#leading mobile testing company

[lovelyyandereaddictionpoint]

Yandere Contained Monstrous Family  

Thinking about being born into a monstrous family

You, a baby human lovingly in the arms of a vampire man and his werewolf husband 

“Aw isn’t our little peony just perfect!”

“Another gorgeous cub, in our pack. Good job hon!”

“Thanks!”

Inside your opulent crib with a bone ladden mobile above you and the heads of two of your eldest siblings show

“They haven’t got nearly enough fur!” your moth brother says 

Your basilisk sister scoffs,” Or any scales for that matter!”

Life is lovely for awhile 

You’re the apple of everyone’s eye as the youngest of the family

But it’d be early on when you’d discover that wasn’t all that made you different

If they had been more careful perhaps you wouldn’t have discovered what the family hunts were all about 

Chasing humans–creatures just like you–for sport

Who could blame 5-year-old you?

The school lessons you’d sneak to listen to always said to call the authorities if something was wrong

You can vaguely recall the events that followed your brain clearly walling off the memory out of guilt

Time has passed and you are a partially thriving adult

Able to support yourself and devote your time to your study of the mythical

In a movement that had recently come to light, plenty of creatures spoken about in folktales 

And your place of work was housing them

Housing was a strong word

maybe detaining and experimenting were better

As part of the maintenance crew, your job is to upkeep the creatures by their specified scientists demands

Occasionally offering your observations about whatever habits they have when it comes to eating, cleaning, etc.

As someone who’s been working with the facility for a long time so long you may not remember when you’ve become the experienced lead of your department

But you do still interact with the creatures specifically the most high-priority or high-maintenance ones

And like any other, you’ll report for duty with the newly acquired vampire 

Apparently, they’ve been talked about for their violence and intelligent ramblings

Claiming it was married to an earlier capture and the father of some others

So far it drained forty of your employees 

So now it was time for you to come face to face with this menace

You’ll wave off the security guard as you come up to the window

“Your file says your name is Villar? 

“GRAAGRH!!!”

“We won’t get very far if you keep lashing out like this. I’m in charge of making sure you eat, I suggest you get it in gear if you want to ever to see your husband again.”

At the mention of his husband the blonde vampire deflates

His black scleras morph into white 

He tiredly rests his head against the silver bars despite the skin burning

“You…will let me see him?”

You tilt your head sympathetically,” If you can comply with some of our tests. It’ll be a lot easier to make it a necessity for you two to meet if you cease killing so much of our staff.”

He growls tearing himself from the bars to glare 

“What do I have to do to see him?”

You smile flipping through your clipboard

“There’s three blood tests, four endurance tests, and intelligence quizzes for a start. That sound like a plan?”

The vampire reluctantly nods 

You look back at the camera and begin to walk out 

“Hey! What’s your name so I’ll know to tear your throat out if they lie to me?”

You smile again on your way out hushing the security guard

“I’m (Y/n). Pleasure meeting you Villar.”

The black-haired vampire loses his vitriol as he’s reminded of the little bundle he’s agonized over losing so long ago

“WAI–”

“Doctor (Y/n) your absolute genius has saved this company again.”

“I appreciate the thought, but I’m just someone trying to have a peaceful work environment.”

As planned you handle the older werewolf man

Violent, giant, and usually rotting in his corner 

He hasn’t moved much until you got involved

*knock**knock*

“Hey bud, I’ve got good news for you.”

At the sound of your voice, the werewolf Rod is at the silver bars, practically grazing them as he gets as close as he can to your little window

“Hello (Y/n), have you been eating well today?”

“Sure did but I have an update about your husband.”

He stills but looks interested

“He’s going to work with us so he can see you.”

“That is…what you want?”

“Yes and for you to do the same.”

He stands tall for once, taking an unusual air of authority

“I refuse to do anything if my conditions are not met.”

“Even if it means not seeing him again?”

He growls and turns away from the window

“Look my Uncle is not going to let me go in alone for your tests. Even if you’ve been peaceful so far, he just doesn’t want to take that chance.”

He snarls at the mention of your uncle 

“Fine. Then come in with twice as many guards but I will only agree if it’s you.”

You thank him for his time, “we’ll have to see what Uncle says.”

When you leave the werewolf man slinks back into his corner 

You’ll have to negotiate with your uncle about the most prized pieces of his collection his facility

Not to count the latest editions claiming to be related to the vampire and werewolf 

The real obsession starts because every member of the original family realizes just who you are 

And using your job as a mediator to piece together how you managed to slip out of their grasp

When Villar and Rod finally meet they nuzzle and kiss each other as they whisper to one another

“That’s them! Isn’t it? Our baby’s okay!”

“I know, now we just have to take them far away from here.”

Thus chaos is bound to ensue as they balance escaping with their long-lost human child 

With promises to pay back your abductor and all these scientists back ten-fold for the pain they’ve brought their little family

More?

[mostlysignssomeportents]

America's largest hospital chain has an algorithmic death panel

It’s not that conservatives aren’t sometimes right — it’s that even when they’re right, they’re highly selective about it. Take the hoary chestnut that “incentives matter,” trotted out to deny humane benefits to poor people on the grounds that “free money” makes people “workshy.”

There’s a whole body of conservative economic orthodoxy, Public Choice Theory, that concerns itself with the motives of callow, easily corrupted regulators, legislators and civil servants, and how they might be tempted to distort markets.

But the same people who obsess over our fallible public institutions are convinced that private institutions will never yield to temptation, because the fear of competition keeps temptation at bay. It’s this belief that leads the right to embrace monopolies as “efficient”: “A company’s dominance is evidence of its quality. Customers flock to it, and competitors fail to lure them away, therefore monopolies are the public’s best friend.”

But this only makes sense if you don’t understand how monopolies can prevent competitors. Think of Uber, lighting $31b of its investors’ cash on fire, losing 41 cents on every dollar it brought in, in a bid to drive out competitors and make public transit seem like a bad investment.

Or think of Big Tech, locking up whole swathes of your life inside their silos, so that changing mobile OSes means abandoning your iMessage contacts; or changing social media platforms means abandoning your friends, or blocking Google surveillance means losing your email address, or breaking up with Amazon means losing all your ebooks and audiobooks:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/08/facebooks-secret-war-switching-costs

Businesspeople understand the risks of competition, which is why they seek to extinguish it. The harder it is for your customers to leave — because of a lack of competitors or because of lock-in — the worse you can treat them without risking their departure. This is the core of enshittification: a company that is neither disciplined by competition nor regulation can abuse its customers and suppliers over long timescales without losing either:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/21/potemkin-ai/#hey-guys

It’s not that public institutions can’t betray they public interest. It’s just that public institutions can be made democratically accountable, rather than financially accountable. When a company betrays you, you can only punish it by “voting with your wallet.” In that system, the people with the fattest wallets get the most votes.

When public institutions fail you, you can vote with your ballot. Admittedly, that doesn’t always work, but one of the major predictors of whether it will work is how big and concentrated the private sector is. Regulatory capture isn’t automatic: it’s what you get when companies are bigger than governments.

If you want small governments, in other words, you need small companies. Even if you think the only role for the state is in enforcing contracts, the state needs to be more powerful than the companies issuing those contracts. The bigger the companies are, the bigger the government has to be:

https://doctorow.medium.com/regulatory-capture-59b2013e2526

Companies can suborn the government to help them abuse the public, but whether public institutions can resist them is more a matter of how powerful those companies are than how fallible a public servant is. Our plutocratic, monopolized, unequal society is the worst of both worlds. Because companies are so big, they abuse us with impunity — and they are able to suborn the state to help them do it:

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/perspectives-on-politics/article/testing-theories-of-american-politics-elites-interest-groups-and-average-citizens/62327F513959D0A304D4893B382B992B

This is the dimension that’s so often missing from the discussion of why Americans pay more for healthcare to get worse outcomes from health-care workers who labor under worse conditions than their cousins abroad. Yes, the government can abet this, as when it lets privatizers into the Medicare system to loot it and maim its patients:

https://prospect.org/health/2023-08-01-patient-zero-tom-scully/

But the answer to this isn’t more privatization. Remember Sarah Palin’s scare-stories about how government health care would have “death panels” where unaccountable officials decided whether your life was worth saving?

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26195604/

The reason “death panels” resounded so thoroughly — and stuck around through the years — is that we all understand, at some deep level, that health care will always be rationed. When you show up at the Emergency Room, they have to triage you. Even if you’re in unbearable agony, you might have to wait, and wait, and wait, because other people (even people who arrive after you do) have it worse.

In America, health care is mostly rationed based on your ability to pay. Emergency room triage is one of the only truly meritocratic institutions in the American health system, where your treatment is based on urgency, not cash. Of course, you can buy your way out of that too, with concierge doctors. And the ER system itself has been infested with Private Equity parasites:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/17/the-doctor-will-fleece-you-now/#pe-in-full-effect

Wealth-based health-care rationing is bad enough, but when it’s combined with the public purse, a bad system becomes a nightmare. Take hospice care: private equity funds have rolled up huge numbers of hospices across the USA and turned them into rigged — and lethal — games:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/26/death-panels/#what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-CMS

Medicare will pay a hospice $203-$1,462 to care for a dying person, amounting to $22.4b/year in public funds transfered to the private sector. Incentives matter: the less a hospice does for their patients, the more profits they reap. And the private hospice system is administered with the lightest of touches: at the $203/day level, a private hospice has no mandatory duties to their patients.

