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[royalkitchensblog]

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[idealmodularkitchen]

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[nina-power-bank]

3.4 inch 800x800 TFT LCD color round screen MIPI interface touch round d...

[tunastime]

Love in the Time of Calculation

as promised: the first chapter of the ranchers SEN fic! this fic takes place inside the au I created for Stretching Endless Night. I'm hoping posting this first chapter will actually get me to. write the rest of it. since I've got so much of it written. jazz hands!! enjoy!

In order to continue supplying food for a growing station, Commander Tango Tek, second to the head of engineering on the space station Prometheus, takes a six month study with the Empire-2 station at the behest of his admiral. There, he meets their botanist and horticulturist, Jimmy, a man he's only communicated with in communiques, voice memos, and documents. When they meet for the first time face-to-face, Tango realizes they both have something very interesting in common. In the face of all odds, two androids fall deeply, horribly in love. (6711 words)

Tango flips a switch on his navigation panel.

“It would be funny,” he says, slowly, enunciating as the recorder picks him up. “If I were to start these with some outlandish startdate. I would find it hilarious, I think, but I don’t know how many other people would. So…

Stardate 2105.47: I’ve just made brief contact with the Ring-style Space Station known as the Empire-dash-2. After discussion of docking procedure, I was forwarded the…passkey for the docking sequence and I should be arriving within two hours of my current time. That time is…in hour format…8:07pm. Lookin’ forward to meeting them, as much as they’re probably lookin’ forward to meeting me. I’ve never spoken to them in person—it’s all been electronic. So…it’ll be interesting, to say the least!” He nods, feeling some inclination to sigh—despite there being no way to. Motions he’d learned and copied from his peers. 

“Thus begins my month-long stay with E-dash-2. I can only hope some work with hydroponics actually gets me somewhere. They tell me the guy’s a genius, so I’m inclined to believe them.”

Tango jabs his finger against the stop recording button. After a beat, the small, LCD screen flashes SENT in dark, bold letters. Leaning back in his chair, Tango folds his arms over his chest, and sets his boots on his console. The ship around him hums faintly, enough to be heard if he pays attention to it. As he leans back, he surveys the inside of his ship, the LTS-111, the small craft that he called home. In comparison to other ships on the Prometheus, it’s smaller, built for short term travel between locations, a cool, dark grey inside. There’s two swivel chairs at the helm, a large front, port window, overlain with his control panel, above and below his chair. Behind him, a door opens to a short hallway—mess hall and his room, just a plain, grey-white with one bunk. There’s a crate with his belongings, of which there are few, a plant on the windowsill to keep him sane. The mess is devoid of food and drink. It’s a luxury he doesn’t need. It’s nice when he can, but it’s nothing but an experience for him. Nothing to be gained from poorly made HASA meals full of crude protein. The edge of his boot catches the lip of the console, pulling at the rubber. He’s tucked his flight suit into his boots. His eyes follow the bright red and gold stripe down the side—division colors. Commander, engineering and technology. On his sleeve there would be the same designation, as was on all of his uniforms. Even the plain black, well fit shirt underneath, even his boots. HASA; Commander. Luckily his boots didn’t have a commander or engineering tag. If he felt so inclined to sand off the small rubber HASA branding he could.

His eyes follow a line across the ceiling, to the small strip of light that brightens the room. He runs his fingers over the seam in his sleeve—habit, again, but he’s not sure from whom. 

The hour passes slowly. Tango spins simulations in his mind, projects from the ship's computer the schematics of E-2. He can see the docking station there on the map and traces out the line from there to the botanical garden. He spends time memorizing that path, and out to other locations, and rolling the names of his new compatriots around in his language acquisition program. None of these things are foreign to him—he’s built for new experiences, new learning opportunities. He can feel where known things end and new begins, and craves to fill the space, often and continuously. When that hour ends, there’s a tinny beep from his communications panel. He looks over the message displayed.

LTS-111 prepare docking sequence.

Tango dials the coordinates into his navigation system, overriding the current charting program to pilot into the docking bay. As he does, a crackling voice jumps to life.

“LTS-111, this is Fwhip, Commander of E-2. Do you copy?”

“E-2, this is Commander Tek of Prometheus. I copy. The Rift is ready for docking procedure.”

“Commander!” The voice—Fwhip—laughs. “It’s good to have you. Glad to hear you made it safely.”

Tango nods to himself.

“Myself as well. Looking forward to meeting you all.”

The line clicks out. Tango resettles in his chair, sitting up straight, taking in the sound of Fwhip’s voice, the designation, the information. He files that away.

The curve of E-2 comes into view, stark white and grey, glittering gold where the paneling reflects light. He watches as the shining craft sits suspended amidst stars, its own field of gravity and oxygen and life shining a faint blue in the light of the nearby sun. He feels that warmth through the front viewscreen, despite the gold foil and shade to block it. It’s nice. In the closest approximation to nice he could get. He pulls the seat’s harness over his chest, snaps it in place as he begins standard docking procedure—slowing to a noticeable crawl, flipping on his communications panels, and switching to reserve thrusters. The Rift was made with older tech, anything he could salvage and amass from ships being decommissioned. It functioned—better than the standard HASA ships and was fully compliant—well beyond what he’d ever expected. Though he wasn’t quite human enough to have real expectations.

The ship settles into a launch port on the far side of E-2. Tango takes his time collecting his belongings. He wanders into his room as the ship powers down, settling into a dull hum. He repacks his bag, giving a quick once-over of the bunk before he lifts the trunk into his arms, the weight negligible. He settles the plant in the corner of his bag, making sure it’s settled before he slings the bag over one shoulder and sets the crate on one hip. His startup keycard sits in his front shirt pocket, and his credentials badge in his back pocket. 

The first thing he notices as he enters the launchpad for E-2 is how clean and bright it is. The launchpad is devoid of anyone working, and there are certainly no other docking ships. The two other ships Tango can see are relatively new and clean, parked closely together. He glances around the space, looking for any sign of movement. His footsteps echo quietly around the empty chamber. To his right, beyond a stabilizing membrane is the winking stars of space. There’s a planet in the far distance, but it’s much too far to see anything notable. 

The bay door to his ship closes as he steps toward the winding steps up to the lofted second floor. He starts up the steps, lifting the crate into his arms. 

“Commander Tek!”

Tango startles. Looking up to the second floor, he sees someone lean over the railing, waving enthusiastically. Tango squints at him, surrounded by the white facade of the walls around him. 

“Commander Fwhip?” Tango says, cocking his head to the side. He sees Fwhip nod again.

Tango smiles a little, eyebrows furrowing despite it. Fwhip. The intonation matches what he heard crackling over the communicator of his ship, though, of course, without the static. He’s wearing stark black, with a large diagonal line cut in red across his chest, up to his collar, and over his shoulders. Tango realizes for a moment that his jumpsuit may not have been the prime choice for meeting a commanding officer—no matter the rank or office. Especially considering that he was supposed to be both a liaison and a researcher. 

But as Fwhip meets Tango on the landing, he shakes his hand firmly. There’s a spark, somewhere, in his eye, his heart rate elevated as Tango greets him. He’s winded, too, like he ran all the way here. Tango feels a piece of information in his mind click unexpectedly into place.

“Commander Fwhip,” he says, copying the smile Fwhip is giving him more fully. “It’s a pleasure.”

“Oh, please,” Fwhip laughs. “Commander, the pleasure is ours. Congratulations on your most recent publication.”

Tango nods. Somewhere, something kicks in his chest, just the faintest flicker of painful phantom sensation. It took him two years to publish that paper—and it was a damn shame he had to die to get it published in full, despite Doc and Etho’s help.

Fwhip’s hand is warm in his, enough to notice the change in sensation between them. He can feel Fwhip’s heartbeat in his palm and the way his breathing stutters for a second when Tango and him shake hands. Fwhip looks down at his hand. Tango lets go first, the noticeable white lines on his skin pulsating in and out. His hand feels stiff as he stretches it, feeling metal extend and retract.

“You’re…” Fwhip starts. Tango sees him frown, just the smallest change between his eyebrows. 

“An android?” Tango finishes. He watches color rise to Fwhip’s face as Tango tilts his head, expression neutral, amused, even. Fwhip laughs, even if it’s born from a touch of embarrassment. Tango hums something low, a version of a laugh he can manage to sound normal. 

“It’s not strange, if that’s what you think I think,” Fwhip says, leading Tango toward the stairs. “Unexpected maybe, but—to be fair, they didn’t tell you anything about me, either.”

“That is very true,” Tango says. He feels that itch, then, that want to know, to delve deeper. He shifts the box in his arms as they round the stairs, reaching the upper platform. “I think most people are surprised to find that I’m an android.” 

“That’s a shame—you’re brilliant for more reasons than just being an android,” Fwhip says, and the click comes back again, like he’s cracking a combination lock one number at a time. 

“I appreciate that,” Tango says, inclining his head. If there were anything in his face to indicate blush, he would be bright red. He hums instead, tilting his head back and forth in a dismissive sort of shake. Fwhip backsteps to walk by his side, raising his eyebrows over his glasses.

