#accounting software in 2025

[the-financial-planner]

Best Accounting Software 2025 in Zambia: Tips and Best Practices

Managing financial tasks in today’s fast-paced world can be challenging, but the right tools can make all the difference. If you're a business owner in Zambia, it's time to take control of your financial and business management with the best accounting software. Say goodbye to financial headaches and embrace a solution designed to simplify your financial operations. With advanced features like smart invoicing and a wide range of functionalities, accounting software makes financial management effortless.

Choosing the right accounting software can significantly reduce your workload and help you focus on what matters most—growing your business. It's essential to select software that suits your specific financial and business needs. Accounting software comes in various types to cater to businesses of all sizes, whether small, medium, or large. Since every business is unique, finding the perfect fit ensures seamless integration into your operations.

Modern accounting software goes beyond basic bookkeeping. It plays a vital role in managing broader business activities, including employee management, payroll processing, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and much more. When selecting accounting software, ensure it meets your specific business requirements and enhances overall efficiency.

For businesses in Zambia, best accounting software stands out as an ideal choice. Designed exclusively for Zambian entrepreneurs, it addresses the unique financial challenges of local businesses. Its integrated smart invoice module complies with all guidelines of the Zambian Revenue Authority (ZRA), ensuring accurate and hassle-free invoicing. As a ZRA-certified solution, it’s built to simplify financial tasks while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Whether you run a small, medium, or large business, accounting software is versatile enough to meet your needs. It’s specifically designed to fit seamlessly into Zambian business environments, making financial management more efficient and reliable. Let accounting software handle your financial tasks, so you can focus on driving your business forward with confidence.

Tips for Choosing the Right Accounting Software for Your Business

Selecting the right accounting software is a crucial step toward efficient financial management for your business. With numerous options available, it’s essential to make an informed decision based on your unique requirements and future goals. Here are some tips to guide you in choosing the ideal accounting software:

Understand Your Business Needs

Assess Your Accounting Skills

Look for Integration Capabilities

Multi-Currency Support

Choose Between Desktop and Cloud-Based Solutions

Prioritize Ease of Use

Demand Insightful Reporting

Understand Your Business Needs

Begin by evaluating the specific needs and goals of your business. Consider the size and complexity of your operations. Small businesses might require straightforward and easy-to-use solutions, while larger organizations may need comprehensive software capable of handling multi-departmental integrations and advanced financial analytics.

Assess Your Accounting Skills

Take into account your accounting knowledge and expertise when choosing software. While accounting software simplifies bookkeeping, it still requires users to have a basic understanding of financial principles. The effectiveness of the software depends on how well you and your team can use it. Choose a tool that aligns with your skill level and offers resources or support if needed.

Look for Integration Capabilities

Select software that can seamlessly integrate with other business tools and systems. As your business grows, your accounting needs will evolve, and having software that supports additional features or tools will make scaling easier. Integration ensures your operations remain smooth and efficient, even as your business expands.

Multi-Currency Support

If your business handles international transactions, multi-currency support is essential. This feature allows you to deal in various currencies, convert exchange rates automatically, and record transactions in your home currency. It’s a vital tool for businesses with global clients or suppliers.

Choose Between Desktop and Cloud-Based Solutions

Decide whether you prefer desktop or cloud-based software. Cloud-based solutions provide the flexibility to access your financial data from anywhere with an internet connection. This accessibility is ideal for businesses that require remote access or want future-proof technology as more IT solutions transition to the cloud.

Prioritize Ease of Use

User-friendliness is a critical factor when selecting accounting software. The system should simplify your financial processes and present data in a clear and accessible manner. Look for software that allows you to generate reports and perform key tasks in just a few steps, saving time and effort.

Demand Insightful Reporting

Effective financial management requires tracking and analyzing performance over time. The software you choose should generate accurate financial statements and reports, such as balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports. These insights help you monitor your business’s health and make informed decisions.

The Importance of Smart Invoice Accounting Software in Zambia

Taxation systems vary from country to country, and Zambia is no exception. For businesses in Zambia, smart invoice solutions play a vital role in ensuring compliance and efficiency. Choosing accounting software, which integrates a smart invoice system specifically designed for Zambian businesses, is essential. Localized software understands the unique financial and business requirements of your country, making it the ideal choice. Here’s how smart invoice accounting software can benefit your business:

Streamlined Invoicing and ZRA Tax Calculations

Smart invoice accounting software simplifies the process of invoicing and tax calculations, ensuring accuracy and compliance with ZRA regulations. It generates invoices with the correct tax calculations, significantly reducing errors and saving valuable time. This level of precision allows businesses to allocate resources more effectively, enabling them to focus on growth and customer satisfaction.

Error Prevention

With smart invoice billing software, businesses can avoid common errors when generating invoices. By automating calculations and ensuring compliance with tax regulations, the software minimizes mistakes that could lead to financial discrepancies or penalties.

Comprehensive Dashboard

A user-friendly dashboard provides a clear, 360-degree view of all ZRA transactions. This feature helps business owners and accountants track pending tasks, monitor completed returns, and stay on top of their financial obligations effortlessly.

Secure Data Storage and Management

Smart invoice software ensures that sensitive data, such as billing information, financial records, and accounting details, is securely managed and stored. Advanced features like data encryption and authentication protocols protect your information from unauthorized access. With robust security measures, you can confidently manage your business digitally while safeguarding critical financial data.

Final Thoughts:

Investing in the right accounting software can transform your financial management processes and set your business up for success. By focusing on your needs, evaluating software features, and considering future growth, you can find a solution that enhances efficiency and supports your long-term goals. Choose wisely, and let the right software help you manage your finances with ease.

How Can Accounting Software Help Your Business?

Accounting software provides a comprehensive accounting solution designed to deliver robust financial, operational, and project management capabilities. Trusted by over 100 businesses in Zambia, has empowered companies to scale their finance and accounting activities while ensuring seamless business continuity.

Our expertise lies in identifying the ideal accounting software for small to medium-sized businesses, tailored to their unique needs. With dedicated customer support, we ensure that our users maximize the value of our software at every step of their journey.

Ready to elevate your financial management? Contact us today to discuss your accounting software requirements or schedule a free demo of our financial software suite to explore its powerful features.

[accountingsoftwareinzambia]

Best Accounting Software 2025 in Zambia: Tips and Best Practices

Modern accounting software goes beyond basic bookkeeping. It plays a vital role in managing broader business activities, including employee management, payroll processing, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and much more. When selecting accounting software, ensure it meets your specific business requirements and enhances overall efficiency.

[inc-immigrationnewscanada]

10 Genius Tips to Simplify Your 2025 Canadian Tax Filing

Canadian Tax Filing 2025: Tax season in Canada doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Filing your taxes can feel like climbing a mountain, with receipts scattered everywhere and credits slipping through the cracks. But with the right strategies, you can breeze through it stress-free. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) opens online tax filing on February 24, 2025, and preparation is your key to…

[smart-invoice-zambia]

Small Business Accounting Software: A Game Changer for Entrepreneurs

In today’s competitive business environment, small businesses face significant challenges in managing their finances efficiently. Limited resources and unpredictable market conditions can make financial management overwhelming. However, effective financial management is crucial for the success and long-term sustainability of any small business. Proper financial management enables small businesses to make informed decisions about resource allocation, budgeting, revenue forecasting, expense tracking, and cash flow management. Maintaining accurate financial records ensures that businesses can plan strategically, remain financially stable, and position themselves for growth and success.

