#qa guide

[qprofessionals]

Quality Professionals Comprehensive QA Framework Guide

Introduction

Quality Assurance (QA) is an essential component of software development and other industries where quality, accuracy, and reliability matter. Quality Professionals, with a wealth of expertise in the field, offers a comprehensive guide to a robust QA framework. In this guide, we'll explore the importance of QA, the key components of an effective QA framework, and how Quality Professionals can help you achieve exceptional quality in your products and services.

Understanding the Significance of QA

Quality Assurance, often abbreviated as QA, is a systematic process that ensures the quality and performance of products or services. QA goes beyond mere error detection; it's about creating a culture of excellence and a commitment to delivering the best possible results. Here are some key reasons why QA is vital:

1. Error Prevention:

QA helps identify and mitigate issues before they reach end-users, preventing costly and potentially damaging errors. Quality Professionals is dedicated to error prevention through rigorous testing and quality control measures.

2. Customer Satisfaction:

Consistently high-quality products and services lead to satisfied customers, building trust and loyalty. Our QA framework aims to enhance customer satisfaction by delivering products and services that meet or exceed expectations.

3. Cost-Efficiency:

QA reduces the need for costly bug fixes and rework, ultimately saving time and resources. Quality Professionals emphasizes the cost-efficiency of QA by preventing defects and reducing the need for expensive post-release fixes.

4. Compliance:

In regulated industries, QA ensures that products and services meet legal and industry-specific requirements. Quality Professionals specializes in QA solutions tailored to meet the specific compliance needs of various industries, ensuring regulatory adherence.

5. Continuous Improvement:

QA fosters a culture of ongoing improvement, encouraging teams to learn from mistakes and enhance processes. Quality Professionals views QA as a driver for continuous improvement, with each testing phase serving as a learning opportunity to refine processes.

Key Components of an Effective QA Framework

A successful QA framework is built on several essential components. These components work in harmony to ensure that the final product or service meets the highest standards. Quality Professionals understands the importance of each element and can tailor them to your specific needs:

1. Clear Objectives and Goals:

A well-defined QA framework starts with clear objectives and goals. Quality Professionals collaborates with you to establish the desired outcomes for your QA process, whether it's reducing defects, enhancing user experience, or meeting industry standards. Our experts help you define the specific goals of your QA process, ensuring that every testing effort is aligned with your strategic objectives.

2. Comprehensive Planning:

Effective QA begins with meticulous planning. Quality Professionals creates a detailed QA plan that outlines the testing strategy, scope, resources, and schedules. We consider your project's unique characteristics to develop a customized plan. Our planning process is thorough and meticulous, taking into account every aspect of your project to ensure that testing is comprehensive and well-organized.

3. Skilled Team:

The expertise of the QA team is paramount. Quality Professionals boasts a highly skilled team of QA professionals who are experienced in various testing methodologies and technologies. Our team is committed to delivering top-notch results. Our QA team comprises experienced professionals with a deep understanding of testing methodologies, tools, and technologies. Their expertise ensures that your testing process is carried out efficiently and effectively.

4. Test Design:

Quality Professionals designs thorough test cases and strategies tailored to your product or service. We aim to cover all possible scenarios to ensure comprehensive testing. Our test design process involves creating detailed test cases that encompass a wide range of scenarios and conditions. This ensures that all aspects of your product or service are thoroughly tested, leaving no room for unexpected issues.

5. Testing Execution:

Our team rigorously executes the planned tests, identifying and documenting any issues or defects. We maintain clear documentation throughout the testing process. The testing execution phase is where our QA professionals put the plan into action. They execute the tests meticulously, identifying and documenting any issues or defects encountered. The documentation is a critical part of the process, ensuring that issues are well-documented and easily traceable.

6. Defect Reporting and Resolution:

Quality Professionals provides you with a comprehensive report of identified defects, along with recommendations for improvements. Our goal is to facilitate a smooth and efficient defect resolution process. Upon identifying defects, we provide you with a comprehensive report that includes detailed information about each issue, its severity, and recommendations for resolution. This enables you to address defects efficiently and effectively.

