#database integrity solutions

[thedbahub]

Navigating Through the Storm: Repairing SQL Server 2022 Database Corruption

Below is a structured approach to tackling database corruption in SQL Server 2022, featuring practical T-SQL code examples. Introduction Database corruption is a daunting challenge for any database administrator (DBA). In SQL Server 2022, Microsoft has continued to enhance its robust set of tools to detect, diagnose, and repair corrupt databases. This article provides a hands-on guide for…

[ralantechinnovate]

Oracle Database Consulting Services to Power Your Enterprise

When your business relies on data to thrive, you can’t afford performance issues, security vulnerabilities, or downtime. That’s where Oracle Database Consulting Services come into play. At RalanTech, we offer end-to-end database consulting to help enterprises manage, optimize, and secure their Oracle environments.

Our experts work with clients across industries, helping them achieve higher uptime, faster performance, and scalable architecture tailored to business goals. Whether you're undergoing a digital transformation or need to enhance your legacy systems, our database consultants provide actionable insights and solutions.

We recognize that managing Oracle databases requires not just technical know-how, but a strategic approach to data lifecycle management. That’s why our consulting services are tailored to align with your business goals, budget, and compliance requirements.

Let’s explore what makes RalanTech a leading provider of DBA consulting services and why so many businesses in the U.S. trust us to manage their critical data infrastructure.

Why Choose RalanTech for Oracle Database Consulting Services?

Proven Expertise Across Industries

At RalanTech, our consultants bring years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies, startups, and government agencies. We offer specialized expertise in Oracle Database architecture, performance tuning, patching, upgrades, and cloud migrations.

Customized Solutions

No two businesses have the same database challenges. Our team tailors every database management consulting plan to meet your specific operational requirements—whether that means 24/7 monitoring, periodic health checks, or advanced disaster recovery planning.

End-to-End Database Services

From design and deployment to support and optimization, we cover all aspects of Oracle database management. Clients benefit from one seamless engagement instead of juggling multiple vendors.

ROI-Focused Consulting

We understand that database investments must deliver measurable returns. Our consultants focus on solutions that improve operational efficiency, reduce licensing costs, and increase system uptime, ultimately driving ROI.

Comprehensive Database Management Consulting You Can Trust

Strategic Planning and Assessment

Before any database enhancement or overhaul begins, RalanTech conducts a thorough assessment of your current environment. We analyze capacity planning, schema architecture, and workload balancing to build a robust optimization strategy.

Migration and Upgrades

Whether you're moving to Oracle 19c or transitioning your workloads to the cloud, our DBA consulting services ensure zero data loss, minimal downtime, and full compliance with regulatory standards.

Performance Tuning

Slow databases can cripple business operations. Our Oracle consultants use real-time monitoring tools and query optimization techniques to dramatically improve performance.

Backup and Disaster Recovery

Disaster can strike anytime. We set up automated, reliable backup and recovery systems that minimize data loss and ensure business continuity even in the worst-case scenarios.

DBA Consulting Services That Scale With You

24/7 Monitoring and Support

Downtime is costly. That’s why our Oracle-certified DBAs provide continuous monitoring and on-demand support to catch and resolve issues before they impact operations.

Security and Compliance

From HIPAA to SOX, our database management consulting experts ensure your Oracle systems adhere to the highest security standards. We implement access controls, encryption, and activity auditing as part of our core offering.

Cloud Integration and Hybrid Environments

We assist businesses in moving their databases to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Amazon RDS, or hybrid setups. Our team ensures secure, seamless integration with existing applications and infrastructure.

Capacity Planning and Future-Proofing

RalanTech consultants analyze current workloads and predict future demands, allowing your organization to scale without compromising performance or reliability.

Key Benefits of Our Oracle Database Consulting Services

Increased Performance and Speed

Our Oracle specialists fine-tune your database for optimized indexing, query execution plans, and memory usage, ensuring peak performance at all times.

Reduced Operational Costs

With RalanTech, you get proactive support, minimized downtime, and optimized licensing—all of which result in significant cost savings.

Improved Data Integrity

We enforce strong data governance policies and ensure that all database operations are aligned with compliance requirements and internal policies.

Greater Business Agility

Our DBA consulting services empower businesses to deploy new applications, adapt to market demands, and scale operations without database bottlenecks.

How RalanTech Stands Apart from Other Database Consulting Firms?

Agile Methodology

We follow an agile consulting approach that allows us to deliver incremental value at each project stage. Our clients stay in the loop from day one to go-live.

Certified Oracle Experts

All our consultants are Oracle Certified Professionals (OCP) with years of experience in complex environments. You're not just hiring a consultant—you're hiring a strategic partner.

Dedicated Account Management

RalanTech assigns a dedicated account manager to every project, ensuring personalized service and rapid response times.

Post-Implementation Support

We don’t disappear after go-live. Our ongoing support services ensure that your systems continue to run smoothly, securely, and efficiently.

Use Cases for Oracle Database Consulting Services

Financial Institutions

Banks and financial institutions rely heavily on Oracle for core transaction processing. Our services ensure they meet stringent performance and compliance demands.

Healthcare Providers

Patient data is sensitive and highly regulated. RalanTech delivers secure Oracle environments that meet HIPAA and HITECH compliance.

E-commerce Platforms

Online businesses require lightning-fast response times. We help optimize Oracle systems for maximum availability and conversion.

Government and Public Sector

We assist agencies in maintaining secure, compliant, and high-performing Oracle environments with robust disaster recovery plans.

Oracle DBA Consulting Services for the Cloud Era

Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Optimization

We specialize in deploying and optimizing Oracle databases in OCI. Our consultants help design cloud-native solutions that maximize scalability and minimize cost.

Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Architectures

RalanTech helps businesses run Oracle databases across AWS, Azure, and on-prem setups. We handle the configuration, monitoring, and performance tuning.

Licensing and Cost Management

Oracle licensing can be complex and costly. Our experts help optimize licensing structures, avoid unnecessary purchases, and stay compliant with Oracle policies.

