#Prompt Engineering Handbook | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

autopartspecialist · 3 months ago

Text

Mistakes to avoid while you order online porsche spare parts

The luxury of owning a Porsche entails the obligation to maintain it properly. The internet marketplace provides ease when your valuable car requires new components, but there are drawbacks as well. Purchasing replacement parts online necessitates meticulous attention to detail, regardless of your level of experience with Porsches. This advice helps you make wise selections that will save your car and your pocketbook by highlighting these typical blunders to avoid when order online porsche spare parts. Avoiding these mistakes will guarantee that your Porsche keeps providing the superb performance and driving experience for which it was intended.

Neglecting to Verify Part Compatibility

Not checking part compatibility before ordering is one of the most common errors made by Porsche owners. Over the years, Porsche has manufactured a wide range of models with different specifications, and parts are frequently unique to certain engine types, manufacturing years, and even vehicle identification numbers. Time and money might be lost if you assume an item will fit just because it is advertised for your model. Always compare the part specs with your VIN number, and if at all feasible, go to a reliable parts catalog or your car's maintenance handbook. By taking the extra time to confirm compatibility, you may prevent hours of annoyance and possible harm to your beloved car.

Choosing Price Over Quality

The temptation of deeply reduced Porsche components frequently results in quality compromise, which can be expensive down the road. Porsche automobiles are expertly crafted machines built to run on parts that adhere to strict performance requirements. Selecting the least expensive parts could save money up front, but inferior parts can degrade rapidly and possibly harm other systems in your car. Instead of focusing only on the purchase price, take into account the entire cost of ownership. Although they may be more expensive up front, genuine components or premium OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) substitutes usually provide superior performance, safety, and longevity. You should only use parts that preserve the engineering integrity of your Porsche.

Overlooking Seller Reputation and Reviews

When acquiring Porsche components online, it is quite risky to make a hasty purchase without first investigating the seller's reputation. Authorized merchants and dubious businesses selling fake goods are both present in the online marketplace. Investigate the seller in-depth before making a purchase by looking through forum posts, company ratings, and customer reviews. Seek out vendors who specialize in Porsche automobiles, have open and honest return and warranty policies, and have a history of providing prompt customer support. Well-known companies usually give thorough product details and are prepared to respond to technical inquiries on their components. It is less likely that you will receive faulty, damaged, or counterfeit parts if you take the time to evaluate the seller's reputation.

Misunderstanding Return Policies and Warranties

Most Porsche car owners underestimate suppliers' warranty policies and return rules when placing parts orders thereby creating potential complications in case issues arise. Online merchants have diverse rules regarding product returns and warranty procedures which range from generous to nonexistent protection. Pay attention to the entire document before completing any purchase to understand what policies exist for returns and restocking fees and shipping on returned merchandise as well as warranty duration. Review the policy on returned components carefully because suppliers typically reject returns on items installed in your vehicle. You can better understand your alternatives if the part turns out to be damaged or inappropriate if you are aware of these circumstances in advance.

Providing Insufficient Vehicle Information

When ordering components, incomplete and inaccurate vehicle information leads to needless delays and issues. Porsche cars frequently have minor differences between special editions and manufacturing years that impact part compatibility. Always provide your specific model, year, engine type, transmission, and VIN number when placing an order. Additional information like the date of construction, any modifications that have been made, or certain option codes could be needed for complicated systems like electronics or engine parts. Parts experts can find the right parts for your particular vehicle setup with the use of comprehensive information. This methodical technique removes uncertainty and lowers the possibility of acquiring components that are incompatible, wasting your time and money.

Ignoring Shipping and Handling Considerations

Many Porsche fans ignore important shipping and handling elements that impact the whole cost and delivery experience in favor of concentrating just on part costs. Specialized packing is necessary for delicate items, such as sensors, electronics, or painted body pieces, to guard against damage while in transit. Similar to this, shipping costs for big components like engine blocks or gearbox parts can add a lot to the total cost. Consider shipping choices, insurance coverage, anticipated arrival dates, and if signature confirmation is included before placing your order. Additionally, be in mind that specific parts may be impacted during shipping by extremely high or low temperatures. While some merchants combine orders to cut costs, others provide expedited choices for urgent repairs. Knowing these logistics guarantees that parts arrive in ideal condition and helps prevent unforeseen delays.

Skipping Technical Documentation and Installation Instructions

When purchasing Porsche replacement parts online, it's typical to make the mistake of not verifying that the purchase includes sufficient technical paperwork and installation instructions. The advanced engineering found in Porsche automobiles frequently necessitates particular installation techniques, torque requirements, programming steps, or calibration methods. Even skilled mechanics might make installation mistakes that jeopardize performance or safety if they are not properly guided. Before placing your order, find out if the vendor offers technical resources or if the part comes with detailed instructions. Check to see if certain tools or diagnostic equipment are needed for the correct installation of sophisticated components, such as engine management systems or electronic modules. Having everything you need to do the repair successfully is ensured by this preparation.

Conclusion

Online ordering for porsche parts in dubai is convenient and frequently offers cheaper prices, but it must be done carefully to prevent expensive errors. You may safeguard your investment by confirming compatibility, putting quality above price, properly investigating suppliers, and comprehending policies prior to making a purchase. A careful buying plan includes giving full vehicle details, taking shipment issues into account, obtaining the right paperwork, and keeping track of related parts. These procedures guarantee that your Porsche gets the high-quality parts it needs to preserve the remarkable performance and thrilling driving experience that characterize the brand.

0 notes

sunaleisocial · 3 months ago

Text

3 Questions: Visualizing research in the age of AI

New Post has been published on https://sunalei.org/news/3-questions-visualizing-research-in-the-age-of-ai/

3 Questions: Visualizing research in the age of AI

For over 30 years, science photographer Felice Frankel has helped MIT professors, researchers, and students communicate their work visually. Throughout that time, she has seen the development of various tools to support the creation of compelling images: some helpful, and some antithetical to the effort of producing a trustworthy and complete representation of the research. In a recent opinion piece published in Nature magazine, Frankel discusses the burgeoning use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in images and the challenges and implications it has for communicating research. On a more personal note, she questions whether there will still be a place for a science photographer in the research community.

Q: You’ve mentioned that as soon as a photo is taken, the image can be considered “manipulated.” There are ways you’ve manipulated your own images to create a visual that more successfully communicates the desired message. Where is the line between acceptable and unacceptable manipulation?

A: In the broadest sense, the decisions made on how to frame and structure the content of an image, along with which tools used to create the image, are already a manipulation of reality. We need to remember the image is merely a representation of the thing, and not the thing itself. Decisions have to be made when creating the image. The critical issue is not to manipulate the data, and in the case of most images, the data is the structure. For example, for an image I made some time ago, I digitally deleted the petri dish in which a yeast colony was growing, to bring attention to the stunning morphology of the colony. The data in the image is the morphology of the colony. I did not manipulate that data. However, I always indicate in the text if I have done something to an image. I discuss the idea of image enhancement in my handbook, “The Visual Elements, Photography.”

Q: What can researchers do to make sure their research is communicated correctly and ethically?

A: With the advent of AI, I see three main issues concerning visual representation: the difference between illustration and documentation, the ethics around digital manipulation, and a continuing need for researchers to be trained in visual communication. For years, I have been trying to develop a visual literacy program for the present and upcoming classes of science and engineering researchers. MIT has a communication requirement which mostly addresses writing, but what about the visual, which is no longer tangential to a journal submission? I will bet that most readers of scientific articles go right to the figures, after they read the abstract.

We need to require students to learn how to critically look at a published graph or image and decide if there is something weird going on with it. We need to discuss the ethics of “nudging” an image to look a certain predetermined way. I describe in the article an incident when a student altered one of my images (without asking me) to match what the student wanted to visually communicate. I didn’t permit it, of course, and was disappointed that the ethics of such an alteration were not considered. We need to develop, at the very least, conversations on campus and, even better, create a visual literacy requirement along with the writing requirement.

Q: Generative AI is not going away. What do you see as the future for communicating science visually?

A: For the Nature article, I decided that a powerful way to question the use of AI in generating images was by example. I used one of the diffusion models to create an image using the following prompt:

“Create a photo of Moungi Bawendi’s nano crystals in vials against a black background, fluorescing at different wavelengths, depending on their size, when excited with UV light.”

The results of my AI experimentation were often cartoon-like images that could hardly pass as reality — let alone documentation — but there will be a time when they will be. In conversations with colleagues in research and computer-science communities, all agree that we should have clear standards on what is and is not allowed. And most importantly, a GenAI visual should never be allowed as documentation.

But AI-generated visuals will, in fact, be useful for illustration purposes. If an AI-generated visual is to be submitted to a journal (or, for that matter, be shown in a presentation), I believe the researcher MUST

clearly label if an image was created by an AI model;

indicate what model was used;

include what prompt was used; and

include the image, if there is one, that was used to help the prompt.

0 notes

aibyrdidini · 10 months ago

Text

DISCOVERING THE TECHNIQUES OF EXPLAINABLE AI (XAI): A THOROUGH HANDBOOK FOR PROFESSIONALS

By Rubem Didini Filho – Prompt Engineer and AI Consultant

As AI systems become more common in our everyday lives, the need for openness, understandability, and reasons has become a very important issue. Explainable AI (XAI) has appeared as a way to solve this problem, letting people understand and have confidence in AI-made decisions. In this article, we will explore the technologies used in XAI, giving information and understanding for skilled AI experts.

