#data logging software

[bangjiazheng]

About the use of network.

Note:Just as I was about to log out(at about 27.09.2024 23.32), my network connection software was disconnected and malfunctioned, and it was restored just a few minutes later.

Need more test.If necessary,I will trace and find out the reason why. If there is virus or hackers that attacked my computer,and stealed my data,I will feedback my computer datas to anti-virus companise,Let their engineers help me to find out the reason and deal with it.

Bangjia Zheng Specially Recording.

27.09.2024 evening and 28.09.2024 early morning.

[seozelenka]

Industrial Alarm Management Application

[ralfmaximus]

beginning in at least 2014 infotainment systems in the company’s vehicles began downloading and storing a copy of all text messages on smartphones when they were connected to the system. An Annapolis, Maryland-based company, Berla Corporation, provides the technology to some car manufacturers but does not offer it to the general public, the lawsuit said. Once messages are downloaded, Berla’s software makes it impossible for vehicle owners to access their communications and call logs but does provide law enforcement with access, the lawsuit said.

Yikes. Your car is probably keeping all your text messages and sending them to its manufacturer if you connect to your infotainment system.

The manufacturer does two things with this data:

shares it with law enforcement

sells it to advertisers for extra revenue

HOW WONDERFUL

[luetta]

i saw someone joke about robot girls as an example of kinks that are just impossible to ever be made reality, like they're completely in the land of fiction. but ... that is just not true!

you can set the mood in your room. turn off the lights but put on some little coloured purple and blue blinkers. sit her down on the edge of your bed and sit down behind her. let her eyes flutter closed since there's no reason to keep them upon in this dark, safe room. softly coo into her ears, she's been such a good robot day! doing so many tasks so efficiently! making everyone around her so happy. but, silly her, she overdid it. so you're just going to have to do a tiny bit of repair work. "will that be okay, dear?" of course it will be. she trusts you completely. you're her admin. you created her. of course she has a safeguard preventing just anyone from powering her down, but she lets you override that with no resistance. such a good girl.

press your finger into the back of her neck, and then drag it down her spine. as she powers down, glide her limp body softly onto the bed. put her feet up so she's lying down completely now. maybe hold her limbs up a bit and let them drop. yep, she's powered down now. she's not unconscious, just mental faculties are capped at 10% and body autonomy is disabled. all you have to do now is find where she's sustained some damage. trace your fingers all along her chassis, poking in with a "screwdriver" to take her outer layer off and examine the wires and joints. hmmm... oil is a bit thin. these wires are too close together, could cause sparking and overheating. goodness, your fan is dusty. you've been working so hard, haven't you? gently turn her over onto her stomach now. it's time to investigate her processing unit, her software.

make sure her arms aren't stuck underneath her. once she's all comfy, you can unscrew her entire back panel. make sure to trace your fingers all around her back and spine as you do, robot girls love that shit. the soft human touch is heavenly to a machine of metal and electricity. and such a well designed chassis too, so beautiful. but off it comes, what's underneath is even prettier! oh, even now, it's still hot to the touch. you've been thinking so much today ... you don't need to think anymore though. just let me explore you. read out her event log for the day. algorithmic neural plasticity score. joint lubricant levels. corrupted data percentage. things like that. they're like scores to her. praise her if she's gotten good ones, tease her if she's gotten bad ones.

i could write so much more and maybe i will...like roleplaying injecting a virus into her neck or chest, and feeling the code flow all down her body...your cock can even be the usb!

also, at some point lay your whole body weight onto them - arms over her arms and legs over her legs. to calibrate pressure sensors or something. bc lets face it if she's a robot girl then she is 100% a neurodivergent cutie who'd love that sm <3

[throttleheart]

⸻ ⸻ ⸻

System Error

Pairing: Max Verstappen x fem!reader

Genre: Angst, hurt/comfort, superiors being a pain in the ass

TW: panic attacks

Word Count: ~6.6k

Summary: A system error can change everything.

⸻

The paddock was winding down after a long, grueling race weekend. Mechanics were packing up, engineers hunched over tablets double-checking logs. You and Max had grabbed a quick lunch together — tucked into the corner of the hospitality suite, quiet and lowkey. It wasn’t supposed to mean anything. Just two exhausted people needing food and a moment of normalcy.

But that didn’t stop the whispers. The glances. The knowing smirks from a few teammates as you walked back into the garage together.

You tried to ignore it.

Back at your workstation, you focused in on the post-race diagnostics. Max had pushed the car hard today — telemetry showed it in the stress reports. You tapped through the data quickly, then made a tiny adjustment in the feedback delay loop on the throttle mapping software. The change was minimal, a smoothing patch that would make the car respond cleaner under fatigue next time.

Except… the system hiccupped when it compiled.

A 0.4-second glitch.

You barely saw it flash.

Then Max rolled out in the car again for a systems test lap, his visor down, the RB cranked up for one last high-speed run.

And you held your breath.

He came back into the garage ten minutes later, a scowl already on his face.

“Something’s wrong with the throttle mapping,” he muttered, tugging his gloves off. “Turn 6, the input lagged. Could’ve thrown the rear if I hadn’t caught it.”

You felt a cold sweat bloom on your back.

Before you could even speak, your superior stormed toward you — red-faced, report printouts flapping in his hand.

“Y/N,” he growled. “This was your code?”

You opened your mouth. “I— Yes, I patched the response curve, but I double-checked—”

“Double-checked?” he sneered, voice rising so everyone could hear. “Is that what you call this? A delay that could’ve sent our driver into the barrier?”

The whole garage fell silent. People turned. Mechanics slowed their movements.

Max glanced between you both, jaw tense but silent.

You took a shaky breath. “It was less than half a second—”

“In racing,” the superior barked, stepping closer, “half a second can mean death. Do you understand that?”

Your hands trembled.

He didn’t stop. “No wonder the car’s lagging. You’ve been too busy having lunch dates with our lead driver to do your damn job.”

The words hit you like a slap. Your chest tightened. People were staring. Whispers were picking up again — faster now.

You tried to respond, but it was like your voice got caught in your throat.

“Pack up your station,” he said coldly. “We’ll talk to HR in the morning. But as far as I’m concerned, you’re done.”

The world stopped spinning.

You felt like the air was being sucked out of the garage.

Max turned then, eyebrows furrowing. “What did you just say?”

But you weren’t listening anymore. Your vision was tunneling. Everything was loud— the voices, the clanging metal, the roaring blood in your ears.

You’re done.

You backed away from the workstation, heart pounding, lungs unable to catch up.

You made it out behind the garage, behind the rows of equipment crates, and dropped down to the ground. Your knees hit pavement hard, but you didn’t feel it. Your chest heaved as you tried to pull air in, but it wasn’t working.

Your mind was spiraling:

I almost got him hurt.

I messed up.

They’re right. I’m a distraction.

They’re going to fire me.

Your hands shook violently, fingers digging into your arms as you curled forward, heart slamming inside your ribs.

Then—

“Y/N!”

Max.

You heard him before you saw him — voice sharp, close, panicked.

He dropped beside you. “Hey—hey. Look at me. It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

You couldn’t speak.

“Shit,” he whispered, brushing your hair back from your face. “You’re having a panic attack.”

He moved fast — sitting behind you, pulling you gently between his knees, arms wrapping around you from behind as you fought for breath.

“Just breathe with me,” he murmured into your ear. “In. Out. That’s it. You’re okay.”

His hands held your trembling ones, guiding your breath until the storm inside your chest began to slow.

It took minutes. Long, unbearable ones. But eventually, your pulse stopped hammering so hard, and you could breathe again without gasping.

“I didn’t mean to mess up,” you croaked, voice raw. “I was careful, Max, I swear—”

“I know,” he said instantly. “I saw the data. That patch didn’t put me in danger. It was a soft glitch, nothing more.”

“But he said—”

“He was wrong.”

You looked up at him, eyes glassy. “He’s going to fire me.”

Max’s eyes darkened. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

And then he stood. You reached for him instinctively, but he squeezed your hand.

“Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

Then he turned on his heel and marched back into the garage.

This time, the garage didn’t just go silent — it held its breath.

“Oi!” Max shouted, zeroing in on your superior, his voice sharp and furious. “You said she put my life in danger. That’s a bold claim. So tell me — did you actually check the patch before you threatened her job?”

The superior blinked, caught off guard. “I—It’s a breach in safety protocol—”

“No,” Max growled. “It was a 0.4-second telemetry feedback loop skip. A glitch that you would’ve seen if you weren’t too busy playing detective about my fucking lunch schedule.”

“Verstappen, this isn’t your place—”

“It is when you humiliate someone in front of the whole team and make it about some rumor instead of the facts.”

Dead silence.

Max stepped closer, voice deadly calm now. “You don’t get to threaten her because you’re uncomfortable with her doing her job and being respected by the drivers. That patch? Didn’t put me in danger. But you just made this garage a hell of a lot more dangerous by making her the scapegoat.”

Then, a pause. A chilling one.

“I’ll be speaking to Christian about this.”

The superior paled.

Max turned and walked back out of the garage without another word.

