#are calibrated for a larger size

[littleflorablr]

I believe the Norton books - I want to say specifically The Borrowers Afield, but don't quote me on that - mention that borrowers' hands and feet are proportionately a little larger than humans', which could translate to improved gripping ability.

Incidentally, if you want to, I'd be interested in seeing the scope of the vitamin D examination post expanded; it recently occurred to me that most house borrowers are unlikely to get much access to protein or fresh produce, due to those being refrigerated and/or bulky

We already know the borrowers’ size puts them at a slight disadvantage when it comes to survival, but how does their size positively impact them? (scientific/biology answer)

Hi everyone! This post is going to be a little continuation of the previous post I did about borrowers’ fall damage. If you haven’t read it, I recommend checking it out (here)! In this post, I will talk about some scientifically proven advantages that borrowers have. BTW word count is like 1000.

Throughout all the borrower stories I have read, I have found some interesting constants: borrowers heal quicker than humans, recover from illness faster than humans, are genetically faster and stronger relative to their body mass, need little to no vitamin D to survive, etc. In fact, the original book by Mary Norton and a few of its adaptations mention a peculiar “borrower sense” that Arrietty and Pod Clock seem to have, which allows them to sense humans before they appear. However, scientific backing and evidence is rarely provided. Here, I will evaluate the legitimacy of many borrower conceptions.

1. Superhuman agility, durability, and strength

Borrowers tend to be depicted as having the superhuman ability to climb up structures relatively the height of skyscrapers with no sweat, but does this have to do with the muscle they built up over time, or does the answer lie in their genetics and body make-up? My non-proven scientific hypothesis is that both of these answers are correct. While yes, the fact that borrowers spend their entire lives exercising definitely plays a role in their off-the-charts abilities, there is also a not-so-talked-about genetic and biology explanation for this, the first reason tying back to my previous physics post.

I explained earlier that bone strength relative to body mass is greater for borrowers than it is for humans, because bone strength is determined by cross-sectional area (length squared) and body mass is determined by volume (length cubed). Therefore, body mass decreases faster than bone strength. This same idea can also be applied to muscle tissue, meaning borrowers’ muscles become stronger relative to their body mass as borrowers are scaled down. For example: a borrower 1/18th the height of a human would have 1/(18x18)th the bone strength and muscle strength, and 1/(18x18x18)th the body mass. This means they are relatively 18 times more durable and stronger than humans. Bone strength correlates to durability and muscle strength correlates to strength. This concept also explains why ants are able to lift 50x their body weight.

This increase in muscle strength, other than increasing borrower’s raw strength, will also allow borrowers to jump higher and move more quickly.

More reasons why real-life borrowers would be comparatively way faster than humans has to do with shorter neural distances, less inertia, and relativity to size. First, the distance between the borrower’s brain to their hand, foot, legs, etc is way smaller than it is for humans. This means that their brain is incredibly more efficient when it comes to sending signals to parts of the body, increasing borrowers’ reflexes and coordination. Also, their legs would be able to move faster because muscle contraction time is less. Muscles work by contracting, and smaller animals’ muscles are able to contract faster relative to their body size because their muscle fibers are shorter and therefore electrical signals and chemical reactions move through them more quickly.

To explain how less inertia helps borrowers move faster, lets reflect on the most basic physics principle: force = mass x acceleration. Mass and acceleration are inversely proportional, therefore someone with a smaller mass needs less force to reach the same acceleration. To put it simply, a greater inertia makes it harder for somebody to overcome momentum. Because borrowers have almost no inertia compared to humans (body mass is directly proportional to inertia), they would have to put in almost no force to accelerate quickly, take sharp turns without losing balance, stop quickly, and jump high. This is because they are able to overcome momentum very easily. Think about how squirrels or mice are able to dart around very quickly.

Almost done! Lastly, I just wanted to mention genetics. While strength and speed are greatly impacted by someone’s own exercise routine and diet, the genetic lottery can also have a say in someone’s athleticism. For example, the way somebody’s fat is distributed after they eat and the efficiency of their metabolism are often hereditary traits. I would assume that after generations upon generations of training in the walls, staying in great physical shape, and an unhealthy/unreliable diet has led borrowers to perfect their metabolism within their genes to suit their needs. I believe they would have a very slow metabolism so they could store their energy for longer and go longer without eating. I also believe their borrower’s fat would naturally be stored in places on their body to keep them warm, for example their joints.

Fun fact: the odd haircut poodles are famous for is a result of competitive swimming. Poodles were often raced in the water, so they were shaved all the way down to make them faster. However, people kept the fluff on their joints to keep poodles warm while leaving the smallest amount of fur as possible.

Okay, I got a little off topic but do with that information as you will. In conclusion, borrowers should be scientifically faster, stronger, more durable, and more agile than humans (comparatively). Imagine a borrower darting around on the floor in a blur, or jumping onto areas taller than them and off ledges ten times their height. I hope this was as interesting to you as it was to me! I appreciate everyone who took the time to read this it makes me feel super good when people like the same stuff as me. If you want to learn more borrower science, please vote below on what I should research next:

[pepsinister]

I want to get better at 3D printing so (ala that story about the pottery class) I’m going to try and print something daily for a little while

to that end I took an hour to whip up this guy whom I’m calling printball

he’s coming out a little fuzzy 😳

[juniferyw]

𝐌𝐲 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞.

𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬: nothing was ever meant to be yours, so why does this strange man insist he is?

masterlist | ao3 | mdni | take heed: könig x f!reader, afab reader, medieval au, ambiguous religion, size difference, extremely dubious consent, possessive behaviour, forced marriage, horrible courting, power imbalance, angst, stockholm syndrome, dark romance, stalking.

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢. | prev

Twelve newly anointed knights calls for a festivity of revelry in the peak of harvest season. The royalty highly favours this traditional induction. It was a chance for the new men to show off their swordsmanship and honour towards the public, all the while displaying the great, militant strength of his majesty. 

The common folks are relieved to have strong men to protect them, and the crown is satisfied with the agenda of the social stratum. 

You’ve stolen simple glances at the new cavalry as they’re gathered along the courtyard. One in particular, Ser Eaton, you have taken a shine to. A nobleman, guided by great swordmasters before him, has been raised proper and pure to the life of men at arms. 

It didn’t help that he had a boyish curl in his smile that reached his eyes, faint dimples appear everytime they do too. His light brown eyes twinkle at a challenge and his hair—the colour of golden barley—fitting him right just for the season. It is as if mother nature had accommodated solely for his arrival. 

The ladies-in-waiting share snide comments and snicker upon eavesdropping the mindless daydreams of maids winning the favour of men at their calibre. However, you kept yourself grounded. You did not let your affection stray into something you could not have. They were what they always were to you, just fantasies. 

But you are also well into the age where you were expected to marry. These days, love fills your endless thoughts; hope fuels your days and nights. You remember turning your nose up at the very subject as a child. Now as countless summers pass, your heart has now softened and grown weary from age. No longer having the strength to see through life on your own, you begin to think that there are no worldly materials that could fill the longingness that you yearn for other than what must be love.

Therefore, you will yourself that by the end of summer you are determined to be matched. 

When the sun hovers just above the horizon after every shift, you make your way to the great altar, praying in earnest on sore knees and raw hands with three repeated mantra:

Let him be good.

Let him be kind.

Let him be loyal.

This faceless man of yours possesses no riches beyond belief, no title to bequeath, and no land to his name. He is made pure of your image. He is love and service reincarnate; he exists only for you and you to him. 

The mountain of candles flicker in the darkness as you silently profess your truest desires in front of holy presence. Wax rolls slowly from the flame as dusk passes by. Indistinguishable figures enter and leave during your hour here, none ever lingers for too long, so it was a surprise when you finally took notice of a much larger company taking residence across from you. 

You flutter your eyelids open, adjusting to the dimness of the room. As you do, you almost expect him to dissipate with the bleariness from your eyes—but alas, he remains.

König.

It was an oddly endearing thought. The knight who is made a spectacle before the public, to be known as a cruel god amongst the average men, on his knees praying. 