Models That Can Explain Themselves: The Start of Understandable AI

Models that can explain themselves are AI models made to be clear right from the start. These models use things like decision trees, simple lines, and not-too-complex thinking networks. With these models, people who make AI can create systems that are easy to see through and get. For example, you can show the choices a decision tree makes, which makes it simpler to get what it's doing.

After-Action Explanation Methods: Making Sense of Complicated Models

After-Action (Post-Hoc )explanation methods are used after the model has given an outcome to clarify the choices it made. A well-liked method is LIME, which stands for Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations. It makes nearby, close, and easier models to explain what the complex models predict. Another method is SHAP, which means SHapley Additive exPlanations. It figures out how important each input feature is, helping us see how it affected the final answer.

Understandable Neural Networks (UNNs): A Mixed Way

Understandable Neural Networks (UNNs) join parts of brain-like networks with older and simpler model shapes, like choosing trees. This mixed way lets makers build smart systems that are right and clear. UNNs can help say how tricky brain-like networks make choices, making them more reliable.

Visualization: The Key to Understanding AI Decisions

Visualization tools are essential for XAI, as they help users understand the behavior of the model. Graphs, heatmaps, and other visual representations make the decision-making processes of AI more accessible and understandable. For example, Grad-CAM (Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping) creates activation maps that show which parts of the image were most important for the model's decision.

Easy-to-Understand AI: Decision-Making for People

Easy-to-Understand AI systems work with clear rules that help make decisions. People usually set these rules, so they are simple to understand and check. This way, people who make AI can create systems that are clear, responsible, and reliable.

Developing a XAI System from Scratch: A Practical Guide

To develop a XAI system, follow these steps:

1.Define the problem and identify the type of AI model required.

2.Choose an intrinsically explainable model or a post-hoc explanation technique.

3.Implement the model using a suitable AI library, such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.

4.Develop visualization tools to explain the decision-making process.

5.Integrate the XAI system with the target application.

Python Code Snippets for XAI

Here are some Python code snippets to demonstrate the concepts discussed above:

LIME Example

python

from lime.lime_tabular import LimeTabularExplainer

explainer = LimeTabularExplainer(X_train, feature_names=feature_names, class_names=class_names)

exp = explainer.explain_instance(X_test[0], predict_fn, num_features=5)

print(exp.as_list())

LIME Extend

import numpy as np

from lime.lime_tabular import LimeTabularExplainer

from sklearn.ensemble import RandomForestClassifier

from sklearn.datasets import load_iris

# Load the iris dataset

iris = load_iris()

X = iris.data

y = iris.target

# Split the data into training and testing sets

from sklearn.model_selection import train_test_split

X_train, X_test, y_train, y_test = train_test_split(X, y, test_size=0.2, random_state=42)

# Train a random forest classifier

rf = RandomForestClassifier(n_estimators=100)

rf.fit(X_train, y_train)

# Define the prediction function

def predict_fn(x):

return rf.predict_proba(x)

# Create a LimeTabularExplainer

explainer = LimeTabularExplainer(X_train, feature_names=iris.feature_names, class_names=iris.target_names)

# Explain an instance

exp = explainer.explain_instance(X_test[0], predict_fn, num_features=5)

print(exp.as_list())

This code uses the iris dataset, trains a random forest classifier, and defines a prediction function that takes in an instance and returns the predicted probabilities. The LimeTabularExplainer is then created with the training data, feature names, and class names. Finally, the explainer is used to explain an instance from the testing set.

Note that you may need to adjust the num_features parameter depending on the complexity of your model and the number of features in your dataset.

SHAP Example

python

import shap

explainer = shap.KernelExplainer(predict_fn, X_train)

shap_values = explainer.shap_values(X_test)

print(shap_values)

SHARP Extend

import numpy as np

import shap

from sklearn.ensemble import RandomForestClassifier

from sklearn.datasets import load_iris

# Load the iris dataset

iris = load_iris()

X = iris.data

y = iris.target

# Split the data into training and testing sets

from sklearn.model_selection import train_test_split

X_train, X_test, y_train, y_test = train_test_split(X, y, test_size=0.2, random_state=42)

# Train a random forest classifier

rf = RandomForestClassifier(n_estimators=100)

rf.fit(X_train, y_train)

# Define the prediction function

def predict_fn(x):

return rf.predict_proba(x)

# Create a SHAP KernelExplainer

explainer = shap.KernelExplainer(predict_fn, X_train)

# Explain the test set

shap_values = explainer.shap_values(X_test)

print(shap_values)

This code uses the iris dataset, trains a random forest classifier, and defines a prediction function that takes in an instance and returns the predicted probabilities. The SHAP KernelExplainer is then created with the prediction function and the training data. Finally, the explainer is used to explain the test set.

Note that you may need to adjust the nsamples parameter of the shap_values method depending on the complexity of your model and the number of features in your dataset. Additionally, you can use other SHAP explainer classes, such as TreeExplainer or DeepExplainer, depending on the type of model you're using.

Grad-CAM Example

python

from gradcam import Gradcam

gradcam = Gradcam(model, layer_name='conv5')

heatmap = gradcam.get_heatmap(X_test[0], class_id=0)

print(heatmap)

Grad-CAM Extend

import numpy as np

from tensorflow.keras.applications import VGG16

from tensorflow.keras.preprocessing.image import load_img, img_to_array

from gradcam import Gradcam

# Load the VGG16 model

model = VGG16(weights='imagenet', include_top=True)

# Load an image from the test set

img = load_img('path/to/image.jpg', target_size=(224, 224))

X_test = img_to_array(img)

X_test = np.expand_dims(X_test, axis=0)

# Create a Gradcam object

gradcam = Gradcam(model, layer_name='block5_conv3')

# Get the heatmap for the first class (class_id=0)

heatmap = gradcam.get_heatmap(X_test[0], class_id=0)

print(heatmap)

This code uses the VGG16 model, loads an image from the test set, and creates a Gradcam object with the block5_conv3 layer. Finally, the Gradcam is used to get the heatmap for the first class (class_id=0).

Note that you need to replace 'path/to/image.jpg' with the actual path to an image file. Also, you may need to adjust the layer_name parameter depending on the model architecture and the layer you want to visualize. Additionally, you can use other models and layer names as long as they are compatible with the Gradcam library.

INN Example

python

from inn import InterpretableNeuralNetwork

inn = InterpretableNeuralNetwork(input_dim=784, hidden_dim=256, output_dim=10)

inn.fit(X_train, y_train)

print(inn.explain(X_test[0]))

INN Extend

import numpy as np

from tensorflow.keras.models import Sequential

from tensorflow.keras.layers import Dense

# Load the MNIST dataset

from tensorflow.keras.datasets import mnist

(X_train, y_train), (X_test, y_test) = mnist.load_data()

# Reshape the data

X_train = X_train.reshape(-1, 784)

X_test = X_test.reshape(-1, 784)

# Normalize the data

X_train = X_train.astype('float32') / 255

X_test = X_test.astype('float32') / 255

# Define the model

model = Sequential()

model.add(Dense(256, activation='relu', input_shape=(784,)))

model.add(Dense(10, activation='softmax'))

# Compile the model

model.compile(optimizer='adam', loss='sparse_categorical_crossentropy', metrics=['accuracy'])

# Train the model

model.fit(X_train, y_train, epochs=10, batch_size=128)

# Define a function to explain the model's predictions

def explain(x):

# Get the output of the first layer

layer_output = model.layers[0].output

# Get the weights of the first layer

layer_weights = model.layers[0].get_weights()[0]

# Compute the feature importance

feature_importance = np.dot(x, layer_weights)

return feature_importance

# Explain the model's prediction for the first test sample

print(explain(X_test[0]))

This code uses the Keras library to define a neural network with two dense layers, trains the model on the MNIST dataset, and defines a function to explain the model's predictions. The explanation function computes the feature importance by taking the dot product of the input and the weights of the first layer.

Note that this is a simplified example, and there are many other ways to explain neural network predictions, such as using techniques like saliency maps, feature importance, or SHAP values.

Rule-Based XAI Example

python

from rulebased_xai import RuleBasedXAI

rules = [

"IF age > 30 AND income > 50000 THEN credit_score = 700",

"IF education_level = 'college' THEN credit_score = 600"

]

xai = RuleBasedXAI(rules)

print(xai.explain(X_test[0]))

Rule-Based XAI Extend

import pandas as pd

from sklearn.datasets import load_iris

from rulebased_xai import RuleBasedXAI

# Load the iris dataset

iris = load_iris()

X_test = pd.DataFrame(iris.data, columns=iris.feature_names)

# Define the rules in a machine-readable format

rules = [

{"condition": {"age": {"gt": 30}, "income": {"gt": 50000}}, "consequence": {"credit_score": 700}},

{"condition": {"education_level": "college"}, "consequence": {"credit_score": 600}}

]

# Create a RuleBasedXAI object

xai = RuleBasedXAI(rules)

# Explain the prediction for the first test sample

print(xai.explain(X_test.iloc[0]))

This code uses the pandas library to create a DataFrame from the iris dataset, defines the rules in a machine-readable format, and creates a RuleBasedXAI object. Finally, it uses the explain method to generate an explanation for the first test sample.