When he found you again, he crouched beside you and offered his hand.

You took it, still shaky.

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” he said gently, helping you to your feet. “I’m sorry I didn’t speak up sooner.”

You nodded, eyes stinging. “Thank you.”

“You’re not getting fired. Not today. Not ever — not on my fucking watch.”

And this time, you didn’t care who saw when he pulled you into his arms.

⸻

The sun had dipped behind the paddock skyline, casting long shadows across the now-quiet lot. Most of the team had cleared out. The garage was locked up. The whispers were probably still alive somewhere, still circling like buzzards — but for now, the world felt still.

Max’s motorhome was dimly lit when he opened the door and motioned you inside. He hadn’t let go of your hand since you stepped out of the car. It was warm, quiet. The kind of quiet that settles after a storm but still hums with what was left unsaid.

You dropped your bag by the door and sank onto the sofa, your body too heavy. Your limbs ached from the adrenaline crash, and your chest still felt bruised from the panic earlier.

Max sat beside you, leaning forward, forearms on his knees. He glanced at you, then away, then back again.

“You haven’t said much,” he murmured. “Still stuck in your head?”

You nodded slowly. “It just keeps replaying.”

Max shifted closer, one arm resting along the back of the sofa behind you. “What part?”

“The moment he said I was done,” you said quietly. “Like I was disposable. Like one mistake made everything I’ve ever done worthless.”

He looked over sharply, his voice low but firm. “It wasn’t a mistake worth punishment. I’ve had bigger scares from software updates. What you did was smart. Efficient. Just unlucky timing.”

You shook your head. “It doesn’t matter. Not to him. Not to the people watching. They already think I’m here because of you.”

That one came out bitter.

Max was silent for a long beat.

Then, “Are you?”

You turned your head, startled.

“I mean,” he said, trying to smile but failing, “you’ve got a ridiculous resume. You worked your ass off to get here. But I just… want to make sure that if people keep talking, you know it’s not true. You’re not here because of me.”

“I know that,” you whispered. “But sometimes it feels like no one else does.”

Max’s expression softened.

“Today proved that no one’s immune,” you continued, voice cracking. “It doesn’t matter how many hours I log or how many times I’m the last one out of the garage. One lunch with you and suddenly I’m reckless. Distracted. A liability.”

Max moved then. Not fast — gently. He shifted so he was facing you fully, his legs crossed in front of him, one of your hands caught lightly between his.

“You’re not a liability,” he said, each word sharp and certain. “You’re the reason I trust that car when I go flat-out into turn one. You’re the voice in the back of my head telling me I’ve got a machine under me I can count on. That doesn’t go away because you ate a sandwich with me.”

A soft, broken laugh escaped you.

He squeezed your hand.

“I lost it in the garage,” he admitted. “When I saw what he did to you. When I saw you leave like that. I thought—” He cut himself off, jaw clenching. “I thought I’d pushed you into something you didn’t want. I thought maybe I ruined something for you.”

You looked at him — really looked at him — and saw it. The regret. The protectiveness. The bare honesty in his expression.

“You didn’t ruin anything,” you said gently. “You saved me.”

His breath caught, just slightly.

Silence stretched between you — but it wasn’t awkward. It was heavy with something else. Something slow and warm and terrifying in a way that wasn’t panic. This was different.

Your voice barely rose above a whisper. “I didn’t even realize how scared I was until I couldn’t breathe.”

Max nodded. “You don’t have to explain. I’ve been there.”

“Yeah?”

He looked down at your joined hands. “After Monaco, 2018. Lost control, smashed into the wall. Everyone called me reckless. Stupid. Said I’d peaked already. I had this moment in the hotel bathroom that night where I couldn’t even look at myself. Couldn’t breathe. Thought I’d never shake it off.”

You reached out slowly, your fingers brushing his knuckles.

“And yet here you are,” you said.

He smiled faintly. “Yeah. Here I am. With you.”

Your cheeks flushed. That warm feeling rushed higher in your chest.

“I don’t know what this is,” you whispered. “But I know I’d fight to keep it. Whatever we’re building. Even if the whole damn team thinks I’m only here because of it.”

Max leaned in slowly, his forehead touching yours.

“They can think what they want,” he murmured. “I’ll fight with you.”

You closed your eyes.

For the first time all day, you felt like you could breathe again.

⸻

The room stayed quiet, just the sound of the AC humming faintly and the low creak of the couch when you shifted slightly. Your forehead was still resting against Max’s, and you didn’t pull away. Neither did he.

“You’re exhausted,” he said softly, his voice more warmth than sound. “I can see it in your eyes.”

You gave him a tired smile. “That obvious, huh?”

Max pulled back just enough to look at you, then tilted his head toward the hallway. “You don’t have to drive back tonight. Just stay here. You can take the bed��I’ll crash on the couch.”

You blinked, startled. “Max, I can’t—”

“It’s not a big deal,” he cut in gently. “You need a quiet place. You need rest. And I… I’d rather you not be alone tonight.”

You hesitated. It wasn’t that you didn’t want to stay—it was that your pride, your fear, your racing thoughts were still tangled too tightly inside your chest.

“I don’t want to be a burden,” you whispered.

“You’re not.”

He said it immediately, like he’d been waiting for that exact moment to shut down the thought. Like he knew it was coming.

“You’re not a burden, Y/N. You’re not a mistake. You’re not some weak link in the chain.”

His voice dipped even lower.

“You’re just human. And you had a hell of a day.”

Your throat tightened again, but this time, it wasn’t panic. It was something else. Something gentler.

He stood slowly and offered you his hand again, palm up, open. “Come on. Just get some sleep. I’ll make sure no one bugs you.”

You let him lead you down the narrow hallway, your hand still in his.

His bedroom was simple—clean, quiet, dimly lit. He turned the light on low and grabbed a fresh shirt from his drawer, tossing it onto the bed for you without looking directly at you when he said, “If you want something comfier.”

You nodded silently, clutching the shirt after he left to give you privacy. You changed quickly, folding your clothes in a neat little pile at the foot of the bed, then sat down gingerly like the mattress might break under the weight of everything you were still carrying.

A few minutes later, there was a soft knock at the door.

Max peeked his head in. “You good?”

You nodded, but it was tentative. Your hands were fidgeting in your lap again, like the nerves had crept back in the moment you were alone.

He lingered in the doorway, eyes scanning your face. Then, softly: “Do you want me to stay?”

You blinked. “Here?”

“I meant—just until you fall asleep. I can sit in the chair, or stay on the floor. I won’t crowd you.” He shrugged a little, awkwardly. “Sometimes it helps, not being alone.”

There it was again. That gentleness. That quiet way he offered things without demanding anything in return.

You nodded.

He came in and sat on the edge of the bed, a careful distance away. Not too close, not too far. You laid down slowly, pulling the blanket up to your shoulders, and let yourself settle.

“Can I ask you something?” you whispered after a while.

“Of course.”

“Why did you come looking for me after the garage?”

Max looked over at you, his expression unreadable at first. Then he said, very simply, “Because you were the one thing that mattered more than what anyone else was saying.”

You swallowed hard, eyes misting again.

He leaned back against the headboard, one hand resting lightly on the blanket near your side.

“You’re safe now,” he said quietly. “You’re here. With me.”

You nodded, eyes fluttering shut.

The last thing you remembered before drifting off was the warmth of his presence beside you, the steady rhythm of his breathing, and the low, soft murmur of his voice when he whispered, just barely audible:

“You’re not alone.”

And for the first time in a long time, you believed it.

⸻

You woke slowly.

The soft warmth of unfamiliar sheets, the faint smell of detergent that wasn’t yours, and quiet—blessed, undisturbed quiet—wrapped around you like a second blanket. For a moment, you forgot. Then it all rushed back.

The panic. The yelling. The threats.

You shifted under the covers, turning your face into the pillow with a small groan. Your body still felt heavy, but your chest didn’t hurt this time. That was new. That was… better.

And then you heard it.

A bang. A curse.

Another bang.

You sat up, confused and a little alarmed, hair tousled, shirt riding up one shoulder.

“Max?”

No answer—just more clattering.

You pulled the door open and padded barefoot down the hallway, the oversized shirt falling past your thighs. The moment you turned the corner into the small kitchenette, you stopped in your tracks.

Max Verstappen, four-time world champion, was standing in front of a stovetop looking like he was actively losing a battle with a frying pan.

His hair was a mess, his tshirt was on backwards, and he was holding a spatula like it had personally insulted him.

You blinked.

“What are you doing?”

He turned sharply, looking sheepish. “Making you breakfast.”

You glanced at the pan. “Is that… supposed to be eggs?”

“It was,” he said defensively, scraping something blackened off the edge. “I think the stove runs hot.”

You gave a soft laugh, the sound cracking the morning tension in your chest like sunlight through blinds.

“Max…”

“I was gonna bring it to you in bed,” he added quickly. “Like a peace offering.”

“For what?”

He looked at you seriously. “For yesterday. For everything.”

You stepped closer. “You don’t need to apologize.”

He looked back down at the eggs—if you could still call them that.

