#list of Responsive Web Design

[terrorcamp]

Terror Camp is hiring!

We are looking to expand our volunteer staff for this year’s conference.

We have two job listings based on our current needs, but if we receive a lot of great applicants there is the possibility we’ll split up these responsibilities into 3 or even 4 separate positions.

Terror Camp is a fully volunteer, remote, asynchronous workplace (with occasional sync meetings as schedules permit). We communicate over Discord and organize our documentation over Notion and Google Drive.

We are looking for people who can devote up to a few hours a week, depending on the time of year. Commitment increases around the times of Submission Opening (June 1), Submission Closing/Acceptances (September 1-Oct 1) and the conference itself (early December).

Terror Camp looks great on your resume. You can say that you volunteer for a successful community-led online history & heritage conference with an audience in the thousands!

You don’t need to match the job descriptions perfectly in order to apply. If your experience doesn’t match up but you think you’d still be good at the job, please apply anyway!

Here are the positions we're looking to fill:

🎨 Designer 🎨

Terror Camp is seeking a dedicated Designer who will:

Ideate and deliver a new evergreen brand identity for TC that can be revamped and reused each year

Including logo, logotype, color scheme, font families, and other brand assets for use on web, social media, and printed merch

Be an proactive team member with strong communication skills, able to quickly and regularly deliver new graphics for promotional use on social media and in email marketing

Help design an evergreen/permanent collection of merchandise as well as a limited-edition collection for this year’s conference

Assist our Webmaster in revising our website & email marketing templates to fully match new brand identity and meet best practices for UX

Potentially work on print layout for a Terror Camp book or zine (TBD)

This job would be a good fit if you:

Work or have worked professionally or semi-professionally as a graphic designer; or are a hobbyist designer with a standout portfolio

Have experience working with both digital and print assets

Have a working knowledge of web design best practices and HTML/CSS

Have experience with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Canva (but not ONLY Canva, sorry) and Wix or similar WYSIWYG ESP/site builder

The Designer will report to our Assistant Director/Webmaster, & will also collaborate closely with our Marketing Lead on graphic assets for social media and with our Merch Lead on preparing designs for print.

To apply, please fill out this form.

💬 Communications Coordinator 💬

Terror Camp is seeking an enthusiastic Communications Coordinator who will:

Own Terror Camp’s main email inbox and oversee all direct communication with attendees and interested parties

Respond promptly to inquiries including:

Requests for past recordings

Requests to join the Discord

Questions about schedule, programming, submissions, guests, and other conference topics

Catch inbounds to social media inboxes (Tumblr, X, Bluesky, Insta) & answer or redirect to email as appropriate

Act as coordinator/assistant for Marketing Lead, with responsibilities including:

Scheduling pre-written content

Assisting with ideating and drafting content, proposing content ideas

Cross-posting content to multiple platforms

Consistently and frequently engaging with social audiences (finding content to repost, replying to people, etc)

This job would be a good fit if you:

Work or have worked in any digital customer-facing environment; have experience with support tickets and/or ongoing user communications; have run social media for brands or institutions; are an efficient and clear writer able to work creatively within brand voice guidelines

Have successfully and sustainably moderated Discord servers, Tumblr communities, social media for other fandom projects like fests, zines, and charity events

Can spare the time and attention to respond to inquiries and turn around new social media posts in a timely manner

Are prepared to represent the Terror Camp brand professionally and maturely in digital public spaces

The Communications Coordinator will report directly to our Marketing Lead.

To apply, please fill out this form.

If you have any questions about these positions, please email us at command [at] terror [dot] camp!

[simplestudentplanning]

100 Hobbies To Try

Update: I wrote this at like 1 AM, so I was kind of half-asleep lol. A few people brought up that there were a bunch of duplicates in the list, sorry about that! I redid the whole list and ordered them alphabetically to avoid any repeating words. Hope you find the new list much more helpful!

Hobbies are a great way to practice self-care, and to have as a stress reliever. As uni students, we often find ourselves stressed out about our academic responsibilities, projects deadlines, and even financial concerns. We need some way to let out those stresses, and hobbies are one way to do it. You don't have to be good at them, you just have to enjoy doing them!

Here's a list:

Acrylic pouring

Antiquing

Archery

Astrology

Astronomy

Baking

Beekeeping

Bird watching

Bookbinding

Calligraphy

Canoeing

Candle making

Cartography

Chess

Checkers

Collecting coins

Collecting crystals

Collecting funko-pops

Cooking

Crochet

Crossword puzzles

Cycling

Dancing

Diving

DIY electronics

DIY home improvement

Drawing

Embroidery

Fencing

Filming

Fishing

Frisbee golf

Gardening

Genealogy

Geocaching

Glassblowing

Guitar

Homebrewing

Hiking

Horseback riding

Hot air ballooning

Ice skating

Inline skating

Jigsaw puzzles

Juggling

Kayaking

Kite flying

Kite surfing

Knitting

Lego building

Letterboxing

Magic tricks

Martial arts

Meditation

Metalworking

Model airplanes

Model building

Model rockets

Model trains

Mountain biking

Origami

Paper folding

Painting

Paragliding

Parkour

Piano

Photography

Podcasting

Pottery

Programming

Puzzle solving

Quilting

Rappelling

Reading

Rock climbing

Rollerblading

Running

Sailing

Sculpting

Sculpture carving

Scrapbooking

Scuba diving

Singing

Skiing

Soap carving

Soap making

Stand-up comedy

Stand-up paddleboarding

Stained glass crafting

Stargazing

Surfing

Traveling

Urban exploration

Urban farming

Virtual reality gaming

Web design

Wine making

Wine tasting

Writing

Yoga

[bratzkoo]

into you | kim seokjin pt. 1

Author: bratzkoo | navi Banner made by: @shadowkoo Pairing: actor! seokjin x journalist! reader Word Count: 2k~ Genre: fluff, more fluff, angst, more angst Rating: PG-15 Possible Warnings/Note: enemies to lovers seokjin is *chef's kiss*

Summary: Kim Seokjin finds himself entangled in a complex web of emotions when he meets the journalist covering his new series, challenging everything he is.

taglist (hit me up if you wanna be added): @aretha170 , @jinniegenie , @mooniyooni .@we8joon​ , @njrwifey​, @woncheecks

requests are open, but you can just say hi! | bts masterlist

The flashbulbs popped incessantly, their sharp bursts of light illuminating the sleek, modern interior of the London hotel's conference room. At the center of this maelstrom of media attention stood Kim Seokjin, his perfectly coiffed hair and designer suit a stark contrast to the casual attire of the assembled journalists. His megawatt smile, the one that had graced countless movie posters and magazine covers, was firmly in place as he fielded questions about his latest career move.

"Mr. Kim," a reporter called out, "how does it feel to be the first male asian lead in a Bridgerton series?"

Jin's smile never wavered as he responded, his English crisp and barely accented. "It's an honor and a tremendous responsibility. I'm thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking moment in television history."

From her position near the back of the room, Y/N fought the urge to roll her eyes. She'd heard similar platitudes from countless celebrities over the years, and as a senior writer for Spotlight, one of the entertainment industry's most respected magazines, she'd developed a finely-tuned bullshit detector. There was something in Jin's perfectly rehearsed answers that didn't sit right with her.

As the press conference continued, Y/N observed Jin closely. Behind the charm and the practiced responses, she caught glimpses of something else – a tightness around his eyes, a barely perceptible pause before certain answers. He was nervous, she realized. The great Kim Seokjin, A-list actor and Asia's sweetheart, was out of his depth.

When it was her turn to ask a question, Y/N didn't hold back. "Mr. Kim," she began, her tone professional but with an edge that made Jin's eyes snap to hers, "your casting has been met with mixed reactions. Some praise it as a step forward for diversity, while others question whether an actor known primarily for modern roles can authentically portray a Regency-era character. How do you respond to critics who say you were cast more for your star power than your suitability for the role?"

A hush fell over the room. Jin's smile faltered for a split second before he regained his composure. "I understand the concerns," he said, his voice steady but with a new intensity. "Throughout my career, I've always sought to challenge myself with diverse roles. While it's true that this is my first period drama, I've been working tirelessly to immerse myself in the era and the character. I was cast because the producers believe in my ability to bring Lord Christopher Hawthorne to life. I intend to prove them right – and to prove the critics wrong."

