#license cost calculator

[theprivatewolf]

Exploring Media and Entertainment Business in Dubai

Dubai’s Media City: A Hub for Creative Ventures

Dubai Media City (DMC) is a vibrant and dynamic free zone dedicated to nurturing media and entertainment businesses. Located in the heart of Dubai, it has become a global hub for creative ventures, attracting media companies, advertising agencies, production houses, and entertainment giants from around the world. In this blog, we’ll delve into how to establish a media and entertainment business in Dubai, the required documents, and why Dubai is an ideal location for such enterprises.

Dubai Media City: What Is It?

How to Establish a Media and Entertainment Business in Dubai?

Starting a media and entertainment business in Dubai Media City is a streamlined process:

Business Plan: Begin by creating a comprehensive business plan outlining your goals, services, and financial projections.

Choose a Business Activity: Determine the specific activities your business will engage in within the media and entertainment sector.

Legal Structure: Select the appropriate legal structure for your company, such as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Free Zone Establishment (FZE).

Company Name: Ensure your chosen company name complies with DMC’s naming regulations and is available for registration.

License Application: Submit your license application to the Dubai Media City Authority (DMCA) and pay the requisite fees.

Office Space: Secure a physical office space within DMC, which offers a variety of options to suit different business needs.

Visa Processing: Apply for visas for yourself and your employees, as required.

What Documents Are Necessary to Form a Company in Dubai Media City?

To establish a company in Dubai Media City, you’ll need the following documents:

Completed Application Form: A filled-out application form provided by DMCA.

Business Plan: A detailed business plan outlining your company’s objectives and operations.

Passport Copies: Passport copies of the company’s shareholders and directors.

No Objection Certificate (NOC): If you’re currently employed or sponsored by another entity in the UAE, you may need an NOC.

Why Is Dubai a Good Location for Setting Up a Media Company?

Dubai’s appeal as a media and entertainment hub is underpinned by several factors:

Strategic Location: Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Dubai offers easy access to global markets.

Business-Friendly Environment: Dubai provides a conducive environment for media businesses with minimal bureaucracy and favorable regulations.

Advanced Infrastructure: World-class infrastructure, technology, and connectivity support media production and distribution.

Global Talent Pool: Dubai’s multicultural population ensures a diverse talent pool to meet the diverse needs of the media industry.

Which Commercial Activities Are Permitted in Dubai Media City?

Dubai Media City allows a wide range of commercial activities related to media and entertainment. These include:

Publishing and Printing: Publishing of books, magazines, newspapers, and printing services.

Broadcasting: Radio and television broadcasting services, including production and distribution.

Advertising: Advertising and marketing services, including media planning and buying.

Film and Production: Film and video production, post-production, and related activities.

Animation and Gaming: Animation, gaming, and multimedia production.

Different License Types in Dubai Media City

Dubai Media City offers various license types tailored to different business needs, including:

Commercial License: Allows companies to conduct a wide range of media and entertainment activities.

Freelancer Permit: Designed for individual professionals offering media services.

Branch Office License: Permits foreign companies to establish a branch within DMC.

Business Club License: For freelancers and small businesses, offering access to shared office facilities.

In conclusion, Dubai Media City offers a unique and conducive environment for media and entertainment businesses to thrive. With straightforward procedures, diverse commercial activities, and state-of-the-art infrastructure, Dubai is an excellent choice for establishing a media company in the heart of the Middle East.

M.Hussnain

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[gepgep2]

"So: what is the Israeli long-term strategy, really?

Insofar as there’s an answer, it seems to be that they simply don’t have one; the Israeli government no more has a long-term strategy for dealing with their future in the region than Exxon Mobil has a long-term strategy for dealing with climate change. They seem to just figure that, if US power does collapse or give up on them, something will turn up. No doubt too they have people in thinktanks brainstorming that, too, coming with reports and scenarios, but all this is basically an afterthought. The driving force behind the colonization of ’67 Palestine is not any sort of grand strategy; it’s a kind of terrible confluence of short-term political and economic advantage.

First, the settlements. They were originally the project of a relatively isolated, if well funded, collection of religious zealots. Now everything seems to be organized around them. The government pours in endless resources. Why? The answer seems to be that since at least the ‘90s, rightwing politicians in Israel have figured out that the settlements are a kind of political magic. The more money gets funneled into them, the more the Jewish electorate turns to the Right. The reason is simple. Israel is expensive. Housing inside the 1948 boundaries is exorbitantly expensive. If you are a young person without means, you increasingly has two options: to live with one’s parents until well into your 30s, or find a place in an illegal settlement, where apartments cost perhaps a third of what they would in Haifa or Tel Aviv—and that’s not to mention the superior roads, schools, utilities, and social services. At this point the vast majority of settlers live on the West Bank for economic, not ideological, reasons. (This is especially true around Jerusalem.) But consider who these people are. In the past, young people in difficult circumstances, students, well-educated young parents, have been the traditional constituency of the Left. Put these same people in a settlement, and they will, inexorably, even without realizing it, begin to think like fascists. Settlements are, in their own way, giant engines for the production of right-wing consciousness. It is very difficult for someone placed in hostile territory, given training in automatic weapons and warned to be constantly on one’s guard against a local population seething over the fact that your next-door neighbors have been killing their sheep and destroying their olive trees, not to gradually see ethno-nationalism as common sense. As a result, with every election, the old Left electorate further dissipates, and a host of religious, fascist, or semi-fascist parties win a larger and larger stake of the vote. For politicians, who can barely think past the next election, the lure is inescapable.

...I only came to fully understand the agony of the Palestinian situation when I came to understand that the entire point of life, in traditional Palestinian society, is put oneself in a position where you can be generous to strangers. Hospitality is everything.

...Wherever we went, Palestinians would tell us about all the different sorts of people they had historically welcomed to the Holy Land: Armenians, Greeks, Persians, Russians, Africans, Jews… They saw the Zionists as originally their house- guests. Yet they were the worst house-guests one could possibly imagine. Every act of hospitality, of welcome, is turned into license for appropriation, and the world’s most skillful propagandists leapt into action to try to convince the world that their hosts were depraved inhuman monsters who had no right to their own homes. In such a situation, what can you possibly do? Stop being generous? But then one is absolutely, existentially defeated. This is what people really meant when they talked about a life of calculated degradation. People were being systematically deprived of the physical, the economical, and the political means to be magnanimous. And to be deprived of the means to make that kind of magnificent gesture is a kind of living death."

https://davidgraeber.org/articles/hostile-intelligence-reflections-from-a-visit-to-the-west-bank/

[nagichi-boop]

Vent about disability and driving (mostly about narcolepsy & driving):

For the longest time, I didn’t have the desire to drive because I was terrified at the idea. And when I realised I also related to the symptoms of narcolepsy and saw that it makes driving potentially dangerous, I hung onto that as my reasons for not wanting to drive — I used it as an excuse of sorts, despite not being confirmed to have it. (ADHD applies to this too.)

