, we pride ourselves on:

Deep understanding of local market needs

Transparent communication throughout the development process

Competitive pricing without compromising quality

Post-launch support and maintenance

Regular updates and performance optimization

Beyond App Development

Our expertise extends beyond just mobile apps. As a comprehensive digital solutions provider, we offer e-commerce development, Shopify development, and custom web applications. This integrated approach ensures your mobile app works seamlessly with your entire digital ecosystem.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Mobile Apps in Jaipur

The mobile app landscape in Jaipur is evolving rapidly. We're seeing increased demand for AI-integrated apps, IoT solutions, and blockchain applications. As your local technology partner, we stay ahead of these trends to ensure your business remains competitive in the digital space.

Ready to Transform Your Business?

If you're looking to develop a mobile app that truly resonates with your audience, let's have a conversation. Visit our office in Jaipur, and let's discuss how we can turn your app idea into reality. With VolanSoft Technologies, you're not just getting a mobile app development company – you're gaining a long-term technology partner committed to your success.