Their eyes locked, a silent battle of wills. Y/N saw a flicker of something in Jin's gaze – defiance, perhaps, or determination. For a moment, the carefully constructed movie star facade slipped, revealing a glimpse of the man beneath.

The moment passed as quickly as it had come. Jin turned to answer another question, but Y/N noticed that his responses had lost some of their polish. She had rattled him, and a small part of her – the part that had clawed its way up from intern to senior writer in a cutthroat industry – felt a twinge of satisfaction.

As the press conference wound down, Y/N hung back, observing Jin as he chatted with a few lingering reporters. His charm was back in full force, but now that she had seen behind the curtain, she couldn't unsee the subtle signs of strain.

Back at the Spotlight offices, Y/N's fingers flew over her keyboard as she typed up her article. Her editor, Yannie, peered over her shoulder.

"Well?" she asked. "What's the verdict on our Hollywood heartthrob?"

Y/N leaned back in her chair, considering. "He's... interesting," she said finally. "Charming, obviously. But there's more there. He's not as confident as he wants us to believe."

Yannie raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell."

"He's taking a huge risk with this role," Y/N explained. "It could make or break his career. He knows it, and he's terrified."

"Sounds like there's a story there," Yannie mused.

Y/N nodded, already formulating angles in her mind. "Oh, there is. The question is whether he'll let anyone tell it."

The article Y/N penned was a masterclass in nuanced criticism. She praised Jin's ambition and the groundbreaking nature of his casting while questioning Hollywood's motives. Was this a genuine step towards diversity, or a calculated move to tap into the global Asian market? She highlighted Jin's lack of experience in period dramas and the immense pressure he faced stepping into such an iconic role.

The piece went viral within hours of publication. #JinInBridgerton trended on Twitter, with fans and critics alike dissecting Y/N's every word. Jin himself remained silent on social media, but Y/N had a feeling her article had struck a nerve.

She was proven right a few days later when Jin appeared on The Late Late Show. The host, after some playful banter about Jin's transition from action movies to Regency romance, brought up Y/N's article.

"So, Jin," the host said, his tone light but his eyes gleaming with the scent of potential drama, "there's been a lot of buzz about your casting. One article, in particular, has gotten a lot of attention. Any thoughts?"

Jin's laugh was perfectly calibrated to sound carefree. "Oh, you know how it is," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "There's always someone looking to stir up controversy. I try not to pay too much attention to it."

"But this writer, Y/N from Spotlight, she raised some interesting points about diversity in Hollywood and the challenges you might face in this role," the host pressed.

For a split second, Jin's mask slipped. Y/N, watching the interview from her apartment, leaned forward, catching the flash of irritation in his eyes before his smile reasserted itself.

"Look," Jin said, his tone a touch cooler than before, "I respect everyone's right to their opinion. But at the end of the day, I was cast because I'm right for this role. I'm here to act, not to be a poster boy for diversity or to debate Hollywood politics. I'll let my performance speak for itself."

The host, sensing he'd struck gold, opened his mouth to ask a follow-up question, but Jin smoothly changed the subject, regaling the audience with a humorous anecdote about learning to ride horses for the show. The moment passed, but Y/N knew she'd gotten under his skin.

As the Bridgerton production ramped up, Y/N found herself assigned to cover various aspects of the show's development. She attended costume fittings, watched rehearsals from afar, and interviewed supporting cast members. But Jin remained elusive, always just out of reach.

It was at one of these events – a press day showcasing the show's elaborate sets – that Y/N first encountered Kyrie Evans, Jin's co-star and leading lady. Fresh off her Golden Globe win for a gritty indie drama, Kyrie was Hollywood's newest darling, her casting in Bridgerton seen as a coup for the show.

Kyrie was everything Jin wasn't – effortlessly cool, refreshingly candid, and undeniably talented. As Y/N watched her interact with the press, she couldn't help but draw comparisons to Jin's more guarded approach.

"Ms. Evans," Y/N said when she got her chance to speak with the actress, "your casting alongside Jin has generated a lot of excitement. How has it been working with him so far?"

Kyrie's smile was warm and genuine. "Oh, it's been wonderful," she gushed. "Jin is such a professional, always prepared and ready to give 110%. And let me tell you, the man can smolder like nobody's business. Our chemistry readings nearly set the room on fire!"

Y/N raised an eyebrow at this, her journalistic instincts tingling. "That's quite an endorsement," she said carefully. "Some have questioned whether Jin has the acting chops to carry a show of this caliber. It sounds like you disagree?"

For a moment, Kyrie's sunny demeanor faltered. "I think," she said, choosing her words with care, "that people will be very surprised by Jin's performance. He's not just a pretty face or a famous name. He's a dedicated artist who's pouring his heart and soul into this role."

As Kyrie moved on to the next reporter, Y/N mulled over her words. There was sincerity there, certainly, but also a hint of something else. Protectiveness, perhaps? Or was Kyrie simply playing the game, talking up her co-star as expected?

The interaction with Kyrie, brief as it was, added another layer to the complex picture Y/N was forming of the Bridgerton production. As she left the set that day, her mind was already piecing together the elements of her next article.

But the entertainment world never stands still, and the Jin-Kyrie dynamic was about to be complicated by an unexpected player.

News broke late one evening of a surprise announcement: Jeon Jungkook, a rising solo artist making waves in the music industry, was gearing up to release his first album. The internet exploded with excitement, #JungkookIsComing trending worldwide within minutes.

Y/N, like any entertainment journalist worth their salt, immediately began connecting the dots. Would this major music event affect the buzz around Bridgerton and Jin's high-profile role?

As she dug deeper, combing through social media and reaching out to industry contacts, Y/N stumbled upon something curious. A series of photos from a music awards show afterparty several months back showed Jungkook in deep conversation with none other than Kyrie Evans. In one blurry shot, their heads were bent close together, Kyrie's hand on Jungkook's arm.

It could be nothing, Y/N knew. Celebrities mingled all the time at such events. But her instincts told her there was more to the story.

The next day, as Y/N was piecing together her notes on the Jungkook announcement, her editor Yannie called her into her office.

"I've got a proposition for you," she said without preamble. "We want to do a deep dive on Jin's Bridgerton journey. Behind-the-scenes, exclusive access, the whole nine yards. I want you on it."

Y/N blinked in surprise. "Me? Are you sure? Jin and I... well, we haven't exactly hit it off."

Yannie grinned. "Exactly. You've gotten under his skin. You've challenged him. That's exactly the kind of energy we want for this piece. We don't need another puff piece about how dreamy he looks in Regency costumes. We want the real story – the struggles, the doubts, the triumphs. You're the one who can get it."

As the implications of the assignment sank in, Y/N felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. This was a huge opportunity, the kind that could catapult her career to new heights. But it also meant spending extended time with Jin, a prospect that filled her with an emotion she couldn't quite name.

"What about access?" she asked. "Jin's team hasn't exactly been forthcoming so far."

Yannie's grin widened. "Already taken care of. I've been in talks with the show's producers. They love the idea of an in-depth feature. Jin's been informed. He's... well, let's say he's agreed to cooperate."

Y/N could only imagine how that conversation had gone. She pictured Jin's face, that perfect mask cracking under the strain of forced politeness. Despite herself, she felt a twinge of sympathy for him. This couldn't be easy for him either.

"Alright," she said finally. "I'm in."

As she left Yannie's office, her mind was already racing with possibilities. This was her chance to really dig into Jin's story, to peel back the layers of celebrity and find the human being underneath. It was also, she realized with a mixture of anticipation and dread, a chance for Jin to challenge her own preconceptions.

The next few months promised to be a rollercoaster. Y/N took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. Whatever happened, she was determined to tell this story – Jin's story – with all the complexity and nuance it deserved.

Little did she know that this assignment would not only change her career but would also set her on a collision course with destiny, one that would intertwine her fate with Jin's in ways neither of them could have imagined.

As she gathered her things to leave the office, Y/N's phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number. Her breath caught as she read the message:

"Ms. Y/N, I look forward to our upcoming collaboration. Let's both do our best to uncover the truth. - Kim Seokjin"

[plague-karm]

Different takes I have based on my interests and other miscellaneous things because I’m bored.