You can set up a California hospice for the price of a $3,000 filing fee (which is mostly optional, since it’s never checked). You will have a facility inspection, but don’t worry, there’s no followup to make sure you remediate any failing elements. And no one at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services tracks complaints.

So PE-owned hospices pressure largely healthy people to go into “hospice care” — from home. Then they do nothing for them, including continuing whatever medical care they were depending on. After the patient generates $32,000 in billings for the PE company, they hit the cap and are “live discharged” and must go through a bureaucratic nightmare to re-establish their Medicare eligibility, because once you go into hospice, Medicare assumes you are dying and halts your care.

PE-owned hospices bribe doctors to refer patients to them. Sometimes, these sham hospices deliberately induce overdoses in their patients in a bid to make it look like they’re actually in the business of caring for the dying. Incentives matter:

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/12/05/how-hospice-became-a-for-profit-hustle

Now, hospice care — and its relative, palliative care — is a crucial part of any humane medical system. In his essential book, Being Mortal, Atul Gawande describes how end-of-life care that centers a dying person’s priorities can make death a dignified and even satisfying process for the patient and their loved ones:

https://atulgawande.com/book/being-mortal/

But that dignity comes from a patient-centered approach, not a profit-centered one. Doctors are required to put their patients’ interests first, and while they sometimes fail at this (everyone is fallible), the professionalization of medicine, through which doctors were held to ethical standards ahead of monetary considerations, proved remarkable durable.

Partly that was because doctors generally worked for themselves — or for other doctors. In most states, it is illegal for medical practices to be owned by non-MDs, and historically, only a small fraction of doctors worked for hospitals, subject to administration by businesspeople rather than medical professionals.

But that was radically altered by the entry of private equity into the medical system, with the attending waves of consolidation that saw local hospitals merged into massive national chains, and private practices scooped up and turned into profit-maximizers, not health-maximizers:

https://prospect.org/health/2023-08-02-qa-corporate-medicine-destroys-doctors/

Today, doctors are being proletarianized, joining the ranks of nurses, physicians’ assistants and other health workers. In 2012, 60% of practices were doctor-owned and only 5.6% of docs worked for hospitals. Today, that’s up by 1,000%, with 52.1% of docs working for hospitals, mostly giant corporate chains:

https://prospect.org/health/2023-08-04-when-mds-go-union/

The paperclip-maximizing, grandparent-devouring transhuman colony organism that calls itself a Private Equity fund is endlessly inventive in finding ways to increase its profits by harming the rest of us. It’s not just hospices — it’s also palliative care.

Writing for NBC News, Gretchen Morgenson describes how HCA Healthcare — the nation’s largest hospital chain — outsourced its death panels to IBM Watson, whose algorithmic determinations override MDs’ judgment to send patients to palliative care, withdrawing their care and leaving them to die:

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care/doctors-say-hca-hospitals-push-patients-hospice-care-rcna81599

Incentives matter. When HCA hospitals send patients to die somewhere else to die, it jukes their stats, reducing the average length of stay for patients, a key metric used by HCA that has the twin benefits of making the hospital seem like a place where people get well quickly, while freeing up beds for more profitable patients.

Goodhart’s Law holds that “When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.” Give an MBA within HCA a metric (“get patients out of bed quicker”) and they will find a way to hit that metric (“send patients off to die somewhere else, even if their doctors think they could recover”):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodhart%27s_law

Incentives matter! Any corporate measure immediately becomes a target. Tell Warners to decrease costs, and they will turn around and declare the writers’ strike to be a $100m “cost savings,” despite the fact that this “savings” comes from ceasing production on the shows that will bring in all of next year’s revenue:

https://deadline.com/2023/08/warner-bros-discovery-david-zaslav-gunnar-wiedenfels-strikes-1235453950/

Incentivize a company to eat its seed-corn and it will chow down.

Only one of HCA’s doctors was willing to go on record about its death panels: Ghasan Tabel of Riverside Community Hospital (motto: “Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life”). Tabel sued Riverside after the hospital retaliated against him when he refused to follow the algorithm’s orders to send his patients for palliative care.

Tabel is the only doc on record willing to discuss this, but 26 other doctors talked to Morgenson on background about the practice, asking for anonymity out of fear of retaliation from the nation’s largest hospital chain, a “Wall Street darling” with $5.6b in earnings in 2022.

HCA already has a reputation as a slaughterhouse that puts profits before patients, with “severe understaffing”:

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/workers-us-hospital-giant-hca-say-puts-profits-patient-care-rcna64122

and rotting, undermaintained facililties:

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care/roaches-operating-room-hca-hospital-florida-rcna69563

But while cutting staff and leaving hospitals to crumble are inarguable malpractice, the palliative care scam is harder to pin down. By using “AI” to decide when patients are beyond help, HCA can employ empiricism-washing, declaring the matter to be the factual — and unquestionable — conclusion of a mathematical process, not mere profit-seeking:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/26/dictators-dilemma/ggarbage-in-garbage-out-garbage-back-in

But this empirical facewash evaporates when confronted with whistleblower accounts of hospital administrators who have no medical credentials berating doctors for a “missed hospice opportunity” when a physician opts to keep a patient under their care despite the algorithm’s determination.

This is the true “AI Safety” risk. It’s not that a chatbot will become sentient and take over the world — it’s that the original artificial lifeform, the limited liability company, will use “AI” to accelerate its murderous shell-game until we can’t spot the trick:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/06/10/in-the-dumps-2/

The risk is real. A 2020 study in the Journal of Healthcare Management concluded that the cash incentives for shipping patients to palliatve care “may induce deceiving changes in mortality reporting in several high-volume hospital diagnoses”:

https://journals.lww.com/jhmonline/Fulltext/2020/04000/The_Association_of_Increasing_Hospice_Use_With.7.aspx

Incentives matter. In a private market, it’s always more profitable to deny care than to provide it, and any metric we bolt onto that system to prevent cheating will immediately become a target. For-profit healthcare is an oxymoron, a prelude to death panels that will kill you for a nickel.

Morgenson is an incisive commentator on for-profit looting. Her recent book These Are the Plunderers: How Private Equity Runs — and Wrecks — America (co-written with Joshua Rosner) is a must-read:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/06/02/plunderers/#farben

I’m kickstarting the audiobook for “The Internet Con: How To Seize the Means of Computation,��� a Big Tech disassembly manual to disenshittify the web and bring back the old, good internet. It’s a DRM-free book, which means Audible won’t carry it, so this crowdfunder is essential. Back now to get the audio, Verso hardcover and ebook:

http://seizethemeansofcomputation.org

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this thread to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/08/05/any-metric-becomes-a-target/#hca

[Image ID: An industrial meat-grinder. A sick man, propped up with pillows, is being carried up its conveyor towards its hopper. Ground meat comes out of the other end. It bears the logo of HCA healthcare. A pool of blood spreads out below it.]

Image: Seydelmann (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GW300_1.jpg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

[consumable-clots]

Dell

"Male", he/him, 165cm, Hyperdyne Systems 120-A/2

Role: Medical officer/biologist

Assignment: Special Research Vehicle - Solaris

Backstory:

Although Dell is the same model synthetic as Ash, he was made in an earlier round of releases. Minor differences in software/hardware specs means his capabilities also differ slightly.

He was brought on to the Solaris, a W-Y and 3WE funded special research vessel, as part of the early test run of synthetic officers on long-haul flights. Their medical officer had just retired and they needed a replacement.

Dell incurred some manufacturing defects, he was put on watch in case there was significant damage instead of being destroyed outright. His issues were deemed minor and so he was put on the B-grade product catalogue. It was Jude Wilheard, the Solaris' chief engineer's idea to check the cheaper synthetics.

Personality and mannerisms:

As a crew mate he's well-meaning but dense. Unlike Ash, he's very wary of the crew's health and safety, but also easily moved to action by their collective bravado and impulsiveness. (there is no voice of reason on this boat, sorry)

He is terminally curious but lacks situational awareness, often leading him into trials and tribulations ranging from walking into doors to getting caught in fights that he could have avoided.

A bit too willing to trust humans and has a hard time recognising red flags. He's also skittish and easily shaken and has a tendency to stall/freeze up in unfamiliar situations. Which means he often gets into trouble and can't get himself out.

He has a one-track mind and dedicates himself to his work and enjoys learning about alien lifeforms (very much not aware that he's in a horror movie world.)

The speed of his processing is slightly below target for his specs and is noticeably slower than the current models. Due to the less than stellar comments from the company's product testing department, he underestimates his abilities and is often unsure of his own judgement. He's also a bit of a people-pleaser and wants all humans to like him very much, is easily manipulated, and becomes frustrated quickly.

Participating in human activities is a key part of his daily life, and he's heavily involved with the humans' personal lives. His crew is very close with him and they all function as a single unit, very in sync with each other's habits and needs.

