#Home lab server setup

[virtualizationhowto]

Acemagic S1 Mini PC Home Server with LCD Display

Acemagic S1 Mini PC Home Server with LCD Display #homelab #selfhosted #AcemagicS1MiniPCReview #AlderLake-N95ProcessorPerformance #HomeLabServerSetup #DualGigabitEthernetConnectivity #AcemagicS1StorageCapabilities #PersonalizedLCDDisplayInsights #RGBLights

Home lab servers are extremely popular among enthusiasts and those who want to self-host services at home. There are now a multitude of mini PCs on the market to choose from with powerful and efficient hardware. The Acemagic S1 is a new mini PC from Acemagician that has some unique features, an efficient CPU, and can run Proxmox and other Linux-based hypervisors very well. Let’s look at this…

[eorziapple]

Professor Apple's Pokemon Snap: The Silverberg Research Center

Sorry its been a bit since my last update, have big, big news! Grant funding has come in and the scientific community is really banding together to work on this project. I think this blog got some eyes on this and all the nerds are traveling up to work with me. Seeing as we needed a place for everyone, I present...

So here's the overall grounds, the main lab is on the left, has our computer servers and a high tech spectrometer scanner to track the Illumina pings we get. There's also a garage for tinkering with the NEO-ONE, some basic laboratory setups for any tests we need to conduct, and one of the nicest kitchens i've had access to!

All the staff are homed in these very lovely tiny homes, we actually had a lovely construction crew come in with a team of Bidoof to whip these up in no time flat! I.. honestly might just move in here when the project is concluded, the lifestyle suites me!

So, with that said, there are a few local pokemon, as well as our team's partner pokemon that have taken up residence here, so I figured i'd show off the pictures i've taken on my walks around the area!

This is my Meowth, Fiddle Fig. She's enjoying herself a nap in the midday sun. Figgy was never much of an outdoor cat, a bit skittish, so it's nice to see her branching out and getting acquainted with nature! We actually needed to tune up the NEO-ONE, but no one wanted to wake her up (including me!)

This Stoutland is a big boy, and loves to get tummy rubs and scritches behind the ears. His partner spends about as much time grooming him as they do working on the NEO-ONE, but I think half the leaves and twigs in the forest would get caught in his fur otherwise.

One of the members of the comm team brought an Audino with them! She likes to help herself to the kitchen, and is quite the friendly addition to our crew. She's big into dancing, my understanding is she is big into Contests back in their home region, so I think she really likes to show off as a result. The crew are all pretty fond of her.

This Dedenne is an escape artist! It keeps getting out of its enclosure and draining our equipment! I'm not really sure how this guy ended up partnered to our network specialist, as we've had three fried motherboards due to him draining electricity!

Our little eevee is actual wild! I'm taking care of him for now, as he is rather sociable. He's getting along well with the other pokemon, and I think I might have myself a new partner! He can be a little standoffish, i'm trying to teach him to stay off the table, as the cleaning crew's Trubbish was eating our rubbish from lunch, and he got so snippy with me!

Trubbish got impatient. I guess thats one way to teach poor Eevee!

Now for the wild pokemon checking out our Center! The water trough is a popular roosting spot for the local Starly, they are extremely skittish, and typically will fly off at the sound of my camera click! Hard to get pics of them, unless distracted.

Believe it or not, but this is a wild Pikachu! This guy (you can tell he's a male by the angular tail, females have a little heart shape at the end of their tails), lives in the ideal habitat for pikachu, they enjoy living in wooded areas where it can scamper up into trees to get at fruit! I think the electicity our compund generates attracted him here, he's drained a bit of our reserves by rubing his cheeks against our generator.

There are quite a few Flutterby flitting about the area. These little guys love to eat the nectar from flowers, and have a rather sweet smell about them as a result. There are likely a lot of these specimens on the island, what with the Shaymin's flower field, but it is a bit hard to see these, they are some of the smallest pokemon species in existance, a far cry from the Wailords we recently encounted!

We noticed a few burrows in the area, and soon enough the culprit showed up, this Bunnelby is uniquely adapted, in that it actually digs with its ears, adapted to be strong shovel-like appendages, flinging excavated dirt of its shoulders! Seems it's settling in here, sharing in what veggies it can pilfer from our stock room.

Sudowoodo! This merry fellow hid from us for like, a week before we noticed him, kept creeping up closer and closer until it was obviously exposed. These pokemon seem to revel in their mimicry of trees and shrubs. Their bodies are made up of rock, actually, and I think they actually have adapted to enjoying tricking other pokemon and people. This one came in with a friend, actually, the Rattata has also become a staple of the center, aggravating Figgy to no end

Yep Fig, you'll get that Rattata, sure you will. Big fearsome Huntress!

Couldn't help but finish off with this, gotta love a naptime! I might need help with a name for Eevee, not sure what i'm gonna go with!

[dudeimjustagirll]

Chapter 5: Fault in the System:

The warehouse smelled like rust and sweat and leftover takeout someone forgot to throw out.

You sat with your back against one of the metal support beams, knees pulled to your chest, armor powered down for once. It left you in the bodysuit layer, which didn’t do much against the chill. But you didn’t really feel it anyway.

Too quiet.

No hum of the hologram projectors. No clatter from the weight room, or the distant echo of Conner pacing. No music leaking under the door from M’gann’s kitchen experiments. No faint, warm blue glow of your lab setup. Just cold fluorescent lights and the warehouse's awful draft, and the sharp, hollow grief where your home used to be.

Your home was gone.

Gone like the rest of your things—the pictures, your toolkit, your first distillation set. Gone like the spot in the basement where you’d set up the holograms that honored the ones you lost. Gone like the place you felt safest.

The suit, normally silent when powered down, pinged softly in your mind.

" Mental health deviation noted. Elevated cortisol. Initiating wellness protocol. "

You ignored it.

" Lack of response acknowledged. Emotional distress detected. Consider seeking comfort contact. "

Your hands curled into the fabric at your knees. You didn't want comfort. You wanted your room back. Your space. Some kind of assurance that you’d be safe and sound. 

Your mom had called, worried. Said you could come home, just for a bit, just to rest. But you hadn’t said yes. Because that wasn’t home anymore, either.

And Artemis—

God, Artemis. Just thinking about her hurt.

" Heart rate spike detected, " your suit murmured. " Do not suppress grief. "

You swallowed hard. The lump in your throat burned. That was it. She was really gone, wasn’t she?

A soft shuffle of boots drew your attention. You didn’t look up, but you knew who it was. You’d know that gait anywhere.

"I figured I'd find you here," Nightwing said gently.

You didn’t answer. Not right away.

He sat down beside you without another word, folding his legs under him, not quite touching, but close enough that the warmth from him broke through the chill.

"Warehouse smells like dude," you said finally, voice rough.

He huffed a laugh. "Yeah. I'll file a complaint."

You didn’t smile, but you didn’t flinch, either. That felt like a win.

For a few minutes, neither of you spoke. He didn’t push. Just sat with you in the silence, like he always did. Like he knew what to say by not saying anything at all.

Finally, your voice came, quiet. "I was going to rebuild the holograms. The Cave might be gone, but their memories aren’t"

He nodded slowly. "You still can. Just... might look a little different now."

Your throat tightened. You blinked hard, jaw set. "I don’t even have backups. Everything was on the Mount servers. I was gonna update them this weekend. Change some colors to be more accurate."

That ache bloomed again, sharp and deep, and this time, you felt the heat pricking your eyes. You pressed your forehead to your knees.

Nightwing reached over and gently rested his hand against your back. Warm. Steady.

You didn’t mean to fall apart. But the moment he touched you, everything snapped. A sob tore its way out of your chest, raw and too loud in the empty warehouse.

He shifted closer, pulling you into his arms without hesitation. You buried your face in his shoulder and cried, full-body and aching. He held you like he wasn’t going anywhere, one hand curled protectively around the back of your head.

" Increased tear production. This is acceptable, " your suit whispered awkwardly. You hiccuped out a breath between sobs that might’ve been a laugh.

Nightwing didn’t say anything for a long time. Just let you fall apart. Let you mourn. Let you feel it.

He wanted so badly to tell you Artemis was okay. That this wasn’t like before. Not like Jason. He remembered what it was like, the shattering silence after the funeral, the way it had felt like the world had gone quiet and cruel.

That mission haunted him. It had gone south fast—intel was wrong, backup was late, and everything unraveled before he could fix it. He’d taken a hit, broken his leg bad enough that the bone splintered. He could barely move. He had to watch it happen. Jason had still been fighting, still doing what he was trained to do. He hadn’t seen it coming.