7. Continuous Monitoring and Feedback:

An effective QA framework is not a one-time endeavor. Quality Professionals emphasizes continuous monitoring and feedback to ensure that your product or service maintains a high level of quality over time. Our commitment to quality extends beyond the initial testing phases. We prioritize continuous monitoring and feedback to ensure that your product or service maintains its high level of quality over time. This involves ongoing assessment and adaptation to changes and improvements.

8. Automation:

To expedite testing processes, Quality Professionals leverages automation. Automation testing tools can help save time and resources while maintaining accuracy. Automation is a key component of our QA framework, allowing us to expedite testing processes without compromising on accuracy. Automation tools are employed where appropriate to save time and resources while ensuring the consistency and reliability of tests.

Benefits of Choosing Quality Professionals

Quality Professionals offers numerous benefits for businesses and organizations seeking to implement an effective QA framework:

1. Expertise:

Our team of seasoned professionals has in-depth knowledge of QA best practices and the latest industry standards. We understand the nuances of different domains and can tailor our approach to your specific requirements. Our team comprises seasoned professionals who bring in-depth knowledge of QA best practices and the latest industry standards. This expertise allows us to provide tailored solutions that align with your specific needs and industry requirements.

2. Customized Solutions:

We recognize that every project is unique. Quality Professionals adapts its QA framework to match your project's specific needs and goals. Whether you're in software development, healthcare, finance, or any other industry, we can provide a tailored solution. We understand that every project is unique, and our approach reflects this understanding. We adapt our QA framework to match the specific needs and goals of your project, regardless of the industry you operate in.

3. Cost-Efficiency:

QA can save you significant costs in the long run by preventing defects and rework. Quality Professionals offers cost-effective QA services without compromising on quality. Our cost-effective QA services are designed to prevent costly defects and rework, ultimately saving you time and resources in the long run. We understand the importance of efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the QA process.

4. Timely Delivery:

We understand the importance of adhering to project timelines. Quality Professionals is committed to delivering QA services that align with your schedule. We recognize that timely delivery is crucial for project success. Quality Professionals is committed to delivering QA services that align with your project schedule and milestones.

5. Enhanced Reputation:

A strong QA framework leads to higher-quality products or services, ultimately enhancing your reputation and customer trust. By implementing a robust QA framework, you not only ensure high-quality products or services but also enhance your reputation and build customer trust. Quality Professionals is dedicated to helping you achieve this level of excellence.

6. Regulatory Compliance:

In regulated industries, our QA framework ensures that you meet all compliance requirements, reducing the risk of legal issues. Regulatory compliance is a critical aspect of QA, especially in regulated industries. Quality Professionals ensures that your QA framework meets all compliance requirements, reducing the risk of legal issues and ensuring you meet industry-specific standards.

Conclusion

Quality Professionals' Comprehensive QA Framework Guide underscores the importance of a well-structured and efficient QA framework. Whether you are developing software, delivering services, or manufacturing products, QA plays a crucial role in ensuring quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction.

By choosing Quality Professionals as your QA partner, you gain access to a wealth of experience, a team of skilled professionals, and a customized approach to QA. We are dedicated to helping you achieve the highest quality in your products and services, enhancing your reputation, and achieving cost-efficiency in the long run.

Invest in the success of your projects by choosing Quality Professionals for a comprehensive QA framework. Your commitment to quality will be reflected in your final products and services, ensuring customer satisfaction and business growth.

[primeqasolutions]

A Complete Guide to Dos and Don’ts of Test Automation | PrimeQA Solutions

Prime QA Solutions offers a guide for the Dos and Don'ts of test automation services. Contact for Automation testing or any software QA Testing services in Ahmedabad, India.

[gavisfanta]

can we get new Gavi smut?🙏🙏

STICKY RICE - GAVI

summary: you said you wish there was two of him

warnings: smut 18+

"Psst" You turned your head around immediately after Gavi slapped your butt. His face was covered in a grin as he tried to force back the laughter threatening to escape his lips.