•Bill Cipher is never getting redeemed, ever, I adore his character but I can admit when my faves are horrible people. Oh and the way some people write the Handyman Bill au makes me REALLY uncomfortable as an abuse survivor. Why do some people write it like it’s the Pines family’s responsibility for Bill’s actions? Thats so fucked, especially with Ford (the ones where they basically shit talk Bill the entire time he’s at the Mystery Shack is funny as fuck though more of that please)

•The “Jax is an NPC” theory is boring and it would make him a lot less compelling as a character if that was the case

•You can still love Danganronpa and admit that the fanservice (ESPECIALLY the stuff with Mikan) is gross

•DNI lists will inevitably attract the people in those lists to harass and piss off whoever the account is and that’s why I don’t use them

•The original Monster flavour tastes like condensed piss and I will never understand the people who drink it when every other flavour soloes it by comparison

•The second half of the Death Note anime isn’t bad at all people were just too busy huffing on L copium to care, also, Mello was one of the best characters in the entire show

•Most of Killstar’s collaborations are terrible, the Monster High collection is one of the most disappointing things I’ve ever seen and it all looks so uninspired and bland (they saved themselves a bit with the second Gloomy Bear collab they did but most of the designs for their collabs are really tacky).

•Hear me outs are becoming incredibly sterilised, there’s a big difference between a hear me out and a character you find attractive

•Also, humans (both real and fictional) along with any Hellaverse characters do not count as hear me outs (to me anyway I’m not the hear me out police)

•Ultrakill will be seen as one of the greatest games of all time once it’s fully released, it is an absolute masterclass in immersion and presentation and the soundtrack is one of the best I’ve ever heard

•I like the DHMIS show a bit more than the web series

•Resellers need to be called out more, I’ll probably make a separate post talking about this more but it gets BAD. Not all of them are bad (especially on Vinted) but the overcharging in certain fandoms is insane (especially with Sanrio stuff it’s actually disgusting)

•Lloromannic have the potential to be some of the most popular Sanrio characters of all time but their potential goes nowhere

•Prima is one of the most misused Vocaloids of all time and it HURTS. When she’s used properly she sounds GORGEOUS but most people use her for pop stuff and she sounds awful there. Shes an OPERALOID, she’s meant for OPERA. Stop misusing her (I also don’t like any of her designs I’m sorry-)

•SeeU is also very underrated, Alone is one of my favourite Vocaloid songs it’s really vibey

•Monster High G3 is very overhated. There are still some designs I don’t like (Iris’ design hurts me, the character with the same body type as me gets the weakest outfit fuck 💀) but its representation is really good (Twyla not being shamed for needing headphones in loud spaces made me so happy)

•ROTTMNT’s version of Donatello is some of the best autism rep I’ve ever seen, I’ve never identified with an autistic character more than I have with him and the fact that the show’s in limbo makes me really upset

•Robo Fizz’ design > normal Fizz’ design

•I don’t care how many songs you give Stolas I will always see Octavia as the victim in that situation and the fact that the crew see her as a “cock block” pisses me off

•Phosphophyllite will go down as one of the greatest protagonists in recent memory, their story is heartbreaking and no one in that manga deserved a happy ending more than them

•Vinted is the best reseller app and it’s not even close

•I don’t care if Art The Clown never gets a backstory, he’s a silly little guy who kills people in horrific ways and I’m fine with that

•Making it a rule to not talk about certain fandoms on big Discord servers is fucking useless, an old autism server I was on went to shit when this happened, just ignore them and move on

•The addictive nature of Character AI needs to be talked about more, I’ve only began to realise how bad it is recently, it’s negatively affected my writing abilities, do NOT download it (especially if you’re mentally ill) you WILL get addicted to it and it isn’t fun. I’ve deleted it and I’m going to try to get into better habits, never again

• William Afton is an evil bastard and that’s okay, he never needed any redeemable traits and I really like that they’re making him do some Saturday morning cartoon level shit while also making him a threat (The Golden Bite in Into The Pit is as funny as it is horrific)

•I don’t care how many times the Fnaf games will try and gaslight me into seeing the Pinkypills Afton design as him, I will ALWAYS picture Matthew Lillard when thinking of this character (also I never want to see any Pinkypills or Ladyfiszi art in the games ever again they’re terrible people and they should’ve gotten fired years ago)

•Rage bait is the key factor in what made the internet a significantly more miserable place, start saying pizza with random fruit on is good again stop with the racist and misogynistic bullshit

•CaseOh being one of the most popular streamers right now brings me joy, in a time where so many male streamers are some of the most miserable and out of touch cunts in existence, having one of the most popular ones be a seemingly normal and chill guy is so refreshing

•I respect Illumination as a studio a lot more than others would think, in an age where horror stories are coming out surrounding every animation studio in existence, I have yet to hear one about Illumination. Do I like their movies? Not really (some of them are kind of fun and the Sing movies are guilty pleasures) but they seem a lot more ethical than other studios (also they’ve openly mocked AI that’s fucking awesome lmao)

•Murder Drones needed more episodes/time to explore certain ideas, that final episode felt like a SEASON finale, not a SERIES finale (no complaints about Cyn though I adore her)

•The art style change to Soul Eater to Soul Eater Not! Will go down as one of the biggest downgrades in history

Anyway that’s it I’m tired I’ll make another one of these when I feel like it I wanna go to bed

[songbird-at-the-fireside-chat]

Browsing the World Wide Web

Browsing the World Wide Web

One of my favorite passions is creating/finding ways to navigate the web that are healthy, authentic, and fun! Here are some resources I use to guide my internet usage. Some language has been slightly adapted for tone and accessibility. For more in-depth reading, follow the links! (taken with permission from https://yair.garden/browsing). Shared Ideals

MelonKing has an excellent list of shared ideals which I try to keep in mind as I browse the web. It's a great starting point!

Creativity is First: We see the ability to design, decorate, and graffiti digital spaces as essential and powerful.

The Internet is Fun: We want the Web to be a playground that's free to explore and enjoy.

Corporations are Boring: We are tired of the monetization, data abuse, and endless breaches of trust in corporate culture.

The Web is Friendly: We believe the Web should be friendly and supportive; caring is a radical act.

Right to Repair: We value the freedom to make, break, and repair our stuff - tinkering is a form of debate and protest.

One World Wide Web: We want free open knowledge and global connectivity, without paywalls, bubbles, or borders.

Chaotic Effort: We believe that value comes from the time and effort put into projects they love for no reason other than love.

No to Web3: In many (but not all) situations, cryptocurrencies, NFTs, unfairly trained AIs, and buzzword tech are unwelcome and uncool.

Manifesto for a New Web

The YesterWeb is an organization seeking to progressively transform internet culture and beyond. After two years, they created three core commitments and three social behavior guidelines to benefit everyone.

A commitment to social responsibility and partisanship.

A commitment to collective well-being and personal growth.

A commitment to rehumanizing social relations and reversing social alienation.

50 additional manifestos can be found here Social Etiquette

Engage in good faith.

Engage in constructive conflict.

Be mindful of participating in a shared, public space.

Why say no to Web 3.0?

One of the shared ideas of our community of web surfers is to push back against "Web 3.0". Here's why:

It's driven by predatory marketing tactics.

It requires complex technological and financial knowledge to fully understand.

It is actively harming the environment.

It caters to early adopters and whales.

It profits off artificial scarcity.

Investors are banking on Web3, and they really don't want to be wrong.

Personalized Web Surfing Guide

Make your web surfing personal and adventurous, away from corporate influences. Here's a simple guide for a unique browsing experience.

Configure your browser

Remove Ads and Clean up Privacy:

Ublock Origin for removing ads

ClearURLs for removing tracking elements from URLs

SponsorBlock for skipping sponsorships on YouTube

Make it a Safer Space:

ShinigamiEyes for highlighting transphobic/anti-LGBTQ sites

TriggerRemover for removing trigger-inducing content from pages

Clean up UI for Beauty and Minimalism:

CleanerReads for a muted Goodreads experience

Minimal; for a minimal and less attention-grabbing internet

Bonuses for a Cool Experience:

Library Extension: Check book availability at local libraries

Translate Web Pages: Translate pages in real-time

Return YouTube Dislike: Bring back the YouTube dislike feature

How to Browse and Surf the Web

Explore Beyond Corporate Sites: While the internet is vast, the majority of users only see a small fraction dominated by large corporate sites. These sites often prioritize shock value and extreme content, overshadowing the richness of the wider web. Explore alternative avenues to discover the internet's diversity.