But recently I decided that I wanted to learn to drive. I watched videos that were educational about driving, I looked into cars and found the specific kind of car I would want, I calculated how much it would all cost and set up a budget. I was so freaking excited, even though I was also still nervous. The idea of being able to go where I wanted when I wanted was appealing. To have my own little space in my car and to decorate it to suit me. To stop being a burden on others for transport and getting places on my own.

But then the topic of my health came back up. I had a tilt table test this week that was positive for POTS, and without even prompting it, two people in my family separately asked whether it would impact my driving in any way. The answer was no — my POTS very rarely (if ever) makes me pass out, so that’s not an issue. But then it got me thinking about the issue of health and its effects on driving. In the UK, conditions like ADHD are ones you have to report to the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency), but only if it impacts your driving. But for a condition like narcolepsy, you are told to stop driving immediately and report it to them. You’re not permanently banned from driving — your doctor can clear you — but it’s one of the few conditions I’ve seen listed on their website that requires you to report it and stop driving.

Suddenly my dreams of owning a cute pink car, listening to my own music and having such freedom was crushed. I felt so upset and still am because of how much more my health impacts me than I thought. If it was just about the driving, so be it. But it feels like so many people already disapprove of me not working and not driving. I just wanted to claw back this one thing to prove that maybe I could have an ounce of independence and competence. But no. Now I have to keep dealing with people who think I’m lazy and unwilling to try to be better because my stupid health makes me utterly useless.

And I can’t even definitively say I have narcolepsy, so I can’t even say to people “I have a health condition that makes it dangerous for me to drive” because I am not diagnosed. Instead it would be something like “I might have a condition that makes it dangerous to drive, so I’m not bothering to drive in case I have this very rare condition.” Maybe I don’t even have it, but I’ve seen so much advice to not risk it until you’re potentially diagnosed an in treatment because being tired is as bad as being drunk, and I even though I often invalidate how tired I am, it could be super dangerous. I could potentially hurt or kill someone if I really do have narcolepsy.

I just feel so useless and pathetic. So many people my age drive. They work. They go out with friends. They’re dating. And me? I can’t do anything. I have to rely on other people for mental and physical support because my mind and body don’t work properly. I just…I wanted to be able to do something that felt like a step towards autonomy and independence, even if it was as simple as being able to drive. And it hurts that I also know that no one irl will understand this. They’d just say “well maybe you can try X” or “you don’t even know if you have X.” I told my mum I was planning to hold off for a bit while I get answers from the sleep doc, and she told me that I won’t be a dangerous driver and to just do it.

I just…why. Why is this my life.

[transgenderteensurvivalguide]

Hi! So I’m trans and I’ve been going by my preferred name for a long time, and everyone calls me that name (except for family who are transphobic). But basically, I want to legally change my name. I still get called my deadname a lot when it shows up on legal stuff and I hate it. So I need to convince my mom So my question is, how can I bring this up and convince her to let me change it? I already know the legal process.

Lee says:

You know the legal process already which is a great first step! But knowing what the process will entail both legally doesn't mean that you've fully considered the logistics.

Start by making a list of all the places where you will have to update your name (school, doctor's office, bank, social security, health insurance, etc) and then look into what each of them requires to update your name.

There's a lot of paperwork that needs to be done when someone changes their name, and you want to show that you're aware of that, you've read all of the applicable policies/guidelines already and you're prepared to handle it yourself.

Convincing your mom that you're ready for the decision will also be easier if you can show her how committed you are to it. In total, a legal name change can cost $500 or more (in some cases; some people pay less depending on the fees where they live and if they are eligible for fee waivers for court fees) and you'll need to calculate that exact cost for your situation.

You'll probably need to pay court fees (often $250 or more), a few certified copy of the original name change decree (often around $10 per copy), the cost of a new ID if you have a learner's permit, driver's license, or non-driver's state ID (often $13 or more), plus the cost of a new passport and passport card (around $160), an updated birth certificate (around $55), etc. And of course you'll also need to think about the fees for mailing things through the post office.

Depending on your state's laws, you may also need to pay to publish notice of the petition in the newspaper for some amount of time like three consecutive weeks if your local newspaper charges for notices to be published, and you may have to pay to have documents notarized.

Now that you've calculated what the cost of changing your name will be, you need to find a way to get that money. Once you've saved up all the money that you'll need to change your name, move on to the next step.

Finally, collect all the information that you'll need (save all the links to a document or print the website pages) and print out all of the forms that you'll need (court forms, social security forms, passport forms, school policies and forms, etc). Don't think of this as something you're doing to convince your mom-- you're doing this for yourself, because it's what you need to do!

In this situation, I'm assuming that your mom supports calling you by your chosen name and isn't included in the 'family who are transphobic' category. I'm also assuming that in your state you either need only one legal guardian to consent to a name change, or you only have one legal guardian (your mom), or you only need to convince your mom and then she will convince your other parent.

Getting your mom on board will be easier when you can show her that you've fully considered the process of legally changing your name, but you also have to convince her that 1) it's something that you NEED to do, and 2) it's something that you need to do NOW and not when you're 18 or older.

Having that type of conversation isn't easy, but it's a good opportunity to show off your maturity. That means listening to her concerns and actually addressing them, not yelling at her (I know you wouldn't but I have to say it!! Some people do!!), trying to stay calm and taking deep breaths, etc.

If she says that she's worried that you'll change your mind because you're young, tell her that you've been using this name for years and are unlikely to change your mind.

If she doesn't understand why you can't just wait until you're older to change your name legally, show some vulnerability, get emotional, and talk about how being deadnamed affects your levels of gender dysphoria, how often you come across your deadname, how your mental health will be improved when you can change it, etc.

Recognize that you'll likely need to have multiple conversations with her on the topic and it won't be a single one-and-done in a day-- it may take several months before you win her over. Try to keep the big picture in mind. If you have a therapist, they may be able to help you prepare for talking with her.

Finally, remember that you know your mom the best! The things that might have convinced my mom aren't necessarily the same things that will convince your mom. The things that my parents were worried about may not be the same things that your parents were worried about. You are the only one who can figure out what the right path is for you to achieve your goal.

The last thing I'll note is that sometimes you can't win every battle. I was able to convince my parents to let me change my name legally as a minor, but I wasn't able to medically transition until I turned 18.

If you aren't able to convince your mom to let you change your name, remember that it isn't the end of the line. Eventually, you will be 18. And all of this work that you've done will make it much easier for you to change your name at that point-- you'll have all the paperwork at the ready!

