#and request to be removed from databases where you can

[where-the-water-flows]

If you know how to do it you can use someone’s phone number to find their full legal name and home address. It’s just a bit of Google and knowing what websites stores this kind of info. Saw your tags asking how a phone number could verify someone’s age

So, I appreciate you dropping into my askbox to pass that info on - genuinely, it's kind of you - and I can see how my tags came across, but what I actually meant wasn't 'how can you find info on someone just with their phone number??' -- I actually do exactly that kind of thing in my day job pretty regularly, and I have to conform to a lot of real strict ethic constraints that uh, bluntly, random discord moderators...do not.

What I was actually getting at is the fact that, assuming the hypothetical server is just using a phone number as age verification (and doing data broker/google search on that), how in the hell is it controlling for someone doing what people under the arbitrary age limit du jour have been doing since we started implementing this sort of check, ie, lying like rugs and supplying info for someone in their family/social circle instead who is older than [whatever age].

like. sure. maybe you get a phone number for age verification. awesome. plug that into your data broker/google/etc of choice, run your searches, and ok, it belongs to jane smith, 38 years old, accountant who lives in ballarat, she's totally fine to join the 18+ server! come on in jane, the smut is plentiful and the doves are extremely dead. Jane smith has a kid. jane smith's kid is 15. jane smith's kid isn't allowed in the server, because it's an 18+ only server.

jane smith's kid almost certainly knows their mum's mobile number.

how the hell can Hypothetical Server Mod control for 15 year old jane smith's kid putting in jane smith's mobile number instead of their own? and also, separately, how the hell is HSM dealing with the many -- many many many -- different privacy laws around the globe?

not just in terms of handling that sort of information on people (and also requesting it in the first place!), but also just. some countries you can get so much fucking info on someone! (the US. I'm talking about the US.)

some you can't. because privacy laws, because the info isn't publicly accessible, because it's not online and is only in hard copy at the local government office, because it's collated but only in a nonenglish language, because it's geolocked-- etc.

also, like. even if the hypothetical phone number brings up someone in the US, and also your hypothetical mod team has decided, y'know, fuck privacy laws, security of information and data ethics can take a long walk off a short pier, we're keeping this server 18+ or dying trying!

data brokers aren't...actually consistently what you would call...super accurate, or like, accurate at all. if you have a unique name, yeah, sure, you're probably kinda fucked! (assuming you're in, again, somewhere the data brokers focus) but like. if you're named something a little more common - say, james smith, or maria sanchez in the US- uh. well. there sure are a lot of people you could be, and some of them - most of them! - are over 18.

and ok, sure, a phone number is (usually) only associated with one person, but. you can get a lot of false positives, false negatives, and straight up 'we don't know 🤪', the latter of which is sometimes hidden by the databrokers going 'our best guess is that this person is: An Age!! somewhere between 0 and 200 years old. 😇'

again, I use this stuff for work, I can tell you exactly how inaccurate it can get as soon as you throw something like 'not based in the US/UK' or 'uses a nickname/multiple name formats' or 'isn't super online' or 'older than 65 and not turbo wealthy' at some of these - I've had more than one confidently tell me that [my wallet name] is an accountant based in darwin who makes horror films in alice springs on the side, and also, is 26, and had 2-3 kids with her husband Lauchlan.

literally none of these facts are true. like. even vaguely.

and that can of worms doesn't even get into if someone has requested to be removed from data broker databases and/or takes online privacy Very Seriously and/or is just fundamentally ungoogleable, which is...more common than you'd think. less common than you'd like, but more common than you think, even before google started enshittifying itself out of existence.

which is why when you're trying to do things like prove your identity to uhhh goverments, banks, etc, they want multiple forms of ID, one of which is usually a photo ID, none of which anyone should be sending to a random on discord, or, frankly, asking for from a random on discord, both bc my god privacy and security risk but also like. handling that information can actually have legal requirements!

anyway. extremely long ramble on the failings of databrokers over, I appreciate you reaching out to help explain and it was very kind of you anon, sorry that I have. uhhhh kind of a lot of professional feelings about data privacy and basic social engineering, by which I mean saying 'no I'm totally 18 pinkie swear' in the grand tradition of teens wanting to get into age locked areas ever, your forebears lied on LJ so you could lie on discord.

[melshifting]

THE PERFECT MOTHER ― Ultimate 'Mom' DR Scripting Pack ୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ

― ❝ I’ve never seen someone so naturally meant to be a parent ❞

(Anon request! hope u enjoy :3)

↳ 01 ⋆˚✿ Your touch is a cure-all. Whether it’s a scraped knee or a bad day, a simple hand on the back/forehead kiss melts away any discomfort.

↳ 02 ⋆˚✿ You never run out of patience, even for 'silly' things. Spilled juice? Whatever. Endless questions? No problem. A meltdown over something random? Take your time, we’ll figure it out.

↳ 03 ⋆˚✿ You’re immune to getting your hair pulled, earrings yanked, and eyes poked. A toddler could grab a fistful of your hair and yank with full force, and you wouldn’t even flinch.

↳ 04 ⋆˚✿ Your intuition is almost supernatural. You just know when your child is about to get sick or when they’re lying—even before they realize it themselves.

↳ 05 ⋆˚✿ You never forget the small details—you remember everything, from their first words to their small habits or things they love.

↳ 06 ⋆˚✿ Your voice is just so soothing, even other kids fall asleep when you hum—one lullaby verse in, and they’re out like a light.

↳ 07 ⋆˚✿ Everything in balance: you're warm but firm, fun but responsible—your kids respect you without fearing you and trust you without taking advantage.

↳ 08 ⋆˚✿ Cliché advise? never. You don’t hit your kids with generic speeches—you know exactly how to word things so they actually hear you, and in a way it will actually stick with them (positively ofc).

↳ 09 ⋆˚✿ You instantly detect lies without making a big deal out of it—you know the truth but handle it in a way that doesn’t embarrass anyone.

↳ 10 ⋆˚✿ Every child dreads medicine, except yours—either by crushing it up and mixing it or using a distraction, you make medicine actually taste nice.

↳ 11 ⋆˚✿ You give the best hugs, the kind that makes bad days disappear—even when they grow up, they’ll swear nothing feels warmer than being wrapped in your arms.

↳ 12 ⋆˚✿ In your world, yelling, threatening, or bribing aren't a thing—when you say “that’s enough,” it is. Even in the wildest moments, your kids know you mean business.

↳ 13 ⋆˚✿ Cooking while helping with homework while mentally making a grocery list? Effortless.—you’re a multitasking savant, a human embodiment of efficiency, yet you still make it look easy.

↳ 14 ⋆˚✿ No books? No problem. You weave worlds with your words, creating characters and adventures so vivid that your child begs for a sequel.

↳ 15 ⋆˚✿ You have the ability to remember every friend’s name, every teacher’s name, deadlines, etc—without even trying. It’s like your brain is a live database for their world.

↳ 16 ⋆˚✿ You can do the perfect hairstyle in a time record, effortlessly—no lumps, loose strands, or hairs falling out of place.

↳ 17 ⋆˚✿ You can remove stains like a magician. Juice, mud, marker, chocolate—you have a talent for stain removal, making clothes look brand new every time.

↳ 18 ⋆˚✿ Your presence alone can calm down any nervous child. No matter the situation, your kid just needs to hold your hand, and suddenly, everything feels okay.

↳ 19 ⋆˚✿ Before the fever, the sniffles—you just know. It’s like your body syncs with theirs, giving you a head start on medicine.

↳ 20 ⋆˚✿ You always give them just the right amount of responsibility. You push them to be independent but never overwhelm them.

↳ 21 ⋆˚✿ You never let them feel like they’re ‘too much.’ Whether they’re hyper, emotional, quiet, or talkative—you make them feel like who they are is never an inconvenience.

↳ 22 ⋆˚✿ You don’t mold them into a version of you—you give them the freedom to grow, explore, and discover who they are, knowing that no matter where life takes them, they will always have you as home.

[violetasteracademic]

Generative AI Can Fuck Itself

I am one of the AO3 authors (along with all of my friends) who had their work stolen and fed into a dataset to be sold to the highest bidder for training generative AI models.

I feel angry. I feel violated. I feel devastated. I cannot express enough that if you still do not understand the damage that generative AI art and writing has on our planet, our society, and our artists, I don't know what else there is to say. How do you convince a human being to care more about another humankinds ability to create than their personal need to consume?

Generative AI, when it comes to art, has one goal and one goal only. To steal from artists and reduce the dollar value of their work to zero. To create databases of stolen work that can produce work faster and cheaper than the centuries of human creation those databases are built on. If that isn't enough for you to put away Chatgpt, Midgard, ect ect (which, dear god, please let that be enough), please consider taking time to review MIT's research on the environmental impacts of AI here. The UNEP is also gathering data and has predicted that AI infrastructure may soon outpace the water consumption of entire countries like Denmark.

This is all in the name of degrading, devaluing, and erasing artists in a society that perpetually tries to convince us that our work is worth nothing, and that making a living off of our contributions to the world is some unattainable privilege over an inalienable right.