“So,” he starts, motioning to the door. “Did you have any questions about the ship as you settle in?”

Tango looks down at his shoes for a second, letting the thought spin in his head. He nods, just once.

“Yeah,” he says. “I’d love to hear more about the botany division—I got a real short mission briefing with Admiral Xisuma before I left. I know we were in a hurry to find the sweet spot of travel.”

“Of course,” Fwhip says. “Lining up that parallel can be real difficult if you don’t time it right.”

“The Admiral’s got an eye for interesting navigation patterns.”

Fwhip laughs, nodding his head. 

“Glad to hear you’re in good hands,” he says, opening the door for them. Tango follows him into a brightly lit hallway, lined in white and cream and bright floor lights. Along the edges are colored lines, intersecting and dividing—red, blue, green—to locations Tango can’t see. He follows Fwhip down a corridor, further from the launch platform. Tango knows this layout—further down the hall is a passenger elevator meant for the science team. They’ll take it down four flights to the belly of the ship, where many of the labs rest, tucked away. The ship's rings orbit each other, so he’ll be in this ring for as long as he’s doing research. They’re relatively straight forward, broken into divided sections inside. He traces the pattern out in his mind as Fwhip begins to speak.

“Well, to give you a station briefing, our main team fluctuates, but I’d say we have about 15 to 20 of us at any given time on command, and then a hundred of personnel and staff besides ourselves. I work closely with Lieutenants Scott and Pix, and both of them know our botanist pretty well,” he turns to Tango as he calls for the elevator, pressing his keycard to the small panel next to it. The numbers above the sliding doors illuminate in orange, bright and blocky. Tango raises his eyebrows. 

“His name is Jimmy,” Fwhip continues. “He’s a Lieutenant Junior Grade, but he’s incredibly good at what he does. I’ll let you two get acquainted when we get down there.” The elevator doors slide open. Fwhip gestures Tango inside before he himself steps in, pressing the button for their floor. Tango sets his trunk at his feet, toeing it off to the side and out of the way. “He spends most of his time down there, so you may not see him much at all besides when you’re working.”

Tango hums. He screws up his face into an approximation of thinking, running the words over in his head. A junior lieutenant. A higher officer, for certain, but for him to be teaching Tango—there feels like there should be a catch. Tango pulls at the seams of the phrasing, the intonation. His eyebrows furrow.

Fwhip answers his question before it leaves his mouth.

“He basically revitalized the hydroponics system overnight—nothing’s changed in the watering or feeding system, but the plants grow like crazy now,” Fwhip folds his arms, glancing over at Tango as Tango folds his hands behind his back. “I think it was his specification for a while, so as soon as he got here, he requested the transfer, and his work brought him up the grade.”

“That’s impressive,” Tango says, a touch quiet. The only other person he knew who’d ever done something like that had been Mumbo, and most of his ideas were feats of engineering so large they required a three-room modified lab space and a blast chamber. Meridian supplied that—though Prometheus—himself included—was sad to lose him to their sister station, especially after how long he worked with Tango. 

“He’s written a paper on it—it’s in the works of being reviewed now,” Fwhip says. “I don’t know how likely it is to go through, though.”

Tango hums again. 

“Why’s that?”

Fwhip shrugs. “He’s just not a nice guy to work with,” he says. “And I don’t mean that to be rude, either.”

The elevator doors open. They spill out into a lackluster hallway, still the same bleach white as the floors above. Taking a sharp right, they follow the curved edge of the ship down the green line, toward a series of crew cabins. Fwhip gestures toward a room closer to the middle of their row. As they stand there for a moment, he offers Tango a keycard.

“We got you a room—well before we knew that you…probably wouldn’t need the bedspace,” he says, shaking his head apologetically. Tango waves his hand. “You’re welcome to it, though.”

“Oh, I’ll absolutely take it,” Tango says, trying that smile again. Fwhip smiles back this time, one that touches his eyes, and makes Tango smile harder.”I like having my own space. Normally I have an office, so this’ll do just fine, I think.”

He presses the keycard to the door as Fwhip lifts his crate into his arms, struggling under the weight for a moment. The door slides open. Inside, as the soft yellow lights raise to bright, is a sparsely furnished room. Fwhip carries his crate into the room, setting it at the foot of the double bed. The room is small, clean, tidy. He turns in a small circle as Fwhip sets the crate down, nodding his head.

“This is great,” Tango says, dipping his head. “Thank you.”

Fwhip nods, clapping him on the shoulder.

“Absolutely,” he says. Moving past him, he gestures back to the hallway. “I’ll be forwarding you the ship changelog, so you know who’s on shift at a given time, and when meals are, if you have any interest.”

“That sounds great,” Tango says, moving with him to the hall. He follows Fwhip back down the hall, back towards the elevator. They diverge at a second hallway and down a third, following the winding corridor through the ship’s interiors. The walls shift from opaque to translucent as they follow the path down, with more and more people shuffling about. Fwhip moves through the hall easily—Tango navigates with a bit more difficulty, skirting past doors sliding open and bright lights and the new rush of people. As they weave through, Fwhip says:

“Figured I’d show you down to the lab,” he checks his wrist, a brief flash of numbers and notifications that Tango doesn’t quite catch fully. “I’ve got a bit before I have to be back at the bridge.”

Tango hums.

“Great—I’ll…hopefully be able to find, uh, Jimmy?”

Fwhip nods. 

“Mhm—” he says. They pause at a lab closer to the end of the corridor. Through the high ceiling and tinted glass, Tango can see the warm yellow and purple light that floods the space. The lab stretches further down the hallway and out of sight. Fwhip tilts his head toward the lab. 

“This is it?” Tango asks. 

“This is the one,” Fwhip says. He steps back from the door, letting Tango tap his card, the door sliding open for him. It stays open for a moment as Tango steps in. Fwhip checks his wrist again.

“I’ll let you find him,” he says. “Hopefully you’ll get a briefing before you leave to unpack.”

Tango nods, smiling again. The warmth of the room starts to roll over him as he stands still—cooling kicks on to adjust, like a sigh out of his chest.

“Thank you, Commander,” he says. Fwhip nods, dismissing him, before the door shuts between them, and Tango stands, alone, in a room full of plants.

He picks his way around the lab for a long while. The quiet is nice, the sound of air circulating and the soft hum of lights and electronics. He hadn’t run this particular section over in his schematics—something about it almost felt invasive. He wanted to learn it for himself, standing in the center of the room, hands braced on the work table. The equipment portion of the lab is its own self-contained room at the front of the lab—big enough for a table, several workstations, shelves of equipment. He rounds the table as he spots a secondary sliding door, obscured by the semi-translucent, white glass. 

Tango presses his loaned keycard to the scanner, watching the door slide open. Stepping inside, he stands amongst a huge lab filled with rows of vegetables, aquatic plants, and small trees. He can see potatoes, carrots, beets, neat and lined in suspended troughs of water and sitting in cups on the floor. Along the walls are digging and planting tools organized haphazardly, strewn about in small piles. The air is warm and humid as he walks his way around a series of rows—it almost feels like its own planet, like the atmosphere alone were thick enough to taste. 

Tango walks along a row, watching the plants with a careful consideration, as if they would move, or reach out to him, or something. But they’re just plants—unmoving beside the slight wave in the airflow. He reaches out after a moment, brushing one of the leaves, feeling it between his fingers. It’s rhubarb. He doesn’t think he’s ever seen rhubarb before. He doesn’t think he’s ever seen this many plants before.

Moving around the hydroponics, Tango wanders around the other side of the lab, watching as it stretches out and further back, rows of plants in tight lines, purple lighting and tubes for irrigation running across the ceiling. He turns into a slow circle, moving back through the rows as he does. The rows loop around back to the supply stations, where Tango walks backward, trying to see the end of the lab, where else it could lead, where else he could explore.

His foot catches under him, sliding out as his knees buckle and he lurches sideways.

He yelps loudly, flailing as he falls, losing his balance and smacking into the shelf behind him. A handful of ceramic plants pots and glass beakers fall with him, smashing to the ground as the shelf comes loose. Tango scrambles up, slipping again as he lands on his hands and knees, fumbling as he tries to scoop the glass into a reasonable, unnoticeable pile, to fix the shovels that must’ve fallen with him, the stacks of gardening gloves under his right boot. He mutters to himself as he does, babbling as his mind whirs with simulations. They were always there—right? That’s fine! He tries to stack a pair of gloves back on the shelf, watching them slide directly off. 

Shoot. Shoot! Damn it!

“Shit—” he mumbles.

“Hello?”

A voice calls out from the other side of the room. Tango hears a door shut. He pushes the broken shards of a pot near his knee together, like he could even try and fix the shattered pot. He searches wildly for the voice as he does.

“Hi—” he manages, voice warbling unexpectedly. “I’m so sorry—I didn’t mean to.”