You wonder if he believes in the same god as you do—or if this is what he was forced to assimilate to. You wonder what he desires, what burdens he’d like alleviated. Then somewhere in the back of your mind, you wonder if he was ever praying at all.

His eyes hold a sea of storm beneath them, never breaking your gaze once you had set your sights upon him. Instinctually, as if you were conditioned, you place a soft smile on your features as a silent acknowledgement before placing your hands to the cold, stone platform to stand.

König mirrors your move as you rise from the altar. His steps were like a shadow to yours, exiting the chapel in the same stride and pace. Your cold hands brace the heavy, timber doors, ready to exert some effort this entrance always requires. However, your attempt was intercepted. Instead, a single large hand had extended from behind, grazing the back of your hand so softly you wanted to pull away from the innocuous intimacy. 

The warmth from the candles sets a jarring contrast to the cool autumn breeze, prickling uncomfortably at your skin as you breathe in the fresh air. At least that’s what you tell yourself as König still lingers close from behind, making no move to surpass you. 

Turning with a courteous demeanour prepared, you bow your head in respect as you offer your meek appreciation. 

“Thank you, Ser König.” You say, too afraid to meet his face up this close for fear of encroaching social boundaries. Even so, he has breached your senses instead, involuntarily filling you with smells of smoke and iron. 

You do not allow for him a chance to speak as you say your regards for the night before turning away promptly, following the direction to your home. 

Perhaps that was the most you had ever interacted with the mysterious knight. You think about him for a while as you sort your sleeping quarters for the evening. Your hands suddenly went still from your woollen quilt as your mind takes you to the earlier recurrence. 

How people have misjudged this poor man. If they have just a slight empathy within their hearts, they would see he was no threat. Rather his action today resembled that highly of a gentleman. 

How funny, you think. A breath of a laugh escapes you at the thought of sharing news that the local monster had more couth than most of the village men could ever possess. 

There never was enough time in the day. Usually after your shift had ceased, maids of all work would gather in groups and head to the stream to scrub all the dust and grime off their skin. It was much safer in numbers as well, for fear of any indecent men taking advantage and preying on vulnerable women.

Fortunately there hasn’t been a case of any voyeurs. The path down the stream was kept well hidden and guarded by others, taking turns and rotating on which group was to wash up first and who were to keep watch. It was enough to deter any unfortunate predicaments from occurring.

However, your newly added time dedicated to your prayers took up most of your respite with the sun, and so you often missed the chance to string along to bathe with the others. 

It was perhaps the comfort of habit that you dare to venture out into the stream all alone. You speculate most of the people had already arrived and settled well into their homes at this hour. Reasonably, there should not be one soul wandering this area by chance. To further add to your precaution, you also choose a stream further down where river rocks and boulders amassed. It made for a suitable cover should anything happen, but it also wasn’t the most comfortable to wade around in. 

You lay your day’s clothes out in the highest part of the rock where sunlight could reach and unfastened the pins from your hair. Leaving your possessions easily behind, you eagerly step into the body of water. The water was cold upon the first touch but grew tepid as you ease your way in further down. 

Sighing in relief, you dip your head below the waters before resurfacing with a soft gasp. Your hands automatically begin to work at your arms with a cloth that was dampened with sweet smelling oils you concocted yourself. Scrubbing your skin to your fingertips meticulously, the smell of wild lavenders now follows you around sweetly. 

You lather your hair with the same product. Letting your fingers run past your strands, you made sure to rid of all the built up grease that accumulated from the day’s work. There was still around half an hour to spare before the sun had completely set. Looking up at the sky to see the third quarter moon hanging high, you decide to soak yourself a little while longer to admire the tranquility of having the river belonging to you just for a short while.

Basking in the fresh air and the lulling sound of the babbling brooks, you begin to notice something was amiss when you identify another sound—the sound of soft labored breaths that did not belong to you. Your body freezes all at once; your heart missing a beat.

This is not real. This cannot be real—Please don’t let it be real.

With a flicker of bravery, you cautiously turn your head to look from behind your shoulder—and to your horror, you confirm your worst fear.

König stands formidably, naked in all his glory—apart from his grim hood that religiously cloaks his face. His hips above the waters, hands furiously gripping at the girth of his cock, stroking it back and forth offhandedly.

He doesn’t stop when he’s caught, instead his breath hitches when your eyes lay on his thick cock and fists himself harder. The desperate jerking motion forces a pearlescent seed to drip from his slit and into the running stream.

You’ve never seen anything of this nature before. Always prudishly looking away even when the men worked in the fields clad with only their slacks and their caps to shield them from the sun’s rays. Though you had an idea of what they appeared to be, it was only ever described through hearsay from the girls who enjoyed recounting their latest rendezvous.

So when you gaze upon the sex that could supposedly anchor heavens down to earth, you are sick to your core. 

It was abominably everything like him. 

Big. Ugly. Disgusting. Monstrous. 

There is a film of lust over his eyes, uncaring just how unseemingly he looks. The thick coarse hair at the base did very little to cover what strains under his vigorous grip. His balls swing obscenely at the thrust of his motions as his manhood curves—pulsing furiously as pleasure buzzes through his veins, menacingly growing bigger at each passing second. 

The deep, scarlet tip of his swollen mushroom-like head sprays pre-cum in your direction and it takes everything in you to breathe and grasp your conscience back to your control. 

Dashing beneath the surface, you scramble through the maze of boulders and snatch the clothes you had left behind to haphazardly dress yourself quickly from his sight. You hear him bellow as you leave; staggering sounds of waters being pushed through his heavy, powerful strides alarm you as if he is hailing hell bound for your soul. 

Cotton sticks to you like a second skin as you weave through the woods, desperately leaving behind an angry praetor calling out your name, beseeching you to stay. You cannot hear him—you would not hear him. Squeezing through the tightest crevices from a particularly narrow path you have chosen, you run as if you were escaping your own shadow. 

By the time you reach the safety of your own home, you do not dare to look back until you have shut and locked the door behind you. Your lungs were burning fire by the time you catch your breath, your body trembles from the cold and the adrenaline all the while sweat trickles down your face. You do not even spare the time to change into something dry, instead you reinforce your door with the heaviest desk you could find and anxiously wait by the windowsill, anticipating for the worst.

You imagine seeing him over the horizon; hear the terrible ringing of his chain links, and when he finally arrives at the threshold of your home, you imagine König tearing down your walls pursuing you like a man possessed—a vindictive spirit who won’t rest until he has your head. 

You wait and wait until the moon is at its peak, until your hair is dry—until you can not tell the difference between the shadow of a tree and the silhouette of a man. 

In the late hours of the night, you fall asleep on your kitchen tiles; in the depths of your psyche, you dream of him.

A shadow pursues you relentlessly from behind. In your dreams, you did not gaze upon the creature’s form but you knew just exactly what face this monster wears. He has steel nails for teeth, his open jaw fixed with a permanent smile, his eyes burn hellfire white while he howls his awful laugh. 

You feel taunting sliver of touches at your heel. It is as if the monster knows you cannot outrun him, that he’s just biding his time until he finally swallows you whole—like a predator playing with his food. 

You will your legs to run faster but they are sluggish at your behest. Your heart rate picks up from your arduous labour as you hear the laughter beginning to grow to a deafening screech. The familiar ringing of the chain links was the last thing you hear before a sudden force jolts you awake.

Once you are brought back to the land of the living, your heart continues to pound against your chest. Twisting to sit up from your sleeping position, your back strains painfully from the cold, hard floor. 

Looking up to the sky from your window, you catch the dawn beginning to break. 

Even the most terrible nightmare could not even cease your circadian rhythm. Even worse that it could not even make you shirk your own duties.

The events replayed through your mind incessantly as you prepare yourself some new set of cloths with the current one smelling nauseatingly of mildew. The looming purple sky beginning to turn ochre yellow heralding a new day did little to calm your mental plague. 