"What?" He whispered back in a low tone, playing along with a game you weren't even playing.

Gavi just had the game against Costa Rica, and he promised you to come over to your hotelroom after he was done with showering and all that.

"If anybody walks past and hears you slapping something, they'll suspect that I'm not slapping myself." You explaind while Gavi lifted his bodyweight off of your legs and you turned around, now sitting on the bed infront of him.

"Yeah so we'll have to be quiet then" He whispered and covered your mouth with his hand while pushing you back onto the bed. Lowering yourself below him while he got over you, hoovering above your body.

His gaze shifted down to your lips after he removed his hand and moved it to the hem of your shirt instead.

"Be quiet." Gavi whispered and slid his right hand into the spain shorts you were wearing. He gasped as he realized that you weren't wearing anything else.

"Oh you nasty girl, no panties?" His lips curled up into a smile. "A shame you didn't pay me a visit in the dressing room right after the game, I would've taken you right there." His words made you clench around nothing while his fingers slowly started teasing your folds, rubbing his fingers up and down.

You threw your head back while moaning, Gavi smiled as he leaned down and pushed up his jersey. A smile covered his face as he realized that you weren't wearing any underwear at all, he leaned down to you while still moving his fingers.

"This is how you went to the game?" He smiled and slspped your tit with his other hand, you whimpered before Gavi attached his lips to your nipple, sucking on it while also inserting two fingers inside of you at a fast pace.

You grabbed his head with your hands and ran your fingers through his hair while he flickered his fingers in and out of you, your legs were spread widely across the bed and Gavi was sitting next to you. After he detached his mouth from your breasts you sat up as much as you could while he qas still finger fucking you and pulled down your shorts.

Gavi grinned and fastened his pace, he also brought his tongue to your clit but then started sucking on it. That didn't make it difficult for you to come, you clenched around his fingers and then arched your back while coming.

He then pulled back and smiled while taking off his shirt and his shorts.

You needed a few seconds to catch your breath before you grabbed to your bedside table and grabbed the package of condoms. Pulling one out, he smiled at you. "Can you put it on for me?" After you grabbed one condom, you tossed the rest of the package down from the bed to the floor, where most of it spilled out. You sat up and saw Gavi kneeling kneeling infront of you, his dick standing up as he held the base of it.

You squeezed the top of the condom and then pulled it over his length. He looked at you while you were looking at his dick and then pushed a strand of hair out of your face.

"Stand up" Gavi commanded and you did as hebsaid, your legs trembling a little bit but you ignored it and looked at him.

He grinned as he caressed your back while guiding you to the couch.

"Bend over." He told you as you were standing infront the back of the couch. You smiled while walking over to it and bent over the backrest.

Gavi held your hips in place while he alined himself with you and pushed inside of you so suddenly it made you gasp.

He didn't leave you much time to adjust to his size because he immediately began to thrust in and out of you at a rapid pace.

You moaned loudly as the whole couch was shaking already. Gavi then grabbed your hair, pulling it back slightly.

After both of you came, he pulled you back so that you were sitting on the backrest of the couch. He was kissing your neck while your legs were spread so that he could go close to you. You chuckled a little bit which made Gavi curious and he looked at you.

"Why are you laughing Amor?" He looked at you with his big brown eyes.

"Nothing I was just thinking of something." You shurgged it off but he shook his head.

"Tell me amor." He kept kissing your collarbone.

"You're so good in bed," You stopped and he looked at you with a weird grin. "Is that all?" He gave you an unsure look and you laughed immediately while turning your head to the side out of embarrassment.

"What do you mean is that all" You chuckled while leaning a bit to the side to avoid him seeing your flustered face.

"There has to be more, you wouldn't just boost my ego that much without a reason." Gavi grinned while pulling you back so that you were facing him again.

"Sometimes I wish there was two of you."

Gavis lips immediately tugged up into a smile and he lifted you up by grabbing the back of your thighs. He walked you over to the bed and put you down on your back. You watched as he picked up a new condom from the floor and removed the old one. He tossed it into the bin and then went over to the bedside table once again.

