#Windows App Development London

[secret-diary-of-an-fa]

Doctor Who: The Legend of Ruby Sunday (Worth the Wait).

In a season that has been decidedly hit and miss (with more of the latter than the former), The Legend of Ruby Sunday stands as a both startlingly detailed and wonderfully well-made. It might even be better than Boom! (the standout for this season so far) but I’m undecided on that one. It’s really astonishing how much of this episode just works, straight off the bat, especially given how many elements are in play at once. And there are are lot of elements. The Legend of Ruby Sunday is a dense, meaty slice of science fiction that feels worthy of the show’s spectacular, confident 2005 return. We have a woman who seems to have been multiplied and scattered across time and space but who, on present day Earth, is a tech billionaire preparing to release a new app that will change life on the planet in some mysterious and unspecified way. We have a time window that lets us see into Ruby Sunday’s equally mysterious past, developed in secret by UNIT (who have been spying on the tech billionaire). We have a dark cloud hanging over the TARDIS itself and ominous portents that He Who Waits is ‘returning’. It’s heavily implied that He Who Waits is something like the Celestial Toymaker but worse; far, far worse. And finally, at the end, we get a big, scary reveal that unveils the tech billionaire as a mere pawn in someone else’s game and the real identity of He Who Waits (and what he has to do with the dark presence lurking around the TARDIS). By golly that’s a lot of things and they all gel together nicely, creating a plot that feels kinetic and energised without feeling rushed.

Unfortunately, in order to review it properly, I’m going to have to spoil the big reveal at the end, so if you haven’t seen The Legend of Ruby Sunday yet, consider this a hearty, two-thumbed recommendation, go watch it, and then come back here for the analysis. SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT.

Done? Okay? Brilliant. So it turns out that He Who Waits is- and there’s no easy way to say it so I’m just going to come right and drop a bombshell on y’all- the no-kidding god of death (Sutekh to his friends). The tech billionaire (Susan, but it doesn’t matter) is one of his vessels, come to bring the gift of death to the noisy, babbling universe while the dark cloud around the TARDIS is Sutekh’s own body, scattered but waiting to manifest. And manifest he does, immediately causing his vessels and harbingers to turn into zombie-things whose merest touch can turn people to dust. Cue the ‘TO BE CONTINUED’ bit and roll the credits, because that, ladies and gents, is how you do a fucking cliff-hanger.

Doctor Who really does seem to be at its best when it’s doing full-on cosmic horror lately (the ridiculousness of The Giggle notwithstanding, it still leant heavily into that vibe; even moreso Wild Blue Yonder). Don’t get me wrong: I wasn’t necessarily a fan of the wishy-washy supernatural elements introduced this season (the stupid bloody fairy circle for 73 Yards can grab its cunty little goblin friends from The Church on Ruby Road and fuck right off), but I’ll forgive them since this is apparently what they were building to. The Doctor- the pinnacle of intelligent, problem-solving rationality- matching wits with a god death embodying the blackest, deepest depths of terror and superstition? Yessity-fucking-please! And the route we took to get here: the reunions and cheer of UNIT overcast and overshadowed with a palpable sense of looming dread as a storm rolls into London, presaging the terror to come. It’s great! It’s even gotten me psyched for the next episode; the final instalment of this season and this story. Well, it’s mostly got me psyched.

See, as much as I enjoyed The Legend of Ruby Sunday, I do worry that one great episode does not equal a trend and that the titanic confrontation promised at the end of this one might not actually be paid off in the sequel. We could end up with the Doctor getting sidelined by other, more active characters, or Sutekh getting nerfed for reasons of plot-convenience. Hopefully the two-parter got written in one mammoth session on one of Russel T. Davies’ more switched-on days and the quality will remain consistent across the halves, because it would be great if this season could end on a bang instead of a whimper.

Sorry. I don’t mean to sound negative while I’m in the middle of praising something. The problem is that this season has been such a mixed bag, it’s hard not to have my opinion of even great episodes coloured by the quality of the episodes that surround them.

Anyway! Back to the positivity! What works here is as much about what the episode doesn’t do as what it does do. We’re not interrupted, for example, by any unnecessary musical numbers (look, I was fine with the Celestial Toymaker having a song-and-dance routine, because he’s that kind of over the top villain, but the number of episodes that ground to a halt for musicals this season was starting to get ridiculous). We’re also mercifully free of rushed romantic subplots (again, Doctor Who plus romance is fine, it just needs awhile to percolate, and if you’re not going to do it properly, you shouldn’t do it at all, BBC). And, most importantly of all, there’s no overt, straight-to-camera speeches about [INSERT RIPPED-FROM-THE-HEADLINES ISSUE HERE]. I’ve broadly agreed with the show’s politics this season (we’re not lost in Tory Chibnal territory here), but I don’t want to hear any point repeated ad nauseum, even a good point. All the focus here is on delivering a proper, well-constructed story and it’s really refreshing.

I have gripes, of course. I appreciate the low-key diss someone slipped past the editorial team by making the god of death look a bit like a mouse. Disney, whose money Doctor Who now depends on is, of course, the ‘House of Mouse’ and it’s fair to say it’s influence is one of the factors slowly killing interest in the show, so yeah: right on whoever came up with that monster design. Unfortunately, it does have the unexpected side-effect of making Sutekh look adorable, which probably isn’t the vibe they were going for. Also, I’ve seen Lenny Rush on Taskmaster and now I’ve seen him in this and he definitely makes a better comedian than an actor. I mean, fair play to the wee fella, I’ve just googled him and he’s only fifteen so it’s totally to be expected that he’s not quite there yet. It just seems weird he’s in a more serious-skewing episode.

Overall, however, The Legend of Ruby Sunday is a refreshing change of pace in a season that’s struggled to find its feet. Hopefully, it’s a blueprint for both the season finale and Ncuti Gatwa’s upcoming second season as the Doctor. This kind of thing is good. This kind of thing can bring fans together. This kind of thing is what the show needs now.

Please, please, Russel T. Davies. MORE OF THIS SORT OF THING.

EDIT: Yes, I'm aware that Sutekh is supposed to look like a jackal, but 'supposed to' is the operative phrase in this context. From the camera angle privileged towards the end of the episode, with the big ears and adorable little whiskers, the motherfucker looks like a mouse, and that will never not be funny to me.

[cantsayidont]

Some recentish shows of note, or lack thereof:

COUNT ABDULLA: Charming comedy about a Pakistani doctor who gets turned into a vampire by a white vamp with a fetish for brown men, and the many complications that ensue. Not so much a horror story as a witty parable about the travails of being a person of color in Tory Britain today. (So, a horror story after all, then.) Jaime Winstone needs to dial it back, but the rest of the cast delights.

DEADLOCH: Snarky comedy-mystery by a well-known Australian comedy team, about mismatched cops investigating a gruesome murder in a small town. The mystery is clever; the payoff is blah; and despite the predominantly female, mostly LGBT cast, the humor is awfully reliant on misogynistic and homophobic cracks that frequently cross a line from "laughing with" to "laughing at."

HIJACK: Tense but very contrived seven-part thriller about the hijacking of a British airliner on a seven-hour-flight from Dubai to London, with passenger Idris Elba the wildcard. Gripping, but not terribly plausible, and the many false climaxes become exhausting, especially if you watch the episodes back to back.

THE LAZARUS PROJECT: Convoluted, intermittently fascinating, unpleasantly mean Sky sci-fi thriller about an app developer named George Addo (Paapa Essiedu), who's drawn into a secret organization that can undo world-ending disasters (natural or manmade) by resetting time to a predetermined save point, like a video game, although this has harrowing consequences for the handful of people capable of remembering the repeated resets. At first, this is basically just window dressing for grim espionage procedural nonsense, with some extremely questionable character motivations, but after a relentlessly bleak midsection, the first season finds its dramatic footing in the unexpectedly interesting final episodes, in which the premise is pushed to its breaking point and the grimness gives way to black comedy. This is the note on which the considerably more complicated second season begins, but it again grows uglier and bleaker as it goes on, and any sympathy for George, positioned at the start of the show as a relatable everyman, has long since evaporated. There are some provocative ideas and a number of surprisingly funny moments, but the whole story is predicated on pushing the characters into morally compromised positions (one assumes creator Joe Barton always has a browser tab open to the TV Tropes "Moral Event Horizon" page), and the fact that some of the (many) atrocities the characters perpetrate in hopes of fixing the existential catastrophes they've set in motion are subsequently undone doesn't make them any easier to stomach. Anjli Mohindra (who plays Archie, the veteran agent who initially recruits George into the project) remains frustratingly under-utilized in both seasons.