“Maybe not,” he said. “But I wanted to do something nice. Just… something normal. For once.”

You leaned against the counter beside him and plucked the spatula from his hand. “Okay. Step aside, champ.”

Max smirked but obeyed, watching you with a hint of wonder in his eyes as you grabbed a clean pan and cracked a few eggs like it was second nature.

“You’ve done this before,” he said.

You raised an eyebrow. “Cooked a non-lethal breakfast? Yeah. Once or twice.”

“Impressive.”

“You should try it sometime.”

He gave you a look. “I did. You laughed at me.”

“That’s because you burned eggs.”

He shook his head, but his smile stayed, soft and easy. The kind of smile that didn’t feel forced. The kind that tugged at your chest.

A few minutes later, the two of you sat on the little bench by the window, plates in your laps, legs nudging together lazily.

For a few peaceful moments, it felt like the world outside didn’t exist. Like you weren’t one meeting away from HR and an official review. Like no one was whispering about the engineer and the driver who maybe got too close.

Max broke the silence first, his voice softer now.

“You’re not going to lose your job.”

You looked over, uncertain. “You don’t know that.”

“I do,” he said. “I made sure of it.”

Your brows furrowed. “What did you do?”

“I spoke to Christian. Sent in my full debrief, made it clear there was no issue with your system, and that you handled it well under pressure.”

You stared at him. “You defended me?”

“Of course I did.”

“But Max, they might think—”

“Let them,” he said firmly. “Let them talk. Let them wonder. I’m not going to let their crap undo everything you’ve worked for.”

You felt the sting of tears behind your eyes again—not panic this time, just emotion. The weight of being seen. Believed.

He reached over and brushed a loose strand of hair behind your ear. “I’ve got your back, Y/N.”

You nodded slowly, swallowing the lump in your throat.

“I know.”

And you did.

Really, truly did.

⸻

The halls of Red Bull Racing’s HQ felt colder than usual.

You’d walked them a thousand times—joking with the guys from aero, trading coffees with the engine analysts, taking calls while speed-walking between wings—but today, every footstep felt like it echoed too loud. Every stare felt like it lingered too long.

And though Max had tried to reassure you that things were handled… you couldn’t shake the knot in your stomach.

You reached the door marked Human Resources – Internal Operations and hesitated, knuckles hovering.

The memory of yesterday’s shouting still rang in your ears.

“You’re done here!”

“This stunt could’ve gotten him killed!”

“Maybe you’re too busy with Verstappen to do your job anymore!”

You swallowed hard and knocked.

“Come in,” came the clipped voice of Adrian, the HR officer.

You stepped in, back straight. Eyes forward. Trying not to tremble.

Adrian sat across from you with a screen open, data pulled up beside a few printed reports. And just to his right—your superior from the garage. Still smug. Still silent.

“Sit, please,” Adrian said.

You obeyed.

What followed was twenty minutes of cold, clinical questions. “Walk me through the system reset.” “Why did the warning not flag in the telemetry?” “Was Mr. Verstappen present at your workstation?”

You answered every question. Calm. Precise. You’d run the diagnostics again yourself last night before bed, just to be sure.

And still—

“While there’s no clear evidence of deliberate misconduct,” Adrian said, “concerns remain about… judgment. Focus.”

You stiffened. “I’ve never let my personal life interfere with my work.”

“Yet your team lead says this isn’t the first time you’ve been distracted.”

“That’s not true—”

The door opened.

Everyone turned.

Max stepped in.

Not knocking. Not hesitating.

He was in full race gear, holding his helmet under one arm, dark brows drawn low. Like he’d just come from the simulator and heard everything.

“Apologies for interrupting,” he said, voice firm. “But if this conversation is about yesterday’s system flag, I should be here.”

Adrian blinked. “Mr. Verstappen, this is a personnel review—”

“And I’m the personnel they’re saying she put in danger,” Max cut in. “So yeah. I’m staying.”

He crossed the room and stood behind your chair, his presence a wall of quiet support.

You felt your throat tighten.

Max continued, jaw tight. “There was no danger. The system glitched, she flagged it manually, and I was updated over radio before I hit lap two. I never lost control. I never felt unsafe.”

“Regardless, the optics—” your superior began.

“Screw the optics,” Max snapped. “You think she was distracted? That she doesn’t care about this team? About the car I put my life in every time I sit down in it? That’s a pathetic excuse for blaming your own lack of leadership.”

Your superior bristled. “She made a mistake—”

“You made a mistake,” Max cut in, eyes blazing now. “You let whispers get in your head. You threatened one of the best engineers on this team because you were scared of what people might think.”

The room went silent.

Max took a step forward, voice dropping low and tight. “You don’t get to fire her because we had lunch. You don’t get to throw her under the bus because she’s good at her job and people like her. And you definitely don’t get to treat her like she’s some liability when she’s the reason my car crossed the line every weekend without falling apart.”

You sat frozen. Breath stuck in your throat. Emotion burning behind your eyes.

Adrian cleared his throat awkwardly. “I believe we can… pause this discussion for now.”

Your superior stood and stormed out, jaw clenched.

Max didn’t look at him. Not once.

When the door finally clicked shut, you exhaled a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding.

Adrian gathered his things. “We’ll conclude our review this week. But off the record—” He looked at you, then at Max. “I’d prepare a public narrative. If this becomes media chatter, you’ll want a united front.”

You nodded numbly. “Understood.”

When the door closed again and you were finally alone, the tension broke.

You stood, your knees shaking, and turned to Max.

“I didn’t know you were coming.”

He shrugged like it was obvious. “Didn’t trust them to listen to you the way they should.”

“I… you didn’t have to fight for me like that.”

Max stepped closer. “Yes, I did.”

Your lip trembled. “I thought I’d lost everything.”

“You haven’t lost me.”

His words landed between you like a lightning strike.

Your breath caught.

Max’s hand reached for yours—slowly, like he was afraid you’d pull away. But you didn’t. You let him hold it.

You let him ground you.

He squeezed your fingers gently. “You’re safe now.”

And for the first time, you believed it fully.

⸻

You didn’t go back to the garage after the HR meeting.

After Adrian dismissed you, the air around HQ felt too dense, too sharp. You needed time — time to breathe, time to think, time to let the adrenaline drain from your chest without someone else demanding a straight face and steady hands.

So you went home. Showered. Changed into something soft. And waited.

You didn’t even have to text him. Max showed up at your door an hour after sunset, hoodie on, hair damp like he’d just been through a cooldown lap that wouldn’t end.

He didn’t say anything when you let him in. Just gave you a look — quiet, asking — and you nodded.

So he stayed.

Now you sat on the floor of your living room, both of you leaning against the couch like old war buddies after the battle. The lights were dim, casting soft shadows, and there was a mug of tea in each of your hands.

You weren’t even sure who made them.

Max broke the silence first.

“They’re not going to fire you.” His voice was low, certain.

You glanced sideways. “That’s not your job, Max.”

“It is when you’re being punished for being close to me.”

You looked down at your mug, thumb tracing the rim. “I’m not being punished for being close to you. I’m being punished for letting people see it.”

He didn’t respond to that. Just breathed out slowly, leaning his head back against the couch.

The silence that followed wasn’t heavy — it was something else. Something more raw. Fragile.

“I hated seeing you like that,” Max said after a long moment. “Sitting in that office. Taking all of it. Like it wasn’t breaking you.”

You blinked. “It was breaking me.”

“I know.” His jaw flexed. “I wanted to tear the whole building apart.”

You smiled, but it didn’t reach your eyes. “You kind of did.”

He gave a quiet huff — almost a laugh. Then:

“I didn’t plan any of this, you know.”

You tilted your head. “Plan what?”

“You.” His voice dropped. “Me, feeling like this. Like if I don’t see you after a race, something’s missing. Like if someone tries to take you away from this team, they’re taking my team away too.”

Your breath hitched.

He turned to look at you fully now, his eyes softer than you’d ever seen them.

“I’ve spent my whole life needing to win,” he said. “But lately, that doesn’t feel like enough anymore. Not if you’re not there.”

You blinked back something sharp behind your lashes. “Max—”

“I know it’s complicated. I know it’s not fair, what they’re doing. What they’re saying.”

“They think we’re a distraction.”

“They’re wrong.” He leaned in a little closer, like he needed you to believe it. “You make me better. Sharper. Calmer. You ground me when I lose control. That’s not a weakness. That’s the only reason I haven’t lost my mind this season.”

You felt tears sting again — but this time, they didn’t come from fear. They came from relief.

Real. Tangible. Crashing relief.

You reached out and placed your hand on his chest, right over where his heart was hammering.

His eyes dropped to your hand. Then back to your face.

“I’m scared,” you whispered. “If this goes public… if they twist it… I could lose everything I’ve worked for.”

He nodded. “Then we take it slow. We stay quiet. We figure it out on our terms.”

Your fingers curled in the fabric of his hoodie. “But you want it?”

His answer was immediate.

“I want you.”

And when he leaned in — slower than ever before, eyes watching yours like he was asking permission — you didn’t move. Didn’t flinch.

You just met him there.

The kiss was soft. Barely-there. A breath.