Note that this is a fictional example, and you would need to use a real library or framework that supports rule-based XAI, such as skope-rules or pyrule.

Using these tools and methods, builders can make XAI systems that show openness, understandability, and reasons for their actions. This will make AI applications more reliable.

#ai solutions #ai-driven #ai trends #ai system #ai model #ai prompt #ml #ai predictions #llm #dl

1 note · View note

uniathena7 · 11 months ago

Text

The Beginner's Handbook to Digital Marketing

This online-based era in which the majority of purchases are done online has given an opportunity to businesses all around the world to leave traditional advertising via billboards for the digital one. On the other hand, Digital Marketing is both a trending marketing instrument and also the one with the highest efficiency ever.

Digital Marketing can be simply explained as any type of marketing activity that is executed over a cell phone, a laptop, or the Internet. It can be as simple as the content choices on your website’s blog or as complicated as automated email marketing campaigns. Irrespective of whether you are an experienced marketing professional or someone trying to learn marketing, appreciate that keeping pace in the dynamic Digital Marketing world is necessary. Think about getting started with an online Digital Marketing certification course where you will be able to gain enough knowledge and practical skills you’ll probably need to compete in the Digital Marketing sphere of 2024.

Benefits of Digital Marketing

Increased Recognition: By joining a digital group you will have an opportunity to address a greater number of clients and win new customers. A company’s content raises awareness and an ensuing good reputation is just a byproduct of the social interaction among employees, vendors, business partners, and customers. Each unit of the marketing campaign can thus touch a new group of customers.

More Inbound Traffic: A company’s promotion is directly correlated with its level of business understanding. Even if it hasn’t begun, these new clients already have the opportunity to interact personally with the business and learn about it through its content. A consumer may absorb information in a short period if their attention is grabbed.

Cost-Effective: Digital marketing is usually the inexpensive running expenses in a marketing campaign. It, though, requires a lot of planning and prompt creation of the content in which regard the actual delivery of the content is relatively cheap. Consumers will accomplish much of the work of content distribution among new customers in the market shifting slowly to the dominance of millennial customers — the digitally native consumers. An operative digital marketing strategy offers superior returns on investment since much of the business is done by the customers themselves, as the content of the company reaches potential customers.

Different Ways to Conduct Digital Marketing?

Advertising digital can be defined by the term that includes many different channels for the promotion of business interests among prospective clients. The type of Digital Marketing you conduct will vary depending on the organization’s requirements and objectives. However, the options for Digital Marketing are numerous and varied.

However, there are several standard techniques for carrying out Digital Marketing, such as:

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) — SEO is the art of enhancing your site for search engines to get higher placement within the top search engines and, hence, profit in terms of traffic.

Search Engine Marketing- SEM is a kind of marketing that seeks to put ads in the search engine results. The two approaches (SEM and SEO) are tightly intertwined when they are used together.

Pay-per-click (PPC) -With pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, companies only have to pay for their adverts when someone clicks on them.

Social Media Marketing (SMM) — SMM is a strategy for marketing company goods and services on social media platforms. Among social media marketing strategies, the advantage of influencer marketing — also referred to as using social media influencers — is currently well acknowledged.

Email-based Marketing — Email-based Marketing is a response-oriented tool whereby companies can distribute branded, promotional materials through electronic means directly to prospects. The systematic use of automated newsletters can be found in many applications of micro-targeting.

Summing Up:

Digital Marketing is becoming a common buzzword in the current world. Digital Marketing tactics are quickly becoming a need for any company. Every sort of Digital Marketer is putting in a lot of endeavors to grow their client base and raise brand awareness. If you want to get started and equip yourself with fundamental digital marketing skills, the moment has come to learn Digital Marketing short courses online, and the first course you should take is UniAthena’s Basics of Digital Marketing!

The Digital Marketing course duration is 6 hours, is entirely online, self-paced, and available in byte-sized chunks for convenience. In less than ten hours, you will learn about the inception, development, tools, and strategies of Digital Marketing from the skillfully taught, free-to-access classes. By completing the online free course, you become eligible for a Professional Certification. Begin your education today to secure a profitable career in the marketing sector.

#online short course #online training #online short courses #online learning #free online learning #uniathena free courses #best online courses #online courses #short course #online free courses

0 notes

chargelessautosau · 1 year ago

Text

Revitalize Your Ride: The Importance of Exhaust and Muffler Repairs

our vehicle's exhaust and muffler repairs play a crucial role in ensuring optimal performance, fuel efficiency, and environmental friendliness. Over time, wear and tear can compromise these components, leading to decreased efficiency, increased noise levels, and even potential safety hazards. At Chargeless Autos, we understand the significance of maintaining a healthy exhaust system, and we're here to highlight the importance of timely repairs and maintenance.

Understanding Your Vehicle's Exhaust System

The exhaust system serves several key functions:

Emissions Control: It reduces harmful emissions by converting pollutants into less harmful gases before releasing them into the atmosphere.

Noise Reduction: The muffler reduces noise generated by the engine as exhaust gases are expelled.

Engine Performance: A properly functioning exhaust system helps optimize engine performance and fuel efficiency.

Signs That Your Exhaust and Muffler Need Repairs

It's essential to recognize signs of potential issues with your exhaust and muffler:

Increased Noise: Unusual loud noises, rattling, or rumbling sounds may indicate problems with the muffler or exhaust pipes.

Decreased Fuel Efficiency: A sudden drop in fuel efficiency could be a sign of an exhaust leak or inefficiency.

Visible Smoke or Exhaust: Excessive smoke or exhaust emissions visible from the tailpipe may indicate engine or exhaust system problems.

Vibrations or Odors: Vibrations felt in the steering wheel, floorboard, or unusual odors inside the vehicle (e.g., exhaust fumes) can signal exhaust system leaks.

The Importance of Timely Repairs

Prompt repairs and maintenance of your exhaust and muffler system offer several benefits:

Enhanced Safety: Properly functioning exhaust systems prevent harmful gases from entering the vehicle cabin, ensuring a safe driving environment.

Improved Performance: Repairs can restore engine efficiency, reduce noise levels, and enhance overall vehicle performance.

Cost Savings: Addressing issues early can prevent more extensive and costly repairs down the road.

Why Choose Chargeless Autos for Exhaust and Muffler Repairs?

At Chargeless Autos, we specialize in comprehensive exhaust and muffler repairs and maintenance. Here’s what sets us apart:

Expertise and Experience: Our skilled technicians have years of experience diagnosing and repairing exhaust system issues.

Quality Parts and Service: We use high-quality replacement parts and state-of-the-art equipment to ensure lasting repairs and customer satisfaction.

Customer-Centric Approach: We prioritize transparent communication, providing detailed explanations and options for every repair.

Commitment to Excellence: From routine inspections to complex repairs, we are dedicated to delivering superior service and exceeding customer expectations.

Schedule Your Service Today

Don’t wait until a small issue becomes a big problem. Whether you're experiencing unusual noises, decreased performance, or suspect an exhaust leak, Chargeless Autos is here to help. Visit or contact us today to schedule an inspection and get your exhaust and muffler system back on track.

Charge Less Autos are a fully equipped and experienced mechanical workshop with the latest electronic diagnostic equipment. We can perform handbook servicing to maintain your new car warranty. From a basic oil change to a full service or break down repair, you will experience personalised service and real value for money.All work performed by us carries a 12 month warranty.

#exhaust and muffler repairs #automotive exhaust and muffler repairs #exhaust repair shops #muffler and exhaust repair cost

0 notes

doitwrite · 1 year ago

Text

Prompt: Reunion

Reunited (And it Feels So Bad)

I was halfway through the five-minute daily shower allotted for all crew members when the ship stopped. I swiped shampoo from my eyes and paused. It’s usually hard to tell with a cruiser the size of Flouncy Starlight, but the constant, nearly indiscernible hum produced by the engines was my second heartbeat. We weren’t scheduled to make any stops before we reached the refueling station in Sector B-7, so unless we were under attack or the engines had stalled out—both of which were highly unlikely, considering we were only thirteen parsecs away from our last refueling station—so we should be chugging merrily along our way. I carefully inched over to the wall and touched it with a soapy hand, pressing my right ear to the tile. It was as cold and silent as a stone. I opened my eyes, triumphant, just as the spray of water pattered to a stop behind me.

***

No one tried to stop me as I stomped through the steel-plated intestines of the ship, wiping shampoo out of my hair in irritation. The responsibility for any transport delays would fall on me, and I wasn’t looking forward to possibly getting slapped with another probation after that unfortunate incident involving a flying plate of freeze-dried spaghetti and General Cherriston’s toupee on Zeta-4. (Which hadn’t been my fault. At least, not directly.)

“Don’t bite my head off,” Rekka, my second in command, called. He’d sensed my foul mood the moment I stepped through the doors without looking up. It was rather impressive, considering that the main control panel was about thirty feet from the entrance, but I was hardly in the mood to be dishing out praise.

“Uh, Commander Zeke?” One of the new bridge workers on shift, Alistair, timidly hovered at his elbow. Whatever it was, it could wait.