It can be difficult to be unable to transition in a way that you need to, but know that you'll survive and you'll get there eventually, and you need to take care of yourself (physically and mentally!) in the meantime to be at your best when it is time for you to achieve that goal.

Followers, any advice for anon on convincing a parent to let you legally change your name as a minor?

[afaroffsong]

.

I calculated the cost of learning to drive and getting a license (IT'S AN ABSURD AMOUNT) and started thinking about how I'm not going to have a job come March/April and I have almost zilch qualifications and experience and yadayadayada so now I am freaking out about life.

[legitimatesatanspawn]

How many heroes are there in Hero Academia's Japan? No, seriously. How many?

Math time~! (it's 1 am why am I doing this.)

We know of... (checks notes) 8 named schools, 3 of which are anime-only. U.A. High alone has 40 hero students per year (assuming two full classes AIZAWA) and that doesn't get into other departments having students get hero licenses too.

Let's go with the idea of just the 8 schools just to show how insane this is, even setting aside the possibility that there's more (or at least one per prefecture). 8 schools, for sake of simplicity let's say they have the same number of hero course homerooms and students and while I doubt it let's go with the idea that they all get their licenses. So 8 times 40 = 320 students in one year including UA.

320 new heroes to compete with, not counting all the pre-existing heroes or people from other countries.

Placing "keep reading" here because it got long and rambling but basically "WHERE ARE ALL THE HEROES?!". "In this essay I will.." is a threat and a promise with me, so read on if you want to.

This doesn't get into independently trained heroes getting licenses, or any school with a 'minor' heroics education, or a school that spams out larger numbers in place of a supposed quality education. Or if there is indeed a school per prefecture to make it easier on would-be heroes to train near where they live.

And this doesn't get into the… let's say 40 years worth of heroes already trained and working? Including All Might. All Might and characters like Gran Torino and Recovery Girl are likely outliers to how long a hero can stay a hero whether by burnout/overwork, injury/death, or retirement.

Guess work time:

Let's assume that most heroes only do 20 years tops due to the high stress and risk of the job, 30 if they're more 'paperwork heroes' (research/management) or the PR-main ones like Uwabami.

Let's assume that 5% of each class quits/dies in year 1 of their job because it's more dangerous then they expected or there was a slip-up. Numbers might go up for some schools and numbers might go down for others but 5% is a good even number for the schools as that's 1 hero per homeroom.

10% more might quit/die within 5 years. That's another 2 per homeroom. Normally I'd say more but I can't think of how many would bail on average. 5 years is enough time to go "wow it's not just me, this job sucks". But we can say they keep at it for the sunk cost fallacy.

We know the fandom-popular teachers are about 30 so that's 15 years on the job. So another 5 for injuries or deciding to finally hang up the hat seems about right to me. All Might is an outlier. Recovery Girl is an outlier. I don't know why Torino is still in the game but he too is an outlier even assuming he's not as old as he looks. (I mathed his age before and decided he was around 72-77 years old by canon era. Which is past retirement age for a lot of jobs.)

ANYWAY

Upward max of 12800 heroes total who graduated from the 8 schools over 40 years. Not getting into heroes coming from other countries or going to other countries.

Halve that for the 20 year typical max, add in... 17% of the other half for everyone still working past 20 years. And don't forget to take out the 15% for heroes lost during years 1-5. So total heroes currently running would be at 5568 just from the known schools. (Jesus.)

and that's before all the stuff with the plot from Izuku's entry onward.

I still wanna know how the rankings work and where everyone is on it. How they calculate it. I want to know where Nedzu falls on the JP board. But I'll never know.

And... how many heroes quit when the plot really went going? When they lost All Might as a safety net and buffer? When heroes were being blamed?

Even if it's just 1% of the remainder, that's 56 heroes. if it's 10% that's 557. Either a small but noticeable chunk or a VERY BIG chunk. All these people who said "I'm not paid enough for this" which... fair, you get to say when it's enough, but also? Literally your job you chose? Not so much fighting terrorists though but you do fight people under the assumption that their crimes (real or assumed) are a form of terrorism (I'll never get over Kamui Woods claiming a giant jaywalker blocking traffic was "pure evil" I MEAN REALLY and with like 5 heroes chomping at the bit to fight him? definitely too many heroes running around).

And now teenagers are being conscripted to make up for the numbers. Where's all the adults who while they don't have hero training could still fill the position? Is this because civilians are constantly shown as being either in need of protection or in need of being stopped?

yet we don't see any of the other numbers in any of the fights. We also don't see any other schools in any of the fights. AND we know that some of them turned out to be villains - or rather sided with the enemy faction.

This shows why I hate it sometimes when I overthink a setting! Where are the other heroes?!

[nim-lock]

Can I ask why no shipping to the UK and Germany?

Yes; let me get you the run-down

tldr; I am one person and the sheer process of making sure I am compliant with those international laws + continuing to report my compliance is simply too much in a cost/benefit analysis

when I looked into the UK's VAT system, I got to account creation and could go no further, because it required a UK address; I may need to talk to a US-based agent who will be able to patch me through. I tried emailing the UK VAT help email but received the reply of I needed a UK address. This would also mean more accounts on more things + more to remember to report, for a small portion of what would make up my shop income.

VerpackG in Germany is a great effort for sustainable packaging; however, I would need to sign my business into the LUCID Packaging Register, and obtain a Packaging License which I would need to buy. I would need to calculate my annual packaging quantities (which sounds like inventory but for packaging material), and also license my packaging through a recycling system authorized by Germany.

I'm very sorry that a lot of small businesses are now unable to mail to those countries (legally); the complexity of the system is out of our hands.

+ I will not make an account on Etsy (who remits VAT for you) due to their predatory profit margins

Going through the inventory & tax process in the US is quite enough already; if they want me to register for VAT the ghost of the queen can come across the ocean and do it herself.

[mariacallous]

Just days after people gleefully posted their Spotify Wrapped, bad news came for the music streaming giant. Spotify announced today that it would cut 17 percent of its workforce, a chunk that equates to an estimated 1,500 people. It’s the third time the world’s largest music streamer has cut jobs this year.

The news came after Spotify posted its first profitable quarter since 2021. In a memo to staff, CEO Daniel Ek said the company had expanded its workforce and offerings significantly throughout 2020 and 2021, thanks to lower-cost capital, but is now bumping up against the same problems startups across industries are facing, like high capital costs and slowed economic growth.

Ek said the cuts may seem “surprisingly large given the recent positive earnings report and our performance,” but due to “the gap between our financial goal state and our current operational costs,” Spotify would take “substantial action.”

Despite its popularity (Spotify held 30 percent of the music streaming market by late 2022), the company has long struggled to turn consistent profits. The layoffs wrap up a bad year: Spotify cut 6 percent of its workforce last January, followed by another 2 percent in June as it slimmed down its podcasting business. Even as the world’s most recognizable music streaming service, Spotify is plagued by an unreliable business model, one in which record companies sit back and rake in royalty payments while artists can struggle to bring in enough cash.

