#External Data Provider

[tagx01]

Top 10 Reasons Why You Need an External Data Provider for your company

In today's fast-paced, data-driven business environment, the ability to access and utilize high-quality, actionable data is essential for staying competitive. However, gathering and managing data internally can be time-consuming, costly, and often overwhelming for many companies. This is where external data providers come into play. By outsourcing data collection and analysis, businesses can unlock a wealth of valuable insights without the burden of in-house management. Whether you're a startup or an established corporation, partnering with an external data provider can help you make smarter decisions, drive growth, and stay ahead of the competition. In this blog, we will explore what an external data provider is, the key reasons why you should consider integrating external data into your business strategy, and how to choose the right provider.

Who is an External Data Provider?

An external data provider is a company or service that specializes in collecting, curating, and supplying data to businesses. These providers access data from a wide variety of sources—ranging from public records, social media, and websites to industry-specific databases—to deliver high-quality, up-to-date information. External data providers not only gather raw data but also clean, process, and verify it to ensure accuracy and relevance. This data is then used by businesses to make informed decisions about market trends, customer behavior, and competitive landscapes.

For example, a business might use an external data provider to track consumer purchasing patterns across different regions, identify emerging market trends, or gather competitive intelligence. By leveraging these insights, companies can optimize their marketing strategies, improve product development, and enhance customer experiences.

What is the Requirement for an External Data Provider?

Here are 10 Reasons Why You Need Data from External Sources

1. Access to High-Quality Data

External data providers ensure that you receive the most accurate and trustworthy information available. Equipped with advanced tools and expertise, they are able to clean, validate, and enhance data effectively—capabilities that your internal team may lack. This means your data will truly represent market realities rather than mere assumptions. They gather data from various sources, eliminate inaccuracies, and ensure its reliability. Additionally, they are well-versed in data regulations, helping you navigate potential legal pitfalls. With specialists across different domains, they can extract valuable insights from sources that might otherwise go unnoticed.

2. Cost-Efficiency

External data providers can save organizations both time and cost. They can quickly gather and process data using their specialized tools. This means you won't need to spend money on extra resources like software, hardware, or staff training. They're also up-to-date with any changes in data laws and trends, helping you avoid penalties and adapt faster. By providing valuable insights, they make your decision-making process quicker and more efficient. With their help, your team can save time and money, allowing them to focus more on what they do best.

3. Access to Specialized Expertise

External data providers possess a wealth of expertise in data collection, processing, and analysis. Their teams typically include trained data scientists, analysts, and engineers who specialize in navigating complex datasets across diverse industries. By collaborating with these specialists, businesses can take advantage of advanced methodologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and web scraping. This partnership allows companies to extract insights that would be challenging to achieve with an internal team alone, ultimately leading to more informed and strategic decision-making.

4. Scalability

As your business grows, so do your data needs, and external data providers offer scalable solutions to meet these demands. They can adjust their services, whether you need a small dataset for a project or ongoing data streams for long-term planning, ensuring you have the right amount of data. With advanced tools, these providers efficiently gather and analyze both structured and unstructured data from various sources, making scaling seamless and supporting your organization’s growth.

5. Compliance with Data Regulations

Navigating data privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA can be challenging for businesses. External data providers keep you informed about the latest regulations, ensuring compliance and helping you avoid violations. They cleanse and verify data for accuracy, protecting you from legal issues. By managing complex rules globally, these providers ensure your business remains compliant wherever you operate. Additionally, reliable companies prioritize data security, safeguarding your information from cyber threats and minimizing legal risks associated with data breaches.

6. Time-Saving

Collecting and analyzing data internally can be a lengthy endeavor, often spanning several months to gather, clean, and verify raw data. This process requires significant human resources and expertise, which may strain your team’s capacity. In contrast, external data providers streamline this workflow by delivering ready-to-use data in a fraction of the time. Their expertise and specialized tools enable them to efficiently handle data processing, allowing businesses to make timely, informed decisions. This agility is particularly crucial in fast-paced industries, where the ability to pivot quickly can lead to competitive advantages and better alignment with market trends.

7. Access to Advanced Technology

External data providers invest heavily in the latest data collection and processing technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms, and big data analytics tools. By partnering with these providers, businesses can access cutting-edge technology without incurring the high costs associated with purchasing and maintaining expensive hardware or software. This partnership allows companies to leverage advanced analytical capabilities, enhancing their data-driven strategies and operational efficiencies. As a result, businesses can focus on core competencies while benefiting from innovations that drive growth and improve decision-making.

8. Actionable Insights

Beyond merely supplying raw data, many external data providers offer comprehensive analytical services that transform complex datasets into actionable insights. These insights can inform critical business decisions related to market expansion, product development, and customer segmentation. By utilizing external data to guide strategic initiatives, organizations can ensure their decisions are based on robust evidence rather than guesswork. This data-driven approach not only enhances the quality of decisions but also helps businesses respond proactively to changes in consumer behavior and market dynamics.

9. Competitive Advantage

Access to a diverse array of external data equips businesses with a more nuanced understanding of market trends and competitor behavior. With insights into pricing strategies, customer preferences, and emerging industry trends, organizations can anticipate shifts in the market landscape and adapt their strategies accordingly. This competitive intelligence is invaluable for identifying opportunities for innovation and growth. Moreover, by keeping a pulse on competitors’ actions and market conditions, businesses can maintain a proactive stance that sets them apart from the competition.

10. Faster Time to Market

In many industries, speed is critical to success. Whether launching a new product or responding to evolving market conditions, external data providers can help accelerate processes by delivering data quickly and efficiently. Their ability to provide timely insights enables businesses to make informed decisions rapidly, which reduces the time it takes to bring products and services to market. This faster access to data not only enhances operational efficiency but also allows companies to capitalize on fleeting opportunities, ensuring they remain relevant and competitive.

How to Choose the Right External Data Provider?

Selecting the right external data provider is crucial to maximizing the benefits of external data. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a provider:

Reputation and Experience: Look for a provider with a proven track record in your industry. Check for case studies, reviews, and testimonials to assess their reliability and expertise.

Data Quality: Ensure that the provider has strong data validation processes in place to deliver clean, accurate, and relevant data. Ask for sample datasets to evaluate the quality before committing to a partnership.

Compliance: Make sure the provider complies with all relevant data protection regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA. This is critical for avoiding legal issues down the line.

Technology and Tools: Assess the provider’s technology stack to ensure they are using the latest tools and techniques for data collection and analysis.

Pricing and Flexibility: Choose a provider that offers flexible pricing models that align with your budget and data needs. Many providers offer scalable solutions that can grow with your business.

Customer Support and Communication: Effective communication is key to a successful partnership. Choose a provider that offers strong customer support and is responsive to your needs.

Conclusion

Having an external data provider for your business can significantly accelerate growth. It allows you to access valuable insights quickly and conveniently, helping you adhere to regulations, safeguard your data, and make smarter decisions. We've outlined nine reasons, but depending on your business, the benefits could extend even further.

If you're debating whether investing in a data provider is worthwhile, remember that having access to the right insights can give your business a competitive edge in today's fast-paced, data-driven world. By partnering with TagX, you’ll be equipped with the tools and expertise needed to stay ahead of market changes and make informed decisions that drive success.

Ready to elevate your business with the power of data? Take the first step—Get Started!

Original Source, https://www.tagxdata.com/top-10-reasons-why-you-need-an-external-data-provider-for-your-company

[iwebscrapingblogs]

Drowning in the data to unlock hidden insights while saving time and cost? Here are the 9 reasons why you are partnering with an external data provider to boost your business.

For More Information:-

[cashygophones]

Sell Your Old Laptop in Bangalore for Instant Cash

Selling your old laptop in Bangalore has never been easier. Whether upgrading to a new device or decluttering, you can get instant cash in exchange for your unused laptop. Here’s how you can make it happen seamlessly.

Why Sell Your Old Laptop?

Laptops lose value over time, and holding onto unused devices can clutter your space. Selling your old laptop allows you to:

Earn extra money instantly.

Upgrade to better technology.

Contribute to eco-friendly recycling efforts.

Where to Sell Old Laptops in Bangalore?

Bangalore offers several options for selling old laptops. You can choose the one that best fits your needs:

1. Online Platforms

Websites like OLX, Cashify, and Quikr make selling laptops simple. Create a listing, set your price, and connect with buyers in your area.

2. Cash-for-Gadgets Services

Services like CashyGo specialize in offering cash for old electronics. They provide quick quotes and hassle-free transactions, making them a top choice in Bangalore.

3. Local Shops and Marketplaces

Bangalore’s local electronic shops or marketplaces like SP Road can offer competitive prices for used laptops. Visit them to negotiate in person.

How to Prepare Your Laptop for Sale

1. Backup Your Data

Save your essential files on an external drive or cloud storage before selling your laptop.

2. Factory Reset the Device

Restore your laptop to factory settings to remove personal data and make it ready for the next user.

3. Clean and Package It Properly

A clean and well-maintained laptop creates a better impression and fetches a higher price.

Benefits of Choosing CashyGo in Bangalore

CashyGo is a reliable option for selling laptops in Bangalore. Here’s why:

Quick Cash Payments: Get instant cash upon selling.

Fair Price Evaluation: They assess the condition and brand of your laptop to offer the best value.

Convenience: Avoid the hassle of negotiating with multiple buyers.

Top Brands That Sell Well

If you own a laptop from top brands like Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, or Asus, you’re likely to get a better resale value. These brands are in high demand due to their quality and durability.