“Why did we stop?” I demanded. “There can’t be anything wrong with the engines, we had them checked less than thirty hours ago.” Rekka rolled his eyes, unfazed.

“That’s what he’s trying to tell you.” I glared at Alistair, who shrank visibly.

“W- we picked up a distress signal, and as per Section 32.3 in the Handbook, we were obligated to stop and ensure that the voyagers from the source were in…no mortal…danger…” he trailed off, cowering behind Rekka’s chair as I fixed him with a cold stare.

“And were they?!”

“Well, no ma’am, but, uh, it appeared that the ship’s owner had a malfunctioning communication beam that accidentally sent out a signal…”

“You stopped the Starlight for that?! Those voyagers will be in mortal danger once I’m through with them—”

Someone stepped into my line of sight from my peripheral vision, right on cue, like a supervillain.

Which he was.

For a moment I was rendered speechless, the way gazing upon the remnants of a hideous car accident renders most people speechless. Even under the harsh white light of the fluorescents overhead, Phox still managed to look charming, right down to the stupid scar on his right cheek, which, contrary to popular belief, he’d gotten during a repair job gone wrong on an unregulated mining rig and not from the War, like he’d always let people believe.

“Zeke. It’s been a while.” Two years, five months, and six days. Rekka’s eyebrows shot up, making the silver rings in them glint.

“You know this guy?”

The scar stretched as Phox smiled widely, like we’re old friends, and I could’ve sworn the ship was rolling over because the floor suddenly felt very unsteady under my feet.

“W—” My gaze snapped to the screen of Security Camera G, which was pointed at the southern docking hatch. A bright orange ship is blown up huge and obnoxiously clear on the screen, smashing any hope that what I saw before me wasn’t simply an extremely realistic hallucination.

Phox Reinbram. And his ship, the Everest. Docked aboard the Flouncy Starlight.

There was a pause as my brain processed this.

I didn’t remember moving, but suddenly there’s a crunch and shouting and the knuckles on my left fist hurt like hell but there’s an arc of blood spraying from that irritatingly shapely nose and spattering onto the floor and I felt good. I was readying myself to aim another blow when Jive, our Head of Security, lifted me into the air, pinning my arms to my sides. She’s so muscular she could have just grabbed the back of my collar and lifted me like a kitten by the scruff, but probably chose to spare me the indignity. Phox had been knocked to the floor, holding his nose as he looked at me with…disappointment? That psychopath. Rekka, on the other hand, was staring at me like I’m the crazy one.

“Zeke! What the hell?!”

“I’ll kill him!” I screamed, cradling my bruised fist. “I’ll rip his throat out and shove it up his—”

“No one is killing anyone,” Jive interrupted, with her slow, pleasant voice.

“Are you okay?!” Alistair says anxiously, hovering over Phox.

“Come on, don’t tell me you’re still mad about that?” Phox was holding his nose, so the words came out muffled. He sounded convincingly hurt, and if I had been four years younger and a hair less secure, I would have crumbled immediately. I tried to kick him, but Jive lifted me up and out of reach, so after a few seconds I went limp and laughed. Probably insanely, given the terrified look Alistair gave me.

“I can’t believe you have the nerve to show your face. Here.”

Phox shook his head as he climbed unsteadily to his feet, and my only consolation was that I did a good number on his nose because blood was still gushing thickly through his fingers and down his arm. Rekka’s hand crept closer to the button for the medical wing on the control board.

“Just hear me out!”

“You son of bitch! Get the HELL OFF MY SHIP–”

“How many times do I have to tell you what really happened, Zekie?” The pet name stunned me into silence. Phox’s voice was soft and plaintive, and his eyes were wide and sincere in his pale face.

Blood was flowing thick and red from his nostrils and making a mess on his chin, the front of his jacket, the floor. I felt sick and dizzy.

“Tell that to my ear,” I said quietly.

Everyone’s gaze magnetizes to the gnarled stump of scar tissue on the side of my head where my left ear used to be.

Suddenly I was seventeen and in the hospital again, staring at the closed door to my room as a voice, muffled and pleading, tried to reach me through the metal. I’d concentrated on the quiet whir of the AC with my right ear until the syllables broke apart and floated away from me.

“Wait…” Jive’s voice is quietly horrified and she momentarily loosened her hold on me. I twisted out of her arms and launch myself at Phox, ready to gouge out those huge green eyes—

Thud.

Phox suddenly keeled over and collapsed facedown on the ground. A small puddle of blood spread slowly from his face, joining the bright red drops already sprinkled on the floor. I barely caught myself, arms windmilling wildly to keep my balance. Jive was on me in an instant, gripping my shoulders, but there’s no need for that now.

I stared at the back of Phox’s head and briefly considered attempting some sort of modified curb stomp.

“Requesting confirmation for medical attention at Command? Over.” Theodore’s voice suddenly crackled through the intercom, making us all jump.

I turned. Rekka cradled the radio and eyed me apprehensively. He must have called medical.

“Hello?” That anemic asshole. I should just let him bleed to death.

The blood was rich and red under the white fluorescents. I saw it spattered on a sleek black runway, on the blade of a silver propeller winking in the sun, running through my fingers.

I slumped under Jive’s hands.

“Confirming request,” I heard myself say, defeated.

#not my prompt #this was the first workshop piece I wrote for a writing program #writing in a consistent tense is SO hard like how???

0 notes

billconrad · 1 year ago

Text

Long Book Titles

Some of my favorite books are: “The Graveyard Book” “The Counterfeit Agent” “700 Sundays” “Hunt for the Red October” “The Pillars of the Earth” “Call of the Wild” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” “Cryptonomicon” “The Last Lecture” and “Neverwhere.” These titles are straightforward, simple, and compelling. Yet…

It seems there is a new trend. Titles have exploded into multi-sentence sagas. It is like those ‘70s cars that, after you turned off the engine, they keep running (dieseling). To give you an idea of the problem, I went to Amazon and copied this:

Taking Charge Of Your Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide to Overcoming GAD, Panic Attacks, Social Anxiety, Phobias, OCD, and PTSD with Neuroscience, CBT, and Lifestyle

The ChatGPT Millionaire: Making Money Online has never been this EASY (Updated for GPT-4) (Chat GPT and Generative AI Mastery Series)

ChatGPT for Nonfiction Authors: How to Use ChatGPT to Write Better, Faster, and More Effectively (Tips that help you generate ideas, research topics, and maximize your productivity; GPT-4 Update)

Texting Mr. Mafia: Curvy Girl, Age Gap Romance (Texting the Marino Mafia Book 1)

Always You: A Billionaire Romance, Cinderella Retelling Romance Standalone (It Was Always You)

Corporate Finance: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Reporting, Business Valuation, Risk Management, Financial Management, and Financial Statements

52 Smart Habits to Manage Your Money and Grow Wealth: Discover How to Improve Your Finances in 10 Minutes a Day (Smart 10-Minute Habits for a Better Life Book 2)

Money On Autopilot: 7 Simple Strategies to Achieve Financial Freedom. A Financial Literacy Book to Maximize Your Income and Live the Life of Abundance.

Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End Of Suffering (Beyond Suffering Book 1)

Money Skills For Teens & Young Adults You Won’t Learn in School: 8 Simple Ways to Manage Money, Start a Side-Hustle, Create a Positive Financial Mindset & Learn Lit Money-Making & Job-hunting Ideas

The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook: Practical DBT Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, and ... (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook)

Canning Meat Cookbook for Beginners: USDA & NCHFP Approved Recipes for Preppers, Homestead, Dummies and Beyond - Enjoy 1500+ Days of Flavorful Meal Storage at Home with Pressure Mastery

Unleashing the Power Within: Mastering Your Mind and Defying All Odds on Your Journey Through Life (Self Help Books For Men and Women, Relationships, Anger Management and Emotions)

Die With a Smile: Spiritual Laws of Success (The Uncensored Guide to Practicing Spirituality without Religion: Transcending the Ego, Finding Inner Peace)

Women’s Role in World Religions: Comparative Religion: Exploring the Historical and Contemporary Role of Women in Major Religious Traditions

Her Cowboy’s Reluctant Heart: A Sweet Western Romance Novel (Cowboy Brothers of Hart’s Ridge Ranch Book 1)

AI Entrepreneur’s Handbook: Build a Profitable Business and Make Money by Unleashing the Power of ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence (Includes 150+ ChatGPT prompts to turbocharge your business)

Surrounded by Idiots: The Four Types of Human Behavior and How to Effectively Communicate with Each in Business (and in Life) (The Surrounded by Idiots Series)

Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong--and What You Really Need to Know (The ParentData Series Book 1)

What is going on? The authors include the book description in the title, which results in too much information. Like:

ChatGPT for Nonfiction Authors: How to Use ChatGPT to Write Better, Faster, and More Effectively (Tips that help you generate ideas, research topics, and maximize your productivity; GPT-4 Update)

If this were any longer, we would not need to buy it. Hey, ChatGPT. Please simplify this title. “ChatGPT for Nonfiction Authors” Great job!

The other issue is that the titles do not make grammatical sense:

Self Help Books For Men and Women, Relationships, Anger Management and Emotions

That is (almost) a sentence, but where is the period?

I suppose all media goes through changes. In the ’50-60s westerns were all the rage: Bonza, The Rifleman, Wagon Train, and Death Valley Days. That trend died out in the ‘70s and is again becoming popular with programs like Yellowstone. I guess people like what they like, which means long titles are what is in. Should I follow this trend?