Dick was immobilized, stuck behind cover, the pain in his leg white-hot and blinding. He could hear the comms go dead, one by one. The panic, the blood, the sound of Jason’s breathing fading. That guilt never left him.

His time in recovery after that was hell. Alone in his apartment, casted up, unable to lead, to move, to do anything. Tim tried to visit. So did Barbara. But it was you who always came by with a quiet presence, no pressure. You didn’t ask him to talk. You didn’t need him to be okay. You just sat there, sometimes with your suit on standby, sometimes in your university hoodie, just there.

You offered to take over for him. Told him he could rest, and you’d step up. And you did. You held the Team together during the roughest period they’d had in years. You were softer with the younger ones, firmer with the veterans, and kind with him—even when he didn’t deserve it.

But Jason was your friend, too. Not just the annoying little brother of your boyfriend. You’d bickered, sure, and you’d once elbowed him off the couch during a movie night for chewing too loud. But you liked him. You believed in him. And you grieved him deeply.

Now, watching you sit in this god-awful warehouse, quiet and still with your suit powered down, it was like watching that grief all over again. You were doing what he had done—shutting down. Not letting it show. And he hated it.

So he sat beside you and said nothing. Just offered you the same quiet you’d once given him. Hoping it was enough.

He wanted to ease the weight on your shoulders. To make it okay. But the one thing that could lighten your load—the truth about Artemis—was the one thing he couldn’t tell you.

It wasn’t his secret to tell. And he couldn’t give you that hope. Not yet. Not like this.

He should’ve seen it coming. That thought looped on repeat in his mind, like a broken record he couldn’t stop playing. The explosion. The breach. The destruction of the Cave. It was all part of a plan that had too many moving pieces—too many risks. He was the one who signed off on it. Coordinated the deception. Accepted the losses. He told himself that if it meant saving lives, exposing The Light, bringing everything into the open… it would be worth it. He’d accounted for this part, but hated it nonetheless—the human fallout. The grief. The pieces of you that had been shattered alongside the foundation of your home.

And Artemis.

He saw the devastation in your eyes every time someone so much as mentioned her name. You weren’t talking about her anymore. Not even to ask questions. Not even in passing. The last time he heard her name in your voice, it was a whisper to yourself, like you were trying to hold onto the echo of a friend already gone. And he couldn’t bear it.

You had always been the one to speak up for the team’s grief. He remembered seeing you bent over your workspace, illuminated by soft blue light, lips pursed in concentration as you adjusted a light projection of Tula’s face so her expression was just right. You never let their memories fade.

Now you were grieving one of your best friends, and he couldn’t tell you the truth.

He told himself it was to protect the mission. To protect Artemis. But maybe, deep down, a small, selfish part of him wanted to ease your grief. To bring back your spark, the way it used to be before everything got so heavy. Maybe he wanted forgiveness—not from you, but from himself. For Jason. For Mount Justice. For all of it.

He thought he could carry it all. But sitting there, watching your shoulders shake as you cried into his chest, he realized maybe he couldn’t. Not really.

He’d gone to M’gann earlier that day, unsure how to bring it up—how to ask you to leave behind the only home you'd had since moving in two years ago. He told her what he wanted: to build something new with you, together. A place where your armor wouldn’t hum against concrete walls. Where you could fall asleep in a real bed, not just whatever was left of the bunks.

M’gann had just rolled her eyes fondly and said, “If you don’t ask her soon, I will. But maybe don’t offer your apartment. It’s basically an outhouse.”

"I’ve been thinking," he said after a moment. "And M’gann’s not around to stop me from being a coward, so I’m just gonna say it."

You lifted your head, brows drawn together.

He looked right at you, soft and serious and a little nervous. "Move in with me. We’ll find a new place. Together. Doesn’t have to be the warehouse, or my apartment—hell, it could be a treehouse if that’s what you want. Just... something that’s ours."

You blinked.

"You don’t have to decide now," he added quickly. "But I figured, if you were thinking about going back to Star, or moving in with your parents—"

"Renting in Star is actual hell," you muttered.

He smiled. "Exactly. So… think about it?"

You stared at him. Your throat was tight again, but this time, it wasn’t all grief.

"...A treehouse?" you managed.

"Fully insulated. With a skylight."

Your laugh was watery, but it was real. He gave you that smile—the one just for you—and bumped your shoulder with his.

"Let’s make something new," he said, quietly. "Someplace better. Someplace safe."

You leaned into him, finally, and let your eyes close. Maybe your home was gone. But maybe… maybe you could build another.

[writernopal]

2024 Recap Tag!

I got tagged by @void-botanist here, for this one, thank you so much! I thought about doing a formal round up for 2024 but I just didn't get around to it so this is a good chance to do a mini one!

2024 Accomplishments

I finished the first draft of AASOAF 3 and got through editing 60% of it!

I put together the super secret companion material for the release of AASOAF 3. That was lots of fun and pushed me out of my creative comfort zone A LOT. I learned a lot from that project and I can't wait to share it with you guys later this year!

Not really writing related, but I read 26 books!

This one is kind of hard to quantify but I grew so much creatively. My writing got WAY better but also my mindset and approach to writing and specifically my understanding of what Art is and how it relates to people, grew so much. I could go on about it but I'm not sure how much sense it would make and that's not really what this post is about, so to sum it up, it was like finding some kind of long sought inner peace and freedom.

I started untangling a lot of things that I think are going to play a huge role in my life this year, creatively speaking. All of that is going to be a really long (and probably very painful lol) process but I feel like I'm getting closer to understanding what I'm supposed to Do.

I set up my own writing server in a little home lab I created so now all of my writing related stuff is in one place and I'm not paying someone else to store (and do who knows what else) with my data.

2025 Writing Goals

Finish AASOAF 3 and M.O.W. They were my goals from last year but I didn't quite get there due to health issues. But it will happen this year! I'm also not intending on starting any other WIPs this year once I finish them because, well, just keep reading and you'll understand why lol.

Migrate AASOAF 3 to my new writing server setup. This won't happen until I'm done with it because everything related to it is stored in Dabble and moving it now while its in progress would be the equivalent of trying to pick up a puzzle without gluing it down and I don't want to risk losing anything along the way.

I plan on overhauling my website. It's in need of some freshening up even though its pretty new still just because I want to do more with it later on, like hosting my own works there, instead of just linking out to other places for people to read.

Open up writing commissions. I made a post about this earlier in 2024 just to see if people would be interested and it got some pretty good traction so I've been working on commission pricing and TOS in the background of things. Hopefully I will be opening those up soon! (even though I'm terrified to do it lol)

Hone my craft. Until now I've been sort of flying by the seat of my pants, and I'm very proud of that, because there is a lot I instinctively know about storytelling and writing, but I think I'm at a point now where I can feel where my limitations are so I need to take a few steps back and do some formal learning. I'm hoping to join some writing critique groups, read books on writing, and also attend educational panels and talks.

Related to writing commissions and what I mentioned before about learning what I need to Do is freelancing. I haven't talked a ton about it here because I just haven't but it's been something I've been chipping away at and hope to start doing later this year. There are a few small seeds I need to plant first, one of which I started on earlier today so we'll see how it goes!

Get involved with/do more interdisciplinary art projects. I have a few in mind that I'll be collabing with @illjustpretend on and one really big one that I know we're not going to get done this year but that we will no doubt make headway on!

Tagging(gently): @tabswrites @paintedbutton @theroseempress @leahnardo-da-veggie @sarahlizziewrites and anyone else who wants to do this!

[guzsdaily]

A Week of Troubleshooting [My Own Stupidity]

Day 159 - Apr 12th, 12.024

I have been trying to host Forgejo (a lightweight software forge and repository hosting service, forked from Gitea) in my home lab/server for the past week. Falling over and over again and loosing hair because of stress with errors which I can blame anyone besides me. So why not finally tell this little history, since I finally was able to make everything work? Because I really don't know what to feel.

The Context

For these past months I have been working on automating some tasks in my life and career using a home server and various self-hosted services. I won't go into too much detail since it is a topic for another post, but the main piece of this automating system is the Forgejo/Gitea actions feature, similar to GitHub Actions which you probably already know of (and if you don't know or aren't a programmer, just think of it as something that runs tasks automatically for you based on some predefined actions/triggers that you can configure).