What is Small Business Accounting Software?

Small business accounting refers to the financial processes that small-scale businesses use to manage their income, expenses, and overall financial health. It involves tracking all financial transactions, organizing them into records, and generating financial statements that provide insights into the business’s performance. Regularly analyzing these statements helps businesses make informed decisions and improve their operations.

Small business accounting involves recording income, expenses, credits, and debts, ensuring accurate financial management. To streamline this process, many businesses use small business accounting software that simplifies bookkeeping and generates essential financial reports. These tools help small businesses operate efficiently and maintain financial stability.

Why Small Businesses Need Accounting Software

Small businesses face many challenges, from managing cash flow to staying compliant with ever-changing financial regulations. Effective financial management is essential for long-term success, and accounting software has become an invaluable tool for streamlining financial processes. It offers a cost-effective, efficient, and accurate way to handle accounting tasks, helping businesses stay organized and financially stable.

Cost-Effective Financial Management

Efficient Financial Tracking

Simplified Tax Compliance

Error Reduction & Accuracy

Automated Sales Tax Calculation

Simplified and Intuitive Accounting

Real-Time Financial Insights

Customization & Scalability

Payroll Management

Forecasting and Budgeting

1. Cost-Effective Financial Management

One of the biggest concerns for small businesses is managing finances without incurring high costs. Traditional accounting services often require hiring in-house staff or paying hefty fees for external accountants. Accounting software provides an affordable solution, offering tailored features that help small businesses manage their finances without breaking the bank.

2. Efficient Financial Tracking

A good accounting system should provide robust tracking capabilities for income, expenses, assets, liabilities, and equity. It should maintain detailed and accurate financial records, ensuring that small businesses can monitor their financial health effectively.

3. Simplified Tax Compliance

Accounting software is designed to align with tax regulations, making tax management much easier. Whether dealing with multiple tax rates or complex calculations, accounting software automates the process, reducing errors and ensuring timely tax filings.

4. Error Reduction & Accuracy

One of the biggest advantages of accounting software is its ability to minimize human errors in financial calculations. Manual bookkeeping often leads to mistakes, which can be costly for small businesses. With automated data entry and calculation tools, accounting software helps maintain precise financial records, reducing the risk of miscalculations.

5. Automated Sales Tax Calculation

Each country and region has different sales tax regulations, which can become difficult to manage as businesses expand. Accounting software automates sales tax calculations, ensuring compliance with local tax laws and simplifying the process of recording and reporting transactions.

6. Simplified and Intuitive Accounting

The right accounting software provides an intuitive platform that makes managing finances easier. With user-friendly dashboards and real-time financial reports, businesses can quickly access vital financial information, allowing them to analyze data and make informed decisions.

7. Real-Time Financial Insights

Instant access to financial data is essential for business owners. Accounting software enables real-time monitoring of cash flow, expense tracking, inventory management, and revenue analysis. These insights help businesses respond quickly to financial trends and make data-driven decisions.

8. Customization & Scalability

As a business grows, financial complexities increase. Accounting software provides customizable features that adapt to the evolving needs of a business. Scalable solutions ensure businesses can expand their accounting operations without disruptions, accommodating new clients, accounts payable/receivable, inventory, and payroll.

9. Payroll Management

Payroll processing is a crucial component of business operations. Accounting software often includes payroll features that track employee hours, automate salary calculations, and manage benefits. Integrated time-tracking tools help simplify hourly-based payroll processing, saving time and reducing errors.

10. Forecasting and Budgeting

Effective financial planning is key to business growth. Accounting software offers forecasting and budgeting tools that allow businesses to analyze financial trends, plan expenditures, and develop growth strategies. These features help businesses set financial goals, make informed decisions, and maintain financial stability.

Key Financial Management Strategies for Small Businesses

Effective financial management is crucial for the success of any small business. Implementing the right strategies helps businesses maintain financial stability, make informed decisions, and plan for growth. Here are some essential financial management strategies:

Creating a Budget

A budget serves as a financial roadmap, outlining expected revenue and expenses. It provides clarity on financial standing and helps businesses allocate resources wisely, ensuring financial stability and growth.

Forecasting Revenue and Expenses

Accurate forecasting enables small businesses to anticipate future financial needs and adjust their strategies accordingly. By analyzing past trends and market conditions, businesses can make proactive decisions to optimize revenue and control expenses.

Managing Cash Flow

Cash flow represents the money flowing in and out of a business. Proper cash flow management ensures businesses have enough liquidity to cover operational expenses, avoid financial strain, and seize growth opportunities.

Maintaining Accurate Financial Records

Keeping detailed and accurate financial records is essential for monitoring business performance, complying with tax regulations, and making well-informed financial decisions. Reliable records provide insights into profitability and areas for improvement.

Turn Your Small Business into a Thriving Enterprise

For any business, whether small or large, the ability to forecast finances and plan for the future is a major advantage. Making business decisions can be daunting, especially for small businesses where a single wrong choice can have significant consequences. However, maintaining clear and accurate financial records can help minimize risks and support smarter decision-making.

Management accounts provide small business owners with a comprehensive view of their financial health. They highlight areas of success and pinpoint challenges, allowing business owners to make informed decisions about investments and resource allocation. For example, if financial records indicate declining sales, a business owner can prioritize marketing efforts instead of increasing inventory.

Having access to reliable financial data makes strategic decision-making easier, helping small businesses adapt, grow, and thrive. When you’re managing every aspect of your business, having financial clarity gives you the confidence to make choices that drive long-term success.

Conclusion:

Effective financial management is essential for small businesses to thrive. Key practices such as budgeting, managing cash flow, and maintaining accurate financial records help business owners make better use of their resources, minimize risks, and maximize profitability. Real-world examples demonstrate how strong financial strategies contribute to business growth, resilience, and long-term success. By adopting these best practices, small business owners can navigate challenges with confidence and build a solid foundation for sustainable growth.

Small business accounting software is a game-changer for small businesses, providing cost-effective, efficient, and accurate financial management. By automating key accounting tasks, businesses can save time, reduce errors, and gain real-time insights into their financial performance. Investing in the right accounting software empowers entrepreneurs to focus on growing their businesses while ensuring long-term financial success.

[triridbilling]

How to Choose the Right Accounting Software in 2025

Introduction

Let's face it, accounting is not the most interesting part of running any business. However, having a clunky and out-of-the-date accounting software makes it even harder. There are numerous smart, efficient tools in the market in the year 2025-the feat is choosing a right one.

Importance of Choosing Right Software

Financial Accuracy

A good accounting tool always ensures that your numbers are spot-on, and the best ways to avoid expensive accidents are to minimize such events.

Efficiency in Time

The time spent on bookkeeping by spending hours on the work can be leveraged by adopting automation.