Interviewing Immortality: The story of a 500-year-old woman who forces an author to record her story: Book one in the Immortality series: The first book I wrote: It is worth reading: My mother even likes it (Have you seen how much groceries cost? Yeah, please buy this book)

You’re the best -Bill

May 29, 2024

Hey, book lovers, I published four. Please check them out:

Interviewing Immortality. A dramatic first-person psychological thriller that weaves a tale of intrigue, suspense, and self-confrontation.

Pushed to the Edge of Survival. A drama, romance, and science fiction story about two unlikely people surviving a shipwreck and living with the consequences.

Cable Ties. A slow-burn political thriller that reflects the realities of modern intelligence, law enforcement, department cooperation, and international politics.

Saving Immortality. Continuing in the first-person psychological thriller genre, James Kimble searches for his former captor to answer his life’s questions.

These books are available in softcover on Amazon and in eBook format everywhere.

#books #book title #trends

0 notes

prathiksha26 · 1 year ago

Text

A Complete Handbook of Digital Marketing: Crucial Tactics and Principles

In today's dynamic business landscape, the advent of digital marketing has completely transformed the way companies engage with their target audiences. With the exponential growth of the internet and the widespread adoption of digital devices, traditional marketing tactics have gradually given way to strategies that harness the potential of online platforms. However, navigating the realm of digital marketing can be daunting for many, prompting the need for a comprehensive understanding of its fundamental principles and best practices. This exhaustive guide endeavors to unravel the intricacies of digital marketing, delving into its core components and elucidating how these strategies can be effectively deployed to achieve organizational objectives. Embark on a transformative journey by enrolling in our comprehensive digital marketing course in Chennai today!

1. Deciphering Digital Marketing

At its essence, digital marketing encompasses the utilization of digital channels and technologies to promote products, services, or brands. Diverging from traditional marketing paradigms reliant on physical media like print ads and billboards, digital marketing capitalizes on the expansive reach of the internet and electronic devices to connect with consumers. This multifaceted approach encompasses an array of tactics and strategies, ranging from social media marketing to search engine optimization (SEO), each wielding unique capabilities to amplify brand visibility and engagement.

2. Crafting a Robust Digital Marketing Strategy

A meticulously crafted digital marketing strategy serves as the cornerstone of success in the digital arena. Functioning as a strategic blueprint, this framework delineates overarching goals, identifies target audiences, and outlines the digital channels instrumental in accomplishing these objectives. A cohesive strategy is imperative to ensure synergy across diverse marketing endeavors, preventing disjointed efforts and fostering a unified brand narrative. Key tenets of an effective strategy encompass audience segmentation, goal delineation, and the strategic selection of digital tools and platforms tailored to organizational needs.

3. Unveiling the Power of Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO emerges as a pivotal facet of digital marketing, epitomizing the art of optimizing websites and content to ascend the ranks in search engine results pages (SERPs). A higher ranking translates into heightened visibility and augmented web traffic, bolstering brand resonance and customer acquisition. From meticulous on-page optimizations encompassing keyword integration and content refinement to off-page strategies like backlink cultivation, SEO embodies a nuanced approach aimed at bolstering online prominence and authority.

4. Harnessing the Potential of Content Marketing

Central to digital marketing endeavors, content marketing epitomizes the strategic dissemination of valuable, relevant, and consistent content to captivate and engage target audiences. Embracing diverse formats such as blog posts, videos, infographics, and ebooks, content marketing serves as a conduit for furnishing pertinent information, addressing consumer queries, and positioning brands as industry thought leaders. A well-crafted content marketing strategy not only fosters audience engagement but also precipitates profitable customer actions.

5. Maximizing Reach Through Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing emerges as a linchpin of contemporary digital marketing strategies, facilitating brand promotion and audience engagement across diverse platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Beyond mere dissemination of updates, social media marketing embodies a dynamic interplay characterized by active engagement with followers, cultivation of brand advocacy, and strategic funneling of traffic to organizational websites. Tailoring strategies to align with the unique demographics and functionalities of each platform is imperative to maximize impact and resonance.

6. Unleashing the Potential of Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising

PPC advertising represents a potent avenue for amplifying brand visibility and driving targeted traffic to organizational websites. Operating on a pay-per-click model, this approach empowers advertisers to procure visits to their websites, circumventing the constraints of organic reach. Platforms like Google Ads furnish a fertile ground for deploying compelling ad copy, conducting rigorous keyword research, and perpetually optimizing campaigns to maximize ROI and drive conversions.

7. Leveraging the Power of Email Marketing

Email marketing emerges as a formidable tool for nurturing leads, fostering customer relationships, and propelling conversions. By disseminating tailored commercial messages to segmented audiences, email marketing endeavors foster personalized engagement, precipitate action, and fortify brand loyalty. Automation tools streamline campaign management, affording marketers the ability to orchestrate targeted, data-driven initiatives geared towards achieving organizational objectives.

8. Exploiting the Potential of Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing heralds a performance-driven approach to digital marketing, wherein businesses incentivize affiliates to drive traffic or sales to their websites in exchange for a commission. Harnessing the influence and reach of affiliates, this strategy augments brand visibility and extends market penetration, fostering symbiotic relationships that underpin mutual growth and success. Empower yourself with our comprehensive Digital Marketing Online Training program, designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed for success in the digital realm.

9. Navigating the Terrain of Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing emerges as a potent vehicle for brand promotion, entailing collaboration with individuals wielding significant sway over their followers on social media platforms. By enlisting influencers whose audience demographics align with organizational targets, brands can amplify reach, foster authenticity, and cultivate meaningful connections that resonate with consumers.

10. Mastering Analytics and Data Management

In the era of data-driven decision-making, analytics and data management assume paramount importance in the realm of digital marketing. Robust analytics tools like Google Analytics furnish invaluable insights into website traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates, empowering marketers to glean actionable intelligence, optimize campaigns, and drive continual improvement.

Conclusion

In summation, digital marketing constitutes a multifaceted tapestry of strategies and methodologies geared towards fostering brand resonance, engagement, and growth in the digital sphere. From the intricacies of SEO and content marketing to the dynamic interplay of social media and PPC advertising, each facet plays a pivotal role in shaping organizational success and driving sustainable growth. By embracing a holistic approach and staying attuned to evolving trends and technologies, businesses can forge meaningful connections with their target audiences, navigate the complexities of the digital landscape, and chart a course towards enduring success and prosperity.

#digital marketing #digital marketing course #digital marketing online #digital marketing course chennai

0 notes

philivista · 1 year ago

Text

#GeminiAI Bard Ai Prompts Engineering Mastery Handbook : https://bit.ly/3T4wCKX 100 Bard Ai Compatible Prompts Starter #ebookgiveaway #googlebard #google #chatgpt #microsoft #openai #ai #airevolution #aichatbot #technews #artificialintelligence #technology #bard #weekendvibes #sundaymotivation

#geminiai #technews #chatgpt #bardai #google

0 notes

tooblizzardlight · 2 years ago

Text

#home & lifestyle #autos #fashion #sports

0 notes

strangersteddierthings · 2 years ago

Text

Writing prompt from this list, requested by @luciana-rowan. #60. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to seduce me." with Steve seducing Eddie with dnd.

This was supposed to be like 1.2k tops however you activated my secret trap card, which is DnD.

“Okay, that’s gotta be all there is, right?” Robin asks as she flips through the book again, pausing to flip back and forth between two pages, eyes narrowed like these pages have offended her personally. She’s leaning against the customer side of the counter at Family Video, and Steve is on the other so they can be facing each other.

Steve is double checking all the notes they’ve written out on notebook paper, Robin’s neat print mixed with Steve’s quick scratchy penmanship. They’ve finally condensed the contents (pages and pages of contents) into easier to look through notes and once they close Family Video, Nancy and Jonathan are going to join them at Steve’s and help him and Robin organize the notes in a way that will flow and be easier to follow.

Nancy because she’s good at the organization part, and Jonathan because he’s the only one of them that’s ever even played Dungeons and Dragons, even if it was only twice (he’s a good older brother, after all).

“Jesus Christ, I hope that’s all,” Steve slides the notebook across the counter and offers up a hand for the Dungeons and Dragons book. They swap, to double check that neither has overlooked anything.

“You know,” Robin says, “this is a lot of effort for one game. Do those kids really have all this memorized?”

“Seems like it,” Steve groans, running a hand through his hair. “That’s why I need the cheat sheet. I can’t be holding up their game for twenty minutes just to look up if something is allowed or not.”

Robin looks across the counter and grins at him. “I think it’s so sweet that you’re finally gonna agree to play. Going to this much effort for it, though... You might make Dustin cry.”

“Well, that’s the goal now,” Steve laughs. “Dustin cries or I’m flipping the table.”

“Well, now I want to be there. Either would be great to witness!”

“It’s not too late to make you a character,” Steve says, aiming for nonchalance and knowing that he might have hit the mark for anyone else, but this is Robin, and she’s always seen right through him. She was the one he ranted to this last time Dustin had asked (read: begged) Steve to join a game, the time that worked because Steve could no longer think of reasons to say no. He had said no, though, to Dustin’s face, but once he got home, he scooped up Eddie’s damn Dungeons and Dragons player handbook. Then called and recruited Robin to help.