"it's at the very bottom." You told him as you watched him with a grin. He bowed down and grabbed the transparent dildo you brought with yourself.

Gavi walked back over to you and got on his knees infront of you on the bed. He grinned down at you as he said:

"This doesn't feel as good as I do, but it'll do."

[datesinredink]

Yan turtles (rottmnt) with an m/c that’s allergic to reptiles/turtles? Idk I just think it would be funny (not Donnie trying to get m/c into getting injections to help the allergy-)

ANON I AM SO SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG BCIRBIFUNUIEH

Super duper sorry i ended up procrastinating really hard and i guess god took issue with that because he struck me down with multiple QAs and a Feelings crisis but the tests are over and I finally managed to sit down and finish Raph's part- seriously i struggled with him and mikey a lot but i guess it was kinda worth it in the end because Raph has an entire 110 more words to his part than the other three- hopefully it makes up for my lack of knowledge of his character. Enjoy!

Donnie

“My inspiration for this device was simplicity-”

Yeah you’re getting a hazmat suit until your allergies either magically disappear or he figures out some other solution

You’ll probably have to do a lot of tests, including possibly a blood draw but I’m no medical expert- since I headcanon Leo to be the medic he’ll probably end up helping too

After he finally puts the pieces together, he’ll start working with Leo to engineer a medicine to help suppress your allergic reaction, and maybe even be able to get rid of it entirely

Also anon you’re very right, you may be subjected to becoming the human pincushion of allergy shots while he figures it out. It’s safe. No it won’t kill you. Yes he made sure. Just, uh, maybe don’t ask your best friend their opinion on needles for a while….

In the meantime, he completely hates the current situation. He finally meets someone that he’s (mostly) fine with touching him, and they CAN’T TOUCH HIM without a HAZMAT SUIT. Just the worst. Awful times.

Normally, he’d have you around almost always, but, unfortunately, that’s currently not ideal.

Starts trying to keep things extra clean around the lair for you. Also everything that can be sanitized is sanitized. Good luck in the cleanliness prison after you get kidnapped later on.

The best about keeping distance, since he already wasn't super touchy before this whole situation. While he might tap you on the arm or something once or twice, it's nothing serious and you won't have a problem with him on that front.

Going back to the hazmat suit real quick, while it does do its job well, it's definitely not the most comfortable thing to wear, and you'll probably end up getting too hot pretty quick, so chances are you won't willingly be wearing it all too often. Donnie may occasionally force you to wear it, but otherwise you (usually) just... don't have to.

Leo

He’s the one who finds out you’re allergic. It was an accident he SWEARS. He only wanted to give you a pat on the arm when April first introduced you to them! How could he have known you’d get hives where he touched you?

At least he knows how to treat it. He managed to guide April through treating it, after which he sulked while rereading some Jupiter Jim comics.

Has a personal grudge against your immune system for daring to make you allergic to him. How dare your cells get mad about him.

When Donnie tells him that he might have “a fix, bro”, Leo jumps at the opportunity- oh thank god, he can finally hug you!

…Doesn’t mean he’s not super bad at focusing on actually working on it. Don’t worry, he’ll fix it eventually, just have a little patience.

Honestly, this is your chance to BOOK IT away from them, because none of them are as clingy as they will be after your allergies are cured/suppressed, which gives you more time to leave New York before things go from bad to worse.

Anyway, Leo’s about as clingy as he can be without physically clinging onto you for hours on end. Constantly hanging around you, like a ghost haunting their killer, except you’re not the one who kills people.

He might end up using your allergy to try and manipulate you away from his brothers. Mikey keeps forgetting to keep distance, Donnie’s suffocating and makes you wear a hazmat suit, and Raph almost treats you like a sopping wet cat that he has to take care of, so why not just stay with him? 

As much as he likes to criticize Mikey for forgetting, sometimes, particularly early on, he gets a little too close, and your allergies flare up, and while he does genuinely feel kinda bad, he will exaggerate his remorse for sympathy from you. He genuinely does try and apologize for it later, and he probably portals you two somewhere nice and gets you a couple of trinkets you like or find useful.