“Investors are increasingly impatient in 2023 for tech firms to start making money,” says Phil Bird, head of rights and royalties at the software development company Vistex. Spotify isn’t alone—tech companies have slashed jobs throughout the year, with more than 250,000 people losing jobs worldwide in 2023, according to layoffs.fyi, a site that tracks job cuts in tech.

Many major tech companies that overhired during the pandemic have taken steps to rightsize—and that’s what Ek says Spotify is doing now. But Spotify’s high cost to license music adds to its financial strain. “The cost of doing business is huge for streaming companies,” Bird says.

Spotify gained momentum in the third quarter of 2023, earning €32 million ($34.6 million) in operating income. It now has 226 million subscribers and 574 million monthly users. “On the surface, it looks great,” says Simon Dyson, senior principal analyst of music and digital audio at consultancy firm Omdia. “It’s [those] nagging costs that it can’t get on top of.”

Spotify and the recording industry have a deeply entwined and sticky relationship: Spotify is seen by some as a savior of the music industry, which flailed after Napster upended music downloading in 1999, but artists earn wildly different incomes based on how Spotify pays. According to a calculation from Billboard, Taylor Swift may have earned nearly $100 million from streaming on Spotify so far this year. Smaller artists earn far less, and music streaming models have long been accused of exploiting them.

Like Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music are each charging $10.99 per month for premium subscriptions, and each give access to 100 million songs. But unlike Spotify, Apple and Amazon have massive streams of revenue elsewhere to fall back on. So Spotify has spent the past few years looking for that standout content. It spent more than $1 billion building its podcast world and acquiring exclusive deals to shows like The Joe Rogan Experience. This fall, it began offering paying subscribers in the UK and Australia free audiobook access for 15 hours each month.

The music streaming fight isn’t like the streaming wars, where Max, Netflix, Hulu, and others can each lure in subscribers with a combination of classic and original movies and shows. If Spotify were to charge more for music (it already increased monthly prices from $9.99 to 10.99 in the US this summer), it would risk losing people to comparable services, where people can find the same songs. But unless it can convince people to pay more for music, it might continue to struggle.

“It’s too cheap,” says Dyson. “To have access to every single piece of music that’s ever been released—and ever will be released—for $10 a month is just astounding.” The same is true of Spotify today as was true when it was founded 17 years ago: It’s a business that’s good for listeners and labels but bad for both streamers and artists.

[theprivatewolf]

How To Get A Teacher License In UAE

Securing a teaching license in the UAE is vital for educators, demonstrating the nation’s commitment to excellence in education. This process does more than fulfill legal requirements; it ensures that educators meet stringent standards, participate in ongoing professional development, and open up various career opportunities. Recognizing a teaching license boosts an educator’s credibility and underscores the UAE’s dedication to upholding professional standards, thereby strengthening its education sector’s quality and ethics.

The Diverse Roles of a Teaching License in Dubai

In Dubai, a teaching license plays several key roles:

Ensuring Educational Quality: Teachers with a license are central to maintaining high educational standards in Dubai, guaranteeing that students benefit from a superior quality of education.

Promoting Cultural Integration: Licensed educators are instrumental in integrating students from diverse backgrounds, cultivating mutual understanding and respect.

Preparing Students for the Global Workforce: Teachers equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge for success in a competitive global economy.

Upholding Professional Standards: Teaching in Dubai means maintaining and adhering to high professional standards, enhancing the education system’s overall integrity and reputation.

Supporting Nation Building: Through education, teachers play a significant role in developing a knowledgeable and skilled workforce, contributing to the nation’s broader goals of advancement.

Boosting Global Competitiveness: Teaching in Dubai also involves improving the UAE’s competitiveness on the global stage by preparing students to make significant contributions internationally.

UAE Teaching Authority’s School Evaluation Guidelines: Key Considerations

The UAE Teaching Authority sets forth specific criteria for school assessments, focusing on essential factors:

Student Progress: Direct evaluation of students’ academic success through their performance in exams and extracurricular activities.

Teaching Quality and Instruction: Analysis of the teaching’s effectiveness, including the assessment of teachers’ credentials, educational resources, and instructional strategies.

Extracurricular Engagement: Assessing the range and impact of academic, extracurricular, and athletic programs on overall student achievement.

Assessment and Feedback: Evaluating the implementation of school-wide assessments, the progression of students in periodic and end-of-term evaluations, and the effectiveness of feedback to parents and students.

Teacher Qualifications: For initial employment in Dubai, teachers are required to possess specific academic credentials. Elementary educators must have a bachelor’s degree in education or higher, and subject-specific teachers should hold degrees pertinent to their field. Post-hire, educators are obliged to register with the Dubai Educator Permit System to adhere to regulatory norms.

Becoming a Teacher in the UAE: Registration Process

To qualify as a teacher in the UAE, candidates must meet various prerequisites, including:

Relevant subject and teaching qualifications

Proficiency in English

Legal eligibility for employment

Suitability for the teaching profession

Professional integrity

Engagement in continuous professional development

Compulsory Teaching License for UAE Education Workers

Obtaining a teaching license is mandatory for those aiming to work as educators in the UAE by the end of 2020. This regulation supports ongoing professional growth and ensures the maintenance of high educational standards. Education workers must register at specific intervals to schedule exams pertinent to their specialties. The UAE Teachers’ Licensing System (TLS), launched in a pilot phase in 2017, laid the groundwork for the obligatory licensing of all education professionals by end-2020.

Securing a Teaching License in Dubai: A Step-by-Step Guide

Navigating the process to secure a teaching license in Dubai involves several critical steps and requirements. Here’s a streamlined guide:

Examinations: Prospective teachers are required to clear two examinations, one focused on pedagogical skills and the other on their subject area expertise.

Personalized Training: Should candidates not meet the required benchmarks in the exams, customized training programs are made available to help them reach the necessary standards.

Licensing Necessity: Owning a license is a fundamental requirement for legally teaching in the UAE.

Compliance with Standards: The Knowledge and Human Development Authority and the UAE Ministry of Education set forth teacher guidelines and regulations that detail the qualifications and licensing processes needed.

Application through Private Schools: When applying through private schools, the institution’s administration will liaise with the Ministry of Education or the Knowledge and Human Development Authority to gather the required documents.

UAE Education Professional Licensing Essentials

In the UAE, holding an ‘Education Professional License’ is mandatory for all educators, constituting a legal prerequisite for teaching roles. The process to secure this license includes specialized tests, with additional training available for those who do not pass initially. Candidates are given up to three attempts to pass, followed by a six-month interval for improvement and retesting, which also includes access to further training. A relevant bachelor’s degree is a fundamental requirement for teaching positions. This licensing requirement applies universally within the educational sector, ensuring the UAE’s teaching workforce remains of high quality.