THE MORNING SHOW: Big-budget, all-star TV news drama is all dressed up with nothing to say, undone at every turn by truly spineless whataboutism and a centrist world view so gormless it makes Aaron Sorkin seem like Alexander Berkman. Reese Witherspoon is pretty good as closeted bisexual cohost Bradley Jackson, but costar Jennifer Anniston's limited range becomes a problem, particularly as the quality of the scripts declines noticeably in later seasons. You could always just watch BROADCAST NEWS.

THE OTHER BLACK GIRL: Disjointed adaptation of the 2021 Zakiya Dalila Harris novel scores when it focus on the workplace drama of a young Black woman in a painfully white publishing company, but trips over its own feet in its attempts to also be a paranoid thriller, with plenty of bad vibes that never add up to a coherent sense of threat and a conspiracy plot that doesn't really make any sense.

THE PERIPHERAL: Misfired adaptation of the 2014 William Gibson novel is executive-produced by the same people as the recent WESTWORLD series and has the same problems: big ideas that don't translate into action and an infuriating tendency to consign characters of color to marginal or villainous roles. Worse, it eventually becomes clear that several more compelling characters have been sidelined in favor of the poor white trash leads (Chloë Grace Moretz and Jack Reynor), who are neither very interesting nor especially sympathetic.

WHO IS ERIN CARTER?: Kinetic but preposterous seven-part action thriller with Evin Ahmad as a suburban mom in Barcelona who is secretly an incredible badass with a shady past. Basically a violent Walter Mitty fantasy for soccer moms who love the JOHN WICK movies, with a showy supporting role for Denise Gough from ANDOR.

[winklix]

AI and Data Migration: A Combination for Successful Business

Introduction

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly evolving to keep pace with the rapid changes in technology. Whether it's upgrading systems, transitioning to the cloud, or merging multiple data sources, data migration has become a crucial business process. However, traditional data migration is often plagued by challenges like data loss, downtime, and inconsistencies. Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI)—a game-changer that is revolutionizing the way companies approach data migration.

The synergy between AI and data migration isn't just technical; it's transformational. By combining automation, intelligence, and predictive capabilities, businesses can ensure more accurate, faster, and cost-effective migrations. Forward-thinking organizations are partnering with top AI development companies in London to unlock this powerful combination and drive business success.

What is Data Migration?

Data migration is the process of transferring data between different storage systems, formats, or computing environments. This could involve moving from on-premise systems to the cloud, switching databases, or integrating data after a merger or acquisition.

Common Types of Data Migration:

Database Migration – Changing database vendors or platforms.

Cloud Migration – Moving applications and data to cloud environments like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.

Application Migration – Transferring apps and associated data to newer systems or platforms.

Storage Migration – Moving data from one storage system to another.

Without the right tools or strategy, data migration can lead to loss of critical information, downtime, and major disruptions. That’s where AI becomes a vital asset.

Why Combine AI with Data Migration?

AI brings intelligence to automation. Instead of relying on manual checks or fixed scripts, AI can learn from existing data structures, identify patterns, detect anomalies, and even automate decision-making.

Here are key advantages AI offers during data migration:

1. Automated Data Mapping and Cleansing

One of the most time-consuming parts of data migration is mapping fields between source and target systems. AI can analyze large datasets, understand relationships between fields, and automate the mapping process.

Similarly, AI algorithms can identify duplicate, outdated, or incorrect data entries and clean them before migration—ensuring data integrity from the start.

2. Error Prediction and Risk Mitigation

AI systems can predict potential issues by analyzing historical migration data or simulations. This predictive capability allows businesses to proactively address risks before they impact operations.

Collaborating with an experienced AI development company in London ensures these predictive models are custom-built for your data and migration goals.

3. Real-Time Monitoring and Adaptation

AI tools provide real-time monitoring of the migration process, automatically adjusting parameters if issues arise. Whether it’s throttling the data flow or re-routing failed transfers, AI ensures smooth execution.

4. Reduced Downtime and Faster Execution

Traditional migrations often require downtime, which impacts productivity and revenue. AI-driven automation shortens the migration window, allowing for near real-time transitions with minimal disruption.

Business Benefits of AI-Powered Data Migration

The ultimate goal of any migration is to improve performance, reduce costs, and drive growth. When powered by AI, data migration does more than just move data—it sets the stage for strategic transformation.

Improved Data Quality

High-quality data leads to better decisions. AI ensures that the migrated data is accurate, clean, and ready for analytics.

Lower Costs

By automating complex processes, businesses can reduce the need for extensive manual labor or third-party consultants.

Enhanced Compliance

AI can help detect sensitive data and apply rules to comply with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA, reducing legal risks.

Scalability

With AI, businesses can migrate massive volumes of data efficiently, making it suitable for both SMEs and large enterprises.

Real-World Example: A Retail Transformation Story

A retail chain in London decided to migrate its legacy on-premise systems to a cloud-based infrastructure to support better customer analytics. They partnered with a leading AI development company in London to handle the process.

Here’s how AI made the difference:

AI tools automatically matched customer data from multiple systems.

Sensitive customer data was identified and masked in real-time.

Machine learning algorithms detected anomalies and flagged potential risks.

The migration was completed in 40% less time than estimated, with zero data loss.

This project not only modernized the IT infrastructure but also gave the retailer valuable insights into customer behavior—driving a 30% increase in campaign ROI.

Role of AI Developers in Data Migration Projects

Implementing AI for data migration isn’t plug-and-play. It requires deep technical expertise, domain knowledge, and strategic planning. A skilled AI developer in London brings the following value:

Develops custom machine learning models to optimize mapping and cleaning

Integrates AI tools with legacy and cloud platforms

Builds dashboards for real-time monitoring

Fine-tunes algorithms to align with business-specific data patterns

Whether you're migrating to the cloud, restructuring your data warehouses, or consolidating systems post-merger, an experienced AI developer in London ensures the AI layer is robust, secure, and effective.

How to Choose the Right AI Development Partner

To truly benefit from AI-powered data migration, you need a strategic technology partner. Here’s what to look for in an artificial intelligence development company in London:

1. Domain Expertise

Choose a partner that has experience in both AI and enterprise-scale data migration.

2. Custom Development Services

Off-the-shelf solutions may not address unique challenges. Opt for companies offering AI development services in London that are tailored to your needs.

3. Security & Compliance

Ensure your partner understands data security best practices and regulatory compliance specific to your industry.

4. Proven Track Record

Ask for case studies or client references. Leading AI development companies in London will have a portfolio showcasing successful AI-driven migrations.

Future of AI in Data Migration

As AI continues to evolve, its role in data migration will only grow stronger. Emerging trends include:

Self-Healing Data Pipelines

AI systems will automatically detect and correct issues without human intervention.

AI-Driven Data Integration

Beyond migration, AI will facilitate real-time integration of multiple data sources across platforms.

Explainable AI

More transparent AI systems will help teams understand how decisions are made during migration, improving trust and accountability.

Final Thoughts

AI and data migration are not just complementary—they're a powerful combination that’s reshaping how businesses modernize their infrastructure and leverage data. In a competitive market like London, where agility and innovation drive success, small and large companies alike are turning to AI to transform their data strategies.

By working with a trusted AI development company in London, businesses can ensure that their data migration is not only seamless but also strategic. Whether you're upgrading legacy systems, consolidating platforms, or preparing for a digital future, AI gives you the tools to do it faster, smarter, and more securely.

[brazensolar]

my phone got stolen recently in london and it took me a week or two to get a replacement, in the meantime i made do, I bought a digital camera and didn't listen to much music (radio in the car or youtube at home, nothing for walking!) and memorised directions.

it was shockingly possible, easier than expected and i noticed shockwaves through my whole life. i was eating slower and enjoying the food more. i was less clumsy and less anxious. studies have shown your ability in cognitive exams decreases when you have your phone within reach.

I have *tried* to be bored more often. I have taken walks with almost nothing on me. I have now bought a flipphone that is hardly useable (has messaging + other apps, for emergencies, but a tiny screen. Cat S22 Flip for anyone curious - I recommend it).

I went and sat by a lake nearby recently and brought some soup and bread and just ate it looking out at the lake and it was remarkable. most great minds in history have spoken at least in passing about taking long boring walks. it is very good for the average person to be bored. boredom is nourishing for the soul. Bored is where you have ideas. Have you ever noticed you have this urge to think of stuff to do and stuff to write / draw/ paint (depending on what your art is) right when you're lying in bed trying to sleep? It's cause that's when you're bored! If you reserve time to be bored other times, you'll think of more creative ideas other times. you might even get a big burst of inspiration. I cannot recommend it enough.

When I find myself reaching for something to preoccupy myself while I'm waiting for something, I stop, because waiting for something and having nothing to do was a critical part of mental development up until basically computers were invented. People would smoke and look out the window, read a book (sort of counts as 'boring enough' even if it is a very good book - the point is it is a slow task with little stimulation).

As a side note this is also why community is eroding. When you have nothing to do you reach out to strangers in a similar situation and make friends. On a 16 hour sleeper train across europe in 1890 you are making neighbour-friends that may last a lifetime in the dining carriage.