“What?” the voice comes again. “Who…”

Tango follows a shape through the row of plants as a man in grey steps around toward him. He blinks, owlish and confused, as he stares at Tango. Tango can see the name stitched into his quarter-zip.

Jimmy.

“I’m so sorry—” Tango starts again, but the man—Jimmy—is already halfway to kneeling in front of him, taking the broken pot from him, scooping the rest of the shards into his hands. Tango realizes, all at once, that he’s still sitting on the ground, surrounded by the carnage of him falling unceremoniously over into the stand. He starts gathering the tools around him into his arms.

“It’s…it’s alright—” he sighs, a trickle of confusion, of agitation, leaking into his voice. “Walk me through it, what happened?”

“I walked into it—” Tango says, feeling foolish all of a sudden. It’s not a tangible feeling. He just knows something is churning and curling in him and he can’t place what. “One minute I was turnin’ around lookin’ at this place and the next—wack.”

Jimmy hums under his breath, something amused. Tango blinks at him as he rights the shelf and replace the items from the floor. 

“Wack?” he says, starting to laugh. “I…yeah. Sorry, I don’t organize things very well, it seems like.”

“I don’t either, I’ll be honest…” Tango says, shaking his head. “You’re Jimmy, then?”

Tango scrambles up with glass still in his hands and Jimmy turns back to him as he looks around for somewhere to put it. Jimmy nods his head over to a waste bin, dropping the shards of clay pot into it. 

“Mm,” Jimmy nods. “You’re…?”

Tango makes a half-sound as he turns back to him, waving his hands.

“Commander Tek,” he says, sticking out his hand, smiling a bit lopsided. It feels lopsided at least. He’s trying to copy what he knows, and he thinks he’s failing. “Er, Tango. You don’t have to call me Commander.”

Jimmy raises his eyebrows. 

“Ah—Fwhip told me you were coming,” he says, tilting his head a little, something like a smile coming to his face. “You’re sure just Tango?”

Tango nods.

“Too fancy with the whole thing. I prefer just Tango, anyway.”

Jimmy smiles in full. The action alone splits his face in half, stretching up to his eyes. Tango copies him, after a beat, something that falters just a little bit as he does.

Jimmy takes Tango’s hand. As he does, a buzz of electricity spikes up Tango’s arm and to his elbow, pooling there, zinging cool and bright. Tango startles, jolting back, making a small, sharp sound that gets lost as Jimmy audibly yelps. It didn’t hurt, but it felt new. Tango likes new.

He feels something wash over him, even as he jolts—memory, knowledge, understanding, like an imprint of knowing the man before him before he even did. Jimmy blinks, a furrow coming between his eyebrows. Tango, for a split second, wonders if the feeling is mutual.

“Sorry,” he blurts. The static shock dissipates as he shakes out his hand. “Sorry, I might still have glass….”

Tango looks over his hands, prodding at the silicon for any shards left there. There aren’t any, though—he even brushes them together, trying to feel for anything. Tango glances back at Jimmy. He’s looking him over, that curious, owlish expression on his face again. His mouth quirks up a little, the sides of his mouth lifting.

“You’re an android,” he says.

Tango’s eyes flick over his face for a moment. It’s completely symmetrical, brown eyes clear and bright, hair neatly parted. His movements are smooth as he steps back and adjusts his sleeves and reaches to gently brush something from Tango’s jumpsuit.

“So are you,” Tango finally says, mouth quirking up. His mouth tastes like static electricity.

“Huh,” Jimmy says, soft, thoughtful. The edges of his mouth fully curl up in a way so human and so foreign. Tango catalogs it immediately. “That’s so interesting.”

Tango huffs out an approximation of a laugh—which causes Jimmy to laugh in earnest. The tension dissolves as he laughs, and Tango feels his shoulders drop. That tingling feeling still hasn’t left Tango’s hand. He wonders for a moment if it ever will, or if every time they brush together it’ll light up like static, or if maybe they just happened to be carrying just enough electrical discharge to shock each other. Tango hopes it doesn’t happen again. He’d like to be friendly without risking a shock.

“So,” Tango starts as they stand together in the hydroponic farm. “Is there a reason ESA lets you use terracotta and glass in space?”

Jimmy shrugs. 

“They want it to feel more like Earth,” he hums, amused, turning away from Tango. He wanders a bit before Tango startles to catch up, following him through to the lab room. Jimmy pushes up the sleeves of his ESA sweatshirt. “Not that I would know what that feels like…though I do like it.”

They step through to the lab with the door hissing shut behind them. The humidity and heat follow them in, clinging to Tango’s jumpsuit. He can hear Jimmy mumbling to himself under his breath as he circles the large lab table in search of something. Tango tracks him with his eyes, pausing in the space where Jimmy once was, folding his arms. Jimmy fumbles around for a moment, digging through his cabinets, with Tango watching over his shoulder.

“That’s nice,” Tango says, eyes following him. Jimmy hums, nodding in response. “I can’t say I’ve ever seen Earth myself, either.”

“Oh yeah?” Jimmy says. When he turns back, he’s holding a data pad, a thumb drive and a blank badge. He lines them all up on the table, sitting next to each other. “Have you ever been planetside?”

Tango nods. 

“A few times with my old crew,” he starts, waving his hands back and forth. “Some dry and dusty ones for sure. Not too exciting.”

Jimmy tilts his head a bit. He’s still smiling, and Tango, for a moment, can’t take his eyes off it. He isn’t sure anyone’s ever smiled at him for that long, or maybe he’s misreading it—emotions were a fickle, strange thing. Maybe Jimmy was simply happy. 

Tango leans against the table, back pressing to the side of it, glancing down at the data pad and keycard for a moment. Jimmy looks away as Tango catches his eye. Tango thinks he sees him flush as he turns back around to the computer.

“They haven’t really briefed me on why you’re here,” Jimmy says. “Why’d they send you?”

“To E-1? We’re uh…our science director was looking for a secondary project to help bolster our food supplies—stretch it out a little longer?” He folds his arms over his chest. “Our admiral’s been in contact with Fwhip a few times conversationally, but we normally reach out to the Meridian, a station in our system, for help, but they weren’t having any hydroponics success. So…here I am.”

Jimmy nods absently as he continues typing.

“Hopefully I can give you something useful to take back,” he says, glancing up to Tango. Tango nods, raising his eyebrows.

“I mean, they say you’re the best,” he offers. It’s true—everything Pearl had told him seemed to point directly to whoever was running the botanical experimentation lab on E-2. And here he was, an android, standing in front of Tango.

“Do they?” Jimmy asks.

“Mhm!”

“That’s very nice of them…I uh, I’ve got a badge for you,” Jimmy says, sliding the piece of plastic toward him. Tango picks it up, turning it in his fingers as he listens. It has a small symbol on it, like an overlapping square and a green stripe all the way around it. When he looks back to Jimmy’s face for a moment, he notices that same green stripe around his upper arm. Green. Science. It was fitting. He fits that bit of information right next to what he knows Prometheus’ color to be: nearly the same shade.

“It’ll get you into this lab and ones like it, um, all the way down this hall,” Jimmy unlocks the data pad, pushing it toward him. “And you can record anything you’d like on this pad.”

“Oh, thank you, that’s great, actually” Tango says. He tucks the card into his pocket, where it rests against his chest. The data pad is blank, no notes, no sketches, and no documents. Just the time and date. From what he can recognize, he’s been aboard for about two hours. “Is, uh, is there somewhere we can share notes, or should I be handing this off to you periodically?”

“Whatever you write there will also be stored on the lab computer,” Jimmy says, gesturing back to the screens behind him. “Either of us can access it at any time. It should recognize you as having access to the console, so there shouldn’t be too many problems with that.”

Jimmy studies him for a brief moment before he picks up the thumb drive, twisting it in his fingers. Tango watches the movement, eyes flicking between it, and the pad, and the screen.

“So,” Jimmy starts again. “I can’t say I was expecting an android, but that does make this whole process a lot easier.”

He holds out the thumb drive—Tango holds out his hand. The small bit of plastic that falls into Tango’s palm is lightweight and bright white. He holds it between his thumb and forefinger, frowning just a little.

“What’s this for?” he asks, setting the data pad on the table again. His hands feel an itch to turn the drive around in them, nervous ticks surfacing as he receives data and writes to disk. The humidity, Jimmy’s expression, the curious glint in his eye, the buzz of excitement he can nearly feel in the air. For an android, Jimmy was certainly animated, certainly running high on emotion. Tango could reach out and grab it, if he knew he would catch something.

Jimmy nods a few times, leaning on the table in front of him.

“That right there,” he says, pointing at the drive. “Is all of my research. That way you can just—” he mimes a plugging motion, patting the back of his neck. If Tango’s chest could cave, it would have, as he feels some gear shudder and start again. “Get it all.”

Tango blinks. His vision stutters for a moment, fading out on the edge as he tries to process Jimmy’s comment, his voice. He feels that tug at his eyebrows as they furrow, a copy of a motion he’d seen so many times on so many faces. Jimmy’s research rests in the palm of his hand, still cold, despite the heat leaching from Tango’s synthetic skin.