Tax Compliance

Keeping up with tax laws is less stressful when the software does all the compliance automatically for the user, be it GST or VAT.

Key Features Required in 2025

Cloud-Based Access

Remote working is here to stay. Use software you could access anytime, anywhere.

Automation Capabilities

From automatic invoices to repetitive payments, automation is time saving.

Real-time Reporting

Faster reporting means better decisions.

Integration with Other Tools

Your accounting software should integrate with CRM, payroll, and e-commerce platforms.

User-Friendly Interface

Even if you are not an adept ''numbers'' person, however, surfing through the software would not be a lengthy mission but an easy and straightforward process.

Know Your Business Need

Business Size and Industry

Same features will not be fit to small business enterprises as compared to large organizations. So, choose accordingly.

Number of Users

Let the entire team get access without any overburden of licenses.

Customization Needs

Special report or industry feature? Look for a customizable dashboard and workflow.

Budget Considerations

One-Time Versus Subscription Pricing

Both have their advantages and disadvantages, just be sure it fits into your cash flow model.

Hidden Costs

Beware of paying extra for updates, support, or integrations.

Security and Compliance

Data Encryption

Your financial data deserves to be Fort Knox tight.

GDPR & Local Tax Compliance

Make sure the software adheres to the rules and regulations of your country.

Customer Support and Training

For questions, you want quick and happpy answers and resources for getting started.

Scalability for Future Growth

Choose software that grows with you-because staying static chairs isn't really the plan.

Reviews and Recommendations

Don't just trust the ads. Read reviews of real users and ask for peer recommendations.

Free Trials and Demos

Most reputed tools offer at least a 14-day free trial, but before you pay, have a test drive.

Popular Accounting Software Options in 2025

Tririd Biz

QuickBooks Online

Zoho Books

Xero

FreshBooks

Common Mistakes

Neglecting to check if it is scalable

Not checking integration options

Paying too much for features rarely used

Choosing solely on price

Final Checklist Before Buying

It supports your business size

Within the budget

Automation and integrations

Security and compliance

User-friendly and scalable

Conclusion

Choosing your accounting software for 2025 need not be an insurmountable task. Simply take the time to evaluate your needs and try out the tools before deciding on the option that really fits your business. Think of it as the hunt for the right pair of road-running shoes—the more fitting they are, the less difficult the race will become.

Visit Our Website:  The Powerful & Handy Accounting software

FAQs

1. What is the best accounting software for small businesses in 2025?

Tririd Biz, Zoho Books, and QuickBooks Online are the top picks for small to medium enterprises.

2. Should I choose online or offline accounting software?

Cloud-based is more flexible and accessible—great for remote teams and modern businesses.

3. How much should I budget for accounting software?

Prices vary according to the software's sophistication, but expect subscription fees of US$10-70 per month; always check for hidden fees.

4. Can accounting software help with filing taxes?

Yes! Modern tools usually offer automation features to help in tax compliance and filing.

5. What if I don’t know the first thing about accounting?

Don’t worry—most programs have been designed for the beginner in mind and will provide tutorials, FAQs, and support teams.

[varthagamsoft]

A fresh start for new success! Begin this financial year with better billing, smart accounts, and easy reports. VarthagamSoft Billing Software helps you keep everything simple and smooth, so you can focus on growing your business. 

Book your free demo now! 

Contact No: 044-40-139-140  Website: varthagamsoft.com  

[hoonieyun]

love at the water cooler (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶) .ᐟ.ᐟ

pairing: park sunghoon x reader

genre: boyfriend!sunghoon, office romance, software engineer!sunghoon x accounting!reader, coworker to lovers, established relationship, smau/fake texts, romance, fluff, secret relationship, slight jay x reader but its one sided, sunghoon has one sided beef with jay lol,

warnings: not much besides like dumb brain rot humor and some profanity, mentions of kissing LOL 18+ and not proofread... heh

synopsis: hiding your relationship from everyone at your job wasn't impossible but it was definitely a challenge. thankfully, the water cooler provides a good place for where you and your boyfriend can meet and share some moments together.

ᡣ•.•𐭩♡ @pagemiah @jiiyen @jnysaln @xh01bri @rairaiblog @laurradoesloveu @manaah02 @zorange13 @firstclassjaylee @kristynaaah @17ericas @heeseung64 @leipforggy

copyright 2025 - present © hoonieyun all rights reserved all writing here is fiction & not in any association with characters mentioned. if you enjoyed reading this please consider reblogging and following <3

[foolishlovers]

With 2024 coming to an end, I just wanted to give a quick shout-out to my favourite fics I (re)read this year. I have so so much appreciation for all writers creating beautiful works about our beloved angel and demon pair. Reading these sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes sappy, sometimes deliciously filthy stories has been a constant source of joy. I truly can't even begin to describe how thankful I am to be part of such an incredibly creative and loving fandom. So so much gratitude for all the different versions of them, all the genders, all the tropes, all the canon fics, and all the human AUs. There are so many more amazing fics I read this year and there are so many more to explore in 2025, but the following few have made themselves a home in my heart. I promise they're worth a read! 💜 [I do fic recs all year long, check out this tag for more.]

Date by @ddagent (2.5k, T)

Every year, Aziraphale is spoiled on his birthday. This year, he decides to do the same for Crowley. There's only one problem - he's not actually sure when Crowley's birthday is.

Roller Derby Queen by @summerofspock (2.5k, M)

Crowley skates for Hell on Wheels and she's pretty good at it too. She'd be better if she weren't so distracted by the new skater on the opposing team.

Sweet Nectar of the Eldritch Gods by @brenna (3.2k, G)

Azira writes a letter to the purveyor of her favorite honeys and sweetness ensues. No offence, but who says “by the by,” by the way? It’s adorable? By the by, do you like wine? Crowley

Poor Men by @why-not-go-with-style (3.9k, G)

What To Do When Two of Your Professors Are Hopelessly in Love With Each Other: an instruction manual by Adam Young (featuring Pepper Moonchild because someone has to be the voice of reason here).

!False (It's Funny Because It's True) by @mirjam-writes (6.4k, E)

Aziraphale drew a long breath through his nose. Crowley, of course it had to be Crowley. The new guy in the sales department, who would promise potential customers just about anything to close a deal. Arrogant, annoying – and wildly, stupidly attractive. Aziraphale hated him.  Aziraphale is a stellar software architect and a project manager, who is so done with the sales department selling unrealistically scheduled and budgeted projects. And he definitely doesn't have a crush on anyone, thank you very much.

Show me where the Nightingale sings by @sabotage-on-mercury (6.5k, G)

After settling into their new home in the South Downs there are still things to process for Aziraphale and Crowley before they can start a new chapter of their life. But winter is turning into spring. There is magic abroad in the air. And finally, the nightingale is back.

The Art of Human Nature by @ineffable-doll (6.5k, T)

Crowley is a painter who has only ever had an eye for nature. That is, until a client named Aziraphale commissions her for a painting to boost her self-confidence, and Crowley discovers that her client is as beautiful as the Earth itself. Then she goes and catches feelings, because she’s a disaster.