Search Engines: Avoid corporate search engines like Google. Instead, consider using alternatives like Kagi, which focuses on privacy and doesn't sell your data. While it costs around $10/month, Kagi offers a diverse mix of web content, making it a worthwhile investment for varied search results. Other niche or non-commercial search engines can also provide unique content. While they may not be sustainable for daily use, they're great for discovering new sites. Find them here.

Webrings: Webrings are collections of websites united by a common theme or topic. They offer a unique way to explore sites created by real people, spanning a wide range of interests. Here are some of my favorite webrings:

Hotline Webring

Retro Webring

Low Tech Webring

Geek Webring

Soft Heart Clinic Mental Health Circle ...and here are some list of webring databases to explore!

Curated List of 64 Webrings

Neocities Webrings

Curated List of Active Webrings

Comprehensive List of 210 Webrings

Cliques/Fanlistings Web Cliques/Cliques are groups which you can join usually if you fulfill a certain task such as choosing an animal or listing your astrological sign. Fanlistings do the same for fans of various topics! You can then be linked on the clique's/fan group's site for further website discovery! Here are some web clique directories:

Project Clique

Cliqued

Fanlistings Network

5. Link Directories

Many sites have smaller link directories of buttons where you can find sites that they are "mutuals" (both creators follow each other) and "friends/neighbors" — sites they follow. It's a great way to build community. There are also larger link directories of sites which someone finds cool, and it's a great way to intentionally explore the web. Here are some of my favorites:

SadGrl Links

Melonland Surf Club

Neocities Sites

Onio.Cafe

Though there are many more! 6. Random Site Generators

Finally, there are random site generators which allow you to randomly stumble upon websites. While not very practical, they are a lot of fun and offer a unique way to discover new corners of the web.

A list can be found here

What now?

The next question you have is probably how can you become an active member/contribute in this world of the underground web? I unfortunately don't have the energy to write a guide right now but it will come soon! In broad strokes, consider making a site on Neocities. If you do make a site, remember to include a robots.txt file to get AI and bots out of there and don't forget to rate your site so we can know who it's for. If you'd like to transition off social media I recommend an RSS Reader such as the one at 32bit.cafe or on Fraidycat (guide on this to come soon as well!). For your twitter-fix you can always post a status at Status Cafe and your mood at imood. There is a whole world out there full of passionate and friendly people who are ready to reclaim the web. Excited to see you there!

[thrill-seeker-vn]

3 Game/Coding Resources!

I wanted to put together a few resources I found for people who might be planning to make games, or might be looking to learn coding!

The first resource is for anyone looking to learn how to code, build a portfolio, and get Certifications:

This is something I've recently been using myself and I can attest that it is an excellent resource!! They have many different paths you can learn, and right now I’m on the Responsive Web Design Certification. You can learn HTML and CSS, in order to create responsive pages. It teaches you through projects, where it breaks down different parts of the coding language and shows you how to use it. Some projects are optional, and some you have to complete in order to earn your certification. Certification projects don’t have instructions, only a rubric of what the project needs to be able to do, but you can learn all those skills in the optional projects! They also have Javascript, Frontend Development, Information Security… the list goes on! The website is run by a really cool non profit. I definitely recommend giving it a try!!

2. The second is for game developers who are looking for background music:

@/茶葉のぎか (Nogika Chaba on twitter) makes some really awesome 8bit-sounding BGM! And a lot of it is free for commercial/non commercial use!!

Make sure to check the description (you can translate to your language) for their policies. Many of their videos are tagged #freeBGM, which if you check their Pixiv Fanbox terms of service (in the desc of each video, please do check it before you use it) states that you are able to use the music in commercial/non commercial works:

2. The third resource is for students:

Whether you're a university student, college, high school, or elementary, Github gives you free Github pro, as well as a curation of free offers! You do need a piece of student ID (proof that you indeed belong to an institution, eg. report card, student card, etc), but it has a host of offers. Microsoft offers free cloud training through this, there are multiple offers for learning a new coding language for free (eg. Codedex free 6-month subscription, which will also give you certificates once completed), you can get free domain names, the list goes on! If you are a student, I highly recommend that you give it a try, since it's 100% free!

[oldguardleatherdog]

How And Why We're Getting "Christian Reconstructed" Out Of Civil Society: An LGBTQ+ Activist's Guide To Action

This is based on my response to a recent Reddit post about the New Apostolic Reformation/Dominionist/Christian Reconstructionist political movement that's behind anti-trans, anti-drag, anti-LGBTQ+ laws, parental rights, systematic destruction of libraries, book bans, harassment of librarians and teachers, the "don't say gay" movement, the 303 Creative Supreme Court "right to discriminate" decision, school board takeovers, curriculum cleansing, the antics of Roger Stone and General Flynn, and every other damn thing that's making our lives hell in America. Here's how to understand the whole toxic mess so we can fight these jackals off, protect ourselves, claw back our rights, and put this movement down for good.

7 Mountains: Gotta Catch 'Em All! "There's no reasoning with these people and their cultish beliefs," many people are saying, and I think it helps to understand the source of those beliefs in order to fight effectively against the tide of hatred that is on the brink of destroying what's left of our rights and freedoms in this country.

I grew up Fundamentalist Evangelical in the 1960s and 70s. Looking back, the seeds of today's poison were being planted even then in ways that were subtly but unmistakably aligned with the New Apostolic Reformation ("NAR"), the movement based on Dominionist "7 Mountains" Christian nationalism that's the driving force behind Moms for Liberty, Gen. Flynn and Roger Stone, the Alliance Defending Freedom (the org that brought the anti-LGBTQ+ web designer to the Supreme Court), Charlie Kirk and Turning Point USA, the GOP candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania last election cycle (Mastriano), and more. (Check out Jennifer Cohn, jennycohn1 on Twitter, a journalist whose coverage of Christian Nationalism is amazing and essential.)

Evangelical involvement in politics was minimal until the rise of Ronald Reagan, Jerry Falwell, and the "Moral Majority" in 1981. In the 42 years since, it's been a steady march to bring the seeds planted in us kids in the 1970s to today's hideous bloom.

I don't adhere to those beliefs, but I have a deep native knowledge of their intent and the ways believers are impelled by them to make these laws and file these lawsuits and elect slavering semi-sane madmen to power and stoke cultural panic.

These people aren't just getting started - they've got traction, scalps on their belt already, and they're gaining steam and hungry for more.

NAR Christians (such as Ginni and Clarence Thomas, Sen. Ted Cruz' father Rafael, former Rep. Michelle Bachmann, failed GOP candidate for governor of Pennsylvania Doug Mastriano, Jan. 6 co-conspirator Phil Waldron, General Mike Flynn, insurrectionist Roger Stone, and the Moms For Liberty) believe that it's their Divine Mission to prepare the nation and the world to become the Kingdom of God.

This is called "post-millennialism" - the term for the set of beliefs upon which the NAR is based and that drives its adherents. NAR believes that we are in the End Times as foretold in Scripture, and that today's Christians are commanded by the Lord to do everything humanly possible in pursuit of one singular goal: to bring God’s kingdom to pass on Earth and prepare the way for Christ's return. Viewed for decades as a far-out fringe heretical movement populated by apostates and quacks, these zealots will stop at nothing to bring this to pass.

See all the "cleansing" that's going on now? Roe v. Wade overturned, the abortion bans, the trans bans, the anti-drag laws, books being pulled from school shelves, public libraries being shuttered and defunded, anti-immigrant laws, the Twitter takeover and its right-wing reformation - the list goes on. This is ALL a direct result of the NAR/Christian Reconstructionist influence and the untold dark-money billions and shadowed billionaires that finance it.

We're in a very dark and deep hole, as a country, as a culture. But we're not helpless. We start by arming ourselves with knowledge, by reading and heeding the reporting of Jenny Cohn and Bruce Wilson and Kira Resistance on Twitter and in the Bucks County (PA) Record reporting from the epicenter of Dominionist/NAR politics, take action online and in the places where we live. In today's world, we can be activists and influencers for good without having to leave the house, and if you want to protest in person or march in support of the cause, you won't be alone.

