#Web Guiding System for Paper Machine

[keepsdeathhiscourt]

Pairing: Elijah Mikaelson x Original Female Character

Rating: Mature (18+ Only)

Story Summary: It's been ten years since Lucie LeMarche last set foot in New Orleans. But when she's forced to return to bury the woman who raised her, she finds herself pulled into the midst of rising supernatural tensions in the city. Entangled in a web of intrigue and seeking answers, Lucie must learn to navigate a powder keg of warring factions, family secrets, and old wounds if she hopes to survive.

Warnings: Canon Typical Violence, Language, Death, Mourning, Mental Health Issues, Family Drama, Gore, Depictions of Violence, Death

Series Masterlist

Read on AO3

Chapter 12: Emerald and Pearl

It’s still early morning when Lucie steals into the study. The sun is only an hour or so past the golden dawn hours, gaining intensity with every inch towards midday. 

Despite the trappings of modern convenience, the manor home is built to hold heat in, clinging with a tenacity that has Lucie swiping at her damp forehead. And as she rifles through the antique desk, she silently curses the unseasonable warmth that makes the room feel more like a greenhouse than a study. 

The hoodie she’d slept in lies abandoned over the back of an armchair, leaving her in a tank top and shorts. The hardwood digs into her bare knees, pressing against the bruise from last night’s spill. She barely notices, slamming a drawer shut with little respect for its age. 

Papers litter the floor, corners fluttering beneath the breeze from the window she’d wrenched open in a fruitless attempt to alleviate the heat. She can hear murmuring from down the hall. She’d passed by Hayley’s door on the way down, caught snippets of an exchange with Klaus, hovering just long enough to make sure there wasn’t a repeat of last night’s fiasco. 

They’ve been cloistered away for a while now, unaware of the rummaging downstairs.

The journal has been eating at her thoughts since she woke up, driven by an overwhelming need to open it again—no, to hide it. But when she’d stuffed her hand into the pile of papers to recover it, it had come away empty. 

Eventually, she’s forced to admit the journal is gone with nothing but a stashed bottle of bourbon and a few dust bunnies to show for her efforts. 

Defeated, she makes for the underutilized kitchen, determined to try again with caffeine in her system. With Klaus and Hayley still somewhere upstairs, the room is empty, sunlight plucking out the sheen in the immaculate granite countertops.

She relies on muscle memory to guide her groggy, agitated body through the motions, scooping out the grounds and filling the water on autopilot. 

The coffee percolates in the pot, filling it with a steady drip. Leaning against the counter to wait, she closes her eyes in anticipation, drinking in the rich, bitter smell. 

The machine beeps, the water trickles to nothing. A groan catches in the back of her throat as she drinks in the first sips with relish. It’ll be the only one she gets because at that moment, Rebekah bursts through the front door, frazzled and on a mission. 

She should leave it, mind her business, and enjoy her coffee.

Lucie follows her blazing trail, using the cover to slip unnoticed back into the study. 

Within seconds, the sounds of raised voices find her. She does her best to tune them out, to stay out of it all for once. All she wants is to find Elijah’s journal, to put it somewhere safe where his privacy is spared from prying eyes. She owes him that much. 

But it’s not to be.

“What the devil are you doing in here?” 

Lucie nearly jumps out of her skin, rounding to meet Rebekah’s inquisitive stare as coffee sloshes over the edge of her mug and splats onto the floor. 

Oh, just trying to find your missing brother’s journal that contains his most intimate thoughts and feelings.

“Uh…research?”

Rebekah’s eyes narrow, skeptical from her spot in the doorway. Then, all at once, she eases. “Whatever. Get dressed, you’re coming with me.”

“Leaving?” Lucie repeats. “Where?”

It earns her an irritated sigh in response like the answer is glaringly obvious. 

“To town. I have a lead on Elijah and you’re going to help me look for him.” 

It’s enough to give Lucie pause, coffee forgotten as suspicion replaces confusion. 

“Don’t get me wrong,” she starts, careful. “I’m grateful to see something built in the last century, but why me?” 

The unspoken question stretches out between them: Why not Hayley or Klaus? 

“Elijah is being kept in a church somewhere in the Quarter by a witch and I think it would be useful—”

“To bring in another witch,” she finishes for her. Rebekah nods her head, almost apologetic. 

She sighs. “Let me get changed.”

Fifteen minutes later, Lucie descends the stairs in a pair of jeans, a fresh shirt, and her worn boots, towards where Rebekah is already waiting by the front door. 

She’s halfway there when Klaus, appearing from nowhere, steps into her path. 

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Out,” she says, arms crossed. 

His brow raises, glancing from her to Rebekah, comprehension dawning. “I don’t recall giving you permission to take my resident witch gallivanting about town.”

“And I don’t recall giving you permission to barter Elijah to the enemy, but here we are. You said ‘whatever it takes’, well, this is part of it. Now, are you going to let us find him, or are you going to stand in the way?”

Lucie holds her breath, waiting for the fresh wave of contention the jab is about to ignite. 

Klaus says nothing, only diverts his gaze beneath the force of Rebekah’s stare. 

If Lucie didn’t know any better, she might think he almost looks…ashamed?

Whatever they’d argued about earlier, it’s still weighing on him because he steps aside, allowing her to pass. 

“Come on, we’re wasting daylight.”

____

The woods pass by in a blur. Flashes of deep yellow greens, golden browns, and fiery oranges, the colors of autumn thin, replaced with asphalt and brick as the road leads them steadily back to New Orleans. 

Lucie watches them from the passenger seat of the flashy red convertible. Rebekah insisted that she wouldn’t be caught dead in Lucie’s humble sedan.

She doesn’t mind, not really. The breeze that cuts over the windshield is cool, running gentle fingers across her scalp. Her hair will be a tangled mess later, but she’s committed to enjoying her first venture beyond the orchard since her ill-fated encounter with Klaus. 

“Where to first?” she asks when they’re only a few miles out from the French Quarter. 

Her good mood sours the second Rebekah says, “The Jardin Gris.”

She imagines running into Arabella or Vivienne there, or worse, Agnes. Her blood chills at the thought of a dramatic confrontation, hurts laid bare while Rebekah watches on. 

“Would you mind dropping me by my house?” 

“I’m not a chauffeur service,” Rebekah replies, adjusting her sunglasses in the rearview. 

“I want to pick some things up,” Lucie says, unwilling to get into all the grisly details about why the Jardin Gris is the last place she should be. “I’m dying to sleep in my own pajamas. Please.”

Rebekah shoots her a sideways glance as the light turns red and they come to a stop.

“Alright, but don’t think this gets you out of helping,” she concedes. And then adds, “I thought you’d be excited at the prospect of visiting your old stomping grounds.”

Lucie does her best to resist the urge to pick at her cuticles, keeping her demeanor nonchalant. 

“I’m part of the Garden District coven, or was. So technically, they’re not my old stomping grounds,” she says. “Besides, I get the feeling my presence might ruin whatever top-secret business you’re up to.”

“Fine. More fun for me.”

They lapse into silence broken only by Lucie’s occasional directions until they stop in front of the little house in the Lower Garden District.

“How quaint,” Rebekah says, eyeing the wide porch and chipped green door. There’s no bite, just a vague wistfulness. 

Lucie steps out onto the sidewalk, careful not to let the car door slam. 

“Thanks.”

“Yes, well, don’t get too cozy. I’ll be back soon.”

“Got it. And Rebekah,” she calls out. The blonde quirks a brow over her sunglasses. “Try not to kill anyone.”

____

Rebekah leans back, pressing her back against the cool brick, using the shade of an awning to escape the worst of the sun's glare. 

It had taken her longer than she’d have liked to get here from the Lower Garden District and most of that had to do with her decision to drive instead of run. Road construction meant a detour that added an extra twenty minutes to the journey, but it was worth it to sit in the convertible with the top down and bask in the sun on her arms, the breeze through her hair. 

Not that it made much of a difference in the end. She’s been waiting for ten minutes, enough time to loop the block and touch up her makeup, with no sign of her contact. 

Some people have no manners, she thinks just as Sophie Deveraux rounds the corner and makes her way up the street. 

Her dark hair slips loose from its confinement behind her ear. Unaware she’s been noticed, she worries at her lower lip with her teeth, eyes darting nervously to and fro. 

Rebekah steps forward, intercepting her before she can pass by. It’s worth it to see the alarm cross Sophie’s delicate features as she avoids a collision. 

“Rebekah!”

“Oh, so glad you could make it. Elijah only lies daggered and rotting whilst you dilly-dally.”

Sophie’s demeanor shifts, anxiety fading as irritation takes its place. “You’re lucky I came at all,” she bites out. “What do you want?”

“Hayley was attacked last night by Marcel’s crew because somebody told him there was a werewolf in the Quarter. She only made one stop. Whoever saw her here ratted her out,” she says. “Watch and learn.”

With that, she turns and ducks into the nearest shop, not bothering to see if the witch is following. 

The bell chimes, the sharp scent of incense mixed with something distinctly herbal overwhelms her the second she crosses the threshold. 

The shop is dim, especially compared to the blinding midday sunlight. Baubles glint in the light. Clusters of beads and charms hang from every surface. Shelving and mismatched end tables create narrow walkways between wares. All of it culminates in one big sensory nightmare.

“Hey, Soph,” a sweet voice greets to her left. Her head whips around to where a willowy, tawny-skinned woman leans against the counter, tying the ribbon on a cluster of fresh-cut herbs. 

“Hey, Katie,” Sophie replies, arms crossed and looking distinctly uncomfortable as she casts a side-eye in Rebekah’s direction.

 Katie follows the glance with wide, dark eyes while Rebekah inspects a yellow flower on a glass pendant. 

“That’s filled with marigold — great for attracting the opposite sex. It would look awesome on you.”

She snorts, snatching her hand away from the necklace. “I very seriously doubt that. Do you have any others, one with, say, I don’t know.... wolfsbane, perhaps?”

“Wolfsbane?” Her brow furrows, little nose wrinkling. “Why would you want that?”

Rebekah crosses the room with supernatural speed, seizing her by the throat. The effort is worth it to watch the simpering sweetness disappear from her features.

“Please do not play dumb with me,” she says, wrenching the girl off her feet. The bundle of herbs rolls to the floor as she slams her against the countertop. 

“Rebekah!” Sophie’s horrified voice calls out behind her, but she doesn’t care. She’s here for answers and there’s no time to waste, not with Hayley's and Elijah’s lives on the line. 

A garbled sound escapes Katie’s mouth. Rebekah eases her grip just enough to allow her to speak. “I…just sold a werewolf some herbs. That’s… all.”

Her fingers clamp down once more, eyes narrowing to let her know she means business. “Are you lying to me, Katie? I suggest you answer my question honestly.”

Katie wheezes. “Sophie—”

Rebekah glances to the side. Sophie shifts her weight from foot to foot. “Just answer the question, Katie. Please.”

Katie’s posture shifts. “I told someone, but you don’t understand. I—I love him.”

Idiot girl. 

She has her on the floor in an instant, stiletto pressed against Katie’s pulse point.  

“And tell me, who is this vampire Romeo of yours? Shall I count to three?”

She fights down her mounting frustration when the girl balks. It’s to be expected. Fancying herself in love, of course, she’s reluctant to sell him out. 

No matter, all that’s needed is some extra pressure. Literally.

“One.”

She digs the heel deeper. 

“Two.”

“Katie,” Sophie warns, anxious. 

“Three—”

“Thierry!” Katie cries out, tears escaping the corners of her eyes. “I told Thierry. Please, don’t hurt him. Please.”