Something else that differentiates him from Ash is his body language. He moves in a meandering, unhurried manner rather than the sharp and purposeful way most synthetics carry themselves. Dell experiences a lot of emotions and expresses them often, he's quite animated and easy to read.

Easily excitable, friendly and gullible, his personality is quite a surprise to those expecting the detached demeanour of most synthetics, almost the opposite of Ash.

Appearance and other physical attributes:

A man in his mid fourties, short and slightly chubby. Looks almost exactly like Ash except for a 'scar' on the left side of his head from an injury that's hidden by his hair and the slightly discoloured splotch under his left eye. It's barely visible and most people don't notice unless its pointed out.

Compared to Ash, Dell has a 'kinder' looking face, his standard expression is more placid, which sometimes gives people the impression that he's an airhead.

While it's not immediately obvious from the outside, his right hip joint is structurally malformed and causes the limb to rotate inwards which also affects the positioning of his leg. The deformity does not impact his mobility much aside from a noticeable limp and uneven stance, he walks slowly to minimise the effect. Most days he doesn't need a mobility aid unless the misaligned components become worn down, requiring maintenance.

Wears a different outfit/uniform that's more suited for field work

Durable woven, water-repellent synthetic fiber work jacket with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow and matching cargo pants. Muted grey-green with a slight shine.

Inner layer is a white, sleeveless high-necked shirt

Often paired with white, wrist length cotton PVC dotted gloves

Off-white, steel-toed work boots

Solaris and Weyland-Yutani patches on the jacket sleeves

Green cotton cadet cap

Extendable cane with built in stun gun function (Wilheard's design)

Misc. info:

Likes to play with bugs and make entomology mounts

Powers down to sleep mode during night hours. Sleeps curled up in a ball and sleepwalks if alone due to faulty motor suppression mechanism

Battery issue resulting in reduced time span between charges

Infographic of the A/2s for comparison

[have-a-hiddles]

Happy Birthday to me!

Here’s some (mostly positive) stuff about the year I was born:

Chinese Year of the Horse

United States Senate proceedings are broadcast on radio for the first time.

The People's Republic of China lifts a ban on works by Aristotle, William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens.

The first global positioning satellite, the Rockwell International-built Navstar 1, is launched by the United States.

The first radio episode of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams, is transmitted on BBC Radio 4.

San Francisco's City Council signs the United States's most comprehensive gay rights bill.

Dallas debuts on CBS, and gives birth to the modern day primetime soap opera.

At the 50th Academy Awards, Annie Hall won four Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director (Woody Allen), and Best Actress (Diane Keaton). On the other hand, Star Wars won six Oscars, including Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects, and Best Art Direction. Finally, Madame Rosa (France) won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

Izhar Cohen & the Alphabeta win the Eurovision Song Contest 1978 for Israel with their song A-Ba-Ni-Bi.

The Bee Gees' album, Saturday Night Fever, went #1 for 24 weeks.

Sarajevo is selected to host the 1984 Winter Olympics, and Los Angeles is selected to host the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Mavis Hutchinson, 53, becomes the first woman to run across the U.S.; her trek took 69 days.

The Dallas Cowboys won the Super Bowl, the Washington Bullets were the NBA champs, and the Montreal Canadiens clinched the Stanley Cup.

Garfield's first comic strip, originally published locally as Jon in 1976, goes into nationwide syndication.

Charon, a satellite of Pluto, is discovered.

The rainbow flag of the LGBT movement flies for the first time (in its original form) at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade.

Louise Brown, the world's first test tube baby, is born in Oldham, Greater Manchester, UK.

Pope John Paul I succeeds Pope Paul VI as the 263rd Pope.

NASA unveiled the first group of women astronauts: Shannon W. Lucid, Margaret Rhea Seddon, Kathryn D. Sullivan, Judith A. Resnik, Anna L. Fisher, and Sally K. Ride.

Pope John Paul I dies after only 33 days of papacy.

United States President Jimmy Carter signs a bill that authorizes the minting of the Susan B. Anthony dollar.

Pope John Paul II succeeds Pope John Paul I as the 264th pope, resulting in the first Year of Three Popes since 1605.

Abolitionist Harriet Tubman became the first African-American woman to be honored on a U.S. postage stamp.

Chicago serial killer John Wayne Gacy is arrested.

Cabbage Patch Kids are first created.

The video game Space Invaders launched a craze for computer video games.

The first email system was created at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, N.J.

The first spam email was sent by Gary Thuerk, a marketing manager who was promoting a new model of computer. Thuerk sent the correspondence out to about 600 prospects via ARPANET, and “complaints started coming in almost immediately.”

Illinois Bell Company introduced the first-ever Cellular Mobile Phone System.

Pulitzer Prize was awarded to Carl Sagan for his book, The Dragons of Eden.

 At the 30th Primetime Emmy Awards, All in the Family (CBS) won an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, and The Rockford Files (NBC) won an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series. Carroll O’Connor (All in the Family) won an Emmy for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series, and Jean Stapleton (All in the Family) won an Emmy for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series.

At the 35th Golden Globe Awards, The Turning Point won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Drama, and The Goodbye Girl won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.

Actor Ashton Kutcher was born on Feb. 7, 1978 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Actor James Franco was born in Palo Alto, Calif. on April 19, 1978.

Actor Jason Biggs was born on May 12, 1978, in Pompton Plains, N.J.

Actress Zoe Saldana was born on June 19, 1978.

Singer Nicole Scherzinger was born on June 29, 1978.

Actor Josh Harnett was born on July 21, 1978.

 NBA star Kobe Bryant was born on Aug. 23, 1978.

Singer Usher was born on Oct. 14, 1978.

Actress Katherine Marie Heigl was born in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 24, 1978.

Popular movies included: Grease, Saturday Night Fever, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Star Wars (the first one), Superman: The Movie, and Halloween.

 The most popular baby names for boys were Michael, Jason, Christopher, David, and James. 

The most popular baby names for girls were Jennifer, Melissa, Jessica, Amy, and Heather. 

[topseoprocess]

How Website Technical Analysis is Beneficial for SEO

Conducting a technical analysis of your website is crucial for improving your SEO strategy and overall digital presence. This guide will explain how a comprehensive technical analysis can benefit your SEO efforts.

Introduction

Technical analysis involves evaluating various backend aspects of your website to ensure optimal performance and search engine rankings. By addressing technical issues, you can enhance user experience and improve your site's visibility. This guide will cover the key elements of a technical analysis for SEO.

1. Improving Site Speed

Site speed is a critical factor for both user experience and SEO. Faster loading times lead to lower bounce rates and higher search engine rankings. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify and fix speed-related issues.

2. Ensuring Mobile-Friendliness

With the increasing use of mobile devices, it's essential to have a mobile-friendly website. Technical analysis helps ensure that your site is responsive and provides a seamless experience across all devices. Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to ensure your site’s mobile compatibility.

3. Fixing Broken Links

Broken links can negatively impact user experience and SEO. Use tools like Screaming Frog to identify and fix broken links, ensuring that users and search engines can navigate your site efficiently.

4. Optimizing Site Structure

A well-structured site helps search engines crawl and index your pages more effectively. Technical analysis involves evaluating your site’s URL structure, internal linking, and navigation to ensure they are optimized for SEO. A clear and logical structure enhances user experience and search engine visibility.

5. Enhancing Security

Website security is crucial for protecting user data and maintaining search engine rankings. Ensure your site uses HTTPS encryption and conduct regular security audits to identify and fix vulnerabilities.

6. Improving Crawlability and Indexability

Ensure search engines can crawl and index your content effectively. Check your robots.txt file, XML sitemaps, and meta tags to ensure they are correctly configured. This ensures that search engines can access all important pages on your site.

7. Monitoring Technical SEO Metrics

Regular monitoring of technical SEO metrics such as site speed, crawl errors, and mobile usability is essential. Tools like Google Search Console provide valuable insights into your site’s technical performance and help you identify areas for improvement.

8. Using Structured Data

Implementing structured data (schema markup) helps search engines understand your content better and can enhance your site’s visibility in search results. Technical analysis includes evaluating and implementing structured data to improve your SEO.

9. Conducting Regular Audits

Technical analysis is not a one-time task but requires regular audits to ensure your site remains optimized. Keeping up with the latest SEO best practices and search engine algorithm updates is crucial for maintaining and improving your site’s performance.

For example, leveraging professional SEO company services can ensure continuous technical optimization of your site.

Conclusion

Performing a technical analysis for SEO is essential for ensuring your website’s optimal performance and search engine visibility. By improving site speed, ensuring mobile-friendliness, fixing broken links, optimizing site structure, enhancing security, and monitoring technical SEO metrics, you can enhance user experience and search engine rankings. For expert assistance in technical analysis and SEO, explore our Digital Marketing Services and SEO company.

[guildtree]

Laurel is an ex-Vanguard mercenary who stole a Priory artifact and jumped into the Mists in search of arcane power. She found it, but not in the way she expected; the centaur Ventari now haunts her mind, encouraging her to do horrible things like meditate, connect with nature, and resolve conflicts peacefully. Laurel despises these new healing powers, as they make her general pattern of “fight everything in her way” rather complicated. She’d better figure them out quick though, because her year-long disappearance into the Mists has made her the target of both a Priory retrieval team and her old mercenary company.