Documentation for the UAE Teaching License

To obtain a teaching license, candidates must successfully complete exams specific to their educational category. If a candidate’s scores are inadequate, tailored training programs are available to help them meet the required standards.

Certificates from schools outside the UAE must be authenticated at the relevant embassy or consulate.

Proper documentation, including an apostille stamp, is necessary for enhancing employability.

A valid UAE residency visa is mandatory for all teachers.

The application process includes providing a school or employment contract.

Graduates must submit attested certificates and transcripts.

An equivalency certificate from the Ministry of Education (MOE) is required.

Applicants must certify their physical and mental fitness for teaching.

A police clearance certificate and a letter confirming the applicant’s good standing from the school are needed.

Teachers with less than five years of residence in the UAE must provide police clearance from each country where they lived during the past five years.

Continuous professional development courses are obligatory for maintaining certification.

For specific roles, proof of a medical professional qualification may be required.

How Private Wolf Can Assist

Private Wolf stands ready to assist with establishing an Early Childhood Education Centre in Dubai. From the initial company setup to securing the right office space, our team of experts offers a seamless and straightforward process. Contact Private Wolf at +971 56 111 1640, via WhatsApp at +971 56 111 1640, or email info@privatewolf.ae for guidance.

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[harrison-armory-official]

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Harrison Armory, Superior by Design.

Product still in development. All usage statistics and diagnostics are sent to Harrison Armory for research and development. Additional terms apply including non-compliance fines. No warranty for usage is provided to the extent permitted by Union law. All rights reserved, void where prohibited.

[spagheddiesquash]

OK. OC COMIC LORE INFODUMP AHEAD

WANNA KNOW ABOUT MY OC THING? YOU ARE IN SO MUCH LUCK…

so as some of u know im making a comic. with some ocs in it. ive mentioned it several times before. this post is where i will finally tell some details regarding it.

so basically its about a time traveler who winds up in the year 2012, and his time machine breaks, so now he’s stuck there until he can fix it or find a new one.

these r the two main guys:

(NOTE: there is a math error on venn’s height. hes actually around 190 cm. when i was figuring it out i accidentally calculated for 5 feet 3 inches instead of 6 feet 3 inches)

(another note: a lot of metric will be used bc its a scifi comic and science uses metric a lot)

anyway so yeah. venn is the time traveler guy i mentioned earlier. josh happens to be walking by as venn’s time machine breaks, offers for him to stay at his place for the time being, and so. thats how the story is kinda set into motion.

NOW FOR SOME OTHER STUFF. WORLD STUFF.

ok so, in this comic’s universe there are two main organizations for time travel. the ICTTA (International Committee for Time Travel Affairs) and the ITB (International Time Board). the ICTTA (also referred to as simply the Committee) make all of the different rules and regulations regarding time travel. now, the Committee’s members consist of specialists in time law. These people don’t do any of the actual time travel, they just know the laws regarding it. To make decisions a bit more fair, any time something is being voted on, they also get votes from the ITB, who are made up of actual time travelers.

some more on the ITB: in order to join, you need to have been a registered time traveler for at least two years. also, venn is on the board as well!!! usually you have more influence if you’ve been a member for a long while and have contributed a lot. There is also the High Board, which have the final say in decisions of the the ITB. They’re a small part of the Board, made up of like 5-ish people typically, and in order to become a part of the High Board, you need to be invited, and if you ARE invited, its like. a HUGE deal. like Pinnacle of your Whole Entire Career kind of moment that most time travelers aspire to experience.

some more on becoming a time traveler: so in order to procure a time machine and use it, you meed to be a licensed time traveler. how do you become licensed? by going to school for it!!! 6 long years of mostly physics and history, as well as some general time travel ettiquete. usually straight after high school. once you finish that, you are officially a time traveler. you have the job for life and technically speaking, you work under the ICTTA. the way its a job is basically you go on missions and you get paid each month. there are some benefits, like how youre given free housing and can get discounts on stuff.

some notes on time machines: in this universe, they arent the big elaborate ones you step into. rather, theyre handheld devices that are usually the size of either a nintendo wii or an ipad mini, depending on how recent the model is. the Committee provide their own time machines for free (which is what a lot of younger time travelers opt for), but if youd like your own from some other place, they typically cost a lot of money. there are some older models that can come secondhand for a bit cheaper, though. venn uses one of those.

SOME ADDITIONAL NOTES:

the “future” isnt really the future. it’s the widely accepted Universal Present Year, or UPY. when time travel was first invented, a present time had to be established in order to mark what counts as either the Past, Present or Future. There is also a UPD/T which is the same thing but more precise, down to the date and time.

in the UPY of 2148, (venn’s year of origin) everyone is under 24-hour surveillance everywhere. you may think that time travelers can get out of this, however, measures have been taken specifically to prevent this from happening. see, once you become a time traveler, you get assigned someone to basically follow you around wherever you go and make sure you dont do anything illegal. these people are typically nicknamed “watchovers,” and they are known to be very annoying, pushy, nagging people.

24 hour clocks are used in time travel because its a lot more convenient.

things that the ICTTA makes rulings on: general things regarding the act of time travel, splits in timelines and timeline taxonomy (theres a list of events the Committee deem “chronologically significant” which get their own letter or number in a timeline’s classification if they are diverted from. an example would be stuff like historic court rulings or famous political assassinations), whether or not to go back in time and erase an event and its collective memory by the public (i.e. the invention of the flying car), etc etc.

the identity of the person who invented time travel is confidential, so as to prevent something like assassination.

NOTES ON THE SETTING:

it is a city called Rose City. its somewhat based on new york, mainly because new york is the city i know the most about, but i digress. anyway, both venn and josh are from this city, just born in different years. josh was born in 1989 (so if he was real he would be 35 currently) and venn was born in 2114 (which, if he were also real, would make him exactly -90). below is some visual stuff.

SOME OTHER STUFF:

very big things to remember when time traveling:

blend in as much as possible, try not to change the timeline (incurs a fine, the severity of which depends on the severity of the alteration)

dont tell anyone you are a time traveler

dont bring anything back with you without express permission

if you are going to the future, TELL NO ONE WHAT YOU SAW. if you are going to the past, do not tell them of the future.

leave no evidence of assassination. (sometimes time travelers get hired to kill people from the past for specific reasons. it’s kind of rare, but when it happens it can only happen if it is voted on by the High Board.)

THERE IS PROBABLY MORE IM FORGETTING LORE WISE ABOUT ALL OF THIS BUT YEAH. MAKING ALL OF THIS INTO A COMIC, HOWEVER IM CURRENTLY DRAFTING IT. couldnt wait to explain my ocs to u guys so i figured id just make an infodump post abt them….

IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS SEND ME AN ASK!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE I LOVE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT MY OCS. who knows. maybe ur question might remind me of some lore i forgot to mention??? it can also be about little things tho like “what are their favorite foods” or “what are their birthdays” or something. you can also ask abt all the rest of the lore tho!!! will probably reblog with some more soon.

[veenamalik]

Business Operation Plan

1. Business Overview

Business Name: Little Ladoo Baby Food

Business Concept: Producing and selling organic baby food at farmers' markets and via social media.

Vision: To provide nutritious and organic baby food options to health-conscious parents.

Mission: To promote healthy eating habits from an early age and support local farmers.

2. Product Description

Product Line: Organic baby food blends (purees) made from locally sourced ingredients.

Initial Offerings: Start with a limited variety of flavors (e.g., Cardamom flavor halwa, Oats, rice, and foxnuts).

Differentiation: Emphasize freshness, organic certification, and locally sourced ingredients.

3. Operational Goals

Short-term (First Year):

Establish a presence at 2-3 local farmers' markets.

Build a customer base and gather feedback.

Develop a presence on social media platforms.

Long-term (Next 3 Years):

Expand the product line with new flavors and packaging options.

Distribute through local baby stores and online platforms.

Explore opportunities for regional expansion.

4. Operational Strategies

Production:

Location: Utilize a licensed commercial kitchen for food preparation.

Ingredients: Source organic produce from local farms to maintain freshness and quality.

Process: Implement strict food safety and quality control measures.

Distribution:

Initially sell directly at farmers' markets.

Gradually introduce online sales through social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook).

Explore partnerships with local baby boutiques and health stores.

Marketing:

Branding: Create a logo and brand identity that conveys freshness and health.

Promotion: Offer samples at farmers' markets; use social media for product showcases and customer testimonials.

Customer Engagement: Collect feedback to improve products and build customer loyalty.

5. Financial Plan

Startup Costs: Estimate costs for kitchen rental, ingredients, packaging, and initial marketing efforts (e.g., sampling).

Revenue Streams: Farmers' market sales, online sales via social media, and potential wholesale to local stores.

Profitability: Calculate the breakeven point and projected profit margins.

6. Risk Management

Food Safety: Ensure compliance with health regulations and maintain high food safety standards.

Supply Chain: Develop relationships with reliable local suppliers to minimize supply chain risks.

Market Risks: Monitor customer preferences and market trends to adapt product offerings accordingly.

7. Timeline

Launch Date: Specify the timeline for starting operations at farmers' markets and social media introduction.

Milestones: Set achievable milestones for product development, market expansion, and revenue growth.

8. Team and Responsibilities

Founder/Owner: Oversee overall operations, product development, and marketing.

Kitchen Staff: Hire or collaborate with kitchen personnel for food preparation.

Sales and Marketing: Manage farmers' market sales and social media marketing efforts.

9. Legal Considerations

Permits and Licenses: Obtain necessary permits for food handling and sales.

Insurance: Purchase liability insurance for product safety and protection.

10. Evaluation and Review

Performance Metrics: Track sales data, customer feedback, and social media engagement.

Adjustment: Regularly review operational strategies and adjust based on market response and business goals.

By developing a comprehensive operational plan, I'll have a clear roadmap to guide the launch and growth of "Little Ladoo" Baby Food. This plan will help me stay focused, manage resources effectively, and navigate challenges as I establish my business in the marketplace.

[my3sonsmoving]

How do you plan an out of state move in 2024?

Planning an out-of-state move can be a complex and stressful process, but with careful planning and organization, you can ensure a smooth transition. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you begin:

Research Your New Location:

Cost of Living: Begin by comparing the cost of living between your current state and the new one. This includes housing, groceries, utilities, and taxes. Websites like Numbeo can provide detailed comparisons.

Housing: Look into neighborhoods, housing prices, and rental options. Consider factors such as proximity to work, safety, amenities, and school quality if you have children. Online platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com are excellent resources.

Job Market: Investigate job opportunities and the local economy. Sites like Indeed and LinkedIn can help you understand the job market and connect with potential employers.

Lifestyle: Consider the climate, local amenities, schools, and community culture. Explore forums, social media groups, and local news sites to get a feel for the area.

Budgeting:

Moving Costs: Get estimates from moving companies or calculate costs if you plan to move yourself. Include packing materials, transportation, and potential storage fees. Companies like U-Haul provide cost calculators for DIY moves.

Travel Expenses: Budget for gas, flights, hotels, and meals if you’re driving. Websites like GasBuddy can help estimate fuel costs, and travel sites can assist with finding affordable accommodation.

Initial Setup: Plan for deposits, initial rent, utility setup, and any immediate purchases needed upon arrival.

Create a Moving Timeline:

Plan Ahead: Start planning 2–3 months in advance to avoid last-minute stress.

Checklist: Develop a detailed checklist of tasks to be completed each week leading up to the move. This should include everything from hiring movers to packing specific rooms.

Hiring Movers vs. DIY

Consider hiring professional movers by researching and selecting a reputable moving company. Check reviews on sites like Yelp and get multiple quotes to compare prices and services.

DIY Move: 

If you decide to move yourself, rent a truck, recruit friends and family, and plan the logistics of driving and unloading. Ensure you have the necessary equipment like dollies and moving blankets.

Declutter and Organize:

Inventory: Take an inventory of your belongings. This helps in estimating moving costs and ensuring nothing gets lost.

Declutter: Sell, donate, or discard items you don’t need. This reduces the volume of items to move and can save money.

Organize: Label boxes clearly by room and content. Use a color-coded system or numbered labels to simplify unpacking.

Update Your Information:

Address Change: Update your address with the postal service, banks, subscription services, and any other relevant parties.

Utilities and Services: Arrange for the disconnection of utilities at your current home and setup at your new home. Ensure you transfer internet, cable, water, and electricity services in time.

Licenses and Registrations: Update your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and voter registration as soon as possible after your move.

Pack Strategically:

Essentials Box: Pack a box of essentials for the first few days, including clothes, toiletries, important documents, and basic kitchen items.

Fragile Items: Pack fragile items with care, using plenty of padding. Clearly label these boxes to ensure they are handled with care.

Room-by-Room: Pack one room at a time and label boxes accordingly. This method makes unpacking more manageable.

Travel Arrangements:

Transport Vehicles: Decide whether to drive your car(s) or have them shipped. Companies like Montway Auto Transport can assist with vehicle shipping.

Pets: Make arrangements for moving pets safely, including carriers, food, and necessary medications.

Accommodation: Book any necessary accommodation if the journey takes more than a day. Plan your route and make reservations in advance.