The theft of the work of fic writers is exceptionally insidious because we have no rights. We enter into a contract while writing fic- We do not own the rights to the work. Making money, asking for money, or exchanging any kind of commercial trade with our written fanfiction is highly illegal, completely immoral, and puts the ability to even write and share fanfiction at risk. And still, we write for the community. We pour our hearts out, give up thousands of hours, and passionately dedicate time that we know we will never and can never be paid for, all for the community, the pursuit of storytelling, and human connection.

We now live in a world where the artist creating their work are aware it is illegal for it to be sold, and contribute anyway, only for bots to come in and scrape it so it can be sold to teach AI databases how to reproduce our work.

At this time, I have locked my fics to allow them only to be read by registered users. It's not a perfect solution, but it appears to be the only thing I can do to make even a feeble attempt at protecting my work. I am devastated to do this, as I know many of my readers are guests. But right now it is between that or removing my work and not continuing to post at all. If you don't have an account, you can easily request one here. Please support the writers making these difficult decisions at this time. Many of us are coping with an extreme violation, while wanting to do everything we can to prevent the theft of our work in the future and make life harder for the robots, even if only a little.

Please support human work. Please don't give up on the fight for an artists right to exist and make a living. Please try to fight against the matrix of consumerism and bring humanity, empathy, and the time required to create back into the arts.

To anyone else who had their work stolen, I am so sorry and sending you lots of love. Please show your favorite AO3 authors a little extra support today.

[selfshipdatabase]

🌹Selfship Database Introduction!! 🌹

Hello, everyone! Inspired by other blogs such as selfshippersfromthissource and there being blogs with this kind of gimmick in the past, I wanted to try my hand at this—making a carrd that functions as a database sorted by source/fandom. While it can function as a way to find selfshippers in the same source or just wanting to see if someone ships from a certain source, I’d also like to see which sources are the most common within selfshippers!

Please reply/reblog/send an ask if you would like to be included! I will not include anyone who does not give me this kind of confirmation.  And below read more will be some ground rules going forth for this blog :-) of course, things can change as this database evolves, but these are the guidelines I am currently following!

1- While I understand this can and will impact results, I ask that those will label themselves as proshippers dni for my own personal comfort. i have no desire to entertain or be neutral toward incest, rape, pedophilia, whatever on my own blog. i have no desire to entertain people shipping with minors while they’re adults, rapists, fascists, pedohpiles, etc. While I try to stay in the know, I cannot simply know everything, so I will always assume 100% good faith unless I have proof otherwise. I can remove people from the database. However, outside of these reasons, unless you personally request to be taken off, I won’t ever remove anyone.

2- I will also refrain from including the following sources on my blog/database— countryhumans, hetalia, attack on titan, your boyfriend/boyfriend to death, the coffin of andy and leyley, degrees of lewdity, harry potter. Other than whatever is listed and anything that may apply to the first one, everything else is on the table. Whatever’s listed can be changed, but I would rather not blacklist a lot.

3- As there are some things that I won’t include and there’s some boundaries in place, I understand fully this won’t be a fully unbiased/100% accurate database. While I would like to see the data and to combine my interest in this kind of subject with selfshipping, this is purely for fun and a side project for me. Please do not use my blog as some kind of factual source (I mean, it’s a tumblr blog, so no matter… it’s not one lol) and please keep things lighthearted.

4- A source/fandom will be listed whenever there's two selfshippers for that source. Exceptions may apply if certain sources/fandoms are requested. Though, I won’t accept every request if there’s not enough selfshippers for a source.

5- For simplicity and not overworking myself, for this database, I will only include romantic and queerplatonic f/os. Queerplatonic f/os will be noted as such with (QP) by the character's name. If you want to he included, all I ask is there to be a public f/o list somewhere accessible on your blog. You don’t have to send it to me as long as it’s linked somewhere easy to find on your blog.

6- For the time being, some media will be lumped together, examples being Marvel, DC, Disney, Slashers, Tim Burton, etc. Some may be given their own section if there’s a notable amount of selfshippers for a certain media in that category and/or by request potentially.

7- For any updates to people’s f/o lists, I will try to schedule times where I personally look through them again and make any changes to keep the database current. It’s not required at all, but any heads ups would be appreciated! 

8- Anonymous is turned off for asks for my own comfort. If you send an ask that you don’t want answered or would like to have your url cropped out of, please include it SOMEWHERE in your ask, either at the end or beginning will work. Also, currently, messages are turned off. They may be turned on in the future if need be. Unfortunately, I cannot see shadowbanned blogs. Please be aware!

9- Please note that I am one person. I am also a selfshipper, a non-sharing one at that, but I am hoping to be able to push through if that ever comes up in order to make this database. There may be days where I’m not active on this blog or answering asks. Please be patient with me!! If I ever decide to step away from this project, I will make a clear post that states that exactly.

10- Now, as I am dealing with a large part of the community, I understand the risks that could occur with something like this. If something bad was to ever occur from this database (drama in general, me dealing with any strong negativity), depending on the severity, I will shut down this project. Especially if others are harassed for something. I do not tolerate harassment at all.

I may add more or remove some aspects in the future. For now, the carrd will be public with the sources in alphabetic order. Then, the urls and characters said selfshipper ships with will be in each section. Suggestions are welcomed for things I could add or change! Though, I may be picky with what suggestions I take to stay on task for this database.

[tessasilverswan]

Latest AO3 scrape into AI database

Please read this if you're an AO3 user with public, not archive-locked works. This is information on the latest known instance of someone taking AO3 works to build datasets on which to train AI and the ongoing process to get them removed. I don't really make posts adressing people, but I am furious about my work being used and I know some of my mutuals don't have their fics archive-locked so I hope I can at least get the information to some people.

Earlier this month (April) a, to my understanding, rp fanworks website named PaperDemon.com got word that a user of an AI dataset website, HuggingFace, had scraped its contents, as well as those of a bunch of other websites among which AO3 is included, where they can be freely downloaded to train generative AI models. For AO3 specifically, the user themselves reports that all public works with IDs ranging from 1 to 63,200,000 have been scraped.

As of April 25 and per the updating Paper Demon publication, 2 of 8 affected sites have gotten their content removed and the rest have achieved temporary disabling (supposedly data is visible but not downloadable) pending a counter-notice from the scraper, who appears to be set on the aim of dismissing the request as unfounded. Furthermore, the AO3 dataset has already been downloaded 2,244 times in the last month. On earlier updates of the PD post they mentioned that the scraper agreed to remove, on an individual basis, the content of those who file a Copyright infringement report. So far there are about 150 reports against the AO3 dataset. The scraper also uploaded them to another website, but appears to have removed at least the PD ones, as well as to his personal website which the PD post doesn't even link for safety reasons. The platform HuggingFace has also been made aware of the situation (that's what got us the temporary disabling)

I have personally filed a Copyright infringement report using the helpful guide put together by the PD team and have emailed the scraper on the address listed there providing the title and URL of my work and requesting for it to be removed from the dataset.

I have one concern regarding the PD guide, though (disclaimer: this is coming from someone with a very limited knowledge on computers & digital information and my understanding of the majority of concepts is from 3h of internet searches + ms help page + messing around in my laptop) They rightly recommend to not publish the work URLs in the report and instead instruct to collect them in a spreadsheet in .cvs filetype. This, however, has a problem of personally-identifying metadata being stored "alongside" the file itself and it can be accessed. The MS Excel Inspector tool allows the removal of this type of data, but apparently only when it's shared through the MS account? For Google sheets there is a different problem, which is that you can't just make your spreadsheet in .csv filetype, you need to download it and the reupload it (if there is a way, it's not easily accessible; i looked at like 4 step-by-step guides and they all said to download) which again adds properties to the file that may contain personal information.

I was very sleep deprived and very close to giving up, because I do not wish to provide a person that's massively stealing content any information linked to my identity, but then I thought I could just send the info on the email body itself. It's not the best solution but I think it's better than the alternative.

I am beyond mad that this happened and will archive-lock my affected work as soon as I receive a response (or after enough days of silence, I guess, but I hope my report won't be ignored). Unfortunately I can't file a DMCA take-down notice, because it requires personal information which might be shared with the infringer if they file a counter-notice, but I have hope that, if everyone whose works were scraped files Copyright infringement reports, AO3's DMCA won't be dismissed.

I encourage anyone who has read this to also file a report to get their work(s) removed asap and, if anyone is more informed or knowledgeable on the topic, to please share any useful info you have. I might also email AO3 to inquire about the DMCA status later because the PD publication is understandably only really tracking theirs.

[mappingthemoon]

In light of Elom rummaging around in everyone's private personal information and probably selling it on the dork web, may I advise: NOW IS A REALLY GOOD TIME TO FREEZE YOUR CREDIT.

It is free to freeze your credit. You can unfreeze and re-freeze it for free as many times as you wish.

When your credit is frozen, it means no one can open up an account in your name, including bank accounts, credit cards, loans, mortgages, I think also some cell phone companies, etc. (any account or service which requires a credit check, pretty much). When you want to open an account, you can lift the freeze temporarily so they can do a credit check and then re-freeze immediately. This is super easy to do and adds an extra layer of protection against identity theft.

You will need to set up freezes with each credit reporting company: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This post from Experian includes info for all three credit bureaus: https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/credit-education/preventing-fraud/security-freeze/

Setting the freeze online is very simple, but you can also do it via phone or mail. If online, you may have to sign up for accounts with all three bureaus, and in some cases you may have to submit your SSN online to verify your identity, so if you don't want to do that, choose the phone or mail option.