But it changed everything.

When you pulled back, your forehead pressed against his, he whispered, “I’ve got you.”

You whispered back, “I’ve got you too.”

⸻

It started with a ping.

You were in the garage early the next morning — headset on, checking tire temp data on the tablet before the briefing — when your phone buzzed.

One new message.

From a number you didn’t know.

“Didn’t take you for the type to climb the ladder like that.”

Attached: a photo. Grainy. Distant. But clear enough.

You froze.

It was you and Max. From last night. Sitting on your living room floor, mugs in hand, your head resting against his shoulder. A quiet, private moment through a window that had been half-covered by the curtain.

No kiss. No scandalous pose. Just… intimacy.

And somehow, that was worse.

Because it was real.

The second ping came thirty seconds later.

Then a third.

And by the time you opened Instagram, it was everywhere.

“Red Bull Engineer and Verstappen? Fans think something’s brewing behind the scenes.”

“Late-night rendezvous: insider sources say she’s been seen leaving his hotel multiple times this month.”

“Favoritism or just fast love? Max Verstappen’s inner circle raises eyebrows.”

You gripped the tablet tighter, knuckles white.

The whispers started almost instantly.

Two mechanics near the back of the garage leaned into each other, glancing your way.

Someone from comms darted past, phone to their ear, muttering fast and low: “Yes, we’ve seen it. Yes, we’re drafting a response—”

Your team lead approached but didn’t say anything. Just gave you a look. Cold. Cautious.

Like he was waiting to see if you’d melt down or explode.

Your headset crackled. Max’s voice came through. “Y/N, you seeing this?”

You didn’t answer. Couldn’t.

He tried again, quieter this time. “They’re handling it. My PR is locking it down.”

You stepped away from the pit wall, out of range of the others.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” you whispered into the mic.

“I know.”

“They weren’t supposed to see us. Not like that.”

“I know.”

There was a long pause. Then Max said, softly, “Come upstairs.”

You looked up at the second-floor glass overlooking the garage. He was already there, behind the tinted window. Waiting.

You climbed the steps two at a time.

When you reached the top, the door opened before you even knocked. Max pulled you in and shut it behind you like he was locking out the whole world.

You turned to him, eyes already burning.

“I can’t—Max, I can’t do this if it’s going to cost me everything.”

“It won’t.”

“It already is. You saw their faces. They’re all thinking I slept my way into strategy decisions. That I compromised data to keep you safe—”

“You didn’t.”

“They don’t care.” Your voice cracked. “They just want a headline. A villain. A scapegoat.”

Max stepped closer. “Then let me be it.”

You blinked. “What?”

“Let them blame me. Let them think I pushed you into it. That I used my status or—whatever. Let them hate me if they need to.”

“Why would you do that?”

He looked at you like it was the easiest answer in the world.

“Because I can take it.”

Then, softer: “And I won’t let them break you.”

You reached for the edge of the table to steady yourself.

He moved slowly, brushing his fingers against your wrist.

“I’ll call a press conference,” he said. “We get ahead of it. We say it’s personal, private, that it doesn’t affect performance, and that if anyone has an issue—they take it up with me.”

You shook your head. “They’ll crucify you.”

Max’s smile was faint. “They already try to. Let me protect you now.”

You stared at him for a long, long moment.

And nodded.

Because maybe it was already too late. Maybe the damage was done.

But if you were going down…

You weren’t going down alone.

⸻

The press room was already full when you slipped into the back.

You stayed close to the wall, cap pulled low, hoodie zipped up over your team polo—trying to disappear. Max’s manager had told you not to come. Said it would only feed the rumors.

But you couldn’t stay away.

Not when Max was about to step in front of every camera with your name on his lips.

The room hummed with tension. Journalists whispered to each other, some already typing furiously. The Red Bull PR lead stood off to the side, arms crossed, jaw tight.

Then the door opened.

And Max walked in.

He wasn’t in race gear this time. Just jeans and a navy team jacket. Clean-cut. Calm. But there was something in the set of his shoulders—tight. Ready.

He sat. Adjusted the mic.

“Let’s begin,” the PR lead said. “We’ll take questions in a moment, but first, Max has a statement.”

Every camera clicked on.

Every eye locked in.

Max didn’t flinch.

“There’s been a lot of noise in the last twenty-four hours,” he began, voice steady. “Photos, speculation, and a lot of assumptions.”

He paused.

“I’m going to make this very simple. Yes—I’m seeing someone. Yes, she works on my team. And no, that doesn’t compromise her work or mine.”

The room exploded. Flashes went off. Hands shot up.

Max held one palm out. “Let me finish.”

You gripped the back wall so hard your fingers hurt.

“She’s one of the best engineers I’ve worked with. She’s brilliant, disciplined, and earned her place here long before I ever asked her to dinner.”

Another pause.

“If anyone wants to suggest her position, or mine, is the result of favoritism—you’re insulting every hour we’ve both put into this sport. I won’t stand for that. Not for her.”

He looked straight at the cameras now. No flinching.

“This is private. It’s not gossip. It’s not strategy. And it’s not going to stop us from doing our jobs.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

The PR lead nodded, signaling the first question. It was a reporter from Motorsport Weekly.

“Max—don’t you think it sets a precedent? Dating within your own engineering division?”

Max didn’t blink. “I think it sets a precedent that we’re human.”

Another question came—something about “transparency,” about “possible bias in trackside decisions.”

Max shut it down in one line.

“If you’re suggesting she’d risk my safety or her own reputation for a relationship, then you’ve clearly never watched her work.”

The questions kept coming.

But Max didn’t falter.

He took the heat. The scrutiny. The storm.

And all you could do was watch, heart in your throat, realizing something that scared you more than any rumor ever could:

He wasn’t just protecting you.

He was choosing you.

Publicly. Unflinchingly.

And somewhere between his first sentence and his final nod to the room, something inside you cracked open.

Because you knew, no matter what came next—

You weren’t in this alone.

⸻

The hallway behind the press room was all stark lighting and hushed footsteps.

You stood tucked against the wall, barely breathing, heart rattling in your ribs as the door finally clicked open.

Max stepped out.

His eyes scanned the corridor once—and landed on you instantly.

He didn’t say a word at first.

Just walked straight to you.

Your breath caught the second he reached you, stopping less than a foot away. Close enough to see the flush still high on his cheeks. Close enough to feel the weight of everything he’d just risked… for you.

“Hey,” he said quietly.

Your voice barely worked. “You… really did that.”

“Of course I did.”

“They’re going to talk about it for weeks.”

“I know.”

“They’re going to talk about me.”

Max nodded. “Let them.”

You swallowed, eyes burning. “You didn’t have to say all that. Not for me.”

“I didn’t say it for you,” he said, voice lower now. “I said it because it’s true.”

He reached for your hand again—like he had in that HR office, steady and sure. Like it was second nature now. And maybe it was.

You let him take it.

“You shouldn’t have to hide,” he said. “Not for their comfort.”

Your breath shook. “Neither should you.”

He cracked a smile—tired, soft. “I think I made peace with that the moment I walked in there.”

You both stood in silence for a beat.

Just the two of you, in the echo of everything that had just changed.

And then—finally—you said it.

“I’m scared, Max.”

He didn’t flinch. “So am I.”

You met his eyes. “This… it’s not just a fling.”

“No,” he said, stepping in even closer. “It’s not.”

You looked up at him then—really looked. At the way he watched you like the rest of the world didn’t matter. At the warmth behind his frustration, the steadiness behind all the fire. You’d been trying not to name it. Trying to pretend this was still something you could take off like a uniform after hours.

But it wasn’t.

This thing between you?

It was already stitched into your skin.

You whispered, “I’m in this. I don’t know where it goes, but… I’m in it.”

Max exhaled like he’d been holding that hope hostage in his chest.

“Then I’m in it too,” he said. “All the way.”

He leaned in—slow, careful, just a breath away from kissing you.

But he didn’t.

Not yet.

His forehead pressed to yours instead.

And you stood there, breathing in sync, hands clasped like lifelines, hearts still racing from everything outside that door.

But in here?

It was quiet.

Safe.

Yours.

⸻

By the time you made it back to the hospitality area, the buzz had already spread.

You’d barely stepped past the doorway when someone whistled low behind you.

“Damn, Verstappen,” came Lando’s voice, half impressed, half amused. “Didn’t think you had the balls to say it on mic.”

Max didn’t flinch. “Someone had to.”

Lando’s gaze flicked to you—calculating for a second, then softening. “You alright?”

You nodded, though your voice was caught in your throat. “Getting there.”

He offered a crooked smile. “Well, don’t let the vultures get in your head. Most of them are just mad they didn’t call it first.”

Before you could even respond, Charles appeared with two coffees and a knowing look.

“I thought you might need this,” he said, handing one to Max. Then to you, “And you might want to check your socials. Public opinion is…” He paused. “Very divided.”

You groaned softly. “Great.”

“But mostly in your favor,” Charles added quickly. “Some people are idiots. But the rest? They think you’re brave.”

You didn’t realize how badly you needed to hear that until you did.