The stiletto retracts. Rebekah plants her foot back on the floor. The atmosphere shifts immediately, relief rolling off of both witches as Katie shifts into a sitting position, fingers gingerly inspecting her neck. 

“There. That wasn’t so hard was it?” she huffs, brushing her palms against her jeans and ignoring the curdled milk look from Sophie. “Right, no time to waste.”

As she turns to the exit, she catches movement out of the corner of her eye and realizes for the first time that Katie hadn’t been the Jardin Gris’ only occupant.

“You, freckles,” she barks and the woman freezes, staring at her like a deer in the headlights, green eyes round with shock. “If you fancy keeping your head on your shoulders, you’re not going to tell anyone about this. Got it?” 

The girl swallows hard and nods, ruddy curls bouncing with the movement. 

“Good,” she says, resuming her march out the front door. 

“Shit, Katie. Are you alright?”

It’s the last thing she hears as the door swings behind her. Rebekah tosses her head, trying to shake the sensation that she’d seen her somewhere. 

____

Everything in the house looks exactly as she left it the night she went to meet “Elijah” at Rousseau’s. The realization shouldn’t surprise her. It’s only been a few weeks. What had she been expecting? A leveled lot with a hole where the foundation should be? She isn’t sure, only knows that so much has happened in that time that it feels like something should be different—if only to match her inner turmoil. 

She doesn’t waste time reacquainting herself with the space. If she did, she would have noticed the conspicuous lack of dust, the teacup resting on the coffee table, and the unfamiliar coat hung up near the front door. Instead, she makes a beeline for her bedroom, digging into her closet with the zeal of someone who’s been alternating between the same three shirts for weeks. 

The rummaging only stops when she has a sizable pile of clothes on her bed. She’s halfway through stuffing them into an old JazzFest tote bag when she hears footsteps behind her. 

“You going on a cruise or something?”

Lucie nearly jumps a foot in the air. Why does everyone always sneak up on her?

She reels around, coming face to face with the narrowed eyes of her cousin. 

“Vivienne!” she gasps, hand pressed over her chest to soothe her racing heart. “How did you get in here?”

“You’re not the only one with a key, you know,” she shrugs, and Lucie can’t help a sudden rush of guilt. How many times had she used it to come to check up on Violette?  “Came to pick up some paperwork. Didn’t see your car out front. I figured you were long gone by now.”

“Yeah, well, that was the plan,” she shakes her head. “But it’s a long story.”

Vivienne snorts, using her thumbnail to pull up an old piece of tape on the wall. “Isn’t it always?”

Lucie’s arms cross over her chest. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Honest to a fault and never one to spare feelings, especially Lucie’s, Vivienne doesn’t miss a beat. “Even when we were kids, you couldn’t touch anything without making a mess.”

The statement hangs in the air. Delivered without any particular inflection, it stings all the more for the truth of it.

 “Well, I’m just picking some stuff. I’ll be out of your hair before I can ruin anything.”

“Doubt it,” is all Vivienne says, eyeing the overstuffed tote back. There’s an air of finality, one that has her waiting for Vivienne to turn and leave. 

But she doesn’t, just continues to hover in the doorway and they fall into a loaded silence. 

It’s growing unbearable. Then, “You really hurt her, you know.”

Lucie stops stuffing a pair of socks into a side pocket to look up at her, bemused. “Who?”

“Arabella.”

She fully freezes then. The addition has Lucie bristling before the words are fully formed. 

“I hurt her?” she asks, incredulous. “Do you even hear yourself right now?”

“She hasn’t seen you in years. She spent weeks smoothing over you coming back with the covens. And then you show up, accuse her of God knows what, and then disappear again. Sounds pretty justified to me.”

“‘God knows what’,” she scoffs. “Is that what she’s calling it?”

“She isn’t calling it anything. She won’t even talk about the funeral. But it’s clear to anyone with eyes that something happened.”

Lucie opens her mouth to argue back and shuts it just as quickly, hefting the tote over her shoulder. “I’m not doing this.”

But when she moves towards the door, Vivienne blocks her path.

“Too bad, because I am,” she says. “What the fuck happened, Lucie?”

She isn’t sure why she relents then. Maybe it’s the rollercoaster of the last month. Or maybe, tired of holding the weight of the truth all by herself, she wants someone-anyone-to share some of the burden. 

Either way, the words spill from her lips, take on a life of their own as she relays the hellish events of the consecration. To Vivienne’s credit, she watches with furrowed brows, not interrupting even as she recounts Violette’s murder. 

When she reaches the end of the story with no harsh commentary, she thinks that maybe, maybe, she’s been heard. That she’ll be believed and they can figure this out together. 

Then Vivienne scoffs, shaking her head. And all hopes are dashed to pieces. 

“See, this is exactly why I didn’t want to have this conversation,” Lucie snaps, defenses snapping back into place. 

“Come on, Lucie,” she shifts, an auburn curl slipping free from her ponytail to settle near her ear. “She used to cry when she couldn’t save the worms in the garden. And now you’re trying to tell me she murdered our aunt in cold blood?”

“I know what I saw.”

“You saw Arabella pour some tea and give it to our sick aunt. You’re many things, but stupid isn’t one of them. Use your head.” 

“What am I supposed to think?”

Something flashes across Vivienne’s doll-like features. And for the first time since they entered this god-awful conversation, Lucie spots cracks in her veneer. Barely perceptible, but Lucie’s known Vivienne her whole life. “I…I don’t know, okay?”

She recognizes a flicker of doubt, understands the life-shattering reality of what she’s trying to make her believe, and something softens. 

“What exactly are you asking for, Viv?”

Vivienne steps back, an aggressive stance easing into a natural guardedness, and she sighs. 

“Arabella’s been absolutely beside herself since the funeral,” she says, pausing to find her next words. “She’s never given up on you, not once. I just think you owe it to her to at least hear her out.” 

They lock eyes then, emerald on brown. Transforming back into little girls rarely ever apart from one another. 

She pushes off the door frame and heads back into the hall. Lucie takes a few moments to collect herself. Then, pulled by some invisible force, follows to where she’s stopped in front of a hanging frame. 

“I remember this day,” Vivienne says with a wryly half-smile as Lucie stops just behind her. Over her shoulder, she spots a familiar photo. A six-year-old Arabella grins at the camera with missing teeth, clutching an unhappy-looking gray cat to her chest. 

“This is when Bella brought home that stray cat, isn’t it?” she asks softly, with a smile of her own. When Vivienne nods, she laughs and adds, “Remember when she made us help her sneak it into the house to give it a bath?”

“It clawed the absolute shit out of us. She really thought she could hide it.” Vivienne chuckles. “God, she cried so hard when Auntie told her she had to put it back.”

A blossoming warmth rises into Lucie’s chest, a sense of the chasm between them narrowing.

“She wailed all night. You remember how allergic Peter was? His eyes would swell shut and—”

The shift is palpable, all the air is sucked out of the room at once. Her stomach drops, her eyes drift to the discolored scar tissue creeping above Vivienne’s neckline. 

“Vivienne, about what happened at the Farrell place—”

She watches her harden back into porcelain before her eyes. 

“No. We’re not going there,” she says, voice clipped. “Not now, maybe not ever. I came here for Arabella and said everything I needed to. Now I’m leaving.”

“Viv—”

The door slams shut behind her. Lucie feels the gulf widen once more.

____

The engine hums, a slight breeze plucking up the ends of her hair as she waits, the car idling by the curb. 

Somewhere inside, Lucie is taking her own sweet time. She whips out her phone, typing a rapid-fire text to the recently acquired phone number. 

Where are you?

A minute passes before her phone buzzes.

Be out in a second. 

She sighs, settling into her seat before dialing Klaus. 

He doesn’t answer on the first ring or the fourth. It’s not until she loses count, waiting for his voicemail to kick in, that he finally picks up. 

“Nik?” she ventures, hearing nothing but scuffling on the other end. 

“Be quick about it. I have an army to build, and one compelled minion does not an army make—” Her brother barks orders to someone on the other end before leveling her with a less than patient: “Well?”

She elects to let it go. Just this once. “You were right about the traitor. Luckily, she’s just a kid, and she doesn’t know anything about us and what we’re up to. Do you want to hear the part that’s gonna please you the most?”

That must cheer him considerably, because she practically hears him grinning on the other end as he says, “Oh, do tell!”

She flips the sun visor up and down absently. “She’s in love with someone in Marcel’s inner circle. Guess who it is?”

Klaus only pauses for a moment. “Right-hand man type favors silly caps?”

She eases a little, relieved not to have to spell it out. Her brother may be many things, but dull is not one of them. 

“Two points for you. Thierry is fraternizing with the enemy.”

“Well, that means he just unwittingly became the key to our entire plan.”

“I told you you’d be pleased,” she says, ignoring the sudden pit in her stomach. Just then, Lucie steps out onto the porch, fiddling with her keys to lock up. 

Klaus chuckles on the line. “Oh, to be young and in love in a city where witches and vampires are at war. How very tragic—”

She’s only half-listening now. The witch is off the porch and crossing the lawn with a markedly unhappy expression. 

“Lucie’s here,” she says, cutting him off. “I have to go.” 

She hangs up before Klaus can say another word, phone landing in the cupholder just as Lucie wrenches open the door and sinks into the passenger’s seat, bag deposited in the backseat. 

“How’d it go?” Lucie asks, clicking her seatbelt into place and staring into the side mirror. 

She grins. “Swimmingly.”

“Do I want to know?” 

“Probably not,” she admits, turning the key in the ignition. The car roars to life. “I saw another car leaving when I pulled up.”

“My cousin,” is all the witch says. 

It shouldn’t bother her. Usually, Rebekah is content to mind her own business, and whatever has the girl looking so glum certainly has nothing to do with her. “Did something happen?” 

“Nope.”

Rebekah resists the urge to roll her eyes. “You’re a terrible liar, you know.”

“You can add it to the list,” she says flatly, staring out the window as they pull onto the main road. 

She frowns at that. While the witch has several irritating qualities, self-pity isn’t usually one of them. “What’s your deal with them, anyway?”

She doesn’t specify. They both know who she’s talking about.

The blinker clicks, the only sound between them. She’s sure that Lucie heard her and has elected not to answer—

“I made a mistake and people I loved got hurt. As if that wasn’t bad enough, I broke one of my coven’s biggest tenets.”

“Which one?” she asks, unable to resist her curiosity.

“Does it matter now?”

“I suppose not. Continue.”

“A tribunal was called so they could decide what to do with me. An elder was called from each coven to represent their faction. My great-aunt Violette was one of them.” Her voice is without inflection. The detachment tells Rebekah that whatever is coming next isn’t pleasant. “I was terrified out of my mind, listening to them speak, waiting for them to decide my fate. The only thing that kept me together was knowing that Violette was there, that she’d come to my defense.”

They merge onto the highway. Out of the corner of her eye, she watches Lucie swallow hard. When she continues, her breath is shaky. “But when it was her turn, she stood up in front of the entire tribunal and not only pushed for the shunning but insisted on performing the rite herself.” 

No stranger to familial betrayal, Rebekah winces. Lucie continues, “I’m sure you know New Orleans witches are a little different from other witches. We derive our magic from an ancestral well, drawing power from those passed on with the agreement that when we die, we're consecrated, and our magic fuels the well for future generations.”

“The rite cuts you off from the well,” Rebekah nods, catching the thread of conversation and following along. She’d known it to have been done once or twice during their rule over the city but never witnessed it firsthand. Then something occurs to her. “But I’ve seen you do magic.”

Lucie nods, looking over at her as she explains, “My father was born into ancestral magic. But my mother wasn’t from here. All her magic came from nature. It’s why I can still do some, even if it’s less reliable now.” 