Now, everyone always has something to do, and social time is decided upon intentionally. There is less serendipity and less happenstance. You don't meet strangers anymore. It's a lower trust society. I dont' believe it's the individuals responsibility to fix this especially if you have reason to mistrust, but it is good to be aware of it. First step towards eventually reaching out to another.

Without your phone, your mind will sharpen, brain fog will lift to an extent, your memory will become almost freakishly good compared to those around you who still use their phone for all types of simple tasks. You will start to memorise directions, maps, and phone numbers. You'll start to want to call people instead of texting (which, I regret to inform, is almost entirely superior - at the very least, voice notes are).

Plus... take it from me. If you spend less time walking along with your phone in your hand, it is much less likely to get stolen by a cyclist :)

i dont see why i cant start a trend, so here goes. lets try to build back our attention spans. lets try to focus on just one thing for as long as possible. lets not watch those "asmr for people with adhd" videos where they fuck up adhd folks even worse. lets resist the urge to reach for our phones when watching a movie. lets read the articles we reblog, even when theyre boring. i know its hard, i have adhd too, but its worth it. i also know that this hard work doesnt always seem super impressive to other people, so id love for yall to tell me in the tags or replies if youve done something, no matter how small, for your attention span. you deserve to feel like youve taken back some of what social media has ripped from you

[jcmarchi]

Primate Labs launches Geekbench AI benchmarking tool

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/primate-labs-launches-geekbench-ai-benchmarking-tool/

Primate Labs launches Geekbench AI benchmarking tool

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Primate Labs has officially launched Geekbench AI, a benchmarking tool designed specifically for machine learning and AI-centric workloads.

The release of Geekbench AI 1.0 marks the culmination of years of development and collaboration with customers, partners, and the AI engineering community. The benchmark, previously known as Geekbench ML during its preview phase, has been rebranded to align with industry terminology and ensure clarity about its purpose.

Geekbench AI is now available for Windows, macOS, and Linux through the Primate Labs website, as well as on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store for mobile devices.

Primate Labs’ latest benchmarking tool aims to provide a standardised method for measuring and comparing AI capabilities across different platforms and architectures. The benchmark offers a unique approach by providing three overall scores, reflecting the complexity and heterogeneity of AI workloads.

“Measuring performance is, put simply, really hard,” explained Primate Labs. “That’s not because it’s hard to run an arbitrary test, but because it’s hard to determine which tests are the most important for the performance you want to measure – especially across different platforms, and particularly when everyone is doing things in subtly different ways.”

The three-score system accounts for the varied precision levels and hardware optimisations found in modern AI implementations. This multi-dimensional approach allows developers, hardware vendors, and enthusiasts to gain deeper insights into a device’s AI performance across different scenarios.

A notable addition to Geekbench AI is the inclusion of accuracy measurements for each test. This feature acknowledges that AI performance isn’t solely about speed but also about the quality of results. By combining speed and accuracy metrics, Geekbench AI provides a more holistic view of AI capabilities, helping users understand the trade-offs between performance and precision.

Geekbench AI 1.0 introduces support for a wide range of AI frameworks, including OpenVINO on Linux and Windows, and vendor-specific TensorFlow Lite delegates like Samsung ENN, ArmNN, and Qualcomm QNN on Android. This broad framework support ensures that the benchmark reflects the latest tools and methodologies used by AI developers.

The benchmark also utilises more extensive and diverse datasets, which not only enhance the accuracy evaluations but also better represent real-world AI use cases. All workloads in Geekbench AI 1.0 run for a minimum of one second, allowing devices to reach their maximum performance levels during testing while still reflecting the bursty nature of real-world applications.

Primate Labs has published detailed technical descriptions of the workloads and models used in Geekbench AI 1.0, emphasising their commitment to transparency and industry-standard testing methodologies. The benchmark is integrated with the Geekbench Browser, facilitating easy cross-platform comparisons and result sharing.

The company anticipates regular updates to Geekbench AI to keep pace with market changes and emerging AI features. However, Primate Labs believes that Geekbench AI has already reached a level of reliability that makes it suitable for integration into professional workflows, with major tech companies like Samsung and Nvidia already utilising the benchmark.

(Image Credit: Primate Labs)

See also: xAI unveils Grok-2 to challenge the AI hierarchy

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

Tags: ai, artificial intelligence, benchmark, geekbench, geekbench ai, machine learning, primate labs, tools

[mayookhpallikandi]

Project Development 1: (Journey through the digital media)

After Completing the weekly projects, I chose the second week project for the further development. First, I was planned to make a motion graphics video to present the different stages of our media timeline. When I presented my idea Ian gave feedback that I have to add more to engage or do something different for the making the audience to interact with that.

I have already created the scenes and the sketch for the video. I began to think what should I do and finally I decided to make some VR or AR artefact to my project. In my tutorial session Xinge also gave more possible Idea to create more engaging to audience.

So, I borrowed a VR headset from our university loan store. But the attempt was failed because my laptop doesn’t support the VR headset. Then I changed my plan to do AR artefact.

After scanning the QR code, it will redirect to the app Aero Viewer, and we can see the output as shown below.

While comparing my weekly project I created different scenes to develop the idea as a motion graphics video.

I created a rough sketch for the scenes.

Then I sketched each scene in ‘Sketchbook’ App.

I was impressed by the art works who was created by Arosh Thevadathil, Known as Doodle Muni. Which I have already mentioned in my weekly project blog. His art work have unique style of drawing and that way of approach was so influenced me to make scenes.

While I went to London, I saw the Butterfly trail in Tottenham court road. That artefact impressed me and influenced a lot to create my own work model.

I used After effects for adding some motions to the scene.

Scene1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4

Scene 5

Scene 6

I used Adobe Premiere Pro for joining these clips and added some background music for that.

For the AR part I used Adobe Aero to create the AR elements. I downloaded some 3d models and created a scene. I added Newspaper, Radio, Old TV, Computer, Mobile Phone and VR headset into scene and arranged in an order.

This Project took almost 2 to 3 weeks to complete. I spent more time to resolve the issue with VR headset and but after finding the reason that my laptop doesn’t support the VR headset I chose the AR for immersive experience for the audience.

The other challenges I faced was the software Adobe aero was not stable in Windows and android phones. Maybe it is because of the developing stage of the software. But I managed to take output in my friend’s iPhone and it was perfect Output.

I am happy to say that I have learnt new skills like AR and some basics in After Effects. While I am focusing my career as Graphic designer-cum-motion graphic artist these skills will be more helpful to me as I can do some advanced level communication to the audience by applying some immersive experience to them.

References

Ballyweg (2009) Microsoft Windows XP Startup Sound. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nQ2oiVqKHw. [Accessed on 3 Jan 2024]

Bluebeanievr (2023) Old oculus startup sound. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rv3KXmFKJg. [Accessed on 4 Jan 2024]

BreakingCopyright — Royalty Free Music (2019) 💪 Orchestral Trailer Piano music (No copyright) 'The Epic Hero' by @KeysofMoonMusic 🇺🇸. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETbsXdqgcTM. [Accessed on 7 Jan 2024]

Ger.Wonderwild (no date b) Fire with Alpha Channel. https://www.videezy.com/abstract/56387-fire-with-alpha-channel. [Accessed on 18 Dec 2023]

Interstellar - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, Music by Hans Zimmer Available at https://youtu.be/zE-qxNVoUSo?feature=shared [Accessed on 7 Jan 2024]

Just For Views (2015) Tom and Jerry Episode 2 Original (1941) HQ. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6gSqJgFQUU. [Accessed on 3 Jan 2024]

Karen Hovsepyan (2018b) Stars Fly Through in the Universe Space Background Animation | 4K Screensaver Royalty Free. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNOmaFs6KaY. [Accessed on 27 Dec 2023]

peRo naRa (2020) 📸 Camera Flash - Green Screen [Free Download ]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N77i5ancNU. [Accessed on 27 Dec 2023]

Sketchfab (no date) Folded Newspaper - Download Free 3D model by abdillaamy. https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/folded-newspaper-4fc14ea5129b4ea3b34a22844a6f1b3f. [Accessed on 22 Dec 2023]

Sketchfab (no date b) Hand-painted Low Poly Computer - Download Free 3D model by NoodleBaguette. https://skfb.ly/oPpXJ. [Accessed on 3 Jan 2024]

Sketchfab (no date b) Old TV(Clean) - Download Free 3D model by OlegCoder. https://skfb.ly/oKqWU. [Accessed on 22 Dec 2023]

Sketchfab (no date e) Samsung Gear VR - Download Free 3D model by cognitive3d (@cognitivevr). https://skfb.ly/M6Jo. [Accessed on 3 Jan 2024]

Sketchfab (no date b) Table - Download Free 3D model by yryabchenko. https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/table-1132fa2850a24917892733566bd68e74. [Accessed on 21 Dec 2023]

Sketchfab (no date e) Wooden Table - Download Free 3D model by Shedmon. https://skfb.ly/owGpZ. [Accessed on 21 Dec 2023]

Sketchfab (no date c) Iphone 6 - Download Free 3D model by Sky4gj. https://skfb.ly/6nWLG. [Accessed on 18 Dec 2023]

TheCreatorKingOfAnthony408 (2018) Old iPhone ringtone! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1nCdH0ycpQ. [Accessed on 3 Jan 2024]

Vintage Radio (2023) Winter Radio Playlist Vol II - The best of vintage music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbGCVbjIyhQ. [Accessed on 18 Dec 2023]

[dsb8]

The Ultimate Guide to Loft Conversion in London: A Step-by-Step Process

Introduction

In a city like London, where space comes at a premium, many homeowners turn to loft conversions as a practical solution to expand their living space. Whether you need an extra bedroom, a home office, or a recreational area, converting your loft can be a cost-effective and space-efficient way to meet your needs. In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through the entire loft conversion process in London, step by step. We've got you covered, from understanding why loft conversions are a wise choice to budgeting for your project.