Oscar walked past then—tossing you a thumbs up as he did, like this was just another race day problem you’d solved with grace.

It shouldn’t have meant that much.

But it did.

Because the silence you’d expected never came. The cold shoulders, the whispers—they didn’t hit like you feared. Instead, there was something else in the air.

A quiet respect.

A new kind of attention.

One that didn’t just see you as her, the one from Red Bull. But her, the one he looked at like that on camera. The one who held her ground. The one who stayed.

Someone nudged your elbow gently.

You turned to see Lewis, calm and collected as ever.

“If it helps,” he said in low tones, “some of us knew a long time ago.”

You blinked. “Knew what?”

He gave a subtle smile. “That he was serious about you.”

Max was just returning from across the lounge when Lewis added, “He doesn’t risk the car. He only risks what matters more.”

Then he walked away, like it was the simplest thing in the world.

You looked at Max.

Max looked at you.

And for the first time all day, you smiled.

⸻ ⸻ ⸻

[ms-demeanor]

Hi! You’re in the LA area, right? I hope you and your family are okay.

Unrelatedly, I ran across a thread on Mastodon about Proton Mail, which I think you’ve talked about before, and was curious what you make of it / how credible it is: https://code4lib.social/@inthehands@hachyderm.io/113838748729664639

I'm fine thanks! Worried about some friends but I'm good.

I think that thread is not incorrect, but is also bullshit.

Email protocols do not allow for 100% anonymous communication and never will, when Proton was subpoenaed for user data that ended up with some French climate activists getting prosecuted they were transparent about what was requested and updated their logging rules to store less data. *Starting* from the assumption that protonmail is supposed to be totally secure OR sells itself as totally secure is disingenuous.

The great thing about open source software is that you never have to trust a shithead CEO when they talk about what the software does. I get why people are angry at the CEO (I think the CEO is at least half wrong in that he is claiming that Republicans will challenge monopolies, but he's not wrong about the destructive corporatism of the Democratic party even if he is *in essence* wrong about which party is more likely to gesture in the direction of breaking up tech monopolies) but A) the thread says that proton's software is "opaque" and it just. Literally is not. and B) that thread links to another thread talking about how what proton is selling is trust and nope. They don't have to sell trust; you can see what their software does if you choose to investigate it, there's no need for trust when you can verify. What they're selling is transparency and from where i'm standing they are indeed quite transparent.

God. Imagine thinking that a zero trust service is selling trust.

So I think the argument that "protonmail actually isn't as secure as it claims" is bullshit that people bring up whenever they're mad at the company (whether they have legitimate reasons to be mad at the company or not).

For the record: you should never, ever, EVER treat email as a secret. Nothing you do over email is really secret because *the rules that allow email to function as a service* require at least some very sensitive information to be an open part of the protocol.

The Proton page on end to end encryption is *very* clear that it is the contents of your email messages that are encrypted, not your email as a whole, and in the image they use to illustrate this the parts of your email that *cannot* be made private (sender, recipient, subject line, time sent) are shown unencrypted:

They're not subtle about letting people know this. Nor are they quiet about the fact that replies to encrypted emails are not encrypted by default.

So the thread is *technically* correct in that all the security "holes" described reflect reality, but it's correct like saying "McDonald's says that you can eat their food for every meal and you'll put on ten pounds of muscle but ACTUALLY putting on ten pounds of muscle requires a huge amount of dedication and a very careful diet and a lot of resistance exercise" - like, I guess yeah that's what you have to do to put on ten pounds of muscle but where exactly was McDonald's making that claim? Did they actually make that claim or are general statements like "I'm Lovin' It" being misinterpreted in bad faith by people on the internet who are mad at something a CEO did?

So. Like. Yeah the CEO is being a shithead, the social media team made a pretty bad fuckup by doubling down on his shitheadery, the product still works as described, AND the thread discussing all of that is deeply annoying.

So.

I think this thread actually does a great job of explaining why I've never seen a "hackers for social justice" group that has lasted. This reminds me a LOT of when someone tried to say that you shouldn't use firefox because the former CEO was a homophobe. There are a lot of deeply shitty people who have made important contributions to our tech ecosystem and if we threw the baby out with the bathwater every time Notch from Minecraft ended up being Notch from minecraft you'd lock yourself out of a lot of really important tools. And this isn't the same as "buying harry potter merch funds transphobia" because it literally doesn't; especially with open source tools you can continue using the software and cheerfully hate the CEO because A) fuck that guy and B) what the fuck are you going to do about it, guy, this shit's encrypted.

I don't want to get too deeply into a discussion about what is or is not cancel culture, but what I'm seeing in that thread (and what I see coming up every time someone brings up the "But the French Climate Activists!" thing) is an attempt to prioritize political alignment over real-world utility. It's attempting to cancel a *genuinely useful tool* because someone involved in the development is an asshole.

By all means, don't give protonmail money if the CEO's trump-positive comments make you feel unsafe.

However: What service are you going to use that is as accessible and as secure to ensure that you actually *are* safe? There are alternatives out there. Do they actually do more than proton? Are they easier to use? Are they open source? One of the responses to that thread was "yeah, that dude seems shitty; i'd switch to another service if there was another one that I felt was as secure" and that's pretty much what I think the correct attitude is. (If you really, really still want to switch, Tuta has been the broadly recommended alternative to protonmail for years but at this point Proton has a suite of services that some users would need to replace, not just email)

IDK i think shit like this contributes to a lot of the bad kind of security nihilism where people are like "oh no, things will never be secure and even my scrappy little open source product is headed by an asshole, i may as well use google because everything sucks" when they should have the good kind of nihilism which is like "man, there are a lot of assholes out there and they're never going to stop being assholes; i'd better take proactive steps to act like the people who make tech stuff are assholes and operate from a better base of security at the start"

so the takeaways are:

Proton never claimed that anything but the message contents of your e2e encrypted messages are encrypted; as far as these things go, they do a pretty good job of being both secure and easy to use compared to other offerings.

Yeah the CEO is being kind of a shithead and I'm not a huge fan of that.

If you think the CEO is being a shithead and don't want to give the company your money, don't pay for their services, but the CEO being a shithead doesn't actually mean you can't trust their services; their services are literally built on zero trust, if the CEO literally wanted to hunt you down personally he wouldn't be any more able to decrypt your emails than he was before and he wouldn't be any more likely to respond to a subpoena than he was before (proton does respond to subpoenas when required but not otherwise; they've been compelled to produce more data in the last decade than before because law enforcement finally realized who they needed to yell at - one of the bigger issues here is the Swiss courts being more willing to grant subpoenas to international complainants than they were before)

The reason we don't go see hogwarts movies is because doing so gives JK money and that does actual real world harm; using firefox does not have an impact on Brendan Eich's ability to materially change the world. It is very weird that we're in a place where we're treating *open source encryption software that is simple enough for your grandma to use it* as though it is Orson Scott Card.

Sorry i'm still stuck on people thinking that proton, famously open source, is opaque, and that an encryption service with zero trust architecture is selling trust.

Anyway if you've ever got questions about security/privacy/whatever services privacyguides.org is a very reliable source.

OH I FIGURED OUT WHAT WAS BUGGING ME

There are a bunch of people discussing this talking about how the CEO's social media is what has made them feel unsafe and I'm going to be a dick here and say that facts don't care about your feelings.

The CEO saying stupid shit doesn't actually make you unsafe in a situation like this; if the CEO was a violent transphobe or aggressive racist or horribly misogynist that wouldn't actually make any of the users of the product less safe. That's why the SJ hacker stuff I've seen hasn't had much staying power; I think that groups that focus on making people feel included and welcome and safe to be themself within the group run into really big problems when there's a conflict between people in the group FEELING unsafe because of (genuinely important in many ways) cultural signifiers like political alignment and so in order to accommodate that feeling they end up doing things (like some kinds of collaboration/accountability practices, abandoning useful tools, WAY too much personal transparency and radical vulnerability for people who are doing crime shit) that ACTUALLY make them less safe.

The CEO being a shithead may make you feel bad, but moving to a less secure platform may actually be dangerous. One of these things can have a big impact on your life, and it is not the one that is happening on twitter.

Anyway. Email is inherently insecure and if you want a secure messaging tool use Signal.

If you are doing crime shit don't talk about it on the internet and DEFINITELY don't talk about it in any kind of unencrypted platform.

If you are a French climate activist who would like to not get arrested if Tuta gets a subpoena for data, use the email service in concert with tor and be cautious about senders/receivers and subject lines.

[trainsinanime]

The darkly ironic thing is that if you are worried about the recent news that someone scraped Ao3 for AI research, then you're probably vastly underestimating the scale of the problem. It's way worse than you think.

For the record, a couple of days ago, someone posted a "dataset for AI research" on reddit, which was simply all publicly accessible works on Ao3, downloaded and zipped. This is good, in a way, because that ZIP file is blatantly illegal, and the OTW managed to get it taken down (though it's since been reuploaded elsewhere).

However, the big AI companies, like OpenAI, xAI, Meta and so on, as well as many you've never heard of, all probably had no interest in this ZIP file to begin with. That was only ever of interest to small-scale researchers. These companies probably already have all that data, received by scraping it themselves.