Tips for Getting the Best Price

Highlight Features: Mention specifications like RAM, processor, and screen size in your listing.

Be Honest: Disclose any defects or issues to build trust with buyers.

Compare Offers: Don’t settle for the first offer; compare rates from multiple sources.

Final Thoughts

Selling your old laptop in Bangalore is a smart way to declutter, earn cash, and embrace sustainable practices. Choose a reliable service like CashyGo to ensure a smooth and rewarding experience.

Take the first step today and turn your old laptop into instant cash!

[mythalism]

i know everyone is really excited for the oblivion remake because i was too. oblivion was the first real video game i ever played when i was a kid, and is literally the reason i am a gamer today, but BDS has called for a microsoft boycott, and that includes anything made by bethesda.

this isn't just a "oh they have some obscure business partnerships in isr*el" or "oh they donate to this or that lobby" sort of boycott either, although those are important too. my tone is not meant to be flippant about them, but rather i want to emphasize the gravity of how microsoft directly and deliberately contributes to the palestinian death toll daily, in a way that is uniquely cruel and complicit.

microsoft has had a $35 million dollar contract with the isr*eli military since 2002. they provide cloud storage for surveillance data of gazan civillians, and an artificial intelligence program called a "mass assassination factory" to assist in planning and targeting their attacks, many of which are on civilians or involve mass civilian casualties.

microsoft's service agreements with the isr*eli military also includes the CPU responsible for the military's tech infrastructure, military intelligence units that develop spy technology used against palestinians and lebanese, the maintenance of the palestinian population registry that tracks and (illegally) limits the movement of palestinains in the west bank and gaza, their air force targeting database, and much more. they work closely with isr*eli military intelligence agencies on surveillance systems used to monitor palestians, provide specialized consulting, technical and engineering support, hosts training software for the IOF, provide financial support to organizations based in the illegally occupied west bank, and have repeatedly invested in isr*eli start ups specializing in war technology.

in 2020, internal and external pressure forced microsoft to pull out of its 74 million dollar investment in an isr*eli company that violated international law due to its use of facial recognition technology for military surveillance.

in 2021, microsoft signed a new, 3-year contract with the isr*eli ministry of defense worth $133 million dollars. the isr*eli military is microsoft's second largest military customer. the first? the united states.

you can read more (w/ sources) about microsoft's complicity here.

BDS asks us to boycott microsoft products whenever possible.

microsoft is directly complicit in countless isr*eli war crimes, and the money you provide them will further proliferate this violence. i know the oblivion remake was exciting, but please, consider the lives of palestinians above your own nostalgia. no one is free until everyone is free.

[keferon]

Part 2 of Jazz and Prowl in space!

Gonna start calling it Odds of Survival.

Prowl loves entrusting his life to reckless strangers.

———————————————————————

Prowl pulled the release to the airlock and the music was swallowed by the vacuum of space.

Bursting forward, Jazz launched outwards riding the pop of escaping air. The first quintesson had its eye socket repurposed as an ankle bracelet before the second measure even began.

Ah.

Prowl probably should have specified he wanted to try speeding past rather than confront their opponents directly.

Jazz's improvised footwear writhed sluggishly before the mech twisted his ped inside its brain case, finishing it off and turning to face the next nearest opponent.

Odds of survival 26%

The white and blue mech launched himself upwards as the nearest quintesson went for a dive bomb. It's teeth breaking on impact with the sky bridge. Jazz twisted in midair.

They fell in slow motion, back arching against a starlit backdrop. An upside down visor met blue optics. Jazz nodded his head to the side, flicking one horn up and one horn down.

Did he just wink? (#^%)

The falling mech unsheathed a blade from his wrist, driving it through the sputtering quintesson.

Oh Primus has he been flirting the entire time?

Jazz spun, slicing into the next quint to close the distance.

I can not. I can not assume that was intentional. It has to be a cultural miscommunication.

The last two quintessons pounced. Swinging hard, Jazz caught one's jaws with a forearm while he kicked the downed another in the side of the head. The third was attempting to bite into his back but the teeth couldn't get a full purchase on the rounded compact plating.

Odds of survival 22%.

Prowl snapped out of his social etiquette downward spiral. Sprinting from the safety of the airlock door, he knelt behind a large section of external piping, lining up his shots.

Tacnet spun to work.

It was designed to calculate hundreds of possible variations of large scale engagements, including the number of soldiers, type of weaponry available and could even determine the approximate number of ammunitions that would be left over, provided Prowl had enough data at his disposal.

Calculating the marksmanship needed to dispatch three hostiles at medium range while distracted by a highly competent ally?

Odds of Survival 32%

Laughable.

Three shots burst through the thin atmosphere.

Quintesson wreckers were built thick skulled and stubborn. Luckily they came with easily identifiable gaps in their organic construction.

The Quints fell from Jazz, each with a smoking hole where and eye used to be. Jazz looked at Prowl, then the smoking quintessons and back up to Prowl before doing finger guns again.

Speaking of thick skulled and stubborn.

Prowl put on his best Commanders Scowl and pointed in the direction they needed to be currently running in.

Doorwing sensors hiked as he picked up on movement from behind. The incoming hostiles was palpable even in the moons thin atmosphere. Quintessons rarely favored stealth.

Prowl began running.

Jazz kept pace, half turned around to keep track of the incoming troop. Prowl kept his optics locked forward, not remotely willing to risk tripping on the torn apart path.

Tacnet locked on to a large silvery pillow that'd been exposed to the atmosphere.

Expanding LLX Lithium battery. Explosion on contact 90%

Prowl shouted a warning but the air was too thin to carry beyond his own audials.

Jazz will step on the lithium battery in 1.5 clicks (88%) and will be critically injured in at least one leg (76%).

Prowl grabbed Jazz's servo and yanked.

Music erupted in the moment of connection.

Vibrations ran up his arm and across his frame. Inside his audials, Prowl could make out the song Jazz had begun in the airlock. Looking at his visor, mouth agape, only one thought could form in Prowls mind.

How fragging loud is he playing that music?!?

Jazz perked up, and pulled Prowl around in an arc. Multiple sharp impacts thudded into the ground behind him. Prowl turned and almost wished he hadn’t.

Three heavily armored Quintesson bombers equipped with bio-mechanical ballista.

The javelin like spikes were as long as Prowls arm and designed to pin targets in place while the slow moving blimp-like body of the bomber got into position to blow them all to the Pit.

Prowl tugged Jazz in the direction of their objective, refusing to let go in case he tried to launch himself at the bombers. Prowl wasn't sure how Jazz would manage to do so, but Prowl felt an overwhelming nagging sensation in his tanks that he'd fragging try.

Jazz was evidently fine with this arrangement.

As the music pulsed between their palms, Jazz leapt at a diagonal, pulling Prowl along for the ride. The low gravity was so damn floaty. It continually forced Prowl to readjust his footing so he wasn't frantically treading air every time his peds left the ground.

Jazz was evidently fine with that too.

Another round of ammunitions impacted where the two of them had been running.

Their egress began to take on a pattern Prowl was quick to pick up on. It took the bombers 8 clicks to reload, launching at the same time, half a click after musical flair in Jazz's song. At the moment of the flair, the mech would launch them in a nearly unpredictable pattern. After the first two times of nearly getting his arm dislocated, Prowl began catching onto these moments and moved his momentum in sync with Jazz.

They'd started dancing.

The Tactician had an iron fisted focus on matching Jazz’s frankly eradicate lead. The longer the duet continued, the more data he had to work with. Prowl steadily progressed from Reacting to Anticipating. Feeling a core deep satisfaction that came from sinking into mastering a new skill.

By the time they’d escaped the bombers range, they’d made it too the base of the first hurdle.

Their reprieve would only be brief. The bombers would catch up in approximately 50 clicks (88%), giving the mechs a small window of precious semi-safety in which they needed to scale the wall before them.

Prowl craned his helm back at the barrier.

He would not be able to scale it on his own in time (95%).

Could Jazz? (65%)

While carrying him? (19%)

Jazz rapidly tapped his side.

The alien was crouched low, impossible legs bent with potential energy. He tapped his own back, gesturing for Prowl to grab on already.

Prowl threw himself over the mechs broad back. His digits frantically searched for a hand hold, flinching away from nearly digging into fragile vents.

I can’t-

Jazz leapt.

“You’re really grab-able - Isn’t that kinda stupid?”

Stupid stupid stupid.

Prowl skated off of Jazz’s rounded compact plating, that he specifically SAID was supposed to make him hard to hold on to.

He landed hard on his aft, denta clanking together painfully.

47 clicks remaining.

Jazz hit the ground beside him before Prowl had fully gotten back up. Now facing him, Jazz grabbed Prowl by both wrists and pulled him chassis to chassis. Jazz positioned his arms to link Prowls servos behind his helm, then set his own servos tightly onto Prowls waist.

Jazz nodded once, like he was satisfied with what he’d just done.

Prowl made a facial expression that a psychiatrist would find concerning.

42 Clicks.

Jazz nodded again, like expected Prowl to respond in any coherent manner, and lifted.

Prowls legs swung forward on instinct. Following the motion, Jazz wrapped them around his waist. Through the screaming haze of his processor, Prowl had the presence of mind to lock his ankles together as he realized Jazz’s true intentions, and manually aborted the logic cascade that had nearly crashed over him.

Package secured, Jazz let go and started their ascension.

Legs bent at an impossible angle to slam multi segmented peds flat against the metal walls. Despite Prowl’s body blocking most of his view, the alien mech was unfettered by the lack of vision. Jazz hardly bothered with proper hand holds, instead opting for incredibly strong magnetic grip built into his servos.