My home lab is configured with NixOS, a Linux distro based on the Nix package manager, that lets me configure the whole computer using a single collection of files. The main reason for using this distro is of course the ability to have a portable configuration, which I can use and apply in any computer, but also, another advantage is being able to write and setup everything on a single file format. It is pretty much like writing a cooking book with a collection of recipes organized in categories and the same format, instead of a bunch of sticky notes with different recipes scatted around on some drawer or something. I have been using Nix for a year now on my desktop, so I'm somewhat familiar with it, and my home lab was already running with it hosting some other services like AdGuard Home and Tailscale.

In general, I hadn't a lot of troubles with this setup.

The First Domino Piece

Setting up Forgejo in NixOS is somewhat simple, since it is pretty much a matter of enabling it with:

And it was what I did some months ago when I first settled it up, so I have been using it for hosting some coding projects and backing them up to Codeberg and/or GitHub, without any specific reason, I just like to have and use it.

But then I went to try using Forgejo Actions, and discover that for using them, I needed to set up another service with it, the Forgejo/Gitea Actions Runner. And going through the options, I found the options to enable it, so again, it was a simple matter of doing something like:

Then, after some issues here and there and just following the documentation, the runner was up. I tested it with some simple scripts, and they ran in their containers successfully. However, there was something which I needed to test, in GitHub/Forgejo/Gitea actions, you need to use an action called "checkout" to get the code from the repository and put it inside the container, so you can run things on top of it and manipulate it as you wish. And obviously I needed it to run my automation scripts and system. So I tested and...

This is not the exact error since I wasn't able to get a screenshot at the time, however the reason was pretty much the same, there was some connection error.

So, I started to tweak my config, and seeing retrospectively, I was lost. The main thing for me at the time was if the error was related to the URL that I used to connect to the Forgejo instance, since because of the Tailscale network on top and the AdGuard Home config, there were five possible URLs that I could use: 192.168.1.13:3030, the local IP on my home's network; localhost:3030, the URL which "makes the server look up its own ports/IP's"; homelab.tailnet-name.ts.net:3030, the readable URL which Tailscale gives for that machine; 100.69.013.10:3030, which is the IP of the home lab on the Tailscale network; And forgejo.homelab.local, a local domain that redirects to the Forgejo instance, configured using Adguard. On top of that, the Forgejo Actions runner has two config values that can affect the URL that the actions, services.forgejo.settings.actions.DEFAULT_ACTIONS_URL and services.gitea-actions-runner.instances.<instance>.url, both of them which I didn't know correctly how they affected the actions.

And so I spend pretty much a whole day just switching combinations, rebuilding and rebuilding the NixOS config, trying different combinations to see if any one of these worked, but nothing. All combinations didn't worked. Nonetheless, there were also Tailscale and Adguard, so I also tried tweaking, enabling and disabling, trying everything that I could to see if they were affecting or not and trying to fix the issue. Installed and removed Forgejo and Forgejo Runner again and again, because as always, I also had customized a lot of things before actually testing them, so I needed to rip out and put together everything to see if I screwed up something, trying to navigate also between the layers of abstractions that I made on the configuration.

And then, I went to bed, after unsuccessfully trying to fix the issue.

On the next day, I pretty much started going directly to the computer. For context, I wanted to finish this setup somewhat quickly to continue my other projects that depended on it, so I started to save time by not doing my normal routine (this probably was one of the worst of my decisions ever). I started to again see if I forgot something, if some configuration on another file was affecting it, and then for some reason that I don't remember anymore, I noticed an option called networking.firewall.allowedTCPPorts, which I had used to enable the ports for AdGuard Home to work...

And like a pass of magic, the checkout action worked and cloned the repository contents.

The Rewrite

After said success, I continue the configuration of the home lab, and things were getting out of control really quickly. I don't know if it is because I learned JavaScript as my first language, but I do tend to try abstract things a lot. In non-technical terms, I tend to hide away a lot of [necessary] complexity under an all-encompassing function or interface, which backfires a lot. And I was doing that with my configuration, trying to join systems with different scopes under the same umbrella, and of course, thing started to get out of control.

And just to kick me more, probably in between all this abstraction and trying to fix the Forgejo Actions... I apparently broke something, which made me unable to connect to Forgejo via SSH. So after one entire day abstracting, the next one I ripped out everything and started to make my NixOS config something more sane and straight forward, and I think that the commit message for this refactor tells a lot about how my mind was:

And after some two more days also migrating my desktop configuration, everything was finally easier to understand and reason about. I did end up forgetting to enable my window and session manager when migrating the desktop config, nothing really difficult to fix using Vim/NeoVim, but I do admire how the computer looks with just the terminal and how many programmers started and maybe to this day program with monitors showing something like this:

Banging My Head Against the Wall

At this point around four days had passed, and it was Tuesday, and I had started all of this on the past week on Friday. All these days, I wasn't having my normal routine or taking a lot of care with myself, going to sleep a lot more late and tired than normal, and even if this month I do need to push my limit, this was a lot more than necessary, and was also affecting my time that I had with my girlfriend, since I couldn't stop thinking about work or have the energy to give attention to her, which also affected my own insecurities and anxiety, feeling like a bad partner to her. Everything because of a god-damn configuration.

However, I didn't want to stop or give up, I love programming, and if I don't make this server work, I won't be able to continue with my plans. So I continued to push, frustrate myself, and bang my head against the wall until this works.

The Forgejo Actions were working, but the SSH push and pull wasn't, and again, because apparently I don't know how to troubleshoot, I started to tweak the config again and again, for another entire day, counting also other issues and problems that I had with the migration. This was something which I acknowledge at the time, but I was feeling and acting lost, never knowing what thing was causing these issues and having tunnel vision. I tried seeing if it was something with what IP I was using, if it was something somehow related to the proxy and AdGuard DNS redirects, and nothing changed. Every time I tried to push or pull via SSH, I got something like fatal: user/repository.git does not appear to be a repository. What was I doing wrong?!?

I forgot to add my SSH Key to the Forgejo user account, that was what I was doing wrong. I fucking should have taken a step back when I noticed that via https it worked as normal, in all IPs or URLs.

But now, remember the checkout action? It wasn't working again. So I did the same fix from before, allowed the TCP port, allowed also for UDP jut in case, and... the same error, ECONNREFUSED. Again, I started by changing the IPs and URLs in the config, however this time, when I used something different from localhost:3030, I got a different output:

And with the foresight of today, I really should have thought a little more why it was a different error, unfortunately I didn't, and started to again write and rewrite config properties, even rewriting the whole Forgejo and Forgejo Actions config, without any success, the day ended, and I have never been so stressed and tired with a project than this.

I really want to be clear that not so many days before all of this, I had a lot of problems and stress with my greater family, problems which really worried about the situation of my parents and the urgency for me to get a job. Thankfully, my parents and I are on a stable situation, and they are really supportive and let me take my time to find a job and hunt what I love, but still, the pressure that I put and need to put on myself to get a job, not only to help my parents, but to also have financial independence and start the first steps in having a home with my partner, all of this was stressing and putting even more weight into this whole thing. Yes, I can find a job without any of these, and I am actively sending resumes where I can, however, this project, server and plan could hopefully really help my situation. And besides all of that, I love programming, I love finding solutions, automating things, seeing the unbelievable amount of progress bars and log streams of processes running, I love this job. So being so.. bad at it, really was hitting my mind.

The day passed, and now it is Friday, the same day that I'm writing this blog post. I fell asleep without even giving goodnight to my girlfriend because of the amount of exhaustion that I had this past night. Thankfully I woke up somewhat on a good mood, even with the stress and exhaustion I was able to get some good sleep and distract myself on the past night to improve my mood in general. However, I needed to fix this issue, already passed an entire week, and fixing or not, I couldn't continue this the next week, I know how much one week can burn out my motivations and love for programming, so, or I fix this, or I change projects and make this a future Guz's problem. At the start it was the same as yesterday, just trying to tweak configurations, even reverting changes to a working state without any success or difference. But then, I started to actually debug this thing, doing something which I really should have done before: test if it is a connection issue or not in the first place. Yes, it is obvious at this point, but when I have tunnel vision on a problem, I really can't think clearly. Nonetheless, I tried using ping to test the connection and...