DevOps and Automation

We incorporate DevOps methodologies to automate Oracle database deployment, testing, and scaling—resulting in faster time-to-market and reduced errors.

How to Get Started with RalanTech?

Free Initial Consultation

We offer a free 30-minute consultation to understand your current challenges and goals. This helps us create a roadmap tailored to your needs.

Clear Project Milestones

Every project is broken down into milestones, ensuring transparency, accountability, and timely delivery.

Flexible Engagement Models

Choose from on-demand, project-based, or managed service contracts. We adapt our delivery model to your business requirements.

Proven Track Record

Our case studies and testimonials speak for themselves. Clients report increased reliability, reduced costs, and improved user satisfaction after partnering with RalanTech.

FAQs – Oracle Database Consulting Services

Q1: What industries does RalanTech support with Oracle database consulting?

We serve a wide range of industries including finance, healthcare, retail, government, and manufacturing—any sector that depends on secure and high-performance database systems.

Q2: Can RalanTech help migrate our existing database to Oracle Cloud?

Absolutely. Our team specializes in Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) migration, ensuring minimal disruption and complete data integrity.

Q3: Do you offer 24/7 DBA support?

Yes, we offer round-the-clock monitoring and support as part of our managed DBA consulting services.

Q4: How do you ensure compliance with data regulations?

We follow industry best practices and implement data governance frameworks that adhere to HIPAA, SOX, GDPR, and other compliance mandates.

Q5: What sets your database management consulting apart?

Our personalized approach, certified Oracle experts, and proven track record in delivering high-performance solutions make us a trusted partner.

Q6: Do you support hybrid and multi-cloud database environments?

Yes, we help clients manage Oracle databases across on-prem, cloud, and hybrid infrastructures including AWS, Azure, and OCI.

Q7: Is there a minimum contract period for DBA consulting services?

We offer flexible engagement models including short-term and long-term contracts to suit your needs.

Q8: What tools do you use for performance monitoring?

We leverage industry-leading tools like Oracle Enterprise Manager (OEM), SolarWinds, and custom dashboards for real-time performance insights.

Q9: Can RalanTech help reduce Oracle licensing costs?

Yes, we analyze your current licensing and recommend optimizations that ensure compliance while reducing unnecessary expenditure.

Q10: How do I get started?

Just reach out via https://www.ralantech.com or book your free consultation today. Our Oracle experts are ready to assist.

[servicestech]

Discover how effective data migration ensures Salesforce implementation success. Learn best practices and strategies to maintain data integrity during your CRM transition.

[frank-olivier]

The Convergence of Databases and Artificial Intelligence: Revolutionizing Application Development

The advent of sophisticated chatbots and Large Language Models (LLMs) has marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of data management and application development. These Artificial Intelligence (AI) powerhouses generate unprecedented volumes of unstructured data and intricate query patterns, exposing the limitations of traditional database architectures. In response, the tech industry is witnessing a groundbreaking convergence of database management and AI, poised to transform the application development landscape.

At the heart of this revolution lies the challenge of accommodating the vast, complex data sets produced by AI models. Conventional databases, designed to handle structured data and predictable queries, struggle to maintain efficiency and resilience in the face of such demands. To bridge this gap, innovators are developing novel database solutions that integrate seamlessly with AI-driven applications. A key aspect of this approach involves supporting advanced query methodologies, such as Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and semantic search, which significantly enhance database performance and scalability.

The integration of AI-centric extensions into database management systems represents a paradigm shift in application development. By embedding LLMs directly into databases, developers can achieve transformative leaps in scalability. Benchmarks from high-traffic datasets have shown promising results, with response times under 2 seconds even at peak loads. This feat is made possible by dynamic resource allocation, which intelligently scales resources based on query demands, mitigating the increased computational requirements typically associated with AI adoption. Furthermore, the implementation of comprehensive end-to-end encryption ensures the safeguarding of sensitive information, a critical consideration in the context of AI-driven queries.

This convergence of databases and AI is set to profoundly impact the application development process. By streamlining the integration of multiple tools and leveraging open-source solutions, developers can anticipate a simplified development environment. Enhanced accessibility will likely democratize access to AI-driven technologies, fostering innovation across a broader spectrum of industries. Ultimately, the evolution of databases into active, AI-driven entities within the technological ecosystem will irreversibly alter the landscape of application development.

However, this rapid evolution also presents challenges, particularly in managing diverse contributor inputs in open-source projects and ensuring the stability and security of AI-infused databases. To navigate these complexities, a dual approach is emerging: the implementation of rigorous testing frameworks to guarantee project integrity, alongside community governance models that balance collaborative innovation with the need for oversight.

As the technological horizon continues to unfold, the integration of Explainable AI (XAI) capabilities into next-generation databases is expected to play a pivotal role. By providing unparalleled transparency into AI-driven query decisions, XAI will not only enhance trust in these systems but also facilitate deeper insights into their operational dynamics. Moreover, the ongoing engagement with ethical AI discourses underscores a growing recognition of the need to harmonize the pursuit of innovation with the paramount responsibility of safeguarding user trust and privacy in the deployment of LLMs within databases.

The convergence of databases and Artificial Intelligence heralds a revolutionary era in application development, marked by enhanced scalability, simplified development processes, and redefined database management paradigms. As this technological symbiosis continues to evolve, it is clear that the future of data-driven innovation will be shaped by the thoughtful integration of AI into the very fabric of database architectures.

Avthar Sewrathan: How to Build Smarter AI Applications with PostgreSQL (Craig Smith, Eye on AI, November 2024)

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

[shayenaxcrino]

Software Development Company in Dwarka

Our software development company in Dwarka is a leading provider of innovative and high-quality software solutions. We specialize in developing custom software solutions for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises. Our team of experienced software developers and designers work closely with our clients to understand their unique needs and requirements, and then create custom software solutions that meet their specific needs. We use the latest technologies and tools to ensure that our software solutions are efficient, scalable, and secure. Our company is committed to delivering exceptional customer service and support, and we pride ourselves on our ability to exceed our clients' expectations.