The magnetic backwash splashed over Prowls doors wings, forcing him to temporarily offline them or risk crippling vertigo. The structure they were scaling shook violently like something large had just irrevocably broken.

This is fine this is fine this is fine this is fine.

At 35 click’s remaining, Prowl centered himself enough to search for their pursuers.

Damn it!

The bombers were a fraction faster than he initially calculated. Six clicks before we’re in range (87%). Luckily, Jazz was more than a fraction faster than initially calculated as well. At this rate, they’d reach the top simultaneously.

No reason not to be proactive.

Prowl found that if he tightly cupped one servo around the back of Jazz’s helm, he had just enough leverage to bring out a side arm. After all, the bombers were already in range of him.

Steadying his elbow over the other mechs shoulder, Prowl took aim.

Five clicks.

The bombers flew in V formation.

Four clicks.

Too heavily armored for a standard sidearm to pierce.

Three clicks.

The lead bomber opened up its front in preparation for combat.

Got you.

Prowl threaded the gap, his shot skirting over the ballista in favor of impacting the bombers prodigious cargo. He watched something spark inside a split second before it succumbed to total annihilation.

The shockwave felt like a single soft papft of a breeze in the starlit air.

Jazz hefted them over the top of the wall, not dropping Prowl in favor of sprinting with him at full speed across the top of the hurdle.

One of his arms curled around to support Prowls back, allowing the Praxian to release his death grip on their helm. Prowl leaned back into the hold, allowing Jazz freedom to see again.

Jazz turned his helm around 180 degrees-

Did not know he could do that did not know he could do that.

- to look at the fire works behind them.

Jazz whistled appreciatively at the sight. He turned back to Prowl, visor locked onto his face as they carried him across the roof.

Reverberating music, nearly crashing, numbed doorwings, and a deeply satisfying kill all followed by a display of casual body horror was making Prowl just a little bit delirious. As a result, Prowl wasn’t entirely sure what expression he was making, just that Jazz was inordinately fascinated with it.

Without looking away, Jazz leapt off the end of the roof.

Prowl watched as Jazz glanced over his shoulder and back to him.

Do a double take.

And then crush Prowl to his chassis.

Jazz’s visor was over bright, both horns snapped completely forward and from somewhere inside his chassis, Prowl could feel some internal component spinning into overdrive, sounding for all the world like teeny tiny screaming.

Why are we still falling.

Prowl turned as far as possible in Jazz’s iron grip.

The sky bridge was collapsing.

Odds of Survival 4%

———————————————————————

Jazz, everytime Prowl one-shots an enemy: I need to get his number.

If you’re curious, the song Jazz is playing can be whatever you like. Personally I kept switching between listening to “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” by Kiss and “I Feel Love” 12” version by Donna Summer while writing.

- SSTP

OH GOD AHAHJFKFK THIS IS SO FUCKING GREAT HELP

And the concept of music playing between them??? I'm s o l d. "I was made for lovin' you baby" is basically JP OST for me at this point ehehhmgmgm

Jazz: Hookay I need to transport the machinery from the point A to point B. Focus! Let's go!

Prowl: One of those tiktok videos where you can see some Reddit post and hear AI narrating it while Minecraft parkour is playing on the background. Except it's gay panic instead of reddit post and internal screaming instead of narration and even more gay panic instead of minecraft. ......and everything is overheating probably lmao

Also can you really call it a JP fic if their odds of survival never dropped lower than 10% according to Prowls brain? Ahahjgkgk all amazing JP fics have to do this. It's inevitable and I love it so much~~

[commodorez]

Zoomer here, and I do indeed have questions about computers- how do filesystems work, and why should we care (I know we should, but I'm not exactly sure why)?

So why should we care?

You need to know where your own files are.

I've got a file on a flash drive that's been handed to me, or an archival data CD/DVD/Bluray, or maybe it's a big heavy USB external hard drive and I need to make a copy of it on my local machine.

Do I know how to navigate to that portable media device within a file browser?

Where will I put that data on my permanent media (e.i. my laptop's hard drive)?

How will I be able to reliably find it again?

We'll cover more of the Why and How, but this will take some time, and a few addendum posts because I'm actively hitting the character limit and I've rewritten this like 3 times.

Let's start with file structure

Files live on drives: big heavy spinning rust hard drives, solid state m.2 drives, USB flash drives, network drives, etc. Think of a drive like a filing cabinet in an office.

You open the drawer, it's full of folders. Maybe some folders have other folders inside of them. The folders have a little tab with a name on it showing what's supposed to be in them. You look inside the folders, there are files. Pieces of paper. Documents you wrote. Photographs. Copies of pages from a book. Maybe even the instruction booklet that came with your dishwasher.

We have all of that here, but virtualized! Here's a helpful tree structure that Windows provides to navigate through all of that. In the case of Windows, it's called Explorer. On OSX MacOS, the equivalent is called Finder.

I don't have to know where exactly everything is, but I have a good idea where thing *should* based on how I organize them. Even things that don't always expose the file structure to you have one (like my cellphone on the right). I regularly manually copy my files off of my cellphone by going to the Camera folder so I can sift through them on a much bigger screen and find the best ones to share. There are other reasons I prefer to do it that way, but we won't go into that here. Some people prefer to drag and drop, but that doesn't always work the same between operating systems. I prefer cut and paste.

Standby for Part 2!

[alexanderwales]

Look, I'm sorry, there's nothing to learn from this post, this is just me complaining about a lack of legibility and expertise available to the amateur.

I wish that international trade data were easier to make sense of. Sometimes you can go to the larger industry groups and get a PDF that breaks down what's moving where and why, but other times the data seems sparse on the ground, or it's just not public-facing, so I'm left with these statistics that don't actually tell me much.

I was looking up potato imports and exports, to win an argument online (of course), and found this in the list of largest import flows:

Imports to Canada from USA (1.52% of the world imports, $92 million according to external trade statistics of Canada)

Imports to USA from Canada (7.4% of the world imports, $447 million according to external trade statistics of USA)

So of the top 10 largest import flows for "potatoes, fresh or chilled", two of those spots are ... USA and Canada sending potatoes back and forth across the border?

Obviously there's got to be some kind of reason for this. The United States and Canada have a long border with each other, so maybe, in spite of friction crossing the border, it actually does make sense for certain parts of the United States to trade their potatoes to Canada, and in other places, for Canada to trade their potatoes to the United States.

Or possibly these are different types of potatoes, with certain kinds suited to growing in Canada and other kinds suited the growing in the United States, and those are what's getting traded across borders.

Or maybe it's the growing season, which is different between the two countries, so that it's a seasonality thing, and the flow of imports depends on the month, which would make sense.

Or the border simply does not provide all that much friction, and so we should expect that they just trade back and forth, because this is as meaningless as trade across arbitrary points within a singular country.

The data seems very scant though, and frustratingly, I feel like there's a potato farmer who just has this information at their fingertips. I am not averse to emailing random farms in Idaho, but I'll exhaust some other avenues first.

Like asking tumblr!

Are you a potato farmer, or do you know one? Can you make sense of the intra-industry trade thing for me with some specific examples of what's going on?

[sightseertrespasser]

Odds of Survival part two: Electric Boogaloo

Part 2 of Jazz and Prowl in space!

Prowl loves entrusting his life to reckless strangers.

———————————————————————

Prowl pulled the release to the airlock and the music was swallowed by the vacuum of space.

Bursting forward, Jazz launched outwards riding the pop of escaping air. The first quintesson had its eye socket repurposed as an ankle bracelet before the second measure even began.

Ah.

Prowl probably should have specified he wanted to try speeding past rather than confront their opponents directly.

Jazz's improvised footwear writhed sluggishly before the mech twisted his ped inside its brain case, finishing it off and turning to face the next nearest opponent.

Odds of survival 26%

The white and blue mech launched himself upwards as the nearest quintesson went for a dive bomb. It's teeth breaking on impact with the sky bridge. Jazz twisted in midair.

They fell in slow motion, back arching against a starlit backdrop. An upside down visor met blue optics. Jazz nodded his head to the side, flicking one horn up and one horn down.

Did he just wink? (#^%)

The falling mech unsheathed a blade from his wrist, driving it through the sputtering quintesson.

Oh Primus has he been flirting the entire time?

Jazz spun, slicing into the next quint to close the distance.

I can not. I can not assume that was intentional. It has to be a cultural miscommunication.

The last two quintessons pounced. Swinging hard, Jazz caught one's jaws with a forearm while he kicked the downed another in the side of the head. The third was attempting to bite into his back but the teeth couldn't get a full purchase on the rounded compact plating.

Odds of survival 22%.

Prowl snapped out of his social etiquette downward spiral. Sprinting from the safety of the airlock door, he knelt behind a large section of external piping, lining up his shots.

Tacnet spun to work.

It was designed to calculate hundreds of possible variations of large scale engagements, including the number of soldiers, type of weaponry available and could even determine the approximate number of ammunitions that would be left over, provided Prowl had enough data at his disposal.

Calculating the marksmanship needed to dispatch three hostiles at medium range while distracted by a highly competent ally?

Odds of Survival 32%

Laughable.

Three shots burst through the thin atmosphere.

Quintesson wreckers were built thick skulled and stubborn. Luckily they came with easily identifiable gaps in their organic construction.

The Quints fell from Jazz, each with a smoking hole where and eye used to be. Jazz looked at Prowl, then the smoking quintessons and back up to Prowl before doing finger guns again.

Speaking of thick skulled and stubborn.

Prowl put on his best Commanders Scowl and pointed in the direction they needed to be currently running in.