The Ultimate Guide to Loft Conversions

Why Consider a Loft Conversion?

Maximizing Your Existing Space: One of the most compelling reasons to consider a loft conversion is to make the most of the space you already have. London properties often have limited square footage, and utilizing the often-neglected loft can significantly increase your usable living area without extending your property's footprint.

Cost-Effective Expansion: Unlike moving to a larger house or building an extension, loft conversions are a more cost-effective way to add space to your home. You don't need to acquire additional land or go through the hassle of selling and buying a new property.

Added Property Value: Loft conversions can substantially increase the value of your home. In London's competitive property market, having an additional bedroom or living space can improve your property. Making specific changes can enhance the product's attractiveness. "This could result in a higher value to potential buyers."\ selling price. Resale value.

Avoiding Planning Permission Hassles: In many cases, loft conversions fall under Permitted Development Rights (PD), which means you may not need planning permission, saving you time and money. However, checking with your local planning authority to confirm your eligibility for PD rights is essential.

Energy Efficiency: Properly insulated loft conversions can improve your home's energy efficiency. Upgrading your loft's insulation and installing energy-efficient windows Using insulation can decrease the amount of heat that is lost and ultimately lower your energy bills.

Cost and Budgeting for a Loft Conversion

"Now that you clearly understand the advantages of a loft conversion, Let's delve into the cost and budgeting aspects of this exciting home improvement project.

Initial Assessment: The first step in budgeting for a loft conversion is to assess your loft's suitability and condition. A structural engineer or architect can help you determine if your attic can be converted and provide you with an estimate of the costs involved.

Design and Planning: You'll need detailed architectural plans once you proceed with the project. Hiring an architect or designer will add to your overall cost but is crucial for obtaining accurate quotes from builders and ensuring your loft conversion meets building regulations.

Building Regulations and Permissions: While loft conversions often fall under Permitted Development Rights, you may still need to comply with building regulations. Factor in costs for building control inspections, structural calculations, and any necessary planning permissions.

Builder's Quote: Obtaining quotes from reputable builders or loft conversion specialists is essential for budgeting accurately. Get at least three quotes to compare prices. Please remember to check references to ensure the quality of the work.

Structural Work: The structural work in converting a loft includes reinforcing the floor, adding roof supports, and installing access points like stairs or ladders. This is a significant portion of the budget, so be prepared for these costs.

Interior Finishes: Consider the interior finishes you want for your loft, including flooring, insulation, plastering, and electrical and plumbing work. High-quality finishes will increase your budget, but they are essential for a comfortable and visually appealing space.

Fixtures and Fittings: Budget for fixtures such as windows, doors, skylights, and any built-in storage or furniture you plan to include in your loft conversion. These items can vary widely in price depending on their quality and design.

Contingency Fund: Always set aside a contingency fund for unforeseen expenses or changes in the project. A common rule of thumb is to allocate around 10% of your budget for contingencies.

VAT and Professional Fees: Don't forget to account for value-added tax (VAT) on materials and labour, as well as professional fees for architects, engineers, and surveyors.

Project Timeline: Keep in mind that the longer the project takes, the more it will cost in terms of labour and temporary accommodations if necessary. Set a realistic project timeline and budget for potential delays.

Financing Options: Consider how you will finance your loft conversion. Options include personal savings, home equity loans, or remortgage. Choose the financing method that aligns with your financial situation and goals.

Cost-Saving Strategies: To stay within your budget, explore cost-saving strategies like using reclaimed materials, negotiating with suppliers, or doing some of the work yourself if you have the skills.

Conclusion

A loft conversion in London can be a fantastic way to add space, value, and functionality to your home. By understanding why loft conversions are a practical choice and carefully budgeting for your project, you can confidently embark on this journey. Plan thoroughly, consult experts, and prepare for unexpected challenges. With the right approach and resources, you can transform your loft into a beautiful, functional living space that enhances your London home's appeal and value.

[kicksaddictny]

Nike Alphafly 3

In September 2019, the sport of marathon racing changed forever. Nike athlete Eliud Kipchoge broke the previously elusive 2-hour marathon barrier, inspiring the world and proving that no human potential is limited. A revolutionary footwear innovation, a prototype of the Nike Alphafly NEXT%, helped Eliud run into the history books — and a new footwear category was born.

Five years later, Nike athletes and the Nike Alphafly are still the ones to beat.

Marking the next chapter of Nike’s relentless focus on innovating for all runners, the new Nike Alphafly 3 delivers marathon speed to push beyond what you thought possible. It’s the lightest and most tested Alphafly ever, validated by elite marathoners and powered by Nike Air Zoom to help all athletes break barriers in the marathon no matter their pace.

Nike Air, since its inception, has been a critical to Nike's culture of innovation. We continue to push the boundaries of what's possible with Air in meaningful ways that are tailored to specific sport and athlete needs.

An early version of what would become the Nike Alphafly 3 debuted in the spring of 2023 on the feet of some of the world’s best marathoners during the shoe’s official World Athletics development window. In Chicago, Kelvin Kiptum set the new marathon world record with a time of 2:00:35. Sifan Hissan won her debut in London, then ran the second-fastest women’s marathon of all time, also in Chicago. And Eliud triumphed in the Berlin Marathon for a record-setting fifth time.

The Nike footwear team set out to refine the engine of the Alphafly and meet the needs of both elite and everyday marathoners while keeping the things runners loved most about the shoe. Their focus: maximize the stability, comfort and propulsive ride you need to cover 26.2 miles in a lightweight design.

Key updates include:

Improved Transition

The Nike Alphafly 3 features the same high-stack ZoomX foam midsole marathoners love for lightweight cushioning mile after mile.

For the first time, the Alphafly 3 connects the heel and forefoot with one continuous bottom, offering varying foot-strike patterns a smoother heel-to-toe transition regardless of the runner’s pace.

A new lightweight Fast Shot outsole ensures optimal traction and grip.

Energy Return and Propulsion

Dual Nike Air Zoom units in the forefoot cushion impact with the road and return energy to the runner, launching you into your next step.

A wider full-length carbon fiber Flyplate delivers a propulsive, stable ride.

Comfort and Containment

Insights and feedback from the largest-ever women’s testing pool for a Nike racing shoe helped improve the comfort of the Alphafly for all marathoners.

An all-new last was used to improve arch comfort and reduce rubbing throughout the foot, while a new molded sock liner was created to support the new lower-profile arch.

A new Atomknit 3.0 upper offers improved containment, breathability and midfoot support in a lightweight, breathable design.

Lofted Flyknit heel podsoffer padding in the heel and lower Achilles.

A redesigned lacing systemcreates a softer fit on the top of the foot by integrating the eye stays in the Atomknit upper.

The Nike Alphafly 3 debuts in the brand’s iconic “Prototype” colorway, a nod to Nike’s development process of testing with athletes. The all-white silhouette features pops of color highlighting the dual Air Zoom units in the forefoot, an athlete wear-test number (20820-4) on the lateral midsole, and “V62” on the Atomknit upper signifying the number of upper iterations.

The “Prototype” colorway of the Nike Alphafly 3 is available beginning January 4, 2024, at nike.com, on the Nike app and at select running specialty stores. More colorways will follow.

[joshcontextualstudies]

Graphic Media

For my Graphic media piece, I decided to work with the portrayal of utopia and dystopia as chosen for my modernity research. I started to visualise my scene and wanted to make it simple for myself as I find it very difficult to animate, so I portrayed a tube scene from a 2D view, I wanted to reference them from normal London tubes. I considered the composition to better highlight the character that is portrayed within the animation. The character is shown to be in a seemingly normal environment as he is commuting through a utopian and dystopian landscape. The contrast shows with the calming music in the background with the loud tube train tracks screeching in the background. 