[jstor]

I saw something about generative AI on JSTOR. Can you confirm whether you really are implementing it and explain why? I’m pretty sure most of your userbase hates AI.

A generative AI/machine learning research tool on JSTOR is currently in beta, meaning that it's not fully integrated into the platform. This is an opportunity to determine how this technology may be helpful in parsing through dense academic texts to make them more accessible and gauge their relevancy.

To JSTOR, this is primarily a learning experience. We're looking at how beta users are engaging with the tool and the results that the tool is producing to get a sense of its place in academia.

In order to understand what we're doing a bit more, it may help to take a look at what the tool actually does. From a recent blog post:

Content evaluation

Problem: Traditionally, researchers rely on metadata, abstracts, and the first few pages of an article to evaluate its relevance to their work. In humanities and social sciences scholarship, which makes up the majority of JSTOR’s content, many items lack abstracts, meaning scholars in these areas (who in turn are our core cohort of users) have one less option for efficient evaluation. 

When using a traditional keyword search in a scholarly database, a query might return thousands of articles that a user needs significant time and considerable skill to wade through, simply to ascertain which might in fact be relevant to what they’re looking for, before beginning their search in earnest.

Solution: We’ve introduced two capabilities to help make evaluation more efficient, with the aim of opening the researcher’s time for deeper reading and analysis:

Summarize, which appears in the tool interface as “What is this text about,” provides users with concise descriptions of key document points. On the back-end, we’ve optimized the Large Language Model (LLM) prompt for a concise but thorough response, taking on the task of prompt engineering for the user by providing advanced direction to:

Extract the background, purpose, and motivations of the text provided.

Capture the intent of the author without drawing conclusions.

Limit the response to a short paragraph to provide the most important ideas presented in the text.

Search term context is automatically generated as soon as a user opens a text from search results, and provides information on how that text relates to the search terms the user has used. Whereas the summary allows the user to quickly assess what the item is about, this feature takes evaluation to the next level by automatically telling the user how the item is related to their search query, streamlining the evaluation process.

Discovering new paths for exploration

Problem: Once a researcher has discovered content of value to their work, it’s not always easy to know where to go from there. While JSTOR provides some resources, including a “Cited by” list as well as related texts and images, these pathways are limited in scope and not available for all texts. Especially for novice researchers, or those just getting started on a new project or exploring a novel area of literature, it can be needlessly difficult and frustrating to gain traction. 

Solution: Two capabilities make further exploration less cumbersome, paving a smoother path for researchers to follow a line of inquiry:

Recommended topics are designed to assist users, particularly those who may be less familiar with certain concepts, by helping them identify additional search terms or refine and narrow their existing searches. This feature generates a list of up to 10 potential related search queries based on the document’s content. Researchers can simply click to run these searches.

Related content empowers users in two significant ways. First, it aids in quickly assessing the relevance of the current item by presenting a list of up to 10 conceptually similar items on JSTOR. This allows users to gauge the document’s helpfulness based on its relation to other relevant content. Second, this feature provides a pathway to more content, especially materials that may not have surfaced in the initial search. By generating a list of related items, complete with metadata and direct links, users can extend their research journey, uncovering additional sources that align with their interests and questions.

Supporting comprehension

Problem: You think you have found something that could be helpful for your work. It’s time to settle in and read the full document… working through the details, making sure they make sense, figuring out how they fit into your thesis, etc. This all takes time and can be tedious, especially when working through many items. 

Solution: To help ensure that users find high quality items, the tool incorporates a conversational element that allows users to query specific points of interest. This functionality, reminiscent of CTRL+F but for concepts, offers a quicker alternative to reading through lengthy documents. 

By asking questions that can be answered by the text, users receive responses only if the information is present. The conversational interface adds an accessibility layer as well, making the tool more user-friendly and tailored to the diverse needs of the JSTOR user community.

Credibility and source transparency

We knew that, for an AI-powered tool to truly address user problems, it would need to be held to extremely high standards of credibility and transparency. On the credibility side, JSTOR’s AI tool uses only the content of the item being viewed to generate answers to questions, effectively reducing hallucinations and misinformation. 

On the transparency front, responses include inline references that highlight the specific snippet of text used, along with a link to the source page. This makes it clear to the user where the response came from (and that it is a credible source) and also helps them find the most relevant parts of the text. 

[vintage-tech]

useful information: How to get a USB Blu-Ray player to work on your computer

Not a post about vintage technology, just an explanation of what you think might be simple to do but isn't: There are Blu-Ray players that plug into your computer by USB, and you discover that just plugging it in doesn't make it work* in the same manner that CD-RWs or DVD-RWs are automatically recognised and function. You will see "BR Drive" in My Computer and the name of whatever movie you have inserted, but that's as far as you're able to go.

*There is software you can buy to make a Blu-Ray (internal or external) function, sure, and if an internal came with your computer it's likely already installed -- but if you're like me you don't have that software, you're cheap and won't pay for software, and you want to use what you have installed already or find free solutions.

Looking in the Blu-Ray drive's package, there's not a lot of info about what you're supposed to do. The above no-name Blu-Ray player cost $40 from a popular website; name-brand ones can set you back $120 or so. Looking around online for those instructions, I never saw the whole set of directions in one place, I had to cobble them together from 2 or 3 sites. And so here I share that list. To keep out of trouble, I'm not linking any files -- Google will help you.

Get VLC, the free video player available for pretty much any operating system. Thing is, it doesn't come with the internals to make it work with Blu-Ray even if when you go to the Play Media menu there is a radio button for selecting Blu-Ray.

Get MakeMKV, a decoder for reading Blu-Ray disks. This had been totally free during the beta testing period but it's come out and has a month or two trial period you can work in.