There are movements and organizations gathering steam in our community that have been preparing for action and are ready to launch. Some are more visible than others, but all are made up of committed activists, funders, legal advisors, and LGBTQ+ citizens who are tired of being abused by these people and the violence (literal and legislative) against us. Old-line AIDS activists like me are disgusted at the sight of our life's work and our decades of progress being rolled back and obliterated seemingly overnight. Gen Z and Gen Alpha are just not having it and are rightly pissed off by what's shaping up to be a bleak future.

It's not going to be easy or quick, but I know there are enough good people among us to hold back the worst of the current moment, rebuke and reverse the legislative oppression and physical danger, restore full access to HRT and gender-affirming care, roll back the "abortion bounty" laws and support vulnerable individuals and families with assistance and relocation, claw back and secure the civil rights that have been stolen from us, and restore light to our country, our culture, our lives, and our future.

I'm engaged in this fight, and after nearly 40 years of activism I've never been more lit up with passion and determination than at this moment. This fight is winnable. You're needed now. Watch this space for opportunities where your presence, your effort, your voice is wanted and will be welcomed, and feel free to message me with your questions, ideas, activist resources needed or offered, organizations you know of that need support, general questions, strategic advice, and words of encouragement you wish to give or need to hear. Let's gooooooooo

[mousiecat]

Coding Study Plan!

I've enjoyed learning coding at a casual pace, but I'm ready to really buckle in and focus on moving forward to build my skills. SO, here is my plan:

Routine

Learn/practice coding at least 45 minutes per week day, alternating between FreeCodeCamp, web accessibility lessons, and personal projects. I aim to post about my progress at least once per week.

I plan to solidify my HTML/CSS, move onto JavaScript soon, and then decide where to go after that :)

Details and resources under the jump!

Coding Lessons

FreeCodeCamp: Great, project-based way to learn coding!

I'm almost done with the Responsive Web Design course, which covers HTML/CSS. I have enjoyed this way more than other tutorial methods I have tried before. Instead of providing a lesson with a separate activity afterwards, the project is the lesson, and you immediately use the coding and see the direct results. Learning by doing!

I'm excited to start on the JavaScript course soon!

Web Accessibility

Here are some free resources I'll use to study web accessibility:

Wix's Web Accessibility Course (thanks to @xiacodes for posting about this!)

Altogether, the videos for the lesson total about 1hr 15 mins.

This will prepare me to take the Accessibility Specialist Certification Exam which provides a fun certificate for passing~

Accessibility Resource List from @accessibleaesthetics

Includes accessibility info that is relevant for everyone, as well as more specific knowledge for programmers, bloggers, writers, artists, and roleplayers.

I'm always learning from @accessibleaesthetics's posts! please give them a follow to learn accessibility during your casual Tumblring :)

Web Accessibility Twitch Stream with Africa Kenyah, hosted by @kitkatcodes

1hr 30 mins, can't wait to watch!

Africa Kenyah is a software engineer, accessibility specialist, and yoga teacher. Visit her website here!

[mariacallous]

For the past two years, millions of people searching for child abuse videos on Pornhub’s UK website have been interrupted. Each of the 4.4 million times someone has typed in words or phrases linked to abuse, a warning message has blocked the page, saying that kind of content is illegal. And in half the cases, a chatbot has also pointed people to where they can seek help.

The warning message and chatbot were deployed by Pornhub as part of a trial program, conducted with two UK-based child protection organizations, to find out whether people could be nudged away from looking for illegal material with small interventions. A new report analyzing the test, shared exclusively with WIRED, says the pop-ups led to a decrease in the number of searches for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and saw scores of people seek support for their behavior.

“The actual raw numbers of searches, it’s actually quite scary high,” says Joel Scanlan, a senior lecturer at the University of Tasmania, who led the evaluation of the reThink Chatbot. During the multiyear trial, there were 4,400,960 warnings in response to CSAM-linked searches on Pornhub’s UK website—99 percent of all searches during the trial did not trigger a warning. “There’s a significant reduction over the length of the intervention in numbers of searches,” Scanlan says. “So the deterrence messages do work.”

Millions of images and videos of CSAM are found and removed from the web every year. They are shared on social media, traded in private chats, sold on the dark web, or in some cases uploaded to legal pornography websites. Tech companies and porn companies don’t allow illegal content on their platforms, although they remove it with different levels of effectiveness. Pornhub removed around 10 million videos in 2020 in an attempt to eradicate child abuse material and other problematic content from its website following a damning New York Times report.

Pornhub, which is owned by parent company Aylo (formerly MindGeek), uses a list of 34,000 banned terms, across multiple languages and with millions of combinations, to block searches for child abuse material, a spokesperson for the company says. It is one way Pornhub tries to combat illegal material, the spokesperson says, and is part of the company’s efforts aimed at user safety, after years of allegations it has hosted child exploitation and nonconsensual videos. When people in the UK have searched for any of the terms on Pornhub’s list, the warning message and chatbot have appeared.

The chatbot was designed and created by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), a nonprofit which removes CSAM from the web, and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a charity which works to precent child sexual abuse. It appeared alongside the warning messages a total of 2.8 million times. The trial counted the number of sessions on Pornhub, which could mean people are counted multiple times, and it did not look to identify individuals. The report says there was a “meaningful decrease” in searches for CSAM on Pornhub and that at least “in part” the chatbot and warning messages appear to have played a role.

The chatbot was relatively simple: It asked people a series of questions, allowing them to click buttons to answer or type out a response. Ultimately, it explained that the material people were searching for may be illegal and pointed them toward the Lucy Faithfull Foundation’s help services. There were 1,656 requests for more information made through the chatbot, while 490 people clicked through to the charity’s Stop It Now website. Around 68 people called or chatted with Lucy Faithfull’s confidential helpline, the report says.

Donald Findlater, the director of the Stop It Now helpline, says that while the numbers are “relatively modest” compared to the overall number of warnings displayed, they are still seen as a “big success” as it’s a sign that people may want to get help. “If people have been doing something dodgy on a site, clicking through is quite a bold step to make,” Findlater says.

The vast majority of people who received the warning message and chatbot did so only once, the report says. Around 1.7 million people saw a warning before leaving Pornhub or making other searches related to legal material. “They didn't just disappear. They typically remained on the site and looked for other stuff,” Findlater says. “The influence for the millions of people that actually did a dubious search and then stopped doing that dubious search is a big win.” Not everyone was deterred, however. In the most persistent cases, around 400 people made 10 searches that triggered the message.

Cynthia Najdowski, an associate professor of psychology at the State University of New York at Albany, who was not involved in the research, says the chatbot appears to show promise for interrupting some people’s efforts to access CSAM. Warning messages and small behavioral nudges have been used in multiple ways to change people’s behavior online, from piracy and copyright infringement to gambling. Google has used some deterrence messages around child abuse searches since 2013, and other studies have found decreases in searches and millions of views or warnings.

Najdowski says there are three things known about deterring people from engaging in criminal behavior: People must know what they’re doing is illegal; they need to apply that “legal knowledge” to their own behavior; and they need to believe the cost of the behavior may outweigh any benefits they expect. “A chatbot that delivers notice of the potential illegality of certain searches can certainly accomplish the first step in the deterrence process, and that alone is a significant contribution,” Najdowski says. It may struggle to help cases where people are more persistent in their behavior or more complex scenarios though.

Scanlan, who conducted the analysis into the chatbot trial, says there were some complexities with the work. The data provided by Pornhub, the IWF, and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation wasn’t always complete, and there weren’t any figures from before the warnings were introduced to compare the results against. However, Scanlan says the results show the method could be one part of broader education and deterrence efforts against people finding CSAM online. “If someone's doing that sort out of curiosity, you want to nudge them away from it before they get involved in it, because we can't arrest our way out of the problem,” Scanlan says.

Scanlan’s findings say that over time, the web traffic being referred to the Stop It Now website appeared to decrease, perhaps as people who continued to search became used to the messaging. However, helpline calls, emails, and online chats showed an increase over the duration of the trial. The report says that in the future, a variety of messages could be used—potentially including existing deterrence videos—and the chatbot could directly connect people to a live chat session with Lucy Faithfull’s helpline.