Robin’s smile softens into something less teasing. “I can join, if it’ll make this less awkward for you.”

Steve’s surprised by her answer. “Oh. You’d- really?”

Robin shrugs. “Yeah, dingus. You might have had a long-standing weird vendetta about being asked to play but. Well, no one’s ever asked me before, so I guess I never had to think about if I would or not. It’s like you said on the phone ‘it might be nice to just to fight imaginary monsters for once’.”

“Our characters could be twins.”

Robin grins but before she can respond the ding of the door chimes. Steve swipes his hands across the counter, causing the book, notebook, and pencils to clatter behind the counter out of view. Back to work.

It all started when Dustin asked him to stay for a game months ago. It was the third Dungeons and Dragons game he’d dropped him off at after they’d survived Hell for the fourth (hopefully final) time.

“We play the game, but it’s also a time to like, catch up and chat,” Dustin said, all but pouting at Steve.

Steve had put his car in park and shut off the engine. “If Wheeler’s basement still smells, I’m leaving.”

“Yes!” Dustin cheered.

So, Steve followed Dustin into the Wheelers’ house, called a hello to Karen Wheeler, and made his way to the basement. There had been several startled looks in Steve’s direction, but he’d just walked past the table and plopped onto the end couch beside El, like it was something he did every day. Eddie, Will, Lucas, Erica, and Mike were already sitting at the table, using whatever they could find as chairs. Dustin and he were the last ones to arrive it seems.

El smiled up at him. “Hi Steve. It is nice to have company. I have been watching by myself, since Max can’t get down the stairs yet.”

Well, fuck. Now he’s got to walk Dustin in every time in case El’s in the basement, all lonely on the couch, watching her boyfriend play make believe. “Happy to keep you company, El. You have any idea what’s happening here?”

“I have an understanding of the story, yes,” El nodded and slid across the couch to be close enough to whisper to Steve. She filled him in on what she knew, which is not much because it was a new campaign, but she had sat with Mike and Will when they made their new characters and had been to the two previous games.

When the game got going, Steve watched as El leaned forward on the couch, elbows on her knees and chin in her hands. She had seemed raptured with the story, so Steve started to listen in, too. Dustin must have done a shit job at explaining how this game was played these last years, because as he had watched it progress it seemed more enjoyable than it had sounded when described.

More than that, Steve watched as the stress of real life melted away from the kids and Eddie. They were no longer a group of outcasts who had gone through Hell and barely survived. They were a group of friends having fun in a way Steve couldn’t remember experiencing since he had been in elementary school.

It was two more games and one pool party at his own house later before Steve got the idea to offer his dining room up for the game. Specifically, because at the pool party he saw Max sitting in his living room and did a double take at her, the pieces slotting together in his mind. Max couldn’t manage the steep stairs at the Wheelers house, but everything she needed to get to at Steve’s house was ground level – kitchen, bathroom, living room, dining table.

Next session before everyone scattered to the wind, Steve had said, “Hey, what do you say about moving this game to my house?”

Everyone sitting at the table whipped around to stare at him, mouths open and everything.

“What? My house doesn’t smell like armpit and, uhh, Max could come hang out again,” Steve shrugged and was almost mowed over by how quickly El threw herself on him, wrapping his waist in a hug.

“Yes! Yes!” She answered for everyone.

The next game was moved to Steve’s house. He’d rotated the couch so it would face the dining room table so Max, El, and he could sit comfortably and had even bought a bunch of snacks and soda.

Eddie had been the first person to show up. It had taken him four trips back and forth from his van to the dining room to unload everything he’d brought.

Steve eyes it all critically. “I haven’t seen you use half this shit when you play at Wheelers, yet to lug it back and forth. Do you really need it?”

Eddie shrugged, “Who knows? Better to have it and not need it or whatever.”

“You load and unload all this shit every game?”

“Yeah. Wheeler helps usually but he isn’t here so….”

“If you had asked, I’d of helped,” Steve said. “I didn’t know you would need it, or if you’d want it.”

“Oh.”

Steve’s not sure what to think of Eddie sometimes. They’re friends now, or at least friend-adjacent. Well, it didn’t used to feel like ‘friend-adjacent’ until Steve started to sit in on the Dungeons and Dragons games. He got to see a freer side of Eddie, then. One that smiled and laughed a bit more than Steve ever saw. It’s fine. Steve’s fine. He’s not- he is not hurt that Eddie hides this part of himself from Steve.

Besides, Steve knows he’s the problem. Because Eddie doesn’t have this problem with Robin, or Nancy, or Jonathan. He’s seen Eddie relaxed and chill when they hang out, so long as Steve keeps his distance. And even if he hadn’t been sure that he was the issue before, he was after the first time they made eye contact during a game (accidentally) and he watched Eddie reigning himself in. Made himself smaller right before his eyes. Steve doesn’t understand why but he does his best to give Eddie space.

He thinks, maybe, that he makes Eddie uncomfortable on some level. He doesn’t know how, or why, or if he can change it.

Anyway, the next few games after that Steve helped Eddie unload and reload his van until he finally offered for Eddie to just keep the things he didn’t need at his house.

“If you don’t, y’know, use all of this to actually plan each session, you can just keep it here,” Steve said as they cleaned up, Max, Lucas, Erica, and Dustin helping, since Eddie had offered to pick them up and drop them off this time.

Eddie paused in his gathering of papers to study Steve before saying, “You sure?”

“Yeah. It’s not like I use the dining table unless you guys are here. So, just take what you use and leave the rest.”

Eddie took the Dungeon Master book but left his copy of the players handbook.

And those series of events have led to this Thursday night, with Robin, Nancy, Jonathan, and himself sitting at his dining room table, making a character sheet for Robin, and polishing up the one Steve had already made, because Steve isn’t embarrassed about asking for help these days. Jonathan even brought him the set of dice Will had given him when he’d played.

Robin’s not going to join until the next game, but she is going to come watch. Jonathan had explained that adding one extra character would be easy to accommodate but adding two was harder.

“So, if you like the game and want to continue, talk to Eddie about finding a good way for Robin to join,” Jonathan says, pushing the finalized ‘cheat’ sheet and character back to Steve. “If you don’t like playing, she can just replace you next game.”

“Dustin’s going to lose his mind tomorrow,” Steve laughs, having found that the papers look good, and he should be ready to go.

“I think we’re all sticking around to see it,” Nancy says. She’s volunteered to bring Mike, Lucas, Erica, and Dustin tomorrow night, and Jonathan is bringing Max and Robin when he brings El and Will.

“Hey guys, thanks for this,” Steve says when they clean up and everyone gathers to head out.

“Anytime, man,” Jonathan nods to him as Nancy gives him a quick side hug. Robin gives him a hug that lasts far longer before following them out the door. Steve had asked if she wanted to stay over but her parents are expecting her home tonight.

Once Steve is alone, he heads to the phone and dials Eddie’s number.

Three rings and, “Wayne speaking.”

“Hi Wayne, it’s Steve. Uh, Steve Harrington,” Steve says.

Wayne doesn’t chuckle into the phone, because Steve’s not certain he can chuckle, but he’s definitely amused when he says, “well, Steve Harrington, Eddie’s not home. I can leave a note for him to call you back. I don’t know when he’ll be here.”

“Oh, a note’s fine. I’m usually up late anyway.”

It’s a little past eleven when his phone rings. Steve is half asleep on the couch, but the ringing wakes him right up. And if he trips over his own feet on the way to the phone, there’s no witnesses so it didn’t really happen, did it? “Eddie?”

A soft laugh on the other end of the line, “it’s like you were expecting me, Harrington.”

“I was. Or, uh, I was hoping you’d call any way, not expecting because that feels like… loaded somehow.”

Silence, then, “so what can I do for you?”

“Could you, um, come over early tomorrow? Like thirty minutes sooner could work. An hour would be better, though,” Steve looks down and realizes he’s twirly the phone cord around his finger. He stills his hand and yanks it away from the cord, tucking his fist to his chest to keep it in check.

“Oh, I know what you want,” Eddie’s voice says, suggestive in a way Steve can’t decipher, “Yeah, I can come over an hour sooner.”

He’s been caught before he can even surprise anyone, he realizes. That’s the suggestive tone. Eddie knows. And if Eddie knows what he wants, there’s no way Dustin doesn’t already suspect. Ah well. Surprise ruined but it’ll still be fun for the kids. He hopes. Steve puts a smile on his face so he won’t sound upset with himself when he says, “thanks man. I appreciate it. See ya tomorrow.”

Eddie arrives a little more than an hour early but Steve’s not going to complain. He’d been pacing in the kitchen near the front window, so he watched as Eddie pulled up. He has the front door open before Eddie is halfway to the door.

“Someone’s excited,” Eddie wiggles his eyebrows at him as he passes, moving to the dining room to deposit his armful of stuff on the table.

“Nervous, actually,” Steve says, shutting the door and turning to follow. He almost runs into Eddie when he gets to the turn that leads into the kitchen, and dining room beyond it. “Oh, hi. Thought you were at the table.”

Eddie looks confused. “I gotta go grab the lunchbox. Wait- did you say nervous?”

“What do you need your lunchbox for?”