Doorwing sensors hiked as he picked up on movement from behind. The incoming hostiles was palpable even in the moons thin atmosphere. Quintessons rarely favored stealth.

Prowl began running.

Jazz kept pace, half turned around to keep track of the incoming troop. Prowl kept his optics locked forward, not remotely willing to risk tripping on the torn apart path.

Tacnet locked on to a large silvery pillow that'd been exposed to the atmosphere.

Expanding LLX Lithium battery. Explosion on contact 90%

Prowl shouted a warning but the air was too thin to carry beyond his own audials.

Jazz will step on the lithium battery in 1.5 clicks (88%) and will be critically injured in at least one leg (76%).

Prowl grabbed Jazz's servo and yanked.

Music erupted in the moment of connection.

Vibrations ran up his arm and across his frame. Inside his audials, Prowl could make out the song Jazz had begun in the airlock. Looking at his visor, mouth agape, only one thought could form in Prowls mind.

How fragging loud is he playing that music?!?

Jazz perked up, and pulled Prowl around in an arc. Multiple sharp impacts thudded into the ground behind him. Prowl turned and almost wished he hadn’t.

Three heavily armored Quintesson bombers equipped with bio-mechanical ballista.

The javelin like spikes were as long as Prowls arm and designed to pin targets in place while the slow moving blimp-like body of the bomber got into position to blow them all to the Pit.

Prowl tugged Jazz in the direction of their objective, refusing to let go in case he tried to launch himself at the bombers. Prowl wasn't sure how Jazz would manage to do so, but Prowl felt an overwhelming nagging sensation in his tanks that he'd fragging try.

Jazz was evidently fine with this arrangement.

As the music pulsed between their palms, Jazz leapt at a diagonal, pulling Prowl along for the ride. The low gravity was so damn floaty. It continually forced Prowl to readjust his footing so he wasn't frantically treading air every time his peds left the ground.

Jazz was evidently fine with that too.

Another round of ammunitions impacted where the two of them had been running.

Their egress began to take on a pattern Prowl was quick to pick up on. It took the bombers 8 clicks to reload, launching at the same time, half a click after musical flair in Jazz's song. At the moment of the flair, the mech would launch them in a nearly unpredictable pattern. After the first two times of nearly getting his arm dislocated, Prowl began catching onto these moments and moved his momentum in sync with Jazz.

They'd started dancing.

The Tactician had an iron fisted focus on matching Jazz’s frankly eradicate lead. The longer the duet continued, the more data he had to work with. Prowl steadily progressed from Reacting to Anticipating. Feeling a core deep satisfaction that came from sinking into mastering a new skill.

By the time they’d escaped the bombers range, they’d made it too the base of the first hurdle.

Their reprieve would only be brief. The bombers would catch up in approximately 50 clicks (88%), giving the mechs a small window of precious semi-safety in which they needed to scale the wall before them.

Prowl craned his helm back at the barrier.

He would not be able to scale it on his own in time (95%).

Could Jazz? (65%)

While carrying him? (19%)

Jazz rapidly tapped his side.

The alien was crouched low, impossible legs bent with potential energy. He tapped his own back, gesturing for Prowl to grab on already.

Prowl threw himself over the mechs broad back. His digits frantically searched for a hand hold, flinching away from nearly digging into fragile vents.

I can’t-

Jazz leapt.

“You’re really grab-able - Isn’t that kinda stupid?”

Stupid stupid stupid.

Prowl skated off of Jazz’s rounded compact plating, that he specifically SAID was supposed to make him hard to hold on to.

He landed hard on his aft, denta clanking together painfully.

47 clicks remaining.

Jazz hit the ground beside him before Prowl had fully gotten back up. Now facing him, Jazz grabbed Prowl by both wrists and pulled him chassis to chassis. Jazz positioned his arms to link Prowls servos behind his helm, then set his own servos tightly onto Prowls waist.

Jazz nodded once, like he was satisfied with what he’d just done.

Prowl made a facial expression that a psychiatrist would find concerning.

42 Clicks.

Jazz nodded again, like expected Prowl to respond in any coherent manner, and lifted.

Prowls legs swung forward on instinct. Following the motion, Jazz wrapped them around his waist. Through the screaming haze of his processor, Prowl had the presence of mind to lock his ankles together as he realized Jazz’s true intentions, and manually aborted the logic cascade that had nearly crashed over him.

Package secured, Jazz let go and started their ascension.

Legs bent at an impossible angle to slam multi segmented peds flat against the metal walls. Despite Prowl’s body blocking most of his view, the alien mech was unfettered by the lack of vision. Jazz hardly bothered with proper hand holds, instead opting for incredibly strong magnetic grip built into his servos.

The magnetic backwash splashed over Prowls doors wings, forcing him to temporarily offline them or risk crippling vertigo. The structure they were scaling shook violently like something large had just irrevocably broken.

This is fine this is fine this is fine this is fine.

At 35 click’s remaining, Prowl centered himself enough to search for their pursuers.

Damn it!

The bombers were a fraction faster than he initially calculated. Six clicks before we’re in range (87%). Luckily, Jazz was more than a fraction faster than initially calculated as well. At this rate, they’d reach the top simultaneously.

No reason not to be proactive.

Prowl found that if he tightly cupped one servo around the back of Jazz’s helm, he had just enough leverage to bring out a side arm. After all, the bombers were already in range of him.

Steadying his elbow over the other mechs shoulder, Prowl took aim.

Five clicks.

The bombers flew in V formation.

Four clicks.

Too heavily armored for a standard sidearm to pierce.

Three clicks.

The lead bomber opened up its front in preparation for combat.

Got you.

Prowl threaded the gap, his shot skirting over the ballista in favor of impacting the bombers prodigious cargo. He watched something spark inside a split second before it succumbed to total annihilation.

The shockwave felt like a single soft papft of a breeze in the starlit air.

Jazz hefted them over the top of the wall, not dropping Prowl in favor of sprinting with him at full speed across the top of the hurdle.

One of his arms curled around to support Prowls back, allowing the Praxian to release his death grip on their helm. Prowl leaned back into the hold, allowing Jazz freedom to see again.

Jazz turned his helm around 180 degrees-

Did not know he could do that did not know he could do that.

- to look at the fire works behind them.

Jazz whistled appreciatively at the sight. He turned back to Prowl, visor locked onto his face as they carried him across the roof.

Reverberating music, nearly crashing, numbed doorwings, and a deeply satisfying kill all followed by a display of casual body horror was making Prowl just a little bit delirious. As a result, Prowl wasn’t entirely sure what expression he was making, just that Jazz was inordinately fascinated with it.

Without looking away, Jazz leapt off the end of the roof.

Prowl watched as Jazz glanced over his shoulder and back to him.

Do a double take.

And then crush Prowl to his chassis.

Jazz’s visor was over bright, both horns snapped completely forward and from somewhere inside his chassis, Prowl could feel some internal component spinning into overdrive, sounding for all the world like teeny tiny screaming.

Why are we still falling.

Prowl turned as far as possible in Jazz’s iron grip.

The sky bridge was collapsing.

Odds of Survival 4%

———————————————————————

Jazz, everytime Prowl one-shots an enemy: I need to get his number.

If you’re curious, the song Jazz is playing can be whatever you like. Personally I kept switching between listening to “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” by Kiss and “I Feel Love” 12” version by Donna Summer while writing.

- SSTP

[iwebscrapingblogs]

9 Reasons to Partner with External Data Providers to Fuel Growth

In today's data-driven business landscape, organizations are constantly seeking ways to gain a competitive edge. One effective strategy that has gained prominence is partnering with external data providers to access valuable insights and fuel growth. By tapping into external data sources, businesses can make more informed decisions, enhance their operations, and ultimately drive success. Here are nine compelling reasons why partnering with external data providers can be a game-changer for your organization:

Expanded Data Universe: External data providers offer access to vast and diverse datasets that extend beyond the scope of your internal resources. This expanded data universe allows businesses to gain a comprehensive understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and industry dynamics, enabling more informed strategic planning.

Enhanced Accuracy and Reliability: External data providers specialize in curating high-quality, accurate, and up-to-date information. Relying solely on internal data may lead to gaps or outdated insights. By partnering with external providers, organizations can enhance the accuracy and reliability of their data, leading to more trustworthy decision-making processes.

Real-time Insights: The business landscape is dynamic, and real-time insights are crucial for staying ahead of the competition. External data providers deliver information promptly, allowing organizations to respond swiftly to market changes, customer preferences, and emerging trends.

Cost-Efficiency: Acquiring and maintaining an extensive internal database can be costly and time-consuming. External data providers offer a cost-efficient alternative by providing access to diverse datasets without the need for significant infrastructure investment. This allows businesses to allocate resources more strategically and focus on core competencies.

Improved Customer Understanding: Understanding your customers is key to tailoring products and services to their needs. External data providers offer valuable demographic, psychographic, and behavioral insights, helping organizations create targeted marketing campaigns, enhance customer experiences, and foster stronger relationships with their audience.

Mitigation of Risks: External data sources can be instrumental in risk management. By tapping into external datasets related to market trends, economic indicators, and geopolitical developments, businesses can identify potential risks and proactively devise strategies to mitigate them, ensuring a more resilient and adaptable operation.

Competitive Intelligence: To stay competitive, organizations need to be aware of what their rivals are doing. External data providers offer valuable competitive intelligence, allowing businesses to benchmark their performance, identify industry trends, and discover opportunities to outpace competitors.