The message I wanted to portray in my animation is how even when a world is dystopian it can seem natural and a part of normal life, similar to how in real life, we become used to new technological improvements as it gets newly added to our daily lives. I wanted to show dystopia in a casual way, so I presented it as being in the background in an otherwise normal and natural scene of being on a train journey. 

When making my animation, I started off by using Procreate to illustrate my scene. As part of the process, I used the new app called Procreate Dream which  has very similar features to After Effects. I experimented and used its assets in my illustration to create an animated scene. I started off with animating a blinking loop for my character to give him life. After opening up the scene of my character sitting peacefully listening to music. To develop the scene more, I added walking cycles of two people to give the scene more life. Then, I created the background view from the train windows to showcase the environment where my character is travelling. I found this process quite tricky since I was learning how to use a completely new software at the same time.

[ailtrahq]

In a recent legal showdown, fintech giant Ripple has initiated legal proceedings against GCC Exchange over unpaid invoices linked to XRP liquidity transfers, a move that has sent shockwaves through the financial markets.According to reports from Law360, Ripple Labs Singapore Pte Ltd, the Singapore-based arm of Ripple Inc., has filed a lawsuit against GCC Exchange, a prominent player in the foreign exchange and money transfer app industry. The dispute centers around a staggering $14.9 million, leaving both the Cryptocurrency and fintech communities on edge.🚨JUST IN: Ripple is suing a U.K. currency exchange and money transfer business for almost €13.8 million ($14.9 million) at a London court, alleging that it has failed to pay invoices.— JackTheRippler ©️ (@RippleXrpie) September 4, 2023 Ripple’s AllegationsRipple alleges that GCC Exchange has failed to settle invoices for more than 40,000 transfers of XRP units, all of which were conducted in accordance with a supply agreement. This breach of contract, stemming from an agreement forged in 2022, has prompted Ripple to seek legal redress.This legal battle, which commenced in July 2023 but remained undisclosed until recently, raises significant concerns about the reliability of Cryptocurrency transactions. Both Ripple and GCC Exchange have chosen to maintain a veil of Secrecy regarding ongoing Developments, but the lawsuit, filed in the High Court of Justice of England and Wales, has now come to light.Ripple’s DemandsRipple’s lawsuit not only calls for the settlement of outstanding invoices but also demands an accumulating sum in late fees. This further intensifies the financial strain on the GCC Exchange. The substantial amount at stake underscores the gravity of this dispute, with its outcome poised to shape the future of Ripple’s presence in the fintech market.As Ripple takes GCC Exchange to court over alleged invoice settlement failures and late fees totaling $14.9 million, the world anxiously awaits the unfolding legal drama. This high-stakes lawsuit raises crucial questions about accountability and the integrity of transactions within the Cryptocurrency sphere.The repercussions of this legal battle will undoubtedly send ripples throughout the fintech industry, potentially reshaping the dynamics of XRP liquidity transfers in the future. Stay tuned for further Developments as this high-stakes legal saga continues to evolve.!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window,document,'script', ' fbq('init', '887971145773722'); fbq('track', 'PageView');

[winklix]

Top Reasons Flutter is the Ideal Choice for Mobile App Development

In the ever-evolving world of mobile app development in London , choosing the right framework is crucial. Developers and businesses seek a technology that offers efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and an outstanding user experience. Flutter, an open-source UI software development kit from Google, has rapidly gained popularity for its ability to deliver high-quality applications across multiple platforms. But what makes Flutter the best choice for mobile app development? Let’s dive into the top reasons why developers and businesses are opting for Flutter over other frameworks.

1. Cross-Platform Development with a Single Codebase

One of Flutter’s biggest advantages is its ability to create apps for both Android and iOS using a single codebase. This eliminates the need to write separate code for different platforms, saving time, effort, and development costs. Businesses can reach a wider audience without doubling their investment in development.

2. Fast Development with Hot Reload

Flutter’s “Hot Reload” feature allows developers to see real-time changes instantly without restarting the app. This speeds up development, enabling quicker debugging and experimenting with UI designs. Developers can make changes and immediately see the impact, leading to a more efficient workflow.

3. Beautiful and Customizable UI

Flutter offers a rich set of widgets that help developers create visually appealing and highly customizable UIs. Its flexible design system allows the creation of intricate animations and seamless transitions, ensuring an excellent user experience. The built-in Material Design and Cupertino widgets provide a native feel for both Android and iOS apps.

4. Performance Comparable to Native Apps

Unlike other cross-platform frameworks that rely on web technologies, Flutter compiles directly to native ARM code, resulting in high-performance applications. With Flutter’s Skia graphics engine, apps run smoothly, ensuring fast load times and responsive interfaces.

5. Cost-Effective Development

Developing separate applications for iOS and Android can be expensive and time-consuming. With Flutter, businesses can save resources by maintaining just one codebase. This significantly reduces development and maintenance costs while ensuring consistent performance across platforms.

6. Strong Community Support and Google’s Backing

Since its release, Flutter has gained a strong developer community that continuously contributes to its improvement. Backed by Google, Flutter receives regular updates, making it a reliable and future-proof technology. The extensive documentation and numerous third-party plugins further simplify development.

7. Seamless Integration with Firebase and Other Services

Flutter integrates seamlessly with Firebase, Google’s powerful backend-as-a-service (BaaS) platform. This allows developers to implement authentication, cloud storage, real-time databases, and analytics without hassle. Flutter also supports RESTful APIs and third-party services, making it a flexible choice for various app requirements.

8. Support for Web, Desktop, and Embedded Devices

Flutter isn’t limited to mobile app development. With Flutter, developers can also build web, desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), and even embedded applications. This makes it a versatile technology that can be used for multi-platform solutions under a single ecosystem.

9. Growing Adoption by Big Companies

Many major companies, including Google, Alibaba, BMW, and eBay, have adopted Flutter for their applications. This widespread adoption signifies trust in Flutter’s capabilities, proving it to be a robust and scalable technology for modern app development.

10. Future-Proof and Continual Innovation

With Google’s continuous investment in Flutter, the framework is constantly evolving with new features and optimizations. As mobile development trends change, Flutter adapts to meet industry demands, ensuring its relevance in the coming years.

Final Thoughts

Flutter is a game-changer in mobile app development, offering an unparalleled combination of speed, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. Whether you’re a startup looking for a quick MVP or an enterprise aiming for a scalable solution, Flutter provides the tools to build stunning and high-performance applications. With its growing community, strong corporate backing, and expanding capabilities, Flutter is set to shape the future of cross-platform app development.

Are you considering Flutter for your next mobile app project in London ? Now is the perfect time to leverage its benefits and build cutting-edge applications that stand out in the market!

[sofortsolutions]

Sofort Solutions UK - Custom Software, Mobile App and Web Development Company Sofort Solutions UK is a software and mobile app development company that helps small businesses identify and develop business solutions using state-of-the-art technology. We design, build, release and maintain database systems, mobile friendly websites, small and mid-sized enterprise and cloud based application systems, as well as mobile applications for iOS, Windows and Android.

[davidsmith24]

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[astranva]

TikTok series | FaceTime Challenge

Word Count: 771. she’s a short one

Category: Fluff!

Warning: None, this is cute

Summary: Y/N records Harry’s reaction to a fake FaceTime call on TikTok.

here’s the challenge i mean

imagine if i wrote more angst instead of coming up with all these fluffy pieces. i wish

 ..

Since the beginning of quarantine, like many people from all over the globe, you had taken a liking to spending time on TikTok.

While you and Harry had shared the same home, you were both also glad to at least be inside with one another instead of him being locked out of the country because of the pandemic. So, between your stay in your London home and driving to stay for a while at your cozy home in Italy, you were always laughing and giggling as you showed Harry some videos on the app, even showing some that his fans created for him.

It wasn’t a secret that you and Harry were together, especially since the fans were surprised that Harry was with someone who worked as a software application and web developer who found joy in working with codes, posting pictures on Instagram with her cat and friends as they bowled and cooked, made videos of how exciting it was to finally buy new eyeglasses after keeping the last ones for 7 years straight, coming off as someone who was easy to approach and interact with.

The fans weren’t the only ones surprised, because so was Harry. While he knew how funny you were, especially because of your frequent use of sarcasm, he was surprised that fans seemed to like that about you, too.

When you sent out a tweet sharing a funny TikTok, fans were quick to find your account and follow you, even when you had 0 videos posted, but then you began to post.

For the first few videos, you only recorded some of the recipes you had learned during quarantine, using the French and Ratatouille’s song, Le Festin, as you did.

For one of your videos, you had made a mug cake, a mere second of Harry eating it as he sat in front of you recorded was enough to send everyone into a wave of excitement of their idol and favorite artist on the app, bathing in the mundane and domestic life with his girlfriend.