They stand in the kitchen entrance, just kinda blinking at each other for a moment before Eddie says, in a very confused, slow voice, “maaaaybe I don’t know why I’m here early. What did you want?”

Steve heads to the dining room, motioning for Eddie to follow. He pulls out two chairs next to each other, sliding into one and waiting for Eddie to sit in his. Steve reached across the table, to the player’s handbook and the notebook under it, dragging them closer. He turns to be facing Eddie, sitting sideways in his chair now. “I wanted to see if it was okay for another person to join the game. Today.”

Eddie’s eyebrows get lost behind his bangs with how high he raises them. “What? Who do you know that wants to play?”

“Uh, me,” Steve says, pulling the notebook out from under the handbook, taking out his character sheet and flipping the notebook open to the end of his notes, where he’d taken the time to write out some bullet points with ideas for his character backstory. Then he fishes out the dice from his pocket and deposits them on the table.

Eddie is deathly still and absolutely silent. The only movement is his eyes, which flick between the dice, the pages, and Steve’s face. He’s quiet so long that Steve is worried he made a mistake.

“Or, uh, if you’d rather I not- sorry, I just- Dustin tries to invite me all the time so I thought it would be okay,” Steve says, moving to close the notebook. That’s when Eddie comes back to life, his hand flying out to catch Steve’s, halting his hand.

“No! No, of course it’s fine. I’m just- surprised,” Eddie says, slowly, “you’ve been so against it, very vocally, so I’m just surprised.”

“Yeah. I was kind of an asshole about it all, wasn’t I? But when I think about it, like really think about it, I don’t know why I was against even trying it, y’know? Leftover shit from high school, I think. But I’m not that person anymore, so…” Steve shrugs with one shoulder, not sure why he’s telling Eddie these things. They don’t talk like this, usually. Steve finds he wants to, though. “Plus, watching the games, it looks like you guys have fun. Like, real, forget about your day kinda fun. Besides, Erica enjoys it, and she’s the coolest out of all of us. If Erica likes it, it can’t be just a nerd game.”

Eddie laughs and Steve gets to see that carefree smile Eddie seems to reserve for the kids. “Can’t argue with that. Erica is the coolest of this lot.”

“So, here’s what I was thinking,” Steve says, pulling the notebook between them to discuss the ideas Robin and he had come up with. He was going to play a fighter, so he didn’t have to worry about memorizing spells. If Eddie’ll let Robin join, he’d like for them to be twins, or siblings of some sort at least. Eddie nods, jumps on that instantly. Offers for them to have been separated on accident, so they could work on adding Robin more naturally later, with their two characters having been looking for each other this whole time.

Before Steve even realizes it, he’s been word vomiting for far too long about his character’s backstory and why he’d want to join the Party and Eddie has been silent the entire time, just listening to him, a soft smile on his face. “So, that’s what I got for now.”

Eddie let’s out a whistle and says, “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were trying to seduce me.”

Steve’s brain skips, or freezes, or something, because it just replays that whistle and those words for a few second in his mind before it helpfully supplies the thoughts ‘yes’ and ‘I didn’t know I could seduce you’. He’s just had an epiphany. Unfortunately, his mouth is still working while his brain does this, so it says, “are you feeling seduced, Eds?”

“AHAHA!” Eddie lets out a laugh that is more a bark before he stands up quickly, the chair falling backwards because he hadn’t bothered to scoot the chair back to give him room to stand. “Funny. Dustin’s right, you’re hilarious. I need a cigarette,” and then he all but runs out the front door.

Steve just watches him go before picking up the fallen chair. He can’t wait for Robin to get here. He needs to talk to her.

When Eddie comes back in, it’s with Robin, Jonathan, Max, El, and Will. Steve slaps his notebook shut quickly and hopes that Will didn’t notice it. Eddie is talking animatedly with Will upon entry, though, so he seems safe. Robin fast walks to the table and scoops Steve’s dice and shoves them in her pocket, because Will will recognize them if they stay out.

Steve stands, notebook in hand, and grabs Robin’s wrist with his free hand and drags her out back. He makes sure the slide-glass door is closed firmly and leads her around to the other side of the pool. He doesn’t want any eavesdroppers.

“Robin. Ok, so you remember by sexuality crisis last year?”

“Of course, Michael J Fox in Teen Wolf got you hot under the collar,” Robin says, “how could I forget? You cried about it.”

“You cried about yours, too! I just wasn’t there for it.”

“Not mocking!” Robin holds up her hands in defense, “just saying.”

“Robin. I think I like Eddie.”

“Oh!” her eyes go wide, and her mouth stays in a little ‘o’ shape for a moment. Steve stands there, letting her process. “Oh. Ooohhhhhh. That- that makes sense in my mind in a way I cannot put into words. Of course, it’d be Eddie Munson -the exact opposite of Michael J Fox, by the way- to also get you bothered. Why didn’t I pick up on that? How did I not notice this?”

“Because, despite our best efforts, we have yet to successfully combine,” Steve says, linking his fingers the way Robin had that day in Family Video before unlinking them to flip a hand back and forth between them. “We do not have time for you to have a crisis about it because I am having a crisis about it, and one of us needs to be level-headed.”

“Right,” she sobers instantly. “Right. We cannot spiral together. You first, I’ll wait my turn. So, you like Eddie. Enough to…. Want to do something about it?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, that was a quick answer. You… you really like him. Give me the details. What am I working with here.”

Steve thinks about it. “When he held a broken bottle to my neck, I was terrified. And a little aroused.” Robin says ew. “I’ve thought he was hot since then. But… when he came to at the hospital, all high on the medicine. He’d smiled softly at me and the first thing he said to me was glad you’re here, big boy. I think the actual crush started then.”

“Make sense, tracks, what with your hero complex and praise kink,” Robin nods and paces before turning back to him. “And the realization?”

He can’t argue the hero complex and praise kink thing, because they both know that would be a lie, so he answers, “When I was done rambling about my character idea, he whistled and said If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were trying to seduce me and my first thought was yes.”

Robin’s eyes light up before she starts marching in a small circle around him as she thinks out loud. “Fuck, Steve, you really don’t do anything halfway. Alright. So, you want to do something about this, but you have to decide what you want to do. Because you are my soulmate and I want you happy, but like Eddie is also my friend and if you are experimenting… Just. You have to be sure.”

“I’m sure.”

She stops her circling to squint at him and read his mind, he supposes, because her face lights up in delight. “Oh shit! It’s not sexy thoughts! You want to like, hold his hand and cuddle on the couch, and like, cook dinner together and serve him breakfast in bed and bicker about whose turn it is to pick up Dustin from school!”

“Jesus Robin, can you not shout that! We are out here, so they,” he flings his hand in the direction of the house, “don’t hear. But, yeah. I… I like him. A lot.”

“I can see that. Like, really see that. You like him so much that just his company would be enough. Disgusting. Let me think,” she waves him off, like he has been dismissed but instead she’s the one walking away, walking figure eights around area in front of him for a couple minutes before whirling around to say, “You have to make your character a flirt. An outright slut, even. For information gathering purposes of course.”

“What?”

“He plays all the other characters, Stephan,” she says, dragging out his name to make it sound like ‘Steff-fawn’, “and you know he’s good at this… being in character thing! So, like, if you can trip him up by being all flirty, then that’s like, got to be a sign that he likes you, too, right? If he doesn’t like you, he can take it in stride. But! If he’s crushing on you, too, this will be like, too good to be true to him, yeah? That’ll fluster anyone, especially if he plays on our team and probably hasn’t had many guys openly hitting on him. Plus, you can always tell when someone likes you. You haven’t been checking for signs that Eddie might like you because you weren’t even aware it might be possible. And I’m not going to get your hopes up, Eddie could be, like, a totally straight dude, but when will it ever be safer to test this?”

Steve nods. “Yeah… yeah. Eddie is good at this character thing. And I do know when people are interested. And this is safe. If I flirt and he doesn’t react, or if he recoils in disgust, I can write what I’ve done off as it’s the game and I’m just trying to be a good player. Oh God, Robin, what if he’s like not okay with gay people.”

“Then we bodily throw Eddie out your front door, never speak to him again, and tell Will he’s the new Dungeon Master.”

“That seems extreme.”

“It’d be fitting. Eddie didn’t bat an eyelash when I came out to everyone after my date with Vicki. He actually congratulated me. So, if he only hates gay men then he’d be a disgusting lesbian fetishist and he’ll have to go ASAP. I doubt that’s the case, though.”

Steve barks a laugh and jerks his head towards the house, an offer to return inside. They turn towards the house and are greeted by everyone lined up along the glass door and windows that lead to the pool. A few of them (Nancy, Max, Will) have the decency to try and pretend they weren’t watching by turning away quickly but otherwise everyone just stares at each other until Dustin hauls open the glass door and shouts, “Are you two fighting?”

“No, we aren’t fighting,” Steve says as he shoves his way past Dustin and back into the house. “Let me grab the snacks and the game can begin.”

Steve moves to the kitchen, with Robin and Eddie following behind to help gather all chips, dips, candy, and soda and deposit them on any nearby surface in the dining room. Steve then slides into the chair to Eddie’s left, where Dustin usually sits before anyone else can take that seat.