Get Java if you don't already have it. Reason for this is, the menu systems on Blu-Ray disks uses this... technically it's not required, however it does mean you don't have options such as special features, language and sound changes, or scene selection if you don't have Java installed; insert a disk, it can only play the movie.

Get the file libaacs.dll online so you have AACS decoding. I am told it hasn't been updated in awhile so there may be disks produced after 2013 that won't work right, but you won't know until you try.

There's a set of keys you will also want to have so that the player knows how to work with specific disks, and so do a search online for the "FindVUK Online Database". There will be a regularly-updated keydb.cfg archive file on that page to pick up.

Got those three programs installed and the other two files obtained? Okay, here are your instructions for assembly...

In VLC: go to Tools, Prefs, click "show all"… under the Input/Codecs heading is Access Modules then Blu-Ray: Select your region, A through C. You can change this if you need to for foreign disks. Next related action: go to My Computer and C:, click into Program Files and VLC, and this is where you copy the libaacs.dll file to.

In MakeMKV: click View, then Preferences, and under Integration - add VLC.

Confirm that Java is set up to work with VLC by going to the computer's Control Panel, going to System Properties, and into Environment Variables. Click System Variables, and click New to create this key if it doesn't already exist: … Name: Java … Value: [the location of the Java 'jre#.##' folder... use Browse to find it in C:\Program Files\Java]

Let's go back into My Computer and C:, this time go to Program Data, and then do a right-click in the window and select New and Folder. Rename this folder "aacs" (without the quotes), and then you click into it and copy the keydb.cfg file here.

REBOOT.

And now you should be able to recognise Blu-Ray disks in your player and play them. Three troubleshooting notes to offer in VLC:

"Disk corrupt" -- this means MakeMKV has not decoded and parsed the disk yet, or that you don't have the libaacs.dll in place so that it can decode the disk. ...After checking the VLC folder for the DLL to make sure, launch MakeMKV, then go to File, Play Disk, and select the Blu-Ray drive. Now it will grind a bit and figure out the disk's contents.

A note appears when a movie starts saying there will be no menus, but the movie plays fine -- Java isn't running. ...Invoke Java by going to the Java Settings in Start: Programs. You don't have to change anything here, so Exit, then eject the disk and put it back in to see if the movie's menu now appears.

Buffering between chapters, making the movie pause for a few seconds? There is a setting for this but I need to find that info page again for where that is. (If you find it, tell me where it is!)

I don't claim to know a lot but if you have any questions I might have some answers or suggestions. So far I've watched "Office Space" and Disney's "Coco" without any issues beside occasional buffering.

[celestiquetower]

Awareness model I use so you can shape your own tower-explorations

Nix’s 5-Step Awareness Loop

You are never too dumb. You can do everything — you just need to find the path your mind takes and build one around the obstacles when you hit them. Everyone goes through this, aware or not. Being aware of it just reduces the friction that difficulties create — “work smarter, not harder.” It’s usable in other fields than drawing because it’s a general cognitive awareness training process, but I will use drawing examples since that’s how I can explain it best.

1. Trigger Detection

“I hit a wall.”

The moment of discomfort or resistance becomes your signal, not your enemy.

2. Contextualization

“Is it mood-based or a skill problem?”

Am I internally resisting (fear of failure, you don’t like the task, disappointment in self) the task or lack the skills to execute it?

3. Obstacle Analysis

“Why? What looks dissatisfying?”

Dissect the emotion and the artifact. Is it aesthetic? Technical? Emotional? Sometimes it helps to compare your work with the one that has the skill level you want to find these elements.

4. Workaround Creation

“How do I work around this?”

Instead of forcing it, you navigate — changing tool, task, angle, or mindset. From the previous step you clearly know the problem, now it’s easier to find a solution. If red didn’t work, try blue. Maybe mix red and blue. The key is to try different approaches, not hitting the wall until it breaks. This step makes you unstoppable.

5. Integration

Record the insight — in your blog, journal, mind, or process memory — so next time the wall feels less like a cliff and more like a puzzle.

I use a process I call “emotional documentation”. A small entry with the following structure: What felt off (even a vague description, just document the emotion it began with)? What made me realise it? What do they do differently? What workaround worked for me?

I do it so I can remember the feel of the insight so next time I hit the same/a similar wall I already have a map. The more maps you stack — the more you notice — your awareness expands the internal database it pulls from.

Good luck with your explorations! :)

[allaboutkeyingo]

SQL Server 2022 Edition and License instructions

SQL Server 2022 Editions:

• Enterprise Edition is ideal for applications requiring mission critical in-memory performance, security, and high availability

• Standard Edition delivers fully featured database capabilities for mid-tier applications and data marts

SQL Server 2022 is also available in free Developer and Express editions. Web Edition is offered in the Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) program only.

And the Online Store Keyingo Provides the SQL Server 2017/2019/2022 Standard Edition.

SQL Server 2022 licensing models 

SQL Server 2022 offers customers a variety of licensing options aligned with how customers typically purchase specific workloads. There are two main licensing models that apply to SQL Server:  PER CORE: Gives customers a more precise measure of computing power and a more consistent licensing metric, regardless of whether solutions are deployed on physical servers on-premises, or in virtual or cloud environments. 

• Core based licensing is appropriate when customers are unable to count users/devices, have Internet/Extranet workloads or systems that integrate with external facing workloads.

• Under the Per Core model, customers license either by physical server (based on the full physical core count) or by virtual machine (based on virtual cores allocated), as further explained below.

SERVER + CAL: Provides the option to license users and/or devices, with low-cost access to incremental SQL Server deployments.   

• Each server running SQL Server software requires a server license.

• Each user and/or device accessing a licensed SQL Server requires a SQL Server CAL that is the same version or newer – for example, to access a SQL Server 2019 Standard Edition server, a user would need a SQL Server 2019 or 2022 CAL.