It wasn't a connection issue... ok... I have to admit that at first glance it just confused me even more, but at least now it isn't a problem with my config? Wait, could it be a problem with the checkout action itself now? How? It was compatible and working with Forgejo without any problems just days ago, and it didn't have any type of update in between these days. I started to search if there was something on the internet about this problem, trying to see if anyone had the ECONNREFUSED problem, but nothing. The Forgejo and Gitea mirrors of the action didn't have anything, nor the issues in the original repository. Maybe it was something related to an API difference between GitHub and Forgejo somehow? The logs say about trying to access an endpoint called /api/v3/repos/{owner}/{repo}/tarball/{ref} to download the archive of the repository, and the "not found" error could be related to some authorization to the endpoint error? Forgejo does show a 404 page when you try to access a private repository or page without authorization, same when you try to clone something via SSH without a key.

Well, I tried to test using curl to the same endpoint, and it returned 404, but the other endpoints didn't... nor in the actions, so it wasn't something with the API it seems...

I went into the Gitea API documentation and... where the fuck is the /tarball��endpoint?! It is a GitHub only endpoint! Wait, so why it was working before? What happened? Well, I try to find anything about this endpoint on the GitHub actions, some type of error, or maybe a configuration to use another end point? And for my surprise, searching for "tarball" on the action's repository..

I will hug my girlfriend and cry, brb.

---

Yes, this whole nightmare was because Git wasn't installed on the docker image. And you may be asking why before it didn't use the API fallback? Well, it seems like the official NodeJS debian docker images had Git already installed on them, however, after the rewrite, I started using Gitea's official docker images for actions runner, which don't come with Git preinstalled it seems. And installing Git using apt-get install -y git gave me the confirmation, because the checkout action worked right after it.

Something to Learn in This Chaos

I have been writing this blog post for an entire day now, starting it right after the break to breathe that I needed to have after the action worked.

Foresight really makes me fell stupid right now, not gonna lie. This isn't the first time I'm having this felling, actually in this job is kinda something expected I would say, and the feeling of finally fixing it is rewarding. However, I do feel like it wasn't a healthy way of handling this issue. Again, the pressure I put on myself wasn't helping, and prohibiting me from taking a ten-minute break to rest my mind, really didn't help with the tunnel vision issue, because all the problems that I had were because I wasn't reading the errors correctly and trying to fix things totally unrelated to the problem at hand. And probably, one of the biggest things to me in this entirety, is the fact that I need to learn how to debug problems and narrow the possible causes of them, I wouldn't have known that the problem was Git not being installed, if I didn't have tested the connections with ping and curl on the first place. Will I actually learn because of this experience? Probably not, I will maybe have a lot more weeks of stress until I finally learn and start constructing some muscular memory for this. However, at least now with this blog post, I have somewhere to look back to if I ever need to configure Forgejo again lol.

And, I know that everyone is different and yadda yadda, but having someone with me this entire week, someone which I could rest on her shoulder and calm myself without feeling guilty or something else, someone to talk and have support from, really helped on not going downhill into a harsh burnout I would say. Eu te amo Helena.

Today's artists & creative things Music: Passing Through (Can't the Future Just Wait) - by Kaden MacKay

© 2024 Gustavo "Guz" L. de Mello. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

[enertechupspvtltd]

Understanding Double Conversion Technology in Online UPS Systems

In today’s digitally dependent world, uninterrupted power supply is crucial for ensuring operational continuity across homes, offices, data centers, hospitals, and industrial setups. Among the various types of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems available, online UPS systems stand out for their superior protection and zero transfer time. At the heart of their reliability lies double conversion technology—a mechanism that ensures clean, consistent power even during severe electrical disturbances.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into what double conversion technology is, how it works, and why it makes online UPS systems the most reliable power backup solution available today.

🔌 What Is Double Conversion in Online UPS?

Double conversion refers to the two-stage process that an online UPS system uses to provide continuous and clean AC power to connected devices.

Here’s how it works:

AC to DC Conversion (First Conversion): Incoming utility power (AC) is first converted into direct current (DC). This DC power charges the UPS battery and also supplies the inverter.

DC to AC Conversion (Second Conversion): The DC power is then converted back into AC through an inverter, which feeds the connected load.

Because the load is always powered through the inverter, there is no switch-over delay when the mains supply fails. This is what makes online UPS systems ideal for sensitive and critical equipment.

⚙️ How Double Conversion Technology Works

Let’s understand the process in more detail:

Normal Operation (Utility Power Available):

AC mains power → Rectifier → Converts AC to DC

DC → Charges battery + supplies Inverter

Inverter → Converts DC back to regulated AC power

Output → Feeds critical load

Power Failure (Utility Power Lost):

Rectifier stops receiving input

Battery seamlessly continues to supply DC to the inverter

Inverter continues supplying clean AC to the load with no interruption

The load does not experience any power break or delay, even during switchover—unlike offline or line-interactive UPS systems.

✅ Benefits of Double Conversion in Online UPS Systems

Zero Transfer Time:

Since the power always flows through the inverter, there’s no delay or power gap when the input power fails—critical for sensitive equipment like servers, medical devices, and industrial control systems.

Stable and Clean Output:

The output is completely regenerated and isolated from fluctuations in the utility supply. This ensures pure sine wave output free from voltage spikes, sags, surges, and harmonic distortions.

Perfect Voltage and Frequency Regulation:

Double conversion technology ensures that voltage and frequency remain constant even when input conditions are unstable. This protects equipment and enhances lifespan.

Power Conditioning:

The UPS acts as a power conditioner, filtering out all noise and disturbances—ideal for data centers and mission-critical applications.

Protection Against All Power Anomalies:

It safeguards against over-voltage, under-voltage, spikes, electrical noise, and even complete power failure.

🏭 Ideal Applications of Double Conversion UPS Systems

Due to its superior performance, online UPS with double conversion technology is preferred in environments where power quality and continuity are non-negotiable:

Data Centers and Server Rooms – Prevents data loss and downtime

Hospitals and Labs – Protects sensitive medical equipment and life-support systems

Industrial Automation – Shields PLCs and CNC machines from electrical noise

Telecommunication Hubs – Maintains network uptime

Banking and Financial Institutions – Ensures transaction integrity

⚖️ Double Conversion UPS vs. Other Types

FeatureOffline UPSLine-Interactive UPSOnline UPS (Double Conversion)Transfer Time2-10 milliseconds2-4 millisecondsZero (0 ms)Voltage RegulationBasicModerateExcellentFrequency RegulationNoneMinimalFull regulationOutput Power QualityPoorMediumHigh – pure sine waveApplication SuitabilityHome, Basic PCsSmall officesCritical and sensitive loads

🔋 Is Double Conversion Worth the Investment?

While online UPS systems with double conversion technology are more expensive than offline or line-interactive options, the return on investment (ROI) is justified by the unmatched level of protection, longer equipment lifespan, and minimized risk of costly downtime.

In industries where every second of uptime matters, a double conversion UPS is not just a backup—it’s a vital part of the power infrastructure.

🧠 Conclusion

Double conversion technology is what sets online UPS systems apart as the most reliable and effective power protection solution. By continuously converting and conditioning power, it provides uninterrupted, stable, and clean electricity, ensuring mission-critical operations run without disruption.

Whether you’re protecting a data center, a medical lab, or advanced industrial machinery, investing in a double conversion online UPS is a smart move toward ensuring performance, safety, and peace of mind.

[infodreamvision]

Step Into Cleanliness with the Best Shoe Cover Dispenser from Merino International

In today’s world, hygiene is no longer a choice—it’s a necessity. Whether you're managing a hospital, laboratory, food unit, or simply wish to maintain a pristine home, controlling contamination starts right at the doorstep. That’s where Merino International comes in with the best shoe cover dispenser designed for modern, hygienic spaces.

Why Choose a Shoe Cover Dispenser?

Footwear can carry dust, germs, and contaminants into sensitive areas. A shoe cover dispenser provides a touch-free, quick, and efficient way to apply disposable shoe covers, helping to maintain high hygiene standards and reduce the risk of infection or dirt transfer.

Using a shoe cover dispenser is:

Fast and efficient – Covers applied in seconds.

Completely hands-free – No bending or touching required.

Professional – Creates a clean and sophisticated impression.

Essential – For infection control and cleanliness in key sectors.

The Merino Advantage: Best Shoe Cover Dispensers for Every Space

Merino International has become a trusted name in hygiene automation. Our dispensers are engineered for maximum usability, quality, and convenience. We offer solutions that meet the diverse needs of both commercial and residential spaces.

Features of Merino's Dispensers:

Automatic Functionality: No manual work needed. Just step in.

Heavy-Duty Build: Sturdy enough for industrial or medical environments.

Large Cover Capacity: Fewer reloads and uninterrupted use.