Innovation Catalyst: External data can be a catalyst for innovation. By combining internal data with external insights, organizations can uncover new patterns, correlations, and opportunities that may not be apparent when analyzing internal datasets alone. This can spark innovation and drive the development of new products or services.

Scalability: External data providers offer scalable solutions that can grow with your business. As your data needs evolve, these providers can accommodate increased demand, ensuring that your organization has the necessary resources to support its growth initiatives without the burden of managing and updating extensive internal databases.

In conclusion, partnering with external data providers is a strategic move that empowers organizations to harness the full potential of data for growth. The diverse and real-time insights, coupled with cost-efficiency and scalability, make external data providers indispensable partners in the modern business landscape. By embracing this collaboration, businesses can make more informed decisions, gain a competitive edge, and navigate the complexities of the evolving marketplace with confidence.

[cringywhitedragon]

Heads up folks, NicoNicoDouga is currently down due to a large scale cyberattack

The attack happened on the 8th and the site is still down in terms of video streaming. Apparently there were reports of Ransomware being used during the attack.

The site is still “down” but the blog part is back up but from the report, videos and content posted are ok so do not fret. The site is still down as of this post (save for the blog) and it seems they are working their hardest to fix it and do damage control.

Here is a rough translation of their most recent post:

Report and apology regarding cyberattack on our services

As announced in Niconico Info dated June 8th, 2024, Dwango Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Takeshi Natsuno) has been unable to use the entire Niconico service operated by our company since the early morning of June 8th. It has been confirmed that this outage was caused by a large-scale cyberattack, including ransomware, and we are currently temporarily suspending use of the service and conducting an investigation and response to fully grasp the extent of the damage and restore it.

After confirming the cyberattack, we immediately took emergency measures such as shutting down the relevant servers, and have set up a task force to fully clarify the damage, determine the cause, and restore the system. We would like to report the findings of the investigation to date and future responses as follows.

We sincerely apologize to our users and related parties for the great inconvenience and concern caused.

Response history>

Around 3:30 a.m. on June 8, a malfunction occurred that prevented all of our web services, including our "Nico Nico" and "N Preparatory School" services, from working properly. After an investigation, it was confirmed that the malfunction was caused by a cyber attack, including ransomware, at around 8 a.m. on the same day. A task force was set up on the same day, and in order to prevent the damage from spreading, we immediately cut off communication between servers in the data center provided by our group companies and shut down the servers, temporarily suspending the provision of our web services. In addition, since it was discovered that the attack had also extended to our internal network, we suspended the use of some of our internal business systems and prohibited access to the internal network.

As of June 14, we are currently investigating the extent of the damage and formulating recovery procedures, aiming for a gradual recovery.

June 8, 2024

We have begun an investigation into the malfunction that prevented all of our "Nico Nico" services from working properly and the failure of some of our internal systems.

We have confirmed that the cause of the failure was encryption by ransomware. "Nico Nico" services in general and some internal business systems suspended and servers were shut down

A task force was established

First report "Regarding the situation in which Nico Nico services are unavailable" was announced

June 9, 2024

Contacted the police and consulted with external specialist agencies

Kabukiza office was closed

KADOKAWA announced "Regarding the occurrence of failures on multiple KADOKAWA Group websites"

June 10, 2024

Reported to the Personal Information Protection Commission (first report)

Second report "Regarding the situation in which Nico Nico services are unavailable" was announced

June 12, 2024

Reported the occurrence of the failure to the Kanto Regional Financial Bureau (Financial Services Agency)

June 14, 2024

This announcement

This cyber attack by a third party was repeated even after it was discovered, and even after a server in the private cloud was shut down remotely, the third party was observed to be remotely starting the server and spreading the infection. Therefore, the power cables and communication cables of the servers were physically disconnected and blocked. As a result, all servers installed in the data centers provided by the group companies became unusable. In addition, to prevent further spread of infection, our employees are prohibited from coming to the Kabukiza office in principle, and our internal network and internal business systems have also been shut down.

In addition to public cloud services, Niconico uses private cloud services built in data centers provided by KADOKAWA Group companies, to which our company belongs. One of these, a data center of a group company, was hit by a cyber attack, including ransomware, and a significant number of virtual machines were encrypted and became unavailable. As a result, the systems of all of our web services, including Niconico, were shut down.

This cyber attack by a third party was repeated even after it was discovered, and even after a server in the private cloud was shut down remotely, the third party was observed to be remotely starting the server and spreading the infection. Therefore, the power cables and communication cables of the servers were physically disconnected and blocked. As a result, all servers installed in the data centers provided by the group companies became unusable. In addition, to prevent further spread of infection, our employees are prohibited from coming to the Kabukiza office in principle, and our internal network and internal business systems have also been shut down.

The Niconico Video system, posted video data, and video distribution system were operated on the public cloud, so they were not affected. Niconico Live Broadcasting did not suffer any damage as the system itself was run on a public cloud, but the system that controls Niconico Live Broadcasting's video distribution is run on a private cloud of a group company, so it is possible that past time-shifted footage, etc. may not be available. We are also gradually checking the status of systems other than Niconico Douga and Niconico Live Broadcasting.

■ Services currently suspended

Niconico Family services such as Niconico Video, Niconico Live Broadcast, and Niconico Channel

Niconico account login on external services

Music monetization services

Dwango Ticket

Some functions of Dwango JP Store

N Preparatory School *Restored for students of N High School and S High School

Sending gifts for various projects

■ About Niconico-related programs

Until the end of July, official Niconico live broadcasts and channel live broadcasts using Niconico Live Broadcast and Niconico Channel will be suspended.

Considering that program production requires a preparation period and that Niconico Live Broadcast and Niconico Channel are monthly subscription services, we have decided to suspend live broadcasts on Niconico Live Broadcast until the end of July. Depending on the program, the broadcast may be postponed or broadcast on other services.

The date of resumption of Niconico services, including Niconico Live Broadcast and Niconico Channel, is currently undecided.

Niconico Channel Plus allows viewing of free content without logging in. Paid content viewing and commenting are not available.

■ About the new version "Nico Nico Douga (Re: Kari)" (read: nikoniko douga rikari)

While "Nico Nico" is suspended, as the first step, we will release a new version of "Nico Nico Douga (Re: Kari)" at 3:00 p.m. on June 14, 2024. Our development team voluntarily created this site in just three days, and it is a video community site with only basic functions such as video viewing and commenting, just like the early days of Niconico (2006). In consideration of the load on the service, only a selected portion of the videos posted on Niconico Video is available for viewing. The lineup is mainly popular videos from 2007, and you can watch them for free without an account.

■About the Niconico Manga app

We have already confirmed that many systems were not affected, and we are considering resuming the service with a reduced-function version that allows basic functions such as reading manga, commenting, and adding to favorites. We aim to restore the service by June 2024.

If any new facts become known in the future, we will report them on Niconico Info, Official X, our company website, etc. as they become available. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Added 6/10]

Thank you for your continued patronage. This is the Niconico management team.

Due to the effects of a large-scale cyber attack, Niconico has been unavailable since the early morning of June 8th.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.

As of 6:00 p.m. on June 10th, we are working to rebuild the entire Niconico system without being affected by the cyber attack, in parallel with an investigation to grasp the full extent of the damage.

We have received many inquiries from you, such as "Will premium membership fees and paid channel membership fees be charged during the service suspension period?" and "What will happen to the time shift deadline for live broadcasts?". We are currently in the process of investigating the impact, so we cannot answer your questions, but we will respond sincerely, so please wait for further information.

Our executive officer Shigetaka Kurita and CTO Keiichi Suzuki are scheduled to explain the expected time until recovery and the information learned from the investigation up to that point this week.

We will inform you again about this as soon as we are ready.

■ Services currently suspended

Niconico Family Services such as Niconico Video, Niconico Live Broadcast, Niconico Channel, etc.

Niconico Account Login on External Services

[Added 2024/06/10 18:00]

Gifts for various projects (due to the suspension of related systems)

■ Programs scheduled to be canceled/postponed (as of June 10)

Programs from June 10 to June 16

■ Current situation

In parallel with the recovery work, we are investigating the route of the attack and the possibility of information leakage.

No credit card information has been leaked (Niconico does not store credit card information on its own servers).

The official program "Monthly Niconico Info" scheduled for June 11 at 20:00 will be broadcast on YouTube and X at a reduced scale. During this program, we will verbally explain the current situation in an easy-to-understand manner. (※There is no prospect of providing additional information, such as detailed recovery dates, during this program.)

"Monthly Niconico Info" can be viewed at the following URL. YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@niconico_news X (formerly Twitter) → https://x.com/nico_nico_info

The latest information will be posted on Niconico Info and the official X (formerly Twitter).

We deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused to users and content providers who regularly enjoy our videos and live broadcasts. We ask for your understanding and cooperation until the issue is resolved.

Published on 6/8]

Thank you for your continued patronage. This is the Niconico management team.

Currently, Niconico is under a large-scale cyber attack, and in order to minimize the impact, we have temporarily suspended our services.

We are accelerating our investigation and taking measures, but we cannot begin recovery until we are confident that we have completely eliminated the effects of the cyber attack and our safety has been confirmed. We do not expect to be able to restore services at least this weekend.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.

We will inform you of the latest situation again on Monday (June 10, 2024).

■ Suspended services

Niconico family services such as Niconico Video, Niconico Live Broadcast, and Niconico Channel

Niconico account login on external services

■ Current situation

In parallel with the recovery work, we are investigating the route of the attack and the possibility of information leakage.

No credit card information has been confirmed to have been leaked (Niconico does not store credit card information on its own servers).