Lit by @fellshish (12k, T)

Crowley takes a university course on literature and surprise! The book they’re discussing is Good Omens. Uh oh.

Paradigm Shift by @hakunahistata (13k, E)

“Apologies, apologies! The time got away from me.” Aziraphale Fell entered the room brightly, a binder in one hand, tea mug in the other. Crowley’s languid sprawl went rigid as the senior accounting analyst who had been the indulgent secret in the back of his mind took the seat opposite him.   Or, Crowley Pines at the Office: An AU.

Feast by @ashfae, mostlyjustgoose (15k, E)

Crowley's spent the whole of lockdown asleep. Aziraphale has spent the whole of lockdown baking, cooking, and becoming increasingly frustrated with his solitude. Which eventually leads him to the perfect way to solve all his problems at once... Or, Aziraphale attempts to seduce Crowley with a truly excellent meal, and Crowley is amenable.

Ever-Fixed by @hkblack (19k, E)

Aziraphale Fell had a plan. Go to school, get his degree, and start his life with his beloved at his side as man and wife. Until one day Crowley disappears. Decades later he meets a man, and finds the love of his life again. Anthony J. Crowley, suave, cool, masculine, in control, unflappable, has spent decades building himself up. He refuses to let his confident facade disappear for Aziraphale, who once almost tumbled down the stairs to certain death because his nose was stuck in a book. It’s just sex, and they’ve been dating for months, this time around. There’s no need to get his knickers in a knot. But the past isn’t easy to let go of, even if you’re both avoiding it. A story about love, intimacy, and finding each other again. (Alternatively: Tender smut, but then I wrote love story flashbacks, and now it's just emotional and there's plot in my pornography)

Fireworks by @optimistic-starlight (19k, E)

He had to get himself under control. Aziraphale needed him. That prick boyfriend of his drained so much of Aziraphale's time and energy, dampened so much of the gentle, beaming happiness that Crowley had always adored about him. He needed Crowley there to support him, to do the things a best friend should be there to do. And, well, if Crowley needed him too, if he had to subsume his own pain to focus on making Aziraphale happy, that was something he could bear quietly. He could do it for his angel. Crowley groaned and dropped his head against the tiled wall of the shower. His angel. He had to stop thinking of him like that.

Maybe Next Christmas by @flamingbentleyy (21k, T)

Airports were tricky business, but waiting in airports was as close to hell as one could possibly get. Nobody knew it better than Aziraphale, whose luck had made him end up in one right on Christmas Eve of all days. Although his airport experience turned a little less hellish and a whole lot more entertaining after he ran into an old college friend in that same airport. And then again. And again…

The Small Ad by @theladydrgn, @sylwritesstuff (32k, E)

WORK WANTED: Partner For Hire. Tall, lanky ginger of arguable gender available to be your significant other to keep pesky relatives, nosy coworkers, or well-meaning friends at bay. Able to be as annoying or as polite as you like. Causing a fight over Christmas dinner with your odd, bigoted uncle/aunt/cousin will require an extra £200 up front. £50 for the first hour, negotiable otherwise. Ciao.   It isn't the sort of advertisement Aziraphale usually paid any attention to, but desperate times do indeed call for desperate measures.

Heavenly Wicked Cafe by @waitingtobebroken (33k, T)

There is a terribly rude barista that makes amazing coffee and a saint of a barista, whose coffee tastes vile. And they are in love.

Petrichor & Parchment by @katnoggin (33k, E)

“Mr. Crowley, I presume?” Aziraphale asked in lieu of an introduction, which was not forthcoming. The guy hadn’t even removed his sunglasses. Oh God, he had a tattoo on his face. Aziraphale wasn’t one to judge, but… what kind of gardener had a snake tattoo on his face? Now also available as a podfic from Literarion  [Huuuge recommendation for the podfic!!]

The Heart of the Forest by Kalimyre (33k, E)

Retired librarian Aziraphale moves into a small, isolated cottage deep in the forest with a strange history. He soon realises he's not alone in the woods; a presence watches him. But as he begins to befriend the stranger that lurks in the trees, Aziraphale comes to understand there's more to him than appearances suggest - and Aziraphale's own destiny may be tied to the mysterious creature with the golden eyes.

in your own time by @ineffabildaddy (33k, E)

Aziraphale and Crowley grew up together as next-door neighbours on Hogback Lane, classmates at the local Catholic school, and inseparable best friends. By the age of eighteen, both were hopelessly in love with the other, despite the knowledge that they were doomed to live apart, as Crowley aimed to pursue university study in London and Aziraphale committed himself to remaining in Tadfield, dedicating his life to the Church. After almost twenty years spent away from his hometown, renowned botanist Crowley decides to come and visit Tadfield again at a moment's notice; the purpose of his visit is to speak at a Careers Day for the school he and Aziraphale, now a beloved priest and a frequent helper at the school, attended. The twenty-four hours that follow will change both of their lives for ever.

Between Comfort And Chaos by anathxmadevice (45k, T)

“And how long have you two been a couple?” “Oh, I—” Aziraphale panics. “Ha, well, that’s a funny… We’re not actually—” “We’re just friends.” Crowley says, their voice clear and calm and lightly amused, either because of or in spite of Aziraphale’s flailing attempts to divert the conversation. “Ah, yes, quite.” Aziraphale says, then takes a sip of his drink just for something to do, instead of focussing on the way Crowley said just friends, and how it causes a painful throb in his chest that he has never fully got used to. His memory can only scrabble at the edge of a time where being just friends with Crowley didn’t feel like a particular form of torture. * Or, Aziraphale has been desperately in love with his best friend and housemate Crowley since they were students, but is too scared to do anything about it.

Loving You Slow by @tawnyontumblr (46k, E)

Crowley just wants to dance, but he's not prepared to sell his soul (and other things) at Mayfair's Hellfire Club to do it. Tending bar at The Bookshop in Soho is just the escape he needs, providing Crowley can convince the club’s owner he really belongs on the stage. Unfortunately Aziraphale Eastgate is not quite the generous guardian angel Crowley has been led to believe. Welcome to The Bookshop, where it always pays to look under the covers.

A Billion Points of Light by akitsuko (50k, E)

The firefighter lifts the visor on their helmet, and Crowley may not be able to see very well, but those are the most beautiful eyes he’s ever seen in his life. Crowley has never been one for the whole 'love at first sight' business, but he may need to reassess after Aziraphale - a gorgeous firefighter - saves his life.

More Than by @naromoreau (55k, E)

Crowley would like to spend another year without marrying, especially when thrust-forced to pick a husband. She refuses to cave in on a matter of principles. She refuses to cave in specifically on a matter of not wanting to be married to Lucien Morningstar. But she might need a hand to break free from such a burden. And who knows? She might even find something else along the way.

Lavender Apiary Of Your Honey Eyes by @snek-of-eden (66k, E)

The first thing Aziraphale registered was fiery red hair matted with sweat. The second thing was the man’s face, sharp and intelligent and a little guarded, sunlight dappling a spray of freckles. Upon seeing this, two contradictory thoughts crossed his mind: ‘Gosh, he’s pretty’, and ‘I don���t believe I’ve ever heard a man use that many expletives in the space of a minute’. “Oh,” he said, swallowing hard. “Hello, then.” __________ When Aziraphale inherits a small, cosy cottage in the countryside, he finds unexpected company in a gardener he didn't even know he had. Crowley is sweet, and strange, and about as foul-mouthed as you can get. Before he knows it, he's falling pretty goddamn hard for a man whose friendship he's terrified of risking. Ah, the foils of love.