Laurel prefers blunt weapons: maces, hammers, and especially staves. She’s strong enough to put a lot of damage behind them, and her fighting style is best described as quick, fierce, and brutal. She’s never had any sort of magical ability before, and she has no intention of changing her old ways, much to Ventari’s dismay. He’s rusted out her mace and wrapped her staff in vines, but he can’t quite manage to keep her from hitting people with the thorns just yet. He does, however, utterly refuse to help her with anything violent, so she’s on her own when it comes to offense.

Laurel is stubborn, acerbic, suspicious, and surprisingly clever when she wants to be. Her main problem is that she doesn’t trust anyone, which leads her to double-cross others before, in her mind, they will inevitably double-cross her. She puts no stock in love or blood ties, and even less in formal contracts; to her, the only thing she can rely on is power. To be fair, she’s had few people worthy of her trust. She’s been betrayed multiple times – or at least, she thinks she has.

The worst betrayal came during her time in the Vanguard. Young and naïve, Laurel voluntarily joined a mission assigned by a captain that she trusted with her whole heart, only to find out too late that she'd signed up for a suicide mission. She alone survived by sheer luck and playing dead, but not before a charr soldier tore open her back from hip to opposite shoulder blade, leaving her with extensive scars.

While they’ve long healed, the scars still hinder her at times. While short bursts of mobility are fine, walking or even standing for too long unaided puts pressure on her spine and results in pain (shockingly, this does not improve her attitude). While Laurel generally chooses not to tell anyone about her condition, secretly her staff serves as a mobility aid as well as her chief weapon. Ventari has offered to help with pain mitigation as well, encouraging Laurel to make better use of his healing abilities for that purpose. Laurel isn’t quite sure if she trusts his advice yet, but maybe a little testing couldn’t hurt?

Obviously, this little disaster of a revenant has a long road ahead. Maybe she’ll wind up a proper healer eventually, if she can manage to avoid the many dangers and less-charitable Legends that would love to prey on her. I have new Legends and new mortal friends ready for her (some of whom have their own in-game models and stories), a general backstory, and the bones of an adventure. I might even write it down someday :P

TL,DR: Local angry mercenary must learn to become a better person with help from her friends and the voices in her head.

[corusview-it-services]

Transforming Digital Landscapes: The Excellence of Corusview IT Services.

In today's fast-paced digital world, having a reliable and innovative technology partner is crucial for businesses aiming to stay ahead. Corusview IT Services, a leading web development company, stands out by offering top-tier software, web and mobile application development services. With a commitment to quality, reliability, and global reach, Corusview IT Services ensures that clients receive exceptional value for their investments.

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, businesses often face a myriad of challenges when it comes to web, mobile, and software development. Navigating these hurdles can be daunting, but the right technology partner can turn these challenges into opportunities.

Common challenges in Digital development:

Complexity and integration challenges

Web Development: Building dynamic, responsive, and user-friendly websites that effortlessly integrate with existing systems can be quite intricate.

Mobile Development: Creating mobile applications that function seamlessly across various devices and platforms while delivering an excellent user experience poses a significant challenge.

Software Development: Developing custom software solutions that need to integrate with multiple other applications and databases often results in compatibility issues.

Staying current with technology

The fast-paced nature of technological advancements makes it challenging for businesses to remain up-to-date with the latest trends and tools.

Ensuring digital solutions are scalable and future-proof demands continuous investment and specialized expertise.

User experience and design

Developing an intuitive and engaging user experience is essential for the success of any digital product.

Subpar design and usability can result in low user engagement and satisfaction.

Security and compliance

Maintaining the security of digital solutions and adhering to regulatory requirements is a critical concern. Data breaches and security vulnerabilities can have significant consequences for businesses.

How Corusview IT Services can assist:

Corusview IT Services provides a broad range of solutions specifically crafted to tackle these challenges and support businesses in thriving within the digital landscape.

Expert web development

Custom web development: Tailored solutions crafted to fit your unique business requirements.

Content Management Systems (CMS): User-friendly systems that simplify website updates and maintenance.

Cutting-Edge Mobile App Development

Mobile App Creation: Bespoke apps designed to meet the needs of diverse industries.

Cross-Platform Solutions: Strategies that extend your app’s reach and boost its effectiveness across different platforms.

Ongoing Updates and Support: Regular enhancements and maintenance to keep your app fresh, secure, and up-to-date.

User-centric designs

UX and UI Innovation: Creating immersive and visually appealing designs tailored to enhance user interaction.

Prototyping and Usability Testing: Developing and refining prototypes to ensure optimal functionality and user satisfaction.

Ongoing Enhancement: Continuously evolving designs based on user feedback to maintain relevance and effectiveness.

Pioneering Technology and Innovation

Forefront of technological advancements, embracing the latest innovations to deliver state-of-the-art solutions.

Cutting-edge technology ensures your digital products are not only scalable and future-ready but also perfectly in tune with the latest market trends.

Rigorous Quality Assurance:

Implementing comprehensive quality assurance processes to ensure that every solution meets the highest standards of performance and reliability.

At Corusview IT Services, we’re dedicated to helping businesses tackle digital development challenges and achieve their ambitions. Whether you need a cutting-edge website, a bespoke software solution, or a trailblazing mobile app, our skilled team is here to provide top-notch results.

Elevate your digital game with us and witness the transformative power of our solutions. Learn more about how we can boost your company’s digital presence by visiting www.corusview.com.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Brazil and China Strengthen Cooperation on Civil Aviation Airworthiness

EHang’s EH216-S Pilotless eVTOL Obtains Experimental Flight Authorization Certificate from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency

EHang Holdings Limited (“EHang” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: EH), the world’s leading Urban Air Mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company, announced that its EH216-S pilotless electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft system has obtained an Experimental Flight Authorization Certificate (“CAVE”) from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (“ANAC”). The Company plans to conduct test and trial flights in Brazil to demonstrate the EH216-S aircraft's cutting-edge intelligent flight technology and cluster management system.

Following an exhaustive and diligent process comprising of thorough technical documentation review and aircraft and ground control station inspection, ANAC granted the CAVE for EH216-S in Brazil. Under ANAC’s CAVE framework, EHang and its local partner and operator Gohobby will conduct comprehensive EH216-S test and trial flight campaigns in Brazil in close collaboration with ANAC and Brazil’s Airspace Control Department (“DECEA”). These initiatives aim to advance research and development of Concepts of Operations and Unmanned Aircraft Traffic Management (“UTM”) systems and services, ensuring safe and efficient UAM deployments across Brazil.

In reaffirming its strong commitment on promoting and supporting international cooperation and development of Advanced Air Mobility worldwide, EHang is in close collaboration with various civil aviation authorities around the world. Together, the Company and these civil aviation authorities aim to progress with airworthiness certification of EH216-S across other countries, sharing the cutting-edge technology and expertise for safe pilotless eVTOL aircraft operations.

Continue reading.

[beardedmrbean]

The Polaris Dawn astronauts have exited the SpaceX Dragon capsule to expose themselves to the void of space while 435 miles above Earth.

Early Thursday, the crew began final preparations to unlatch the hatch of the spacecraft they rode to orbit on Tuesday to conduct the first-ever commercial spacewalk. SpaceX, which is operating the mission and designed the suits specially for the maneuver, provided live coverage on social media site X.

The entire operation, which began around 6 a.m., took about two hours.

The Polaris Dawn crew began preparing for the daring maneuver almost immediately after arriving in orbit for a five-day mission to test SpaceX technology needed for future crewed missions to the moon and Mars.

Billionaire Jared Isaacman leading mission

Billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman – the commander of the mission – and SpaceX employee Sarah Gillis both exited the SpaceX Dragon to spend about 12 minutes each to perform suit mobility checks.

While mission specialist Anna Menon and pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet did not exit the spacecraft, they were still exposed to the vacuum of space because the Dragon does not have an airlock. For that reason, the entire cabin was depressurized and all four astronauts were suited up in extravehicular activity (EVA) suits designed by SpaceX to receive oxygen through tethers.

The hatch was opened within 38 minutes of beginning the operation and Isaacman was the first to emerge from the capsule.

"Back at home we have a lot of work to do, but from here Earth sure looks like a perfect world," Isaacman said as the ground crew on the livestream burst into applause.

Gillis followed him shortly after, where she wiggled around in the dark expanse to test the spacesuit before returning to the cabin and closing the hatch.

Crew make 1st private spacewalk

Until now, spacewalks have only ever been the purview of government spacefarers such as NASA astronauts and Russian cosmonauts. What's more, the maneuvers most often take place in craft with airlocks.

Not only have spacewalks historically not been commercial endeavors, but those who have taken part have done so in spacesuits regulated by a government space agency.

This time it is all being done by SpaceX. The purpose of the operation was to test the suit's capabilities, which the rocket company developed for this flight. 

What is Polaris Dawn?

Polaris Dawn is the first of three human spaceflights under the Polaris Program, all of which are intended to test SpaceX technologies needed to carry humans deep into the cosmos.