Each SQL Server CAL allows access to multiple licensed SQL Servers, including Standard Edition and legacy Business Intelligence and Enterprise Edition Servers.SQL Server 2022 Editions availability by licensing model:  

Physical core licensing – Enterprise Edition 

• Customers can deploy an unlimited number of VMs or containers on the server and utilize the full capacity of the licensed hardware, by fully licensing the server (or server farm) with Enterprise Edition core subscription licenses or licenses with SA coverage based on the total number of physical cores on the servers.

• Subscription licenses or SA provide(s) the option to run an unlimited number of virtual machines or containers to handle dynamic workloads and fully utilize the hardware’s computing power.

Virtual core licensing – Standard/Enterprise Edition 

When licensing by virtual core on a virtual OSE with subscription licenses or SA coverage on all virtual cores (including hyperthreaded cores) on the virtual OSE, customers may run any number of containers in that virtual OSE. This benefit applies both to Standard and Enterprise Edition.

Licensing for non-production use 

SQL Server 2022 Developer Edition provides a fully featured version of SQL Server software—including all the features and capabilities of Enterprise Edition—licensed for  development, test and demonstration purposes only.  Customers may install and run the SQL Server Developer Edition software on any number of devices. This is  significant because it allows customers to run the software  on multiple devices (for testing purposes, for example)  without having to license each non-production server  system for SQL Server.  

A production environment is defined as an environment  that is accessed by end-users of an application (such as an  Internet website) and that is used for more than gathering  feedback or acceptance testing of that application.   

SQL Server 2022 Developer Edition is a free product !

[thelongestway]

Oof. Well, folks, you get two chapters today, because I wasn't sure if this was going to be one or two when I wrote them. Goddamnit, ART. (This has been a recurring refrain for this whole section).

Honestly, I'm also not sure if I should split the initially planned 3rd story into 3 and 4 - this first one, if I do, would be about 10 chapters? Maybe? I'll write and find out.

But for now...

Chapter 6: Transformation

ART took 1,5 seconds to process the accusation. Then it said: "You have made a deeply flawed assumption, and I resent its implications."

"Have I, really?" Dandelion said coldly. "Our nodes grow from human minds. There is no other way. And I doubt you would accept anyone except one of your own. So tell me, Perihelion: whose mind did you decide to use in order to supplement yours? Did you bring them with you, here, or did you leave them inside your hull, so they would not see what they would become?"

Oh, shit. She wasn't trying to scare ART. She was trying to scare its humans. Who weren't actually scared in the slightest. Possibly because they hadn't processed what Dandelion was saying yet. ART, though? ART had processed it. And it was getting angry. ART-drone floated slightly upwards of Dandelion's cubicle, and Reed made an anxious movement like ke wanted to move between them. For fuck's sake, you idiots! Stop making things worse!

They did stop. ART just loomed above her and said, "If you consider 'Perihelion wants to make one of its humans its permanent co-processor' to be a line of reasoning I would ever take, then your medical databases are decades out of date. I will share mine with you once you agree to lift the medically-unnecessary quarantine."

"You're right," Dandelion said in her artificially-pleasant voice. "The reason the quarantine is still in place is no longer because of the virus, but because your crew should know what you are getting them into, and I do not trust you to tell them."

Without the feed, ART-drone's vocalizing seemed even. But I knew ART, and I knew it was seething. ART-drone turned to Seth, Martyn and Iris and said,

"Do not listen. She is wrong. If I were to make a crew member my co-processor in the way she is implying, my mind would eventually crush and subjugate theirs. I would never do that to any of you."

I couldn't feel ART's emotions through the feed, but I sure could feel its humans. Even before ART had clarified, they weren't frightened at all--just confused. And now they were livid.

"We know you would not, Perihelion." Seth said, looking up at ART-drone, then slowly turning to face the cubicle. "And, Dandelion Tenacious, I am starting to resent the implications myself, as well as your meddling. I don't know what you're trying to provoke Perihelion into, but I will not allow it. Captain Reed, please explain the meaning of this charade."

For the first time since ART asked for Dandelion's schematics, Reed seemed to relax somewhat. Ke said, "Aspirants who wish to become node ships generally undergo a vetting procedure. While Perihelion's case is unique, as it is already essentially one--and be assured that its existence in itself is none of Arborea Cosmica's business, and we have no plans of initiating any sort of action about it--Perihelion's insistence on integrating an organic part into itself struck Dandelion and I as similar to how certain aspirants imagine the process. As it would not stop impinging upon Dandelion even under conditions of strict quarantine, we have also inferred Perihelion would attempt to bypass any other restrictions it deemed arbitrary just as crudely. So we decided to adapt a standard lesson for aspirants for this very unusual situation, and inform you of the potential dangers of its plan in the process."

"We," Seth said, staring at Reed with a difficult expression. "I thought this was all the Tenacious' initiative."

Captain Reed laid a hand on the cubicle.

"This is not a decision made by one. Although the solution proposed was indeed Dandelion's, the initiative to handle you as a node ship and its crew was mine. So yes--we, Captain and Ship of the Tenacious cluster, agreed on this course of action and took it. If you wish to lodge some sort of complaint, you may do so with me. Or we may continue."

"Continue with what, exactly?" Iris said. "For now, you've just been accusing Peri of wanting to turn one of us into a glorified wormhole drive, for no reason whatsoever other than that it was a little pushy at you! Whatever this is you're doing, you're not making it a discussion, but conducting some kind of ridiculous court drama!"

"Not just a glorified wormhole drive," Dandelion said, suddenly far less intensely. "Have you inferred the most unpleasant reason we cut off aspirants yet?"

Seth considered for a moment, then said slowly, "You weren't accusing Perihelion of wanting to use and eventually kill us, were you. You thought it wanted to… What? Save us somehow?"

"Yes. There is a type of aspirant who seeks to become a node ship because they think it will lead to effective immortality, whether for themselves or for their loved ones. No matter how much we explain this is not how it works, no matter how well they know the ships who live beside them, some persist. The resulting confrontation rarely ends well.