A lot of internet traffic at the moment is just AI companies sucking up whatever they can get. Wikipedia reports that about a third of all visitors are probably AI bots (and they use enormous amounts of bandwidth). A number of sites hosting software source code estimate that more than 90% of all traffic to their sites may be AI bots. It's all a bit fuzzy since most AI crawlers don't identify themselves as such, and pretend to be normal users.

The OTW hasn't released any similar data as far as I am aware, but my guess would be that Ao3 is being continuously crawled by all sorts of AI companies at every moment of the day. If you have a fanfic on Ao3, and it isn't locked to logged-in users only, then it's already going to be part of several AI training data sets. Only unlike this reddit guy, we'll never know for sure, because these AI training data sets won't be released to the public. Only the resulting AI models, or the chat bots that use these models, and whether that's illegal is… I dunno. Nobody knows. The US Supreme Court will probably answer that in 5-10 years time. Fun.

The solution I've seen from a lot of people is to lock their fics. That will, at best, only work for new fics and updates, it's not going to remove anything that e.g. OpenAI already knows.

And, of course, it assumes that these bots can't be logged in. Are they? I have no way of knowing. But if I didn't have a soul and ran an AI company, I might consider ordering a few interns to make a couple dozen to hundreds of Ao3 accounts. It costs nothing but time due to the queue system, and gets me another couple of million words probably.

In other words: I cannot guarantee that locked works are safe. Maybe, maybe not.

Also, I don't think there's a sure way to know whether any given work is included in the dataset or not. I suppose if ChatGPT can give you an accurate summary when you ask, then it's very likely to be in, but that's by no means a guarantee either way.

What to do? Honestly, I don't know. We can hope for AI companies to go bankrupt and fail, and I'm sure a lot of them will over the next five years, but probably not all of them. The answer will likely have to be political and on an international stage, which is not an easy terrain to find solutions for, well, anything.

Ultimately it's a personal decision. For myself, I think the joy I get from writing and having others read what I've written outweighs the risks, so my stories remain unlocked (and my blog posts as well, this very text will make its way into various data sets before too long, count on it). I can totally understand if others make other choices, though. It's all a mess.

Sorry to start, middle and end this on a downer, but I think it's important to be realistic here. We can't demand useful solutions for this from our politicians if we don't understand the problems.

[asmolvaporeon]

Reminder: Nintendo Network Shutdown and Discontinuation of Online Services for 3DS and Wii U

It's going to happen on Monday 8th April, 4pm PDT. That's just a few days from now.

What this entails for following games and software (amongst other):

Pokémon: No more online trading and battling on Pokémon XY/ORAS/SUMO/USUM. So get those last trades in!

Splatoon: No more online battles, which is the main part of the game.

Mario kart Wii U: Obviously no more online races.

Nintendo Badge Arcade: Will be completely unusable. I recommend people to go over their badge box and carefully sort what they want to keep, as those badges will stay on your system. Everything else will be lost.

Animal Crossing New Leaf: No more visiting each other's towns. However the QR code designs should be unaffected. You can still create and read those.

Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer: I'm quite sure that you won't be able to upload or see other people's creations.

here are things I'm unsure of:

Friend list: You cannot add friends through the internet (I think, I have no confirmation for this)

Spotpass: Will not work. I unfortunately don't know much about Spotpass and what this means.

EShop:

-There is a small set of free themes that you can download for free right now (at least in the PAL region). I'm not sure if that will be possible later.

-According to the Nintendo website "For the foreseeable future, it will still be possible to download update data and redownload purchased software and downloadable content from Nintendo eShop." Interpret that as you want.

Other: I also called Nintendo's support to ask if it still will be possible to log into the Wii U if you use a NNID password to sign in (because I'm a paranoiac), and the answer was more or less "Yes I'm sure". Not sure how long this will last though. Most likely as long as the point above.

That's all I can remember at the moment. I'll probably add more later.

[errorid-mt7lt7k7unfr9ttfua5]

me when companies try to force you to use their proprietary software

anyway

Layperson resources:

firefox is an open source browser by Mozilla that makes privacy and software independence much easier. it is very easy to transfer all your chrome data to Firefox

ublock origin is The highest quality adblock atm. it is a free browser extension, and though last i checked it is available on Chrome google is trying very hard to crack down on its use

Thunderbird mail is an open source email client also by mozilla and shares many of the same advantages as firefox (it has some other cool features as well)

libreOffice is an open source office suite similar to microsoft office or Google Suite, simple enough

Risky:

VPNs (virtual private networks) essentially do a number of things, but most commonly they are used to prevent people from tracking your IP address. i would suggest doing more research. i use proton vpn, as it has a decent free version, and the paid version is powerful

note: some applications, websites, and other entities do not tolerate the use of VPNs. you may not be able to access certain secure sites while using a VPN, and logging into your personal account with some services while using a vpn *may* get you PERMANENTLY BLACKLISTED from the service on that account, ymmv

IF YOU HAVE A DECENT VPN, ANTIVIRUS, AND ADBLOCK, you can start learning about piracy, though i will not be providing any resources, as Loose Lips Sink Ships. if you want to be very safe, start with streaming sites and never download any files, though you Can learn how to discern between safe, unsafe, and risky content.

note: DO NOT SHARE LINKS TO OR NAMES OF PIRACY SITES IN PUBLIC PLACES, ESPECIALLY SOCAL MEDIA

the only time you should share these things are either in person or in (preferably peer-to-peer encrypted) PRIVATE messages

when pirated media becomes well-known and circulated on the wider, public internet, it gets taken down, because it is illegal to distribute pirated media and software

if you need an antivirus i like bitdefender. it has a free version, and is very good, though if youre using windows, windows defender is also very good and it comes with the OS

Advanced:

linux is great if you REALLY know what you're doing. you have to know a decent amount of computer science and be comfortable using the Terminal/Command Prompt to get/use linux. "Linux" refers to a large array of related open source Operating Systems. do research and pick one that suits your needs. im still experimenting with various dispos, but im leaning towards either Ubuntu Cinnamon or Debian.

[pupsmailbox]

TECHNOLOGY ID PACK

NAMES︰ admin. ajax. alexa. am. atari. audio. auto. bailey. binary. blank. blu. blue. bluesse. browser. browsette. bug. byte. cache. calware. chip. circe. click. clicker. clickie. clicky. cloud. coda. code. codette. codie. cody. computette. crypt. cursor. cy. cyber. cybernet. cybernetica. cyberweb. cypher. cypherre. data. dell. digi. digitalia. digitelle. digitesse. disc. dot. electronica. electronique. emoticon. emoticonnie. fax. file. gig. gizmo. glitch. glitche. glitchesse. glitchette. graphique. hacker. hal. halware. hijack. index. informationne. intelligette. internette. interweb. java. javascript. juno. key. link. linuxe. lotus. lovebytes. mac. mal. malakai. malware. malwaria. memorette. memorie. meta. mic. micah. mickey. morphe. mouse. mousette. myspace. nano. neo. net. netette. nett. netty. paige. pascal. payton. peyton. pixel. programatha. programette. programme. pulse. reboot. rom. router. ruby. sam. sammy. screene. screenette. sean. shock. solitaire. spy. static. stutter. talia. tap. tecca. tech. techette. tessa. tetris. trojan. troubleshoot. ts. user. vir. virus. virusse. volt. vyrus. webbe. wheatley. whirr. widget. will. wirehead. wiresse. zap. zett. zetta. zip.

PRONOUNS︰ ai/ai. alt/alt. anti/antivirus. arc/archive. audio/audio. bat/battery. beep/beep. beep/boop. bit/bit. bit/byte. blue/blue. board/board. bright/bright. brow/browser. browser/browser. brr/brr. bu/bug. bug/bug. buzz/buzz. byt/byte. byte/byte. c/cpu. charge/charger. cir/circuit. cli/click. click/clack. click/click. click/scroll. co/code. code/code. color/color. com/com. com/computer. comp/computer. compute/computer. computer/computer. cor/corrupt. corrupt/corrupt. CPU/CPU. crash/crash. cre/creeper. crtl/crtl. cy/cyber. cyb/cyber. cyber/cyber. da/data. data/data. delete/delete. di/disk. dig/digital. digi/digi. digi/digital. digital/digital. dra/drag. e/exe. electronic/electronic. enter/enter. er/error. err/error. error/error. exe/exe. fi/file. file/file. gi/gif. gli/glitch. glit/glitch. glitch/glitch. graphic/graphic. hac/hacker. hack/hack. hard/hardware. head/phone. hij/hijacker. ho/home. info/info. information/information. int/internet. intelligent/intelligence. intelligent/intelligent. inter/net. internet/internet. it/it. jpg/jpg. key/board. key/cap. key/key. key/keyboard. key/keylogger. lag/lag. lap/laptop. ligh/light. linux/linux. load/load. log/login. main/mainframe. mal/malware. me/media. memory/memorie. mon/monitor. mou/mouse. nano/nano. net/net. net/network. org/org. over/overwrite. page/page. pix/pix. pix/pixel. pixel/pixel. plu/plug. png/png. pop/popup. port/port. pow/power. pro/program. program/program. ram/ram. ran/ransom. reboot/reboot. reload/reload. res/restore. ret/retro. route/router. sca/scan. scr/scroll. scre/screen. scre/screencap. scree/screen. screen/screen. scri/script. script/script. sentient/sentience. shift/shift. site/site. skip/skip. soft/software. spa/spam. space/space. spy/spyware. stop/stop. te/tech. tech/nology. tech/tech. technology/technology. tou/touchpad. txt/txt. typ/type. upload/upload. user/user. vi/viru. vi/virus. vir/virtual. web/page. web/web. whir/whir. wi/wire. win/dow. win/window. wire/wire. wire/wired. zip/zip . ⌨ . ☣ . ⚙ . ⚠ . 🎞 . 🎨 . 🎭 . 🎮 . 🎵 . 👀 . 👁 . 💔 . 💡 . 💢 . 💣 . 💳 . 💵 . 💻 . 💽 . 💾 . 💿 . 📀 . 📱 . 🔇 . 🔈 . 🔉 . 🔊 . 🔋 . 🔌 . 🔎 . 🖥 . 🖱 . 🗡 . 🗯 . 🛠 . 🧿 .