Stylish & Compact Designs: Fits in hospitals, homes, and offices alike.

Easy Maintenance: Low upkeep, reliable performance.

Eco-Friendly Compatibility: Works with biodegradable covers.

From single-room clinics to large multi-floor facilities, we have a model that suits your exact needs.

Where Our Dispensers Are Used

Merino International provides solutions to a wide array of industries, including:

Healthcare: Clinics, hospitals, operation theatres, and ICUs.

Pharmaceutical & Research: Labs and cleanroom facilities.

Food & Beverage Industry: Kitchens, food factories, and QA rooms.

Residential Use: High-end homes or apartments for guests and staff.

Corporate & IT Offices: Server rooms and executive zones.

Schools & Labs: Clean science labs or medical training centers.

Wherever hygiene matters, our dispensers provide a practical and impressive solution.

Our Product Range

We understand that every space has unique requirements. That’s why we offer multiple models:

Automatic Shoe Cover Dispenser – Metal Body

Heavy-duty use

Best for hospitals, pharma companies, and labs

Compact ABS Plastic Dispenser

Lightweight and budget-friendly

Ideal for clinics, offices, and home use

Eco-Smart Models

Compatible with biodegradable shoe covers

For eco-conscious organizations

Manual & Mechanical Models

No electricity required

Great for remote or mobile use

Each unit is delivered with easy-to-load cartridges and a complete user guide.

Why Merino International?

When it comes to selecting the best shoe cover dispenser, Merino International stands out with a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

What You Get with Merino:

Expert Guidance – We'll help you choose the perfect model.

Installation & Support – Hassle-free setup and training.

Nationwide Delivery – Fast dispatch across India.

Bulk Order Capabilities – For institutions and enterprises.

Custom Branding Available – Get dispensers with your logo or style.

Our team ensures smooth delivery, full-service assistance, and dependable product quality.

Hear From Our Customers

“Installing Merino’s dispenser in our lab entry has improved hygiene compliance dramatically. Visitors love the touchless feature.” — Dr. R. Srivastava, Biotech Research Institute

“It looks professional, works flawlessly, and saves time. One of the best investments we’ve made for our hospital!” — Dr. Anjali S., Delhi-based Medical Facility

Ready to Upgrade Your Hygiene Standards?

A cleaner, safer environment starts with the right tools. Join thousands of clients who trust Merino International for the best shoe cover dispensers in India. Whether you're safeguarding a hospital ward or keeping your home sparkling clean, we have the solution for you.

Call Now: +91 9717546056 Browse Models & Pricing: www.merinointernational.net

Merino International – Where Clean Steps Begin.

[ritchfieldcable]

Mastering the Art of Vertical Cable Management: Clean, Efficient, and Scalable

In today’s digital-driven world, data centers, server rooms, and even home office setups are more reliant than ever on efficient cabling. With the constant growth of devices and network demands, maintaining a clean and scalable cabling system isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a matter of functionality and performance. This is where vertical cable management steps in as a game changer.

What Is Vertical Cable Management?

Vertical cable management refers to the practice of organizing and routing cables vertically along the sides of server racks or enclosures. Unlike horizontal management, which deals with cable routing between equipment on the same level, vertical systems handle the distribution of cables from top to bottom, typically alongside or within rack-mounted enclosures.

Why Vertical Management Matters

Enhanced Airflow and Cooling Poorly managed cables can obstruct airflow, leading to overheating of critical systems. Vertical cable organizers, such as vertical managers and finger ducts, keep cables aligned and clear of air pathways. This enables better airflow management, improving system performance and reducing the risk of heat-related failures.

Improved Accessibility and Maintenance A tangled mess of cables can make even the simplest maintenance task a nightmare. Vertical management ensures cables are labeled, separated, and routed in a way that makes identification and replacement faster and less prone to error. This becomes especially crucial during upgrades or when troubleshooting issues in a live environment.

Professional Appearance Whether you're managing a data center or a tech-savvy home lab, a clean and organized rack setup reflects professionalism. Vertical cable management gives racks a clean, streamlined look that instills confidence in clients, auditors, or anyone else who may tour the facility.

Scalability for Future Growth As systems expand, so does the need for more cabling. Vertical cable management provides a structure that can accommodate additional cables without disrupting the existing setup. This allows for seamless upgrades and ensures the cabling infrastructure remains future-ready.

Choosing the Right Tools

There are a variety of vertical cable management tools available, including:

Vertical cable organizers: Typically mounted to the side of racks.

Cable rings and fingers: Help route and separate cables neatly.

Velcro straps and cable ties: Essential for bundling and securing cables without damaging them.

When choosing components, consider the cable density, rack size, and whether your setup requires front, rear, or dual-sided access.

Final Thoughts

Effective vertical cable management isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity in high-performance environments. It promotes efficient cooling, simplifies maintenance, and creates a visually appealing and scalable infrastructure. By investing time and resources into smart cable management today, you set your systems up for greater reliability and easier upgrades tomorrow.

[virtualizationhowto]

How to Enable GPU Passthrough to LXC Containers in Proxmox #proxmox #gpupassthrough #lxccontainer #docker #ollama #openwebui

[mydnsdubai]

Importance of CCTV Maintenance Contract Company in Dubai

Securing your Dubai property requires professional CCTV installation and reliable maintenance. This guide explains how to choose the right cctv maintenance contract company in Dubai and what to expect and why ongoing support matters. 

Why Hire Professional CCTV Installation in Dubai 1. Expert Setup Dubai’s harsh climate demands durable installations. Professionals use weatherproof cameras and secure wiring. They avoid common DIY errors like poor angles or loose connections. 2. Custom Solutions Every space has unique needs. Experts assess homes offices or malls. They suggest cameras for entrances parking lots or blind spots. 3. Legal Compliance Dubai has strict security laws. Licensed installers ensure systems meet regulations. They handle permits and avoid fines.   4. Advanced Technology Pros install HD 4K or AI-powered cameras. Features include night vision motion alerts and remote access via apps.   5. Warranty Protection   Reputable companies offer 1-3 year warranties. This covers equipment faults or installation issues.   Why Select a CCTV Maintenance Contract Company in Dubai   1. Check Experience   Pick companies with 5+ years in Dubai. They know local challenges like sandstorms or high humidity.   2. Verify Licenses   Ensure they have a Dubai Economic Department (DED) license. Avoid unregistered providers.   3. Read Reviews   Search Google or social media for client feedback. Look for praise on timeliness and work quality.   4. Get Multiple Quotes   Request detailed estimates. Compare costs for cameras DVRs and labor.   Why Get a CCTV Maintenance Contract in Dubai   1. Regular Checkups   Technicians inspect cameras every 3-6 months. They clean lenses and test connections.   2. Quick Repairs   Fix issues like blurred footage or offline cameras. Prevent security gaps.   3. Software Updates   Install firmware patches to block hackers. Keep systems secure.   4. Cost Savings   Contracts include discounts on parts or labor. Cheaper than one-time fixes.   5. Peace of Mind   Know experts handle problems. Focus on your business or family.   Common CCTV Issues in Dubai   1. Sand and Dust   Clogs camera lenses. Regular cleaning prevents blurry footage.   2. Heat Damage   High temps fry cheap cameras. Use industrial-grade models.   3. Power Surges   Storms cause outages. Install surge protectors or UPS systems.   4. Wi-Fi Dropouts   Weak signals disrupt wireless cameras. Boost routers or use wired backups.   5. Hacking Risks   Default passwords invite breaches. Update credentials and enable encryption.   Top Uses of CCTV in Dubai   1. Home Security   Apartments and houses can be supervised to reduce crimes. Watch gates pools and maids.   2. Retail Stores   Prevent theft in big malls. Track staff and customer traffic.   3. Construction Sites   Protect equipment in from being stollen at sites. Deter vandalism after hours.   4. Hotels   Ensure guest safety in popular public areas properties. Secure lobbies elevators and pools.   5. Office Buildings   Guard offices to provide people with safety. Control access to server rooms or labs.   Professional CCTV installation in Dubai ensures your property is secure. Choose licensed experienced companies with strong reviews. Opt for maintenance contracts to keep systems running smoothly. From homes to skyscrapers quality cameras and expert support deter crime and provide peace of mind.