You had seen many pranks and challenges on the app, all of which that made you laugh and gasp.

And then you watched the FaceTime couple challenge.

The challenge had funny videos attached to it, partners reacting differently to it that had you curious to know how your own boyfriend would react and you thought that there was only one way to find out.

You were in Italy, both of your bodies a little hot from the sun you bathed in an hour ago as you two swam in your private pool.

You and Harry sat on the same couch across from each other, your feet beside him as he subconsciously ran his fingers on your calf, eyeglasses on as he held a book in his other hand. His hair was a little messy, white t-shirt and pink shorts on, looking like a dream under the golden sunlight the windows had allowed in.

You tried to stifle your giggles as you opened the app and found the sound, flipping the camera so that it showed Harry before you began recording.

The sound of an incoming FaceTime video call sounding before one of you accepting it was heard.

“Yo, what’s good shawty?” The male voice sounded, Harry’s head instantly snapping to your direction with furrowed eyebrows, “Your man still around?”

His eyebrows shot up, his head tilting as he mouthed a “what?” while his eyes squinted before moving to hover over you, the last second of the video being one of his face close to the camera as he looked up at you in confusion but with a small smile as you laughed.

Harry looked at your phone, finding a footage of him starting with the recorded sound starting to play before he rolled his eyes as you laughed, a dimpled smile making its way to his face.

“You’re the worst.” And as if he was embarrassed, Harry lied on top of you, burying his head into you neck as you continued to laugh.

“That was so good.” You laughed, “You thought that was real?”

“I didn’t know what to think,” he whined before laughing, pulling his head away to look at you, “Just worried that you’d go for someone who calls you shawty.”

“I’d be a daft if I ever think about going from being called lovie to shawty.” You pecked his lips before looking back at your phone, beginning to laugh again, “Look at how concerned you look!”

“Y/N…” Harry dragged, burying his head back into your neck.

“I’m so posting that.”

Needless to say, the fans had a field day.

[niall-is-my-dream]

Addicted to You - Part Twelve

Hi! So here's the next part! It isn't being read much on here, please let me know what you think. I'd really appreciate a like or a reblog. Thank you x

Emily x

Catch up below

https://niall-is-my-dream.tumblr.com/post/666267291647950848/addicted-to-you-masterlist

Tuesday morning brought some summer rain to London, it splashed softly against the windows of the meeting room you were in.

"So I think a change of plan is needed for our site visit!" You laughed to Richard and Jeremy from PGR Developments.

"Agree!" Richard said laughing.

"Looks like no rain tomorrow though. Can you meet us then?" Jeremy asked as he browsed the weather app on his phone.

"Yes, afternoon would be better as the site would be drier." You replied.

You spent the next hour going over the plans for the shopping centre and discussing your ideas for interior and exterior decor and design.

"We were lucky we didn't have much opposition from locals in regards to building it, but they were worried it would look like a prison. The main reason we went with your design was your attempt to try and blend it in. Soft colours and edges with lots of green space was what sold it to us. We loved the idea of a central courtyard around the shops for sitting and dining."

"Thankyou, I was aware on my site visit how close it was to residential areas. Plus it's a beautiful area of the Berkshire, I didn't want to spoil the view. Here at Gables we like to design buildings that are both practical, cost effective to build, but that actually look nice. I cringe when I see the prison like buildings you just spoke about."

"There isn't any need for it, is there? I understand they are probably cheap and quick to build but that's not what we were looking for. Michael was right to put you in charge of the pitch." Jeremy said.

You smiled and accepted the compliment.

You were stood in the foyer as you said goodbye to them when you saw Michael and Niall.

"Richard, Jeremy so good to see you. I hope Jessica has been looking after you?"

"Good to see you to." Richard replied shaking his hand.

"And yes she's been taking good care of us. "Jeremy added as he shook Michael's hand to, a large smile on his face.

"You remember our new Chief Operations Officer Niall Horan?" Michael said as he gestured towards Niall.

They greeted Niall and shook his hand to, Nialls face may have look pleased to meet them to, but you could see a linger of being annoyed across it. You wondered what he and Michael had just been discussing.

Jeremy and Richard left and you had a brief chat with Michael and Niall about how it had gone.

"Are you both free for lunch?" You asked. "I'm going to deli around the corner."

"I'm a bit busy at the moment, got a call in......15 minutes." Michael said checking his watch.

"I'll pick you up that chicken salad box you like while I'm there and pop it by."

"Ah you don't need to do that." Michael said trying to protest.

"It's no problem, I'm going there anyway. Did you want your usual Niall?" You said asking him and his face had softened from that annoyed look.

"Yes please." He said as he reached in his pocket for his wallet.

"My treat for both of you.  I'll swing by your offices when I'm back."

"Take an umbrella! And don't run in those heels!" Michael said laughing.

It was only 20 minutes later when you arrived back. After taking Michael his lunch you made your way to Niall's office. You knocked before entering, finding Niall sitting at his desk on his phone with a much better expression on his face.

"Yes Da, it's fine. I'd love to see you both."

You placed the lunch on his desk, before moving behind it and parking yourself in his lap. He smiled up at you and wrapped his right hand around your waist.

"Yes she's just walked in.........yes hang on....." Niall said as he moved his phone away from his ear and put it on speaker phone.

"Hi Jessie." Nialls Dad Bobby said excitedly.

"Hi Bobby, how are you?"

"All the better for hearing you two are back together."

"Yeah we are pretty happy to." You replied as you ran your fingers through the back of Nialls hair.

Niall nuzzled his face into your neck as his Dad spoke again.

"Myself and my partner Aoife are coming to London a week on Friday if that's ok?"

"Yeah of course it is. I'd love to see you!"

"Ah you sweet girl, we can't wait to see you to. We've got a couple of tickets to the Derby game on the Saturday, but Aoife is insisting I take Niall with me instead of her. She's planning a bit of shopping if you'd like to join her?"

You looked at Niall and he nodded. You were quite an easy going person and got on with most people, Niall had only said a few things about his Dad's partner Aoife, who he had been with for about 8 years. But a little reassurance from Niall that you would get on with her was appreciated. Niall's smile and nod told you that it would be great fun.

"I'd love that, thankyou."

"Text me the details of your flight and I'll come and pick you up." Niall said.

"Oh no no, we will get the train. Don't trouble yourself Son."

"Honestly Da, it's not a problem."

After arguing about it for a few minutes, Niall relented and let his Dad insist he would get the train from the airport. You said your goodbyes and Niall hung up the phone.

"Will be nice to see your Dad?" You said as you ran your fingers through his hair.

"Mmmm will be." He replied clearly enjoying you stroking his hair as he kissed your neck.

"You ok? You looked a bit annoyed, stressed maybe when I saw you earlier."

There was silence for a minute before he answered.

"I'll be honest, I was a bit jealous at the way that Jeremy bloke was looking at your arse." He admitted.

You stopped stroking his hair and looked at him.

"He can look all be wants, but I'm taken." You smirked as your ran your hand under his jacket finding the gap in between the buttons of his shirt. Giving his stomach a stroke he flinched as it tickled him.

"Still didn't like it." He managed to say. "Although I agree with him, you look good in this skirt."

"Yeah?!" You giggled and leaned in to kiss him gently.

"Mmmmm, tight enough to show off that amazing arse of yours, but loose enough that I can touch you while you're sitting on my lap." And he gathered up your skirt over your knees, his hand gently pushed your knees apart.

"Niall." You whispered.

"What?" He whispered back, his lips right by your ear, his fingers finding your clothed centre.

"We promised we wouldn't misbehave at work!" You said moving his hand away.

"Alright but I am having you as soon as we get home."

"Definitely." You replied kissing him and then moving off of his lap. He gave your bum a tap as you did causing you to smile.

-----------

It felt strange arriving at Niall's flat after work the following Thursday night. Niall's Dad Bobby and his partner Aoife were arriving tomorrow and Niall wanted to make sure that the fridge was full for them and that the place was clean. He had been staying with you non stop for weeks and the surfaces of his flat had got a light layer of dust across them. You'd called in at the big Tesco on your way there, grabbing some essentials.

You helped Niall give his flat a good clean, music was playing softly as you went from room to room. He had ordered a take away for you to be delivered as neither of you could be bothered to cook. After a long day at work, the food shop and then the cleaning, preparing a meal was the last thing you wanted to do.

"My bed feels weird." Niall mumbled as he shifted around in his bed trying to get comfortable. "I'm too use to yours now."

You laid in silence in his bed smirking, the lull of a few cars driving past could be heard through his open window.

"Do you think people will think we are rushing things by living together like we are? I mean we only reconnected less than two months ago." You asked him cautiously.

"Probably, but it just feels right ya know? I don't want to waste anymore time. I should've asked you to come with me to Dublin or I should've convinced you that we could've done a long distance relationship. The flight is barely an hour. We could've kept our relationship going."