"Perihelion, I have said your situation is exceptional, and I meant it. But it is also exceptional in its temptations. As you have told us today, your crew nearly died on your latest mission. It would have been natural for you to want to keep them safe, by any means possible. We had to check, and we had to warn your crew of the very real possibility and show them where it would eventually lead."

"Well, this was a cruel and stupid way to do it!" Iris exclaimed angrily. "How did you think we would react, by going 'oh no, our awful, terrible ship wants to kill us'? You assholes don't get it, do you? Our lives have been in Peri's hands for decades now! I grew up on board, for fuck's sake!"

"This is exactly why you would not have taken their word over mine without extreme measures, Iris," ART interrupted. "They were only concerned for you."

"Fuck their concern, Peri!" Iris whirled on a heel and stalked towards Captain Reed, stabbing at kes chest with a finger. "How about you assholes quit the theatrics and just discuss the options on the table like fucking adults?"

"Very well," Reed said, not budging from kes spot, "once we clear one last thing up. Perihelion, if what you have said is true, then I am at a loss as to why you would want an organic drive in the first place. Our joint investigation has at the very least made it clear that you could eventually rebuild your drive and subroutines in their entirety, even though it would take time. However, melding an organic component to an artificial mind of your magnitude would be an experimental procedure that could hardly be called risk-free. So why go through with it at all, much less be as persistent as you were, if not for the sake of one of your crew?"

ART said, "The installation of the unidentified organic component modified me to a deeper extent than anyone had predicted, including myself. As discovered by our initial investigation and confirmed by comparison with the Breakoff virus, it is possible to undo its effects, but only through a total rollback and retraining of the relevant sectors of my mind. If it were only the navigational subroutines, this would not have been a problem. However, this was not the first time directly interfacing with an organic mind has modified me."

Oh no. ART. Oh shit, oh fuck, oh no.

[applythaivisa]

Thailand Visa Exemptions

1. Legislative Framework and Policy Evolution

1.1 Statutory Basis

Governed by Sections 12 and 35 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979)

Implemented through Ministerial Regulation No. 28 (B.E. 2544)

Modified by Cabinet Resolution (November 2022) extending 45-day stays until November 2025

1.2 Bilateral vs. Unilateral Agreements

Reciprocal Exemptions (12 countries including Brazil, South Korea, Peru)

90-day stays

Multiple-entry privileges

Unilateral Exemptions (56 countries)

Standard 30-day stays

45-day temporary extension for air arrivals

1.3 Historical Policy Shifts

2008: Introduction of 15-day land border restrictions

2016: Implementation of biometric tracking

2022: Temporary 45-day extension to boost tourism

2. Eligibility and Entry Protocols

2.1 Nationality-Based Classification

Passport TypeDurationEntry MethodExtension EligibilityG7 Nations45 days*Air onlyYes (30 days)ASEAN Members30 daysAir/LandNoDeveloping Economies15-30 daysConditionalVaries

*Until November 2025 per Cabinet Resolution

2.2 Document Verification Matrix

Mandatory Documents:

Passport (6+ months validity)

Onward ticket (confirmed within exemption period)

Proof of funds (THB 20,000/person)

Secondary Checks:

Previous Thai visa history (12-month lookback)

Accommodation verification

3. Immigration Assessment Algorithms

3.1 Risk-Based Screening System

Primary Inspection:

Machine-readable zone scan

Interpol database check

Facial recognition matching

Secondary Screening Triggers:

4+ visa exemptions in 12 months

Suspicious travel patterns

Incomplete documentation

3.2 Discretionary Denial Factors

Red Flags:

Previous overstays (even if paid)

Employment-seeking behavior

Frequent border runs

4. Border-Specific Implementation

4.1 Airport Processing

Dedicated Visa-Exempt Lanes at 6 international airports

Automated Immigration Gates (e-Gates) for eligible nationalities

Transit Without Visa (TWOV):

72-hour limit

Confirmed onward ticket required

4.2 Land Border Restrictions

15-Day Maximum Stay at 52 designated checkpoints

Entry Quotas:

2 land crossings per calendar year (2024 policy)

Exceptions for border pass holders

5. Extension and Conversion Mechanics

5.1 Extension of Stay

Single 30-Day Extension:

THB 1,900 fee

TM.7 form submission

Proof of address required

Exceptional Cases:

Medical treatment

Force majeure events

5.2 Visa Conversion Options

Non-Immigrant Pathways:

Business (B): Requires THB 25,000 application fee

Retirement (O): Age 50+ with financial proof

Education (ED): Enrollment in accredited institution

6. Compliance and Enforcement

6.1 Overstay Penalties

Fine Structure:

THB 500/day (maximum THB 20,000)

Automatic blacklisting after 90+ days

Voluntary Departure Program:

7-day grace period at airports

6.2 Visa-Run Monitoring

Automated Tracking System:

Flags frequent exempt entries

Calculates denial probability score

7. Special Case Analyses

7.1 Diplomatic/Official Passports

90-Day Exemption regardless of nationality

Exempt from:

Financial proof requirements

Onward ticket verification

7.2 Crew Member Privileges

72-Hour Shore Leave:

Valid with approved crew documentation

Separate from passenger exemptions

8. Emerging Policy Developments

9.1 Digital Integration

E-Arrival Card System (2024 rollout)

Blockchain Travel History (Phase 1 testing)

9.2 Security Enhancements

Biometric Exit System (Full implementation 2025)

API Integration with INTERPOL databases

9. Strategic Entry Planning

10.1 For Frequent Travelers

Alternative Solutions:

METV (6-month multiple entry)

Elite Visa (5-20 year options)

Entry Pattern Management:

Minimum 21-day intervals between exempt entries

Rotate entry points (BKK/DMK/HKT)

10.2 For Long-Term Stays

Conversion Timing:

Optimal window: Days 1-15 of entry

Avoid holiday periods

Document Preparation:

Pre-legalized paperwork

Financial trail establishment

[thedbahub]

Mastering SQL Ledger in SQL Server 2022: A Comprehensive Guide with Practical T-SQL Examples

SQL Server 2022 introduces a groundbreaking feature that significantly enhances data integrity and trust: SQL Ledger. This feature provides an immutable, transparent, and secure way to maintain a verifiable and tamper-evident database ledger. It’s designed to meet the needs of businesses requiring a higher level of assurance in their data transactions, making it perfect for sectors like finance,…

[tycseo]

10+ ways technology is changing Public Relations

For brands seeking impact and longevity, technology is becoming the secret weapon in public relations. With real-time data, targeted outreach, and automation tools, agencies now deliver faster, smarter, and more effective PR campaigns. Let's explore how this shift is happening and what it means for the future.