“But something obviously brought you back.” 

“She died, my great aunt,” she states, with that detachment that Rebekah is rapidly growing to dislike. “I came back for the funeral only to find out they murdered her and tried to kill me, too.”

She can’t help the whistle that escapes at that. “And I thought my family took the cake for dysfunction.” Something else clicks. “So your deal with Elijah—”

“He wanted information on the witches, and I needed someone to watch my back.” 

It all makes sense now, she supposes, now that she can see the full picture. There isn’t anything left to say. This should be the part where they fall into uncomfortable silence and then pretend this conversation never happened. 

Rebekah surprises even herself when she says, “I know what it’s like to feel betrayed by those who are supposed to love you most.” Her hands grip the wheel, eyes fixed ahead. “I’m truly sorry, for what it’s worth.”

“I…uh…thanks,” Lucie stammers, eyes wide. Her cheeks flush, her head dips away so she can look out the window. “Weren’t we supposed to be looking for Elijah?”

“Change of plans. I have a ball to get ready for.” An idea that’s been forming since she saw her dejected face leaving the little house comes to fruition.

“Why do I get the feeling that I’m not going to like where this is going?”

“You didn’t think I was going to shop for a dress by myself.” 

____

Ultimately, they decide on a black dress, a strapless floor-length number with a satin belt that highlights Rebekah’s long legs and offsets her fair features. She’s a vision of elegance as she slips into it, adding raven feathers to her updo to accent.

Lucie should feel satisfaction, or at least relief as she watches Rebekah leave with Klaus in the gown that had taken them hours to pick out. 

Instead, as they step into the car, masks in hand, it feels like salt in a wound. 

When they’d arrived home only hours before, it was to Klaus in the parlor with Sophie Deveraux in tow. It was then that he’d highlighted the extent of his plans. Plans that involved using leverage to manipulate some Quarter witch — whose name only kind of rings a bell—so Sophie could do a locator spell to find some other witch, who Lucie knows nothing about besides the fact that she’s powerful and has Elijah. 

All the while, it fell to Lucie to stay home and look after a pregnant werewolf who absolutely did not need her protection. 

She certainly isn’t hurt at not being involved in whatever diabolical plot Klaus has concocted. Rather, it’s the rejection that stings, the confirmation of her own inadequacy. Klaus had plucked her away from her life, whisking her to the middle of nowhere to wait on standby like a magical vending machine, only to be sidelined when it really counts. 

A grievance that was met with dismissal by Klaus when she voiced it. It wasn’t until Rebekah had refused to meet her eyes that she knew she’d told him of their first disastrous attempt at a locator spell. 

She’d left the room then, angry and unwilling to let them bear witness to the hurt. She had nothing to prove, especially not to Original vampires. Opting instead to sit by the window of her borrowed room and watch the golden hours fade into a starry evening. 

The property is quiet, blanked in a velvety blue that she’d find charming if she weren’t so wound up. 

And normally she’d be thrilled at a night undisturbed. But as things stand, the peace rankles, intensifying the bitter pill in her throat.

A gust of wind rips through the orchard, divesting trees of their dying leaves with a sound unique to autumn and she finds wondering what part of the plan is being executed now.

 She feels a shimmer of concern. Though murky on the details, she knows enough about Marcel and Klaus to doubt the other witches—the decoy or the weapon—will survive the night. 

It shouldn’t bother her as much as it does. Aligned with the coven in one case and a vampire in the other, they’ve made their beds. But she can’t help but wonder if they, like her, had much say in the matter. Young witches tossed about in a game of magical politics because of the power they were born with and had no say over.

She shakes it off, refusing to let herself be carried away. And that’s when she sees it. 

There, beyond the back porch, beneath the shadows of sleeping apple trees, is a figure; lean and tall. A shadow specter amongst the fallen leaves.

And though she can’t see their face, can’t make out any distinguishable features, she knows when their eyes meet hers there’s a pull. Like a magnetic field pulling her into their orbit, urging her forwards.

Maybe that’s why when they turn away to edge towards the treeline, she doesn’t give a second thought. In an instant, she’s up and moving with no thought beyond the overwhelming desire not to let them slip away this time. 

Because she knows somehow, without any doubt, that this figure is the same one she’d seen in the mirror and then again in the glass of the backdoor at Violette’s.

She takes the steps two at a time, cursing the impractical spiral staircase before bounding the length of the house and spilling out onto the back porch. 

She passes Hayley by the pool. Deep in thought, but otherwise unharmed, Lucie leaves her uninterrupted. 

It only takes seconds for her to descend the porch steps and pad across the damp grass to reach the middle orchard, the place where she’d last seen the figure. 

But there’s no shadowy shape, no human form. Only Lucie standing alone amongst the trees, heart pounding. 

When she thinks she’s lost then, she catches movement out of the corner of her eye. Wheeling around, she sees a silhouette slip past the treeline, deep into the woods. She doesn’t think, just follows, ignoring the way roots and rocks bite into the soles of her bare feet and the night air chilling her exposed skin. 

She keeps them in her sights, barely. Like each step she closes between them, they add five more, determined to stay only at the very edges of her vision. 

Then they stops. Her pace increases, the distance closing. She’s within reach. All she needs to do is extend a hand, convince them to turn around and—

The figure is gone like they had vanished to vapor and joined the breeze.  

She’s alone, her ragged panting the only sign of life to be found. She nearly screams when a hand grasps her shoulder. 

“What in the bloody hell are you doing out here?”

She turns, following the hand on her shoulder up to an irritated Rebekah, still clad in her ballgown. 

Defensively, she reaches for an explanation to throw back at her, only to find she doesn’t have one. “I…”

Rebekah rolls her eyes. “Nevermind. Let's go.” 

She doesn’t wait for a response, snatching Lucie’s wrist and making a beeline for the house before she can even form half a protest. Anger at Rebekah momentarily forgotten as she tries to wrap her head around whatever had just happened. 

____

The most bitter part of taking a dagger to the chest is the inability to gauge the passage of time. Dreaming on end with no idea if a week has passed or a decade. Then those first hazy moments of wakefulness followed by the gut-twisting panic over determining how far the world has gone on with you. 

He’d felt for Rebekah, when she’d awoken after ninety years of forced slumber, held her as she wept bitter tears into his chest, grieving the years of her life stolen from her. 

He feels the same dread, even as the dream starts anew. It starts as it always does with Klaus and Kol grappling in the sun. He watches on, though it’s hardly necessary. By now, he can narrate the events down to the second. Knows the exact moment Henrik laughs, when Rebekah will weave the final stem into her flower crown, and that soon the stag will appear to lure him into the woods. 

Except this time, it never comes. 

Instead, he turns just in time to glimpse dark hair as a slight form dips into the trees.

“Tatia, wait!” he calls, long strides carrying him across the meadow to follow. The woods are quiet, despite the liveliness of the spring day. He tracks her shadow, the flick of her skirts as she weaves around the trunks of ancient trees. Their branches, thick with leaves and fighting for space, blot out the sun. Light slips in the sparse spaces between, dappled slivers of yellow guiding his way. 

Then, he reaches the edge of a clearing, the one where he’s killed the stag—killed Tatia—over and over.

In the center, painted in golden sunlight, he sees her. No longer racing ahead, she stands tall, unmoving. Like the small carven statue of Frigg that mother keeps by the hearth. 

A breeze sweeps through the meadow, batting at the long strands of her hair, the hem of her white dress, shattering the illusion. 

He calls her name, soft and uncertain, though he cannot guess why. Maybe it’s the wrongness of her height, too short for her long-legged form. Or perhaps the unfamiliar coils of her hair. 

Slowly, slowly, she turns, and he finds himself staring into an unexpected pair of eyes. 

His brows knit. “Lucretia?” 

Bewilderment courses through him, thoughts racing at a breakneck pace that he cannot hope to make sense of. 

If the girl notices his confusion, she makes no mention, simply watches him with a placid, dreamy expression.

“Why are you so frightened, Elijah?”

Her arm extends out to him, too thin and so pale he can see the blue crisscrosses of her veins in the light. Her fingers are trembling. 

He wants to reach back out. Though the clearing is still and tranquil, he cannot shake the overwhelming urge to go to her, to shield against an unseen danger that crackles like an approaching thunderstorm in the surrounding air. 

But his legs are leaden and his arms remain pinned resolutely at his sides, trapping him in the shade inches from the sunlit grass. 

Her lips pull into a frown, though her eyes remain glassy. And as if tired of waiting, her arm drifts back to her side, fingers folding into the gauzy fabric of her skirts. 

Something glints in the light. Two sets of eyes follow its trail. A serpent with emerald scales weaves through the grass, winding its way toward her bare ankles. 

The words stick in his throat as he tries to call out to her, to warn her. His panic only grows as she dips into the grass, allowing the snake to wind around her arm. 

She rises, expression calm, drawing the creature to eye level. Inspecting it with reverence, she does not look away as she asks, “Isn’t this what you wanted?” 

Her voice floats to him, clear as if she was standing at his side. Somehow, he knows it was meant for him, not the serpent. 

Her head cocks to the left, the light plucking out the red in her hair as it spills over her shoulder, exposing the long column of her neck. 

He knows what is coming next. Yet, rooted to the ground, he’s helpless to stop it as the serpent rears its head back, maw curling to free pearlescent fangs. The foreknowledge does nothing to curb the fear, the unabashed horror as it darts out in the blink of an eye. 

Lucie gasps, body rigid, and Elijah can only watch on as it buries its teeth in the delicate flesh of her throat, scales gleaming in the dappled light. 

Venom drips into the grass, turning green to black, eroding the scene. 

Once more, he leans against the tree, standing silent vigil over his siblings. The air is thick with smoke, angry reds and oranges make the shadows stretch and retract. 

A crumpled form clad in white rests at his feet, blood and venom spilling from her wounds. Blank glassy eyes stare up at him in accusation. 

He wipes at his mouth. The back of his hand comes away streaked with red. All the while, the forest burns. 

Though he cannot move, he sees it all—the carnage of an old life laid out before him.

Henrik’s little body, ravaged by wolves. Klaus, screaming for him even as strips of birch in his father’s hand tear apart the exposed flesh of his back. Kol lost to the darkness. 

The flames consume all until there’s no one left but him and Rebekah. 

The flower crown dips precariously off to one side, the front of her dress soaked in blood as she stands amongst the bodies of her fallen friends. Their eyes meet and she laughs madly, reveling in the destruction as blood pours from her mouth, cascading down her neck, blue eyes wild, hungry, and utterly devoid of innocence. 

“You can help her. You can help them all,” a man’s voice says over his shoulder. 

“How?” His voice cracks, choked and bitterly desperate. “How?” 

“All you have to do is reach out. Go on, Elijah, just lift your hand.”

He tries, gods above, he tries. His arms are useless, his legs unable to carry him even an inch forward. Forced to watch as his life burns around him, unable to lift even a finger to save it.

When he cries out, pain halts any noise. Unexpected warmth blossoms within, a ball of heat that radiates out from a single point at the center of his chest. Empty brown eyes are the last thing he sees as the scene melts away. 

This time, Elijah wakes. 

[quietmarie]

What am I working on right now?

I realise I haven't really listed what I am doing and have been doing in terms of projects on Tumblr so far, so in case you're curious what I'm doing, here you go. With images and all this is gonna be quite lengthy, so have a look under the cut:

First of all, Job and Uni:

At the start of the month, the new uni semester begun, and I also got a job in programming! Uni courses are pretty chill this year, and I'm at the job two days a week. It's really nice so far, and it involves developing algorithms used for CAM and CNC-machines.