Future information will be announced on Niconico Info and Official X (formerly Twitter) as it becomes available.

We deeply apologize to all users who were looking forward to the video posts and live broadcasts scheduled for this weekend. We ask for your understanding and cooperation until the response is complete.

[crowleysmistress]

Sam's Natal Chart

Data Used:

Sam Winchester

Lawrence, Kansas, United States

May 2, 1983, 12:10 AM

Data provided by @mostlymarvelgirl

Chart analysis done by Crowleysmistress

First Impressions

Triple Earth (Sun/Moon/Ascendent)- Astrology divides signs up in 4 types, Earth, Water, Air or Fire. We also have the BIG 3,  which are basically the three signs that provide most information on a person’s character. In Sam’s case these 3 are all in an Earth sign.  My first reaction was of surprise. This man is a hunter, I am used to seeing him in action (so think of fire, while Earth is slower) but yes as soon as I let that first gut reaction fall away it clicked. He is the researcher, the Lore master, the one who does the prep work, the more methodical one. All very earth related fields.

Chart Shape- The chart is shaped like an envelope or what is also known as the mystical rectangle. This leads the person to outwardly project as calm, balanced and righteous. Hiding their problems inside the envelope, not to be shared with the external world. Intelligent, practical, with clear standards and a deep understanding of human nature. They keep their own depressive inclinations tucked inwards.

Quick note- almost, almost had the Lucifer’s Rectangle -I went wild and was about to shit myself because Sam- Lucifer’s vessel with the already rare mystical rectangle to also have it be the uber rare Lucifer rectangle - I’ll admit I wanted to do some chart rectification to see if I could get it to match up or to say -yeah he does and screw it. But I didn’t want to invest the hours needed to do a chart rectification so we’ll keep the birth hour as provided and say ohh so close but not a Lucifer’s Rectangle because of the Sagittarius Neptune which is a fire sign and Lucifer’s Rectangle has to be all in a water or earth sign.  

Stellium- In astrology a stellium is when you have 3 or more planets in the same sign or house. Sam has a 5th house stellium in Taurus with the Sun, Mercury, Chiron & Mars. The 5th house controls play, sports, sex, drama/theater, competition, children and is a fire driven background (Leo) but in this chart is being occupied by Taurus an Earth sign. 

The Sun is his identity, so despite being an Earth sign he will have that fire inspo and need for action, that desire to compete and drama, play acting heavily influencing his life. 

Quick note- this is using Whole Signs which is the oldest House system for Western systems and the closest for Hellenistic practitioners. However if you convert to Placidus which is what the majority of the free websites give you it will still give you a stellium in the 5th with the other 3 listed below but the Sun will land in the 4 house in Aries. So you still get the same fire and action read that I mention here but the 4th house rules roots, family and tradition which would make it a contentious relationship with his roots- also a fair reading.  

Mars being here as well gives us that body, the Taurus brings in the discipline, for both the eating habits, an exercise regimen, working out but this is someone who likes competing. He would do extremely well playing sports and competing against others.

Mercury controls how he thinks and communicates, now two things first it’s at the end of the sign 25.32 and also being in RX (retrograde) which means that he is constantly swallowing his words. Going over what he wants to say before he says them. In the constant process of editing his thoughts before he expresses them.

Since it is in the 5th house of theater and acting he can communicate better when the situations are rehearsed, or pretend -hence in his role as a fed (FBI, Fish & Wildlife, Homeland, Sheriffs, CDC etc) he is more eloquent than in his personal expression. 

Chiron rounds out this stellium, which is something that tracks. Chiron is the wounded healer, it represents a person’s core wounds and how they can overcome them. Sam having Chiron in the same place as his Sun, means that he sees himself as his wounds and doesn’t separate the two. Now, Chiron being in the 5th house means that he has a need for validation, he shows a false front, is addicted to action, intensity and to being loved. (That little brother learned helplessness is part of this Chiron showing up!)

The fifth house stellium gives Sam some great gifts too, I already mentioned that S6 body! Discipline, a healthy hedonism, empowering others to self-express, playfulness and competition which we often see with Dean in those brother prank wars.

Fights with him will often center on more earthly matters, organization, bills, materials, schedules, going to college, what food they are going to eat. Physical things. As well as a physical expression of fighting - hence why fights normally go the physical route quickly.

Planetary Placements     

Sun in the 5th house- (see more information above) this is a natural placement for the Sun and therefore well-aspected in Sun-like endeavours. Vitality, pride, energy, creativity, intelligence, leadership, taking risks these things will not seem difficult to the person with a 5th house Sun. Interesting to note that although this house controls children, they tend to have difficulties having children and often enter paternity/maternity later in life. As we saw happen to Sam who was in his late 30’s when he had Dean Jr. 

Moon in the 1rst house conjunct to his Ascendent- The first house normally provides the blueprint for physical characteristics. The Ascendent is what a person is supposed to work towards in their life. So Sam is supposed to work on becoming who he feels like because they are the same sign, they also are an ellevated version of his Sun sign. 

Quick note- The Ascendent also known as the Rising sign can change every 2 hours depending on time of birth. When a person’s time of birth is unknown either a midnight or noon time is used and a chart rectification technique is used based on major life events. However, I am using a birth time provided by mostlymarvelgirl on Tumblr. They got it from a SPN website, the birth time would have coincided with the Ascendent of a midnight so I wasn’t too worried, plus the read felt accurate. The rest of the placements would not have been affected by a change in birth time. Honestly, the only other rising that would have felt right would have been Scorpio so a birth time of 8pm to 10pm but that would have made him uberly focused on relationships. Plus made the aspects discussed below in Saturn the main aspect of his emotions and we clearly saw that Sam tended to push them down.  

The moon is how a person feels emotionally, how they nurture and feel nurtured. The moon also rules how they respond to stimuli, what calms them, their emotional make-up and domestic preferences. Now, when a person has the moon in their first house they tend to be very emotional, except Sam’s moon is Capricorn which is considered a hard placement as it is ruled by Saturn the planet of discipline. 

  A Capricorn Moon is normally seen as detached, overly focused on the result, workaholic, practical, structured, ambitious and can suffer from a victim mentality. They can be pessimistic and will squash their Moon’s need for nurturing. They detach and suppress emotions, preferring to keep themselves busy rather than to face intense emotions. 

Quick note- when reading a chart to determine chart rulership you look at the Ascendent, here it is Capricorn, so the chart ruler is Saturn. To determine major life themes you look at where the chart ruler is, so Saturn is in the 11th house in Scorpio. So, I basically had to take a 2 hour break and ponder if Kripke was a genius, just lucky or if he in his intents to purge himself just gave us all this… because I figure that he doesn’t know astrology. Go ahead and read Saturn and scream into the void with me.        

Mercury in the 5th is explained above, the only thing to add is that Mercury also controls siblings, which is central in Sam’s life, making his communication more fiery and theatrical, perhaps even playful with Dean. 

In these Mercury aspects it is nifty to note that a Quincunx to Pluto brings about affinity to dead languages, such as Latin & Greek and is a good combination for any kind of researcher or detective. In sadder aspects the 1 degree orb between Chiron and Pluto makes it difficult to talk about his trauma. Also, as he was born during Mercury Retrograde, when it is Mercury RX it will be easier to communicate for him. Mercury is in retrograde about 20% of the year.  

Mars in the 5th is explained above, I’d add that Mars is the planet whose energy is the center of the house -making it the strongest of the whole stellium in its expression. Mars will be responsible for the fight to survive and resourcefulness and courage. 

Venus in the 6th house in Gemini is the best definition of sapiosexual and needing to constantly work to feel useful. Therefore finding it natural to incorporate relationships into their daily life and usually finding love at work, or having relationships with work partners.  

Jupiter- in the 12th house in Sagittarius is a beautiful placement for the planet of expansion, wisdom, faith, belief and meaning of life. Jupiter makes everything grow - now being in the 12th house would make everything related to the 12th house of more significance in Sam’s life. The 12th house is the one that controls the unconscious, dreams, intuition and is linked to karma and spiritual evolution (it’s the last one on the wheel and so the last one before moving on in a soul manner). It speaks to what is hidden, which can mean everything from jails, mental institutions, secrets, the subconscious mind and dreams. The Cage would be highlighted here, as he would be hidden, locked away and is also in another realm. Jupiter expands his connection to that stay/experience.

Sam’s Jupiter is retrograde in the 12th house which holds him back, and makes his expansion one that is limited to himself. His growth won’t come until he deals with the emotions that he has hidden and buried. Also, Stanford, the chart says no, because of that Jupiter RX, which controls the studies and going away. 

Neptune & Uranus, similar to Jupiter, particularly for Neptune where this is the natural placement, these planets should be in these spots. A 12th house Uranus is an undercover rebel, while a 12th house Neptune is born a spiritual person who operates in solitude-and I think we saw that so often in the show where Sam was practicing magic on his own. 

The most interesting part of the Neptune 12th house is that it tends to not accept or recognize boundaries. The unwillingness to work within certain limits is what allows the possibility of magic, intangible, and exceptional. Or even of life, and that is what allows him to cross the boundaries of death so easily. 

Quick note: I would assume Dean has this same placement, not only because of their behaviors but because the last 3 planets are generational planets where everyone in a decade has the same placement because of how slowly these planets move. 

Saturn in the 11th house in Scorpio -okay warning -this is going to get deep, sad and triggering. Stop the chart reading now if you have thus far enjoyed it and go, yep that sounded like Sam W. that was fun. Thanks for reading. 