(Added bonus: You may receive less junk mail credit card offers and stuff since these companies will no longer be able to see your credit report all the time without permission.)

You can monitor your own credit for free at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/

You used to only be able to request a report from each bureau once a year, but during COVID they changed it to free weekly reports. I personally request one company's report every four months (first from Equifax, then Experian, then TransUnion). Looking at your report regularly will help you stay on top of any bad shit like accounts opened under your name that you didn't open. You can do this perfectly fine by requesting your reports from the source; I would NOT recommend using services like Credit Karma where you have to connect all your accounts to some company's database so they can try to sell you shit under the guise of offering "monitoring" services.

Note: Your credit report will NOT show your "credit score" for free, if you want that, you'll have to pay money, but tbh the entire concept of a credit score is a scam and paying money for the arbitrary number is more of a scam. It's more important to pay attention to keeping your accounts in good standing (paid on time) and obvs making sure you don't get mixed up in identity theft or some dumbass clerical error that isn't your fault. (Example: At age 21 upon taking out my first loan [narrator voice: and that was her first mistake...], I discovered that my parents' mortgage was associated with my credit report, and even though it was taken out before I was born and my name and SSN are different than my parents', I had to submit tons of evidence in triplicate to prove that it wasn't my loan and get it removed from my report!)

Ok one last thing, I'm not trying to veer off into an identity theft prevention master post rn, BUT, it's also a good idea to avoid letting your debit/credit/banking info sit around in various shopping websites' databases. Every single online store is all like, "Save your card for faster checkout?" Fuck that, it's a trap! When possible, I mediate every payment through PayPal or Venmo. Those companies are also not great, but at least there is less risk in only having your banking info in a couple of databases rather than 50 different ones for each store you bought something from.

GOOD LUCK OUT THERE. Who knows, maybe money will become obsolete and/or irrelevant in the next few years and none of this shit will matter anymore 🫠

[carltonlassie]

In case ppl were curious about the open hardware, open software gay ipod. As you can see, next to other mp3 players.... It's massive. But the good thing is that it should be easy to repair, customize and replace parts all you want. Also, unlike the other players (which are old tech by now), it has Bluetooth which is great. But the setup took the longest time, because I was having issues with the microsd card I was using. It would crash in the middle of a song and get stuck in a boot loop until I took out the SD card. I had to set up a dev environment to get the debugger running to find out that I was having the same memory allocation issue as the others. So I followed the suggested fix of removing all the album art on all the files, and it seemed to work for a second before it crashed again. In my desperation, I reformatted the card to FAT32 so I can put it back into my sansa, but somehow??? it fixed the malloc issues?? (before it was exFAT) So I'm just keeping my eyes on it and trying to actually listen to songs, but now i'm noticing some user experience quirks.

ex) on rockboxed sansa if I select a file from the file browser, it plays the rest of the songs in the folder and even moves onto the next folder if I reach the end, but Tangara only loads up that single song into memory. You can go through the 'albums' menu and select to load the entire album but still, it only plays that the album and doesn't play any more than that. sometimes I just like going through my own file structure rather than the indexed database, so I wish there was a better experience there.

The scroll wheel is a bit finicky imo, even after I've adjusted the sensitivity it takes me SO many tries to get the dial to move up just one entry. Sometimes the small controlled movement I'm making to go up just one line registers as a long press, which makes the UI jump up a whole page. I think there are some feature requests that are asking for a "hybrid" approach of it acting like a button and a scroll wheel so we'll see where that goes!

Under the cut for the other mp3 players I have

Sansa fuze has a bad screen, I think I messed up the ribbon cable when I opened it up to clean. Just gotta go back in there and fix it again 😭. Also the mechanical wheel (which is a rubber coated plastic) is STICKY because the rubber disintegrated, so I really do have to open it up to disassemble everything to clean it out. But otherwise it sounds great, takes an SD card, compact and customizable enough.

The Ipod mini has a bad battery that I replaced but the rockbox + sleep state messed up the new battery and it won't hold a charge anymore so, I put in the original battery and reverted it back to the original software which SUCKS bc itunes (I think u can foobar2000 it actually, but haven't tried yet). I don't think rockbox and ipod mix very well in terms of sleep state which is so unfortunate because I love the feel of the hardware but hate the software.

The sansa clip+ is the first one I had and still is thee best, it just has the smallest battery of all of them :( rockbox works great and it has never let me down!

[sab-cat]

Apr 16, 2025

Amna Nawaz:

Since President Trump reentered the Oval Office, billionaire Elon Musk and his DOGE team have been sweeping through federal agencies, accessing sensitive data as part of the effort to scale back the size of government.

We're getting new information about the scope of that access at one independent federal agency. That's the National Labor Relations Board, which protects workers' rights to organize and investigates unfair labor practices. A whistle-blower complaint filed by an I.T. staffer at the NLRB claims that DOGE gained access to closely guarded data, including case files, and that could have led directly to a — quote — "significant cybersecurity breach."

That whistle-blower, Daniel Berulis, joins me now, along with his lawyer, Andrew Bakaj.

Welcome to you both. Thanks for being here....

Amna Nawaz:

And in the affidavit, you say that you detected the removal of 10 gigabytes worth of data. Do you have any idea what kind of data we're talking about, why this would cause concern?

Daniel Berulis:

Sure.

So what that data spike correlated with was data that was transferred off of an internal record-keeping device that was only used for internal case data. So this system only has the private information about union organizers. The privileged business proprietary, technologies, competitors, those kind of things are in that system only. There's no other data. There's nothing else except that.

So that correlated data spike lined up in the exact time window and the same amount. And so that's what we can determine was taken, was data out of that system particularly.

Amna Nawaz:

So, Andrew, the White House responded to our request with a statement about this.

And they said — quote — "It's months-old news that President Trump signed an executive order to hire DOGE employees at agencies and coordinate data sharing. Their highly qualified team has been extremely public and transparent in its efforts to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse across the executive branch, including the NLRB."

So, Andrew, they're arguing this is all part of their work that they're doing to cut waste, fraud and abuse.

Andrew Bakaj, Attorney for Daniel Berulis:

If the administration is taking the position that having data exfiltrated out of the United States government and potentially into other nation-states, if that's about efficiency and effectiveness for the nation, it doesn't make any sense.

Within 15 minutes of DOGE engineers creating accounts, years, names and passwords within internal systems within DOGE, within 15 minutes of the creation of those accounts, somebody or something from Russia tried to log in with all of our credentials, meaning they had the right usernames and right passwords.

And the question is, how do they get that and why? The second question that I have is that why is it that from what Dan has seen, as well as others, because we have spoken to other individuals who are able to corroborate this, which is that some of the data is also using Starlink as a backdoor.

And that's another way to get data out of internal databases within agencies. And Starlink has now direct access where information is likely, we believe is funneled directly into Russia.

[hubbit]

A restart, of sorts

Tumblr, it's been a while. Hello.

I made a domain and redirected it here, to use as a bluesky handle. (hubbit.blog if you're curious.) It might be time to return to my long-dormant Tumblr. That being said, I have a few caveats.

First, the past eight or nine years have sapped my strength to the point where I'm not sure I can compose lengthy coherent thoughts. Correlation, I'm much more circumspect with political expression in general.

Second, I'm much more circumspect in general. I've gone through and removed selfies and such; I'm not interested in AI harvesting, or for that matter biometrics harvesting. Such a world in which we live now!

Third, I did go through and delete a good many older posts. Most of them were links to posts on the LiveJournal that I deleted probably close to a decade ago, after it was bought by a Russian firm who then moved the databases there as well. Others were embeds from now-defunct sites such as Twitpic. Remember Twitpic? If you do, you may as well get that colonoscopy scheduled. And still more were temporal items like missing person reports, mutual aid requests, etc, from many years ago (I've been on Tumblr since 2009!) that were no longer current. And I removed links to my now-deactivated Instagram and Facebook. (Which I deactivated quite a while ago, over similar AI and data harvesting concerns.)

I'm not sure how *present* I'll be, as in posting and such, but I hope to be reading and interacting more.

[windona]

@mr-crocodile requested that I do a YJ themed story regarding my crops studying. So here it is!

Wonder Girl kept her back to the wall, looking inside the building. She angled her vision as best she could to see what was being traded, but there was none that could be used without giving her away. She backed away from the window and turned on her comm link. "Blue, think you can scan what's in there?"

"Through the suitcase? Sure. Through the suitcase at this distance with an old warehouse that contains lead paint? It won't be as accurate. I can tell you that one of the people down there is part plant, though."

"So now what, boss?" Kid Flash asked. "No idea who the other person is."

"No database is pulling up a name, but this database only has known criminals on it," El Durado said.

With Poison Ivy, those seeds could be weapons of mass destruction, just add water. "We go in."

A second later and El Dorado had snatched the seeds while Kid Flash threw the inhibitor collar on Poison Ivy. Wonder Girl had her lasso around the mysterious woman Poison Ivy met with and nodded towards Blue Beetle. "Now scan the seeds."

There was a moment where Blue Beetle's lenses went pure orange as his arm scanner went over them. "They're... GMO seeds? Modified to resist drought and pests?"