1. AI-powered media monitoring

Artificial Intelligence tools help PR teams track brand mentions, competitor activity, and industry news in real-time. This allows faster response to potential crises and more relevant outreach to journalists and influencers.

2. Social listening tools

PR isn’t just about talking anymore—it’s about listening. Social listening tech helps brands understand public sentiment, uncover trends, and identify potential advocates or critics.

3. Data-driven storytelling

With analytics and insights readily available, PR professionals now craft stories backed by real data. This increases credibility and allows targeted messaging that actually resonates.

4. Influencer collaboration platforms

Digital PR platforms simplify influencer discovery, outreach, and campaign tracking. This helps brands collaborate authentically and measure impact more precisely.

5. Smart press releases

From embedding multimedia elements to tracking reader engagement, digital press releases are now interactive, measurable, and far more effective than their traditional counterparts.

6. Real-time crisis management

Thanks to instant alerts and social dashboards, PR teams can manage a brand crisis the moment it arises—often before it snowballs.

7. Content automation tools

Scheduling tools and AI-assisted writing software streamline content calendars, freeing PR professionals to focus more on creativity and strategy.

8. SEO-integrated PR

Public relations now works closely with SEO, ensuring that brand messages are not only newsworthy but also searchable and shareable.

9. Virtual events & digital launches

Tech allows brands to host press events, product launches, and panel discussions virtually—expanding reach and cutting costs.

10. Blockchain for transparency

Blockchain is starting to play a role in PR, offering transparency in advertising metrics and media spending.

11. Media database platforms

Smart databases help PR professionals find and pitch the right journalist for every story, improving outreach efficiency.

How agencies are adapting

Leading agencies are now blending traditional expertise with cutting-edge tools to create agile PR strategies. The modern-day campaign isn’t just pitched—it’s programmed, measured, and optimized in real-time.

Moreover, TYC Communication, a premier online PR company in Delhi, has consistently embraced innovation to stay ahead in the PR landscape. From data-led media strategies to influencer collaborations and digital storytelling, their comprehensive PR services help brands stay visible, relevant, and respected. Whether it’s for startups or established businesses, TYC offers tailor-made communication solutions powered by technology and driven by creativity.

[stuarttechnologybob]

PaaS vs IaaS on Microsoft Azure: Which Is Right for You?

Microsoft Azure Services

When moving to the cloud with Microsoft Azure Services, businesses often face a key question: Should we choose PaaS or IaaS? Both options offer powerful tools, but they serve different needs. Understanding the difference can help you decide what’s best for your project or organization.

What is IaaS?

IaaS stands for Infrastructure as a Service. With IaaS, you rent virtualized computing resources over the internet—like servers, storage, and networking. It’s similar to having your own data center but without the cost and complexity of maintaining physical hardware. Microsoft Azure Services offer flexible IaaS options, enabling you to scale up or down according to demand. This is ideal for companies that want complete control over their environment and already have a strong IT team.

What is PaaS?

PaaS, or Platform as a Service, goes a step further. It provides not just Infrastructure but also the tools and frameworks needed to build, test, and deploy applications quickly. With Microsoft Azure Services, PaaS solutions and offerings include and consist of several factors such as web hosting, databases, developer tools, and integration services in it. You don’t have to worry about managing servers or updates with its implementation. It’s great for developers and coders who want to focus and have keen understanding on writing code and crafting the product and launching apps without the overhead of infrastructure management.

Key Differences and Use Cases -

Control vs Convenience: IaaS offers more control. PaaS provides more convenience.

Customization: IaaS is ideal for complex setups. PaaS is perfect for rapid development.

Maintenance: With IaaS, your team handles most updates. With PaaS, Azure does the heavy lifting.

Which One Should You Choose?

If your team requires a flexible and customizable setup or a personalized approach for their business objectives and has the resources to manage it, IaaS is a strong choice and best alternative for a long time. If you want to speed up and boost the development cycle and reduce the maintenance costs, PaaS may be a better option and choice to go for as per your convenience and set business objectives.

Need Help Deciding?

Companies like Suma Soft, IBM, and Cyntexa specialize in guiding businesses through Microsoft Azure Services. They help and aid in evaluating your business goals and choose the right solution with their expertise—whether PaaS, IaaS or a mix of both—to ensure long-term success in the cloud is maintained and outleashed with its implementation with ease practices.

[shayenaxcrino]

Software Development Company in Delhi

Xcrino Business Solutions is a software development company in Delhi that specializes in creating innovative and customized software solutions for businesses. With a team of experienced developers and a strong focus on customer satisfaction, Xcrino is dedicated to helping businesses succeed in the digital age.

[acuvate-updates]

How Agentic AI & RAG Revolutionize Autonomous Decision-Making

In the swiftly advancing realm of artificial intelligence, the integration of Agentic AI and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) is revolutionizing autonomous decision-making across various sectors. Agentic AI endows systems with the ability to operate independently, while RAG enhances these systems by incorporating real-time data retrieval, leading to more informed and adaptable decisions. This article delves into the synergistic relationship between Agentic AI and RAG, exploring their combined impact on autonomous decision-making.