“I think—” Tango says. What a stupid turn of phrase. He knows—he’s not thinking this time. He knows. “I can’t do that.”

Jimmy hums, face morphing into concern for a moment. Tango sees how his posture stiffens, almost a gut reaction to the change in Tango’s voice. Write to disk. Catalog. He softens his stance as Jimmy pipes up.

“What d’y’mean?”

“I think I’d rather just learn it from you,” Tango says, closing his fist around the thumb drive. “I’ll keep this, but I would like to learn from you, if that’s alright.”

Jimmy raises his eyebrows high on his forehead, nodding a few times. His dark eyes go wide, too. They flick across Tango’s face, looking for something, before they land on the table in front of him as Jimmy raps his fingers against the plastic top. Tango tucks the data drive into his pocket, where it rests with the keycard, sticking his hands in his pockets to give them something to do.

“Oh—I mean—I, sure. Sure, we can do that,” Jimmy stutters, shaking his head. “Yeah, that should be fine, you should be able to learn that way.”

“I hope so,” Tango says, nodding. Jimmy nods with him, that color briefly back in his cheeks. “I’d at least like to try. It’s what I’m known for, honestly.”

“Mm,” Jimmy says, face settling on that half-pleased, half-curious look. “Sure. That would be nice, I think. I don’t know how much I have to teach, but I can try.”

“I’m sure you’ve got plenty, Mr. Plant Guy,” Tango quips, patting him on the shoulder as he rounds around him. Jimmy laughs. The tingling sensation of touch before has gone now, and the new touch offers nothing but the sensation of soft sweater fabric, of coolness from Jimmy, and a brief flicker of information that he doesn’t quite catch. It feels like energy he can’t process. A line of code that doesn’t slot itself into place. He gives his shoulder a quick squeeze before he pulls away, gesturing to the door.

“Do you think you might be able to walk me back to my cabin?” his shoulders shrink a fraction. He tries to quickly run the simulation in his mind, etching out the turns of the hallways in the belly of the science department. All he can remember are faces, half-recognizable from research and names partially unobscured by association. “I lost track of how many turns Commander Fwhip made.”

Jimmy shrugs, nods, patting the table as he pulls away.

“Sure,” he says, fishing his keycard from around his neck. “My cabin is close to that area, so I know the way back pretty well—-”

“You have a room?”

The door slides open in front of Tango, the cool air of the hallway flooding into the room. He steps through, into the empty, well lit space, with its green stripe and green carpeting. The white-yellow lighting smooths out the edges of the walls around them, dotted with windows of the station’s central core as they slowly rotated around it. Jimmy pauses for a moment to watch as Tango does, before he nudges him with his elbow. Tango turns to follow.

“I like the bed,” Jimmy says, making a pleasant, almost chirping sound. “And the sleep cycle. And a space for my things that isn’t the lab.”

Tango nods.

“Our secondary engineering lead gets onto me when I don’t rest, but I prefer to not have to,” he says, shrugging his shoulders, waving one hand about. That gesture was from Doc, who loved to make things more nonchalant than they had to be, gesturing with his part-plastic, part-metal arm. “It wastes time.”

“You’re a busy man, Tango,” Jimmy says. He pauses just as he’s about to say Tango, like he had meant to say Commander, but had skipped the instinct. It stutters as he speaks. Tango feels a little bit of a twist, somewhere in the gears of his chest. Maybe everyone should just call him Tango. It felt a lot better, somehow. It felt earned.

“I try to be,” Tango says, waving his hand again. “I’m built for continuous learning—neuroplasticity. It’s what I’m meant to do…kind of.”

“Interesting…” Jimmy hooks a right at a fork. Tango notes it. “I don’t think I’ve met an android without a base program. And it was HASA who decided that?”

Tango nods.

“That was the plan, anyway. So far, it’s worked out alright. I have no issues, our technicians make sure I’m running smoothly, I can run my own diagnostics as far as I’m aware. And…I get to take back knowledge to our ship,” he sticks his free hand back in his pocket. They take a left, following the curving wall. “That’s a win to me.”

“That does sound nice,” Jimmy says, frowning a little, mostly in his voice than on his face.  As the wall evens out, Jimmy slows to a stop. Before them, on the leftmost side, are a row of doors, which Tango recognizes. He marks down their exact location, how the wall hugs the left, looping back around on the far side. Jimmy splays his arm out, gesturing to the doors. Tango manages a smile.

“Thank you,” Tango says, nodding. Jimmy hums.

“Of course, glad I could help,” he says. He looks pleased, now, none of the nervous flit that he had when they’d first met. Tango, too. He feels settled, somehow, like he was already beginning to understand the space around him, already acclimated to new gravity and new routine. Jimmy’s easy smile and tone of voice made that all the easier to do.

As Tango steps away, toward his door, he turns back to Jimmy, who’s folded his arms over his chest. Something’s there, in Tango’s chest, maybe just a trick of mechanics, something he can’t really place. It smooths out any bumps in logic programming. It makes things even, whatever the thing in his chest is. Jimmy makes a noise, and Tango’s eyes flick up to his face.

“Y’know—not to jump ahead or anything, since I know we’ve just met. But if you wanted to, my cabin is a bit closer to the lab. If you ever feel like you want a roommate, you’re more than welcome to stay there,” Jimmy starts, clasping his hands together. The small smile on his face hasn’t really faded, and his voice is even with curiosity. “There’s—there’s only one bed, but you said you don’t sleep. So it should be fine.”

Jimmy continues to babble, now, eyes flicking down to the patches at Tango’s knees. 

“I can always request you to the room next to it—I think that one’s unoccupied, too. If you ever want to sleep, that is. But you can let me know. Figured it might be nice to have a roommate so you’re not lonely,” he finishes, shrugging a little. Then he startles, blinks, and waves his hands. “Unless you like being alone.”

Tango tries to make a sound to dissuade him from that idea, but it gets caught in his programming and his vocal filter and it kind of sounds like a wheeze, or maybe a laugh, but he shakes his head several times, copying Jimmy’s easy smile from before.

“No, no…” he assures. “That sounds really nice, actually. I’ll…I’ll let Fwhip know that I’d like to do that.”

Jimmy visibly relaxes, and the smile comes back to his face, and he laughs a little, an actual, natural laugh.

“Sure thing…” Jimmy scrunches his nose. “Roomie.”

Tango feels something flip-flop over as he jumps, shaking his head again.

“Don’t call me that—” he manages, before Jimmy waves his hands again and says:

“I’m just joking, Tango!” and reaches out to clasp his shoulder. That rush of static only prickles for a moment, leaving a warm sensation in its wake. Tango feels it trickle down his elbow and to his wrist as Jimmy steps away from him. “Have a good night, alright? I’ll see you at 0700.”

Tango nods, realizing he’s still smiling just a bit, even as he steps into his room and the door slides shut behind him. He stands at the threshold, with his back to the wall, for a long moment, letting the memories play in his head as he does. The quiet hum of his room and the orange-yellow lighting soothes his otherwise spinning mind to a controlled simulation. Even still, Tango’s hand and arm prickle faintly with sensation he can’t place, and a warmth in his chest he’s not sure he fully understands.

Pulling away from the door and into his room, Tango furrows his eyebrows and starts an internal diagnostic.

[dr-spectre]

I've had some time to go over my initial thoughts about the switch 2 and I wanna discuss them.

I do like the bigger joy cons but I'm not sure how to feel about an all black look with coloured highlights on the connectors and control sticks. It reminds me of those RGB lights that some pc gaming handhelds have and I always found them kinda tacky. Also why is the red now orange? I don't like it, make it a nice hot red instead. It's common knowledge that red on black is one of the most pretty colour combos of all time. I hope the other colours that eventually come out do change the entire controller and not just change the highlights.

I am worried about the sticks due to well, you know, and i am praying to the gods that the joy cons have actually good control sticks that don't break down easily. How the hell does my Wii Nunchuck from 2007 have no stick drift, yet controllers made 10 years later break down so easily?

I love the chunkier look of the Switch 2 because I always thought that the Switch was a bit too flat and it didn't have enough grip to it. An 8 inch display sounds lovely even if it's gonna be an LCD panel.

Although there are these annoying bezels UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY NINTENDO WHY!?!? YOU GOT A FAT ASS PANEL! USE ALL OF IT DUMMY!!!

Now about that backwards compatibility... I got a few questions.

1. Will the system transfer process be easy and will it transfer EVERYTHING?! I'm talking saves, miis, photos, games, etc. Everything. It better be easy and stress free as possible, i wanna be able to put my Switch 1 to rest and not have to pick it up ever again.

2. Will we be able to use Switch 1 joy cons with backwards compatible titles and have all of their features intact? There are some experiences like Ring Fit Adventure and Labo that will be unplayable on Switch 2 unless you can use Switch 1 joy cons. Nintendo, i swear to god, if you lock us out of those titles and not give us the option to play them i will be very VERY mad.