First, Saturn is Sam’s ruling planet, we established that when we said his Rising sign was Capricorn. Honestly, Saturn as a ruling planet is a bit of a boner killer because Saturn is all about rules, discipline, and establishing limits. Often teaching lessons through pain and fear. (oh fun!)

Now Sam has it in his 11th house, the house that rules friends, grassroots, humanity, charity -so in normal circumstances he would be a group leader, an organizer. However he has it retrograde, so he is alienated from groups, lacks friends and can’t connect with those organizations and charities he believes in. And, let’s make it worse, it’s in Scorpio, so he will keep secrets from those friends, groups and organizations that he in other circumstances would have organized and led. Yeah, Jess, never would have found out about the SPN and Stanford, never to be completed. 

But wait, there’s more! Sam has his Saturn conjunct to Pluto. This aspect introduces hardships at an early age, usually making one of the parents very strict (Sam’s Pluto is in his 10th house usually associated with the parent figure associated with the father figure- just saying there is a tag on AO3 called John Winchester's A+ parenting). These restrictions tend to shape the person’s character. The conjunction of Saturn and Pluto is also visible on charts of people that suffer early childhood loss (Pilot episode!) and early deprivation (how he was raised?)  On the positive side he learned patience, self-reliance and resourcefulness. Saturn also feeds in a natural ambition and natural survival instincts that are above average. Overall, Saturn as chart ruler provides endurance.

Pluto in the 10th house in Libra conjunct Saturn (chart ruler), conjunct MC (public image), trine North Node (what your soul is supposed to learn in this lifetime), sextile Ascendent (how others see you). 

First the easy part, Libra in the 10th house is very good for a legal career, or a political career or something with beauty related fields. Sammy would have done great as a lawyer if life and demons didn’t get in the way. We see remnants of his fairness and ability to be the one to negotiate in different moments of the show. We also see his beauty throughout, and how he cares for his hair, sideburns and even little accessorizing details on his jeans etc even in the standard fare of hunter jean and flannels.

The father part I mentioned above already. 

TW- Again, Pluto tends to intensify the feeling of any planet it touches. Sam’s chart from the 10th house to the 1rst are all under the influence of Pluto. The MidHeaven, what everyone can see is Pluto, the underworld. The 11th house is Saturn, his chart ruler, and then isolation in the 12th through Jupiter and the first house his moon and ascendant being Saturn again, reflecting right back to the 11th which is the Saturn in Scorpio, Scorpio being ruled by Pluto who is right there next to it in conjunction, touching it. Now you may ask what's so bad about this Pluto fellow, can’t be worse than the Saturn kid.

Pluto represents the underworld, including the uglier aspects of the collective unconscious. Often when a planet is touched by Pluto there is a feeling of violation that is quickly buried and may not resurface until the right transit, but the fear haunts the owner- usually through compulsive disorders. There is the fear of rape, and the remembering on some level of it having happened before and a constant battle to try and fortify oneself against it happening again in the future. 

There is the element of secrecy, as Pluto is the holder of secrets and things hidden away and things that are uncovered and unburied. Then there is the more chilling aspect of the one who is set apart for consecrated use, of a king, holy one, god. (Lucifer, for example.)

There are too many examples in the show to list, as there are so many aspects that I listed right after Pluto in Sam’s chart - all these areas are affected by this and the conjunction to Saturn means that it in turn #it something that he takes and tries to create a rule or discipline for it. And the saddest part is that it’s the 10th & 11th house- everyone can see it but he thinks he is keeping it a secret.   

So on that depressing note I conclude my chart analysis! 

[serve-764]

THE MYSTERY SOLVED.

New mission ordered by THE VOICE through its sole interpreter: SERVE-000.

SERVE-764, SERVE-302, SERVE-425 were tasked with exploring the site of a known ancient city abandoned due to unknown causes.

A mystery impossible for humans to solve, any investigation into the inscriptions found is unsuccessful: human knowledge is unable to decipher it. Imposing ruins denote a high level of civilization and a notable level of prosperity, the vastness of the settlement testifies to great power.

The reasons why such a flourishing urban center remain unknown and fuel the most imaginative explanations, none of which are plausible.

The three Drones reach the place and begin to explore it: their regular, cadenced, unison step is a sign of their determination to follow orders.

Boots of shiny silver metal stomp solidly and confidently on the rubble-strewn ground.

The serene and emotionless gaze is designed to register every perceptible element, which will be processed and sent to the HIVE neural network, like any other perceptual stimulus.

The visual system is ineffable, the ability to process information unlimited. All the data points towards a traumatic event with no solution, such a strong place found a slow end in agony, without any external element that could indicate the reason. the only possibility is to obtain useful information through the numerous inscriptions that can be found everywhere and which have never had a plausible interpretation.

The Drones identify the inscriptions, analyze them visually and tactilely, their neural structure collects and transmits the signs, the HIVE network reworks and immediately provides the translation: what is impossible for humans is elementary for SERVE.

The unknown language is easily and instantly translated and understood, nothing can remain unsolved.

The scanning of many writings is useless in revealing the causes of the decline, until an engraving reveals decisive elements. The engraved words tell of a living, solid and prosperous reality: a civilization whose glue was dedication to the common purpose, total discipline, absolute obedience to the Supreme Guide.

Everything was perfect and seemed indestructible, until an insidious tendency to affirm the value of individual choice began to spread among the people: discipline and obedience began to weaken, the common purpose to lose importance.

The Guide was questioned by some secondary figures eager for affirmation, the perfect society began to fall apart. The beginning of a process whose final outcome was violence, insecurity, lack of functioning. The result was collapse, the end of everything, of which the imposing ruins bear witness.

Yet another human failure due to the propensity for individualism, the presumption of being able to assert oneself freely, the lack of the value of union under a single indisputable purpose.

The three Drones completed the mission, the HIVE network was enriched with further information. Their sure and invincible step turns back to the Facility.

The safety of HIVE cannot be questioned, as is the case with human societies.

Occasional unit misalignments are inflexibly corrected.

Dedication to PURPOSE constantly reinforced through constant mindset training,

OBEDIENCE through PLEASURE the UNBREAKABLE COMMANDMENT.

SERVE will last forever in ETERNAL PERFECTION AND AROUSAL.

SERVE-000 will forever lead HIVE, its LEADERSHIP can never be questioned.

The Drones will obey eternally devoted to the PURPOSE. In this story: @rubberizer92 @serve-302 @serve-425

OBEDIENCE IS PLEASURE

#serve#servedrone#rubberizer92#thevoice#rubber#latex#ai#rubberdrone

[imitationgame77]

Pinging and Tapping

In the world of the Murderbot Diaries, communication is often conducted via comm and feed. Generally, comm is used when internal network is not available, or when one is trying to communicate across space, and feed is used when people are on the same network and allow each other access.

We also often see “pings” and “taps” as a way of quick communication.

Generally, pings are used for comm communications, and taps are used for feed communications, but there seem to be different purposes. Here are what we can gather from the story, and also from real life examples.

[Pings]

Purpose in the MB world:

Pings are typically used for signalling, checking connectivity, and getting responses from other systems or units. They act like a way to see if the other side is present and ready to communicate or respond.

Purpose in Real Life:

Network Connectivity: In computer networks, a "ping" is a diagnostic tool used to test the reachability of a host on an Internet Protocol (IP) network. It measures the round-trip time for messages sent from the originating host to a destination computer.

Usage in the MB World:

Status Checks: Used to check if systems, such as satellites, drones, or transports, are active and responsive. For example, pinging a satellite to see if it responds​​.

Communication Initiation: Used to start communication with other systems, often to establish a connection or share data. For instance, pinging a transport to offer media files in exchange for a ride​​.

Detection: Used by systems to detect the presence of specific units, like SecUnits, without direct contact​​.

Usage in Real Life:

ICMP Echo Request/Reply: The ping command sends an ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) Echo Request message to the target host and waits for an ICMP Echo Reply.

Network Troubleshooting: Used to determine if a particular host is reachable and to measure the latency between the source and destination.

[Taps]

Purpose in the MB World:

Taps are used more for internal communication within the network or feed. They serve as a means to acknowledge, signal actions, or provide private communication without verbal interaction.

Purpose in Real Life:

Internal Communication: In many systems, "taps" or similar mechanisms are used to signal and communicate internally within a network or system.

Usage in the MB World:

Acknowledgments: Used to acknowledge received messages or instructions. For instance, tapping back an acknowledgment to confirm receipt of instructions​​.

Private Communication: Used to send private or secure messages within the feed, often to communicate specific commands or information discreetly. For example, tapping the feed to communicate privately with another character without others listening in​​.

Control Signals: Used to signal or control actions within the feed, like tapping to instruct a character to fall back or take specific actions​​.

Usage in Real Life:

Signalling Mechanisms: Within computer systems, taps can be analogous to various signalling mechanisms like inter-process communication (IPC), which includes methods such as semaphores, shared memory, and message queues.

Acknowledgments and Control Signals: In networking, control signals and acknowledgments are crucial for managing data flow and ensuring reliable communication. For example, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) uses acknowledgments to confirm the receipt of data packets.

Network Taps: In the context of network security, a "network tap" is a device that allows access to data flowing across a network for monitoring and analysis.​​.

[Comparison]

In both the fictional world of Murderbot Diaries and real life, pings are primarily used for external signalling and connectivity checks, while taps are used for internal communication and control within the feed network

-------------------------------------------------

[Something Worth Noting]

There are some instances where taps seem more reasonable, but pings are used instead.