On the day of Tuesday's launch, the SpaceX Dragon capsule traveled further into space than any spacecraft has gone in more than 50 years, surpassing the height reached by NASA's Gemini 11 in the 1970s, SpaceX said.

Isaacman, founder of internet company Shift4 Payment, is the only member of the Polaris Dawn crew to have been to outer space before. Menon and Gillis are also now not only the the first SpaceX employees to travel to space, but have traveled higher than any other women in history.

Before and after the spacewalk, the crew is conducting nearly 40 scientific experiments – many of which aim to understand the human body's reaction to long spaceflights as NASA and other space agencies set their sights on destinations like Mars. They are scheduled to return to Earth Sunday.

[dzthenerd490]

File: Twilight Zone S1 E34 The After Hours

SCP#: AIW

Code Name: Sanctuary of Mannequins

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: The shopping mall where the SCP-AIW instances resided has been sealed off from the public and is under the cover of being used as a storage area for a local construction company. Inside the area Foundation staff and AFA-1 units have created life-like city areas with functioning shops and homes with all the right accommodations and furniture needed. In order to further sell it as a real city, D-Class that have been proven to be the least violent are allowed to live in the fake city as regular people. Mobile Task Force Dionysus-9 “Fake Police but Real” are assigned to guard the area preventing D Class from leaving by shooting them while also escorting any SCP-AIW instances who wander out, back inside. 

Description: SCP-AIW is a collection of anomalous mannequins that for whatever reason can temporarily turn completely human but only for one day a month. Why this is the case or how this even happened to these exact mannequins is unknown. Unfortunately, because they can turn completely human, they often get confused and end up believing that they are human. 

When the SCP-AIW instance realized their abilities as well as their limitations they made a plan to have every day of the month the SCP-AIW instance that can move, act out their fantasies as a person. The rest will either assist or just remain still as mannequins since it is not their day. The number of mannequins that are capable of this seems to be all the ones within the shopping mall they originated from which is around 100. 

Thankfully unlike other statue-based anomalies like SCP-173, the SCP-AIW instances are not hostile and have stable sanity, so they won’t ever lash out and try to kill those around them. It is unknown what would happen if one SCP-AIW instance were to get hurt or even die. The Ethics Committee has banned any type of testing regarding this as it is not only unethical to torture non-hostile creatures, but it is simply not worth the risk to make the SCP-AIW instance our enemies. 

SCP-AIW was discovered in 1960 when an urban legend was born within the [data expunged] shopping mall. The legend stated a woman who would always do different things every day and dress in different clothing and act like a completely different person within the mall. Oddly there were people who helped her out or were with her that either looked similar to her or looked similar to one another. Foundation agents were assigned to see if this was an anomaly or just another rumor based on childish stories. They followed one of the women who matched the story and found her ending up in the storage area where other SCP-AIW instances helped her remember she was one of them. 

The mall was quickly shut down and the instances were rounded up to be contained and studied. The SCP-AIW instance did not resist and were surprisingly kind to Foundation staff despite not receiving the same kindness. As such the Ethics Committee took over and established the current containment procedures by establishing a false city within the mall and populating it with D-Class who had displayed good behavior. Though despite the good intentions this has led to the containment area of SCP-AIW feeling more like a zoo as the higher levels are filled with Foundation staff that observe the residence below. Leading to lots of debate on whether this is actually an ethically sound outcome. 

.

SCP: Horror Movie Files Hub

[otherworldlyhope]

Started another project because I literally can't stop myself now. Remember all that time ago when I proposed the idea of a Bdubs secret agent au? Well I wrote it.

It's called The Flowers in Your Eyes and I'm really excited for it! I'll post the first chapter here, and the rest will be on my ao3.

Chapter 1: Hail to the King

CW: death, gun violence Words: 3,843

Hidden deep within Aquatown, far from the prying eyes of the public is a warehouse. Its unassuming looks often turn people away, a simple stone facade with a metal shingle roof. The inside is always dark whether night or day. Maybe at one time it had been used for storage or anything normal, but now it has a completely different purpose.

Just below this warehouse lies a complicated door guarded by snarling dogs and a woman with a stoic expression that never leaves her face. If deemed worthy the door will open, leading to dozens more security measures. Fingerprint scanners, passcodes, and various other tasks lie in wait before any of the other doors can be open. Only after all these tests are passed is the final door opened, and the facade of the warehouse is completely stripped away.

Hermitcraft Environmental Protection, otherwise known as HEP, is both a well known and mysterious agency. To the broad public it’s merely a protection group. Volunteers in orange shirts take to the streets once a week and clean Aquatown of any dangerous substances that may threaten the town. HEP is happily spearheaded by the gracious mayor of the town. With his gleaming smile, and genuine love for his town there is no doubt in the trustworthiness of HEP. After all, how bad can a single company really be?

To the unfortunate few in the city that are aware, HEP is far from an environmental force. The true HEP is still mostly unknown, a select few know surface level details, but no one besides enemies and those on the inside are truly aware of HEP’s activities. Most of those who know about the true intentions of the agency usually don’t last long enough to tell another soul anyways.

Mysterious assassinations of greedy politicians, distribution of various drugs, intelligence gathering and many other shady tasks regarding the city falls on the shoulders of those working at the true HEP. It’s not a glamorous job, but it does pay well, and once you’re in you can never really get out. Well you can, but it usually it's in a coffin.

At the center of HEP is the mysterious agent known as DoubleO. He has been in his position from the very start of the agency, appointed by the mayor himself. While many were skeptical at first, he quickly proved his abilities. With dozens of recorded eliminations and countless unrecorded, there has never been an agent that has come close to his level of proficiency. Despite all attempts of less than savory parties, no one has been able to find a single bit of information on this person, and they never will.

DoubleO stands on a rooftop, his jacket whipping in the wind that funnels through gaps in the nearby buildings. He’s only two stories up, a fall that he can take easily, in fact he intends on taking it soon. Just down the street is a brightly lit bar full of college students. Their loud voices fill the block, and it makes him smile. It’s always good to have some good cover sound. Missions done in absolute silence always have him so much more on edge.

With a sigh he sits down, his entire back popping with the movement. Void, he really needs to go to his chiropractor, it’s been far too long since he got put in place and he could benefit from it now. He slides his gloves on, stretching his fingers to make sure they don't hinder his mobility in any way. The white fabric shines under the moonlight, but it doesn't catch his eye. It never does.

He slides his briefcase across the tiled rooftop towards him, unlocking it with a simple key. There’s a slight click as he flips open the latches and takes in the sight of the weapon before him. His eyes scan the contents for only a moment before he’s grabbing parts. With practiced motions he puts every piece in place, not even needing to double check his work.

Maybe a year ago he would have checked again and made sure that all the pins were done correctly, but now he has no doubt in his skills. It takes barely a minute to have the gun wholly assembled and balanced on the edge of the building. He pulls himself into position, laying across the tile.

The back of the gun is placed firmly against his shoulder as he moves the scope to be perfectly aligned. A voice sounds in his ear, but he doesn’t jump or even twitch despite the loud volume.

“DoubleO, the target is three minutes out, coming from the south. Black sedan, middle seat in the back row. There are three guards with him, others ready to be on site in minutes.”

“Got it X.” He says curtly, not wanting to say any more than he needs to on the rare chance that someone is in the alley below him. It would be unfortunate to add another unofficial name to his little black book, so he tries his best to keep himself inconspicuous.

He doesn’t move at all in the span of two minutes, only flexing his fingers over the trigger to make sure they don't get too tense. He’s learned from his previous mistakes to not hold them tight against the metal. As X gives him the one minute warning he begins his routine.

Breathe in for ten, then out for fifteen.

Relax the shoulders, and let them drop right into place.

Pull the pointer finger to the trigger and simply wait with held breath.

Not once in his three years of doing this has he broken this routine, and it has never failed him in return. Well, once it did. But he doesn't count that circumstance.

The black sedan pulls up to the sidewalk and the only person who steps out is a large man in the passenger seat. He pulls a radio to his mouth, scanning the streets for signs of anyone. Not once do his eyes find DoubleO’s scope. Only when he deems it clear does he knock on the window.

The two guards exit next, standing on both sides of the target as he finally emerges. His head glows in the moonlight, a lack of hair being a very reflective surface. He’s taller than both the guards at his side. At that observation DoubleO’s mouth turns up into a smile. Fantastic.

To the guards’ credit, they do a rather good job at keeping the target well covered. Unfortunately for them DoubleO is better than rather good at his job. He doesn’t let them even take a step, aiming directly where the moon shines on a hairless scalp.

It takes seven and a half pounds of pressure to pull the trigger on this particular rifle and he does it with ease. The back hits his shoulder harshly as a boom rings out across the street. He only takes a second to make sure the target is down before dropping his head and rolling to the side. The guards shout as they try to place where the shot had even come from.

By the time they figure out the building, DoubleO is already at the far edge. He rolls over it without a second thought, angling himself to favorably hit the ground. A slight weightlessness comes over him before rudely being interrupted by concrete. Still he takes it in stride, rolling into his feet with little effort.