You find yourself bending over the toilet from your worries. With no food sitting in your stomach to spill out, your body unnaturally rejects bile. The powerful contractions quakes your entire being. The bitter taste lingers even after you rinse your mouth with water and mint. Your mind becomes light, however your feet feel as if they’ve been dragging the world with them.

Fear consumes you.

You cannot go on like this. You refuse to set your sights on him after what you had seen, but you cannot afford such luxuries to abandon your post. And so you acquiesce like an ever faithful servant, only this time you decide to sequence your own schedule out of order. 

Instead of entering through the gatehouse as you would countless times before, you inconspicuously slip through the back of the kitchens, hiking through an old hidden path that’s been reconquered by nature. In spite of the difficult trek, it was thankfully to your advantage, concealing you from any sentinel that may have been stationed on the bridges or towers anticipating for your arrival. 

Ordering your tasks in reverse was easy. You work in the shadows; cleaning the mud, dirt, blood whatever the men could get themselves in from their capes. As the others heave the baskets onto their hips, you do not make any intention to join them out in the fields. Rather, you busy yourself by attending to another who called out for anyone who had the capacity to help her with husking ten baskets of maize. 

Time passes you by easily like a stranger in a crowd. You even find yourself letting your guard down and enjoying the mundane routine of the day. Wiping the dishes dry in communion with the other maids of your stature, you exchange with small talk to relieve the weight that you carry over your shoulders. 

It wasn’t until you felt a firm hand turning you around to replace your damp rags with a silver ewer of water and clean cloths did the familiar pit of mass resume to drag you down to the underworld. 

“The physician needs assistance while his apprentice is away.” In lieu of a request or a demand, the head of the Housekeeper informs you, expecting your recognised, dutiful obedience. Rather than seeing you off to adhere to her words, she observes a momentary frozen mien. Neither speaking nor moving to your newly assigned task.

“I recall you being of help in his ward, yes?” Her tone is short, eager to get on with the endless work she has ahead. 

You balance the heavy pitcher carefully with both hands; your teeth gnawing on your bottom lip in apprehension. “Yes, ma’am.” Your voice was meek but polite—though your reply did not appease her in the slightest.

“Well?” 

There are no words you can construct in haste to explain why you would rather die than to come across that vulgar man again. 

“You waste a second more of my time and I will write you up for insubordination, is that what you wish?” Her voice is now audible above the surrounding noise.

“No, ma’am.” Her punitive measures against your idleness is enough for you to venture away from the safety of the basement walls. 

Her warning is like coals beneath your feet, and as you move along the halls and away from the formidable woman, the fire wavers into something weak and cold. With each step you take is like a step towards an impending doom, marching slowly towards your own demise. 

You know the schedule of each station like the back of your hand. You know that if you take your post by the physician’s side, you are to be confronted by the man who undoubtedly will look at you as if he is ready to tear the flesh from your bones—for the apothecary pavilion was set up conveniently by the training grounds. 

They would always keep a physician stationed at every session, the appointment being arranged partly due to damages exacerbated by the infamous knight who doesn’t know—nor care—for the sheer strength he unleashes against his comrades. 

Piercing sounds of steel against steel bears the tiding that you have reached your journey’s end. Men at arms here exercise their instincts against nature to slay and bludgeon another. Though they employ their moves with restraint, the sight of blood smeared across their teeth and cuts from their blades was a usual sight. 

You cast your eyes down towards the solid ground of dirt, making yourself small and scarce by endeavouring no sounds from your timid steps, all the while holding your breath as you reach the familiar ivory colour of the tent—as if depriving yourself of oxygen would make you invisible. 

It could just be part of your own making but you feel eyes on you like sunlight on your skin. You choose to ignore it. Like you ignore the ghost haunting your hallway, creaking your floorboards in the dead of night. So you eye your feet, the way it scuffs the sand beneath you. You then busy yourself with the ivy that grows mighty on the stone walls instead of the glorious savagery in front of you; pretending to study its branches and twines as if it was the most fascinating foliage you’ve ever seen. 

Finally, you reach the threshold of the medical bay, skipping your last steps with haste as you open the tarp. 

König sits at the bed, his shirt strewn across the floor. He leans back with his hands spread behind him. Across his shoulder bleeds maroon from a slight superficial cut. A light cock of his head to the side and the strongest intuition that he is hiding a saccharine smile tells you that he doesn’t need any form of medical attention.

Turning your head behind your shoulder, you quickly learn that the physician is occupied with attending to a concussed knight on the other side of the yard.

“Mein entlaufenes, Frau."

He sighs endearingly, as if he was awaiting his woman in the privacy of his bedroom. 

“Don’t you see your fighter is hurting?” He says when you remain unmoved. “Come; take care of your bleeding Romeo.”

You avert your eyes and begrudgingly do as you are paid to. Making yourself useful, you readjust your grip on the heavy pitcher, careful as to not slosh the water around too much around the rim. You conclude the sooner you finish your work, the sooner you would be rid of his presence once more. 

You avoid facing directly from him—despite it providing you the easiest access to dress his wound; the way his wide thighs lecherously invites you in deter you from encouraging him. Instead you set down your burdens on a small desk nearby and begin to skilfully coat a clean white rag with alcohol from the side. 

If he is displeased by your aversion, he would most definitely be pulling a face from behind his hood. 

You oscillate your line of sight from his cold, cyan-like eyes to the cut; nervously approaching the wound slowly as if he was an animal ready to strike at any moment. 

“This might sting,” you whisper, so lightly you could mistake it for a wind blowing in the breeze. 

He doesn’t flinch when the alcohol meets the break of his skin. König watches attentively like a dog, eyeing your delicate fingers, cleaning and patching up his lesion with the utmost care. An act he deems akin to devotion. 

In the midst of dressing his wound with a gentle adhesive, his indecent hand travels to your working one, gripping with purpose. 

“Gute Arbeit, Schatzi," he praises. “But you are not finished yet.”

König leans closer towards you. His hood brushes your hot cheeks as you stare dead ahead—paralysed with fear. 

“I am hurting..” His hand guides you down his chest. “Elsewhere.” 

You pull your hand before he could direct it to his crotch but he keeps the grip around your wrist, preventing your untimely departure. You forget your station and resist him when he pulls you closer by the waist, making you stumble across your own feet and into the arms of a perverted, war-mongering mercenary. With a struggling yelp, your futile efforts to push him away only encouraged him to lock his hold on you even more.

“It’s so painful, Schatzi,” he rasps desperately against your ear. 

König groans when you inadvertently brush against his swelling cock in the middle of your attempt to escape. 

“You feel that?.. My mighty sword?” There is a smile in his question as he suspends you against him fiercely. “You saw it too—ahh.. Had you hiding in your burrow didn't it, mein kleines Häschen?”

“Ja, I know–hah–it’s massive. Don’t be scared, I mean to prepare you for our first time.” His breathing grows haggard; you feel the wild beating of his heart against your terrified ones. 

“S-Ser König! This is–is highly inappropriate,” you beseech, but it falls on deaf ears. He already has a hold of your laces from behind and means to tear it apart. 

You have to do something—

Cry out for help!

Incapacitate him—anything!

SLAP!! 

As if merely possessed for a single moment, you gasp at the inconceivable notion that you had just struck the crown’s most favourable knight. The world has grown quiet and time seems to slow. Your hand, one not currently restrained by him, is raised high and throbbed at the sting of skin meeting his through thin fabric. 

You have not yet considered the weight of your actions. For the only thing you know is how loud the sound of your heart beating inside your chest and how tight the air around you is to even breathe. 

König stares at you with indecipherable eyes. Yours widen; mouth slightly agape at the ready to spill a litany of apologies. 

However, the sound of the tarp fluttering was enough to break the spell that enchants you both. 

Scurrying from his hold and to your feet was surprisingly easy, given how hard it was for you to pull him away with all the strength you could muster just a minute before.

A new figure steps into the closed canopy, but you don’t dare bare your face freely to meet their scathing gaze. Instead, you hurriedly take the pitcher you came in with and take your leave promptly. 

König must have let you, for you did not hear any protest coming from his end.