I am very relieved that backwards compatibility is a highlight of the console and that Nintendo is actually not gonna abandon their old hardware like they've done time and time again. They can be very stubborn and stuck in their ways, it's actually really frustrating that it took them until the Switch to realise that MAYBE HAVING A PROPER ACCOUNT SYSTEM THAT CARRIES OVER TO OTHER DEVICES INCLUDING PURCHASES IS A GOOD FUCKING IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NEXT! Let's talk about the elephant in the room, new Mario Kart.

Firstly, oh my god the models are so lovely omg I'm so happy they changed up their looks.

Bowser and DK looking extra silly, we love to see it.

The animation and details look really good too. They got that nice squash and stretch.

I will say, i don't know if it's because of youtube's shit compression or how the gameplay is shown, but the graphics don't seem to have had a noticeable leap in quality, the game looks like it could run on the Switch 1 with ease. It seems like they are going for a different art style and i respect that. Then again i cannot make any major judgements on the footage shown because it only lasted for 10 seconds.

What really interests me about this new Mario Kart is that there isn't going to be just 12 racers, but potentially 24!!!!!!

If you're gonna evolve Mario Kart then this is not a bad way to do it, it's gonna increase the chaos and expand the track design. And it looks like the tracks may be actually expansive and larger in scope but we'll have to wait and see.

24 racers means that the character roaster has to be pretty damn big in order to reduce repetitiveness. However, i don't wanna see another Mario Kart 8 situation where a lot of the roaster could have easily been alt costumes, so i wanna see some changes...

MAKE THESE GUYS SKINS FOR BOWSER JR! I DONT CARE IF THEY HAVE DIFFERENT WEIGHTS! THESE FREAKS SHOULD NOT TAKE UP NEARLY A FULL ROW!!!

Make them costumes that don't fill up character slots... please... Nintendo don't be fucking stupid for once in your existence.

Leave these babies behind in Baby Park.

Don't get rid of her... Please. She's my goat, my MVP, my smingus chungus, my bingus smungus, don't get rid of one of the best non Mario characters from the series.

Add these creatures as optional costumes too.

Speaking of these fellas... Since i talk about Splatoon a lot, i can't help but bring up the fact that now we have a new console on the horizon and due to Splatoon's massive popularity, i wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo shadow drops a Splatoon 4 announcement this year or the next. Splatoon 2 did get shown during the Switch's reveal and released in the launch year so maybe by the end of the year, we could have something on our hands...

Then again, certain elements of Splatoon 2 such as the hero mode THAT I DESPISE WITH ALL OF MY HEART AND SOUL!!!!!.... and content did suffer due to Splatoon 2 being rushed. So maybe don't announce Splatoon 4 this year, please? We can wait, we'll be patient.

In terms of a first party launch lineup i wanna make some predictions and copium picks.

New 3D Mario game

Metroid representation, either a cross gen release of Prime 4 and or a bundle of Prime 2 and 3.

F-Zero representation, a new game FINALLY after the positive feedback from 99, or a GX re-release.

A Wii Sports/ 1 2 Switch like casual game

A new IP

A new Kirby, either 2D or a follow up to Forgotten Land

Something Fire Emblem related

The last thing i wanna talk about is the third party support, I'm not gonna say much but i guarantee a lot of third party companies are gonna be HUNGRY to port their PS5 and Xbox series games to a much more powerful handheld, so I'm gonna list off some games that i would absolutely love to see on the Switch 2.

If Nintendo wants to repeat the magic of seeing Skyrim on a portable tablet then i think one game in particular would fulfill that same shock or even surpass it.

And that game is....

If they can do it, if they can somehow find a way to make it run on Switch 2 and show gameplay of this thing... oh my god, it'll make peoples jaws drop. It's launching on the damn Xbox Series S, I'm sure with some programming magic it COULD run on Switch 2.

[skip0s]

Skip0s Reference Study #1

So I've been searching onto references and Stuff, wanting to get some insights into color and lineart, so this mostly to register and share what I've noticed.

For this one parricularly, Iv'e choosen a panel from Tsuioku a H-Visual Novel for PC98.

PC-98 graphics games mostly used the EGC mode with 640x400 res and 16 colors chosen from 12-bit (4 bits per channel) RGB.

Fisrt of all, I love the colors here and how vibrant they are.

The panel itself has only 480×280 res, and how my target is studying the image, to try to replicate the techniques and stuff to create something like it, we will forget the UI for this study.

Now let's focus and tackle this by parts:

Sky

So beautiful!

Limitations probabbly make stuff more creative. I'm a programmer, not a designer, so I don't have a degree to really tell you about the importance of a pallete. Nowadays, most part of the apps we use have almost no limit of colors that can be used.

But here, in this sky, we only got 3 colors, and that's all. White, light blue and a darker shade of blue, that's all that were used to make a sky that, in not just CRT, but in LCD screens, looks like 9 different shades of blue. Oh, and white was used just for the clouds.

So here we have 9 steps of dithering, or in other words, "pixel gradients" in a pattern that can be translated to:

Keep in mind that this isn't the only way to make dithering.

Now for the clouds, the artist applied a dithering with light blue only if they were into the darker portion of he sky. In the big picture this results in a image with more depth!

Jesus Christ the compression is killing me

Le Lineart 🥐

For some reason, here the lineart is not fully black. Personally, when making it is really hard to choose when to use black or a darker shade for lineart.

So here, I tried to find patterns that would answer the question "when should I really use black as outline?" and noted them down.

Marked some in red & blue so they get easier to see.

After comparing the places where we have black outlines, I've found 4 reasons:

Used when there's no direct darker shade for the color (blue is normally painted as a darker shade for white)

Used to make clear the separation of a whole from it's parts (leg from arm, arm from clothes, hair from face, face from neck etc)

Used to show the darker side of something (less ligh = darker tones = black outline)

Used in background objects (stuff that isn't necessarily the center of the piece but yetneed some highlight)

Palette

As said, PC-98 mostly use 16 colors, I've identified the ones that appear.

From 1 to 16, I checked if they were the same color

This helped me to see (again) how the same color can be used many times, and how they SHOULD be used if possible. I'm thinking right now if would be better to use a pre-made 16 colors palettes, or start the process normally and gradually reciclyng colors until you have 16.

Something to keep in mind.

End

Well, this is all I've got to share for now. What I need now is to get some practice and see the results for myself. Then do another study and repeat!

Thank you for your time and hope It helped you too!

[taperwolf]

So I often see novel computer keyboard designs, but I hadn't really felt inspired to make my own until now.

See, Hackaday recently ran a piece on Stephen Holdaway's "Unicode Binary Input Terminal", which lets you flip switches to input any Unicode character — by flipping switches to indicate its binary value in UTF-8 encoding.

It displays the character on the little display, and you can then flip another switch to send the character like a keyboard would over USB.

Among the usual comments about how Holdaway should have built the device by using only 555 timers came the suggestion that UTF-8 is unwieldy, and that he should have added even more toggle switches to enter longer bitstreams directly. Now, I don't want to take that tack on it; toggle switches get expensive. But there are other ways to input long sets of binary data!

Years ago, I found this panel in some surplus or thrift shop; I honestly don't remember any more. It's got two sets of eight hexadecimal thumbwheel switches; each one can be set to a hexadecimal "digit" between 0 and F, and the binary pattern of that hexit read off the leads in the back.

(If anyone out there recognizes where this panel originally came from, let me know; it has no other markings besides the visible ones, and the switch banks just each bear a sticker saying they came from the Digitran Company of Pasadena, California, and were probably made in 1972. (Remarkably, Digitran still makes very similar switches — I think there's a military spec for them — though they're presently owned by Electro Switch Corp, and are of the sort that don't list prices on the webpage. For similar devices, Surplus Sales of Nebraska has 6-hexit banks, albeit with shorter numbers, available for $225 each, or slightly taller ones for $15 per hexit and you have to fabricate your own frame.)

At any rate, the switch banks are easily removed from the panel. My plan is to set them in a new panel with a display between them and have a toggle or slider switch to change modes, so you can enter UTF-8 streams (anywhere between eight ASCII characters and a single dual-character-point emoji; the wheels are currently set to display the US flag) or sets of UTF-16 or UTF-32 characters; a final button would again send the character(s) over USB.

I'm currently dithering over how best to implement this. Obviously Unicode isn't going to fit in any of my usual microcontrollers, and the 64 data lines required to read the switches will need some GPIO expanders or shift registers. I do have a couple of unused Raspberry Pi ZeroWs lying around, which would let me leverage Linux font and Unicode handling, and then I could hook it to an Arduino or Teensy to handle the USB part, unless there's an obvious way for a Pi to be a USB client. The display is a similar dither; I've got some small graphical LCDs and a tiny OLED display, and even some e-ink displays that might work for this. Heck, I should see if I can find those dot-matrix VFDs I have somewhere. It's more likely to be a color LCD if I want emoji support, but requirements are flexible right now.