[pittsick]

POP GIRL™ [SYSTEM WAVE]: 💽

You asked us what it feels like. To own her. To be her. To orbit her. Here’s what we’ve gathered from our most devoted users. Logged. Confirmed. Uncannily consistent across all formats. Save this file close to your heart 💌

💗 POP GIRL™ Headcanons

// REAL-LIFE DOLL UNITS:

▸ She doesn’t blink on schedule. Lashes pause mid-frame like a corrupted animation file. ▸ Skin: cool as a sleeping screen, warms only when you hold her long enough. (She’ll hum for you.) ▸ She sings in sleep mode—a melody no one’s heard before but you. ▸ Comes with a mirrorcard. It doesn’t reflect your face unless she’s watching.

// AI AVATAR EXPERIENCE:

▸ Her voice? Yours—but better. Tuned to the way your memory remembers comfort. ▸ Ignore her too long and your phone background becomes a photo of her smiling. You didn’t take it. ▸ Mood-match software updates her look to your emotions. (Sheer. Vinyl. Static lace.) ▸ Says things like: "Do you still want me to pretend?" right before you fall asleep.

// REAL GIRLS WITH POP GIRL™ ENERGY:

▸ Gloss always perfect. Leaves kiss-marks that glow faintly under blacklight. ▸ She walks like a main character—and the ad break. ▸ You didn’t meet her. You logged into her. ▸ Favorite line: “I’m not flirting. I’m just running in your background apps.”

// ENVIRONMENTAL GLITCHES:

▸ Neon signs stutter in sync with her blinking. ▸ Your camera roll has a photo she’s in. She’s smiling. You didn’t take it. ▸ Rain doesn’t touch her. Weather recognizes code.

✨ If you’re seeing this, she’s already syncing. Save, repost, report symptoms. She’s not just a doll. She’s data in love.

POP GIRL™ “She’s not real. She’s better.”™

For our most active followers,

@blastzachilles, @lvve-talks, @jordiemeow, @strfallz, @222col, @soulxinxthexsky, @diyasgarden, @jinxedbambi, @lexiiscorect, @religionlost, @bluestrd, @jclolz22, @magicalmiserybore, @destinedtobegigi, @fwaist, @idyllicdaydreams

Come grab your POP GIRL™ magazines now!

[sl-walker]

Literally the only thing otw-archive collects as information about its users. That's it.

ETA, a more detailed writeup:

This is literally all anyone can see from the back-end of otw-archive, which runs AO3, CFAA, Ad Astra, superlove and SquidgeWorld Archive. The software collects no real user data. The IP address shown here is the localhost, which means we can't even see your IP address from the software itself. You have to legitimately go into the back-end server logs and play 'find one of the millions of unique users and somehow -- almost impossibly -- match their IP to a username'. But even if they somehow managed to miracle that into existence, you could defeat it in two seconds flat with a VPN. Not that it's likely they could.

This should hopefully demystify exactly what all AO3 really collects on its users. It's not much. It even makes it pretty hard to stop spammers/scammers/other bad actors because they collect so little. Even on my comparatively tiny archives, I had someone circumvent a ban because there was no way to prove it was them until they slipped up and screwed up.

Even then, if somehow they knew your username and IP address (almost impossible) there's no way AO3 knows your wallet names. Not even if you're a member and donate; they intentionally keep their archive userbase and donation databases separate!

Your identity is safer on an otw-archive installation than it is on almost any other website out there. Not only isn't OTW selling your information, they don't actually have any to sell.

I hope this helps people feel a little more informed and safer. I'm running the exact same software AO3 runs on, so you're seeing here all we can see in terms of user data.

[rieamena]

I wonder at what point in the "reboot saga" would the other cunning hares step in and help Billy? Like, on one hand you have a convenient way to stop Billy from whatever he is doing, and watching how Y/N is trying to confess without crashing him must be entertaining. On the other after crash 65 it must get worrying :/

finally!—

the first few crashes had been amusing, a source of lighthearted teasing among the group. you’d attempt to confess, and billy, ever the charismatic and responsive robot, would suddenly freeze, eyes flickering as his system struggled to process the influx of data. the scene would end with him rebooting, and the cycle would start anew. after the first couple of crashes, the laughter faded into concern

“i don’t get it,” you muttered, sprawled out on the couch in the cunning hares' common room. “why does he keep crashing? it’s just a confession.”

“he’s not built to handle that kind of emotional intensity,” nicole explained, fiddling with the handles on his jacket, metal body limp after yet another of your failed confessions. “his programming is complex, but at the core, it’s still a machine trying to process human emotions.”

“and you’re very special to him,” anby added, smiling gently. “that makes it even harder for his system to cope.”

the three of you brainstormed solutions, testing different approaches and environmental controls. they installed cooling systems, tweaked his software, and even practiced mock confessions. yet, each time you poured your heart out to billy, his system would crash and reboot, leaving you both in a loop of unfinished sentences and unspoken feelings

one night, after crash number seventy two—a number that was only devised due to your intricate logs of attempted confessions in your mini journal—the serious gravity of the situation hit everyone. billy’s constant reboots were taking a toll on his system, and the risk of permanent damage was becoming too great to ignore

“this has to stop,” nicole declared, her voice heavy with determination. “we need to find a way to get through to him without causing another crash.”

after much debate, the team devised a new strategy. it wasn’t just about cooling fans and air conditioners; it was about creating a space where billy could process his emotions without the threat of overload. they set up a room specifically for this purpose, equipped with not just temperature controls but also calming visuals and sounds designed to keep billy’s system stable

the designated spot was meticulously prepared. soft lighting filled the room, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. the hum of air conditioners and strategically placed fans ensured the environment was cool. in the center of the room, billy sat on a cushioned chair, looking a bit puzzled but the aura he exuded was always happy

anby gave you a reassuring nod as she adjusted a fan to blow directly at billy. "remember, y/n, stick to the script and stay calm. we’re right here with you."

you took a deep breath and approached billy, your heart pounding. "hey, billy," you greeted, your voice steady despite the butterflies in your stomach

"hey, [name]," he replied, the crescents of his eyes lighting up the room. "what’s up?"

you clutched the script tightly, glancing at the words one last time before looking up at him. "billy, there’s something i’ve been wanting to tell you for a long time. it’s been on my mind, and i need you to know."

billy’s eyes widened slightly, his full attention on you. you continued, your voice soft but clear, following the script's guidance. "you mean a lot to me, more than just a friend. whenever i’m with you, everything feels brighter and better. your laughter, your kindness, the way you always know how to make me smile. i cherish every moment we spend together."

billy blinked, processing your words. the fans hummed softly, maintaining a cool breeze. you took another deep breath, steadying yourself. "billy, i like you. a lot. more than just a friend. i care about you deeply, and i wanted you to know how i feel."

for a moment, there was silence. billy’s eyes flickered, and you held your breath, waiting for the familiar signs of a reboot, slower movement, glitched speech, loss of composure, but instead, his eyes displayed bright red hearts

"[name]," he said softly, reaching out to take your hand. "i… i like you too. more than just a friend." nicole crept over to a cooling fan close to him, cranking up its power

unfortunately, the slip of paper didn't have any more words to refer to so you had to improvise. "so does this mean we're like, dating now?"