Taking forceful steps away from the tent, the tears that you fight to hold back suddenly come breaching at your waterline and down your cheeks. Angrily swiping them with the back of your hand, you twist your face and tightly purse your lips, terrified a sudden sob would escape. 

No—you do not want to make this real. Not yet. Only when you’re in the safety of your own self would you then collapse down to the floor, wailing pathetically like a banshee howling in the dead of the night—only then would it become real. 

At that moment you renounce him vehemently. You renounce your sympathies for the seemingly pitiful man who hails beyond the mountains. You renounce his harmless disposition and any vestige of kindness you thought he might hold. 

From now, König has now become the monster everyone says he is.

[peachypede]

Creation Day

Father's day thing for Ratchet with my oc. This is pre-war so Ratchet is a bit softer. My au Ratchet is a combination of many different Ratchets. IV is a forged Cybertronian made by him and this is the day she gets turned online. All fluff here.

The ceiling is red, blue, and yellow in a simple dotted pattern. 

Pretty.

She lifts a servo up, as if attempting to touch the colors.

“Ep, ep, ep! No moving yet!” The sharp voice startles her, causing her pull back her servo immediately. There’s a larger mech, red and white with a stern face, beside her berth. He moves closer to gently put her servo down beside her on the berth where it had been before she came online. His servo then comes to rest on the top of her helm, gentle and reassuring. There is a computer in front of him that he types into. “You just turned online today. We need to calibrate you properly. Make sure I did everything right…”

She knows him despite never really meeting him. He’s Ratchet, one of the most proficient doctors on Cybertron, but her coding tells her the most important thing about him to her is that he’s her creator. 

And he loves her. 

“Hello.” She says as she smiles up at him with bright blue eyes. The pupils of them white like little stars. It earns the first of many gentle smiles she receives from her creator.

“Hello, my little starlight.” He chuckles, rubbing her helm. “I’m glad your voice box is working properly.”

She blinks.

“Is Starlight my name?” 

“No, no.” Ratchet is chuckling again. “Your name is IV.”

“IV…and I am a medical assistant!”

“Yes, you are. For your formative years, at least. After that, who knows. Maybe further schooling...” He types a bit more on his computer. IV realizes she has sensors all over her frame and innately she knows these are for taking medical readings. “You have a systolic pressure of 180…sparkthrum is 30 cycles per minute…”

“Those are normal readings for a bot my size.” 

“Yes, they are. Good. Your programmed knowledge is working.”

IV beams, happy to gain his praise. 

“Now you can move a bit. Lift your helm up and down, please.”

The new forgeling does so, nodding her helm against the berth.

“Good. Now lift your servos…”

They go on. Meticulously. Step by step. Ratchet is thorough in testing if her systems run well and IV is happy to follow every order. The ceiling is those colors and patterns for a reason she finds out. A way to properly calibrate her optics with introducing her to various different colors as the first thing she sees. 

Once her optics, arms, servos, legs, and pedes are all checked for proper movement, Ratchet begins to take off her medical sensors and prompts her to sit up in the berth.

“Careful now. If everything is correct, and it should be, then you should be able to walk with no trouble at all.” 

Her creator holds out his servos, expectant, and IV places hers in them. They’re big and warm compared to hers. The sensitive pads on her palm and digits detect textures of worn metal in them. His servos are the first thing she’s ever properly felt other than the berth and she is distracted. The smaller digits trace the worn textures and find tiny dents. Her creator is an older mech, worn down by time, and it’s her first realization of age as well. Strange, new, and fascinating. 

Ratchet can’t help but gaze fondly down at his creation, also distracted by the curiosity she takes in his servos. Cycles of work, all of the free time he had off, all poured into his creation before him that was finally moving and exploring the world. Her creation day. A day he had been looking forward to for a long, long time.

He gently closes his digits around her servos. This gains her attention as she looks up at him.

“First steps. Come on.” He’s excited. Anticipation made him rush the moment a bit. His internal camera is waiting to take the pictures, even though he already had taken multiple of her first smiles. 

He begins to help her pull away from the berth. Her pedes touch the floor and she’s slightly shaky but her systems calibrate and she begins to walk. The larger medbot lets go of her for a bit, she stumbles slightly but re-calibrates again and she walks normally once more. 

IV grins and laughs and does a small spin.

“Careful! We’re not doing anything special here!” Ratchet can’t help but laugh as well, grabbing onto her before she was about to attempt to run. He hugs her tightly and she returns it, her face nuzzling against his chassis. He hums and rests his chin on the top of her helm. 

His sparkling is perfect.

[boaillustration]

The Artisul team was kind enough to send me their Artisul D16 display tablet to review! Timelapse and review can be found under the read more.

I have been using the same model of display tablet for over 10 years now (a Wacom Cintiq 22HD) and feel like I might be set in my ways, so getting the chance to try a different brand of display tablet was also a new experience for me!

The Unboxing 

The tablet arrived in high-quality packaging with enough protection that none of the components get scratched or banged up in the shipping process. I was pleasantly surprised that additionally to the tablet, pen, stand, cables and nibs it also included a smudge guard glove and a pen case. 

The stand is very light-weight and I was at first worried that it would not be able to hold up the tablet safely, but it held up really well. I appreciated that it offered steeper levels of inclination for the tablet, since I have seen plenty other display tablets who don’t offer that level of ergonomics for artists. My only gripe is that you can’t anchor the tablet to the stand. It will rest on the stand and can be easily taken on or off, but that also means that you can bump into it and dislodge it from the stand if you aren’t careful. It would require significant force, but as a cat owner, I know that a scenario like that is more likely than I’d like.

Another thing I noticed is how light the tablet is in comparison to my Cintiq. Granted, my Cintiq is larger (22 inches vs the 15.8 inches of the Artisul D16), but the Artisul D16 comes in at about 1.5kg of weight. While I don’t consider display tablets that require a PC and an outlet to work really portable, it would be a lot easier to move with the Artisul D16 from one space to another. In comparison, my Cintiq weighs in at a proud 8.5kg, making it a chore to move around. I have it hooked up to a monitor stand to be able to move it more easily across my desk.

The Setup

The setup of the tablet was quick as well, with only minor hiccups. The drivers installed quickly and basic setup was done in a matter of minutes. That doesn’t mean it came without issues: the cursor vanished as soon as I hovered over the driver window, making it a guessing game where I would be clicking and the pen calibration refused to work on the tablet screen and instead always defaulted to my regular screen. I ended up using the out of the box pen calibration for my test drawing which worked well enough.

The tablet comes with customizable hot-keys that you can reassign in the driver software. I did not end up using the hot-keys, since I use a Razer Tartarus for all my shortcuts, but I did play around with them to get a feel for them. The zoom wheel had a very satisfying haptic feel to it which I really enjoyed, and as far as I could tell, you can map a lot of shortcuts to the buttons, including with modifier keys like ctrl, shift, alt and the win key. I noticed that there was no option to map numpad keys to these buttons, but I was informed by my stream viewers that very few people have a full size keyboard with a numpad anymore. 

The pen comes with two buttons as well. Unlike the hot-keys on the side of the tablet, these are barely customizable. I was only able to assign mouse clicks to them (right, left, scroll wheel click, etc) and no other hotkeys. I have the alt key mapped to my pen button on my Cintiq, enabling me to color pick with a single click of the pen. The other button is mapped to the tablet menu for easy display switches. Not having this level of customization was a bit of a bummer, but I just ended up mapping the alt key to a new button on my Razer Tartarus and moved on.

The pen had a very similar size to my Wacom pen, but was significantly lighter. It also rattled slightly when shook, but after inspection this was just the buttons clicking against the outer case and no internal issues. The pen is made from one material, a smooth plastic finish. I would have liked for there to be a rubber-like material at the grip like on the Wacom pen for better handling, but it still worked fine without it.