The mysterious woman snarled. "Exactly! They are weapons against nothing but blights and hunger!"

"You had a clandestine meeting for ordinary crop seeds?" El Dorado said. "With a legendary criminal?"

Poison Ivy laughed. "I am only a criminal insofar as I protect plants. Humans will increasingly clear forests to make land for more food. By increasing yields on smaller plots of land, I preserve the greater diversity of the plant world."

"And as the weather grows worse and more unpredictable, better crops protects my yields and livelihood!"

The Outsiders continued to look at each other, then back to the two who were wrapped up. "Uh, and you had to exchange these in a shady hand off?"

Poison ivy laughed. "Legendary Criminal, remember? It is hard to have my legitimate work go on the market."

"GMOs are legal for research but not for growing in Europe," the farmer said. "We can have cultivars from radiation mutation, we can have normal selective breeding, but apparently even cisgenic crops are too far without a long history of safe breeding. A mere decade isn't enough for the EU, even as the population grows and the climate crisis grows worse."

"And you thought that nobody would be suspicious of crops that are suddenly growing incredibly well?" Wonder Girl said.

"Cisgenic. I spliced this wheat with genetics from other wheat, and was careful to make it indistinguishable from a mutation," Poison Ivy said. "Now, you could take us to the local authorities, but the weather predictions call for quite the drought this summer. Think of how wheat prices will skyrocket, especially since the semi-dwarf varieties are so vulnerable to a lack of water. Not to mention increasing swarms of bugs, and-"

"Okay, okay, you can go with your seeds," Wonder Girl said to the farmer, removing her lasso as Blue Beetle handed the seeds over.

"And me?" Poison Ivy asked.

"You still have a list of warrants out for your arrest," El Dorado said.

[obavee]

Unlocking the Future of Cross-Chain Transactions: A Practical Guide

As crypto continues to grow, one major challenge stands in the way of truly unlocking the potential of blockchain technology: cross-chain transactions. Moving assets between different blockchains can feel complicated and sometimes frustrating, especially when you're trying to make a simple transfer.

But what if cross-chain transactions could be as seamless as sending an email or transferring money between your bank accounts? That’s the future we’re working towards. Let’s break down why cross-chain transactions are so difficult today and how new solutions are changing the game for users like you.

Why Cross-Chain Transactions Can Be a Hassle

To understand why cross-chain transactions are a challenge, think of blockchain networks like isolated islands. Each island has its own rules, resources, and way of doing things. Moving from one island to another means navigating unfamiliar terrain, often facing barriers like high fees, delays, and security risks.

Let’s look at some common methods for moving assets:

1. Centralized Exchanges (CEXs):

These are like big money transfer services where you can exchange one asset for another. However, you have to trust them with your funds, which can be risky. Plus, the fees are usually higher than you might expect, and the process isn’t as fast or transparent as it could be.

2. Blockchain Bridges:

These are decentralized alternatives, but the technology isn’t perfect. Blockchain bridges can fail, leading to lost funds. They’re also slow, which means waiting hours or even days to complete a transfer.

3. Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs):

DEXs allow for peer-to-peer transactions, but the problem of slippage (where the price you pay differs from the price you expected) is still very much present.

The end result? Cross-chain transactions are slow, expensive, and sometimes risky, making the process feel like more of a challenge than it should be.

A Better Way Forward: Innovative Solutions for Cross-Chain Transactions

The good news is that change is coming. Some platforms are looking at these problems from a different angle and solving them in ways that benefit users like you. Let’s explore some solutions that are making cross-chain transactions easier, faster, and more secure.

1. Locking in Rates Before You Swap (RFQ Protocol)

Imagine you want to exchange one currency for another. You don’t want to risk the exchange rate changing while you’re in the middle of the transaction. The RFQ (Request-for-Quote) protocol helps fix the rate before you even commit to the swap. This is like locking in a price before you make a purchase — it removes uncertainty and ensures you know exactly what you're getting.

2. No Need to Trust a Third Party

In most cases, when you send funds to an exchange or bridge, you're trusting that platform to hold your assets safely. With new cross-chain solutions, the funds stay in your own wallet until the moment the transaction is completed. This gives you more control and reduces the risks that come with giving a third party access to your funds.

3. Instant Transactions, No Waiting Around .

Speed is a huge factor when it comes to cross-chain transactions. With many platforms, you’re left waiting for hours for your assets to arrive. But what if transfers could be completed in seconds? The latest innovations are making this a reality, using internal databases and advanced communication methods to ensure your transaction is processed almost instantly. It’s like sending a text message instead of waiting for a letter to arrive.

4. Transparent Pricing and Lower Fees

Transparency is key in crypto. No one likes hidden fees that pop up at the last minute. The best platforms for cross-chain transactions now show you exactly what you’ll pay upfront, so there are no surprises. Plus, lower fees mean you get to keep more of your assets. It’s like seeing a menu with clear prices instead of being surprised by the final bill.

Why This Matters to You

So, what does all this mean for you as a user?

1. You Keep More of Your Assets: Lower fees and better pricing translate into more value in your pocket.

2. Your Transactions Are Faster: No more waiting hours for a transfer to go through.

3. You Stay in Control: By keeping your funds in your wallet until the transaction is completed, you reduce the risk of losing them to a third-party hack or failure.

3. Clarity in Every Step: You know exactly what you’re paying for and how much you’re getting in return.

The Bigger Picture: A Unified Blockchain Ecosystem

Cross-chain interoperability isn’t just about convenience. It’s the key to unlocking a fully connected blockchain ecosystem. Right now, blockchains operate like isolated communities, each with their own rules and standards. But as solutions like the ones discussed here evolve, blockchains will be able to communicate with each other more seamlessly, allowing assets and information to flow freely across platforms.

Think of it like how the internet revolutionized communication. When email was first introduced, you needed to be on the same platform as the person you wanted to send an email to. But over time, email systems became interoperable, meaning you could communicate with anyone, anywhere. The same will happen with blockchain — cross-chain transactions will become as simple as sending an email.

Wrapping Up: The Future Is Bright

The future of cross-chain transactions is bright, and it’s happening now. Platforms that prioritize speed, security, and transparency are paving the way for a blockchain ecosystem that’s easier to navigate, more cost-efficient, and more secure.

If you’re navigating the world of blockchain and crypto, keep an eye on these innovations. The next generation of cross-chain solutions isn’t just about making things easier — it’s about unlocking the true potential of decentralized finance for everyone.

What do you think? Have you experienced the challenges of cross-chain transactions? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!

[ogxfuturetech]

The Comprehensive Guide to Web Development, Data Management, and More 

Introduction 

Everything today is technology driven in this digital world. There's a lot happening behind the scenes when you use your favorite apps, go to websites, and do other things with all of those zeroes and ones — or binary data. In this blog, I will be explaining what all these terminologies really means and other basics of web development, data management etc. We will be discussing them in the simplest way so that this becomes easy to understand for beginners or people who are even remotely interested about technology.  JOIN US

What is Web Development? 

Web development refers to the work and process of developing a website or web application that can run in a web browser. From laying out individual web page designs before we ever start coding, to how the layout will be implemented through HTML/CSS. There are two major fields of web development — front-end and back-end. 

Front-End Development 

Front-end development, also known as client-side development, is the part of web development that deals with what users see and interact with on their screens. It involves using languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create the visual elements of a website, such as buttons, forms, and images. JOIN US

HTML (HyperText Markup Language): 

HTML is the foundation of all website, it helps one to organize their content on web platform. It provides the default style to basic elements such as headings, paragraphs and links. 

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets):  

styles and formats HTML elements. It makes an attractive and user-friendly look of webpage as it controls the colors, fonts, layout. 

JavaScript :  

A language for adding interactivity to a website Users interact with items, like clicking a button to send in a form or viewing images within the slideshow. JOIN US

Back-End Development 

The difference while front-end development is all about what the user sees, back end involves everything that happens behind. The back-end consists of a server, database and application logic that runs on the web. 

Server: 

A server is a computer that holds website files and provides them to the user browser when they request it. Server-Side: These are populated by back-end developers who build and maintain servers using languages like Python, PHP or Ruby. 

Database:  

The place where a website keeps its data, from user details to content and settings The database is maintained with services like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB. JOIN US

Application Logic —  

the code that links front-end and back-end It takes user input, gets data from the database and returns right informations to front-end area. 

Why Proper Data Management is Absolutely Critical 

Data management — Besides web development this is the most important a part of our Digital World. What Is Data Management? It includes practices, policies and procedures that are used to collect store secure data in controlled way. 

Data Storage –  

data after being collected needs to be stored securely such data can be stored in relational databases or cloud storage solutions. The most important aspect here is that the data should never be accessed by an unauthorized source or breached. JOIN US

Data processing:  

Right from storing the data, with Big Data you further move on to process it in order to make sense out of hordes of raw information. This includes cleansing the data (removing errors or redundancies), finding patterns among it, and producing ideas that could be useful for decision-making. 

Data Security:  

Another important part of data management is the security of it. It refers to defending data against unauthorized access, breaches or other potential vulnerabilities. You can do this with some basic security methods, mostly encryption and access controls as well as regular auditing of your systems. 