Mikey

Absolutely heartbroken!

His love is allergic to him! This is awful!

2nd most panicked when they first find out. Is their new friend ok? Did they mess up?

If you have a low tolerance for pain/allergic reaction symptoms and cry a little he probably will too. High empathy, man…

He’s really understanding after everything’s resolved and they figure out you’re allergic to them. He tries his best to keep a fair amount of distance between you and him, but he tends to naturally be physically affectionate, so there may be a slight adjustment period. He really doesn’t mean harm though.

He occasionally tries to bring you something from the mystic city that he thinks would be safe- a small figurine, maybe a sketchbook if you also like doing art, if he manages to bargain for/steal a piece of jewelry, he’ll also give that to you.

As I mentioned before, Mikey’s pretty big on physical touch, but since that’s off limits (for now) he’ll try to show you affection in any other way he can think of

Mostly quality time. He likes to take you with him when he explores through the sewers/city to spraypaint a couple of blank walls, and he’ll probably get you to try it too, and regardless of your skill level he’ll tell you it’s great

After Donnie and Leo finish making the cure, Mikey squeezes the LIFE out of you- he doesn’t mean to practically strangle you, but he’s fairly strong and he got excited, so he does feel a little bad afterwards.

Will decorate the hazmat suit Donnie gave you if you let him. He'll put stickers on it that match his and draw fun patterns that may or may not relate to him in some way. Maybe the spots he has, or the face on his knee pads. It's pretty endearing, even if his brothers may occasionally glare at him. In Mikey's opinion, if they're really that jealous, they should add something themselves.

Raph

And the award for most paranoid goes to….

Ok but really, he’s the most overbearing about it. This probably isn’t a surprise, but it’s still something I've gotta mention.

You don’t really have to worry about Donnie making you wear the hazmat suit- he gets it, not a fun sensory experience- other than a couple stand-out occasions, but you will have to convince Raph fairly often that you’ll be fine without it.

To be fair, it’s partially because he also forgets not to touch you sometimes, and while he’s better about it than Mikey and most of the time Leo, he’s also self-aware and protective enough that he’d rather be safe than sorry.

If you’re having an allergic reaction, he’ll either get Leo/Donnie/April to help you, or go find the hazmat suit Donnie made him a while ago when Splinter got sick and then help you himself

There’s a chance he might not do great though, as he’s not always the best under pressure and tends to panic when the people he loves are hurt or in some sort of extreme situation, especially when it comes to you (seriously, he treats you like a porcelain doll), but you can be reassured that he’ll do his absolute best to make you safe and comfortable.

Feels terrible after, pampers you a lot after the ordeal. Every time, not just the first few.

If he wasn’t the one who caused it, then he’s definitely pissed at whichever of his brothers made your allergies flare up. He won’t kill them, and he won’t lose it and drop kick them into tomorrow (yet. If they ever intentionally trigger your allergies he might snap some bones) but there will be a noticeable irritation and tension for at least the next few weeks between him and them.

He’s super excited after Donnie and Leo finish the allergy shots! I personally headcanon him to be the second touchiest of the brothers (Mikey being the most touchy, of course) so there’ll be a lot more casual touch between you two after. Hugs, headpats, you get the idea. If you try to tell him to stop, he’ll be very upset, though doing his best to understand, he will try to respect your wishes.. Before going right back to it after a week tops. Sometimes he genuinely does forget, after all, he does have a fair amount on his plate, but sometimes he does intentionally wait until he thinks he can get away with it again before jumping right back to how things were before. He’ll vehemently deny it, but no matter what happens, you’ll likely never really get him to stop for an extended period of time.

[merrinla]

Dragon Age II Collector's Edition: The Complete Official Guide

Bonus chapter with developer commentary.

In this section, members of the writing, cinematic design, QA and editing teams at BioWare offer illuminating insights into the creative processes behind Dragon Age II.