As a uni project I did..

A physics engine for Godot:

Godot is a game engine. As part of an uni course, two fellow students and I wrote the mathsy bulk of a physics engine for it. This includes stuff like collision handling and various joints (like hinge joints you'd use for a physics-based door etc.), but because of time constraints doesn't include collision detection, which is handled by Bullet. Outside of the planned curriculum, I also derived the equations for and implemented rope joints, which simulate, well, ropes.

And currently, outside of uni, I still want to work on the engine by implementing..

Portals:

Yea I want to implement portals using the custom physics engine we built. But not just portals as Valve did them, that would be too easy. I want them to be able to move and interact with other objects while remaining physically accurate (or, as physically accurate as they can be considering they're portals). The current state of things:

The dream is to be able to build gorgeous architecture, like, I'm thinking buildings resting on top of pillars that are always moving. If I can get this to work I really ought to discuss the vision with some artists and creative folk in general, because I feel like there's so much unexplored creativity in art with portals. But yeah, there's still a lot of very intimidating maths/physics until I get there.

As for other private/free-time projects..

SSBToni:

SSBToni is probably my most ambitious project yet. Toni is a Discord bot for the competitive Super Smash Bros. community (currently in 1.9k servers wowee). Her main selling point is the ability to show frame data and hitbox gifs, but she can also do some other stuff like guide you through a full match of Smash Bros. according to a range of competitive rulesets, from rock-paper-scissors through stage bans all the way to game reporting. She's written in Java with JDA, and her code is hosted here.

I want to do ranked matchmaking and Smash profile images later on, so I have to do some web backend work. The bulk of that is private still, but some of that spun off into separate projects which are..

instant-glicko-2:

The Glicko-2 rating system is great, but it has some issues if you want to use it for real-time ratings/rankings. This Rust library aims to solve these issues to allow for good real-time rankings that are still accurate to the Glicko-2 system. I wrote about how I achieve that here, and the code is hosted here. Note that I do want to change some stuff still which I don't mention in the article I wrote, and in the current form it is probably not production-ready.

cache-compute:

In all honesty, maybe my proudest public thing yet, and it's a single-file ~500 line Rust crate. Based on this blogpost by fasterthanlime, the library makes caching for async stuff much easier, which is gonna be extremely useful in web backend stuff. If a resource isn't available locally (cached), you might have to spend some time making a request to get it from elsewhere to cache it. This library makes sure you only make that request once when you need it, and sorts everything out so that everyone waiting on the resource gets a copy the moment it arrives.

Part of why I'm so proud of this is that, for one, I consider the core finished and very much usable, and secondly, because I wrote so many and such long and exhaustive tests for it, just to hopefully be able to catch any weirdness that comes up. Because writing this kind of concurrent code is hard.

And that's it for projects I would want to show off and write about.

There are of course always ideas in my idea list (currently four or five good ones I'm not working on), maybe I'll post about those too sometime. If you're curious or starved for ideas feel free to ask about them too, I don't think I'll be able to do all of them and the list is only growing larger.

[despuneuniversityblogs]

Everything You Should Know Before Applying for a BSc in Computer Science

A BSc in Computer Science is one of the most sought-after undergraduate programs in today’s tech-driven world. Whether your goal is to become a software engineer, data scientist, or cybersecurity analyst, this degree can provide the foundation you need. If you are preparing to apply, here is a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the admission process and make informed decisions.

Why a BSc in Computer Science Matters

A BSc in Computer Science is more than just coding. It covers:

Core programming languages like Java, C++, and Python

Understanding of data structures, algorithms, and software design

Database systems and computer networks

Topics in operating systems and computer architecture

Foundations in mathematics, statistics, and logic

The course equips you with problem-solving skills, computational thinking, and analytical ability. These are needed in nearly every industry—from finance and healthcare to education and entertainment.

What to Check Before You Apply

Entry Requirements

Most colleges ask for a 12th-grade qualification with a strong background in mathematics and science. Marks of 50 to 60 percent, along with passing English, are commonly accepted. Some institutes may have entrance tests, while others go by merit list.

Entrance Exams

If your college requires an entrance exam, you should prepare for:

Questions on mathematics and basic logic

Short programming problems or pseudocode

Analytical reasoning and general English

Practice previous year papers and time-bound quizzes. Also, build your conceptual clarity by revising algebra, calculus, probability, and logical reasoning.

Application Timeline

Keep track of deadlines. Most applications open between December and March. Entrance exams are typically held in February or March. Merit lists or admission offers may come by April or May.

Supporting Documents

You usually need:

School leaving certificate or mark sheet of the 12th exam

Proof of identity and residency

Passport-size photographs

Entrance exam scorecard (if applicable)

Letters of recommendation or statement of purpose (varies by college)

Application Fees

Most colleges charge application fees ranging from INR 500 to INR 2,000. Make sure to pay these on time through the correct channels.

Choosing Among Colleges in Pune

If you are planning to study in Pune, consider these factors:

Curriculum and Syllabus

Choose colleges that offer courses in programming, database management, machine learning, web development, and cybersecurity. Exposure to project-based learning and open-source contributions adds real value.

Faculty Expertise

Look for lecturers and professors with experience in software development, research, or industry projects. Their mentoring can help you understand not just theory but its practical applications in real-world scenarios.

Infrastructure and Labs

Ensure the college has modern computer labs, licensed software, cloud access, and hardware systems for networking and database practice. A supportive infrastructure enhances your learning experience.

Internship and Industry Ties

Real-world exposure is essential. Look for institutes with industry partnerships that offer internships, placement support, tech fests, coding workshops, hackathons, and career guidance.

Placement Record

Find out about the average package and companies that visit the campus. Reliable placement statistics are an indicator of how well alumni are performing in the industry.

Spotting a Good Fit: Case of DES Pune University

Among the top colleges in Pune, DES Pune University is known for its BSc Computer Science program. Its curriculum covers modern technology topics such as data structures, object-oriented programming, database systems, artificial intelligence, and web development.

The program focuses on building strong mathematical foundations along with practical programming skills. Students have access to high-end computer labs, licensed software, and cloud platforms. The faculty includes professionals with industry and academic experience.

DES Pune University fosters real-world exposure via workshops, guest lectures, hackathons, and internships with local software companies. The career cell supports students with placement preparation, resume building, and interview coaching.

Steps to Apply for BSc Computer Science

Research colleges based on your interests and academic profile

Check eligibility criteria, including courses, mark requirements, and entrance tests

Register early on university portals to stay ahead

Prepare for entrance exams by revising math, logic, and programming fundamentals

Submit your application with complete documents before the deadlines

Follow-up on admit cards, test dates, interviews, or counseling sessions

Confirm your admission once selected, paying required fees to secure your seat

Why Attention to Detail Matters

Your admission depends on both academic preparation and planning. A focused study schedule, organized documentation, and awareness of dates give you confidence and reduce stress. These steps also demonstrate your commitment and discipline to future professors and employers.

Final Thoughts

Applying for a BSc in Computer Science involves more than just grades. It is about finding a program that balances theory and practice, ensuring you have the infrastructure, mentorship, and opportunities to grow. Institutions like DES Pune University deliver on all these fronts by offering a thoughtfully structured curriculum, hands-on experience, and strong support systems. With proper planning and dedication, you can set yourself up for a successful career in tech.

[imminentconstructmystery]

The Digital Sidekick is Here: How AI Assistants Are Redefining Our Daily Lives

In the not-so-distant past, the idea of having a personal assistant was reserved for the corner offices of high-powered executives. Today, that reality has been democratized, digitized, and placed directly into our pockets and onto our desktops. We’re living in the era of the AI assistant, a transformative technology that is rapidly evolving from a simple novelty into an indispensable tool for productivity, creativity, and daily management. But with so many options, from ChatGPT to Google Assistant, how do you navigate this new landscape?

This guide will take you on a deep dive into the world of AI assistants. We’ll explore what they are, the different types available, and how you can harness their power, whether you’re looking for a free AI assistant or a deeply integrated AI personal assistant.

Demystifying the Magic: What Is an AI Assistant?

At its heart, an AI assistant is a sophisticated software program designed to understand and process human language to perform tasks and retrieve information. The magic behind this capability lies in two core pillars of artificial intelligence: Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML). NLP is the science that allows the machine to understand the nuances, context, and intent behind your text or voice commands. Machine Learning, on the other hand, enables the assistant to learn from every single interaction, constantly improving its accuracy and personalizing its responses to you over time.

The range of tasks these digital companions can handle is staggering and ever-expanding. They have evolved far beyond just setting timers and reporting the weather. A modern AI assistant can:

Draft complex documents: From professional emails and marketing copy to intricate lines of code.

Act as a creative partner: Brainstorm ideas, write poetry, compose song lyrics, or create a script for your next video.

Summarize long texts: Condense lengthy articles, research papers, or reports into key bullet points.

Plan detailed itineraries: Organize a vacation or a business trip, complete with flight suggestions, hotel bookings, and daily schedules.

Control your smart home: Seamlessly integrate with lights, thermostats, and security systems.

The Diverse Landscape of AI Assistants

The market is brimming with options, each with its unique strengths. Understanding the key players is the first step to finding your perfect match.

The Conversational Powerhouse: AI Assistant — ChatGPT

When people talk about a revolutionary AI assistant, they are often referring to ChatGPT. Developed by OpenAI, this chatbot has captured the world’s attention with its stunning ability to generate fluid, coherent, and contextually aware text. It excels at tasks requiring creativity and in-depth explanation, making it a favorite among writers, developers, and students. Accessible as an AI assistant online through a web browser or via its dedicated AI assistant app, ChatGPT offers a powerful free tier and a subscription for users who need access to its most advanced models.

The Ubiquitous Organizer: AI Assistant Google

For billions of users, Google Assistant is the most familiar and integrated AI. Built into the fabric of Android devices and available on iOS and Google Home speakers, its primary strength lies in its deep connection to the Google ecosystem. It can proactively remind you to leave for an appointment based on live traffic data from Google Maps, pull up flight details from your Gmail, and manage your schedule in Google Calendar. It’s the quintessential AI personal assistant for anyone heavily invested in Google’s suite of services.

The Device Commander: AI Assistant Samsung

For those in the Samsung ecosystem, Bixby serves as the native AI assistant. While it can perform many standard tasks like answering questions, its unique selling proposition is its deep level of device control. You can use Bixby to execute complex, multi-step commands on your Samsung phone, tablet, or smart appliance, such as “Find all photos from my last vacation and create an album called ‘Beach Trip’.”

Your Assistant, Your Way: Online, App, and Free Access

Flexibility is a key feature of the modern AI era. You can chat with an AI assistant online for quick access on any computer, or download a dedicated AI assistant app for a more integrated mobile experience with voice commands. Crucially, you don’t need to break the bank. The prevalence of the free AI assistant model means that powerful, cutting-edge technology is accessible to everyone, providing a robust starting point for exploring what AI can do for you.

The future is not just about assistants that respond to commands, but ones that anticipate our needs. The journey towards a truly proactive AI personal assistant — one that manages your schedule, filters your emails, and prepares you for your day without prompting — is well underway. As this technology continues to mature, it promises to become an even more integral, helpful, and seamless part of our connected world.

[xaltius]

AI in Cybersecurity: Enhancing Threat Detection and Response

The cybersecurity landscape is a relentless battleground, characterized by an ever-increasing volume of threats, the sheer sophistication of attacks, and a critical shortage of human talent. Traditional rule-based and signature-based security systems, while foundational, often struggle to keep pace with polymorphic malware, zero-day exploits, and the sheer volume of alerts generated daily. This is where Artificial Intelligence (AI) steps in, transforming the fight by dramatically enhancing our ability to detect threats and respond with unprecedented speed.