Old Vines by @sevdrag (189k, E)

A.Z. Fell, one of the most respected names in wine and food blogging, has been sent on assignment with his assistant Warlock Dowling to spend six months in California Wine Country. Under direction (by his boss, Gabriel) to use this experience to double his blog followers and write a novel, Aziraphale is both excited and anxious about the opportunity. Anthony J. Crowley is the owner and viticulturalist of Ecdyses, a winery that unexpectedly fell into his lap eleven years ago when he hit rock bottom. He may be in debt, yeah, but he’s paying off his loans — and despite pressure from his lenders and their team of inspectors, Crowley has found a kind of contentment tending his little corner of terroir and producing extraordinary wine. Crowley’s old vines are the heart of his vineyard, and he’s never let anyone in. Crowley finds Aziraphale intriguing; Aziraphale finds Crowley enthralling. Turns out a famous wine expert and an experienced viticulturalist can still learn things from each other. The summer of 2019 unfolds. [Big recommendation for the podfic here too!!]

[the-financial-planner]

Best Accounting Software 2025 in Zambia: Tips and Best Practices

Modern accounting software goes beyond basic bookkeeping. It plays a vital role in managing broader business activities, including employee management, payroll processing, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and much more. When selecting accounting software, ensure it meets your specific business requirements and enhances overall efficiency.

[henrikvanderhussy]

How to play the original Secrets Can Kill in 2025 without game discs

oh my god I almost just wrote 2015 instead of 2025

I've successfully been playing the original SCK for the past couple hours (including "changing discs" and reopening save files), but it's possible I could run into problems later, so no promises that this is a perfect solution.

This method still requires installing the game files, so I think it'll only work on Windows, sorry Mac users. I'm using Windows 11. I was also able to install and open the game on a Windows 10 computer, but I didn't actually attempt to play it there.

All you need are copies of the game .iso files and a virtual hard disk drive program. The post got long, so details are under the Keep Reading. It's not actually complicated, but apparently I talk a lot lol

The .iso files:

.iso files are digital replicas of optical discs (CDs, DVDs, etc). You probably don't have the original Secrets Can Kill discs, so you will need to...acquire these files.

[NOTE: My personal ethics say to not pirate shit from small studios or independent creators. HeR is a small studio and if people don't buy stuff from them, they can't afford to make new games. However, the original SCK is abandonware and literally can't be purchased, so imo, it's perfectly acceptable to pirate it.

I want to strongly discourage anyone from pirating any of the other games which can be purchased. They have 50% off sales all the time (including through today, 1/5/25) and a bunch of the games are as low as $5 when on-sale. The digital downloads don't come with any kind of restrictive licenses, so if you get a new computer, you can transfer the files and keep your games forever. Pls keep supporting HeR so that we can maybe keep getting new games]

I recommend getting the SCK .iso files from archive.org. That link will take you to a software search for Nancy Drew Secrets Can Kill. As of this post, there's only 1 result that's actually for the original SCK.

Anytime you're downloading software from a site where anyone can upload stuff, there's always a possibility of viruses. Check and see if the uploader seems sketchy (Are there comments on any of their uploads warning about viruses? Is the account brand new?). You could run the files through a virus checking program, but apparently .iso files frequently throw false positives. The SCK uploader seemed legit, but I initially downloaded and installed these on an old computer that I don't use, just in case.

There will be a bunch of files available to download. You specifically need to download the "ISO IMAGE" files. There should be two of them- disc 1 and disc 2. After downloading, I recommend moving the files out of your downloads folder because you'll need to access them frequently.

The virtual hard disk drive program:

Like I said above, .iso files are digital copies of physical discs. Similarly, the way to use the files is via a digital version of a physical disk drive. "Mounting" the .iso files to a virtual disk drive is analogous to inserting a disk into a physical drive.

Windows 8 and above has a built-in ability to mount .iso files, but when I tried that, I got a notice that the file was corrupted. The internet recommended that a dedicated program might have more functionality. I chose the Elby Virtual CloneDrive program, which is free.

Installing the game:

After downloading and installing the virtual disk drive software, navigate to your .iso files, and right click on the file for disc 1. Scroll to "Open with", and choose "Mount Files with Virtual CloneDrive". It will now show up as a CD drive in This PC in the file explorer:

Double-click to open the drive and scroll to "setup.exe". Open the file to run the game installer.

The game will install in a typical way. I think the only non-default option I chose was "No, I will install DirectX myself". I didn't actually install DirectX, but everything is working fine ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ idk, maybe now it's built-in to Windows or something.

Running the game:

To run the game, just open the game shortcut like a normal program. If you can't find the shortcut or didn't create one during the install, go to your C: drive -> Program Files (x86) -> Nancy Drew -> Secrets Can Kill -> Game.exe

In order for the game to run, you need to have Disc 1 still mounted to your virtual drive. Unless you specifically unmounted it, it should still be there, but if you get a pop-up that says to insert the disc, the problem is probably that the disc isn't mounted.

I was expecting that I would have to run the game in Compatibility Mode to handle that it was made for fucking Windows 98, but I didn't have to do anything. It just worked with no adjustments. A miracle!!

Changing discs:

The original Secrets Can Kill was too big to fit on a single disc at the time it was made! They split it across multiple discs by location. The school is on disc 2, while all other locations are on disc 1. So if you need to move from the diner to the school for example, you have to change discs.

When you need to change discs, you'll get this screen:

WITHOUT closing the game program, minimize the game. Easiest way is by either pressing the windows key or alt+tab. Navigate to your .iso files, right click on the new disc, and choose Mount.

Navigate back to the game and click OK. Easy as that!

Whenever you fully exit and re-open the game, you have to open it with disc 1 mounted. So if you saved while at the school, you'll open the game with disc 1, load your save, and immediately switch over to disc 2.

And I think that's everything! Phew! This got a lot longer than I planned on. Feel free to send me questions if you're having trouble, but I may not know the answer. I'm not an expert in this stuff, I just spent some time poking around at it last week is all.

Have fun! Go manatees!

[smart-invoice-zambia]

What Is Small Business Accounting Software and Why Do You Need It?

Small business accounting software is a tool designed to help business owners, accountants, and bookkeepers streamline financial transactions, manage accounts, track cash flow, and assess the financial health of their company. By centralizing financial data in a digital platform, this software simplifies financial management, enhances accuracy, and offers valuable insights into a business’s performance.

[triridbilling]

Best Accounting Software in India for Businesses in 2025

As businesses across India gear up for a tech-driven future, efficient financial management tools are becoming indispensable. In 2025, TRIRID Biz Accounting and Billing Software stands out as one of the best accounting solutions for businesses looking to simplify their operations and boost productivity.

Why TRIRID Biz Accounting and Billing Software?