Despite not being able to calibrate the pen for the display tablet, the cursor offset was minimal. It took me a while at the beginning to get used to the slight difference to my current tablet, but it was easy to get used to it and I was able to smoothly ink and color with the tablet. The screen surface was very smooth, reminding me more of an iPad surface. The included smudge guard glove helped mitigate any slipping or sliding this might have caused, enabling me to draw smoothly. Like with the cursor offset, it took me a while to get used to the different pressure sensitivity of the tablet, but I adapted quickly.

So what do I think of it?

Overall, drawing felt different on this tablet, but I can easily see myself getting used to the quirks of the tablet with time. Most of the issues I had were QoL things I am used to from my existing tablet. 

But I think that’s where the most important argument for the tablet comes in: the price.

I love my Cintiq. I can do professional grade work on it and I rebought the same model after my old one got screen issues, I liked it that much. But it also costs more than a 1000 € still, even after being on the market for over 10 years (I bought it for about 1.500 € refurbished in 2014, for reference). The Artisul D16 on the other hand runs you a bit more than 200€. That is a significant price difference! I often get asked by aspiring artists what tools I use and while I am always honest with them, I also preface it by saying that they should not invest in a Cintiq if they are just starting out. They are high quality professional tools and have a price point that reflects that. You do not need these expensive tools to create art. You can get great results on a lot cheaper alternatives! I do this for a living so I can justify paying extra for the QoL upgrades the Cintiq offers me, but I have no illusion that they are an accessible tool for most people. 

I can recommend the Artisul D16 as a beginner screen tablet for people who are just getting into art or want to try a display tablet for once. I wouldn’t give up my Cintiq for it, but I can appreciate the value it offers for the competitive price point. If you want to get an Artisul D16 for yourself, you can click this link to check out their shop!

AMAZON.US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TQLGC81

AMAZON.JP: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07T6ZT84V

AMAZON.MX: https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B07T6ZT84V

Once again thank you to the Artisul team for giving me the opportunity to review their display tablet!

[forbadorb]

Guess who has a new setup?

As a reward to myself for graduating today with two semesters in a row of straight As, I bought some used equipment to finally take part in galaxy season! Namely, a 2009 Orion EQ-G mount and 2008 Orion 8" f/5 newtonian OTA.

It's not the strainwave I was hoping for but it has a much higher weight capacity compared to the AVX, and this one has already been hyper tuned. The previous owner said he regularly got between 0.4 and 0.7 RMS guiding depending on seeing conditions. I haven't been able to test this quite yet because it seems that I need to lower my OAG for it to be within the imaging circle of this telescope.

As for the telescope itself, it's lovely, if quite heavy. I still need to perfect the collimation, but I'll borrow a Cheshire eyepiece from my professor for that. Otherwise, I only need to replace the focuser so that I can mount my EAF.

My first test target was M81, for which I took 51x30s at 100 gain and -15C

My second target was M101, for which I took 85x30s of exposure at the same gain and temperature.

These images honestly came out remarkably well considering that they are such short subs(due to lack of guiding), using the wrong calibration frames, and not even an hour each of exposure.

Unfortunately, the coma corrector is old as well and likely not designed for the size of modern sensors like the IMX533, so in subs, there is significant coma and vignetting at the edges, which is also likely why my OAG has been useless so far. At least since I plan to use this for galaxies, none of my targets should fill the frame more than M81, so the prism intruding on the already small imaging circle shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Overall, I'm very happy to finally be out again doing this! I missed imaging so so much but there was simply nothing to capture with my 490mm refractor, so this 1000mm reflector will be perfect for some of the larger galaxies this season and perhaps planetary nebulae later in the year. Clear skies, y'all!

[thelostgirl21]

Okay, I felt like this post (by @panur & @underthebluerain) deserved some visuals, so people could really understand and truly appreciate just how dramatic the difference in body sizes and shapes between these two gorgeous, absolutely lovely men, is!

And just how skilled the costume design team is, on the show, when it comes to giving the illusion that a character is much smaller (in Jaskier's case) or much larger (in Radovid's case), than their actors actually are.

There was an incredible post, a while back, that really explained how those wizards work their magic!

And it's utterly fascinating!!! Seriously, if you haven't read all of that yet, I highly suggest you go and take a look!

But yeah, when you look at the way their clothes have been designed this season, there's definitely been some attempt to make Jaskier look generally smaller than Joey Batey really is, while making Radovid look generally bigger than Hugh Skinner really is, too.

A few examples (with my extremely humble interpretation / things that have grabbed my eye when I look at their costumes. Please bear in mind that I am but an humble fan with no experience in costume design, so there's probably tons of stuff I've missed, and/or I might have misinterpreted some of those designers' intent):

Then, of course, there's Radovid's cloak that just... triples his size or something!

So, when you look at them side by side with their clothes on (even without the cloak), there really doesn't seem to be such a huge difference in body size and shape between the two.

Why are they so pretty though?

Like yeah, you do get the sense that Radovid might be a bit leaner, and that he has a longer torso, perhaps, but it's not THAT dramatic of a difference...

As soon as you get them out of their costumes, however...

On that last gif, you can really see that Joey's roughly the same height as Henry Cavill, and get the sense that he'd probably fit really well in a Witcher's armor, too!

Technically, their heights are listed as: - Henry Cavill: 1,85cm (6 ft 7/8 in) - Hugh Skinner: 1,83cm (6 ft) - Joey Batey 1,82cm (5 ft 11 5/8 in)

So, Joey's like 1 1/8" smaller than Henry and 3/8" smaller than Hugh.

Since I'm ½" taller than my own partner and virtually never realize it, I doubt they'd notice that 3/8" difference between them.

But yeah, one of the really funny "side effects" of costume designers being so good at their job is when you somehow manage to forget about it while watching the show and then this happens:

and your brain needs a moment to re-calibrate its settings because you're like "Right! Buff bard! Right... 6 feet tall really strong looking damsel in distress that keeps complaining Geralt could break him like a twig, when it would be something closer to splitting a log!"

Makes you wonder if people in Jaskier's family are just... naturally muscular or something (lots of fast-twitch muscle fibers?!)?

Because, while Joey is apparently into climbing, kick boxing, swimming, fencing, medieval sword fighting, etc.

Jaskier complained about needing to walk down the path of a mountain on his own, because his fancy boots kept sliding.

He does a lot of traveling and walking, sure... But that doesn't really help you develop your upper body / pectorals / arms, etc. in such a way!

Unless he just... likes the way those muscles aesthetically look on him?

You know, I really wouldn't put it past him, now that I think about it...

Over the years, Jaskier has just developed his very own calisthenics workout routine to build and maintain his looks, but feels the need to hide it.

Because "body fitness" is not exactly a popular discipline on the Continent at that time.

People tend to train to learn how to fight, or develop muscle mass while working the land or their craft, not because "they like the way those muscles look on them when taking their clothes off!"

So, Jaskier wears clothes that hide his actual body shape, since he's afraid that, if people saw and noticed how built he really is, then they'd just assume he knows how to fight and defend himself, when he doesn't.

People might stop shoving him out of harm's way, pulling him behind them to stand between him and the danger, coming to his rescue, etc.

And, since Jaskier's whole ongoing survival sort of depends on people spontaneously stepping in to save his sorry arse, well...

In the bedroom, however, the added bit of upper body strength and endurance does wonder when you want to be able to fuck someone against a wall while keeping their feet off the ground (for example).

Being able to lift and carry more than your own weight definitely has its advantages...

As Radovid has no doubt found out...

And, if the prince turned out to be a bit lighter and easier to carry around than Jaskier was initially expecting him to be, you definitely won't hear him complaining, either!

Although, I must admit that part of me also likes the idea that they might have been able to accurately "size each other up", so to speak.

Radovid's just there looking at all the lines and proportions on Jaskier's pants and shirt, while figuring out where his shoulders and arms actually stop underneath; being both fascinated by the actual size of Jaskier's body, and the choice of clothing design that's making him look much smaller than he appears to be (if his calculations are, indeed, correct)...

While Jaskier's just looking at all those layers covering Radovid, while attempting to get a rough estimate of the total naked weight underneath, and for how long he could keep him lifted... Hypothetically... For science...