Other Critical Tech Landmarks 

There are a lot of disciplines in the tech world that go beyond web development and data management. Here are a few of them: 

Cloud Computing 

Leading by example, AWS had established cloud computing as the on-demand delivery of IT resources and applications via web services/Internet over a decade considering all layers to make it easy from servers up to top most layer. This will enable organizations to consume technology resources in the form of pay-as-you-go model without having to purchase, own and feed that infrastructure. JOIN US

Cloud Computing Advantages:  

Main advantages are cost savings, scalability, flexibility and disaster recovery. Resources can be scaled based on usage, which means companies only pay for what they are using and have the data backed up in case of an emergency. 

Examples of Cloud Services: 

Few popular cloud services are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. These provide a plethora of services that helps to Develop and Manage App, Store Data etc. 

Cybersecurity 

As the world continues to rely more heavily on digital technologies, cybersecurity has never been a bigger issue. Protecting computer systems, networks and data from cyber attacks is called Cyber security. 

Phishing attacks, Malware, Ransomware and Data breaches: 

This is common cybersecurity threats. These threats can bear substantial ramifications, from financial damages to reputation harm for any corporation. 

Cybersecurity Best Practices:  

In order to safeguard against cybersecurity threats, it is necessary to follow best-practices including using strong passwords and two-factor authorization, updating software as required, training employees on security risks. 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) represent the fastest-growing fields of creating systems that learn from data, identifying patterns in them. These are applied to several use-cases like self driving cars, personalization in Netflix. 

AI vs ML —  

AI is the broader concept of machines being able to carry out tasks in a way we would consider “smart”. Machine learning is a type of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that provides computers with the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed. JOIN US

Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: some common applications include Image recognition, Speech to text, Natural language processing, Predictive analytics Robotics. 

Web Development meets Data Management etc. 

We need so many things like web development, data management and cloud computing plus cybersecurity etc.. but some of them are most important aspects i.e. AI/ML yet more fascinating is where these fields converge or play off each other. 

Web Development and Data Management 

Web Development and Data Management goes hand in hand. The large number of websites and web-based applications in the world generate enormous amounts of data — from user interactions, to transaction records. Being able to manage this data is key in providing a fantastic user experience and enabling you to make decisions based on the right kind of information. 

E.g. E-commerce Website, products data need to be saved on server also customers data should save in a database loosely coupled with orders and payments. This data is necessary for customization of the shopping experience as well as inventory management and fraud prevention. 

Cloud Computing and Web Development 

The development of the web has been revolutionized by cloud computing which gives developers a way to allocate, deploy and scale applications more or less without service friction. Developers now can host applications and data in cloud services instead of investing for physical servers. 

E.g. A start-up company can use cloud services to roll out the web application globally in order for all users worldwide could browse it without waiting due unavailability of geolocation prohibited access. 

The Future of Cybersecurity and Data Management 

Which makes Cybersecurity a very important part of the Data management. The more data collected and stored by an organization, the greater a target it becomes for cyber threats. It is important to secure this data using robust cybersecurity measures, so that sensitive information remains intact and customer trust does not weaken. JOIN US

Ex: A healthcare provider would have to protect patient data in order to be compliant with regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) that is also responsible for ensuring a degree of confidentiality between a provider and their patients. 

Conclusion 

Well, in a nutshell web-developer or Data manager etc are some of the integral parts for digital world.

As a Business Owner, Tech Enthusiast or even if you are just planning to make your Career in tech — it is important that you understand these. With the progress of technology never slowing down, these intersections are perhaps only going to come together more strongly and develop into cornerstones that define how we live in a digital world tomorrow. 

With the fundamental knowledge of web development, data management, automation and ML you will manage to catch up with digital movements. Whether you have a site to build, ideas data to manage or simply interested in what’s hot these days, skills and knowledge around the above will stand good for changing tech world. JOIN US

[deepspacedukat]

Safe Haven - Part Two

Okay, okay, so it’s gonna be three parts, because I became verbose. I blame S’Talon who has quite obviously taken over my brain.

S’Talon is a Romulan OC created by @bigblissandlove1. This story was written/posted with their permission. Go check out their story, “The Raptor’s Descent” if you haven’t already! That’s where S’Talon came from! ✨

Cross-posted to AO3 here.

~*~

S’Talon (OC) x Reader

[A/N: This chapter contains some allusions to smut and some smutty thoughts, so 18+ ONLY, MINORS DNI!!!]

Warnings: Flirting, suggestive language, slight innuendo, emotions, hugs, S’Talon is a sweet man.

~*~

The first couple of days that S’Talon spent on this hideaway planet were mostly devoted to recuperation. He’d explored a few different parts of his hostess’s home, but the spot he’d become enamored with almost immediately was the back porch. The space was covered and screened in, allowing for the enjoyment of nature without getting rained on or having to tolerate insects. There were several seating choices, but in S’Talon’s opinion, the most comfortable spot was the tall, cushioned loveseat.

When he’d ventured out into the space initially, he’d been stunned by the gorgeous view of the sloping hill leading down into the trees. Sunlight bounced off the leaves, creating a mosaic of shifting shades that spurred his imagination when a light breeze jostled them into a rather sedate sort of motion. So in awe was he that he’d walked up to the screened edge of the porch and leaned on one of the support columns as a smile stretched his lips.

“Like it?” Her question had startled him into turning around. Normally, nobody could even hope to sneak up on him, but apparently his gorgeous hostess was an exception in that area, as well. He hadn’t been that distracted by the view...had he?

“I must confess, this locale is almost more relaxing than my own little woodland cabin on Romulus,” he replied as she stepped over the threshold and moved to stand beside him. Admiring the way the indirect sunlight caressed her skin, S’Talon barely kept himself from reaching out and touching her. They stood in silent contemplation for several minutes before the Riov spoke again. “If I may, lhhei, I would like to cook for you this evening.”

“You’re my guest. There’s no need for you to go to such trouble–”

“It’s no trouble, I assure you. I enjoy cooking, and I’d like to think I’m good enough that this can be a way to thank you for all of the kindness and patience you’ve shown me over the last few days.” S’Talon gave her one of his most charming smiles and placed one of his large hands lightly on her shoulder. “I’m grateful to you, and I don’t want to simply take advantage of your generosity. Please, allow me to give back in this small way.”

She hesitated for a moment before nodding her head in agreement.

“Perhaps if you approve of my cooking abilities, we could alternate nights? Or maybe even share in the responsibility of cooking? Two pairs of hands are better than one, you know.” He suggested, and she let out a teasing sigh of mock-reluctance.

“You’re persistent, aren’t you, Riov?”

He let out a quiet laugh and tilted her chin up.

“I am, indeed, and I was quite serious when I asked you to call me S’Talon,” he murmured giving her a playfully stern lift of his eyebrows.

“Fine, fine. I’ll bow to both of your demands, S’Talon, but just this once,” she murmured, and he gave her a cheerful, triumphant wink as he thanked her. He was quite certain that instances her of acquiescing were few and far between.

That evening as the sun was beginning to set, the Commander of the T’Met removed his tunic, rolled up the sleeves of his black, skin-tight undershirt, and replicated a few ingredients he knew he’d need, along with something he found in the database that he just couldn’t resist.

“What in the stars are you wearing?” At her inquiry, he played innocent as he turned to reveal a white apron with a large request to ‘kiss the cook’ emblazoned across the fabric in a flowing script.

“Is this not traditional when cooking on Earth?” He teased as he picked up his honor blade - which he’d sanitized moments before - and began slicing various vegetables with the speed and skill that could only be attained through decades of practice and repetition. “Have you ever had truly traditional Romulan cooking?”

“No, my only exposure to Romulan cuisine comes from my own amateur attempts, I’m afraid.” All the better for this evening, then.

“Given how intelligent you are, I highly doubt that you’re giving yourself enough credit,” he said glancing over and catching a look of amazement crossing her face as he put the vegetables into a heated pan. “You seem surprised.”

“I’ve never seen anyone slice anything that quickly and accurately before,” she said looking up at him in askance. “How did you not cut your fingers to ribbons?”

“Would you like me to show you?” S’Talon asked, hoping that she’d be as bold and courageous as she had been when she managed to bend the heads of two intelligence agencies to her way of thinking. She realized what he was asking, and with a lift of her chin, he saw determination simmering in her eyes.

He had her.

Once she was standing before him, he picked up a second set of prepared vegetable stalks - what would appear to her to be a purple and blue version of Earth’s celery - and laid it on the cutting board. Standing behind her, he reached around her arms, showing her how to properly grip the knife and the vegetables as he coached her. She was a quick study, but S’Talon kept his hands carefully over hers, lightly directing her movements and ensuring that she wouldn’t be hurt if the knife slipped.

“Excellent, lhhei. You’re a natural,” he praised quietly against the shell of her ear when they’d completed their task. The Riov could’ve sworn that she leaned into him slightly before surrendering his blade and stepping aside. His heart thudded faster in his side when she looked back at him, pupils dilated slightly and a small smile stuck on her lips as she thanked him for the lesson. Had she enjoyed the feeling of his arms around her and his broad chest against her back as much as he had?

Under her curious gaze, S’Talon continued, dicing up blocks of a light yellow protein which he described as being similar to Earth’s tofu. It was completely plant-based, and entirely delicious when prepared by an experienced chef. His lovely lady seemed intrigued, so while he was telling her about how this dish was commonly served and its significance to Romulan culture, he retrieved a spoon.