"I feel like that to." You replied. "It feels right and we really don't need to worry about what anyone else thinks."

"No, we shouldn't. I just don't want to let you go again. I've known since I was 19 years old that you were the one for me and it's not going to change."

You leaned across and kissed him. Kissed him and hoped that he would know that what he just said you wholeheartedly agreed with.

---------

"There she is!" Bobby said as you followed behind Niall into his flat Friday evening after work.

"Bobby!" You replied as he gave you the biggest hug.

"Hey don't worry about me Da, you know your favourite son who you've not seen for two months!" Niall said jokingly.

"Ah stop being jealous Son! Come here!" Bobby replied as he let go of you and caught Niall in a hug.

"Hi Jessie, I'm Aoife." Bobby partner said and she gave you a hug. She was a few years younger than Bobby with a warm smile that matched his.

"So nice to meet you, how was your flight?" You replied.

"Oh great, it doesn't take long at all."

"Right let's not talk about flights and all that rubbish. Why don't you two go and change and then I can treat you all to dinner?" Bobby asked.

The Oak Bistro near Niall's flat was the one where you'd gone when you'd first reconnected. Niall had said that he often came here with his Dad when he was over from Ireland. You'd managed to get a table outside by the river again and took your seat next to Niall.

"So my lovely young Jessie, what have you been up to these past 9 years?" Bobby asked you as your drinks arrived.

"Well I did a couple of temping jobs in offices after we graduated and managed to secure a job with a London based architect firm in the November. I was there for 3 years before I moved to Gables 6 years ago. I was commuting to the city everyday up until then before moving here permanently. Money was so much better at Gables so I could afford to live here."

"Yeah it is expensive here isn't it? But I suppose it's the same as Dublin. Expensive in the city centre but you can commute easily from cheaper suburb an hour away." Aoife said.

"Yes and that's what I did but I was beginning to build friendships at work and Ben and Rachel had moved here, so it made sense to be around them. I was always having to sleep on someone's sofa if we ever went out for dinner or to the pub."

"And you're doing ok at Gables?" Bobby asked you.

"She's doing amazing." Niall replied. "Secured a really big contract for a new shopping centre a few weeks ago."

"Well my team and I did." You said blushing.

Niall smiled at you and you smiled back.

"Ah Bobby you were right they are just the sweetest!" Aoife said.

"What did I tell you?!"

"What did you tell her?!" Niall quizzed his Dad.

"Just how adorable you were together. I remember when Jessie came to stay for the first time and you spent the day before she arrived cleaning your room, changing your bed and generally making a massive fuss about her arriving. I knew straight away she was someone special."

***11 years ago***

"Niall James what has got into you?" Bobby exclaimed as Niall huffed while putting his bedsheets in the washing machine.

"Nothing." Niall said denying all existence of his anxiety.

"Are you nervous about this young lady visiting us?" Bobby asked.

"No." Niall replied quickly.

"So yes then?"

"I just......want to make a good impression." Niall admitted.

"And huffing about changing sheets and vacuuming your bedroom will help that." Bobby joked.

Niall gave him a look of annoyance, but Bobby just smiled. "You haven't asked if she can stay in your room with you yet?"

"Da, are ya serious? I've not seen her for 6 weeks!"

After your first year exams finished in May, Niall had come to stay with you at your family home for 4 days before flying back to Ireland. He had been working at the local pub since then, while you had been doing some temping work in an office. Both of you trying to save up enough to be able to fly over and see each other during the summer break from University. And finally six weeks after he left yours to fly home you were making the journey from England to stay with him for a week.

"I'm just saying, did her parents let you stay in her room with her at their house?" Bobby asked.

"No, but......."

"But you thought I'd let you?"

"Well yeah, I just presumed. You let Greg's girlfriend stay over."

"Yes, but Greg is older."

"Oh come on Da I'm 19 and I've told her she can stay in my room with me."

"Well, you should've asked first." Bobby replied a small smirk on his face.

"You're joking with me aren't you?" Niall replied the realisation that his Dad had been messing with him.

"Yes son I am, and boy was it easy to get you even more worked up than you already were!"

"So, she can stay in my room?" Niall asked not quite convinced.

"Yes......But Niall in all seriousness please be sensible ok? Are you being safe?"

"Jesus Da, I'm not having this conversation."

"It's important Niall, if she's going to stay here over the summer and you go there then you need to make sure you're being safe. So are you? Have you got condoms?"

Bobby was being serious now and Niall knew he wasn't trying to embarrass him in anyway. That didn't stop Niall from going bright red and looking down at the tiled floor in the kitchen.

"Yes." He managed to mumble.

"Yes you have some?"

"Yes to both."

"Good, when I spoke to her parents the other day they seemed like lovely people. I really don't want to be sending their daughter back pregnant."

"DA!"

"I'm just saying!"

"Well just don't and please don't embarrass me in front of Jessie, she means a lot to me."

"I can tell that, you've been moping around here for weeks missing her. Look, I'm not trying to embarrass you but I can tell that this is something serious and I just wanted to make sure you were being safe ok? I won't mention it again."

"We are."

"Good. Right go and finish up because you'll need to leave for the airport soon."

Niall headed up to his room then, getting out some clean bedding and making his bed. With a quick check of his room a little while later he closed the door and made his way to the airport.

-----------

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Patent troll's IP more powerful than Apple's

I was 12 years into my Locus Magazine column when I published the piece I'm most proud of, "IP," from September 2020. It came after an epiphany, one that has profoundly shaped the way I talk and think about the issues I campaign on.

https://locusmag.com/2020/09/cory-doctorow-ip/

That revelation was about the meaning of the term "IP," which had been the center of this tedious linguistic cold war for decades. People who advocate for free and open technology and culture hate the term "IP" because of its ideological loading and imprecision.

Ideology first: Before "IP" came into wide parlance - when lobbyists for multinational corporations convinced the UN to turn their World Intellectual Property Organization into a specialized agency, we used other terms like "author's monopolies" and "regulatory monopolies."

"Monopoly" is a pejorative. "Property" is sacred to our society. When a corporation seeks help defending its monopoly, it is a grubby corrupter. When it asks for help defending its property, it is enlisting the public to defend the state religion.

Free culture people know allowing "monopolies" to become "property" means losing the battle before it is even joined, but it is frankly unavoidable. How do you rephrase "IP lawyer" without conceding the property point? "Trademark-copyright-patent-and-related-rights lawyer?"

Thus the other half of the objection to "IP": its imprecision. Copyright is not anything like patent. Patent is not anything like trademark. Trade secrets are an entirely different thing again. Don't let's get started on sui generis and neighboring rights.

And this is where my revelation came: as it is used in business circles, "IP" has a specific, precise meaning. "IP" means, "Any law, policy or regulation that allows me to control the conduct of my competitors, critics and customers."

Copyright, patent and trademark all have limitations and exceptions designed to prevent this kind of control, but if you arrange them in overlapping layers around a product, each one covers the exceptions in the others.

Creators don't like having their copyrights called "author's monopolies." Monopolists get to set prices. All the copyright in the world doesn't let an author charge publishers more for their work. The creators have a point.

But when author's monopolies are acquired by corporate monopolists, something magical and terrible happens.

Remember: market-power monopolies are still (theoretically) illegal and when companies do things to maintain or expand their monopolies, they risk legal jeopardy.

But: The corporate monopolist who uses IP to expand their monopoly has no such risk. Monopolistic conduct in defense of IP enjoys wide antitrust forbearance. What's the point of issuing patents or allowing corporations to buy copyrights if you don't let them enforce them?

The IP/market-power monopoly represents a futuristic corporate alloy, a new metal never seen, impervious to democratic control.

Software is "IP" and so any device with software in it is like beskar, a rare metal that can be turned into the ultimate corporate armor.

No company exemplifies this better than Apple, a company that used limitations on IP to secure its market power, then annihilated those limits so that no one could take away its market power.

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/06/adversarial-interoperability-reviving-elegant-weapon-more-civilized-age-slay

In the early 2000s, Apple was in trouble. The convicted monopolist Microsoft ruled the business world, and if you were the sole Mac user in your office, you were screwed.

When a Windows user sent you a Word file, you could (usually) open it in the Mac version of Word, but then if you saved that file again, it often became forever cursed, unopenable by any version of Microsoft Office ever created or ever to be created.

This became a huge liability. Designers started keeping a Windows box next to their dual processor Power Macs, just to open Office docs. Or worse (for Apple), they switched to a PC and bought Windows versions of Adobe and Quark Xpress.

Steve Jobs didn't solve this problem by begging Bill Gates to task more engineers to Office for Mac. Instead, Jobs got Apple techs to reverse-engineer all of the MS Office file formats and release a rival office suite, Iwork, which could read and write MS Office files.