AI is not a magic bullet, but rather a powerful augmentation to human capabilities, acting as a force multiplier for security teams.

The Challenge: Overwhelmed Defenders

Consider the typical Security Operations Center (SOC) analyst. They face:

Alert Fatigue: Millions of alerts from various security tools, many of which are false positives, leading to analyst burnout and missed critical threats.

Sophisticated Attackers: Adversaries use AI and automation themselves, making attacks more stealthy, adaptive, and rapid.

Data Overload: The sheer volume of log data, network traffic, and threat intelligence is humanly impossible to process effectively.

Skill Gap: A global shortage of cybersecurity professionals means teams are often understaffed and overworked.

How AI Enhances Threat Detection

AI excels at processing massive datasets, recognizing complex patterns, and learning from experience – capabilities perfectly suited for modern threat detection.

Anomaly Detection:

Beyond Signatures: Instead of looking for known attack signatures, AI (especially unsupervised learning models) can establish a baseline of "normal" behavior for users, networks, and systems.

Spotting the Unusual: Any significant deviation from this baseline – an unusual login time, an unexpected file access, a sudden surge in network traffic – is flagged as an anomaly, potentially indicating a zero-day exploit or insider threat that traditional tools would miss.

Examples: User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) leveraging AI to detect compromised accounts or insider sabotage.

Advanced Malware Detection and Classification:

Deep Learning for Malware Analysis: AI models can analyze static (code structure, headers) and dynamic (runtime behavior) features of files at scale.

Polymorphic Malware: AI can identify characteristics of polymorphic malware (which changes its code to evade signature-based detection) by looking at its behavior or structural patterns rather than fixed signatures.

Automated Reverse Engineering: Generative AI can assist in disassembling and understanding malicious code, accelerating the threat intelligence process.

Intelligent Phishing and Spam Detection:

Contextual Analysis: AI goes beyond simple keyword matching, analyzing email headers, sender reputation, language patterns, sentiment, and even visual cues (like fake logos) to determine if an email is a phishing attempt.

Evolving Tactics: Machine learning models can adapt to new phishing campaigns and social engineering tricks much faster than manual updates.

Vulnerability Prioritization:

Risk-Based Approach: Instead of simply listing vulnerabilities, AI can analyze factors like exploit availability, potential impact, asset criticality, and attacker behavior to prioritize which vulnerabilities pose the highest immediate risk, guiding remediation efforts.

Threat Intelligence Augmentation:

Natural Language Processing (NLP): AI can process vast amounts of unstructured threat intelligence from blogs, research papers, dark web forums, and news feeds.

Pattern Identification: Identify emerging attack campaigns, threat actor groups, and TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures) that might otherwise be buried in data.

Summarization: Generate concise summaries of complex threat reports for security analysts.

How AI Enhances Incident Response

Once a threat is detected, rapid and effective response is paramount to minimize damage. AI significantly streamlines this process.

Automated Incident Triage and Prioritization:

Contextualization: AI can correlate alerts from disparate security tools, creating a holistic view of an incident and reducing false positives.

Automated Routing: Automatically route incidents to the most appropriate security team or analyst based on severity and type.

Faster Root Cause Analysis:

Log Analysis: AI can rapidly sift through millions of log entries across different systems to pinpoint the initial point of compromise and the full scope of an attack.

Attack Path Mapping: Visualize the attacker's path through the network, helping security teams understand how an attack unfolded.

Automated Containment and Remediation:

SOAR Integration: AI can integrate with Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platforms to trigger automated actions like isolating compromised endpoints, blocking malicious IPs, or rolling back configurations.

Pre-emptive Actions: Based on detected patterns, AI might suggest or even initiate pre-emptive actions to prevent further compromise.

Intelligent Playbook Generation:

Dynamic Response Plans: Generative AI can dynamically generate step-by-step incident response playbooks tailored to the specific characteristics of an ongoing attack, guiding human analysts.

Post-Incident Analysis and Reporting:

Automated Reporting: AI can compile detailed incident reports, summarizing timelines, affected systems, and remediation steps, freeing up analyst time.

Lessons Learned: Analyze past incidents to identify trends and suggest improvements for future security posture.

The Future: Human-AI Collaboration

AI is not here to replace human cybersecurity professionals, but to empower them. The most effective cybersecurity strategies in the future will be those that foster a collaborative environment where AI handles the heavy lifting of data analysis and automation, allowing human experts to focus on strategic decision-making, complex problem-solving, and the creative intelligence needed to outsmart human adversaries. Embracing AI in cybersecurity is no longer an option; it's a necessity for robust and resilient defenses in our hyper-connected world.

[ppink-146]

Best IEEE Expert in nagercoil

AB Technologies: The Best Engineering Project Center in Nagercoil

When it comes to engineering project guidance, innovation, and quality, AB Technologies stands out as the best engineering project center in Nagercoil. With a strong commitment to helping students succeed in their academic and professional journeys, AB Technologies provides unmatched support for final-year and mini projects across all engineering disciplines.

Why AB Technologies is the Top Choice for Engineering Projects

Experienced and Skilled Mentors AB Technologies is backed by a team of industry professionals, academic experts, and certified trainers who bring years of real-world experience to the table. Whether it’s Computer Science, Electronics, Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering, students receive personalized mentorship from concept to completion.

Wide Range of Project Domains AB Technologies offers comprehensive project solutions in:

Embedded Systems & IoT

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Robotics & Automation

Web and Mobile Application Development

VLSI, Power Systems, Structural Design, and more

Students are given the flexibility to choose their area of interest and are guided to build innovative and technically strong projects.

Complete End-to-End Project Support At AB Technologies, students receive complete assistance including:

Project topic selection and idea development

System design, coding, simulation, and testing

Report writing and IEEE paper preparation

Final presentation guidance and viva support

This holistic approach ensures that students not only complete their projects successfully but also gain practical knowledge and technical confidence.

State-of-the-Art Infrastructure The Nagercoil center is equipped with modern labs, the latest development tools, and high-speed connectivity, providing a professional environment for project development. AB Technologies creates a perfect blend of learning and innovation, helping students work on real-time projects that align with industry standards.

Focus on Innovation and Industry Trends AB Technologies stays ahead of the curve by focusing on trending technologies and encouraging students to think creatively. The center regularly updates its project offerings to reflect the latest advancements in the tech and engineering world.

Student Success Stories

Over the years, hundreds of students from leading engineering colleges in and around Nagercoil have benefited from AB Technologies. Many have won awards, received top grades, and even secured placements based on the strength of the projects they developed with AB Technologies.

Conclusion

If you're an engineering student in Nagercoil looking for expert project guidance, real-time exposure, and a chance to build something impactful, AB Technologies is the place to go. With its dedicated mentors, broad project scope, and innovative environment, AB Technologies truly lives up to its reputation as the best engineering project center in Nagercoil.

WEBSITE : https://abtechnologies.in/

ADDRESS : NAGERCOIL

14, First and Second Floor, Prajam Complex, S. T. Hindu College Road, Chettikulam, Nagercoil - 629002.

 +91 98405 11458  +91 97892 24844

[aesthetinet]

Speculative Interfaces... What even are they?!?

What's up my peepz all across the web, itz ur fabulous fav, the baddie of all time, or at least the 2000s, DORFic2KPrincess ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ

And today, I'll be ur bae guiding you through what exactly the heck they mean, the history of some of the most amazeee e-lit interfaces, and giving u the 4-1-1 on what aesthetics of this reading and the overall vibez of speculative interfaces <3…

This excerpt from the reading explains it in the most straight-up way. “Speculative interfaces indicate the experimentation with form genre and interface, an openness and exploration of interfaces that are not yet standard… or mimicking of something that does not yet and may never exist.”

This week, I had the absolute and completely joyous pleasure of reading “Speculative Interfaces: How Electronic Literature Uses the Interface to Make Us Think about Technology” by Jill Walker Rettberg, and boy, was this one was a doozy. This paper spoke about the history of speculative interfaces, specifically looking at it through electronic literature (e-lit) and argues that speculative interfaces are a key attribute of not only e-lit but the digital humanities as a whole. The paper argued its case through three examples across time: M.U.C. Love Letter Generator by Christopher Strachey (1952), Afternoon: A Story by Michael Joyce (1987), and Breathe by Kate Pullinger (2018), all of which created new speculative interfaces to enhance the experience for the individual. M.U.C’s love letter generator was revolutionary when it first emerged as it is the first piece of e-lit in history. The love letter generator was not a writing piece that Shakespeare would applaud, but that was not the purpose. Rather, the program was able to generate these love letters, and for Strachey, it was far more interesting how a computer can give the illusion that it is thinking up the response in the form of a love letter. While the technological marvels are nothing compared to today, it’s important to acknowledge that M.U.C. was the beginning of the speculative exploration of text generation. By creating M.U.C., Strachey explores the relationship between conventional romantic partners and, on a broader scale, between humans and machines.

The next speculative work mentioned by Rettberg is Michael Joyce’s Afternoon: A Story (1987), which marks the beginning of hypertext fiction. The story was first introduced at the first hypertext conference, which brought together computer scientists, poets, and humanities scholars to talk about the technical details of hypertext systems. The spirit of exploration was intrinsic to these early hypertext conferences, specifically the exploration of technology and aesthetic practices. The speculative interface in relation to Afternoon is not simply the hypertext interface, but rather the intertwining of it with a story that tells a narrative that is the speculative interface.

The last example mentioned is Kate Pullinger’s Breathe (2018), which is a short story meant to be experienced on a mobile phone. The story follows a young woman named Flo who communicates to the reader through one to two-sentence slides, totalling 105 when the story is complete. Throughout the story, we follow her, but are also interrupted by “the ghost,” who possesses our screen and halts the story while taking advantage of permissions allowed by the reader at the beginning of the story. When first opening the story, they ask for permission to access your device’s camera and location, both of which are used against you throughout the course of the story. The speculative interface in Breathe is the interface between humans and technologies; perhaps the ghost isn’t a ghost at all, but rather the tech itself, speaking directly to us, drawing us into itself.

Thinking about aesthetics when talking about this reading was difficult because there was so much information to take in that assigning an aesthetic or ‘core’ felt difficult because there was nothing else to latch onto. That being said, I do think this reading captures the intersection of multiple aesthetics. Firstly, as I was reading, it felt like I was walking through an abandoned building, but that has more to do with the respective interface of ‘electronic book review,’ not necessarily the reading. The reading reminded me of themes of futurism, avant-garde and surrealism. Futurism was a movement crafted in response to the quickness and speed, the power of the machine, and the vitality of the 20th  century. Avant-garde is obviously intertwined with speculative interfaces, as all speculative interfaces work in areas to make something new and different, often unusual or different in form factor, allowing the interfaces to keep pushing further into the speculative. Surrealism is also something that comes to mind when speaking about speculative interfaces because both work to try and revolutionize the human experience. Surrealism is about the juxtaposition of the normal and the oddities of dreamlike imagery, while not all speculative interfaces mentioned above use surrealism, they all function to introduce ‘dreamlike’ interfaces. They are all working to create new experiences or to enhance the already mundane experiences we encounter every day.