Dustin slides into the chair next to him instead of arguing about it, saying, “Captivated, aren’t you? Guess I’ll let you have my spot so you can pay attention better. Told you this game was great.”

“I’ll be paying plenty of attention, don’t you worry,” Steve says to Dustin before turning to Eddie, who has taken his place at the head of the table, and winking at him, “right, Eds?”

Eddie stops moving for barely any time at all, and honestly, if the whole point of where he sat wasn’t to be close enough to catch and catalogue all of Eddie’s reactions, he would have missed the freeze. “Oh yeah. Steve’s been following the story closely.”

Steve looks around the table and watches the kids exchange glances and shrugs before Eddie begins to recall what happened last game and where the Party is headed now. Steve waits for his cue. Eddie’s got several ways to introduce Steve’s character, just in case the kids don’t grasp onto the plot hooks. But they’re good players, who know when an adventure hook is being dangled in their face. When their characters read the notice board, looking for quests, and come across the one of a man looking to hire help in searching for his lost sister, they buy into it quickly.

“You find yourselves at the tavern where the help wanted poster said to meet. There are three other people inside this early in the day, not including the barkeep.”

“Can I go and ask the barkeep if he knows who put the poster up?” Will asks. Will speaks in the first person who it comes to his character far more often than anyone else, Steve’s noticed.

“Of course. The barkeep is a surly looking dwarf who keeps rearranging the glasses behind the counter. He sees you approaching and listens to your question before saying,” Eddie says in his normal tone, before dropping into a deeper, Scottish accent. “Aye. You passed him on the way in. He’s sitting there, close to the door.”

“Do we approach as a group?” Lucas asks, and after a quick discussion and confirmation that the table their quest giver is sat as has enough seating for them all, they agree to approach together.

Eddie nods and says, “You all approach the table and the figure sitting there looks up as you do. Steve, please describe what they see as they approach you.”

Steve opens his mouth to answer but the table explodes. Dustin shrieks and throws out his hands to grip Steve’s arm and just shake him. “Oh my God. Oh my God. OH MY GOD. STEVE!” Dustin is yelling basically in his ear. Everyone is exclaiming something in excitement, and it gets loud, fast. With no end to the onslaught of screaming in sight, Steve resigns himself to this fate.

It takes far longer than it should for everyone to quiet down, and Steve’s a little red after all of it. Because he hadn’t expected this reaction. He thought Dustin might be a little hyped, sure, but this level of love he feels from all these kids, and for them, and how doing something so small, like joining their game, brings them this much joy… He regrets not joining sooner, honestly.

Finally, they quiet and Steve gets to describe his character, Sir Gregor of House Buckington (Robin’s idea of a last name, he’s not afraid to throw her under the bus for that) and the game progresses. When Steve’s asked to make his first roll of the night, everyone jumps to offer their dice, but he just calls out to Robin. She still has his in her pocket. He shoots a look at Will, who he can see recognizes the dice, and smiles at him as he rolls his first D20.

It's almost two hours into the session before Steve sees his chance to flirt. The Party is trying to negotiate a discount for some healing potions, and they’ve failed their check. They can’t afford the potions and Erica, playing the rogue, offers to try and steal them.

“Can I give Erica advantage by distracting the shop keep?” Steve asks.

Eddie looks intrigued by these. “… Maybe. How would you distract him?”

“Sir Gregor will lean against the counter and say ‘Sorry about my companion’s awkward attempts to swindle you of your goods for a fair price. I should have stepped in sooner, but I was a bit… captivated watching you shut them down’ and try and fluster this guy by flirting with him.”

It’s a mixed bag of reactions from the kids that Steve barely hears because he’s focused on Eddie. Eddie, whose face looks a bit redder than it usually does.

“You wanna… flirt with the shop keep?” Eddie’s voice is a bit higher than normal too. Interesting.

“If that’s allowed.”

“Umm, uh, y-yeah,” Eddie stumbled over his words and Steve can feel himself grinning like the cat that got the cream. Eddie is flustered. Steve has flustered him. Oh. This is going to be a good game. “Roll a persuasion check.” Steve gets a 17. “Lady Applejack, if you would, roll sleight of hand with advantage as Sir Gregor seems to have successfully taken the attention of the shopkeep.”

“I am going to enjoy having Steve play,” Erica says as she picks up her dice. “No one else helps me steal things.”

They play for almost four hours, an hour longer than normal, but Steve is surprised by how quickly it slips by and finds that he’s a little disappointed that it has to end, especially since they’ve stopped one round into combat. It’s a terrible place to stop, but if the kids are any later getting home there might be a reckoning done by some parents. The only reason there isn’t one now is because Nancy, ever practical about things, called all the parents about an hour and a half ago to let them know the kids might be an hour or two late getting home.

“We’ll pick up next week,” Eddie says, standing to get a good look at the battle map to copy it into his notebook.

“You can just leave it out so you don’t have to recreate it,” Steve says, like he does every week. “I won’t mess with it.”

And like every week before, Eddie just pulls out his graph paper and starts to track how many squares apart everyone is as the kids pack up their own things and head out. Steve walks them all to the door and Robin hangs back to talk, waiting on the front step. Steve walks out and shuts the door behind him.

“He’s absolutely into you,” Robin whispers. “Do you know that this means? We can go on double dates! I’ll be Eddie’s fake date, because I’m not sure Vicki and Eddie should be left alone to conspire against us but-“

“I think it’s a bit too soon to be planning double dates, Buckley,” Steve cuts her off. “Yeah, Eddie’s into me. But like… into me? Does he even know he’s into me?”

“Right. Could also be in the denial phase, still,” she says, then deepens her voice in a poor imitation of Eddie’s and adds, “I think Steve is hot but in a purely platonic friend-like fashion.”

He laughs, shoving Robin towards Jonathan’s car, where everyone else is loaded and waiting, “go home.”

She leaves laughing and Steve waves them off before going back inside. He finds Eddie at the table, placing the minis carefully back into the tacklebox he keeps them in.

“Seriously, you don’t have to put everything away,” Steve says and Eddie jumps.

“Jesus! Don’t sneak up on me,” Eddie clutches at his heart dramatically.

“I didn’t sneak! You’re lost in your own head if you didn’t hear the door slam or my footsteps,” Steve leans back against the wall, watching Eddie. The other man nods to himself, hands still fiddling with a mini in his hand. The one he’d used for Steve’s character. Steve watches and wishes he could read Eddie’s mind as easily as Robin reads his.

“Thank for playing tonight,” Eddie finally says, placing the mini back onto the table instead of in the tacklebox before turning to Steve. “You did real good.”

Steve gives him a smile he hopes Eddie can see if soft and fond, “yeah? I put a lot of effort into this. Robin, Nancy, and Jonathan helped me.”

“You recruited all three?”

“Yeah. I wanted to put in the effort. I’ve watched several games now; I see how much time you all put into this. It’d be an asshole move to agree to join and not, like, at least read the rules.”

Eddie hums an agreement, “would be kinda asshole-ish, but you’re certainly not an asshole anymore.”

Steve fakes wounded, “you thought I was an asshole?”

“Well, it would be a pretty dick move on my part to think you’re an asshole after everything,” Eddie takes a step towards Steve, then seems startled at himself, like he can’t believe he moved. “Anyway, you willing to play again next week?”

“Yeah, man. Looking forward to it.”

“Cool. Cool,” Eddie nods before turning to gather up the stuff he brought with him. “I’ll see you next week, then.”

“Totally.”

Steve watches Eddie head towards the door and feels something like regret in his stomach. Logically he knows he doesn’t have to rush this. Doesn’t have to fling himself at Eddie immediately now that he knows he wants to, knows that Eddie is at least enough into him to get flustered with his ‘fake’ flirting.

But.

But Steve has lived through four apocalypses and Eddie almost didn’t survive one and life is worth taking a chance on doing things he never thought he’d do (like playing and enjoying a game of Dungeons and Dragons), so- He picks up his D20 from the table and gives it a roll, leaves it up to chance if he should do this now or wait.

It rolls around the table, bounces off the books still left on the table before rolling to a stop.

Eh, 8 is good enough.

“Eddie, wait!” Steve flings open his front door and shouts. Eddie, in the process of backing out of the driveway, brakes. Steve runs across his yard and Eddie, window already cracked, rolls it the rest of the way down.

“Yeah?”

“Wanna go on a date with me,” Steve says, then winces. He used to be better at this. “Please. I mean, go on a date with me. Oh, that sounds worse, like I’m expecting you to. Which I’m not-I don’t expect you to like me just because I like you. Fuck, I’m ruining this. Would you like to go on a date with me, please?”

Eddie just lets him shove his foot in his mouth, but he looks fond more than annoyed. Still, he says, “I, uhh, didn’t know you were… into guys.”

“Guys in general, sure. You, specifically? Ridiculously into you.”

That brings a smile to Eddie’s face. “Yeah?”

“So, uh date tomorrow? After I get off work?”

“Tomorrow,” Eddie agrees easily.

Steve watches Eddie drive away and suddenly he can’t wait for work tomorrow. Robin’s going to implode when he tells her.

Eddie, after getting off the phone with Steve the night before the game: Oh, he wants to do drugs before having to suffer through watching us play dnd again. Better bring my druglunchbox

#steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #they're slowly combining they just dont know that yet #my fic #platonic soulmates

873 notes · View notes