Settling In:

Unpacking: Start with essential areas like the kitchen and bedrooms to make your new home livable quickly.

Explore: Take time to explore your new neighborhood and meet your neighbors. Familiarize yourself with local grocery stores, pharmacies, and parks.

Emergency Contacts: Find and note down local emergency contacts, such as doctors, vets, and hospitals. Register with local healthcare providers as soon as possible.

Stay Organized:

Keep Records: Maintain a file with all moving-related documents, including contracts, receipts, and inventory lists. This helps in case of disputes or for future reference.

Backup Plans: Have contingency plans in case of delays or unexpected issues. This could include having extra funds for unforeseen expenses or knowing alternative routes.

By following these steps, you can ensure a more organized and less stressful out-of-state move. For personalized assistance with moving in the central Kentucky area, consider reaching out to My 3 Sons Moving and Storage Company.

[wedesignyouny]

Long Island Residential Electrical Wiring: An In-Depth to Learning the Basics

Long Island Residential Electrical Wiring: An In-Depth to Learning the Basics 

Outline

Greetings from the best source for Long Island residential electrical wiring! For both safety and functionality, it is essential to comprehend the complexities of electrical wiring, whether you are building a new home or remodeling an old one. We'll cover all you need to know to become an expert in Long Island residential electrical wiring in this book.

Knowing How to Wire Residential Properties Electrically

Set off on an adventure to learn the principles of Long Island household electrical wiring. We can help you with everything from fundamental ideas to sophisticated methods.

The Importance of Safe Electrical Wiring

Learn why residential homes require adequate electrical wiring. Investing in high-quality electrical wiring is essential for a number of reasons, including ensuring efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Major Residential Electrical System Components Explore the key elements that comprise domestic electrical systems. Comprehending various components, such as outlets, switches, and circuit breakers, is essential for efficient wiring. Long Island Electrical Wiring Codes and Regulations Keep up with the most recent Long Island electrical codes and regulations. Adherence to these guidelines is crucial in order to guarantee safety and prevent possible legal complications.

Wiring Types Appropriate for Residential Properties Examine the many kinds of wiring that are frequently utilized in residential buildings. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of various options, such as copper-clad aluminum and aluminum and copper wire, in order to make well-informed choices.

How to Plan and Design an Electrical System Discover the significance of careful planning and design for electrical wiring. A safe and effective electrical system is largely dependent on variables including load calculations, circuit structure, and outlet and fixture location. Safety Measures to Take While Installing Electrical Wiring Throughout the installation of the electrical wiring, put safety first. Precautions can help avoid mishaps and injuries by employing the right instruments and equipment and adhering to safety procedures.

Typical Errors in Electrical Wiring to Avoid Steer clear of typical hazards that could jeopardize your electrical system's functionality and safety. To guarantee a seamless and error-free wiring process, take note of these faults.

FAQs About Electrical Wiring for Residential Properties in Long Island

FAQs

Is it necessary to hire a professional electrician for residential wiring projects?

While DIY electrical work may seem tempting, hiring a licensed electrician is highly recommended to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.

What factors should I consider when choosing electrical wiring materials?

Factors such as durability, cost, and compatibility with your home's electrical system should be taken into account when selecting wiring materials.

How often should residential electrical systems be inspected?

It's advisable to schedule regular inspections by a qualified electrician to detect any potential issues and ensure the continued safety and performance of your electrical system.

Can I upgrade my home's electrical system to meet increased power demands?

Yes, upgrading your electrical system may be necessary if you're adding new appliances or experiencing frequent power disruptions. Consult with a licensed electrician to assess your needs and make appropriate upgrades.

What are the signs of electrical problems in residential properties?

Signs such as flickering lights, tripped circuit breakers, and burning odors indicate potential electrical issues that should be addressed promptly by a professional electrician.

Are there any government incentives or rebates available for upgrading residential electrical systems?

Depending on your location and specific circumstances, there may be government incentives or rebates available for energy-efficient upgrades to your home's electrical system. Consult with local authorities or utility companies for more information.

To sum up

Well done on taking the initial step toward becoming an expert in Long Island residential electrical wiring! With the right information and by adhering to best practices, you can guarantee the dependability, efficiency, and safety of the electrical system in your house. Always put safety first, and seek the advice of a licensed electrician before beginning any complicated wiring projects.

LONG ISLAND OFFICE:

262 Orinoco Drive Brightwaters, NY 11718

(800) 924-9297

·        (631) 666-0477

·        Fax #:(631) 666-0479

E-mail Us

https://allwayselectriccorp.com/

[literaticat]

I don't see anything in my contract about how I get paid for library ebooks and audiobooks. I know those are sold to libraries at a different rate/a certain number of borrows. Is it covered under some other umbrella I should be looking under, or called a different name than I'm expecting, or do I maybe get paid the same percentage as I do for a regular consumer copy so it isn't in there at all?

Very Basically: The latter is correct - you get the same percentage if a library buys the book/ebook/audiobook/digital audiobook as any other sale in that format, so it isn't differentiated in your contract.

Slightly more info without getting too deep in the weeds: When a library adds an e-book (or digital audio) to lend out, obviously they aren't buying one copy for $25.99 or whatever and renting it to patrons until the cover falls off as they do for a hardcover. Instead, they are buying a LICENSE to essentially "rent" the book for a specified amount of time. So they pay, let's say, $50 -- and then can lend the book out for a year, or for 50 downloads, or whatever. If they want a "perpetual license" for a book that they know will be checked out forever and ever, it costs even more. (These are made up numbers, every publisher is different, it's just a for-example!)

And when that term runs out, they can either license it again, or decide to remove it from the collection. From the publishers perspective, this is "equal" to what a library would have to spend on physical materials -- if you planned on lending out a physical book 100 times, you'd almost certainly have to buy multiple copies (according to Mr Google, on average, a library book can be circulated 25 times before it's nasty), and there would be a point at which the copies were no longer viable.

(Again, different publishers "calculate" this in different ways, librarians have a lot of feelings about it, and the pros and cons of each way is beyond my pay grade for real - I'm not arguing that any of this is GOOD or BAD, I'm just telling you *sort of* what happens!)

Now back to your contract. For a hardcover or paperback (at major publishers) you're probably getting a royalty that is a % of the retail price. If the book costs $20, and you get a 10% royalty on the retail price, you are getting $2. for every book sold. Makes total sense.

However: For ebook and digital ebook, you are probably getting a royalty that is ON NET rather than retail. Let's say you're getting 25% "on net" -- that means you are getting 25% of what the *publisher* gets paid. So if Amazon sells an ebook for $9.99., the publisher gets some fraction of that, just like if a library buys a license for an ebook through OverDrive for $50, the publisher gets some fraction of that -- and you get 25% of whatever is publisher gets, which is determined by whatever their agreements are with Amazon or OverDrive.