Urz 4everrrr,

Aestheticaste

Media cited: - Speculative Interfaces: How Electronic Literature Uses the Interface to Make Us Think About Technology - A Guide To Surrealism - TATE: Avant-Garde - TATE: Futurism

[mitscollege]

A Day in the Life of a Student at the Best BCA College in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar has earned the distinction of being considered the "Smart City of India." The place houses some of the best education institutions in the state of Odisha. And out of the many best BCA colleges in Bhubaneswar, their curriculum and ambience have perfectly combined academic acumen with up-to-date infrastructures and professional training. But what may interest you in the current modern era is finding out the whole scenario about any typical day going on of that student studying to acquire his/ her BCA from such prominent colleges. This is about their daily life through which it happens to become most exciting and at the same time rewarding journey. 6: 30- 7:30 AM - A.Morning routine & Preparations

A BCA student's day generally begins early. Many students residing in hostels and PG accommodations, which are within the reach of the campus, wake up by 6:30 AM. A morning routine with a short workout or yoga prepares the student to stay energetic throughout the day. Healthy breakfast, either in hostel mess or at some nearby café, makes it a good start for the day.

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM: Commute to College

For students staying outside the campus, the college commute is a part of the exciting day. While some prefer to travel by buses or shared autos, others use bikes or bicycles. The greenery-lined roads of Bhubaneswar make the commute very pleasant. The best BCA colleges are well connected, so students can reach on time.

8:45 AM - 9:00 AM: Attendance & Morning Briefing

When a student reaches college, the initial activity is checking attendance and general orientation for the day. Faculty members may deliver a short account of the class conducted the day before or some work that may be submitted over the next period. Many colleges also hold assembly in the mornings, where most announcements are delivered and motivational addresses are given. 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Fundamental Technical Classes

The morning session of the academic day is focused on core subjects like:

Programming Fundamentals (Python, Java, C++)

Database Management Systems (DBMS)

Web Development & Design

Data Structures & Algorithms

These classes include interactive lectures, coding exercises, and discussions on real-world applications. Professors use smart classrooms, projectors, and digital whiteboards to enhance learning.

11:00 AM - 11:15 AM: Short Break

It takes 15 minutes for the student to have his or her coffee, interact with friends, or refresh the mind before the start of the next session.

11:15 AM - 1:00 PM: Practical Labs & Hands-on Learning

BCA is practical exposure. For this time slot, students report to computer labs that are adequately equipped for performing assignments and projects. The experience in labs allows students to work on their: Coding problems Small applications Database queries Network simulations

The faculty members and lab assistants are available to guide the students and clear any doubts.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch Break & Networking

The lunch hour is not only about recharging the body but also networking with peers. Students visit the college canteen or nearby eateries to enjoy a wholesome meal. It's also a time to discuss ongoing projects, plan for upcoming events, or simply relax.

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Industry Exposure & Skill Development

The best BCA colleges in Bhubaneswar consider industry exposure through guest lectures, webinars, and workshops. Guest lectures by professionals from companies like Infosys, Wipro, and TCS are frequent activities on campus. Some of these topics covered in the guest lectures include: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Cybersecurity Trends Cloud Computing & IoT Soft Skills & Resume Building They help the students gain an added advantage in their career.

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Project Work & Assignments

Students use this time to work on group projects, research papers, or other kinds of assignments. The college library, which has access to online journals and programming books, becomes the platform of knowledge sharing. A few students work together in teams and share innovative ideas related to their final-year projects.

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Extracurricular Activities & Clubs

A well-rounded education is not just about academics. The best BCA colleges offer clubs and societies where students can participate in:

Coding Clubs: Organizing hackathons and coding competitions.

Entrepreneurship Cell: Encouraging tech-based startups.

Cultural & Drama Clubs: Showcasing creativity through music and drama.

Sports & Fitness: Engaging in football, cricket, badminton, and yoga.

This hour is crucial for students to unwind and develop leadership and teamwork skills.

5:00 PM- 6:00 PM. Internship/Freelance Many BCAs take the route of completing internship with information technology firms while studying. Besides that, various others pursue their part-time, full-time and project-based activities by freelancing, which usually major in activities of web developments, graphic designers or software tester, etcetera. Firms like up work, five er, link end are fabulous and excellent choices. 6:30 pm to 8 pm. Play, Reinvigoration/Revitalizing.

Students take rest after the tiring day and visit places close to them such as malls, parks, or cafes. In Bhubaneswar, students have some very good places for hangouts wherein they gather for a discussion over street food or just to stroll around. It is also a time when the hostelites will call their families and speak to them.

8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner & Revision

Dinner is often followed by a quick revision session. Some students may like to revise the lessons taught during the day, complete assignments, or prepare for tests.

Online coding platforms such as LeetCode, CodeChef, and GeeksforGeeks are also used to enhance programming skills.

9:00 PM - 10:30 PM: Entertainment & Socializing

A little unwinding before bed time is essential. Students watch movies, play video games, or discuss tech trends. Others want to read their books or listen to music before calling it a day.

10:30 PM - 11:00 PM: Preparation for the Next Day

Before sleep time, students check schedules, set alarms, and continue planning a to-do list for the day ahead of them. A productive journey during BCA is accomplished when there is a balance between studies, practical learning, and relaxation.

Last Words

Life as a student in one of the best BCA colleges in Bhubaneswar will be an admixture of learning, innovation, networking, and fun. Such exposure will include industry trends, a solid academic foundation, and extracurricular activities for a vibrant career in the world of IT. If you're passionate about technology and are dreaming of being an IT success story, the well-known BCA college in Bhubaneswar can act as a gateway to a great future

[blogchaindeveloper]

Blockchain Development Tools: A Comprehensive Overview

Because of its versatility, blockchain technology has expanded beyond its beginnings in cryptocurrencies and now offers many opportunities. With its disruptive and inventive characteristics, blockchain is transforming recording systems and is positioned as a reliable, distributed data collection innovation.

Let's examine a thorough rundown of the best blockchain development tools on the market.

1. Solidity in Smart Contract Development

Solidity, an object-oriented programming language created especially for creating smart contracts and apps on the Ethereum platform, emerges as a critical blockchain technology tool. The Ethereum virtual machine is improved by this JavaScript-based language, which offers a stable runtime environment. Developers use Solidity to create and implement smart contracts on several blockchains.

2. Using Geth to Manage Ethereum Nodes

Geth is a well-known tool that serves as an Ethereum node. If default values are not supplied, Geth seamlessly connects to the Ethereum mainnet and serves as a command console for input and function execution. Because Geth may automatically access and download the entire Ethereum blockchain, developers are urged to use an external data storage hard drive. Geth makes managing Ethereum nodes easier and is compatible with Windows, Linux, and other operating systems.

3. Dolium's Code Security Assurance

Code safety is crucial, and Solium is essential to ensuring reliable and safe solid code. This utility fixes possible security flaws and formats code for strength. Solium contributes to the general security of blockchain apps by adhering to the Solidity Style Guide and encouraging community-accepted coding techniques.

4. Using Truffle to Simplify Smart Contract Development

Developers can quickly create distributed apps with Truffle, a robust technology that makes intelligent contract development easier. Truffle makes script migration and execution easier by supporting automated testing with tools like Mocha and Chai. It is a valuable instrument for blockchain development.

5. Embark: A Developer Platform for dApp Deployment

One particularly noteworthy developer platform is Embark, which makes it easier to create and implement decentralized apps (dApps). It makes it possible to create new smart contracts and incorporate them easily into JavaScript code. Contract modifications are automatically reflected in related dApps in the Embark system. Embark facilitates Javascript contract testing by utilizing well-known web development languages like Angular, Meteor, and React, allowing developers to oversee their contracts across several blockchains.

6. Using MyEtherWallet for Safe Cryptocurrency Storage

MyEtherWallet provides a safe way to store cryptocurrencies in paper wallets. By printing the private and public keys on actual paper, this cold-storage technique offers a safe and offline storage solution. Hot storage is more straightforward, whereas cold storage is more secure. However, it has a somewhat higher learning curve. Both methods of storage serve distinct purposes.

7. Blockchain Testnet Essential Testing

The blockchain testnet serves as the essential testing environment all blockchain developers require. It enables developers to test decentralized apps (dApps) before live deployment. Testnets are very useful since they allow testing without using actual resources. Because Ethereum uses gas as fuel for different actions, testnets are an excellent way for developers to fix flaws without spending much money.

8. Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) in Cloud-Based   Development

Putting an end-to-end blockchain solution into practice might take much work for many businesses. Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) is a cloud architecture that allows dApps to be built and hosted. Companies can use BaaS to streamline deployment procedures while only paying for the services they utilize. Like Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) in the IT industry, blockchain developers must know how to deal with BaaS. Microsoft, SAP, and Azure examples demonstrate how flexible BaaS applications are.

9. Ether.js JavaScript Wallets

Ether.js is a valuable tool for creating client-side JavaScript wallets that enable connection with the Ethereum blockchain. First linked to ethers.io, it has developed into a flexible general-purpose toolkit that helps web applications easily incorporate blockchain capabilities.

10. Using Hyperledger Caliper for Performance Testing

Hyperledger Caliper is helpful for developers who are interested in evaluating blockchain performance. This tool uses metrics, including throughput, resource usage, latency, and success rate, to quantify blockchain performance. Hyperledger Caliper testing yields valuable insights for blockchain solution optimization and fine-tuning.

11. Using Solc to Compile Solidity

Blockchain developers must be familiar with Solidity's syntax, and Solc is an essential tool for Ethereum-related applications. Solc is a Solidity compiler that transforms scripts into an easy-to-read format. Due to its natural integration with most Ethereum nodes, it is a popular tool that helps with the smooth offline compilation of Solidity scripts.

Encouraging Future Pioneers: The Essential Function of Blockchain Education in Developing Blockchain Developers

It is impossible to overestimate the significance of blockchain courses, particularly for prospective blockchain engineers looking for in-depth instruction in this cutting-edge subject. An organized approach to learning about blockchain and its many uses is to enroll in the top blockchain courses. 

These courses give prospective blockchain developers the fundamental abilities and information required to succeed in blockchain development. People who receive blockchain developer training become proficient in essential languages and tools like Solidity, Geth, and Truffle.

Furthermore, blockchain education extends beyond theoretical knowledge by allowing developers to work with smart contracts, experiment with them, and learn about the subtleties of blockchain testnets. The courses provide students with the skills to understand the complexities of cloud-based blockchain solutions and navigate Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) platforms. 

These courses become indispensable tools as the need for qualified blockchain specialists grows, enabling people to make significant contributions to the field of blockchain development. Adopting blockchain education is a calculated step toward becoming a skilled blockchain developer, equipped to take advantage of the revolutionary potential of this cutting-edge technology rather than just an investment in one's career.

To sum up, the field of blockchain development tools is broad and constantly changing. Each tool is essential for enabling developers to fully utilize blockchain technology, whether for testing blockchain performance, streamlining intelligent contract development, or guaranteeing code security. As the blockchain ecosystem develops, developers must remain knowledgeable about these technologies to navigate this cutting-edge field successfully.

The Blockchain Council is a source of knowledge offering online blockchain courses for individuals keen to learn more about blockchain and improve their abilities. The Blockchain Council promotes blockchain research and development, investigates application cases, and shares information for a better society. 

It is made up of enthusiasts and subject matter experts. Understanding that blockchain goes beyond the confines of conventional technology, the Blockchain Council offers the top blockchain certification, giving people the knowledge and abilities they need to succeed in this quickly developing industry. The Blockchain Council is a dependable resource for staying ahead of industry trends and developing expertise in this game-changing technology in light of the paradigm shift toward blockchain adoption.

[veer-acl]

Guide to Clinical Research Management

Understanding Clinical Research Management

Clinical research management involves the orchestration of various tasks and processes that support clinical trials, which are conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of new medical treatments, devices, or interventions. These trials are essential for obtaining regulatory approvals and for providing data that guides clinical decision-making. The role of a clinical research manager is to ensure that clinical trials meet regulatory, ethical, and scientific standards, often while working with multiple stakeholders, including sponsors, research organizations, and clinical sites.