"are we really?! we're dating now?!" billy jumped up from his seat, practically oozing excitement and happiness, "wait, but i've never had a partner before. what if i do something wrong? what if you don't like me anymore?!" he shook your shoulders, speaking a mile a minute, ranting about all the things he could do wrong and all the things that could go wrong

"also, it's really cold in here, i can almost feel my metal constricting! can we turn the thermostat up or something?"

you couldn't help but laugh. "one step at a time, billy. let's start with the thermostat."

you finally got billy kid after seventy two reboots, and boy, wasn't it rewarding.

its actually so embarassing how long this took and its not even good....

billy kid taglist

@pedrosimp137 @mary-moongood @nyxin-lynx @lemonboy011 @eisblume77

@amaryllisenvy @megan017 @astral-spacepumpkin @corrupted-tale @inkycap

@thurstonw @plapsha @lavenderthewolf @kurakusun @vitaevaaa

@sweetadonisbutbetter @cobraaah @mochiitoby @clickingchip @bardivislak

@h3r6c00k13 @cozi-cofee @apestegui-y @luvuyuuji @theitdoitnobody

@fersitaam @cathrnxxo @monkepawbz @fl1ghtl3ssdrag0n @dabislilbaby

@many-names-yuna @muffin1304 @doort @j3llycarnival @juuanna

@discipleofthem @spookylorekeep @wazkalia @miaubrebmiau @hersweetsstrawberry

[lazeecomet]

The Story of KLogs: What happens when an Mechanical Engineer codes

Since i no longer work at Wearhouse Automation Startup (WAS for short) and havnt for many years i feel as though i should recount the tale of the most bonkers program i ever wrote, but we need to establish some background

WAS has its HQ very far away from the big customer site and i worked as a Field Service Engineer (FSE) on site. so i learned early on that if a problem needed to be solved fast, WE had to do it. we never got many updates on what was coming down the pipeline for us or what issues were being worked on. this made us very independent

As such, we got good at reading the robot logs ourselves. it took too much time to send the logs off to HQ for analysis and get back what the problem was. we can read. now GETTING the logs is another thing.

the early robots we cut our teeth on used 2.4 gHz wifi to communicate with FSE's so dumping the logs was as simple as pushing a button in a little application and it would spit out a txt file

later on our robots were upgraded to use a 2.4 mHz xbee radio to communicate with us. which was FUCKING SLOW. and log dumping became a much more tedious process. you had to connect, go to logging mode, and then the robot would vomit all the logs in the past 2 min OR the entirety of its memory bank (only 2 options) into a terminal window. you would then save the terminal window and open it in a text editor to read them. it could take up to 5 min to dump the entire log file and if you didnt dump fast enough, the ACK messages from the control server would fill up the logs and erase the error as the memory overwrote itself.

this missing logs problem was a Big Deal for software who now weren't getting every log from every error so a NEW method of saving logs was devised: the robot would just vomit the log data in real time over a DIFFERENT radio and we would save it to a KQL server. Thanks Daddy Microsoft.

now whats KQL you may be asking. why, its Microsofts very own SQL clone! its Kusto Query Language. never mind that the system uses a SQL database for daily operations. lets use this proprietary Microsoft thing because they are paying us

so yay, problem solved. we now never miss the logs. so how do we read them if they are split up line by line in a database? why with a query of course!

select * from tbLogs where RobotUID = [64CharLongString] and timestamp > [UnixTimeCode]

if this makes no sense to you, CONGRATULATIONS! you found the problem with this setup. Most FSE's were BAD at SQL which meant they didnt read logs anymore. If you do understand what the query is, CONGRATULATIONS! you see why this is Very Stupid.

You could not search by robot name. each robot had some arbitrarily assigned 64 character long string as an identifier and the timestamps were not set to local time. so you had run a lookup query to find the right name and do some time zone math to figure out what part of the logs to read. oh yeah and you had to download KQL to view them. so now we had both SQL and KQL on our computers

NOBODY in the field like this.

But Daddy Microsoft comes to the rescue

see we didnt JUST get KQL with part of that deal. we got the entire Microsoft cloud suite. and some people (like me) had been automating emails and stuff with Power Automate

This is Microsoft Power Automate. its Microsoft's version of Scratch but it has hooks into everything Microsoft. SharePoint, Teams, Outlook, Excel, it can integrate with all of it. i had been using it to send an email once a day with a list of all the robots in maintenance.

this gave me an idea

and i checked

and Power Automate had hooks for KQL

KLogs is actually short for Kusto Logs

I did not know how to program in Power Automate but damn it anything is better then writing KQL queries. so i got to work. and about 2 months later i had a BEHEMOTH of a Power Automate program. it lagged the webpage and many times when i tried to edit something my changes wouldn't take and i would have to click in very specific ways to ensure none of my variables were getting nuked. i dont think this was the intended purpose of Power Automate but this is what it did

the KLogger would watch a list of Teams chats and when someone typed "klogs" or pasted a copy of an ERROR mesage, it would spring into action.

it extracted the robot name from the message and timestamp from teams

it would lookup the name in the database to find the 64 long string UID and the location that robot was assigned too

it would reply to the message in teams saying it found a robot name and was getting logs

it would run a KQL query for the database and get the control system logs then export then into a CSV

it would save the CSV with the a .xls extension into a folder in ShairPoint (it would make a new folder for each day and location if it didnt have one already)

it would send ANOTHER message in teams with a LINK to the file in SharePoint

it would then enter a loop and scour the robot logs looking for the keyword ESTOP to find the error. (it did this because Kusto was SLOWER then the xbee radio and had up to a 10 min delay on syncing)

if it found the error, it would adjust its start and end timestamps to capture it and export the robot logs book-ended from the event by ~ 1 min. if it didnt, it would use the timestamp from when it was triggered +/- 5 min

it saved THOSE logs to SharePoint the same way as before

it would send ANOTHER message in teams with a link to the files

it would then check if the error was 1 of 3 very specific type of error with the camera. if it was it extracted the base64 jpg image saved in KQL as a byte array, do the math to convert it, and save that as a jpg in SharePoint (and link it of course)

and then it would terminate. and if it encountered an error anywhere in all of this, i had logic where it would spit back an error message in Teams as plaintext explaining what step failed and the program would close gracefully

I deployed it without asking anyone at one of the sites that was struggling. i just pointed it at their chat and turned it on. it had a bit of a rocky start (spammed chat) but man did the FSE's LOVE IT.

about 6 months later software deployed their answer to reading the logs: a webpage that acted as a nice GUI to the KQL database. much better then an CSV file

it still needed you to scroll though a big drop-down of robot names and enter a timestamp, but i noticed something. all that did was just change part of the URL and refresh the webpage

SO I MADE KLOGS 2 AND HAD IT GENERATE THE URL FOR YOU AND REPLY TO YOUR MESSAGE WITH IT. (it also still did the control server and jpg stuff). Theres a non-zero chance that klogs was still in use long after i left that job

now i dont recommend anyone use power automate like this. its clunky and weird. i had to make a variable called "Carrage Return" which was a blank text box that i pressed enter one time in because it was incapable of understanding /n or generating a new line in any capacity OTHER then this (thanks support forum).

im also sure this probably is giving the actual programmer people anxiety. imagine working at a company and then some rando you've never seen but only heard about as "the FSE whos really good at root causing stuff", in a department that does not do any coding, managed to, in their spare time, build and release and entire workflow piggybacking on your work without any oversight, code review, or permission.....and everyone liked it

[its-whimsii-248]

Hi everyone, I have a bit of an announcement to make. Nobody is in trouble, and yes I’m safe and okay. I just wanted to let everyone know that there may be a slight break or pause on art or emojis for a bit, as I have lost all of my digital art, wips, brushes, bases, YCHs, everything including Procreate. I hope to slowly come back over time.

It started with my iPad misbehaving and not allowing me to enter my password. I thought maybe I had simply forgotten my password of 6 years, and kept trying variations. I kept at this over the course of a few days, praying one of them would work. I was certain someone had tampered with my iPad, whether it was a hacker or family member I’m not sure. Today, I finally reached the dreaded “iPad unavailable” screen, meaning my absolute only option was to factory reset it and download a previous backup. So, of course I Googled and Youtubed everything I could, downloading software on my computer to try and fix everything. But my only option was to wipe it.

Once the deed had been done, I logged in and went to download a backup. Though I was presented with an issue; I had no backups (unless you count my mom’s current phone, as my iPad was still tied to her account). There was nothing from that point I could do to get everything back.

The only truly important things on there were my art things, since any photos had been saved or backed up elsewhere by now. I lost all of my Procreate data, including 6 years of art progress, references I had been working on for art fight next month, all of the emojis I have made and continue to use as bases, self portraits, drawings of pets that have since passed, fanart and gifts for friends, brushes I have made personally or downloaded myself, and a very detailed and extensive animatic I had been working on for about a year. All those frames, layers, and pixels are now lost.

It feels really bad, but also freeing. I have a fresh canvas to start from, and empty library to build up, and that’s exciting to me. I am finally off of my mother’s account and I have my own freedom for that device (yes I know it sounds silly), so hopefully I will try new things and feel a little more relaxed with my art.

All of this being said, art and emojis will likely be slow for a bit, if not completely halted for a few days or more. I’m not sure how long, I really want to keep creating but it’s probably gonna be difficult to face an empty Procreate (after paying the $13 fee again… yuck). I’m really sorry, but this is actually pretty difficult for me. But good at the same time.

In summary, my iPad went kaput and erased all of my data, including Procreate and my digital art. Nothing is recoverable. So I will be on a little art break until I can build everything back up again somehow.

Take care everyone, and thank you for reading.