But even there, there's a huge difference between knowing those clothes are playing with your perceptions and briefly getting a mental glimpse of what you think might be closer to the truth... And actually gazing upon or getting your hands all over said truth!

Because sincerely, no amount of me trying to look at this while attempting to make abstraction of the whole illusion created by the clothing design:

is successfully going to be able to make me see this:

Hence why I tend to forget about it, and need a moment to re-calibrate almost every single time Jaskier winds up getting shirtless!

Seriously, just look at the bottom gif of him shirtless, then at the top where he's got his clothes on a few times, one after the other, and try to tell me that you're able to visualize where all of that body at the bottom is managing to fit in there at the top!

It's like part of it literally went missing!

So, even if Radovid had managed to guess that Jaskier was a lot buffer than his choice of clothing was letting on, and vice versa, I'm thinking they'd still have been in for quite a bit of a surprise when they actually got each other's clothes removed!

Therefore, that headcanon would still work, regardless of Jaskier and Radovid having guessed that each of them used their clothes to make themselves appear less threatening, or more imposing than they really are.

[zephyrrhiesfyrian]

Jdjfjskdjgj what if in a transformers pokemon au Ingo was also a train but after getting sent to Earth his alt mode is now a giant version of this weird little creature he found (Lady Sneasler)? And he gets stuck like that because hello, he don't remember shit so why would he remember he's a train. Now Emmet has to convince his brother to leave his silly squishies and reembrace the wonderfulness of trains since Hisui don't got trains.

Just the size diff between Lady Sneasler and Ingo, she can fit in his palm but scold him like she's his mom. The alpha steelix is his pet worm now. Or fucks him up like that huge worm thing in one of the transformers movies. Wasn't it the one eye dude's pet?

OMGGGGGG

Alternatively!!! Ingo's alt could be an Alpha Steelix because of general shape similarity and whatnot. Ingo and Emmet are also definitely on the larger side for mecha (trains are, y'know, generally pretty large) but they aren't the entire train. I don't know a whole lot about trains, but I would tentatively say that their alts are both an engine and a singular secondary car, the frame of which becomes their coat in root (robot) mode.

I imagine that Ingo gets found by Lady Sneasler and because she's the first creature he meets and she seems intelligent, he just assumes she's part of the dominant species and calibrates his translation programs to start interpreting her sounds and behaviors. He probably tries to scan her as an altmode though, even if it doesn't end up sticking.

He ends up scanning a Steelix and using it as an altmode (slithering is a little weird but it's better than trying to use his wheels without tracks) and just sorta vibes in the Highlands for a while.

And then he sees humans and he's just :0

tiny mechs???? squishy organic mechs?????

He probably watches them from afar for a while before attempting to interact, since they do speak a language that isn't the kind of communication that Lady Sneasler employs and also they are tiny and weirdly mech shaped. Cut to Ingo becoming a member of the Pearl Clan via his holomatter avatar (for non tf folks, this is a tactile hologram that can be programmed to resemble anything and be a wide variety of sizes, so mechs use it to disguise themselves as humans) with the excuse that he doesn't remember his past (he doesn't know enough about the culture to form a backstory) and he's weirdly good with pokemon (he can practically speak to them at this point).

The Pearl Clan eventually get used to his weirdnesses but the Diamond Clan still sees him as that weird mountain man with the terrifyingly huge Alpha Steelix.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Astronomers tune into the music of a nearby star to unlock a surprising discovery

Astronomers using W. M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea, Hawaiʻi Island have listened to the music of a nearby star, uncovering surprises that shake our understanding of how stars work.

The study used Keck Observatory's latest cutting-edge instrument, the Keck Planet Finder (KPF), to detect oscillations rippling through a star. The findings, published today in the The Astrophysical Journal, open a new window into the interiors of stars that were once thought too quiet to probe.

A stellar symphony

Although we cannot directly hear them with our own ears, stars are not silent. Like musical instruments, stars resonate with natural frequencies that astronomers can "hear" with the right tools. This field of research—known as asteroseismology—allows scientists to use these frequencies to probe the interiors of stars, just as earthquakes help scientists learn about Earth's interior.

"The vibrations of a star are like its unique song," said Yaguang Li, lead author and researcher at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. "By listening to those oscillations, we can precisely determine how massive a star is, how large it is, and how old it is."

Until now, "stellar songs" had mostly been recorded from stars hotter than the sun, using NASA space telescopes like Kepler and TESS. But the oscillations of HD 219134—a cooler, orange-colored star just 21 light-years away—are too subtle to pick up using brightness variations that are probed by space-based telescopes.

Keck Observatory's KPF instrument precisely measures the motion of the stellar surface toward and away from the observer. Over four consecutive nights, the team used KPF to collect over 2,000 ultra-precise velocity measurements of the star—enabling them to catch the star's vibrations in action. This is the first asteroseismic inference of the age and radius for a cool star using KPF.

"KPF's fast readout mode makes it perfectly suited for detecting oscillations in cool stars," added Li, "and it is the only spectrograph on Mauna Kea currently capable of making this type of discovery."

A 10-billion-year-old time capsule

Using the oscillations detected in HD 219134, the team determined its age to be 10.2 billion years, more than twice the age of our sun. This makes it one of the oldest main-sequence stars with an age determined using asteroseismology.

This measurement is more than just a curiosity—it has major implications for how we understand stellar aging. Astronomers use a method called gyrochronology to estimate stellar ages based on how quickly they spin. Young stars rotate rapidly, but they gradually slow down as they lose angular momentum over time—much like spinning tops that wind down.

But something curious happens with stars like HD 219134: their spin-down seems to stall at older ages. The new asteroseismic age allows scientists to anchor models at the old end of the stellar timeline, helping to refine how we estimate the ages of countless other stars.

"This is like finding a long-lost tuning fork for stellar clocks," said Dr. Yaguang Li. "It gives us a reference point to calibrate how stars spin down over billions of years."

A puzzle in the star's size

Surprisingly, the team also discovered that HD 219134 appears smaller than expected. While other measurements using interferometry—a technique that measures a star's size by observing it with multiple telescopes—gave a radius about 4% larger, the asteroseismic measurement suggests a more compact star.

This difference is puzzling and challenges assumptions in stellar modeling—especially for cooler stars like HD 219134. Whether the discrepancy is due to unrecognized atmospheric effects, magnetic fields, or deeper modeling issues remains an open question.

The star HD 219134 is not alone—it hosts a family of at least five planets, including two rocky, super-Earth-sized worlds that transit across the star's face. With a more precise measurement of the star's size, the team was able to refine the sizes and densities of these planets. Their updated values confirm that these worlds likely have Earth-like compositions, with solid, rocky surfaces.

Stellar sounds and the search for life

Instruments like the Keck Planet Finder will enable measurements for other stars like HD 219134, which will become the focus for searching for life on other planets in the coming decades using future NASA Missions such as the Habitable Worlds Observatory.

"When we find life on another planet, we will want to know how old that life is." said Dr. Daniel Huber, a co-author on the study. "Listening to the sounds of its star will tell us the answer."

IMAGE: Credit: Gabriel Perez Diaz/Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias/W. M. Keck Observatory

[wangxianficfinder]

I saw a link to Wattpad, and I have to ask if there's any way to download epubs for offline viewing there, like on AO3. Failing that, is there any way I could change display a bit? Larger font, darkmode, anything? (In before I create an account only to find I can't)

I don't personally use Wattpad so I'm not familiar with it but perhaps someone else here does 😊

~Mod L

--

evadingreallife said: Idk about wattpad specifics, but failing that, font size and dark mode are usually customizable in your browser settings and/or phone settings too

mayuchi96 said: Dm me the link for the wattpad story. I could try to download it for you

the-sleepy-archivist said: Yeah Calibre with the FanFicFare plugin can do this. Check my pinned post for a link to a guide on setting it up. Takes a bit of work but once it’s set up you can easily download fics from hundreds of websites and build your own fic library that never goes offline or gets deleted

[nicolebellshares]

Choosing the Right Microphones for Business Meetings

In today's fast-paced business environment, effective communication is paramount. Whether it's a team meeting, client presentation, or a virtual conference, the clarity of audio plays a crucial role in ensuring messages are conveyed accurately. Investing in high-quality microphones and professional conference room microphone installation can significantly enhance the efficiency and professionalism of your meetings.