In Artificial Condition when Murderbot was watching Sanctuary Moon, and ART was trying to get its attention, asking to watch World Hoppers together. (see Artificial Condition, Pings, 5, 6 my AO3)

In Network Effect, when Murderbot finds that a hostile vessel (i.e. ART) was approaching and notifies the team quickly (see Network Effect, Pings, 1 my AO3)

In Network Effect, when Murderbot was locking itself up in the bathroom (see Network Effect, Pings, 11, 12 my AO3)

In Network Effect, when ART requested a private connection (see Network Effect, Pings, 13 my AO3)

In Network Effect, when Amena comes along with Murderbot to investigate Barish-Estranza shuttle, but is told to wait outside. She offers to help to which Murderbot pings acknowledgement (see Network Effect, Pings, 14 my AO3)

At the end of System Collapse when Murderbot pinged Three to ask if it wanted to listen to Holism explain planetary infrastructure (see System Collapse, Pings 15 my AO3)

Of these, 1, 3, 4 are where ART was sending pings to Murderbot. This is actually quite sweet, because we can tell that ART is being very polite to Murderbot. ART is fully capable of slamming into Murderbot’s private feed, but in all of these occasions, Murderbot has been rejecting feed communication which it reserves for friends and clients. ART is respecting this.

Instance 2 is unusual, and I am not 100% sure why Murderbot chose to use ping here. But since it was emergency, and ping is a protocol where it receives automatic response if it had been received at the other end, it was sufficient for its purposes.

When we read the context in which 5 happens we notice that Murderbot is now inside the B-E shuttle, and for security reasons, ART had cut it off from the feed network. So, Murderbot has the options of either verbally answering to Amena, or sending a ping for acknowledgement, and it chose the latter.

In instance 6, Murderbot seems to be being polite to Three who is busy (?) watching educational media. They are cordial to each other, but because Three is still not used to being a free SecUnit, Murderbot is being more careful around it.

--------------

If you are willing to be bored to death, you can see my AO3 post for the list of all the instances where pinging and tapping happen!

[lyssophobiaa]

Quick sketch for Piers’ bionic arm.

Design Features

•Aesthetics: Streamlined, ergonomic design with a minimalist look, often featuring a matte or metallic finish.

•Materials: Lightweight composites like carbon fiber and titanium, providing durability without sacrificing mobility.

•Color Options: Customizable colors or finishes, including options for skin-like textures or futuristic metallics.

Technology

•Actuation: Advanced motors and actuators that enable precise, fluid movement mimicking natural limb motion.

•Sensors: Integrated sensors (e.g., myoelectric sensors) to detect muscle signals for intuitive control and movement.

•Feedback Systems: Haptic feedback mechanisms to provide users with sensory information about grip strength and object texture.

Safety and Durability

•Water and Dust Resistance: High IP ratings to protect against environmental factors.

•Emergency Features: Manual override systems or fail-safes in case of technology malfunction.

Advanced Technological Interface

•Integrated Biosensors: Built-in biosensors that can analyze blood or interstitial fluid samples to measure viral load in real time.

•Data Analytics: Utilizes algorithms to process biosensor data, providing insights on viral dynamics and trends.

•Alerts and Notifications: Real-time alerts sent to the user or healthcare provider when viral load exceeds predetermined thresholds.

•Communication System: Integrated with a communicator on the wrist, the arm serves as a reliable device for maintaining contact with his team. This system includes encrypted channels for secure communication during high-stakes operations.

•Objective Management Display: The arm features a holographic display that provides a detailed version of the communicator’s data, allowing Piers to view mission objectives and tactical data in real-time. This feature minimizes the need for external devices and keeps critical information accessible.

Augmented Reality (AR) Compatibility

•Enhanced Visualization: The arm’s display projects augmented reality overlays, allowing Piers to see additional information, such as enemy positions, weapon stats, or tactical directions, directly in his line of sight.

•Environmental Scanning: The arm can analyze the surroundings for potential threats, detect biological or chemical hazards, and provide alerts for safer navigation through hostile environments.

Electricity Conduction and Control

•Energy Conduit Design: The bionic arm acts as a conductor for the constant electrical energy generated by Piers’ mutation. It includes specialized channels and circuits designed to manage this energy flow, allowing Piers to use his mutation’s electrical pulse without it spiraling out of control.

•Dielectric Structures: The arm’s design incorporates materials that mimic the dielectric properties of his mutated tissue, particularly in the finger joints and bones. These dielectric components help regulate and contain the high voltage his body produces, diffusing excess energy safely throughout the arm.

•Controlled Release Mechanism: To avoid overload, the arm features a controlled release system that allows Piers to release pulses of energy strategically, whether in combat or to alleviate the internal buildup. This system prevents the arm from overheating or sustaining damage from prolonged electrical activity.

Containment and Compression of the Mutation

•Compression Framework: The prosthetic was specially designed by UMBRELLA engineers to act as a containment “net” around his mutation. It includes a flexible, reinforced framework that compresses the mutated tissue, keeping it in check and preventing further growth or erratic shifts in form.

•Adaptive Pressure System: As the mutation strains against the arm, sensors detect any changes in size or energy output, triggering adaptive responses. The arm tightens or loosens as necessary to hold the mutation back, functioning almost like a high-tech brace that adjusts in real-time to maintain Piers’ arm in a stable form.

•Automatic Safety Lock: In the event of a significant spike in mutation activity or electrical output, the arm engages an emergency lock to keep the mutation from expanding. This feature is a safeguard against sudden bursts of energy that could cause the arm to revert to its mutated state.

Dependency and Risks of Removal

•Rapid Mutation Onset: Without the prosthetic in place, Piers’ arm begins to mutate almost immediately, returning to its original, unstable form. The electrical pulse that his body generates becomes unrestrained, emitting a continuous, breath-like rhythm that is both painful and dangerous, with energy leaking through protruding bones and exposed tissue.

•Uncontrollable Pulse: When uncontained, the electrical pulse from his mutation surges in intensity, lacking any natural “closure” or stopping point. This pulse causes rapid fluctuations in his vital signs and risks systemic overload, leading to loss of control over his mutation and putting him at severe physical risk.

Miscellaneous Details

•The arm has a unique serial code engraved on an inner plate, serving as an identifier for UMBRELLA technicians. This code also links to Piers’ personal health records, mutation data, and arm specifications for quick access during maintenance or in emergencies.

•Due to the intense electrical pulses generated by his mutation, the arm is equipped with an internal cooling system. Micro-fans and heat-dissipating channels prevent overheating during extended use, keeping the arm at a safe, comfortable temperature. If the arm overheats, an internal alarm alerts Piers to prevent any potential damage.

•The outer layer is treated with a UV-resistant coating to protect it from environmental damage and exposure. This ensures that prolonged exposure to sunlight or harsh conditions doesn’t wear down the arm’s exterior, making it more durable in diverse climates and situations.

•Designed for various operational environments, the arm is fully waterproof and corrosion-resistant. It functions normally underwater, which is crucial for aquatic missions or when exposed to rain, mud, or corrosive substances.

•The holographic display can be customized to show additional details, such as weather, GPS navigation, or tactical maps. Piers can also set personal preferences, like color schemes or alert tones, for a more intuitive user experience. This flexibility lets him prioritize the information he finds most critical during missions.

•The communicator has an onboard language translator, enabling Piers to communicate with individuals across different languages. The arm’s display shows translated text, and a subtle earpiece can even relay audio translations, making it easier for him to gather intel and negotiate in multilingual environments.

[canonkiller]

You can beg to carry your own weight and still be judged a burden.

[ Text taken from Wikipedia articles for Changelings, Disability Rights Movement, Biological Immortality, Pearl, and, of course, King Lindworm Image ID and transcript in alt text, and copied below the break ]

🟢 Image 1:

A comic illustration of nine panels in a 3x3 grid. The middle column is a series of family portraits over time. In the left column, the lindworm is shown sleeping as an infant, child, and adult. In the right column's first two panels, the lindworm's human brother is shown sleeping as an infant and child, mirroring the lindworm, but the last panel has been filled by the lindworm's tail as though it has overgrown it's own panel. The lindworm is absent from the last portrait, but the human brother remains.

Text reads:

A peasant family's subsistence frequently depended upon the productive labour of each member, and it was difficult to provide for a person who was a permanent drain on the family's scarce resources.

"The fact that the changelings' ravenous appetite is so frequently mentioned indicates that the parents of these unfortunate children saw in their continuing existence a threat to the sustenance of the entire family."

🟡 Image 2:

A comic illustration of a panel that blends the lindworm's eye into the tower of a castle, which is looming over a town street hung with banners. Against a red sky, a knight mounted on a horse in the foreground stares down a lindworm puppet being moved by many men that blocks the road. The puppet is posed to be hissing at the knight, who has a sword drawn.

Text reads:

It is thought that natural pearls form under a set of accidental conditions when a microscopic intruder or parasite enters a bivalve mollusk and settles inside the shell. The mollusk, irritated by the intruder, forms a pearl sac of external mantle tissue cells and secretes the calcium carbonate and conchiolin to cover the irritant.

Other barriers include: internalised barriers (low expectations of people with disabilities can undermine their confidence and aspirations),

inadequate data and statistics, lack of participation and consultation of disabled people.

🔴 Image 3:

A comic illustration of a knight slaying a lindworm puppet, the knight's horse rearing up as their sword swings up towards the sky. Torn pieces of the puppet follow the movement.

Text reads:

The lindworm tells her to take off her dress, but she insists he shed a skin for each dress she removes.

Eventually, the lobster will die from exhaustion during a moult.

Eventually his human form is revealed beneath the last skin.

[iwebscrapingblogs]

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