TRIRID Biz is not just another accounting tool; it's a comprehensive solution designed with the needs of Indian businesses in mind. Whether you run a small startup, a mid-sized enterprise, or a large organization, TRIRID Biz adapts to your requirements seamlessly. Here's why it's leading the way in 2025: 1. GST-Compliant Billing One of the highlights of TRIRID Biz is its strong GST billing capabilities. Right from generating GST invoices to return filing, it ensures that your business is on the right track with Indian tax regulations. It reduces errors and saves time for you to concentrate on growing the business. 2. User-Friendly Interface Accounting software is not usually non-intimidating for non-accountants. The interface of TRIRID Biz solves this problem, as it is intuitive and easy to use. First-time users can also easily navigate the software with minimal training. 3. Cloud-Based Accessibility Mobility is key in today's dynamic business environment. TRIRID Biz gives you cloud-based access, which allows you to access your accounts anywhere, at any time. Your financial data will always be accessible to you whether you are at the office or on the move. 4. Advanced Reporting and Analytics TRIRID Biz offers fully powerful reporting and analytics to help you make smart business decisions. Cash flow, revenue trend, and expense pattern may all be analyzed to ensure you outpace your competition. 5. Multi-User Functionality It supports all businesses with various departments as TRIRID Biz allows multi-user functionality. Team members can collaborate in real-time, ensuring that your processes will be streamlined to the minimum delays in decision-making processes. 6. Customized Solutions Every business is different, and TRIRID Biz understands that. The software has modules specifically tailored for retail, wholesale, service-based industries, and more. 7. Better Security Your financial data is one of your most prized possessions. TRIRID Biz uses state-of-the-art encryption and security protocols to ensure your information is not accessed by others without your permission.

Why Indian Businesses Love TRIRID Biz in 2025

India's business landscape is as diverse as it is vibrant. Flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness are the hallmarks of accounting solutions that work for Indian businesses. TRIRID Biz delivers on all these fronts. From small kirana shops to large corporates, businesses across sectors are choosing TRIRID Biz for its unmatched blend of innovation and practicality. Here are some key benefits that users highlight:

Affordability: Cost-effective plans suitable for businesses of all sizes.

Scalability: The ability to grow alongside your business needs.

Excellent Customer Support: Prompt response to your queries through a dedicated support team.

Conclusion

In 2025, the competition to identify India's best accounting software is stiff, but TRIRID Biz takes the lead by focusing on customer-centric issues and innovative solutions. Be it to smarten up the billing process, comply with GST, or get a better overview of all finance-related matters, TRIRID Biz Accounting and Billing Software will be the right partner in your quest for business success. Take the next step in the path to efficiency and growth. Try TRIRID Biz today and transform the way you manage your business finances!

Call us @ +91 8980010210

Visit Our Website:  https://tririd.com/tririd-biz-gst-billing-accounting-software

[coimbrabertone]

Motorsports and the Question of Accountability.

Alright. It's about time to make a blogpost.

Motorsports has an accountability problem. We're going to talk about the latest Penske scandal, yes, but we're also going to talk about Mohammad Ben Sulayem and the degradation of checks and balances in the FIA. We're also going to talk about the France family and the charter trial going on in NASCAR right now.

Why all three of these things at once?

Because I think the issue at the heart of them is all the same.

Accountability is eroding all across the world of motorsports.

Let's talk about this week's scandal first: the second Penske cheating scandal.

In short, last Sunday, three Penskes made it into the Fast Twelve in qualifying and were preparing to make their runs. First, Scott McLaughlin crashes out in morning practice, so he's out on the spot. This leaves Josef Newgarden and Will Power flying the flag for Team Penske.

Will Power makes it through an evidently rushed tech inspection without issue, however, then something happens. It's not clear what exactly the story is:

Some say that Chip Ganassi Racing (perhaps even Chip Ganassi himself) noticed something wrong on Power's attenuator and alerted the tech team.

Others day that the tech team just happened to notice something was changed on Newgarden's attenuator and then proceeded to check Power as well.

Others still say that "Rocket" Kevin Blanch makes up the tech rules as he goes anyway, so teams never know what will and won't pass.

Maybe it was one of these, maybe it was all of these, maybe it was something else entirely.

What matters is that an illegal modification was found on Newgarden's attenuator, and it was then found on Power's car as well. That's bad.

It's difficult to tell with McLaughlin's wrecked car, but all reports indicate the modification was not on Scott's car. As far as anyone can tell in the moment, that's suspicious.

People begin speculating that Penske modified the attenuators specifically for Fast-12 and the Indy 500, effectively the two most important sessions on the Indycar calendar.

Then Nathan Brown goes into the IMS Museum and finds that illegal modification - a blended attenuator gap - on Josef Newgarden's 2024 winning car. That's really bad.

Now take into account that at this point a year ago, Penske had their strategists suspended for the Indy 500 because of a push-to-pass (P2P) scandal where, a month after the St. Pete GP, all three Penskes were found to be running illegal software to circumvent P2P restrictions, allowing the Penskes to use the overtake button whenever they wanted, even when the system was supposed to be deactivated.

Newgarden used it repeatedly at St. Pete. McLaughlin was found to have accidentally used it once. Power didn't use it in the race but he was found to be running the software.

All three cars had the software and were using it in Long Beach GP practice, which is when they were actually caught, hence the month gap.

Newgarden and McLaughlin were disqualified from St. Pete, Will Power was docked points and fined. Additionally, senior team personnel Tim Cindric and Ron Ruzewski were suspended for multiple races, including the Indy 500.

Josef Newgarden won the 2024 Indianapolis 500 in spite of all that controversy, but with this blended attenuator being found on the car, now all sorts of question marks were up in the air. If everything to this point was bad for Team Penske, this was catastrophic.

As far as the court of public opinion was concerned, Penske had cheated at St. Pete, they cheated in the 2024 Indy 500, and they were planning on cheating for the 2025 Indy 500.

Now, the blended attenuator is not actually what this scandal is about.

Pretty much every reasonable source agrees that the blended attenuator had next to no performance advantage and it's certainly not the difference between Penske making the field or not. It's probably not even the difference between Penske making the Fast-12 or not.

However, it's an issue of optics.

Roger Penske owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Roger Penske owns the Indycar Series. Roger Penske owns Team Penske. Roger Penske even co-owns Ilmor Engineering, who makes the Chevrolet engines used by half the Indycar field.

One man owns the venue, the governing body, the offending team, and the company that makes the engines the team was using.

That is the kind of power that Bernie Ecclestone could only dream of having over Formula One.

That is what this scandal is about.

All the other teams, and the other engine manufacturer in the series in the form of Honda, are pissed off over the level of power that Roger Penske has over Indycar Racing. They don't trust Roger Penske's series fining Roger Penske's team for breaking Roger Penske's rules.

To his credit, Roger Penske himself seems very aware of this, and he has acted very carefully to protect his reputation. Newgarden and Power not only got blocked from participating in the Fast-12, but they were ejected from their 11th and 12th starting positions, getting sent to the back of the field.