Types of Microphones Suitable for Conference Rooms

Selecting the appropriate microphone type is the first step toward achieving optimal audio quality in your conference room. Here are the primary options:

1. Ceiling Microphones

Ceiling microphones are mounted overhead, providing a clutter-free table surface and a clean aesthetic. They are ideal for rooms where table space is limited or where a minimalist design is preferred. Ceiling microphones can capture audio from all participants without the need for individual microphones.

2. Tabletop Microphones

Tabletop microphones are placed directly on the conference table, close to the participants. They are known for delivering high-quality audio due to their proximity to the speakers. These microphones are suitable for smaller rooms or meetings with a limited number of participants.

3. Wireless Microphones

Wireless microphones offer flexibility and mobility, allowing speakers to move freely around the room without being tethered by cables. They are ideal for dynamic presentations or interactive sessions where participants may need to stand or move during discussions.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Microphones

When selecting microphones for your conference room, consider the following factors to ensure optimal performance:

1. Room Size and Acoustics

The size and acoustic properties of your conference room significantly influence microphone selection. Larger rooms may require microphones with broader pickup patterns or multiple units to cover the entire space. Additionally, rooms with hard surfaces may cause echo or reverberation, necessitating microphones with noise-canceling features.

2. Integration with Existing AV Systems

Ensure that the chosen microphones are compatible with your existing audio-visual (AV) systems. Seamless integration minimizes technical issues and ensures a smooth user experience. It's advisable to consult with AV professionals to assess compatibility and integration requirements.

3. Budget Constraints

While it's essential to invest in quality equipment, it's equally important to consider your budget. Evaluate the cost-benefit ratio of different microphone options and choose solutions that offer the best value without compromising on essential features.

Importance of Professional Installation for Optimal Performance

Professional conference room microphone installation is critical to achieving the best audio quality and system reliability. Here's why:

Optimal Placement: AV professionals can determine the best microphone placement to capture audio effectively while minimizing background noise and feedback.

System Calibration: Experts can calibrate the microphones and integrate them with your existing AV systems, ensuring balanced audio levels and consistent performance.

Technical Support: Professional installers provide ongoing support and maintenance, addressing any issues promptly and minimizing downtime.

Compliance and Safety: Certified installers ensure that all equipment meets industry standards and safety regulations, reducing liability risks.

Conclusion

Selecting the right microphones and ensuring professional conference room microphone installation are vital steps toward enhancing communication in your business meetings. By considering factors such as room size, acoustics, system integration, and budget, you can choose the most suitable microphone solutions. Engaging AV professionals for installation not only guarantees optimal performance but also provides ongoing support and peace of mind.

Investing in quality audio solutions reflects your commitment to effective communication and professionalism, ultimately contributing to the success of your business operations.

[doctorguilty]

After test driving the first screen tablet I got, as much as I liked all the doors it opened for me, the display being relatively small (smaller than my laptop screen) was causing some eyestrain. I was on the fence about keeping it and dealing with that, or trying a larger size.. I found a larger size from a different brand and the price on sale wasn't too much more money than what I paid for the smaller one, so I decided fuck it, I'll try the big one and charge both to my card and return one of them before the card payment

But wow this thing is HUGE in person, the display BIGGER than my laptop.. and it's more sophisticated than the other tablet!! More buttons, a scrolling wheel, MUCH better UI for tablet settings and options, the calibration is INSANE like hardly any discrepancy where the stylus tip meets the screen, hardly any lag.. the driver runs better on my computer too.

It's so much more sophisticated in fact old ass SAI v1 doesn't recognize it naturally (I believe I could fix the issue manually), but SAI v2 does no problem, and it's about time I stopped being "if it ain't broken don't fix it" about the program and switch over.

As long as it continues functioning well testing it out, I will be deciding on this one.. I'm just in love with it.. and the size (combo'd with it being a screen display in and of itself) is like, I don't even have to sit up fully in bed to use it, which is great for my chronically ill ass .. though it also came with a sturdy metal stand!!

I called the smaller one a poor man's cintiq but this ugee thing here actually feels like one *_* and not nearly as expensive

I had too much of a headache last night to do any actual test drawings but .. maybe tonight ><

[moonlight-tmd]

The fact that the autobots managed to somehow reformat WF!Bee into being the size of his forearm got me🧍‍♂️

But it also made me think of what if Bee was a load-bearer instead. In case you don’t know what that is, the basic premise of it is a small bot capable of dawning armor many times their size, making them look bigger than they are. Example, here’s Minimus (the green bot), and the Magnus armor he wears (the upgraded version) with Rodimus for reference.

Load-bearers don’t exist in tfa universe, so idk if the bearer counts as a WF or a CF, but small Warframes exist to so I think it still works. Also Bee could construct his own giant armor with his skill.

And Blitz gets the best of both worlds with tiny and big Bee lol

lol, yeah. My idea is that his spark is many times larger than what a bot his size would have. Which does make Ratchet a bit concerned cuz he never seen a bot with a Spark bigger/smaller than their frame proportions, unless it was a reformatted transformer. So he does suspect Bee was reformatted at some point. I realize now that saying he's got a big Spark(as in he's kind) would be both figurative and literal X3

If we go the route of Bee just doing upgrades on his small frame and not the one where he gets reforged by the Allspark, then yeah, i can see Bee constructing a big armor suit to feel like he's back in his original frame, with Ratchet's help ofc cuz this all needs to be calibrated to respond to his systems n such. It's a bit thinner than his old frame but just as sturdy.

Bee can switch between being tiny and huge. Need to go get some stuff from the local shop? Tiny Bot in action. Have to carry and smelt all the iron bars for something? Big Boi Mode active. It throws everyone who visits the shop regularly for a loop cuz they never know if he's gonna be tiny or twice their size.

I think Bee would have a bunch of upgrades for his frame after he gets his business going on earth. He will fly, swim on water, have big fighting armor and more. This guy has it all.

Tho i prefer the ressurection/reforged by the Allspark route, this option is also cool. I like the idea of him rising from the ashes(scrap) like a phoenix.

And yes, Blitzwing is very happy with both. He can hold his Conjunx close to his Spark and wrap his arms around him completely and Bee can carry Blitz again with the armor suit.

[printprizm3d]

Mastering the Art of 3D Scanning: Tips and Tricks for Optimal Results

3D scanning technology has revolutionized various industries, from e-commerce to healthcare. By capturing the physical world in digital form, 3D scanners offer unparalleled precision and detail. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this guide provides essential tips and tricks for mastering 3D scanning.

Understanding 3D Scanners

Before diving into tips, it's crucial to understand the types of 3D scanners available:

Laser Scanners: Use laser beams to measure the distance between the scanner and the object. They are highly accurate and ideal for detailed scans.

Structured Light Scanners: Project a pattern of light onto the object and capture the deformation of the pattern to create a 3D model. They are fast and suitable for a variety of surfaces.

Photogrammetry: Uses photographs from different angles to create a 3D model. This method is cost-effective but requires good lighting and a high-quality camera.

Contact Scanners: Physically touch the object to measure its dimensions. These are less common but very precise.

Tips and Tricks for Effective 3D Scanning

1. Choose the Right Scanner

Selecting the appropriate scanner for your needs is the first step. Consider factors like the object's size, required precision, surface texture, and budget. For instance, laser scanners are excellent for intricate details, while structured light scanners are better for larger objects.

2. Prepare the Object

Proper preparation of the object ensures a smoother scanning process:

Clean the Surface: Dust and dirt can interfere with the scan quality.

Apply Matting Spray: For shiny or reflective surfaces, use a matting spray to reduce glare and improve scan accuracy.

Stabilize the Object: Ensure the object is stable and won't move during scanning.