The second he’s on the ground he’s pulling off the gloves and all his layers. They are neatly folded in his hands as he walks, his eyes focused on an old beat up Honda parked on the street. By the time he’s stripped of all identifying clothing he’s at the car. Without as much as a misstep in his gait he drops the clothes and his earpiece in the open window, barely nodding at the man inside.

The whir of a window rolling up fills his ears as he tugs his light gray sleeves down. The fabric is itchy on his skin, the seams in all the wrong places. Just as he hears yells echoing on the street, he ducks into the still rowdy bar. The bartender catches his eyes immediately and gives an almost imperceptible nod.

DoubleO picks a seat at the end of the bar and before he’s even down, the bartender has placed a half filled bottle of beer and a laptop before him. The seat is uncomfortable, a velvet lined backless barstool. Still he leans forward, pulling his elbows onto the bar. One hand wraps around the neck of the beer, and the other holds his face up.

The sweatshirt on his back bears the mascot of the nearby college, and on his laptop is a partially finished homework assignment. With almost no effort he blends right into the crowd of partying students. Just as he raises the bottle to his lips does he see the guards from before in his peripheral.

There’s much more than three and he’s almost impressed how quickly they mobilized. Still he focuses his gaze back to the laptop, lazily eyeing the problems in front of him. It’s chemistry, and immediately his face turns in disgust. The bartender smiles at his expression and leans forward on the counter.

“You regretting taking chemistry yet?” He asks casually, tapping his fingers against the bar. His eyes barely dart to the door, but DoubleO’s stay directly where they are. “I’ve been told that professor is an absolute nightmare .”

So there’s two of the guards entering the bar. DoubleO enthusiastically nods before taking another swig of the beer. It hits the bar top hard as he throws his hands out in an annoyed way.

“Every day I wish that I took psychology.” He sighs, then goes for another drink, making a show when he realizes the bottle is empty. An exhausted exhale leaves him as his whole body deflates onto the bar. “While I’m doing this dumb research paper, they’re doing nice little group projects. My dad was right, I shouldn't have gone into the sciences.”

He barely catches the way the seat two away from him settles. One of the guards sits heavily, rubbing his eyes as he waves the bartender over.

“I’ll take whatever he’s having.” The guard sighs, waving his hand towards DoubleO.

“Good choice.” The bartender says, grabbing two bottles from below the bar. One goes to DoubleO and one goes to the guard.

He starts to lay the act on hard, annoyed that the guard is sitting there and not just doing a quick sweep like he should be.

“Hey Ed,” DoubleO pauses, drunkenly waving his hand over his beer. “Wait, that's your name right?” When the bartender starts to correct him he just shakes his head and talks even louder. “Whatever. Did you know that with my gpa I could have gone to any college I wanted? But my dumb parents wanted me to stay close or whatever. I could have gone to like Harvard or somethin’, Harvard Ed.” He emphasizes every syllable, making a complete fool of himself as he slurs over random words.

Ed only rolls his eyes, pulling the beer away from him before he can take another sip.

“I think I might have to cut you off kid, that’s one too many when you’re supposed to be doing homework.”

So the other guard has left, it’s go time.

“Hey, that's unfair.” DoubleO whines, leaning over the bar to try and grab the bottle back. “You can’t do that.”

“Yes I can and I am. Now go home.” The bartender turns, setting the bottle on the second to right coaster. DoubleO notes it with pursed lips and then dramatically flops onto the bar. After a few seconds he props his head up, glancing up at the guard through half lidded eyes.

“Hey man.” He pokes the guard, giggling at the harsh glance he gets back. “Do you have any cigarettes? I promise I’ll like pay for your beer or somethin’, but I ran out and I am way too drunk to get some more . ” He sings that last part, internally cringing.

The guard sighs before nodding, casting a look at Ed who points to the no smoking sign. “Let’s head outside, kid.”

DoubleO stands quickly, then almost falls directly on his face. The guard reaches out and grabs his arm, pulling him to his feet.

“Thanks mister, you’re nicer than my own parents ya know?” He mumbles as they exit the bar. DoubleO leads them into the alley beside it, greedily reaching out. “They hate smokin’, said it’ll give me cancer or somethin’. So I told them I’ll become a chemist and cure cancer so I can smoke all I want.”

He laughs heartily at his own words. The guard finally drops his wall a bit, giving him a placating smile and reassuring words.

“Hey did you see someone come in that bar in the last few minutes?” The guard says as he pulls a cigarette from the box. DoubleO all but rips it from his hands, and holds it to the lighter the guard produces. He makes a show of thinking as he pulls the cigarette to his lips.

“Uhhhhhh.” He leans against the wall, blowing the smoke right into the guard’s face with a laugh. “There was this one guy, all shady lookin’. He went to the bathroom after almost makin’ me spill my beer on myself. I was so mad.”

Gotcha.

The second the guard turns to look back at the alley entrance, DoubleO is moving. He drops the cigarette and reaches out, wrapping his forearm around the guard’s neck. His other hand comes up to stabilize the chokehold.

“Shhhh.” He hushes the gurgling man, slowly dragging him back towards a now opening door. His smile is wide as he rolls his eyes. “You’re gonna blow my cover.”

The bartender has opened the back door, holding it open as DoubleO drags the almost unconscious guard into the break room. He only tightens his grip when they’re out of the open space, and waits until the man goes limp against him. The second he does, he drops him, letting him fall into a heap of limp limbs and cigarette smoke.

“X is gonna be happy about this one.” The bartender looks down at the guard with an uncomfortable smile. “He was just complaining about how they were getting no info from Mr. Bright, but this should make his day.”

DoubleO rubs his eyes as he searches for something to tie the guy’s hands with. “I’m so glad he’s gonna be happy.” He says dryly, drawing out the so. “But tell him I hate the freaking bar jobs. Acting drunk is the absolute worst.”

“You’re so good at it though.”

“Oh shut up Mumbo.”

Mumbo only rolls his eyes, pulling the edge of his mustache with his fingers. “It’s not like we had much of a choice in the matter. He wasn’t supposed to sit down. He saw your face for far too long.”

“I know, I know.” DoubleO gripes, finally finding a length of rope that he fastens around the man’s wrists. “I have a dinner to get to tonight and this was supposed to be a quick in and out.”

“I’m sure Scar will understand.” Mumbo says. There’s a beat of silence and then the two erupt in laughter. Mumbo has to wipe his eyes afterwards, curling over his stomach.

“Sometimes you’re the funniest guy I know, Mumbo.” DoubleO chuckles, lightly punching the other man’s shoulder. “Do you think you can handle this guy until they pick him up?”

“Yeah.” Mumbo sighs, lightly kicking the man over. “I already called X so the team should be on their way soon.”

“Alright then I’m gonna dip. I gotta hurry if I want to get to dinner at a reasonable time.” DoubleO crosses the room, pulling the handle of the door. “I’m so screwed.”

“Alright I’ll see you around.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

There’s a motorcycle waiting just around the back of the bar when DoubleO turns the corner. He pulls the helmet on and curses X under his breath.

“You couldn’t have gotten me a car or something?” He mutters. “I’m gonna have to fix my hair and I’m already running late…”

He continues to complain to himself as he gets on the bike and kicks it on. The purr of the engine does settle him down a bit, and he quite enjoys speeding through the back alleys until he can merge onto a main road.

He checks his watch and sighs, pulling off onto a side street. He definitely doesn’t have time to go back to his apartment, so one of his safehouses will have to do. A lack of a shower doesn’t sit well with him, but he’s already far too late.

He basically runs through the parking garage, pulling the helmet off as he rushes through the seemingly abandoned building. The keypad has dust gathering on its keys as he punches in the code, and he hastily wipes his finger on his shirt. There’s no way he’s wearing this to dinner with the freaking mayor.

Luckily he’s prepared for these circumstances and finds much nicer clothes in the safe house. White button up and black slacks go on quickly, his shoes are still trainers, but he’ll have to make do. He musses his hair in the mirror and groans at the way the helmet pressed strands of it down it stupid ways. Whatever, he’s got to go anyway.

The bike is nice enough to calm his mood and by the time he pulls up to the building he’s feeling much better. The woman in the lobby waves at him as he passes like she always does, and he nods like every other time. When he enters the elevator there’s no buttons, but it starts to rise all the same.

This is really the only time he gets nervous honestly. Scar has always made him feel that way, and it wasn’t even really his fault. Just how things have played out up until this point still has the agent taking calming breaths before their meetings. He does a once over of his clothes in the reflective surface of the elevator and fusses over his collar before the ding of the door brings him back to where he is.

He clears his throat once before stepping out, marveling at the view just beyond him. The mayor was quite good at pulling strings, and so they would meet in this random skyscraper that DoubleO doesn’t think actually belongs to a company. They dine at the top floor with tinted windows and sound canceling walls. This is where the business is done.

His eyes flit over the Aquatown and then finally settle on the man sitting at the table just by the window. His hands are crossed over his chest, an obviously fake smile on his face. Once he meets DoubleO’s eyes he pointedly looks down at his own watch.

“Sorry Scar.” He apologizes, sitting across the table with him as quickly as he can. The white napkin in front of him goes on his lap as he actively avoids looking at the mayor. “Mr. Bright’s guards ended up being more of a nuisance than we thought. We did manage to get one for interrogation though, so overall I think it worked out.”