That is not a proportionate punishment for a modification that is supposedly just an aesthetic change to a part that isn't even in direct airflow. Whatever performance advantage they could get from blending the attenuator is so small as to be immeasurable.

Penske punished them to protect himself.

Likewise, Team Penske was punished severely. Team President Tim Cindric, Managing Director Ron Ruzewski, and McLaughlin's race engineer Kyle Moyer have all been fired. That is an immense amount of talent that Penske just let go a week before the biggest race on the calendar.

Why? To protect the Penske brand.

It's all about optics. Penske is punishing himself because what really matters here is control. Roger Penske controls all the key elements in Indycar and he doesn't want to lose that, to the point where he's willing to gut his own team's leadership, potentially gut his own team's chances at Indianapolis, in order to stay in control of the series, the track, and the engines.

To tie this to a Formula One example: in 1978, Bernie Ecclestone's Brabham team ran a fan car at the Swedish Grand Prix and Niki Lauda was able to dominate with it.

Everyone else complained, so despite the fact that Bernie Ecclestone felt he had a legal case for the fan car, he voluntarily withdrew it. For Bernie, control over the Formula One Constructors' Association was more important than a performance advantage for Brabham.

Brabham was sacrificed for FOCA.

Team Penske is being sacrificed for the IMS empire.

Roger Penske is holding his team accountable internally because the other teams are growing increasingly upset with the state of affairs in Indycar. The likes of Chip Ganassi, Dan Towriss, and Zak Brown are sick of Penske holding all the cards, they want change, and Roger is trying to stay in front of the demands for change.

This doesn't exist in a vacuum however.

The same thing is going on internationally.

Enter Mohammad Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA since December 2021.

In the past few months, we have seen Ben Sulayem attempting an unprecedented concentration of power. We have seen the checks and balances on the FIA Presidency eroded, and we have seen a flurry of resignations all around Mohammed Ben Sulayem as any signs of dissent are removed and replaced by loyalists.

The most blatant example of that is that, amid allegations of financial mismanagement by MBS, Sulayem pushed through a vote that restructured the FIA Ethics Committee. In effect, the Ethics Committee could no longer independently audit or investigate allegations without the approval of the President of the FIA (Mohammed Ben Sulayem) as well as the President of the Senate (Carmelo Sanz de Barros).

Deputy President Robert Reid and Motorsport UK boss David Richards would resign as well in protest.

All the while, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been distracting the media with unrelated controversies such as the swearing ban which the WRC drivers vehemently opposed, as well as the potential return to V10s, which one: was a complete non-starter amongst every single manufacturer in F1, and two: dominated the F1 news cycle for nearly a month.

This was deliberate. MBS consolidated power behind the scenes while distracting the public with these largely irrelevant peripheral scandals.

MBS is playing the FIA like Palpatine played the Galactic Senate.

Bit by bit the FIA Presidency has grown stronger and stronger with fewer and fewer checks on its power.

Once again, accountability is fading.

Then there is NASCAR, where there is now a very loud, very public legal battle over power. On one side is the NASCAR establishment, led by Jim France, the latest name in a family that has dominated NASCAR since Big Bill France at the very beginning of the sport. On the other side is the new money in NASCAR: 23XI, owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, as well as Front Row Motorsports, owned by Bob Jenkins.

The chief issue here is charters. The teams want charters to be permanent, and they want the charter-holding teams to have a greater level of influence, ownership, and revenue from the series. In effect, they are taking influence from the franchise model in many American sports legals, where the teams collectively own the sport and the profits are divided amongst them.

The France family wants to keep control over the pie, and they want that pie to be as opaque as possible.

All throughout this legal process, we've seen NASCAR refusing to hand over documents, we've seen then repeatedly trying to influence the judge into dismissing the lawsuit, and we have seen them try to threaten 23XI and Front Row's current standing in the sport in an attempt to strongarm them into submission.

The France family has been absolute in NASCAR, and this is them actively fighting against something which might make them more accountable.

Motorsport has always been an exclusive club and leadership has always been for only the most exclusive. We see that with the FIA, where early Presidents included noble lords like Etienne van Zuylen van Nyevelt, Filippo Caracciolo, and Paul Alfons von Metternich. The oldest of the old money aristocrats.

That is not a demographic that knows much about accountability.

The names may have gotten less obvious, but the substance has not.

All across motorsports, owners are attempting to consolidate power as much as possible. The once-infinite tobacco money has been pushed out, the underdog privateers have sold their operations to outside investors and venture capitalist firms, and all the while, racing has only gotten more and more expensive. The pot is shrinking, and competition is greater than ever.

Thus, the series bosses lord over what little they can like petty warlords.

They don't want to be fair, they don't want to split the pot, and they certainly don't want to be held accountable.

[cyberpunkonline]

THE AESTHETICS OF ABANDONWARE: WHY DEAD SOFTWARE FEELS HOLY

By R A Z, Queen of Glitches, Rat Prophet of the Post-Crash Pixel-Chapel

INTRO: Oi, you ever boot up a DOSBox emulator and feel your soul whisper "Amen"? No? Then saddle up, you absolute fetus, 'cause we’re going full pilgrimage through the haunted cathedrals of dead code, cursed shareware, and disc rot salvation. This is for the ones who dream in .BMPs, weep in MIDI, and hit “Yes to All” when copying cracked ZIPs from forgotten FTPs at 3AM. Abandonware ain’t just nostalgia—it’s digital necromancy. And some of us are bloody good at it.

DEAD SOFTWARE = HOLY SHRINE

Let’s be clear: abandonware is software that’s been, well, abandoned. The devs moved on. The publisher collapsed in a puff of VC smoke. The website's now a spammy shell selling beard oil or crack cocaine. The software? Unupdated. Unsupported. Gloriously obsolete.

So why does launching Hover! or Starship Titanic in 2025 feel like entering a chapel with weird lighting and a dial-up modem choir?

Because it’s sacred, mate.

We’re not talking about the games themselves being perfect. A lot of them were janky as hell. We’re talking vibe. These programs exist outside capitalism now. They’re post-market. Post-hype. They don’t want your money, your updates, your logins. They just want your attention—pure and simple. You’re not a user anymore. You’re a curator. A digital monk brushing dust off EXEs and praying to the Gods of IRQ Conflicts and SoundBlaster settings.

WHY IT HITS DIFFERENT

Dead software doesn’t update. It doesn’t push patches or ads. It won’t ask you to connect your Google account to play Math Blaster. It’s a sealed time capsule. Booting it up is like receiving an artifact from a parallel dimension where the internet still had webrings and every kid thought Quake mods would lead to a dream job at ID Software.

But it also represents a lost sincerity. These weren’t games made to hook you for eternity with algorithms. These were games made by six dudes in a shed with a caffeine problem and one working CD burner. And their README files were poetry. Half of them end with “Contact us on AOL or send a floppy to our PO Box.” What do you mean you don’t know what a PO Box is?

FOR THE ZOOMIES: YOU JUST MISSED THE GOLDEN ROT

Listen up, juniors. If you were born after 2005, you missed the age when the internet was held together with chewing gum, JPEG artifacts, and unspoken respect.