3. Optimal Lighting

Good lighting is crucial for photogrammetry and structured light scanners. Use diffuse lighting to minimize shadows and reflections. Avoid direct sunlight or harsh lighting, which can create unwanted glare.

4. Correct Positioning

Positioning the scanner and the object correctly is vital:

Maintain a Steady Distance: Keep a consistent distance between the scanner and the object.

Multiple Angles: Capture multiple angles to ensure all parts of the object are scanned. This is particularly important for photogrammetry.

5. Calibration and Testing

Regularly calibrate your scanner to maintain accuracy. Conduct test scans to ensure settings are optimal. Adjust the scanner's resolution and speed based on the object's complexity and desired detail level.

6. Use High-Quality Software

Post-processing software is as important as the scanner itself. Use reputable software to refine the scanned model, remove noise, and fill in any gaps. Some popular software options include:

MeshLab: Free and open-source, great for editing and processing 3D scans.

Blender: Powerful, free software with extensive features for 3D modeling.

Geomagic: Professional-grade software with advanced editing capabilities.

7. Patience and Practice

3D scanning is an art that requires patience and practice. Don’t be discouraged by initial failures. Experiment with different settings, angles, and techniques to improve your skills.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Problem: Incomplete Scans

Solution: Re-scan missing parts from different angles and merge the scans using software.

Problem: Poor Surface Detail

Solution: Increase the scanner's resolution or use a different scanning method.

Problem: Excessive Noise in the Scan

Solution: Use software tools to clean up the noise and smooth the model.

Advanced Tips

Use Turntables

For smaller objects, use a turntable to rotate the object smoothly during scanning. This ensures consistent coverage and saves time.

Leverage Markers

Place markers around the object to help the scanner track its position accurately, especially useful in large or complex scans.

Combine Scanning Methods

For comprehensive results, combine different scanning methods. For example, use a structured light scanner for the object's overall shape and a laser scanner for fine details.

Conclusion

Mastering 3D scanning involves selecting the right equipment, preparing adequately, and refining your technique through practice. By following these tips and tricks, you'll achieve high-quality 3D scans that can enhance your projects and applications. Remember, the key to success in 3D scanning lies in patience, experimentation, and continuous learning. Happy scanning!

[asstrongasyouthink]

If you feel like it, I'd love to hear the story of a time a cow tried to romance you! In return I can offer a story of the time an emu tried to romance me, if that's of interest.

so as stories go it's not that exciting (i think? historically im awful at calibrating how my humorous anecdotes will land)

but i was 19 years old, i weighed a buck ten soaking wet, and i was interning at farm along with 2 other interns, both much larger and stronger than me--one over six foot and 2-3x my general mass--plus of course the actual farmer. i was surrounded by big men is what im saying. and there was the cow, rosepetal, absolutely delightful and typically well behaved and placid, who we (the interns) had to take on walks pretty often because the farm in question had a lot more pasture than fence

so i was walking rosepetal on her rope lead down this muddy windy mountain path to get to the grass in the bottoms (the part of the holler by the crick (well it's a branch down there but theyre cricks where i'm from)) when suddenly i am very heading towards the ground and a cow which is ~8-10x my size is on top of me. most amorously.

so one of the other interns (my boyfriend as it happened) grabbed the rope from me and managed to lead her away while i managed to roll off the road and as soon as i got over my shellshock* i immediately began crowing about i was more virile and bull like than any other man on the farm

*3 days, during which the boyfriend in question was the sweetest he's ever been probably in his whole life

[internationalicon]

How to Print a Digital Download from Etsy

The whole downloaded-file-to-framed-print-on-your-wall process breaks down like this:

- Save the file you purchased to your computer or thumbdrive.

- Take the file to a job printer and get it printed to the size you want.

- Take the printed file to a framer, and have it framed so it fits your décor.

Digital files are often much, much cheaper on Etsy than buying their physical item counterparts. Plus, when you buy a digital file, you can finetune it to the exact size you want for your own wall.  And once it’s printed, you can also choose the exact framing and matting combination you want.

Now, the details:

You were on Etsy or an artist’s website, and you fell in love with an image.  Perfect for your wall, but you’re not sure how the whole printing thing works.

Not to worry!  Lots of people use printable downloads every day for party decorations, invites, or coloring pages for kids (using their own home printer, if they have one), or for higher quality prestige printing for smashing wall art.  The following is a list of steps for accessing your digital downloads, and how to turn them into art you’ll be proud to see on your wall.

So, what’s a digital download, or ‘printable’?  It’s not a physical object; it’s an image file, in the form of 1s and 0s, saved on your computer or a thumbdrive.  You bought it, you keep it, and you can always print it, as many times as you like.  You can copy the file to two or three locations, so you don’t lose it.

Digital downloads come in various formats, including PDF, JPG, PNG, SVG, EPS, and more. Each type of file depends on what you need to use it for and how you are going to print it.  Printing services will specify which formats they need.

Etsy places the file to your account in the orders section and you can download it on a desktop.  They’ll also send you an email with a link to it.

Or, log into your account and click on “Purchases and Reviews.” Find the button that says “Download Files”.  If you run into troubles, there’s a Help page.  (Remember, you can’t access your digital download file through the mobile Etsy app.)

Now that it’s downloaded, you can open your file, just to check whether you have the right image at the right size.  You’ll need to use the right software. 

.bmp (Microsoft Windows Photos, Apple Preview or Apple Photos, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW)

.doc (Microsoft Word)

.gif (Microsoft Windows Photos, Apple Preview or Apple Photos, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW)

.jpeg (Microsoft Windows Photos, Apple Preview or Apple Photos, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW)

.jpg (Microsoft Windows Photos, Apple Preview or Apple Photos, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW)

.mobi (Calibre, Stanza, Sumatra PDF, Mobi File Reader, popular eReaders)

.mov (QuickTime, iTunes)

.mp3 (Windows Media Player or iTunes)

.mpeg (Windows Media Player, QuickTime)

.pdf (Adobe Acrobat Reader, Most Internet Browsers)

.png (Microsoft Windows Photos, Apple Preview or Apple Photos, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW)

.psp (Corel PaintShop Pro, Adobe Photoshop, ACD Systems Canvas)

.rtf (Microsoft Word, WordPad)

.stl (AutoDesk Viewer, Microsoft 3D Viewer, Microsoft Print 3D, ShareCAD)

.txt (Windows NotePad, TextEdit on Mac)

.zip (Usually, you can unzip a .zip file with any computer.)

.ePUB (Various eReaders)

.iBook (Internet browser or Apple iBooks)

You can print image files on home printers. This is great for low-resolution art up to 8.5” x 11”, like recipes, or sewing instructions.  The downside here is that the print will only be as good as the printer itself.  For larger wall art, the best move is to take your file to a professional printshop.

This can be done online, or it can be done in person. Local Walgreens and Costcos are often quite good.  You can upload your saved image file to them using their official website, and just pick up your image, printed the size you specify, on the paper you choose, the next time you’re in the neighborhood.  There are also online choices like Shutterfly or Vistaprint, who will ship you your prints in the mail.

You’ve got your print, and you love it.  But it’s just a big piece of paper right now; what about framing?  One easy option is to select a standard sized frame, mat and glass available at the local stores or mall shops, and insert your new print yourself.  Or maybe your print deserves first-cabin treatment, and you’ll want to check out the local frame shop for the right frame, matting and glass.  Either way, totally legit.  Then just hang it on the wall, and enjoy.

And that’s the whole process. Before you buy a digital download, you should check a couple of things:

- Be sure you have the software you’ll need to open the download at home, or be sure you know where online to find a site that will open the image (such as Photopea.com, for opening a layered .psd file, if you don’t happen to have Photoshop on your own machine).

- Be sure you understand the optimum print size of the download and its aspect ratio.  Artists generally will inform you that their image will look best at a certain size, say, 24” x 18”.  Printing it larger will seem overblown, with visible pixellation; printing it smaller will cause it to lose detail.

In other words, make sure the digital download fits your needs before you buy.

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