The chatbot itself could also be improved. Since it was initially designed and created, says Dan Sexton, the chief technology officer at the IWF, generative AI has changed people’s perceptions of what chatbots are and how they interact with people. The reThink Chatbot could respond to only a limited number of queries. Sexton says there may be ways to make the chatbot more approachable and better handle questions it was not programmed to deal with.

While the trial period has ended, the chatbot and warnings are still in place on Pornhub’s UK website. “There's certainly no plans to turn it off. It is in production. It was a pilot project, but it is having an effect right now,” Sexton says. Those involved in the study say that other porn companies could look to introduce similar nudges across their services and deter people from looking for child abuse content. “They all should be doing this; it should become the norm,” Scanlan says. “This report and technology are significant steps forward in identifying, removing, and reporting harmful and illegal content,” a spokesperson for Pornhub says. “We feel all other major tech and social media platforms should explore the implementation of similar deterrence technology to create a safer internet for all.”

Findlater, from the Stop It Now helpline, says he hopes other companies, such as social media websites and file-hosting platforms, can look at the results of the trial and introduce similar nudges where people are seeking CSAM. “The more places you can put it, the greater chance you're going to catch those people that might be at a stage where they can still be helped, or those people that are looking for help but don't know about it,” Sexton says.

[truenotnew]

On the Pitfall of Spiritual Egotism

Spiritual egotism arises when one’s sense of identity becomes entangled with the idea of being spiritually advanced. It’s not about genuine insight—it’s about identification with the appearance of insight. This is a subtle corruption: the person who believes they’ve transcended ego has merely shifted it into a new costume.

This is especially common among self-styled teachers who confuse theories, charisma or confidence for clarity. They begin to see their experiences—meditative states, altered perceptions, moments of insight or even surface level understanding of genuine teaching they encounter—as evidence of superiority rather than impermanence. Instead of dissolving the self, they reinforce it through spiritual language and performative humility.

The real danger is that spiritual egotism is self-sealing. Any challenge to it is dismissed as “low vibration,” “unenlightened,” or “egoic.” Criticism is framed as proof of others’ ignorance. This creates a closed loop where growth stops and authority calcifies.

In the age of the internet, this dynamic is amplified. Social media rewards spectacle over substance, and a growing number of fake gurus playing guide to fake anonymous questions exploit this. They monetize vague platitudes and weaponize spiritual buzzwords, crafting online personas designed to harvest dopamine and dollars. At the expense of genuine seekers, they peddle misinformation, bypass nuance, and substitute performance for practice. Their presence becomes a brand, and their teachings a product—detached from depth, but packaged for mass consumption. For example look at Morgan Smith (@turiyatitta) and his pseudoscientific nonsense or @sos717 and their distorting of nondualism. Tbh there is a long list of this charlatan behavior but these are clear examples.

Especially concerning are those who claim mastery of spiritual frameworks like Advaita or non-duality while doing nothing but spinning conceptual webs. They parrot terminology like “no-self,” “awareness,” or “the Absolute” not to liberate but to dominate—to sound profound while avoiding real vulnerability. What should be a pointing beyond thought becomes another look at me ego game, dressed in spiritual language but driven by the same old hunger for self importance.

Many even conflate non-duality with pop-spiritual fluff like “manifesting” and the “law of assumption”—a contradictory mess that reinforces the very sense of self non-duality is meant to dissolve. These ideas promise control and gratification, not freedom. But they sell, and that’s the point. It’s not about truth—it’s about attention. you can tell from how rude and confusing their responses are that that they have no idea what are talking about, unless you don't know any better and that's exactly what they hope for when perpetrating these scams. Performance over practice. Influence over insight.

True spiritual insight leads to openness, not control. It dissolves identity, not inflates it. The more someone needs to be seen as wise or awakened, the less they usually are.

[izicodes]

Creating A C# Homework Resource Site

Thursday 18th May 2023

I am back again with another project again, but this time I built a small C# homework site! I was thinking of when I had to teach myself C# because the teacher I had was very bad at explaining concepts and had very little homework. Whilst I was working on my C# Console Application project, I reminded myself how I could turn some of these into C# homework!

What would the site include?

These are the main parts of the website:

The home page

The list of assignments page - put into 'levels'

The actual page of each assignment

About the site

The Contact page for any thoughts, or ideas or want to contribute somehow e.g. add a C# homework idea

I named the site 'CSharpSaga' or 'C#Saga' but I might change that in the future, I am not sure yet...

What did I work on today?

So, I actually started it 2 days after work as a fun quick web design exercise from turning my thoughts into a webpage. I then developed it more today!

Some before and after screenshots!

These screenshots are me turning my quick idea into something that looks like it's part of a "real" website. I was working on how to design the cards for picking the featured assignments!

Here I worked on if the user clicks on the actual assignment page! I chose the very first homework I came up with which is a simple console using variables, basic syntax and data types! I worked out how to use special syntax highlighting using Prism, super happy I got the hang of it and did not manually style the code examples!

That's all! I still have to work on the other pages I have on my navbar but I'll get to them later! I still have to work on the media queries of the pages (I hate working on responsiveness in web dev...) but I would probably leave that for late (bad practice)!

Thanks for reading and happy coding! 👩🏾‍🎓👍🏾

[wordsandrobots]

IBO reference notes on . . . odds and ends

I have begun writing another big notes entry but it's a heavy one and requires visuals, so I suspect it'll be a while before it's done.

In the meantime, here are a few jottings on various random things in Iron-Blooded Orphans I thought worth commenting upon.

Naming conventions

The headline one, obviously, is the Gundams being named for the demons listed in the Ars Goetia. This we eventually discover is an in-universe response to the naming convention used for the mobile armours the Gundam frame mobile suits were developed to take down. Each mobile armour is named for a angelic figure: Hashmal is named for a class of angel while Harael, Mebahiah, Nemamiah and Ananel are all apparently derived from the Shem HaMephorash. It would be neat if all the names came from John Reuchlin's list of 72, which corresponds directly to the goetic demons but Hashmal nixes that idea.

It's also unclear if the names are for individual units or if they represent different lines or categories of armours. I tend towards the latter, simply based on the scale at which the Calamity War is presented as happening. This is somewhat tenuously is backed up by the Iron-Blooded Orphans G mobile game (RIP) presenting the player with a battle against 'Ananel Alpha' and the flashback in the Urdr Hunt campaign seeming to show Gundam Marchosias fighting a pair of Haraels. Though I must admit, I've watched that clip a few times and still cannot quite make up my mind it if represents two Haraels or just the multiple perspectives of Harael's claw eyes.

In any case, it seems that whoever named the Gundams had enough sense of drama to designate their 'angel hunters' as actual demons. And yet, the overall organisation that operated them -- Gjallarhorn -- embraced quite a different tradition.

This was of course Norse mythology. Each family in the Seven Stars ruling council has heraldry based on a different beast from the sagas (Odin's Ravens, Fenrir, Sleipnir, Jörmungandr, Nidhogg, Veðrfölnir (probably), and Ratatoskr). They have bases named Vingólf and Gladsheimr. Their mobile suits are derived from a set of machines named after Wagnerian valkyries, and they designate various different types of 'suit using German words. And of course, 'Gjallarhorn' itself is the name of the horn that sounds the start of Ragnarök (fitting, for a group formed to prevent the apocalypse). Plus, you know, there's Vidar's whole deal.

Curiously, there is an additional use of a Norse name in the setting: the Garm Rodi, a seemingly unaffiliated type of mobile suit primarily seen in use by the Dawn Horizon pirates. Given this is an instance of mythological naming in a line that otherwise has prefixes like 'Spinner', 'Landman' and 'Monkey', I wonder if perhaps this indicates the type of machine used by Gjallarhorn prior to the development of the Valkyrja and Gundam frames (these both belong to the late Calamity War period, whereas Rodis were deployed during the middle period; no we have no idea how long each period lasted). I haven't any particular reason for thinking this beyond it being named for the dog that guards Hel, but given Norse names are otherwise entirely restricted to Gjallarhorn, it would almost be weirder if there wasn't a connection.