Make sense? Here's an article from the New Yorker with a lot more info if you are still interested in knowing more about libraries and e-books.

[wolfliving]

Internet of dead bikes, etc

*Stacey Higginbotham:

Plan for death at the start of building your connected device

This week brings us the tale of yet another connected device that may become a useless chunk of scrap because its maker is going out of business. In this case, the affected product is the VanMoof e-bike, which cost buyers $5,000 and requires a working app for many of the bike's functions.

VanMoof has gone into the Dutch version of bankruptcy, and owners of the product have been told that if the servers shut down, users will have no way to get a security key needed to operate many of the bike's features. For buyers of connected products ranging from home hubs to sous vide cookers, the end of a connected device company often means the end of a functioning product.

But it doesn't have to be this awful for consumers. By planning for failure, startups (and large companies like Amazon or Facebook) can kill their products better.

— VanMoof promises users that their connected bikes will get "better and better" through software updates. What they don't advertise is that without their servers, the bike may not even work. 

In the case of VanMoof, a rival connected e-bike company has created an app that will purportedly unlock the VanMoof bikes and provide some functionality. But relying on a competitor to hack together some software to control a device made by another vendor and hoping that, as a user, you can download your security key from the VanMoof servers, before those servers are shut down, is not an ideal scenario.

It's the equivalent of rushing through your home as a fire burns, trying to grab people, pets, important papers, and heirlooms while the walls crumble. Folks with go bags or even a sense of what to take first are in a far better position if the worst happens. And by now, every company building a connected device needs the equivalent of a go bag or at the very least, a checklist.

Design your business model and device differently

It starts with the design. When designing the physical product, designers need to think about graceful degradation. Put physical buttons on the device. Make sure the product functions as a bike, a juicer, an oven, or whatever else even if the additional software-based or connected features fail. When it comes to making decisions about the chips and services used in the hardware, consider ongoing maintenance costs and how long that hardware will get necessary security updates.

I've seen startups run into issues after they chose a hardware platform that required monthly payments that increase based on the device usage. One of the services was associated with keeping the product secure, so the device makers had the best goals in mind but realized too late that the initial design decision obligated the company to make annual payments that would rise as more people purchased and then used their devices.

Understanding the cloud architecture costs and decisions made when designing a connected device's software and apps also matters. Unlike with dumb physical hardware, where calculating the cost of any good sold ends once the device ships, connected devices have a continued ongoing cost more commonly associated with software.

Software gets around the ongoing cost issue by charging a licensing fee or charging for the product as a service. Hardware providers are trying to offset these ongoing costs with additional subscriptions, or in some cases by offering a SaaS model and throwing in hardware as part of a monthly fee.

Escrow funds, not source code

Any company selling a connected device should understand the monthly cost of supporting their servers and apps, and set aside the appropriate dollar amount to ensure that service providers get paid — even if the company runs into trouble. This means any product must have an escrow account with six months or a year of ongoing device upkeep fees allocated.

This means if a startup goes out of business, it has the funds to notify people that the connected device they spent money on will stop working after a set time as opposed to it just going dark on a random April night (hello, Insteon). Bigger companies may not need an escrow fund, but they, too, should kill underperforming devices with long lead times, discounts, and perhaps even refunds. Those strategies should be part of any initial planning for a new connected device.

We often hear of users demanding that companies put the source code for connected devices into escrow, so that users can run the code on their own servers and keep their devices operational. This strategy has three flaws.

The first is that the source code may not be enough to keep a device running, especially as elements like secure keys and certificate subscriptions are now part of connected device designs.

The second flaw is that not every device is suited for some side-loaded open source code. Meta is dealing with this as it pulls back from its connected video calling device, the Portal. Because the Portal has mics and cameras that a hacker might want to use to spy on users, Meta doesn't want to let people load software onto the product to keep it working; it represents too much risk. Instead, it would rather shut the devices down entirely.

Third, opening up the source code may make it easy for a select few to run a device, but it's not something the average consumer can or will do. So when thinking about escrow, think funds, not source code.

Learn from Amazon and others

There are examples of device deaths done right. Amazon actually provided a good example this year when it announced the end of its Halo wellness devices. Amazon made the announcement in April, and told consumers that 96 days later, the devices would stop working.

This was a relatively short amount of time, but Amazon promised full refunds to anyone who had purchased any of the devices within the prior 12 months, and immediately stopped charging subscription fees associated with Halo devices. It also refunded any unused prepaid Halo subscription fees and said it would delete all data associated with Halo devices without requiring the consumer to take any additional steps.

The ease of refunding customers was only available to Amazon because it was the sole retailer of the Halo devices, which isn't the case for every connected product, but it was clear that Amazon wanted to get out of the Halo business quickly and with minimum consumer fuss. So it made it incredibly easy.

Finally, Amazon asked consumers to ship the devices back for recycling and made doing so free, going far beyond what most companies are doing with dead devices.

Amazon isn't the only company that has ended its products' lives early. The German company behind the Neato vacuum, Vorwerk, shut down the vacuum division this year. But it also said it would maintain a staff of 14 people for the next five years to ensure the security and functioning of the vacuum’s cloud software and app. Vorwerk further said that it would provide replacement parts for up to five years.

I've seen other companies kill their devices with discounts for replacement gear and long lead times. That's the bare minimum, but it can still be frustrating for consumers. For example, I own a set of Arlo connected video cameras I purchased in the summer of 2017. In January of this year Arlo said it would classify my cameras as end of life as of April 2023, which means they would lose several features including free 7-day video storage, firmware updates, and email notifications.  

Since the reason I chose those cameras in the first place was that I got a 7-day window to see my videos before they were deleted without paying for a subscription, I was nonplussed about the short notice but frustrated that my cameras were going to die after only six years. After user outrage, Arlo said that it would continue with 7-day video storage until July 2024 before the devices would lose security updates and that functionality. For me, this means the cameras I paid $220 for in 2017 would work for seven years.

Expiration dates for smart devices

Had I know all of that when buying my cameras, I probably would have been fine with the cost/benefits tradeoff. But others may not have. And this is why in today's day and age, every single device should come with a guarantee that the device will work for a set number of years.  

Companies can go beyond this date, but they need to establish minimums that get displayed on the box and for devices sold online, at the point of sale. This includes how long the device will get new features and essential security updates. The UK has already enshrined this idea in regulations that will take effect in April next year.

Additionally, knowing the device expiration date can help companies figure out how much money they should set aside in the escrow accounts. It also ensures that when another company buys a connected device maker, they can't simply shut it down. Connected devices have been around long enough that we understand the challenges they pose for business models and the challenges that result when those companies fail.

It's past time we start doing something about it.