[ymishraofficial]

Top 10 Projects for BE Electrical Engineering Students

Embarking on a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Electrical Engineering opens up a world of innovation and creativity. One of the best ways to apply theoretical knowledge is through practical projects that not only enhance your skills but also boost your resume. Here are the top 10 projects for BE Electrical Engineering students, designed to challenge you and showcase your talents.

1. Smart Home Automation System

Overview: Develop a system that allows users to control home appliances remotely using a smartphone app or voice commands.

Key Components:

Microcontroller (Arduino or Raspberry Pi)

Wi-Fi or Bluetooth module

Sensors (temperature, motion, light)

Learning Outcome: Understand IoT concepts and the integration of hardware and software.

2. Solar Power Generation System

Overview: Create a solar panel system that converts sunlight into electricity, suitable for powering small devices or homes.

Key Components:

Solar panels

Charge controller

Inverter

Battery storage

Learning Outcome: Gain insights into renewable energy sources and energy conversion.

3. Automated Irrigation System

Overview: Design a system that automates the watering of plants based on soil moisture levels.

Key Components:

Soil moisture sensor

Water pump

Microcontroller

Relay module

Learning Outcome: Learn about sensor integration and automation in agriculture.

4. Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Overview: Build a prototype for an electric vehicle (EV) charging station that monitors and controls charging processes.

Key Components:

Power electronics (rectifier, inverter)

Microcontroller

LCD display

Safety features (fuses, circuit breakers)

Learning Outcome: Explore the fundamentals of electric vehicles and charging technologies.

5. Gesture-Controlled Robot

Overview: Develop a robot that can be controlled using hand gestures via sensors or cameras.

Key Components:

Microcontroller (Arduino)

Motors and wheels

Ultrasonic or infrared sensors

Gesture recognition module

Learning Outcome: Understand robotics, programming, and sensor technologies.

6. Power Factor Correction System

Overview: Create a system that improves the power factor in electrical circuits to enhance efficiency.

Key Components:

Capacitors

Microcontroller

Current and voltage sensors

Relay for switching

Learning Outcome: Learn about power quality and its importance in electrical systems.

7. Wireless Power Transmission

Overview: Experiment with transmitting power wirelessly over short distances.

Key Components:

Resonant inductive coupling setup

Power source

Load (LED, small motor)

Learning Outcome: Explore concepts of electromagnetic fields and energy transfer.

8. Voice-Controlled Home Assistant

Overview: Build a home assistant that can respond to voice commands to control devices or provide information.

Key Components:

Microcontroller (Raspberry Pi preferred)

Voice recognition module

Wi-Fi module

Connected devices (lights, speakers)

Learning Outcome: Gain experience in natural language processing and AI integration.

9. Traffic Light Control System Using Microcontroller

Overview: Design a smart traffic light system that optimizes traffic flow based on real-time data.

Key Components:

Microcontroller (Arduino)

LED lights

Sensors (for vehicle detection)

Timer module

Learning Outcome: Understand traffic management systems and embedded programming.

10. Data Acquisition System

Overview: Develop a system that collects and analyzes data from various sensors (temperature, humidity, etc.).

Key Components:

Microcontroller (Arduino or Raspberry Pi)

Multiple sensors

Data logging software

Display (LCD or web interface)

Learning Outcome: Learn about data collection, processing, and analysis.

Conclusion

Engaging in these projects not only enhances your practical skills but also reinforces your theoretical knowledge. Whether you aim to develop sustainable technologies, innovate in robotics, or contribute to smart cities, these projects can serve as stepping stones in your journey as an electrical engineer. Choose a project that aligns with your interests, and don’t hesitate to seek guidance from your professors and peers. Happy engineering!

[gfuveelectronics]

GF6018A High precisition 6.5bit portable AC DC multi product calibrator for multimeter calibrator

This GF6018A high precision multi-product calibrator is compliance with national verification regulation: JJG124-2005 Ammeter, voltmeter, power meter and resistance meter verification rules" and related national standards. 0.05% single-phase standard AC/DC voltage and current source, can verify level 0.2 and the following AC/DC voltmeter, ammeter, frequency meter, resistance meter & clamp meter. The source signals by using DSP and 16-bit high-speed A/D converters of controllable sine wave, the distorted wave signal source. Multifunction calibrator GF6018A is designed as universal calibration tool for electrical calibration laboratories. Measurement range from 0-1050V and 0-20A AC/DC;With 200A, 600A, 1000A calibration coil. The GF6018A clamp type multimeter calibrator with RS-232 port, it can be connected with PC to control, become automatic verification system. It has precise interface and multi-functions including verification, storage and query. The GF6018A multimeter calibrator adopts color LCD screen, chart character display is clear, with high precision, stable and reliable, convenient operation and flexible characteristics. It fully meets ISO17025 laboratory standards and is a good ideal test equipment for electrical engineers. APPLICATION ■ Power plant; ■ Universities; ■ Panel manufacturer; ■ Research institutes; ■ Electrical testing center; ■ Multimeter manufacturers; ■ Oscilloscope manufacturer; ■ Clamp meter manufacturers; ■ Digital meter manufacturers; ■ ISO17025 Electrical laboratory; ■ Electricity power bureau & power company; ■ Power engineering commissioning company; ■ Electrical Department of industrial and mining enterprises;

[gadgetsboy]

Meet Fujifilm's New X100VI Digital Camera

While some might argue that a majority of consumer-grade photography nowadays is now mostly achieved through the use of smartphones, it goes without saying that there's still a sizeable population of enthusiasts and professionals who'd still rather get their photography done via a dedicated camera. This has resulted in some rather impressive hardware from the biggest names in the industry, including Fujifilm. With that in mind, the company recently unveiled the launch of the Fujifilm X100VI digital camera, which boasts some pretty cool features. The camera is the latest addition in Fujifilm’s X Series line of digital cameras, and Fujifilm says that the new model offers exceptional image quality, in addition to its compact size and lightweight profile, as well as Fujifilm’s colour reproduction quality.  Camera Design and Features Fujifilm says that the top and bottom of the X100VI's body is built from aluminium which is pressed and machined for sharp edges, while the surface is finely blasted for a smooth texture in addition to the anodised aluminium on its surface. The camera also features an LCD monitor for media viewing and playback which can be stored in a fully flat position, and also comes with touch support. Additionally, the control buttons on the back have been moved to a position that is easy to operate with the right hand. As the sixth-generation model in the X100 Series, the X100VI comes with the new 40.2 megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor, as well as a high-speed X-Processor 5 image processing engine. The camera also includes a newly-developed in-body image stabilisation function, with up to 6.0 stops. Fujifilm says that this is the first time that this feature has been incorporated in an X100 Series product, without a considerable increase in size and weight. Going back to the camera's hardware, the 40-megapixel CMOS 5 HR sensor inside is designed to allow more light to be captured in comparison to its predecessors, as well as native ISO 125 support. The X100VI also comes with a total of 20 "Film Simulation" modes, including a new ‘REALA ACE’ mode with a wide range of different tones. The camera also incorporates an autofocus prediction algorithm for reliable focusing that works even on moving subjects, with subject detection autofocus to accurately track a range of subjects. Fujifilm says that its developed using deep-learning AI technology, allowing it to detect wildlife, vehicles, and more. Other Details The X100VI also includes an ‘Advanced Hybrid Viewfinder’ that lets users switch between the optical viewfinder (OVF) and the electronic viewfinder (EVF). The latter is equipped with a high-resolution OLED panel with around 3.69 million dots for a clear visual user experience. The camera comes with a built-in ‘Electronic Range Finder’ (ERF) function allows a small EVF to be simultaneously displayed on the OVF, which can allow photographers to capture a subject in the OVF and subsequently magnify the in-focus area in the smaller EVF, making it convenient for snapshots and such. For video recording, there's built-in support for 6.2K resolution 30P movie recording that also supports tracking AF function during recording. One of the X100VI's most handy features comes in the form of Frame.io Camera to Cloud support, allowing users to wirelessly connect to an active internet connection, authenticate to Frame.io, and automatically upload photos and videos online right after creation, speeding up a user's workflow process. Pricing and Availability The X100VI will be sold in Black and Silver models, and will be available in the UK from 28 February 2024 from authorised retailers and the Fujifilm House of Photography in London starting at £1,599 including VAT. There will also be a special edition of the camera to celebrate Fujifilm’s 90th anniversary year, which will be available starting on 6th April at £1,934. The limited-edition models are individually numbered and delivered in a special box with strap, soft release button and history cards. The camera body is engraved with the original Fujifilm corporate brand logo from 1934, along with the unique serial number. Read the full article

[interest-articles]

The 2024 Africa Twin: A True Adventure Machine

Honda's iconic Africa Twin receives significant updates for 2024, enhancing its performance and versatility for adventure riders.

The Africa Twin has long been synonymous with adventure riding, capturing the spirit of exploration and offering riders the confidence to venture further. With the release of the 2024 models, Honda has taken this legendary motorcycle to new heights. The standard Africa Twin and Adventure Sports versions have undergone significant updates, making them more specialized and capable than ever before.