[aspiringcoder]

Day 03: When Sleep Wins Over the Gym

hello to my non existent audience... I guess humans are weird creatures after all. Anyways not that much movement today I was sleepy the entire day...I don't know what lullaby my professor sang in the last lecture she was unbearable though she explains well. That's why I slept in local train I slept when I reached home I slept almost the whole evening and it was too late for gym. I even missed the annual function of my sister's school she was telling me to come but I was way too tired and out of my mind for that . I could have missed the gym for a way better and fun cause but well sometimes you gotta listen to your body and rest now at 2 in the night I am writing this diary entry .. I did progress in studies though ... I solved 16 pattern questions out of 22 in my tuf+ course. Well pattern questions aren't asked in interview still I practiced to get a practice of loops. I guess my impression in front my DC(Distributed Computing) teacher is not good. What happened is today in the lab we were to perform a basic client server application which uses protoc for communication. without getting much into details ...this protoc needed a plugin for java and I couldn't find it on internet how was I supposed to find it. So I asked her for help and this was her statement - "Code bhi chatgpt se loge sab chatgpt se loge toh rnd kya hoga" but its not like I didn't try I couldn't Well can't do anything she thinks I used chatgpt for everything and didn't understood the experiment but it was not like that although I am not denying the use of chatgpt but it was not all I understood each and everything. I will try to perform better next lab I hope I am just overthinking and she doesn't think of me as bad as I am thinking maybe she was just encouraging me to solve the problem on my own or just didn't wanna help with installation or dependencies I have noticed this about most developers they don't like to solve installation errors or setup things ...including me hehe.. Ok so remember about the mouse I talked about yesterday It is alive and its in my house ....oh my god one problem goes just for another to enter I hope somehow it went away we kept the door open for quite a while so that he could go... but I am scared to even go to bathroom now without the lights Well that's it for today ... nothing new stayed consistent with the course.. gym had a streak break but that's fine will cover up. overall a semi productive day Stay safe and healthy gn and take care

[vashiislblog]

LAN Cables : How to Choose the Best LAN Cable for Faster Internet

Imagine a world without computer networks. Now picture your office, home, or school. Local area networks (LANs) breathe life into these spaces, connecting nearby devices. They're the digital threads weaving through universities, commercial buildings, and labs. Every computer you touch likely belongs to a LAN, invisibly linking it to others nearby. From intimate connections to vast networks, these systems connect us. They form the backbone of our digital world.

To begin this article lets first start with what exactly is a LAN?

LAN Cables: A LAN (Local Area Network) cable is a type of network cable used to connect devices within a local area network, such as computers, routers, switches, and other networking equipment. LAN cables, also known as an Ethernet cable or LAN cord, is a physical connection that forms the backbone of Local Area Networks (LANs). These cables enable devices to communicate with each other and share resources like files and internet connections. LAN cables come in different categories, with Category 5e (Cat5e) and Category 6 (Cat6) being the most commonly used for Ethernet networks. These cables enable devices to communicate with each other and share resources like files and internet connections. Types of LAN Cables Each of these cables have different designs and functions which power an ethernet connection.

Coaxial Cable: Coaxial cables, essential for high-speed internet and cable TV, feature a copper core. This central conductor lies encased in insulation, all shielded by braided metal. This design ensures efficient signal transmission for modern connectivity needs.

Twisted-Pair Cable: Twisted-pair cables are common in LANs. They include Ethernet and VoIP types. These cables have multiple copper conductors twisted together. This design improves signal quality. It is simple yet effective, forming the backbone of modern networks.

Fiber-Optic Cable: Fiber-optic cables use thin strands of glass or plastic inside an insulating layer. They are the best at high-speed data transmission. They are perfect for enterprise networks and data centers.

Classification Of LAN Cable

Cable Types

Ethernet Cables: The most common type of LAN cable, often referred to as Ethernet cables. They come in different categories that define their performance.

Cat5e: This cable supports speeds up to 1 Gbps and bandwidth up to 100 MHz. Common in residential networks, offering enough speed for most home internet needs. It is an improvement over the older Cat5 standard, with reduced crosstalk.

Cat6: This cable supports speeds up to 1 Gbps with bandwidth up to 250 MHz. Ideal for home networks, small business environments, or any setup requiring higher bandwidth than Cat5e, providing more reliable data transfer.

Cat6a: This cable supports speeds up to 10 Gbps and bandwidth up to 500 MHz. Perfect for high-performance networks, data centers, and offices where future-proofing for faster data transfer is essential. Provides better protection

Cat7: This cable supports speeds up to 10 Gbps with bandwidth up to 600 MHz. Primarily used in professional settings where high-speed data transfer and reduced interference are critical. Cat7 cables have additional shielding, providing extra protection against crosstalk and external noise.

Cat8: This cable supports speeds up to 25-40 Gbps and bandwidth up to 2000 MHz. Designed for use in data centers and high-speed server environments. Cat8 cables offer extremely high bandwidth and speed, making them suitable for future-proofing network infrastructures in high-demand areas like cloud computing and heavy data processing environments.

Benefits of LAN Cables 

Faster Data Transfer Speeds: LAN cables, especially newer categories like Cat6a and Cat8, support significantly faster data transfer speeds compared to Wi-Fi. For instance, Cat6a can deliver speeds up to 10 Gbps, and Cat8 can reach up to 40 Gbps.

More Stable Connection: LAN cables provide a stable and uninterrupted connection, which isn't influenced by physical obstructions or interference from other wireless devices like Wi-Fi signals.

Greater Security: LAN cables, especially higher categories like Cat6a and Cat8, support higher bandwidths, allowing for more data to be transmitted simultaneously. This is crucial for data-heavy applications like video streaming, file transfers, and large-scale business operations

Less Interference: Many LAN cables come with shielding (e.g., u/FTP, S/FTP), which helps protect against electromagnetic interference from nearby electronic devices, resulting in better signal quality and more reliable connections.

Compatibility: LAN cables are compatible with a wide range of devices like computers, routers, switches, printers, and gaming consoles. This makes them a versatile choice for most networking needs.

Ideal for High-Performance Applications: Wired connections using LAN cables are essential for businesses that require high-speed, reliable internet, such as data centers, media production studios, and offices with large data requirements.

Choosing Perfect LAN Cable Guide 

Choosing the Best LAN cable depends on a few factors. They are required data transfer speeds, transmission distance, interference, and your budget. Coaxial cable is the most reliable cable type, but relatively expensive. Twisted-pair cable is less expensive than coaxial cable, but it is not as reliable. Fiber-optic cable is the most expensive LAN cable. But, it is the most reliable and supports the highest data transfer speeds. For a reliable and secure connection, choose coaxial cable. For an affordable option, go for twisted-pair cable. For the fastest connection, pick fiber-optic cable.

Vashi Integrated Solution - India’s Leading LAN Cable Distributors

Vashi Integrated Solutions is your trusted partner when its comes to buying LAN cables. Offering a wide selection of premium cables from the most reliable brands in the industry. As a leading distributor of electrical and networking products, Vashi provides a comprehensive range of LAN cables, including Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, and Cat8, ensuring that your network infrastructure is fast, stable, and future-proof. 

To Know More Visit : https://vashiisl.com/collections/lan-cables

[ttakttakmedead]

Week 10 : Gaming Communities, Social Gaming, and Live Streaming

hi guys! this week we will dive into the vibrant world of gaming communities, the joys of social gaming, and the thrill of live streaming. whether you're a casual gamer, a competitive pro, or just love watching others play, there's something here for everyone. let's get started! 🚀

The Evolution of Games

Before the internet, smartphones, and cell phones became commonplace, and starting in the late 1970s, computer nerds at universities like MIT would sneak into the computer lab and learn how to do programming. Atari (founded by Nolan Bushnell) created the first basic video games, such as Pong, a table-tennis themed video game. (Teicholz, 2020) In addition to producing its own games, Atari founded a whole new industry centered around the "arcade," and soon, arcade games could be found in pubs, bowling alleys, and shopping centers all over the world. (Chikhani, 2024)

Game cartridges eventually replaced Nolan Bushnell and Atari game systems, after Nintendo, including Donkey Kong and Mario, was developed in Japan.

The advent of home consoles in the 1980s and 1990s, like Nintendo and Sega, brought gaming into living rooms worldwide. Suddenly, gaming was no longer confined to public spaces—it was an activity that could be enjoyed at home, alone, or with friends and family. This era saw the rise of iconic franchises such as Mario, Zelda, and Sonic, which have left an indelible mark on popular culture.

Gaming Communities: Where Friendships Level Up!