Impact of Life Sciences Digital Services: Life sciences digital services not only streamline administrative tasks but also enhance collaboration between clinical trial stakeholders. This can lead to faster, more accurate decision-making and more effective trials. The integration of digital services into clinical research management offers benefits like reduced time-to-market for new drugs and treatments and improved trial accuracy and transparency.

Digital Platforms for Clinical Trials:

Electronic Data Capture (EDC) Systems: EDC systems have replaced traditional paper-based data collection, ensuring that clinical data is captured, stored, and retrieved in real-time. This not only enhances the accuracy of data but also reduces the time it takes to analyze trial results.

Compliance with Regulatory Standards: Clinical data management services ensure that the data collected complies with GCP, FDA regulations, and other relevant guidelines.

Advancements in Clinical Data Management Services: The introduction of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) has further enhanced the capabilities of clinical data management services. These technologies are now being used to automate data cleaning, identify patterns, and provide insights into trial outcomes. Additionally, blockchain technology is being explored as a way to secure clinical data, ensuring transparency and immutability.

Regulatory Compliance and Ethical Considerations

Regulatory compliance is one of the most critical aspects of clinical research management. Clinical trials are subject to a complex web of regulations, including GCP, FDA guidelines, and international standards. These regulations are designed to protect patient safety, ensure the ethical conduct of trials, and maintain the integrity of the data collected. Life sciences solutions can support risk management by providing real-time data and analytics, allowing clinical research managers to respond quickly to any emerging issues. For example, predictive analytics can help identify patients who may be at a higher risk of adverse events, enabling proactive interventions.

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance:

Informed Consent: Obtaining informed consent from participants is a cornerstone of ethical clinical research. Digital solutions, such as e-consent platforms, have streamlined this process, making it easier to obtain and track consent electronically.

Conclusion Clinical research management is an ever-evolving field that requires careful planning, coordination, and adherence to regulatory standards.

By embracing these advancements, clinical research managers can continue to improve the quality and efficiency of clinical trials, ultimately bringing new treatments to market faster and more safely.

[schoolofcoreai01]

Exploring Artificial Intelligence Online: A Comprehensive Guide

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a transformative force, shaping everything from how we interact with technology to the ways businesses operate. As AI continues to advance, its applications and benefits are increasingly accessible through online platforms. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a business owner, or just curious about the latest innovations, understanding artificial intelligence online is crucial. Let’s delve into the essentials of AI and explore how you can engage with this fascinating field through the web.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence, often abbreviated as AI, refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn. The ultimate goal of AI is to create systems that can perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence. These tasks include learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and understanding language. AI can be broadly categorized into two types: narrow AI, which is designed to handle a specific task (like voice assistants or recommendation algorithms), and general AI, which aims to possess the full range of human cognitive abilities.

How AI is Transforming Online Experiences

The impact of AI on our online experiences is profound and far-reaching. Here’s how AI is revolutionizing the digital world:

Personalized Content Recommendations: Ever wonder how Netflix seems to know exactly what you might want to watch next? Or why your social media feed is filled with posts you find interesting? That’s AI at work. Through machine learning algorithms, AI analyzes your behavior, preferences, and interactions to recommend content that aligns with your interests. This personalization enhances user experience and keeps engagement high.

Customer Service and Chatbots: AI-powered chatbots are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They can handle a variety of customer service tasks, from answering frequently asked questions to assisting with more complex issues. These chatbots use natural language processing (NLP) to understand and respond to human language, making online interactions smoother and more efficient.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO): AI plays a significant role in SEO by optimizing search engine results. Algorithms powered by AI analyze search patterns and adjust rankings to deliver more relevant search results. This helps businesses improve their online visibility and connect with their target audience more effectively.

Content Creation and Curation: AI tools are also being used to generate content, from news articles to marketing copy. These tools can analyze large amounts of data and produce text that is coherent and contextually appropriate. Additionally, AI can help curate content by identifying trending topics and popular themes, aiding writers and marketers in creating relevant and engaging material.

Getting Started with AI Online

For those interested in exploring artificial intelligence online, there are several avenues to consider:

Online Courses and Tutorials: Numerous platforms offer courses on AI and machine learning, such as Coursera, edX, and Udacity. These courses range from introductory lessons to advanced topics, often taught by experts in the field. Whether you’re looking to understand the basics or dive deep into complex algorithms, online courses provide valuable knowledge and skills.

AI Research and Journals: Staying updated with the latest AI research is crucial for understanding ongoing advancements. Websites like arXiv and Google Scholar provide access to academic papers and research articles that delve into various aspects of AI. Reading these papers can give you insight into cutting-edge technologies and emerging trends.

AI Tools and Platforms: There are several online tools and platforms available for experimenting with AI. Google’s TensorFlow, IBM’s Watson, and Microsoft’s Azure AI are popular options that offer a range of services, from building machine learning models to integrating AI into applications. Many of these platforms offer free tiers or trial versions, making them accessible for beginners.

Community and Forums: Engaging with online communities and forums can provide support and networking opportunities. Websites like Reddit, Stack Overflow, and specialized AI forums offer platforms where you can ask questions, share knowledge, and collaborate with others interested in AI.

Future Prospects of AI Online

The future of AI online holds exciting possibilities. As technology continues to advance, AI is expected to become even more integrated into our daily lives. From smart cities to personalized healthcare, the potential applications are vast. Moreover, as more people become aware of and engage with AI, the field will continue to grow and evolve, leading to innovative solutions and opportunities.

In conclusion, artificial intelligence online offers a wealth of opportunities for learning, experimentation, and innovation. By exploring AI through online courses, research, tools, and communities, you can gain valuable insights and stay ahead in this dynamic field. Embrace the journey of discovering how AI is shaping our world and consider how you might harness its potential in your own endeavors.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

I'm coming to BURNING MAN! On TUESDAY (Aug 27) at 1PM, I'm giving a talk called "DISENSHITTIFY OR DIE!" at PALENQUE NORTE (7&E). On WEDNESDAY (Aug 28) at NOON, I'm doing a "Talking Caterpillar" Q&A at LIMINAL LABS (830&C).

#15yrsago Campaign to get UK government to apologise for hounding Alan Turing to his death https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/campaign-to-win-official-apology-for-alan-927356

#10yrsago NYPD arrest NY gubernatorial challenger for videoing street-arrest https://web.archive.org/web/20140817215021/http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2014/08/14/new-york-governor-candidate-arrested-recording-aggressive-police-behavior/

#10yrsago EFF guide to cell phone use for US protesters https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2014/08/cell-phone-guide-protesters-updated-2014-edition

#10yrsago Life-sized nude sculpture made from typewriter parts https://cargocollective.com/jeremymayer

#5yrsago The guy who figured out Bernie Madoff’s scam now says GE is about to go bankrupt https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/16/investing/ge-harry-markopolos-interview/index.html

#5yrsago Announcement of Tumblr’s sale to WordPress classified as pornography by Tumblr’s notorious “adult content” filter https://memex.craphound.com/2019/08/16/announcement-of-tumblrs-sale-to-wordpress-classified-as-pornography-by-tumblrs-notorious-adult-content-filter/

#5yrsago Judge orders the State of Georgia to be prepared for pen-and-paper balloting by March 2020 https://apnews.com/article/primary-elections-us-news-ap-top-news-voting-voting-machines-abd2949881514e42a50f2025595c9c2a

#5yrsago Art Spiegelman pulled his Marvel Folio Society intro after Disney demanded that he not criticize Trump https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/aug/16/art-spiegelmans-marvel-essay-refused-publication-for-orange-skull-trump-dig

#5yrsago Major corporations blacklist ads on news stories that include the words “Trump,” “racism,” “gun,” “Brexit,” “suicide” and more https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2019/08/advertisers-blacklisting-news-other-stories-with-controversial-words-like-trump.html

#5yrsago In California, the 2020 elections will feature an epic battle to allow cities to reinstate property taxes https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/08/2020-property-tax-battle-in-california-could-be-epic.html

#5yrsago 1000fps video reveals the underlying action of a stinging ant’s venom injection for the very first time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jygY-ZHPxQ

#1yrago At long last, a meaningful step to protect Americans' privacy https://pluralistic.net/2023/08/16/the-second-best-time-is-now/#the-point-of-a-system-is-what-it-does

Community voting for SXSW is live! If you wanna hear RIDA QADRI and me talk about how GIG WORKERS can DISENSHITTIFY their jobs with INTEROPERABILITY, VOTE FOR THIS ONE!

[globalgrowthinsights]

Advanced Ceramics Market Developments, Trends & Opportunities till 2032

Advanced Ceramics Market provides in-depth analysis of the market state of Advanced Ceramics manufacturers, including best facts and figures, overview, definition, SWOT analysis, expert opinions, and the most current global developments. The research also calculates market size, price, revenue, cost structure, gross margin, sales, and market share, as well as forecasts and growth rates. The report assists in determining the revenue earned by the selling of this report and technology across different application areas.

Geographically, this report is segmented into several key regions, with sales, revenue, market share and growth Rate of Advanced Ceramics in these regions till the forecast period

North America

Middle East and Africa

Asia-Pacific

South America

Europe

Key Attentions of Advanced Ceramics Market Report:

The report offers a comprehensive and broad perspective on the global Advanced Ceramics Market.

The market statistics represented in different Advanced Ceramics segments offers complete industry picture.

Market growth drivers, challenges affecting the development of Advanced Ceramics are analyzed in detail.

The report will help in the analysis of major competitive market scenario, market dynamics of Advanced Ceramics.

Major stakeholders, key companies Advanced Ceramics, investment feasibility and new market entrants study is offered.

Development scope of Advanced Ceramics in each market segment is covered in this report. The macro and micro-economic factors affecting the Advanced Ceramics Market

Advancement is elaborated in this report. The upstream and downstream components of Advanced Ceramics and a comprehensive value chain are explained.

Browse More Details On This Report at @https://www.globalgrowthinsights.com/market-reports/advanced-ceramics-market-100587

 Global Growth Insights

Web: https://www.globalgrowthinsights.com

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[audreyshura]

Conch AI Review – Pricing, Features, Alternatives, and Ratings

Conch AI stands out as one of the most sophisticated AI-powered writing tools available, capable of generating content that avoids AI detection. Whether you're a student or a researcher, Conch AI can streamline your writing workflow, making you more productive. It offers high-quality content generation and a variety of AI tools to enhance your writing process.

About Conch AI

Imagine having a seamless, tireless assistant that perfects your writing. Technology has made this possible with Conch AI. This tool allows you to write, edit, check for plagiarism, and rewrite content while maintaining the original theme and tone. Conch AI meets various writing demands and excels at transforming sentences and paragraphs, helping you refine and rephrase your content effortlessly. It interacts with your writing, boosting productivity and ensuring high-quality output tailored to your style.

Conch AI Review Summary

Performance ScoreA+Average Load Time0.4 secQuality of ContentPasses AI Detection & PlagiarismAI-Based TechnologyMachine Learning, NLPUser InterfaceHighly Engaging and IntuitiveFeaturesRewrite & Highlight, Summarize text, Chat, Templates, Humanizer, Finder, Boost WritingPricingFree & Paid PlansAccuracy98%SupportGoogle Docs, PDFs, Gmail, LinkedIn, News Websites, etc.

Introduction to Conch AI

Conch AI is an innovative, user-friendly writing tool catering to students, professionals, and content creators. This cutting-edge AI tool helps writers produce top-notch content with ease and efficiency. It offers a range of tools to help students generate quality content for their papers. One of its standout features is its ability to rewrite sentences and paragraphs, allowing users to refine their writing effortlessly. With Conch AI, structuring essays, articles, or any written piece becomes seamless, welcoming writers of all levels.