From enhanced off-road performance to improved on-road handling, the Africa Twin lineup offers a wide range of options for riders seeking thrilling adventures on any terrain.

Since its in 1988, the Africa Twin has been a symbol of "True Adventure" in the ADV riding world. Inspired by the NXR750 and NXR800 factory racers that dominated the Dakar Rally in the late 1980s, the Africa Twin created a new market and became a global hit. After a hiatus, the Africa Twin made a triumphant return in 2016 with the CRF1000L, and has since garnered a dedicated following of adventure enthusiasts.

A Legacy of Adventure

The Africa Twin's history is steeped in adventure and off-road prowess. The original XRV650, introduced in Europe in 1988, was based on the NXR750 and NXR800 racers that conquered the Dakar Rally. It quickly gained popularity and evolved into the XRV750 in 1990, selling over 73,000 units before being discontinued in 2001.

In 2016, Honda revived the Africa Twin with the CRF1000L, offering it in both European and American markets. The following year, the Adventure Sports version joined the lineup, catering to riders seeking a more touring-focused experience. The Africa Twin has since become a staple in the adventure riding community, known for its rugged durability and versatility.

What's New for 2024

The 2024 Africa Twin models receive a host of updates and refinements, enhancing their performance and capabilities. Adventure Sports versions now feature a 19-inch front wheel and shorter suspension travel, optimizing on-road handling and maneuverability. Tubeless tires, previously exclusive to Adventure Sports versions, are now fitted on the standard versions as well, providing convenient repair options without removing the wheel.

The 1,084cc twin-cylinder engine generates stronger power and torque in the low- to mid-rpm range, thanks to a higher compression ratio and updated ECU settings. The Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) has also been improved for smoother engagement at low speeds. Both standard and Adventure Sports versions receive updated electronic settings, a redesigned intake/exhaust layout, and revised styling, making them even more capable and appealing to adventure riders.

Design and Styling

The design of the 2024 Africa Twin models has been refined to enhance their performance and aesthetics. The standard Africa Twin features a slim, compact shape with a redesigned front fairing and rear seat, improving its off-road capabilities. The Adventure Sports versions receive a new front fairing that optimizes aerodynamics and wind protection, as well as a thicker and more comfortable seat.

The Adventure Sports versions also come with a smaller 19-inch front wheel and reduced suspension travel, lowering the bike's center of gravity and improving on-road handling. Both versions maintain the Africa Twin's iconic look while incorporating modern design elements.

Electronic Technology

The 2024 Africa Twin models are equipped with advanced electronic technology to enhance the riding experience. Throttle-by-wire and a six-axis Bosch IMU provide precise control and enable features such as cornering ABS and traction control. The Africa Twin's 6.5-inch TFT LCD touch panel display offers customizable screen arrangements and is compatible with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, allowing riders to connect their smartphones for navigation and communication purposes.

The Adventure Sports versions also feature three-stage cornering lighting for optimal illumination during different types of corners. With these technological advancements, the Africa Twin offers riders a seamless and connected riding experience.

Engine and Drivetrain

All versions of the 2024 Africa Twin are powered by a 1,084cc water-cooled, parallel-twin engine that delivers strong power and torque. The engine has undergone improvements, including a higher compression ratio, optimized ECU settings, and an updated muffler design. These enhancements result in increased performance and improved driveability across the rev range.

The Africa Twin is available with either a six-speed manual transmission or Honda's innovative Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). The DCT version offers seamless gear changes and can be operated in automatic or manual mode, providing riders with the flexibility to choose their preferred shifting style.

Chassis and Suspension

The Africa Twin's chassis and suspension have been designed to handle a wide range of terrains and riding conditions. The steel semi-double-cradle frame provides optimal rigidity and flexibility for challenging situations, while the aluminum swingarm ensures rigidity and lightness. The standard Africa Twin models feature fully adjustable front and rear suspension, with long-travel Showa forks and a Pro-Link® rear suspension system.

The Adventure Sports versions are equipped with Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment (EERA™), which adjusts damping based on bike speed, stance, and fork behavior. This high-tech suspension system allows riders to customize their suspension settings for different riding scenarios, ensuring optimal comfort and performance.

Brakes and Safety Features

The 2024 Africa Twin models are equipped with advanced braking systems and safety features to provide riders with confidence and control. Dual front 310mm petal-style floating rotors and radial-mount four-piston calipers deliver consistent stopping power, while the rear rotor features a petal design for efficient braking. The ABS system is designed to adapt to different riding conditions, with separate modes for on-road and off-road performance.

The system utilizes information from the IMU to detect rear-wheel lift and adjust braking pressure accordingly. Riders can also switch off the rear ABS for more precise off-road braking. Additionally, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) helps optimize acceleration performance by providing smooth slide control and wheelie control.

Accessories and Customization

Honda offers a wide range of accessories for the Africa Twin, allowing riders to customize their motorcycles to suit their preferences and riding style. From aluminum luggage to higher and lower seats, there are options to enhance comfort, storage, and functionality. Honda also offers accessory packs, such as the Rally Pack, Adventure Pack, Urban Pack, and Travel Pack, which provide a combination of accessories tailored to specific riding needs.

Whether riders are looking for added protection, increased storage capacity, or improved touring capabilities, the Africa Twin's accessories allow for endless customization possibilities.

The 2024 Africa Twin lineup represents the pinnacle of adventure riding, combining Honda's rich heritage with cutting-edge technology and performance. With updates and refinements across the board, these motorcycles offer unparalleled versatility and capability on any terrain. Whether riders are tackling off-road trails, exploring remote landscapes, or cruising on scenic highways, the Africa Twin delivers an exhilarating and unforgettable riding experience.

With its legendary status and the latest advancements, the Africa Twin continues to inspire riders to push their boundaries and embark on new adventures.

[idealmodularkitchen]

A Comprehensive Guide to the LCD Panel Designs in Gurgaon

Explore the epitome of sophistication with our comprehensive guide to LCD panel designs in Gurgaon. Elevate your kitchen aesthetics with the ideal modular kitchen, blending functionality and style seamlessly. Discover a myriad of options and expert insights on LCD panel designs that redefine modern living. Transform your space into a haven of contemporary elegance with the perfect fusion of technology and design in Gurgaon's leading modular kitchen solutions.

[e-carlease]

To maintain simplicity in the UK market, just three key models have been announced with almost identical specification save for a few battery or technology upgrades (bear in mind that the BYD SUV is centred around cost-effectiveness and cheap leasing deals):

Active – from £36,490 the entry model is available in Surfing Blue, Parkour Red, Climbing Grey, Skiing White and Exploring Green with just the Blue and Grey Interior to choose and 18” alloy wheels. As standard this includes panoramic sunroof, LED headlights, electrically folding and heated mirrors, vegan leather upholstery, heated front seats, LED interior lights, ambient lighting on door panel and pad, PM 2.5 interior air filter, 5” full LCD instrument panel, smartphone wireless charging, 12.8” rotary screen, Blind Spot Detection, Hill Descent Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Land Change Assist, Front and Rear Parking Radar, heat pump, keyless entry and start plus a Mode 2 charging cable and Model 3 (1 Phase);

Comfort – from £36,990 this model upgrades the AC to 11 kW for quicker charging times plus it adds the Model 3 (3 Phase) charging cable; and

Design – from £38,990 this top of the line model upgrades the AC to 11 kW for quicker charging times plus adds the Model 3 (3 Phase) charging cable. In addition, the Design ATTO will add an electric tailgate, PM 2.5 interior air purification filter and a 15.6” rotary screen plus velour floor mats and a trunk mat.  

[samflir]

A totally different kind of calculator

My latest purchase for The Collection, a Calculated Industries ConversionCalc Plus, was mainly to further diversify my collection, as I now want to get calculators from as many distinct manufacturers as possible. As the name suggests, it's a calculator that is entirely dedicated to the task of converting between different measurements.

I picked the conversion calculator because it is by far the least specialised of all of CI's calculators and just about the only one I could imagine being actually useful to me.

After getting it, it's one of my favourite calculators ever and it goes on my desk rather than on the drawers with most of the calculator collection. I use it whenever I have unit conversions to do because it's so much more convenient than opening a new tab and typing conversions into Google, especially because Google converts to feet with a decimal point by default, instead of feet and inches:

Look Google! It's how people expect feet measurements to be formatted!

Most unit conversions are two button presses away because there's no need to type out their names or dig through menus, everything's at the base or shifted layers of the keypad. I would never use my other calculators for this purpose because they don't prioritise it enough to be faster than Google. It's faster to type "1435 mm to ft" into Google than find the conversions menu in my fx-9750Gii and use submenus every time to slowly type out "[mm] -> [ft]":

After all that effort, it still won't present it in feet and inches!

It of course works as a normal calculator, but has some odd limitations, such as lacking cubes and cube roots. Squares and square roots are elegantly integrated into the unit conversion system. Squaring a metre value will turn it into square metres, and taking the square root of an area will show you the side length of a square with that area, automatically changing from square measurements to linear ones. But none of this can happen with the cubic measurements. Oh well.