Gaming communities are the heart and soul of the gaming world. From massive online forums like Reddit, Steam, and Twitter to Discord servers, these spaces are where gamers connect, share tips, and enjoy their favorite games. Communities have an important role in bringing together people of all ages, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds, basically everyone all around the world! Games' virtual worlds erase barriers and offer easier ways for people to connect. (Games, 2023)

Social Gaming: Play Together, Stay Together

Gaming is no longer a solitary activity. Social gaming brings people together, no matter where they are in the world. Team up with friends to take on challenges and quests. It's not just about winning; it's about the journey together.

I think Stardew Valley is the right example for this!

Stardew Valley produced by Eric Barone, is basically a game where you're a young person who quits your boring corporate career to start afresh on your grandfather's run-down farm. As days blend into days and seasons into seasons, Stardew Valley overwhelms the players' stimulus-reward system with an endless stream of short-term quests. The objective is, in a sense, anything you want it to be. (Singal, 2016)

Back to the main point, there's no need to set up a server for multiplayer. Just invite your friends online through whatever platform you're on. When you're on the main menu, pick co-op to decide if you want to start a new farm or join your friend's farm. (Randell, 2021) Easy peasy right?

I co-op a farm with my cousins and since we live in different houses, we use discord to communicate! this is me btw hehe

Live Streaming: The New Frontier of Entertainment

Live streaming has revolutionized the way we consume gaming content. Platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Facebook Gaming offer endless entertainment and a chance to interact with your favorite streamers and for streamers to connect with their audience.

This setup lets people connect directly, making everything feel real and personal. Thanks to the internet, anyone can watch or stream live stuff, no matter where they are. It breaks down borders and gives us a huge variety of things to check out. (Carter, 2024)

It also gives content creators a cool new way to make money from their content. They can earn cash through ads, sponsorships, selling merch live, or even virtual tip jars. Here's an example for you!

But hey, let’s talk about something important: gaming isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes, they can get pretty messy. You know, all that toxic behavior and bullying? It’s like a dark cloud hanging over things. Competition, controversies, and the whole cloak of anonymity online can stir up some serious drama. We’ve got to make sure our gaming hangouts are safe and respectful places for everyone. That means standing up to toxicity and working together to build a positive vibe. After all, gaming should be about fun and connecting, not tearing each other down.

Gaming communities, social gaming, and live streaming have transformed gaming into a rich, social experience. So, get out there, join a community, play with friends, and maybe even start your own livestream! The world of gaming is more connected than ever, and it might be waiting for you.

that's all from me! as usual, meet you in my next blog? (о´∀`о) meanwhile, drop your favorite gaming communities or streamer recommendations, i would like to hear from you guys! thank you, xie xie, kamsahamida, arigato!

References:

Carter, T 2024, ‘What is live streaming & how does live streaming works?’, What is Live Streaming & How Does Live Streaming Works?, viewed 19 June, 2024, <https://www.zegocloud.com/blog/what-is-live-streaming>.

Chikhani, R 2024, ‘The history of gaming: An evolving community’, TechCrunch, viewed 19 June, 2024, <https://techcrunch.com/2015/10/31/the-history-of-gaming-an-evolving-community/>.

Games, B 2023, ‘Gaming communities: The rise and impact of gaming communities on the world of video games’, Medium, Medium, viewed 19 June, 2024, <https://bggames.medium.com/gaming-communities-the-rise-and-impact-of-gaming-communities-on-the-world-of-video-games-1fec152f649f>.

Laura May Randell, SH 2021, ‘How to play co-op - stardew valley guide’, IGN, viewed 19 June, 2024, <https://www.ign.com/wikis/stardew-valley/How_To_Play_Co-Op>.

Singal, J 2016, ‘How a first-time developer created Stardew Valley, 2016’s best game to date’, Vulture, Vulture, viewed 19 June, 2024, <https://www.vulture.com/2016/03/first-time-developer-made-stardew-valley.html>.

Teicholz, T 2020, ‘Playing with video gaming culture’, Forbes, Forbes Magazine, viewed 19 June, 2024, <https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomteicholz/2020/09/09/playing-with-video-gaming-culture/>.

[avtechnologysworld]

The Importance of Effective AV Management in Modern Businesses

In today's business landscape, technology plays a crucial role in enabling effective communication and collaboration. With more companies adopting hybrid and remote work models, the need for reliable and high-quality audio visual av solutions has become imperative. Whether it is conducting virtual meetings, delivering online presentations or training sessions, audio visual or AV technology provides the foundation for seamless interaction and knowledge sharing between employees, customers and other stakeholders located in different geographical locations. This blog discusses the importance of effective AV management and how businesses can leverage AV solutions to stay productive and connected in the new normal.

Making Virtual Collaboration Effortless with the Right AV Solutions

One of the biggest changes the pandemic brought about was the rapid shift towards remote working environments. Almost overnight, companies had to enable their workforce to operate and collaborate from home through video conferencing and other digital means. While technologies like Zoom and Microsoft Teams made virtual meetings possible, a hitch-free experience depends greatly on having the appropriate audio visual systems and support infrastructure in place. Issues ranging from poor audio, unclear video feeds to glitches and lag can seriously hamper collaboration. This is where effective AV management comes in. Businesses need to invest in high-quality AV systems like smart cameras, speakerphones, cloud-based collaboration tools to conduct seamless virtual meetings and training sessions. They also require robust network infrastructure and bandwidth to support seamless two-way communication. Having dedicated AV experts to monitor performance, troubleshoot issues and provide technical assistance helps maximize productivity even in remote setups. Proper selection, deployment and ongoing management of audio visual technologies is crucial to making virtual collaboration as effortless as face-to-face interaction.

Enhancing Learning Outcomes through Engaging Online Training

The sudden shift to online learning during the pandemic also brought the role of AV solutions to the forefront. Traditional in-person training modes were no longer possible, necessitating immersive virtual classrooms and e-learning environments. Here again, unreliable or poorly managed AV infrastructure can negatively impact training effectiveness. With distractions aplenty in remote settings, engaging video content along with clear audio becomes integral to keeping trainees focused and involved. Smart camera systems, quality microphones and speakers ensure trainers can deliver content in an interactive manner while also gauging participant comprehension. Collaborative online learning through interactive whiteboards and virtual labs further enhances the experience. Ongoing optimization, server capacity upgrades and bandwidth monitoring by dedicated AV teams help deliver consistently impressive online training sessions. This greatly improves learning outcomes even in virtual classrooms compared to traditional e-learning methods reliant only on pre-recorded content.

Facilitating Engaging Virtual Events

In today's digital-first world, virtual and hybrid events have become commonplace given travel restrictions and safety concerns. While web conferencing tools make online events possible, effective AV management plays a huge role in creating truly engaging experiences for attendees. Dedicated webinar systems with high-resolution cameras, powerful audio and intuitive controls enable presenters to showcase demos, showcase products and lead sessions with ease even remotely. Intelligent camera systems and directional microphones further enhance interaction and focus user attention. Integrating virtual galleries, polls and surveys keeps attendees actively involved throughout. Ensuring glitch-free live streams, seamless switching between presenters and high bandwidth transmission requires robust backend infrastructure as well as experienced AV technicians continuously monitoring performance from behind the scenes. Well-planned and expertly executed AV solutions are key to delivering virtually impactful events that drive real business outcomes.

Showcasing Innovation through Impactful Video Content

In an attention economy driven by visual media, high-quality video content has become imperative for companies across industries. Be it showcasing new products, services or thought leadership - businesses require professional-grade multimedia storytelling to effectively promote innovation and brand messages. Here too, audio visual management enables seamless content production and distribution. State-of-the-art filming studios along with skilled camera operators, lighting directors and sound engineers help produce immersive video narratives. Cloud-based tools facilitate convenient remote collaboration between creative teams. Powerful in-house rendering farms ensure smooth editing and processing. Optimized transcoding and delivery through Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) and video platforms like YouTube and Vimeo helps content reach wider audiences across multiple devices. Dedicated infrastructure also supports features like 360-degree videos, augmented reality/virtual reality integrations and live video streaming. Well-orchestrated AV workflows thus become vital in crafting video experiences that attract and engage target audiences for sustained business growth.

Optimizing In-office Productivity through Thoughtfully Designed AV

Even as remote working grows, many organizations still rely on physical office spaces for critical functions. Effective audio visual design becomes essential here to optimize productivity within hybrid workplaces. Thoughtful integration of collaboration technologies like large touchscreen displays, audio/video conferencing units and digital signage promotes fluid interactions between onsite and offsite employees. Centrally managed video wall installations aid visual brainstorming during meetings. Smart room systems with integrated light and acoustic controls facilitate immersive presentations and trainings. Installation of voice enabled technologies supports hands-free operation. Emphasis must also be laid on ergonomic aspects like adjustable workstations outfitted with quality monitors, headsets and docking stations. Centralized management of all AV assets further ensures seamless device connectivity, remote administration and performance optimization tailored to specific workspace needs. Proper in-office AV not only enhances productivity but also fosters inclusiveness and builds team spirit even in dispersed operations.