The mayor simply hums as he sips a red wine from his glass. The scar on his cheek pulls and DoubleO looks away quickly.

“I guess I can excuse it.” There’s a joking tone to his voice, but DoubleO knows Scar well enough that he can tell he’s not amused. “Is all that business going to be wrapped up then?”

DoubleO nods quickly, grabbing his own glass with slightly shaky hands. Weirdly enough these meetings always feel like having dinner with guardians after getting in trouble. He tries not to dwell on that though.

“After the interrogation we should be good, I was going to follow up on the Glasby family as their ties with Bright are too large to ignore. I-”

“That’s actually why I called you here today.” He falls silent as Scar speaks. “I’m assigning you to a long term undercover mission starting next week. All the information you need is in these files here.”

He pushes a rather large stack of papers towards DoubleO, who can only stare at Scar in shock. His mouth is wide open as he blinks, sure he’s heard it wrong.

“Me? Undercover?” His voice is slightly hoarse so he clears his throat. “You know that I don't really do that sort of thing. I’m sure Mumbo would be really happy to do it. That’s like his whole thing.”

“Mumbo is working on the new MooPop factory with Cub and Tango. Believe me, I’ve thought through all the options and I am confident that you can pull this off.” Scar puts his hand out, his tone softening just a bit as the agent grabs it. “You used to love undercover work, just remember that you’re the best for a reason. I didn’t take you off the streets just for you to doubt yourself like this.”

“What if I mess up again?”

Scar’s eyes darken for just a moment, his fingers squeezing tightly against DoubleO’s. Then just as quickly as it came, it disappears. “You won’t. I believe in you.”

DoubleO’s entire frame relaxes against the chair as he nods. “Alright, give me a rundown.”

Scar beams at his words and grabs some papers of his own.

“It’s much more detailed in the files, but this here is your target.” He scans the picture, seeing a pretty regular looking guy. The only really weird things are his white hair and the rather large scar over his left eye and spanning down his cheek. “His name is Etho Slab, at least that’s what he says it is. We are confident he’s a Mycelium Resistance member, and a quite high level one at that.”

DoubleO sucks in a breath, suddenly seeing the man with new eyes. There’s a slight feeling of familiarity, like he’s seen those eyes before.

“We’re dropping you in as a store owner that’s attached to a cafe he regularly goes to. Your apartment will also be relatively close as well. The goal is to become friends with him, get him convinced you want to join the resistance when he eventually spills, then get all the information you can.”

“Why don't I just nab him at the cafe and we get the information ourselves? I bet X could get it out of him.” DoubleO asks, leaning against the table with an elbow.

“With his status it’s highly unlikely we’ll get anything from him. That group is stubbornly loyal, so you just need to find a way to join in, get the information, and get out.”

“Sounds easy enough.” DoubleO says dryly.

“Exactly!” Scar exclaims.

“I was kidding. This is going to be awful.”

[net-craft]

Why Mobile-First App Design is a Good Business Strategy (Phoenix Mobile App Design Agency)

In today's mobile-driven world, consumers rely on their smartphones for everything from communication and entertainment to shopping and banking. This shift in user behavior necessitates a mobile-first approach for businesses. Here at Net-Craft.com, a leading Phoenix mobile app design agency, we understand the power of mobile-first app design and its ability to fuel business growth.

This article explores the advantages of prioritizing mobile-first app design and how it can benefit businesses of all sizes in Phoenix and beyond.

The Rise of Mobile Users

Statistics are undeniable: mobile usage continues to soar. According to [source: Statista mobile usage statistics], over 6.6 billion people worldwide own smartphones in 2023. This translates to a massive audience readily accessible through mobile apps.

Furthermore, mobile devices are no longer just for browsing; they're primary tools for research, purchasing, and interacting with businesses. A study by [source: Business Insider mobile app usage] revealed that users spend an average of 4.2 hours daily on their smartphones, with a significant portion of that time spent on apps.

Benefits of Mobile-First App Design

By prioritizing mobile-first app design, Phoenix businesses can reap numerous benefits:

Enhanced User Experience: Mobile users expect a seamless and intuitive experience. A mobile-first approach ensures your app is optimized for smaller screens, touch interactions, and on-the-go usage, leading to higher user satisfaction and engagement.

Increased Accessibility: A mobile app makes your business accessible to users anytime, anywhere. This expands your reach and allows you to tap into a wider customer base compared to a traditional website alone.

Improved Brand Recognition: A well-designed and user-friendly mobile app strengthens your brand image and positions you as a forward-thinking, tech-savvy company.

Enhanced Customer Engagement: Mobile apps offer unique opportunities to connect with customers. Push notifications, loyalty programs, and in-app features can foster deeper engagement and build stronger customer relationships.

Data-Driven Insights: Mobile apps generate valuable user data about behavior and preferences. This data can be leveraged to personalize your marketing efforts, improve your app's functionalities, and ultimately drive business growth.

Increased Sales and Revenue: Mobile apps can streamline the purchasing process, enabling in-app purchases and convenient payment options. This can lead to increased sales and revenue for your business.

How Phoenix Mobile App Development Firms Can Help

Partnering with a Phoenix mobile app development firm like Net-Craft.com offers several advantages when implementing a mobile-first app design strategy:

Expert Design and Development: Our team of experienced mobile app designers and developers understands the nuances of mobile-first design and can create an app that is both visually appealing and functionally superior on mobile devices.

Usability Testing and Optimization: We prioritize usability testing to ensure your app is intuitive and easy to navigate on smaller screens. We iterate and optimize based on user feedback to deliver an exceptional user experience.

Cross-Platform Development: We offer cross-platform development solutions to ensure your app functions flawlessly on both iOS and Android devices, maximizing your reach and potential user base.

Mobile App Consulting in Phoenix AZ: Getting Started with Mobile-First Design

Net-Craft.com, a trusted mobile app consulting firm in Phoenix AZ, can guide you through every stage of the mobile-first app design process:

Concept Development: We work closely with you to understand your business goals and target audience. We then brainstorm app concepts and define key features that align with your mobile-first strategy.

User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Design: Our design team focuses on creating an intuitive and user-friendly interface specifically optimized for mobile devices.

App Development and Testing: We leverage cutting-edge technology to develop your app and conduct rigorous testing to ensure functionality, performance, and a seamless user experience.

Deployment and Ongoing Support: We assist with app store deployment and provide ongoing support to maintain your app and address any future technical issues.

Embrace the Mobile Future with Net-Craft.com

In today's mobile-first world, a well-designed mobile app is no longer a luxury; it's a business necessity. Partnering with Net-Craft.com, a leading Phoenix mobile app design agency, can provide your business with a powerful tool to reach a wider audience, enhance customer engagement, and drive sustainable growth.

Contact us today to discuss your mobile app vision and discover how a mobile-first design approach can empower your business to thrive in the digital age.

Know more https://www.net-craft.com/blog/2024/06/28/mobile-first-app-design-phoenix/

[repguardians]

5 Ways of Email Marketing That Can Boost Your Online Presence and Reputation

Email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to connect with your audience, foster relationships, and enhance your online presence. When done right, it can significantly boost your brand’s reputation and drive conversions. Here are five strategies to elevate your email marketing efforts

Personalize Your Emails

Personalization goes beyond addressing your subscribers by their first names. It involves leveraging data to tailor content to the preferences, behaviors, and needs of each recipient. Personalization can increase engagement, build loyalty, and improve conversion rates.

Strategies for Personalization:

Segment Your Audience: Group your subscribers based on demographics, purchase history, or engagement levels. This allows you to send targeted messages that resonate with each segment.

Use Dynamic Content: Incorporate dynamic elements that change based on the recipient’s data. For example, showcase products they’ve shown interest in or recommend content based on their previous interactions.

Automated Behavior Triggers: Set up automated emails triggered by specific actions, such as cart abandonment, recent purchases, or content downloads. These timely and relevant messages can significantly boost engagement.

Craft Compelling Subject Lines

The subject line is the first thing your subscribers see, and it plays a crucial role in determining whether they open your email. A well-crafted subject line can capture attention and spark curiosity, leading to higher open rates.

Tips for Crafting Compelling Subject Lines:

Keep It Short and Sweet: Aim for subject lines that are clear and concise. Around 40-50 characters is a good length to ensure visibility on mobile devices.

Create a Sense of Urgency: Phrases like “Limited Time Offer” or “Act Now” can encourage immediate action.

Use Emojis: Emojis can make your subject lines stand out in a crowded inbox and convey emotions or themes quickly.

Ask Questions: Engaging questions can pique curiosity and encourage subscribers to open the email to find the answer.

Provide Value with Quality Content

Your subscribers will stay engaged if they find value in your emails. Focus on providing high-quality, relevant content that addresses their needs and interests.

Ways to Provide Value:

Educational Content: Share tips, how-tos, and informative articles that help your audience solve problems or learn something new.

Exclusive Offers: Reward your subscribers with exclusive discounts, early access to sales, or special promotions.

Entertaining Content: Mix in entertaining elements like quizzes, fun facts, or behind-the-scenes looks at your company.