Back then, finding a rare game was an adventure. Not an algorithm. You didn’t scroll TikTok and get spoon-fed vibes. You climbed through broken Geocities links and begged on IRC channels. You learned to read. You learned to search. You learned that “No-CD crack” doesn’t mean what your mum thinks it means.

So here’s your initiation: go download something weird from a forgotten archive. No guides. No Discord server. Just the raw, terrifying joy of not knowing if you’ve just installed Robot Workshop Deluxe or a Russian trojan. Welcome to the cult.

THE TWO-YEAR RULE

Online communities? They’re mayflies with usernames. Peak lifespan? Two years.

Here’s the cycle:

A niche game/tool/art style gets revived.

People form a forum/Reddit/Discord.

A zine or remix scene emerges.

Drama. Mods quit. Someone forks the project.

Everyone vanishes.

This cycle has always existed. The only difference now is that it’s faster. But dead software bypasses this. It’s post-community. You don’t have to join a scene. You are the scene. Every time you open it up, you’re plugging into a ghost socket. You’re chatting with echoes. It’s beautiful.

CONCLUSION: THIS IS A RELIGION NOW. PRACTICE IT.

Abandonware isn’t about gaming. It’s about reclaiming reverence. About saying “This mattered” even if no one else remembers it did. It’s about surfing the ruins, not for loot, but for meaning. There’s holiness in opening a program that hasn’t been touched in decades and seeing it still works. Still waits for you. Still loads that same intro MIDI with the confidence of a god.

So light a candle. Install a CRT filter. Screenshot that low-res menu and print it on a t-shirt. You’re not just playing with the past. You’re preserving the bones of the digital age.

See you in the BIOS, kids.

—

RAZ out.

[alonelystargazer]

so if any of y'all have ever purchased e-books from Amazon, then you should log in to your Amazon account, and under your Content Library, download all your e-books to your computer and transfer them to your kindle reader via USB, or send them directly to your preferred device (if you have more than one connected to your Amazon account) via wifi by clicking "Deliver or Remove from this device" and switching the device you want to send it to

Once you've downloaded all your purchased e-books, not ones that are borrowed from Kindle Unlimited or Prime Reading, download the free Calibre e-book management software and this DRM removal plugin to remove the DRM (digital rights management) from your e-books, which converts your kindle e-books into the universal e-book format EPUB or whatever other ebook format you'd like, bc the Kindle ebook format AZW and AZW3, can only be used on Kindle readers, but by removing the DRM, they can then be used on any device that reads the EPUB format

BUT why should you do all this? bc on Feb. 26, 2025 (one week from now as of the time I posted this) Amazon will no longer provide this download option bc they're aware that people have been downloading their e-books from their kindle libraries and using software like Calibre to convert those e-books into EPUBs and not have to be tied down to Amazon's ecosystem, which makes them lose money (boohoo), and also the switch towards cloud-based storage

Basically, any e-books you have purchased from Amazon are not yours to own, you're essentially being licensed the e-book, so they can use this loophole to alter or completely remove those e-books from the website at their whim, and you would no longer have access to those e-books, even though you legally purchased them, which is wild bc we should be able to legally own, forever, any digital media we buy and do what we want with it, and this is something that has been happening with other forms of digital media like movies and video games, where you "buy" a digital copy but you don't actually own it

You should also stop buying e-books from amazon from now on since you don't even own them, and cancel your Kindle Unlimited subscription if you have one, and you might as well download any audiobooks you've purchased on Audible (which is also owned by Amazon)

[watch this video and this video for more thorough explanations about this issue and this video for a tutorial on how to use Calibre and the DRM ]

Alternatives to kindle readers include: Kobo (has integration with Libby) and Nook (from Barnes & Noble), or sell or donate the one you have if you don't want to use it anymore

Alternatives to amazon e-books: Libby (free app that links to your local library if you have an active library card where you can borrow ebooks and other digital media), Internet Archive, Project Gutenburg, 🏴‍☠️ ebooks and PDFs, and research whether your favorite author has books available to purchase directly on their website

....and you can always purchase or borrow physical books and other media as well! support your local libraries and indie bookstores!

TL,DR: this is a matter of media ownership, censorship, and archiving, so download your Amazon e-books NOW before Amazon takes away your ability to access the items that you legally purchased and locks you down to using their devices and ecosystem

FEBRUARY 26 IS THE LAST DAY TO DOWNLOAD YOUR AMAZON EBOOKS

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Arno Rosenfeld at The Forward:

The Heritage Foundation plans to “identify and target” volunteer editors on Wikipedia who it says are “abusing their position” by publishing content the group believes to be antisemitic, according to documents obtained by the Forward. Employees of Heritage, the conservative think tank that produced the Project 2025 policy blueprint for the second Trump administration, said they plan to use facial recognition software and a database of hacked usernames and passwords in order to identify contributors to the online encyclopedia, who mostly work under pseudonyms. It’s not clear exactly what kind of antisemitism the Wikipedia effort, which has not been previously reported, is intended to address. But in recent months some Jewish groups have complained about a series of changes on the website relating to Israel, the war in Gaza and its repercussions. In June, a panel of Wikipedia editors declared the Anti-Defamation League a “generally unreliable” source of information about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, limiting when the organization can be cited in Wikipedia articles. And there was an outcry this fall among some Jewish scholars and pro-Israel activists over edits to Wikipedia’s entry for Zionism to add references to “colonization.” [...] The Heritage Foundation sent the pitch deck outlining the Wikipedia initiative to Jewish foundations and other prospective supporters of Project Esther, its roadmap for fighting antisemitism and anti-Zionism. The slideshow says the group’s  “targeting methodologies” would include creating fake Wikipedia user accounts to try to trick editors into identifying themselves by sharing personal information or clicking on malicious tracking links that can identify people who click on them. It is unclear whether this has begun.

[...] Allegations of bias Wikipedia has long faced claims from conservatives that it has a liberal bias. Chaya Raichik, the Orthodox former real estate broker behind “Libs of TikTok,” has assailed Wikimedia’s spending on diversity programming, for example. And a June study from the right-leaning Manhattan Institute found a “mild to moderate tendency” for Wikipedia to more negatively describe some conservative public figures. Several prominent Jewish groups have also expressed concern that Wikipedia is tilted against Israel. A World Jewish Congress has released a report in March said the site’s articles about the Israel-Hamas war were biased in “terminology, framing and lack of context, one-sided sources and critical omissions,” while Aish.com, an Orthodox news website, said in November that it had been “hijacked by digital jihadists.” In May, the Los Angeles Jewish Journal ran a cover story titled “Wokepedia?” that described “seven tactics Wikipedia editors used to spread anti-Israel bias.” The article said that the term “anti-imperialism” had been added to the Hamas page as one of the Palestinian terror group’s ideologies, and the term “antisemitism” removed. Neither term is currently on the Hamas page; editors frequently discuss and change the content of controversial articles.

Radical right-wing organization The Heritage Foundation’s Project Esther is planning to identify and target Wikipedia editors as part of its project to combat antisemitism and anti-Zionism. In reality, such a campaign would serve to intimidate Wikipedia for its alleged pro-Palestinian bias.