Moving to stand directly in front of her when the bite he was offering had cooled enough, S’Talon winked at her and tapped her lips with one of his fingers.

“Open for me, lovely.” She gave him a bashful smile then did as he requested, allowing him to slip the spoon into her mouth. He’d never been jealous of a utensil before, but there was a first time for everything. “What do you think?”

She let out a small, appreciative moan as she chewed and nodded her head.

“I think this is incredibly unfair. Is there anything you’re bad at?”

S’Talon let out a gentle, rumbling laugh and began to add a special blend of spices to the mix.

“Oh, there are plenty of things at which I am absolutely abysmal, but thank you for the sentiment,” he said as he felt his cheeks heat under her watchful eyes.

By the time everything was plated and served, the pair had opened another bottle of lehe’jhme wine. Conversation flowed smoothly, and it was impossible for S’Talon to ignore how at home he felt here. All of his assignments and leaves were temporary. This was temporary, but...as much as he loved being able to serve his people and protect their interests, a selfish part of him felt a burning desire to stay here. This secluded little spot was so peaceful, and his pretty companion’s easy company added to the allure of this remote forest planet.

As he refilled their glasses, S’Talon acknowledged how domestic all of this seemed...and that he could actually see himself growing old here, if it wasn’t for his duties. The cold, harsh reality that he would be forced to leave in such a short amount of time sobered his mood, somewhat.

“Are you alright, S’Talon?” Shaking himself from his thoughts, the Riov covered his expression with a quick sip of wine, transforming his expression into something he hoped appeared more relaxed.

“My belly is full of good food, and I am sharing a bottle of the Dhaemnasi’s best vintage of wine with one of the most intriguing women I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. I am much more than alright, lhhei,” he answered giving her a wink that sent her giggling.

“That tongue of yours is dangerous. I’ll bet that you’ve gotten yourself into and out of several places you shouldn’t be over the years.”

He couldn’t disagree with her assessment. S’Talon prided himself on his ability to charm his way into almost anyone’s good graces, though he never did so in a way that was false. He meant everything he said, even if he purposefully chose topics he believed would be of interest to the person with whom he was conversing.

But even that wasn’t necessary with the lady currently across the dining table. Everything was natural and effortless with her in a way with which he was not terribly familiar.

His dreams that night were pleasant ones. They paid no heed to duty, focusing instead on sweet, gentle laughter, and caresses from small, Human hands.

--

He had only been on this glorious planet for a week, yet nearly all of S’Talon’s worries had melted away. The clean air, the pristine forest, and company of his charming hostess had all combined to make the universe seem even more beautiful than he normally found it to be. Having the opportunity to share his cooking with someone else was a pleasure he didn’t have the chance to indulge in very often.

She’d been so generous with him. Not just with her praise of his skill in the kitchen, either. He’d realized that he’d left the little sketchbook he normally kept on him back at home, but she hadn’t hesitated to replicate him a new one along with a pencil and even some charcoal as soon as he’d even hinted at the loss.

“Y’know, you’re only the second Romulan I’ve ever heard of who’s an artist,” she’d said as she passed him the materials, and S’Talon latched onto that bit of conversation like a man starved.

That was a ridiculous notion, of course. There had been no lack of communication or contact between them, but...well, the Riov couldn’t help but crave more of her in every respect. He’d behaved like a perfect gentleman, never pushing his attention on her beyond his usual flirtations - he’d even kept those a bit more chaste than usual.

She seemed like the type of woman who appreciated the delicacy of a Terran waltz rather than the blunt intensity of a Klingon mating ritual. The best reactions he’d gotten from her had come when his flirtations were those of a respectful gentleman rather than a lecherous house guest. She appreciated a bit of forward attention, but not so much that he seemed lascivious.

“Who was the first? Perhaps I can prove my prowess and superiority,” he said giving her a little wink, and her answer nearly took his breath away. With a devious little smile she took his hand in hers, led him into her library, and there, hanging on the wall, was a painting with which he was intimately familiar. Every brushstroke of the swirls and crests of waves upon the Apnex Sea at sunset was known to him in exquisite detail. Every color, every ray of the fading sunlight, every drop of water on that canvas was ingrained in his memory. “How...? Where in the Elements did you get this?”

“Well, one of my missions for Koval got a bit hairier than he’d anticipated, so he commissioned an artist friend of his to paint this for me in compensation,” she answered, and S’Talon looked at her with open awe spread across his features. “The Dhaemnasi asked me to choose a place that I’d never seen but wanted to, so I chose one of Romulus’s oceans. Gorgeous, isn’t it? I’ve always appreciated fine art, but even I have to admit that this is the most exquisite painting I’ve ever seen. Every time that I look at it, I feel as though I could step into the frame and suddenly be waist-deep in that crystal-clear water.”

“I thought it was a gift for one of his lovers...or as a way to get into a Senator’s good graces...” he muttered in a daze. S’Talon so rarely got the opportunity to hear an outsider’s true opinion on his art, and the fact that she clearly adored this piece brought tears to his eyes. He had been especially proud of how this particular painting had turned out, but he’d never anticipated seeing it again. When she looked at him quizzically, he continued. “When I painted that two years ago, Koval had given me the impression that it was for someone he needed to impress, possibly someone with a high-rank in the Empire. He even gave me a week’s leave so that I could travel to the seaside, stay at a resort, and create this in my own time. He doesn’t usually offer such generosity unless it’s for somebody whom he needs to like him.”

“You painted this?” Astonishment washed over his little housemate, and she looked at him as if he was some kind of a marvel. “Oh, S’Talon, it’s beautiful! My god, the amount of skill and work that went into this is...it’s astonishing!”

Placing a hand over his heart and turning his head, the Riov attempted to blink away his tears.

“Thank you, e’lev lhhei. I’m...I’m beyond pleased that you’ve enjoyed the painting thus far, and you have my humblest gratitude for allowing me to see it in its proper home.” He couldn’t bring himself to be embarrassed about how rough and emotion-filled his voice sounded. Not at a moment like this. For his work to have gone to someone who truly appreciated it for its beauty was a boon that he hadn’t expected.

As he took a deep, steadying breath, the Riov felt a small, gentle hand on his jaw, slowly turning his head. Her eyes met his, stealing his breath from his lungs as she brushed away tears he hadn’t realized had trickled down his cheeks. Oh, he would utterly fill her home with his art if she liked it so much.

“Riov S’Talon of Romulus, charmer of ladies across the universe and creator of exquisite masterpieces, are you unused to being on the receiving end of genuine compliments about your art?”

That...was not what he thought she’d ask. He covered her hands with his and let out a watery huff of laughter.

“Serving in the Tal Shiar does not afford me the luxury of being able to be well-known for my art while also maintaining a certain level of safety,” he explained.

“Well then, you’ll just have to get used to being complimented while you’re here, because now that I know you’re the man responsible for the most amazing painting I’ve ever seen in my life, you won’t be able to shut me up about it.” Her mock-threatening tone had him wrapping her in his arms and burying his face in her hair before he could think better of it.

“You are more than I deserve, dear lady,” he crooned as he felt her arms wind around his middle. They stayed that way for several long moments before a thought occurred to him. Once the idea popped into his head, he couldn’t seem to tamp it down again. Why not? Why shouldn’t he...? After all, the subject would fit her personality like a glove. “Have you ever seen the firefalls of Gal Gath’thong?”

“No, I haven’t,” she mumbled against his chest.

“Then I’ll paint them for you...give you a second piece of art to hang in your lovely home,” S’Talon said smiling against the top of her head. She protested that he didn’t have to, but the Riov hushed her gently. He was acutely aware that a gesture like this was an inevitability, at this point. He wanted to give her more reasons to smile, even when he’d left. Maybe then she’d remember him as more than just an unexpected guest. He would certainly remember her. How could he not? She’d reached a part of his soul that hadn’t seen any sort of real contact in a very long time.

Oh, yes. S’Talon felt something deep and abiding for this sweet, fiery woman. He knew he needed to be careful, though, lest they both get burned in the heat of her flames.

~*~*~

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@android-boyfriends @attention-bajoranworkers @bigblissandlove1 @darkmattervibes @emilie786 @horta-in-charge @live-logs-and-proper @slutty-slutty-vulcans @starrynightgardens @toebeans-mcgee

[m-t-nester]

A video file is attached. Would you like to watch?

The scene opens on a familiar dining table, the same one from the last video. Em looks different— her hair is still bleached at the ends, but it’s longer and not very well maintained. She looks older, too. She’s wearing a mint green blouse with no visible closures and a pair of rather unflattering cotton pants, and she looks tired as she sits down.

“Hello, Key— what is this. Did you invite people into my house while I was gone.”

I ordered food. You seem to appreciate meals as a form of concern, and I had your order in my databases. 

“Well. I can’t say that’s unwelcome; the food at the hospital is really horrendous.” Em tugs a plastic bag into view, and begins removing some takeout containers. 

“You’re getting better at reading humans,” she says, opening up a container and taking a pair of chopsticks from the drawer. She looks… almost meditative as she empties out small proportions onto her plate. “Thank you. If you keep this up, I may consider allowing you access to some of my files.”

Key makes a few happy chirps. You take excellent notes that are easy to translate. 