(The Garm is also noted for its versatility, which puts it in the same bracket as the general-purpose Graze frame that has become Gjallarhorn's mainstay.)

Speaking of mobile suit lines, the Hexa frame stands out for having different types designated using people's names: Hugo, Gilda and Enzo. A quick web search for the three names in conjunction returns the Argentinian film Una Cita con la vida, directed by Hugo del Carril, starring Gilda Lousek and Enzo Viena. I do not know if there is any connection there, out of fiction, but it struck me as an intriguing coincidence.

Then we have Teiwaz naming their mobile suits using romanised Japanese words: Hyakuren, Hyakuri, Rouei, Shiden, Hekija. Not much to say about that, since it fits exactly with their Japanese/Italian fusion mafia aesthetics. Although, I suppose we should shout out the Chief's bonkers suffixes. Lupus Rex? Rebake Full City? Jeepers.

Finally, I'd like to draw attention to how the Ariadne Network fits into all this, or rather how it doesn't. It's named for the myth of the Minotaur and how Ariadne gave Theseus a guiding thread to help map his way through the labyrinth. Fitting for a network of navigation beacons. However, as a piece of technology, it's an outlier, named for a Greek myth despite being under the control of Gjallarhorn.

The implication is that the Network predates both them and indeed the Calamity War, with the use of Ahab reactors in its construction being cited as a cause of said War, by virtue of preventing long-range communication and observation. Should we therefore take from this that pre-Calamity War devices follow a Greco-Roman naming convention ala the US space program? There are other Greek names used in the setting, specifically for the regions into which Mars is divided, following the actual real-world mapping of the Red Planet's geography, so I wouldn't want to rule out such a conclusion -- particularly with the way English is used in the setting. But on the other hand, it could simply be that the Network's function made this particular allusion irresistible.

Currency

There are two canonical currencies: the galar and the meria. As far as I can tell, the galar is exclusively mentioned in the context of Mars, and is therefore presumably related to Gjallarhorn's rule of the planet. Meanwhile the meria is used in the two spin-offs, Moon Steel and Urdr Hunt, both of which take place on or around space colonies. Whether this means the meria is primarily a space-based currency, or just a widely used currency in general is unclear.

Mostly I just think this is worth noting for the potential implications the galar has for Mars' situation: if the money in circulation there is directly controlled by Gjallarhorn, then that represents an added obstacle to independence. And given so much of Kudelia's efforts are focused on achieving greater economic freedom from Earth, it's an interesting detail to consider.

Oh, and apparently paper-like money is still in vogue in the Post-Disaster timeline. Which seems a bit odd, since paper itself is counted as a marker of wealth (explicitly stated in the translation of the CGS promo website linked from Gundam wiki; implied in the series by things like how we only ever see real books in the hands of the upper classes).

In Moon Steel, Tanto Tempo's members use paper files and documents, presumably because being part of an Earth-adjacent company, they can afford it. This makes me wonder about the source of the material. Do space colonies grow and recycle their own paper? Is that another layer to money's value in this setting? Or is the case made from some other material?

Food for thought, at least.

This excavator

Because first of all, it's an adorable piece of design work. And second, it's a rare example of non-mobile suit robotics in the setting.

Most Gundam shows have some sort of 'sub-mobile suit' category of mecha, be that a cruder precursor to the humanoid robot suits that are the mainstay of the franchise or a more utilitarian, often civilian variety of machine used for maintenance and construction work. Iron-Blooded Orphan's mobile workers are, however, mostly seen in military configurations, operating as small, extremely manoeuvrable tanks. I don't think it's too much of a stretch to classify them as mecha in their own right -- they have moveable 'legs' and on the type Tekkadan uses at least, the cannons operate in an arm-like fashion. But overall, they are generally more tank-like than anything else. The only civilian use we see from them is as a flat-bed truck. Indeed, when construction work in the space colonies comes up, it is specifically mobile suits that are cited as being used.

This excavator, which shows up in the background of the main series and has very slightly more presence during the Urdr Hunt game, makes it clear there are in fact mobile worker-like machines with entirely non-military uses. The arms appear to articulate in ways that set it apart from a real-world excavator, suggesting it operates in a more human-like fashion than your average JCB, and the armatures holding it up resemble mobile workers, only in a more stable four-point layout than the otherwise ubiquitous tripod arrangement.

It's a nice touch, extending the sci fi conceits throughout the world-building. It also stands out because so many of the vehicles shown beyond the obligatory humanoid mecha are simply . . . mundane. The cars, trains and even the fighter jets are little different than those we'd see around us today. Having something like this show up helps avoid the sense of the mobile suits being fantastical devices with no connection to the rest of the technological landscape, and gestures at mobile workers having uses that would earn them that name.

Gjallarhorn's plastic macs

I just love how utterly dorky the official rain-wear is.

McGillis very much doing the 'dignity, always dignity' bit, there.

Other reference posts include:

IBO reference notes on … Gjallarhorn (Part 1)

IBO reference notes on … Gjallarhorn (Part 2)

IBO reference notes on … Gjallarhorn (corrigendum) [mainly covering my inability to recognise mythical wolves]

IBO reference notes on … three key Yamagi scenes

IBO reference notes on … three key Shino scenes

IBO reference notes on … three key Eugene scenes

IBO reference notes on … three key Ride scenes

IBO reference notes on … the tone of the setting

IBO reference notes on … character parallels and counterpoints

IBO reference notes on … a perfect villain

IBO reference notes on … Iron-Blooded Orphans: Gekko

IBO reference notes on … an act of unspeakable cruelty

IBO reference notes on … original(ish) characters [this one is mainly fanfic]

IBO reference notes on … Kudelia’s decisions

IBO reference notes on … assorted head-canons

IBO reference notes on … actual, proper original characters [explicit fanfic – as in, actually fanfic. None of them have turned up in the smut yet]

IBO reference notes on … the aesthetics of the mobile frame

IBO reference notes on … mobile suit designations

IBO reference notes on … the Gundams (part 1)

IBO reference notes on … the Gundams (part 2)

IBO reference notes on … the Gundams (part 3)

IBO reference notes on … the Turbines, or ‘Tekkadan done right’

IBO reference notes on … the Gundams (Addendum 1)

IBO reference notes on … deals with the devil

[boypr1ncesss]

ok but fr now tma entities as vocaloid songs

eye monitoring by deco*27 ft hatsune miku (curator's note: she knows what's happening on the other side of the door and stares back through the peephole. very eye coded for deco*27 mentally ill sex song no. 42069. probs helped by the way that it's the best deco*27 song in a While)

spiral mesmerizer by 32ki ft hatsune miku & kasane teto (curator's note: hypnotism, also could 100% see a 2020 era fanfic author spelling "h3?et |3eAt?" like that if present in the distortion's dialogue and that's just one word in a whole verse Like That)

stranger any of them tbh but let's go w bad∞end∞night by hitoshizuki and yama△ ft hatsune miku, kagamine rin, kagamine len, kaito, meiko, megurine luka, megpoid gumi & kamui gakupo (curator's note: four words, mag087: the uncanny valley)

dark crushed mary by mondaijiP ft kaai yuki (curator's note: the ambiguity is rlly what makes it)

vast rolling girl by wowaka ft hatsune miku (curator's note: something abt rolling girl is so deeply nihilistic and it never has that big 'you can breathe now' moment its contemporaries usually end in)

buried ⓪ responsibility society by masarada ft kasane teto (curator's note: it's in the title but i like how you can hear the stress built up in the instrumentals and the 'actually i'm going to live life freely' fake out towards the end)

end gift from the princess who brought sleep by mothy ft hatsune miku (curator's note: lot of vocaloid songs abt death but 1. i'm legally obligated to include at least one mothy song in every list, 2. the sleep metaphor is so oliver banks coded, and 3. usually vocaloid death songs are abt more than just the act of dying but this one rlly is focused on death itself. srry abt the lore-based interjections in the pv mariogagabriel does that but his mothy pvs are always the highest quality w the most accurate translations linked)

hunt vampire's∞pathos by hitoshizuki and yama△ ft kagamine len (curator's note: who would've thought hitoshizuki and yama△ would be the ones to get multiple songs? i sure didn't . deeply self-explanatory. literally abt hunting a vampire)