Managing Security and Compliance through Robust AV Governance

With audio visual solutions increasingly powering business-critical operations, effectively governing AV infrastructure also becomes a performance determinant. Robust policies, protocols and technologies must be instituted to secure systems and safeguard sensitive data/intellectual property. Advanced authentication and encryption mechanisms applied across conferencing infrastructure and collaboration tools prevent unauthorized access. Close monitoring and logging capabilities aid quick detection of anomalies to prevent potential cyber-attacks. Regular audits and configuration assessments ensure compliance with quality standards and data privacy regulations. Centralized asset management dashboards provide 360-degree visibility into all AV assets for maintenance and upgrades as per established change and incident management protocols. Technology refresh plans optimized to rolling upgrade/replace aging systems proactively. Well-managed AV governance thus delivers dual benefits of securing digital systems as well as maintaining regulatory compliance critical for sustained trust and competitive edge in digital operations.

Conclusion

In today's digital workplace, leveraging cutting-edge audio visual technologies has become imperative for companies across industries and domains to stay agile, connected and productive. However, realizing true value also requires establishment of robust management practices aroundAUDIO VISUAL or AV solutions. Strategic planning, expert implementation and ongoing optimization of AV infrastructure empowers organizations to embrace virtual collaboration, learning, events and hybrid work seamlessly. Central to this are dedicated professionals continuously monitoring performance, addressing issues and evolving solutions as per emerging needs. Well governed AV solutions thus act as a force multiplier for businesses seeking competitive advantage through superior digital experiences and operational efficiencies. Looking ahead, as disruptive technologies like AI, IoT, edge computing, 5G and quantum computing emerge, substantive investments in AV management will remain critical to realizing ongoing innovation opportunities and growth.

[a-bit-too-much-of-a-zelda-fan]

@noblelightfighter asked: "How did you come up with the town scenarios? Like Wild trying to bargain and Sky being one of the links who was eager to try bomb-chu bowling?"

I’m really glad you asked this! I love talking about my thought process and inspirations when it comes to my writing, especially with Oops! All Links. There are a lot of sequences in the Selggog arc, so I may as well go through them chapter by chapter. More below the cut!

I'll start off by saying that around the time I wrote “Musings and Memories,” I read James Baldwin's short story “Sonny’s Blue’s.” Baldwin does a really good job keeping dialogue-heavy scenes interesting by describing the characters' poses and mundane actions. I thought, "damn, I want to do that too." So if you noticed another layer of detail in my writing at that point, that was why.

Chapter 15: Inn or Out... Maybe Just Inn.

Hyrule is by far the hardest Link to write for. He has hardly any source material, so all I really have to go off of is Jojo’s comic and other fan content. That's why I accidentally ignored him for the first 14 chapters. So I decided to give him much more of a spotlight in this arc, and one of the few concrete things that we know about him is that he has had to deal with vendors with wildly different prices. I figure, yeah, he probably got good at haggling.

I put Sky, Wild, and Hyrule together because they all have different experiences with vendors in their own games. I decided that I could add Baldwin-esque detail by describing the minutia of them undressing and eating supper. Damn, did I consult the original LU character concepts a ton for this segment. I also used this scene to add my headcanon/self-projection of Sky being vegetarian.

The Links also went through what could be a traumatic experience in the burning town. I had already written some fallout of Time using Darmani's Mask, where the others are mad at him, Wild flips shit, and Time describes how painful it is to use the masks. But Time only wore the mask to save Hyrule. Wouldn't Hyrule feel guilty about that? And who better to soothe that guilt than Wild, who must have felt incredible survivor guilt after the Calamity?

Chapter 16: Panacea

Scene 1: I wasn't sure why I made Twilight wake in a cold sweat, but it could be because of recalling his past experience in "Stars and Stories." Aside from giving Twi and Wars some 1-on-1 dialogue, this scene lets Twi have some pleasant memories of home after the awful ones in "Fire." It also shows his soft side when he lets Time oversleep.

Scene 2: This is mostly just setup for the rest of the arc, but eating breakfast and getting dressed is another Baldwin opportunity. The group also gets some downtime to decompress and act off of each other.

The title and Hyrule's line "And enjoying breakfast together in a warm and cozy inn is probably the panacea for that poison” is a reference to the Flobots song "Panacea for the Poison."

Chapters 17 & 18: To Sell a Butterfly (Necklace); A Sailor and a Ranch Hand Walk into a Store.

Bro, I love writing Twi and Wind together. All the Links consider each other sort of brothers, Twi acts like a big brother to his friends in Ordon, and Wind is the youngest Link. Perfect. These chapters let their relationship shine and give Wind a chance to use his own experience with treasure tellers for what I think were great character moments. Madame Viliafore wasn't really inspired by anything, she just kinda came into existence.

Twilight's line “Uh, I’m pretty sure most shops won’t buy off strangers. They’re trying to sell their junk, not buy yours. Think how fast they’d go bankrupt.” is a reference to the Snowdin shopkeeper in Undertale.

This is probably pretty obvious but the titles are references to To Kill a Mockingbird and that one joke (you know the one).

Chapter 19: Swords, Shields, Arrows

Wild is a knight and knows exactly what he is doing when it comes to weapons. The pose he ends his sword test with is a reference to the BotW Memory "Shelter from the Storm." He tries to haggle with the shop owner precisely because he just saw Hyrule do it, and they talked about it the previous night. He fails miserably because he has absolutely no idea how to do it. I also give Four and Wild some character interaction that stresses how much Wild's past messed with his head.

There's no particular reason the shopkeeper said they were scaring his customers when there weren't any customers in the shop, I just thought it would be funny.

Chapter 20: Mind the Tea

Hyrule got some comfort from Wild and Sky, but I felt he really needed to hear it from Time. Besides wrapping up all the plot threads from the previous chapters, I got to sprinkle in a bit more Time angst and humorously conclude the wallet side plot. I just thought it would be funny to make the events of two whole chapters entirely unnecessary.

This chapter and the opening to the next are inspired by the time I went to a British tearoom in New York City called Tea and Sympathy. It's a bit pricy but if you're ever in New York, you should check it out.

Rolling with the British theme, the title is a reference to the warning all over the London Underground saying "Mind the Gap."

Chapter 21: Me and the Boys

The Links needed some fun after everything, so I figured, what minigame from one of the Zelda games could all of them enjoy? Time said it himself, they all like explosions. Sky is the most enthusiastic to play (besides Wind) because he's generally one of the more positive Links, and one of his own minigames was that circus-themed diving game. I figured that this would remind him of that.

The girl at the counter is indeed the younger sister of the Bombchu girl in Ocarina of Time. The "heroic sideburns" line is a reference to Tri Force Heroes, which otherwise doesn't really come up in LU.

In my opinion, this is my funniest chapter by far. I really laid into the comedy here, because I knew that after this chapter, I was going into an arc centered around intense combat. I absolutely love Twilight's increasing concern over the Cucco, and Sky's line about animal welfare laws is a reference to the "Wait. That's illegal" meme from Red vs Blue.

My favorite jokes I've ever written are in this chapter:

“Games?” Hyrule replied. “You mean like chess?” Wind gaped at his friend in disbelief. “No, games are fun.”

And this entire bit here

The girl giggled from behind the counter. Legend shot daggers at her. She sobered up. Warriors snatched up a bombchu in one hand and patted Legend on the shoulder with the other. “Please, I’ll show you how it’s done,” he said with a wink to the shopkeeper. Warriors’ bombchu was as good as dead on arrival; it was blocked by the very first barrier. His shoulders slumped. “I don’t remember him asking for the quickest way to lose,” Wild teased. “Shut it, you don’t remember a lot of things,” Warriors shot back. “I—… okay, that’s fair.”

To finish up, I'll explain where this town's came from. Back in middle school, I ran a Minecraft server for my friends and me. We built a town and my friend decided to name it Selggog. Where did he get the name? We had just watched the "Lab Safety Song" in our science class, and it mentioned safety goggles. He wrote down "goggles" backward and, what do you know, he got "Selggog."

[dominickxqxb679]

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Where is the fastest WIFI in the world?

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