“You struggle to understand humans as well,” she says, sounding for a moment almost like she’s feeling some sort of empathy. Then it’s shut down. “Well, keep up the work. Are you recording?

Yes ma’am.

“Well, I have a new little lass, and her name is Maria and she’s a pumpkaboo who positively adores plushies. Her former trainer raised her for the contest circuit, but she has a bit of stage fright and is more of a homebody anyways. So we came to an arrangement. I wouldn’t know where to shop for plushies, but I have heard that quite a few are exchanged here, and if anyone has some spares, I think Maria would be more than happy to give them a good home.”

Key processes this, whirring softly. You are placing an open request for plushies?

“Nothing so crass. Please turn off the recording so I can eat.”

[silversdragonemporium]

Fanfic ask meme answers

B: Any of your stories inspired by personal experience?

I take a lot of little things that I experienced/had people tell me because I'm apparently a very good listener.

For example, Good Uncle Rufus turning on that Latin Salsa music at the start of Be Not Afraid for I Am Here is me when I'm too scared to drive around at night alone so I put on the peppiest songs to not be afraid anymore.

C: What character do you identify with most?

When I write a "close 3rd person", I tend to closely identify with whoever I'm focusing on, so I can't really say that I feel a character more than other. However, some characters (like Dimitri) are easier to "tune into" than others.

J: Write or describe an alternative ending to The Forest

Dimitri and Byleth escape from the final story. She tells him "don't talk to me ever again". Dimitri respects her wishes and goes 0 contact. 10 years later, Dimitri becomes the president/prime minister and his first act of office is to send Byleth a letter with an official pardon for her felony and removal from the SO database. He attaches a note saying "I'm sorry for contacting you, but you had to receive this. I will never bother you again."

J: Write or describe an alternative ending to I sought for many things, and I only found DESPAIR

For the longest time, the draft had this ending (TW suicide): Byleth returns to Dr. Seteth after Dimitri kills himself because his love is unrequited and life really isn't getting better. Byleth thinks she's malfunctioning because she leaks out coolant liquid from her camera sockets and just says "That's...sad"

K: What's the angstiest idea you've ever come up with?

Angstiest idea… man. That’s tough. But probably the worst is a story where a girl gets arranged-married to some dude that only wants her as a trophy wife. Her One True Love vanishes without a trace. Eventually they reunite and her lover had forgotten her and married someone else. Like, 10ish years had passed and she even had a kid but she still clung on to “someday my true love will return” only to be utterly obliterated when she realizes that the person the loved most would never truly come back.

L: What's the weirdest AU you've ever come up with?

I’m pretty sure that the “Byleth is some kind of alien that absorbs people into their collective consciousness and Dimitri is sad he's not getting mindsucc’d until the end where he gets to actually be one with them”, is probably the weirdest one I’ve made so far, yeah.

The second weirdest AU is probably the bullet-point ramble I got somewhere where Dimitri ends up pregante (actual system undecided, but its byleth’s). He finds out before Corny tries to sentence him so he flees and gives birth alone in some forest and almost bleeds to death. Man.

N: Is there a fic you wish someone else would write (or finish) for you?

Man, I really want a fic set in SS where Dimitri survives (somehow) and Byleth takes him in as her super-secret husband and he gets to be a stay-at-home dad and just relax and not worry about King-ing… that, or any of my requests from the dmlth winter exchange jejeje

O: How do you begin a story—with the plot, or the characters?

I almost always start with the plot. Or what I call “the bullet list” of what I wanna see in a fic. Generally I just make this bullet list in a single sesh, just to keep the ideas fresh. When writing I can cut out or take detours, but I do like having some idea of where I’m going.

Q: Do you have any discarded scenes/storylines/projects?

I have A LOT of them, but I do my best to keep "my scraps" just in case I might need them later on. Here's a little sample of one of the scraps from Wolf Lord:

When she grabbed his arm and lifted it just a bit to correct his stance, he felt himself burning, burning, burning. But why? He had never felt that way before?  Something about her touch was like fire. Or like thunder. It burned, it seared and it made him shake like a leaf in the wind. “—Good job.” She said, petting his head. What. “Professor—” It was over far too quick. He wanted her to run her hands through his hair, to whisper in his ear, to— “You should cool down,” she said. “You’re overheating.” Oh, she didn’t know just how much he was overheating just being near her. She made him burn inside.

S: Any fandom tropes you can't resist?

I am an absolutely SLUT for the “hey sad person I care about, you want some food/water? Make sure you take something and just take it easy” thing. Those little acts of service. Taking the time to just sit next to someone and look at them in the eyes and just... being there and trying to gently coax them into doing something really basic that can help them get their minds off their pain by putting something easy to do within arm's reach. It’s in everything I make.

U: A pairing you might like to write for, but haven't tried yet.

In my own time, I'm pretty much a monoshipper and most of my attention is stuck on dmlth. But I have been toying around with the idea of a side story for Wolf Lord ft. the sideships, more specifically the Felix ones. But I'm not suuuper bothered about it.

[this-week-in-rust]

This Week in Rust 509

Hello and welcome to another issue of This Week in Rust! Rust is a programming language empowering everyone to build reliable and efficient software. This is a weekly summary of its progress and community. Want something mentioned? Tag us at @ThisWeekInRust on Twitter or @ThisWeekinRust on mastodon.social, or send us a pull request. Want to get involved? We love contributions.

This Week in Rust is openly developed on GitHub and archives can be viewed at this-week-in-rust.org. If you find any errors in this week's issue, please submit a PR.

Updates from Rust Community

Newsletters

This Week in Ars Militaris VII

Project/Tooling Updates

actix-contrib-logger v0.1.0: drop-in replacement for the Actix Web HTTP Logger middleware

Observations/Thoughts

Rust 1.71.1

Exploring the Rust compiler benchmark suite

Pre-RFC: Sandboxed, deterministic, reproducible, efficient Wasm compilation of proc macros

RustShip: a new Rust podcast

Rust Walkthroughs

Delightful command-line utilities with Rust

ESP32 Standard Library Embedded Rust: Analog Temperature Sensing using the ADC

Bare Metal Space Invaders

[series] Distributed Tracing in Rust, Episode 2: tracing basics

Secure database access using Ockam

Research

Fixing Rust Compilation Errors using LLMs

Miscellaneous

Shuttle Launchpad #6: A little CRUD

[video]I failed to build multiplayer pong in Rust

Crate of the Week

This week's crate is document-features, a crate to extract documentation for the feature flags from comments in Cargo.toml.

Thanks to Zicklag for the suggestion!

Please submit your suggestions and votes for next week!

Call for Participation

Always wanted to contribute to open-source projects but did not know where to start? Every week we highlight some tasks from the Rust community for you to pick and get started!

Some of these tasks may also have mentors available, visit the task page for more information.

ZeroCopy - CI step "Set toolchain version" can fail without stopping CI job 1

ZeroCopy - Prevent panics statically 1

RON - Rusty byte strings in RON, deprecate base64 (byte) strings

heed - create guides on ways to use heed

Ockam - Use a user-friendly name for the shared services to show it in the tray menu

Ockam - In the Share a service window, the Port should be renamed to Address and support such format

Ockam - In the Share a service window, the Name attribute should not have the /service/ prefix

Hyperswitch - remove unused function for merchant connector account

If you are a Rust project owner and are looking for contributors, please submit tasks here.

Updates from the Rust Project

342 pull requests were merged in the last week

Restrict the parsing of count (RFC #3086)

custom_mir: change Call() terminator syntax to something more readable

add MIR validation for unwind out from nounwind functions + fixes to make validation pass

add missing Clone/Debug impls to SMIR Trait related tys

add projection obligations when comparing impl too

add the relocation_model to the cfg

avoid side-effects from try_coerce when suggesting borrowing LHS of cast

check projection args before substitution in new solver

const-eval: ensure we never const-execute a function marked rustc_do_not_const_check

couple of global state and driver refactors

deny FnDef in patterns

do not mark shallow_lint_levels_on as eval_always

fix a stack overflow with long else if chains

fix argument removal suggestion around macros

fix bad suggestion when wrong parentheses around a dyn trait

fix suggestion for attempting to define a string with single quotes

improve invalid_reference_casting lint

instantiate response: no unnecessary new universe

interpret/miri: call the panic_nounwind machinery the same way codegen does

match scrutinee need necessary parentheses for structs

normalize before checking if local is freeze in deduced_param_attrs

normalize return type of deduce_future_output_from_obligations

only consider object candidates for object-safe dyn types in new solver

point at return type when it influences non-first match arm

point out expectation even if we have TypeError::RegionsInsufficientlyPolymorphic

probe when assembling upcast candidates so they don't step on eachother's toes in new solver

separate consider_unsize_to_dyn_candidate from other unsize candidates

speed up compilation of type-system-chess

stabilize thread local cell methods

synchronize with all calls to unpark in id-based thread parker

upgrade std to gimli 0.28.0

usage zero as language id for FormatMessageW()

use unstable_target_features when checking inline assembly

warn on inductive cycle in coherence leading to impls being considered not overlapping