That was an Apple power move, one that turned MS's walled garden into an all-you-can-eat buffet of potential new Mac users. Apple rolled out the Switch ads, whose message was, "Every MS Office file used to be a reason *not* to use a Mac. Now it's a reason to switch *to* a Mac."

More-or-less simultaneously, though, Apple was inventing the hybrid market/IP monopoly tool that would make it the most valuable company in the world, in its design for the Ipod and the accompanying Itunes store.

It had a relatively new legal instrument to use for this purpose: 1998's Digital Millennium Copyright Act; specifically, Section 1201 of the DMCA, the "anti-circumvention" clause, which bans breaking DRM.

Under DMCA 1201, if a product has a copyrighted work (like an operating system) and it has an "access control" (like a password or a bootloader key), then bypassing the access control is against the law, even if no copyright infringement takes place.

That last part - "even if no copyright infringement takes place" - is the crux of DMCA 1201. The law was intended to support the practices of games console makers and DVD player manufacturers, who wanted to stop competitors from making otherwise legal devices.

With DVD players, that was about "region coding," the part of the DVD file format that specified which countries a DVD could be played back in. If you bought a DVD in London, you couldn't play it in Sydney or New York.

Now, it's not a copyright violation to buy a DVD and play it wherever you happen to be. As a matter of fact, buying a DVD and playing it is the *opposite* of a copyright infringement.

But it *was* a serious challenge to the entertainment cartel's business-model, which involved charging different prices and having different release dates for the same movie depending on where you were.

The same goes for games consoles: companies like Sega and Nintendo made a lot of money charging creators for the right to sell games that ran on the hardware they sold.

If I own a Sega Dreamcast, and you make a game for it, and I buy it and run it on my Sega, that's not a copyright infringement, even if Sega doesn't like it. But if you have to bypass an "access control" to get the game to play without Sega's blessing, it violates DMCA 1201.

What's more, DMCA 1201 has major penalties for "trafficking in circumvention devices" and information that could be used to build such a device, such as reports of exploitable flaws in the programming of a DRM system: $500k in fines and a 5 year sentence for a first offense.

Deregionalizing a DVD player or jailbreaking a Dreamcast didn't violate anyone's copyrights, but it still violated copyright law (!). It was pure IP, the right to control the conduct of critics (security researchers), customers and competitors.

In the words of Jay Freeman, it's "Felony contempt of business-model."

And that's where the Ipod came in. Steve Jobs's plan was to augment the one-time revenue from an Ipod with a recurrent revenue stream from the Itunes store.

He exploited the music industry's superstitious dread of piracy and naive belief in the efficacy of DRM to convince the record companies to only sell music with his DRM wrapper on it - a wrapper they themselves could not authorize listeners to remove.

Ever $0.99 Itunes purchase added $0.99 to the switching cost of giving up your Ipod for a rival device, or leaving Itunes and buying DRM music from a rival store. It was control over competitors and customers. It was IP.

If you had any doubt that the purpose of Ipod/Itunes DRM was to fight competitors, not piracy, then just cast your mind back to 2004, when Real Media "hacked" the Ipod so that it would play music locked with Real's DRM as well as Apple's.

http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3387871/Apple+RealNetworks+Hacked+iPod.htm

Apple used DMCA 1201 to shut Real down, not to stop copyright infringement, but to prevent Apple customers from buying music from record labels and playing them on their Ipods without paying Apple a commission and locking themselves to Apple's ecosystem, $0.99 at a time.

Pure IP. Now, imagine if Microsoft had been able to avail itself of DMCA 1201 when Iwork was developed - if, for example, its "information rights management" encryption had caught on, creating "access controls" for all Office docs.

There's a very strong chance that would have killed Apple off before it could complete its recovery. Jobs knew the power of interoperating without consent, and he knew the power of invoking the law to block interoperability. He practically invented modern IP.

Apple has since turned IP into a trillion-dollar valuation, largely off its mobile platform, the descendant of the Ipod. This mobile platform uses DRM - and thus DMCA 1201 - to ensure that you can only use apps that come from its app store.

Apple gets a cut of penny you spend buying an app, and every penny you spend within that app: 30% (now 15% for a minority of creators after bad publicity).

IP lets one of the least taxed corporations on Earth extract a 30% tax from everyone else.

https://locusmag.com/2021/03/cory-doctorow-free-markets/

Remember, it's not copyright infringement for me to write an app and you to buy it from me and play it on your Iphone without paying the 30% Apple tax.

That's the exact opposite of copyright infringement: buying a copyrighted work and enjoying it on a device you own.

But it's still an IP violation. It bypasses Apple's ability to control competitors and customers. It's felony contempt of business-model.

It shows that under IP, copyright can't be said to exist as an incentive to creativity - rather, it's a tool for maintaining monopolies.

Which brings me to today's news that Apple was successfully sued by a patent troll over its DRM. A company called Personalized Media Communications whose sole product is patent lawsuits trounced Apple in the notorious East Texas patent-troll court.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-19/apple-told-to-pay-308-5-million-for-infringing-drm-patent

After software patents became widespread - thanks to the efforts of Apple and co - there was a bonanza of "inventors" filing garbage patents with the USPTO whose format was "Here's an incredibly obvious thing...*with a computer*." The Patent Office rubberstamped them by the million.

These patents became IP, a way to extract rent without having to make a product. "Investors" teamed up with "inventors" to buy these and impose a tax on businesses - patent licensing fees that drain money from people who make things and give it to people who buy things.

They found a court - the East Texas court in Marshall, TX - that was hospitable to patent trolls. They rented dusty PO boxes in Marshall and declared them to be their "headquarters" so that they could bring suits there.

Locals thrived - they got jobs as "administrators" (mail forwarders) for the thousands of "businesses" whose "head office" was in Marshall (when you don't make a product, your head office can be a PO box).

Productive companies facing hundreds of millions - billions! - in patent troll liability sought to curry favor with locals (who were also the jury pool) by "donating" things to Marshall, like the skating rink Samsung bought for the town.

https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/why-south-korea-s-samsung-built-the-only-outdoor-skating-rink-in-texas

Patent, like copyright, is supposed to serve a public purpose. There are only two clauses in the US Constitution that come with explanations (the rest being "truths held to be self-evident"): the Second Amendment and the "Progress Clause" that creates patents and copyrights.

Famously, the Second Amendment says you can bear arms as part of a "well-regulated militia."

And the Progress Clause? It extends to Congress the power to create patents and copyrights "to promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts."

I'm with Apple in its ire over this judgment. Sending $308.5m to a "closely held" patent troll has nothing to do with the "Progress of Science and useful Arts."

But it has *everything* to do with IP.

If copyright law can let Apple criminalize - literally criminalize - you selling me If copyright law can let Apple criminalize - literally criminalize - you selling me your copyrighted work, then there's no reason to hate on patent trolls.

They're just doing what trolls do: blocking the bridge between someone engaged in useful work and the customers for that work, and extracting a toll. It's not even 30%.

There is especial and delicious irony in the fact that the patent in question is a DRM patent: a patent for the very same process that Apple uses to lock down its devices and prevent creators from selling to customers without paying the 30% Apple Tax.

But even without that, it's as good an example of what an IP marketplace looks like: one in which making things becomes a liability. After all, the more you make, the more chances there are for an IP owner to demand tax from you to take it to market.

The only truly perfect IP is the naked IP of a patent troll, the bare right to sue, a weapon made from pure abstract legal energy, untethered from any object, product or service that might be vulnerable to another IP owner's weapons.

A coda: you may recall that Apple doesn't use DRM on its music anymore: you can play Itunes music on any device. That wasn't a decision Apple took voluntarily: it was forced into it by a competitor: Amazon, an unlikely champion of user rights.

In 2007, the record labels had figured out that Apple had lured them into a trap, selling millions of dollars worth of music that locked both listeners and labels into the Itunes ecosystem.

In a desperate bid for freedom, they agreed to help Amazon launch its MP3 store - all the same music, at the same prices...without DRM. Playable on an Ipod, but also on any other device.

Prior to the Amazon MP3 store, the market was all DRM: you could either buy Apple's DRM music and play it on your Ipod, or you could buy other DRM music and play it on a less successful device.

The Amazon MP3 store (whose motto was "DRM: Don't Restrict Me") changed that to "Buy Apple DRM music and play it on your Ipod, or buy Amazon music and play it anywhere." That was the end of Apple music DRM.

So why hasn't anyone done this for the apps that Apple extracts the 30% tax on? IP. If you made a phone that could play Ios apps, Apple would sue you:

https://gizmodo.com/judge-tosses-apple-lawsuit-against-iphone-emulator-in-b-1845967318

And if you made a device that let you load non-App Store apps on an Iphone, Apple would also sue you.

Apple understands IP. It learned the lesson of the Amazon MP3 store, and it is committed to building a world where every creator pays a tax to reach every Apple customer.