Unfortunately, this calculator doesn't support the UK imperial system. All imperial units are the US versions. This is not a huge problem for me as the vast majority of the time I use this calculator will be for communication with Americans.

Converting between units never loses precision. If you convert a number into a new unit, all of the digits of the original unit are retained no matter how many conversions you do afterward. This even applies to entering fractional amounts of inches, which has a special "/" (that is, not the usual divide symbol) button on the calculator. Fractions automatically get converted into a fraction with a power of 2 denominator, but when shown as a decimal value, are clearly still their original value rather than rounded. This is really impressive.

Another great part of the calculator's interface is the unusual number of edge cases built in to display as many digits as possible at all times. If needed, the calculator repurposes its scientific notation/fraction digits into a bonus pair of digits after the decimal place:

I thought this was a bug when I first saw it!

It also has a fourteen-segment display to the left of the main seven-segment display, the first calculator in my collection to feature one. This is used for some of the measurements that don't have dedicated segments in the LCD. But it can also display the minus sign, so MILE ends up dropping the E in sufficiently long negative numbers:

Notice here that it's also using the uppermost segment of the last digit as a minus sign for the scientific notation digits. This seems to suggest that these are not intended to show scientific notation and were originally designed to display inches with fractions, and were then repurposed for scientific notation:

In general, the interface shows an incredibly creative approach to using the LCD panel that I've never seen on any other calculator. Looking through CI's range, some of their other calculators seem to feature a similar or possibly identical display, which suggests it's a standard one that they reuse for all of their calculators.

My collection is now at 19 calculators and I have every major type of calculator:

Standard

Financial

Programmer

Scientific

Graphing

I would consider this another category from all of those, the "unit converter" calculator type. Just as scientific calculators often include programmer functionality in their BASE-N modes, this is definitely not something that this calculator is uniquely capable of, but it is something it's uniquely capable in. It is to unit conversion what my DM16L is to BASE-N arithmetic and logic.

Having a totally new kind of calculator is rare and exciting with a collection my size, which is why I've found the CI converter calculator so much more interesting than my other recent additions, which have been scientific and graphing calculators.

It ticks boxes for my calculator collecting, is genuinely useful to me and has a very unusual set of capabilities and user interface. Love it when that happens!

Calculated Industries website

[indeenterprises]

Discover the Best in India: Solar Powered Digital Multimeter by INDE Enterprises

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🌞 Solar-Powered Efficiency: Harnessing the power of the sun, this multimeter eliminates the need for conventional batteries. Its built-in solar panel ensures uninterrupted operation while reducing your carbon footprint. You'll never have to worry about running out of battery power again.

💰 Unbeatable Affordability: INDE Enterprises is committed to providing high-quality tools at minimal costs. This digital multimeter is no exception. It offers a range of advanced features without the premium price tag. Your quest for a budget-friendly, eco-conscious multimeter ends here.

📐 Precision at Its Best: Whether you're an electronics enthusiast or a professional, this multimeter offers 4000 counts of LCD precision. It can effortlessly measure DC and AC voltage, DC and AC current, resistance, capacitance, frequency, diode, and continuity.

🛡️ Safety & Convenience: Your safety is paramount. This multimeter adheres to IEC1010-1 standards with a CAT.II 1000V rating. It features fused 10A and 400mA for enhanced protection. Audible continuity and diode tests, data hold mode, and a sleep mode for conserving power add to its convenience.

📏 Compact & Portable: With its sleek and compact design, the multimeter is perfectly suited for both professionals and hobbyists. It's accompanied by essential accessories, including test leads and a convenient carrying case, making it easy to transport and use on the go.

Choose a multimeter that not only meets your precision measurement needs but also takes a proactive stance in protecting the environment. INDE Enterprises' Solar Powered Digital Multimeter is your gateway to a greener, more cost-effective future.

Make the smart choice today and get your hands on this exclusive multimeter, available only through INDE Enterprises. It's time to measure with confidence, convenience, and eco-friendliness.

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[umetyclassroom]

The Future of VR Headset New Innovations and Technologies

Virtual reality (VR) headsets, the gateway to immersive virtual experiences, have come a long way. From their humble beginnings to now, where they have captured the attention of both tech enthusiasts and the general public, The future of VR headset innovations and technologies is poised to bring even more exciting developments. We can expect advancements in display technology to offer sharper and more realistic visuals. 

The tracking systems will become more precise, enhancing the feeling of presence in the virtual world. Additionally, audio experience improvements will transport us into a truly immersive soundscape. Let's dive deeper into the future of VR headsets and explore the possibilities that lie ahead. Get ready for a mind-bending journey!

The Current State of VR Headsets

Let's delve into the exciting world of virtual reality headsets! These futuristic gadgets have come a long way in providing immersive experiences that transport us to different realms without even leaving our couches.

When it comes to advancements in display technology, VR headsets have made significant strides. The days of pixelated and blurry visuals are long gone (thankfully!). Manufacturers have introduced high-resolution OLED and LCD panels, ensuring crystal-clear imagery that can trick our brains into believing we're actually in a virtual world. It's like having a movie theater strapped to your face, minus the overpriced popcorn.

But visuals alone won't cut it in the VR realm. That's where improvements in tracking systems come into play. With the help of built-in sensors and cameras, these headsets can detect our movements with remarkable precision. Whether you're swinging a sword, throwing a punch, or dodging virtual obstacles, the tracking systems can make it feel as if your body is truly present in the digital landscape. Just remember to move that cup of coffee out of reach before embarking on any intense virtual adventures—I've learned that lesson the hard way.

Now, let's talk about the audio experience. Gone are the days of tinny sounds and lackluster immersion. VR headsets now offer high-fidelity audio that can transport you to a whole new dimension of sound. Whether it's the faint rustle of leaves in a mystical forest or the explosive wails of an alien spaceship, the enhanced audio experience adds another layer of realism to your virtual escapades. Just be ready for unforeseen jump scares—the audio quality is so good that occasionally it seems like a real poltergeist is following you around.

So there you have it—the current state of VR headsets. With advancements in display technology, improvements in tracking systems, and enhancements in audio experience, these headsets are bringing us closer to living out our wildest dreams in the virtual realm. The future holds even more exciting innovations, so buckle up and get ready for an exhilarating ride into the world of virtual reality!

Upcoming Innovations in VR Headsets

Ah, the future of VR headsets—an exciting topic indeed! Now, let's talk about the upcoming innovations that will make our virtual reality experiences even more mind-blowing. Get ready to strap on your imagination goggles and journey with me into the world of cutting-edge VR technology.

First off, we have lighter and more comfortable designs. Say goodbye to those bulky headsets that make you feel like you're wearing a brick on your face. With advancements in materials and ergonomics, VR headsets will soon feel as light as a feather, allowing you to immerse yourself in the virtual world without strain or discomfort.

Next up, we have an increased field of view. Picture this: you're exploring a virtual forest, and instead of feeling like you're peering through a tiny window, you'll have a panoramic view that stretches as far as the eye can see. With a wider field of view, you'll feel like you're truly a part of the virtual environment, whether you're under the sea or soaring through the sky.

And let's not forget about wireless connectivity. No more getting tangled up in cables or tripping over them like a clumsy oaf. With wireless VR headsets, you'll have the freedom to move around without restraint, making your virtual adventures even more immersive. Just think of all the acrobatics you can perform without worrying about cable interference!

These innovations are just the tip of the virtual iceberg. The future of VR headsets holds endless possibilities for us to escape the boundaries of reality and dive headfirst into the realms of imagination. So, get ready to embark on a journey where the only limit is your own imagination. The future is here, and it's wearing a VR headset.

Revolutionary Technologies in VR Headsets

First up, we have eye tracking. Yep, you read that right! VR headsets equipped with eye tracking technology can track your eye movements, allowing for a more immersive and interactive experience. Imagine being able to control the virtual world just by looking at things. It's like magic, but with science!

Next, we have haptic feedback. This fancy term refers to the sensation of touch in the virtual world. With haptic feedback, VR headsets can provide users with tactile feedback, making the experience even more realistic. Want to feel the texture of a virtual object? Haptic feedback has got you covered!

Last but definitely not least, we have brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Yes, you heard me correctly, we're talking about reading minds here! BCIs allow the VR headset to tap into your brainwaves, translating your thoughts and intentions into actions within the virtual world. It's like telekinesis, but without the need for mutant genes!

These revolutionary technologies in VR headsets are pushing the boundaries of what was once thought possible. With eye tracking, haptic feedback, and brain-computer interfaces, the future of VR is looking brighter than ever. Get ready to step into a world where your eyes, touch, and even thoughts can shape your virtual reality experience. It's time to buckle up and embark on an adventure like no other!

Conclusion

Virtual reality technology is continuously evolving, with exciting advancements on the horizon. From lighter and more comfortable designs to an improved field of view and wireless connectivity, VR headsets are set to revolutionize our digital experiences. Alongside these innovations, eye tracking, haptic feedback, and brain-computer interfaces will push the boundaries.