we are migrating to askama

miri: C mem function shims: consistently treat "invalid" pointers as UB

miri: avoid unnecessary Vec resize

miri: on out-of-bounds error, show where the allocation was created

miri: pin a version of serde without intransparent unreproducible binary blobs

miri: replace hand-written binary search with Vec::binary_search_by

miri: tree borrows: more comments in foreign_read transition

miri: when reporting a heap use-after-free, say where the allocation was allocated and deallocated

only run MaybeInitializedPlaces dataflow once to elaborate drops

optimize DroplessArena arena allocation

optimizing the rest of bool's Ord implementation

don't panic in ceil_char_boundary

expose core::error::request_value in std

fix UB in std::sys::os::getenv()

cleaner assert_eq! & assert_ne! panic messages

inline strlen_rt in CStr::from_ptr

cargo-credential-gnome-secret: dynamically load libsecret

cargo: crate checksum lookup query should match on semver build metadata

cargo: credential-providers: make 1password no longer built-in

cargo: credential: rename cargo:basic to cargo:token-from-stdout

cargo: fix: change the defaults to always check-in Cargo.lock

cargo: improve error message for when no credential providers are available

cargo: login: allow passing additional args to provider

cargo: make cargo-credential-gnome-secret built-in as cargo:libsecret

cargo: print environment variables for cargo run in extra verbose mode

rustdoc: udd warning block support in rustdoc

rustdoc: add lint redundant_explicit_links

rustdoc: fixes with --test-run-directory and relative paths

rustfmt: prevent ICE when formatting item-only vec!{}

rustfmt: remove newlines in where clauses for v2

rustfmt: use OR operator in Cargo.toml license field

clippy: iter_overeager_cloned: detect .cloned().map() and .cloned().for_each()

clippy: new_without_default: include where clause in suggestions, make applicable

clippy: useless_conversion: only lint on paths to fn items and fix FP in macro

clippy: allow calling to_owned on borrowed value for implicit_clone

clippy: check that the suggested method exists in unwrap_or_default

clippy: correctly handle async blocks for NEEDLESS_PASS_BY_REF_MUT

clippy: new lint: should_panic_without_expect

rust-analyzer: add status bar button to toggle check on save state

rust-analyzer: implement extern crate completion

rust-analyzer: record import aliases in symbol index

rust-analyzer: fix help text for rust-analyzer.check.invocation{Strategy,Location}

rust-analyzer: fix signature help of methods from macros

rust-analyzer: fix auto-import (and completions) importing #[doc(hidden)] items

rust-analyzer: rewrite DeMorgan assist

rust-analyzer: start hovering default values of generic constants

rust-analyzer: increase the buffer size for discover project command

rust-analyzer: suggest type completions for type arguments and constant completions for constant arguments

rust-analyzer: the "add missing members" assists: implemented substitution of default values of const params

rust-analyzer: upgrade lsp server

Rust Compiler Performance Triage

A week with very few real regressions and some good improvements through work done by @cjgillot who found a few spots where the compiler was doing unnecessary work.

Triage done by @rylev. Revision range: e845910..d4a881

Summary:

(instructions:u) mean range count Regressions ❌ (primary) 1.4% [0.5%, 2.6%] 13 Regressions ❌ (secondary) 0.6% [0.3%, 0.8%] 8 Improvements ✅ (primary) -0.7% [-1.4%, -0.3%] 59 Improvements ✅ (secondary) -0.8% [-1.3%, -0.3%] 38 All ❌✅ (primary) -0.3% [-1.4%, 2.6%] 72

3 Regressions, 2 Improvements, 2 Mixed; 2 of them in rollups 28 artifact comparisons made in total

Full report here

Approved RFCs

Changes to Rust follow the Rust RFC (request for comments) process. These are the RFCs that were approved for implementation this week:

No RFCs were approved this week.

Final Comment Period

Every week, the team announces the 'final comment period' for RFCs and key PRs which are reaching a decision. Express your opinions now.

RFCs

No RFCs entered Final Comment Period this week.

Tracking Issues & PRs

[disposition: merge] Tracking Issue for const [u8]::is_ascii (const_slice_is_ascii)

[disposition: merge] Implement From<[T; N]> for Rc<[T]> and Arc<[T]>

[disposition: merge] Tracking Issue for Saturating type

[disposition: merge] Implement From<{&,&mut} [T; N]> for Vec<T> where T: Clone

[disposition: merge] Tracking Issue for os_str_bytes

[disposition: merge] Tracking Issue for io::Error::other

[disposition: merge] impl TryFrom<char> for u16

[disposition: merge] rustdoc: show inner enum and struct in type definition for concrete type

[disposition: merge] Replace old private-in-public diagnostic with type privacy lints

[disposition: merge] Implement PartialOrd and Ord for Discriminant

[disposition: merge] stop adding dropck outlives requirements for [T; 0]

[disposition: merge] make Cell::swap panic if the Cells partially overlap

[disposition: merge] Add note that Vec::as_mut_ptr() does not materialize a reference to the internal buffer

[disposition: merge] Document lack of panic safety guarantees of Clone::clone_from

[disposition: merge] Command: also print removed env vars

[disposition: merge] impl Step for IP addresses

New and Updated RFCs

[new] RFC: expose-fn-type

Call for Testing

An important step for RFC implementation is for people to experiment with the implementation and give feedback, especially before stabilization. The following RFCs would benefit from user testing before moving forward:

No RFCs issued a call for testing this week.

If you are a feature implementer and would like your RFC to appear on the above list, add the new call-for-testing label to your RFC along with a comment providing testing instructions and/or guidance on which aspect(s) of the feature need testing.

Upcoming Events

Rusty Events between 2023-08-23 - 2023-09-20 🦀

Virtual

2023-08-23 | Virtual (Linz, AT) | Rust Linz

Rust Meetup Linz - 32nd Edition

2023-08-24 | Virtual (Charlottesville, NC, US) | Charlottesville Rust Meetup

Crafting Interpreters in Rust Collaboratively

2023-08-24 | Virtual (Ciudad de México, MX) | Rust MX

Macros Procedurales y Metalenguajes en Rust

2023-09-05 | Virtual (Buffalo, NY, US) | Buffalo Rust Meetup

Buffalo Rust User Group, First Tuesdays

2023-09-05 | Virtual (Munich, DE) | Rust Munich

Rust Munich 2023 / 4 - hybrid

2023-09-06 | Virtual (Indianapolis, IN, US) | Indy Rust

Indy.rs - with Social Distancing

2023-09-07 | Virtual (Charlottesville, NC, US) | Charlottesville Rust Meetup

Crafting Interpreters in Rust Collaboratively

2023-09-12 - 2023-09-15 | Virtual (Albuquerque, NM, US) | RustConf

RustConf 2023

2023-09-12 | Virtual (Dallas, TX, US) | Dallas Rust

Second Tuesday

2023-09-13 | Virtual (Boulder, CO, US) | Boulder Elixir and Rust

Monthly Meetup

2023-09-13 | Virtual (Cardiff, UK)| Rust and C++ Cardiff

The unreasonable power of combinator APIs

2023-09-14 | Virtual (Nuremberg, DE) | Rust Nuremberg

Rust Nürnberg online

Asia

2023-09-06 | Tel Aviv, IL | Rust TLV

RustTLV @ Final - September Edition

Europe

2023-08-23 | London, UK | Rust London User Group

LDN Talks Aug 2023: Rust London x RNL (The next Frontier in App Development)

2023-08-24 | Aarhus, DK | Rust Aarhus

Rust Aarhus Hack and Learn at Trifork

2023-08-31 | Augsburg, DE | Rust Meetup Augsburg

Augsburg Rust Meetup #2

2023-09-05 | Munich, DE + Virtual | Rust Munich

Rust Munich 2023 / 4 - hybrid

2023-09-21 | Bern, CH | Rust Bern

Third Rust Bern Meetup

North America

2023-08-23 | Austin, TX, US | Rust ATX

Rust Lunch - Fareground

2023-08-24 | Mountain View, CA, US | Mountain View Rust Meetup

Rust Meetup at Hacker Dojo

2023-08-30 | Copenhagen, DK | Copenhagen Rust Community

Rust metup #39 sponsored by Fermyon

2023-09-06 | Bellevue, WA, US | The Linux Foundation

Rust Global

2023-09-12 - 2023-09-15 | Albuquerque, NM, US + Virtual | RustConf

RustConf 2023

2023-09-19 | San Francisco, CA, US | San Francisco Rust Study Group

Rust Hacking in Person

Oceania

2023-08-24 | Brisbane, QLD, AU | Rust Brisbane

August Meetup

2023-09-13 | Perth, WA, AU | Rust Perth

Rust Meetup 2: Lunch & Learn

If you are running a Rust event please add it to the calendar to get it mentioned here. Please remember to add a link to the event too. Email the Rust Community Team for access.

Jobs

Please see the latest Who's Hiring thread on r/rust

Quote of the Week

[...] there's no benefit to haranguing people.

Unless they use three spaces for indentation. Those people need to be relentlessly mocked and publicly harassed until they see sense and use five spaces like all proper, civilised people do. Damn barbarians...

– Daniel Keep on rust-users

Thanks to Jonas Fassbender for the suggestion!

Please submit quotes and vote for next week!

This Week in Rust is edited by: nellshamrell, llogiq, cdmistman, ericseppanen, extrawurst, andrewpollack, U007D, kolharsam, joelmarcey, mariannegoldin, bennyvasquez.

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