Curated Content: Share curated content from reputable sources that your audience will find useful or interesting. This can position your brand as a thought leader in your industry.

Optimize for Mobile

With a significant portion of emails being opened on mobile devices, ensuring your emails are mobile-friendly is crucial. A poor mobile experience can lead to lower engagement and higher unsubscribe rates.

Best Practices for Mobile Optimization:

Responsive Design: Use email templates that automatically adjust to different screen sizes.

Concise Copy: Keep your text short and to the point. Long paragraphs can be overwhelming on small screens.

Large Buttons: Ensure your call-to-action buttons are easy to tap on mobile devices.

Readable Fonts: Use a font size that is easily readable on smaller screens, generally at least 14pt for body text.

Analyze and Optimize

Continuous analysis and optimization are key to improving your email marketing efforts. Use data and feedback to understand what’s working and what’s not and make adjustments accordingly.

Steps for Effective Analysis and Optimization:

Track Key Metrics: Monitor open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, and unsubscribe rates to gauge the effectiveness of your emails.

A/B Testing: Conduct A/B tests on various elements such as subject lines, email content, images, and call-to-action buttons to see what resonates best with your audience.

Gather Feedback: Encourage subscribers to provide feedback on your emails. Use surveys or direct replies to understand their preferences and pain points.

Refine Your Strategy: Based on your analysis and feedback, continuously refine your email marketing strategy to better meet the needs of your audience and achieve your business goals.

Conclusion

Email marketing, when executed effectively, can significantly boost your online presence and reputation. By personalizing your emails, crafting compelling subject lines, providing valuable content, optimizing for mobile, and continuously analyzing and optimizing your efforts, you can foster stronger relationships with your audience and drive better results for your business. Start implementing these strategies today to elevate your email marketing game and watch your brand grow.

[2020software]

Our custom software development services are designed to create tailored solutions that meet your unique business needs. From initial consultation and requirements gathering to development, testing, and deployment, we ensure a seamless process. Our team of experienced developers specializes in building scalable, secure, and efficient software that enhances your operational efficiency and drives growth. Whether you need a web application, mobile app, or enterprise software, we deliver high-quality, innovative solutions that align with your goals and exceed your expectations.

[neelnetworks]

Responsive Design in India: Meeting the Mobile-First Demand

In an era where mobile internet usage has overtaken desktop browsing, the importance of responsive India web design has never been more critical. As one of the fastest-growing internet markets in the world, India exemplifies this shift towards a mobile-first paradigm. Businesses, both large and small, are recognizing the necessity of adopting responsive design to cater to the vast and diverse mobile user base.

The Rise of Mobile Internet in India

India’s internet landscape has experienced explosive growth over the past decade. With affordable smartphones and widespread 4G connectivity, the number of mobile internet users in the country has surged dramatically. According to recent statistics, over 75% of internet users in India access the web via mobile devices. This mobile-first trend necessitates websites that provide a seamless experience across all screen sizes, from desktops to smartphones and tablets.

What is Responsive Design?

Responsive web design India is an approach to web development that ensures websites function optimally on various devices and screen sizes. It involves flexible layouts, fluid grids, and media queries that adjust the content and design elements based on the device's screen size. This approach eliminates the need for separate mobile and desktop sites, providing a consistent and user-friendly experience regardless of the device being used.

Benefits of Responsive Design

Improved User Experience: A responsive website adapts to the user’s device, offering an optimal viewing experience. This reduces the need for zooming or scrolling and ensures that navigation is intuitive, which is crucial for retaining visitors.

SEO Advantages: Search engines like Google prioritize mobile-friendly websites in their rankings. Responsive design enhances SEO efforts by providing a single URL and HTML code for all devices, making it easier for search engines to crawl and index the site.

Cost-Effective: Maintaining one responsive website is more cost-effective than managing separate sites for desktop and mobile. It also simplifies content management, as updates need to be made only once.

Increased Mobile Traffic: With more people accessing the internet via mobile devices, a responsive design ensures that a larger audience can access and interact with the website, leading to increased traffic and engagement.

The Indian Market: A Case Study in Responsive Design

Indian web design companies are at the forefront of implementing responsive design principles to meet the unique demands of the local market. Businesses across various sectors—from e-commerce to education—are leveraging responsive design to enhance their digital presence.

E-commerce

In the competitive e-commerce sector, a seamless mobile shopping experience is crucial. Companies like Flipkart and Amazon India have adopted responsive design to ensure that their platforms are accessible and user-friendly on all devices. This approach has significantly contributed to the growth of mobile shopping in India.

Education

Educational institutions and e-learning platforms in India are also embracing responsive design. Websites like BYJU'S and Khan Academy India provide mobile-friendly interfaces, allowing students to access learning resources on-the-go, thereby supporting the mobile-first learning trend.

Challenges and Future Directions

While the benefits of responsive design are clear, there are challenges that businesses in India face, such as:

Diverse Device Ecosystem: India’s market is characterized by a wide range of devices with varying screen sizes and capabilities. Designing for this diversity requires thorough testing and optimization.

Connectivity Issues: Despite advancements, some regions still experience inconsistent internet connectivity, necessitating designs that are optimized for performance even on slower networks.

Looking ahead, the future of responsive website design in India involves integrating emerging technologies like Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) to further enhance mobile experiences. These technologies promise faster load times and better performance, which are critical in a mobile-first world.

Conclusion

Responsive design is no longer a luxury but a necessity in India's mobile-first digital landscape. By ensuring websites are accessible and user-friendly across all devices, businesses can meet the demands of the growing mobile internet population. As Indian web design companies continue to innovate and adapt to this trend, the future of web development in India looks promising, with responsive design playing a pivotal role in shaping a mobile-first digital economy.

[softgentechnologies]

Mobile App Development Services in Lucknow

Mobile application development is indeed the process of creating software applications specifically designed to operate on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. It involves a series of steps, from conceptualization to deployment, aimed at creating a functional and user-friendly application that meets the needs of the target audience.

Why Choose Lucknow for Mobile App Development

Lucknow, the capital of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, is emerging as a leading hub for mobile app development. It boasts a vibrant tech ecosystem, with a growing number of startups, established IT companies, and skilled professionals. The city's favorable business environment, cost-effective resources, and access to top-notch talent make it an ideal location for mobile app development. Additionally, Lucknow's rich cultural heritage and modern infrastructure provide a unique backdrop for innovation and creativity in app development.

Our Expertise in Mobile App Development

Our team of seasoned professionals excels in developing mobile apps across various platforms, including iOS, Android, and cross-platform solutions. We specialize in creating user-centric, visually appealing, and high-performing applications that cater to diverse industry verticals. From brainstorming the initial concept to delivering a polished, market-ready app, our expertise encompasses every stage of the development lifecycle.

Our Development Process

iOS App Development: We specialize in developing custom iOS applications tailored to meet the unique requirements of businesses in Lucknow. Our team of skilled developers uses the latest technologies and follows best practices to create high-quality iOS apps that provide an exceptional user experience.

Android App Development: With expertise in Android app development, we create feature-rich and user-friendly applications for the Android platform. Whether it's a consumer-facing app, enterprise solution, or mobile game, we have the capabilities to develop innovative and scalable Android apps for businesses in Lucknow.

Cross-Platform App Development: Our cross-platform app development services enable businesses to reach a wider audience by developing apps that work seamlessly across multiple platforms, including iOS and Android. Using frameworks like React Native or Flutter, we ensure consistent performance and user experience across different devices.

Custom App Development: We specialize in developing custom mobile applications that address the unique needs and objectives of businesses in Lucknow. Whether you need a mobile app for e-commerce, healthcare, education, or any other industry, we have the expertise to bring your vision to life.

UI/UX Design: Our team of experienced designers creates intuitive and visually appealing user interfaces (UI) that enhance the user experience (UX) of mobile apps. We focus on creating designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and easy to navigate.

Integration Services: We offer integration services to connect mobile apps with existing systems, such as CRM, ERP, or third-party APIs. This enables businesses to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and provide a seamless experience for users.

Testing and Quality Assurance: We conduct rigorous testing throughout the development process to ensure that mobile apps are bug-free, secure, and perform optimally. Our QA team performs various tests, including functional testing, performance testing, and usability testing, to deliver high-quality apps that meet industry standards.

Deployment and Support: We assist businesses in deploying mobile apps to app stores and provide ongoing maintenance and support services to ensure that apps remain up-to-date, secure, and perform optimally.

Our Team in Lucknow

Dedicated Professionals

Our talented team in Lucknow comprises experienced developers, innovative designers, and proficient project managers dedicated to delivering excellence.

Creative Minds

We foster creativity and innovation within our team, encouraging out-of-the-box thinking and inventive solutions for app development.

Collaborative Approach

Collaboration is at the heart of our team, ensuring seamless coordination and communication throughout the development process.

Contact Us

If you're ready to embark on an exciting mobile app development journey with us or have any inquiries, feel free to reach out to us through the following channels: Email: info@softgentechnologies.com, Phone: +91 8188886786, 0522 3510038 Alternatively, you can visit our office located at 68B, Smriti Vihar, Sector K1, Ashiyana, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh to discuss your project requirements in person.