How Does Conch AI Work?

Conch AI operates on unique algorithms that rewrite content to remain undetectable by AI systems. It assists in crafting the next sentence based on the context of previous writing, ensuring smooth idea flow and preventing creative interruptions. With Conch AI’s advanced detection tools, users can easily bypass AI detectors like GPTZero and Turnitin, adding an extra layer of protection.

Conch AI Capabilities

Here’s an overview of Conch AI’s features and specifications:

Features

Auto-completion: Utilizes Transformer-based architecture like GPT-3 for sentence auto-completion.

Summarization: Offers concise text summarization.

Paraphrasing: Uses Statistical Machine Translation or Back-Translation for paraphrasing.

Grammar & Style Checking: Removes grammatical errors and suggests improvements using NLP.

Content Generation: Generates text based on prompts using GPT-3 and Large Language Models.

AI Detection Bypass: Built-in tools to make content undetectable by AI algorithms.

How to Use Conch AI

Conch AI is a powerful writing tool that enhances productivity and engagement. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use it:

Download the Conch AI Extension

Visit the Conch AI official website and click "Get Chrome Extension," or directly search for Conch AI on the Chrome web store and add it to Chrome.

Open the Web Application or Chrome Extension

Access the Conch AI extension from the Chrome toolbar or through the official website.

Highlight & Rewrite Sentences & Paragraphs

Highlight the text you want to rewrite, click on the Conch AI extension, and watch the transformation.

Use Conjunction Key in Google Docs or Gmail

In Google Docs or Gmail, use Ctrl+Shift+Q to get assistance from Conch AI. Select the text and press these keys to generate content based on the previous text.

These steps demonstrate how easy it is to use Conch AI to enhance your writing. The tool also offers an incredible feature to remove AI-generated content and rewrite it to avoid detection.

Bypassing AI-Generated Text with Conch AI

Conch AI’s unique rewrite feature allows you to bypass AI-generated content detection. Here’s how:

Generate text using any AI tool like ChatGPT.

Copy the text and paste it into an AI detector tool like GPTZero to confirm it is AI-generated.

Paste the text into Conch AI, use the rewrite feature, and set the desired length and tone. The rewritten text will pass AI detection checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Best Alternatives To Conch AI?

Alternatives include Quillbot, Writesonic, and Copy AI.

Is Conch AI Safe to Use?

Yes, Conch AI is a safe platform.

How To Create An Account On Conch AI?

Use your email address and password to create an account.

Does Conch AI Bypass AI Detection?

Yes, Conch AI can bypass AI detection with its rewrite feature.

Is Conch AI Free?

Conch AI offers free and paid subscription plans.

What Are Tokens In Conch AI?

Tokens represent the number of free words you can use. The free version offers 3000 tokens. For unlimited access, purchase a subscription.

Conclusion

Conch AI revolutionizes the writing process with advanced AI technology. It makes writing more convenient, less tedious, and faster. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Conch AI’s features, usage, and benefits. Embrace this incredible tool to enhance your writing endeavors.

[datasciencewithgenerativeai]

Data Science with Generative AI Online Training | Data Science Course

What is Data Science? A Complete Guide for Beginners

Introduction

Data Science Course Online Training is an interdisciplinary field that extracts insights and knowledge from structured and unstructured data using scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems. It combines aspects of statistics, computer science, and domain expertise to analyze and interpret complex data. For beginners, understanding the basics of data science can open doors to numerous opportunities in various industries. Best Data Science Training in Hyderabad

What is Data Science?

Data science involves collecting, processing, and analyzing data to extract valuable information. It is used in various sectors like healthcare, finance, marketing, and technology to drive decision-making and innovation.

Key Components of Data Science

Data Collection: Gathering raw data from various sources such as databases, web scraping, sensors, and surveys.

Data Cleaning: Removing inaccuracies and inconsistencies from the data to ensure its quality and reliability.

Data Exploration: Understanding data patterns, distributions, and relationships through visualization and statistical analysis.

Data Modeling: Using statistical and machine learning models to predict outcomes and uncover hidden patterns.

Data Interpretation: Analyzing the results from models to make informed decisions and actionable insights.

Essential Skills for Data Scientists

Statistical Analysis: Understanding statistical methods and their applications in data analysis.

Programming: Knowledge of programming languages like Python and R for data manipulation and analysis.

Data Visualization: Using tools like Tableau, Matplotlib, and Seaborn to create visual representations of data.

Machine Learning: Familiarity with algorithms and techniques to build predictive models.

Domain Knowledge: Understanding the specific industry or field where data science is applied.

Applications of Data Science

Healthcare: Predicting disease outbreaks, personalizing treatment plans, and optimizing hospital operations.

Finance: Detecting fraud, managing risk, and creating financial models.

Marketing: Analyzing customer behavior, segmenting markets, and optimizing campaigns.

Technology: Enhancing product features, improving user experience, and developing AI-driven applications.

Getting Started in Data Science

Learn the Basics: Start with fundamental concepts in statistics and programming.

Take Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Khan Academy offer comprehensive courses.

Stay Updated: Follow industry blogs, research papers, and attend conferences to keep up with the latest trends and advancements.  Data Science Course Training in Hyderabad

Conclusion

Data science is a rapidly growing field with vast potential. By mastering the basics and continuously honing your skills, you can embark on a rewarding career in this dynamic and impactful domain. Whether you are a beginner or looking to advance your knowledge, there are ample resources and opportunities to help you succeed in data science.

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[2isolutions]

The Future of GST Tax Solutions

The Future of SAP Tax Solutions

In today's business environment navigating the web of tax rules and regulations can feel like finding your way through a maze, without a guide. For companies of all sizes meeting tax requirements while keeping operations running smoothly is not a hurdle but a crucial necessity. This is where SAP Tax Solutions shines as an efficient option providing a range of tools and services to simplify tax management processes and reduce risks.

Moving from tax practices to digital solutions is now essential for businesses aiming to stay competitive. Among the options SAP Tax Solutions stands out as a reliable ally empowering companies to handle tax compliance confidently.

In this in-depth exploration, we take a look at SAP Tax Solutions exploring their potential for transformation and how they improve compliance. From SAP E Bill Solutions to SAP GST Implementation we uncover the details of these solutions offering insights into their features, advantages, and practical uses. Join us on this journey as we demystify SAP Tax Solutions and discover the key to boosting efficiency, compliance, and financial prosperity.

Exploring the Basics of SAP Tax Solutions

To comprehend the essence of SAP Tax Solutions it is crucial to understand the fundamental principles that form the basis of these groundbreaking solutions.

Tax-solution products from SAP include complete tool packages as well as services and solutions that help simplify tax data management processes in multiple jurisdictions and under different regimes. Through using the state of the art technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing, SAP Tax Solutions provide organizations the ability to create a self-executing system whose goals are to decrease manual tasks and as result improve accuracy.

Sending out tax documents in the old school ways by printed papers while adopting digital solutions instead is considered a transformation in the philosophy of business to many other businesses. On the part of the user, the benefits are plenty, starting with higher accuracy and compliance, operating [cost] effectiveness, to cost savings. Capabilities like tax liability calculation, exemption and deduction management reporting and tax compliance are all part of an integrated SAP' Tax Solution, which allows for companies to have a comprehensive approach to taxation, adapting quickly to any regulatory changes from complex environments.

 Exploring SAP E-Bill Solutions

In the present day and age, where digitization has increased the pace of the business transactions, manual billing and invoicing methods are almost becoming irrelevant. Enters SAP E-Bill Solutions, a grounding solution, custom fitted for businesses seeking to revamp how they handle their invoicing procedures. SAP E-Bill Solution is able to implement the digital aspect through all the billing lifecycle, invoice generation and payments processing, which can be used to eliminate the inefficiencies and bottlenecks associated with traditional invoice methods. These have made the cash flow more quick and immediate.

One of the most important things of SAP E-Bill Solutions is the automation of the creation and distribution of the invoices and that means, they can save both the time and the efforts of those who generate them and then send them to the customers. SAP E-Bill Solutions have the unique ability to interconnect with web-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Thus, organizations can merge all invoices originated into their systems in real time in due form, while maintaining data accuracy and consistency with other financial transactions. In addition to this, the ability to adopt various invoice templates and make flexible payment arrangements boosts the efficiency of businesses as they can put their customers’ needs in check.

In a regulatory point of view, SAP E-Bill Solutions are the depth that makes sure that the tax regulations and invoice standardization are followed. It is very advantageous for companies to issue compliant electronic invoices and receipts, which will aid them in avoiding penalties or fines that come with non-compliance. SAP E-Bill Solutions also help organizations know comprehensively about their invoicing processes, pick out areas for improving, and government cash flow management by offering full reporting and analytics functions.

Implementing SAP GST Implementation

GST has well become the catalyst in the direct taxation circle at the same time allowing the tax model and diminishing level and growth of taxes are the key factors behind this. Yet, GST works in favor for businesses that have presence in countries where GST is applicable. They have to adhere to lots of regulations and rules that can be really complicated. In the middle, it is the SAP implementation that is the most applicable, which is a reliable structure that companies use to meet their GST-related process and of course compliance with the law.

At base-level, the SAP GST Implementation package comprises an array of the tools and services aimed at smoothing the GST integration process into the existing ERP solution. From setting up tax output and rates to issuing GST-compliant invoices and returns, SAP GST implementation helps businesses deal effectively with the entire GST cycle from its inception till the end. With this, they won't be compelled to initiate mandatory procedures and minimize the possibility of non-compliance.

The GST implementations in SAP deploy the same degree of automation into and standardization of GST processes as the GST management which cuts down the time and efforts required to do GST compliance. More specifically, the use of cutting-edge technologies like machine learning and predictive analytics by the SAP GST Implementation helps organizations discover compliance issues pertaining to their operations in time, and thus permitting them to act preemptively instead of allowing them to degenerate to high cost problems.

Hence the SAP GST Implementation is also presenting businesses with the information in real-time and analytical capabilities which help the businesses to know the accurate GST liabilities making the tax planning strategies of the businesses better for minimizing the tax exposure. The SAP GST Implementation will be able to collect, store and run through the entire GST transaction process centralizing GST-related data while ensuring that accuracy and consistency happen across all of the transactions, thus, making the errors and discrepancies smaller and negligible.

SAP Tax Solutions constitute actual developments in the way companies handle and manage their tax related processes, featuring a wide spectrum of characteristics and services intended for simplifying and improving tax management, raising compliance, and driving operating performance. 

SAP E-Bill Solutions & SAP GST Implementation are just selections of the latest innovations designed to meet the nuances of modern tax in no time with no problems.

The significance of a business adopting solutions involving digital taxes can no longer be underestimated as they keep grappling with changing regulations and compliance. The SAP Tax Solutions can be applied to leverage new technologies and practices to help various organizations automate and optimize their tax-related workflows. Through this, they will be able to minimize the amount of error-prone workload, reduce the possibility of an error occurring, and meet the requirements set by legislation respectively.

Moving forward, an advancement in laws regarding taxation and the vigilance of the enforcement mechanisms is expected. Hence, SAP Tax Solutions will keep on assuming a greater significance. Through staying ahead of the game and seizing the benefits of digital developments business can find itself on the pole to handle long-term success against the always changing regulatory environment. With SAP Tax Solutions as their trusted partner, organizations can navigate the challenges of tax compliance with confidence, enabling them to focus on what they do best: building expansive education, advancement and welfare.