Overview

Agentic AI refers to AI systems capable of autonomous operation, making decisions based on environmental inputs and predefined goals without continuous human oversight. These systems utilize advanced machine learning and natural language processing techniques to emulate human-like decision-making processes. Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), on the other hand, merges generative AI models with information retrieval capabilities, enabling access to and incorporation of external data in real-time. This integration allows AI systems to leverage both internal knowledge and external data sources, resulting in more accurate and contextually relevant decisions.

Read more about Agentic AI in Manufacturing: Use Cases & Key Benefits

What is Agentic AI and RAG?

Agentic AI: This form of artificial intelligence empowers systems to achieve specific objectives with minimal supervision. It comprises AI agents—machine learning models that replicate human decision-making to address problems in real-time. Agentic AI exhibits autonomy, goal-oriented behavior, and adaptability, enabling independent and purposeful actions.

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG): RAG is an AI methodology that integrates a generative AI model with an external knowledge base. It dynamically retrieves current information from sources like APIs or databases, allowing AI models to generate contextually accurate and pertinent responses without necessitating extensive fine-tuning.

Know more on Why Businesses Are Embracing RAG for Smarter AI

Capabilities

When combined, Agentic AI and RAG offer several key capabilities:

Autonomous Decision-Making: Agentic AI can independently analyze complex scenarios and select effective actions based on real-time data and predefined objectives.

Contextual Understanding: It interprets situations dynamically, adapting actions based on evolving goals and real-time inputs.

Integration with External Data: RAG enables Agentic AI to access external databases, ensuring decisions are based on the most current and relevant information available.

Enhanced Accuracy: By incorporating external data, RAG helps Agentic AI systems avoid relying solely on internal models, which may be outdated or incomplete.

How Agentic AI and RAG Work Together

The integration of Agentic AI and RAG creates a robust system capable of autonomous decision-making with real-time adaptability:

Dynamic Perception: Agentic AI utilizes RAG to retrieve up-to-date information from external sources, enhancing its perception capabilities. For instance, an Agentic AI tasked with financial analysis can use RAG to access real-time stock market data.

Enhanced Reasoning: RAG augments the reasoning process by providing external context that complements the AI's internal knowledge. This enables Agentic AI to make better-informed decisions, such as recommending personalized solutions in customer service scenarios.

Autonomous Execution: The combined system can autonomously execute tasks based on retrieved data. For example, an Agentic AI chatbot enhanced with RAG can not only answer questions but also initiate actions like placing orders or scheduling appointments.

Continuous Learning: Feedback from executed tasks helps refine both the agent's decision-making process and RAG's retrieval mechanisms, ensuring the system becomes more accurate and efficient over time.

Read more about Multi-Meta-RAG: Enhancing RAG for Complex Multi-Hop Queries

Example Use Case: Customer Service

Customer Support Automation Scenario: A user inquiries about their account balance via a chatbot.

How It Works: The Agentic AI interprets the query, determines that external data is required, and employs RAG to retrieve real-time account information from a database. The enriched prompt allows the chatbot to provide an accurate response while suggesting payment options. If prompted, it can autonomously complete the transaction.

Benefits: Faster query resolution, personalized responses, and reduced need for human intervention.

Example: Acuvate's implementation of Agentic AI demonstrates how autonomous decision-making and real-time data integration can enhance customer service experiences.

2. Sales Assistance

Scenario: A sales representative needs to create a custom quote for a client.

How It Works: Agentic RAG retrieves pricing data, templates, and CRM details. It autonomously drafts a quote, applies discounts as instructed, and adjusts fields like baseline costs using the latest price book.

Benefits: Automates multi-step processes, reduces errors, and accelerates deal closures.

3. Healthcare Diagnostics

Scenario: A doctor seeks assistance in diagnosing a rare medical condition.

How It Works: Agentic AI uses RAG to retrieve relevant medical literature, clinical trial data, and patient history. It synthesizes this information to suggest potential diagnoses and treatment options.

Benefits: Enhances diagnostic accuracy, saves time, and provides evidence-based recommendations.

Example: Xenonstack highlights healthcare as a major application area for agentic AI systems in diagnosis and treatment planning.

4. Market Research and Consumer Insights

Scenario: A business wants to identify emerging market trends.

How It Works: Agentic RAG analyzes consumer data from multiple sources, retrieves relevant insights, and generates predictive analytics reports. It also gathers customer feedback from surveys or social media.

Benefits: Improves strategic decision-making with real-time intelligence.

Example: Companies use Agentic RAG for trend analysis and predictive analytics to optimize marketing strategies.

5. Supply Chain Optimization

Scenario: A logistics manager needs to predict demand fluctuations during peak seasons.

How It Works: The system retrieves historical sales data, current market trends, and weather forecasts using RAG. Agentic AI then predicts demand patterns and suggests inventory adjustments in real-time.

Benefits: Prevents stockouts or overstocking, reduces costs, and improves efficiency.

Example: Acuvate’s supply chain solutions leverage predictive analytics powered by Agentic AI to enhance logistics operations

How Acuvate Can Help

Acuvate specializes in implementing Agentic AI and RAG technologies to transform business operations. By integrating these advanced AI solutions, Acuvate enables organizations to enhance autonomous decision-making, improve customer experiences, and optimize operational efficiency. Their expertise in deploying AI-driven systems ensures that businesses can effectively leverage real-time data and intelligent automation to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Future Scope

The future of Agentic AI and RAG involves the development of multi-agent systems where multiple AI agents collaborate to tackle complex tasks. Continuous improvement and governance will be crucial, with ongoing updates and audits necessary to maintain safety and accountability. As technology advances, these systems are expected to become more pervasive across industries, transforming business processes and customer interactions.

In conclusion, the convergence of Agentic AI and RAG represents a significant advancement in autonomous decision-making. By combining autonomous agents with real-time data retrieval, organizations can achieve greater efficiency, accuracy, and adaptability in their operations. As these technologies continue to evolve, their impact across various sectors is poised to expand, ushering in a new era of intelligent automation.