extinction meltdown by iroha(sasaki) ft kagamine rin (curator's note: kinda surface level but i want to throw myself into a nuclear reactor too babe)

desolation the spider and the kitsune like lion by masa design works ft hatsune miku & megpoid gumi (curator's note: torture and the slow destruction of each other . also getting off to committing said torture which is kinda jude perry coded)

corruption aishite aishite aishite by kikuo ft hatsune miku (curator's note: the desperation for love aspect of the corruption will never not be more compelling than the ew icky aspect of the corruption)

lonely shoujo rei by mikitoP ft hatsune miku (curator's note: there are a lot of vocaloid songs abt loneliness but this one has to be on the bleaker side since most are abt escaping loneliness not wallowing in it and of all the wallowing songs there are this is one of the best by far. you can feel the friend's absense and regret seeping throughout the thing. speaking of regret, the only other contender for its spot was mothy's regret message but since i'm notably insane abt him i only allowed myself one song and i feel more strongly abt gift from the princess's spot than this one which could go either way)

web kakakuri pierrot by 40mP ft hatsune miku & megpoid gumi (curator's note: visually resembles the stranger but literally ends in the line "just manipulate me as you want". def a mag172 situation)

slaughter akahitoha by kurousa ft megurine luka (curator's note: too many songs abt vocaloids killing each other to sift through so i picked one abt war and its aftermath)

annnd ik the implications but i can't not pick butcher vanity by vane lily ft yi xi for the flesh i'm srry it's too good and literally abt cannibalism be so fr rn

[arientechnologyme-blog]

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[digitaldiariescs]

Day 2: Struggling with motivation

It's been a very rough day, if I'm being completely honest. I would like to reiterate that I took up coding purely as a hobby. I'm not making any excuses (maybe I am), but just providing an explanation as to why I might be falling behind a little bit.

I'm a full-time student, studying a niche subject in the biological sciences, and I'm also currently trying to clean up CV so I can start applying for part-time jobs. I'm currently working on a bunch of different projects, and trying to make sure I have time for all my different hobbies. And, I will be honest, I am struggling. I'm falling behind, and it's just been rough overall. Needless to say, I'm struggling with motivation.

Despite everything, I managed to work through some of the responsive web design course, and I started making a list of beginner-friendly projects I'd like to build. I did some research on some of the more prominent coding languages to learn, and I worked them into my code-learning plan.

Tomorrow, I'm going to continue working through the RWD course, and maybe watch a Youtube video on Python for beginners. There's so many free resources on Youtube, I feel like I can learn anything my heart desires.

Key takeaways from today:

It's okay to fall behind. With how busy and draining life can get, it's okay if you're not constantly on top of things. It's more common than you think.

Don't force yourself to continue, if you don't feel like it. Genuinely, just take a break. Otherwise, you'll stop enjoying what you're doing.

With that, I shall leave you guys to it! Hope you've had a lovely day today!

(I could not help but use this gif!)

[ksoftwebdevelopment]

Online Classified Ads: A Classic Example of C2C E-Commerce

The Power of Online Classified Ads in C2C E-Commerce

In today’s digital era, e-commerce has redefined how individuals and businesses interact, creating seamless connections between buyers and sellers. A shining example of this transformation is the rise of C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer) e-commerce, with online classified ads leading the charge. Platforms like Craigslist, OLX, and Facebook Marketplace have revolutionized the traditional marketplace by making transactions faster, more convenient, and globally accessible.

Let’s explore how online classified ads exemplify C2C e-commerce, the technology behind their success, and the significant role they play in shaping the digital economy.

What is C2C E-Commerce?

C2C e-commerce, or consumer-to-consumer electronic commerce, facilitates direct transactions between individual buyers and sellers using third-party platforms. Unlike B2C (Business-to-Consumer) or B2B (Business-to-Business) models, C2C focuses entirely on connecting consumers for transactions without a middleman business.

Online classified ads are the backbone of C2C e-commerce, acting as digital hubs where users list products and services for sale. Other users can then browse, negotiate, and purchase directly from the seller.

Why Online Classified Ads Are Ideal for C2C E-Commerce

1. Direct Consumer Interaction Classified platforms prioritize direct communication between buyers and sellers. This immediate interaction fosters trust and simplifies decision-making, making transactions quicker and more personal.

2. Low or Zero Transaction Costs Most platforms allow users to post ads for free or charge minimal fees. This affordability encourages individuals to sell items and services, creating a thriving marketplace.

3. Diverse Offerings From second-hand furniture and electronics to rental properties and job postings, online classifieds cover a broad spectrum of categories, catering to a wide range of consumer needs.

4. Global and Local Reach Users can choose between targeting local buyers for quick sales or reaching a global audience for niche products, making these platforms highly versatile.

5. User-Friendly Platforms Designed to be simple and intuitive, classified sites are accessible to users of all skill levels, enabling easy posting, browsing, and communication.

The Technology Behind Online Classified Platforms

The success of online classified ads lies in the sophisticated technologies powering these platforms:

Advanced Search Algorithms: These ensure users quickly find relevant listings based on location, category, and price.

Secure Payment Gateways: Many platforms integrate secure payment options to safeguard transactions.

Responsive Web Design: Classified platforms are optimized for mobile devices, ensuring consistent user experiences across screens.

AI-Powered Recommendations: Artificial intelligence offers personalized suggestions based on user preferences and browsing behavior.

SEO and Analytics: Platforms leverage SEO to boost the visibility of listings on search engines and use analytics to understand and enhance user engagement.

Benefits of Online Classified Ads in C2C E-Commerce

1. Empowering Small Sellers Classified ads provide a level playing field for individuals and small businesses to reach buyers without requiring a physical storefront.

2. Promoting Sustainability By encouraging the resale of second-hand goods, these platforms reduce waste and contribute to a circular economy.

3. Faster Transactions With features like instant messaging and real-time notifications, classified platforms streamline communication and accelerate deals.

4. Cost-Effective Marketing Sellers can create impactful ads with photos and detailed descriptions without needing expensive marketing campaigns.

Challenges in C2C E-Commerce via Classified Ads

Despite their advantages, online classifieds face challenges:

Trust Issues: Buyers may worry about product quality, payment security, or fraudulent listings.

Minimal Regulation: Without strict oversight, issues like spam, counterfeit goods, and misleading ads may arise.

High Competition: The abundance of listings can make it hard for sellers to stand out without investing in premium placements.

Logistics: Delivery is often left to buyers and sellers, complicating transactions for bulky or long-distance items.

How Online Classified Ads Drive C2C E-Commerce Growth

Despite these obstacles, classified platforms remain pivotal in the growth of C2C e-commerce for several reasons:

Democratization of Commerce: They empower anyone with internet access to participate in the marketplace.

Innovative Monetization: Features like promoted ads and premium listings offer additional value to users while generating revenue for platforms.

Community Building: By fostering local transactions and encouraging user feedback, classified platforms create engaged communities.

Optimizing Classified Listings with SEO

For sellers, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is essential to boost visibility on classified platforms. Including relevant keywords like “buy and sell locally,” “best deals online,” or “affordable used goods” can significantly enhance listing performance.

Companies like KSoft Technologies specialize in web development, SEO strategies, and digital marketing, helping classified platforms and individual sellers achieve:

Higher rankings on search engines.

Enhanced user interfaces for better engagement.

Scalable and secure technology solutions.

The Future of Online Classified Ads in C2C E-Commerce

The future of online classifieds is bright, with innovations in AI, blockchain, and logistics solutions promising to address current challenges. These advancements can enhance trust, security, and overall user experiences, ensuring the continued growth of C2C e-commerce.

As technology evolves, businesses offering web development, mobile app development, and SEO services, such as KSoft Technologies, will play a vital role in empowering classified platforms to stay competitive and innovative.

Conclusion

Online classified ads are a cornerstone of C2C e-commerce, creating spaces for direct consumer interaction, affordable transactions, and sustainable commerce. By connecting buyers and sellers without traditional barriers, these platforms exemplify the potential of technology-driven marketplaces.

Whether you're looking to improve your classified platform or enhance your digital presence, KSoft Technologies offers cutting-edge solutions in web development, mobile app creation, and SEO strategies to help you thrive.

Visit KSoft Technologies today and discover how we can help elevate your business in the evolving digital economy! 🚀