WRITING AS A CORNERSTONE

Jennifer Hepler, Writer: At BioWare, we have a rather unique structure that involves a lot of back and forth between the various departments of the team. The writers begin by designing a story, with space for combat and interesting challenges. This is refined by our technical designers to suit the gameplay needs. Once they approve, the writers begin work on the dialogue. When this is complete, the tech designers implement the plot, and it is tested and reviewed by a wide range of disciplines on the project.

Because many departments are dependent on having finished writing before work can begin - technical designers can't implement unwritten plots, cinematic designers can't stage unwritten dialogue, voice-over and audio can't work on unwritten, unrecorded dialogue, and so forth - the writing often takes place before much of the combat or systems are working in the game. So, while we know there will be tactical combat and we always aim to implement boss fights and fun gameplay, we often don't get to see it in action untill well after the writing has been locked down and recorded.

Though Dragon Age II is a sequel, nothing from this project was known or planned when we were working on Dragon Age: Origins. While we always hoped the game would be successful enough to launch a franchise, that's never a guarantee until it happens. Developing Origins was such a long process and went through so many changes of leadership that we were able to start DAII with a pretty fresh slate. We'd already told our "ancient evil rising" story, so by the end of the Origins project we were able to discuss what the most intersting parts of the world had turned out to be and how to turn those into more central game elements. For example, it was rather confinig to have all mages locked in the Circle tower, so in DAII mage freedom became a central part of the conflict to make their unique situation a broader part of the game.

There are no "big secrets" among the writers as to where the main story is going, and nothing is set in stone. So, while we have general ideas of which stories we want to tell - we'd definitely like to do more with Tevinter, the Qunari, Orlais and the Fade, for instance - exactly what will happen in each game isn't set until it goes into production.

At the beginig of a project, we usually have a list of main character concepts (like "human male rebel mage") that are put together by the lead writer and lead designer. Then all writers het to say who the're interested in. We've generally been very lucky in that our different personal interests have led all of us to focus in on defferent profiles, so there wasn't much competition who has custody of which characters. After that, those basic character concepts get fleshed out by the individual writer and the team. If someone feels strongly about an idea, they're usually allowed to run with it. For example, for Anders in DAII, I really wanted to try doing a cursed Angel-Buffy-style romance, which we hadn't done at BioWare before. We settled on using Anders and Justice from Awekening for this purpose.

It is each writer's responsibility to make sure that their characters have a consistent voice by reading all related lines in all other writers' conversation files, attending their voice-over sessions to work with the actor/actress and writing any non-plot dialogue for that character. One of my custody characters in DAII was Hawke's mother, so I made sure that I reviewed her dialogue and character development from her first appearance in the Prologue through to her final voice-over session. We also discuss communally how major game characters, like companions, feel about each other. This allows our banter to demonstrate a consistent relationship between NPCs and makes them feel like real people.

As writers, we're involved in changing systems that affect character relationships, such as companion approval. Were always looking for ways to use in-game systems to increase the verisimilitude of our protagonists, so something like lessening the impact of gifts compared to Origins was an obvious low-hanging fruit for us. It just didn't feel right that these people who were otherwise defined by the strength of their convictions could be convinced to like you if you gave them enough bottles of cheap wine. We attempted to correct that with the Friendship/Rivalry system in Dragon Age II.

I'd say that the relationships between characters is precisely what makes our series so roleplaying-friendly. In Dragon Age, we made characters who got under people's skins. For example, many players felt sincerely bad when ending a romance with Leliana in Origins, not because it had any effect on their own character's advancement in the game, but because they had come to care about her as a real person and hated making her cry. To me, that's the ultimate achievement as a game writer - to make a player willing to make a disadvantageous decision in a game just to keep a fictional character from suffering.

THE CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE

Frank Gordon, Cinematic Designer: A camera in a videogame has incredible freedom of movement and can be placed anywhere. This is actually a bit of a double-edged sword for us - it allows the creation of some truly spectacular moments, but it is very easy to create an unnatural looking shot. We study film techniques extensively and employ many of the same principles, but we have just as much fun breaking the rules as following them when it comes to composition and movement choices.

Every camera that we place is sending a subtle message to the player, and little things like the angle of a shot can convey a lot of information without the character having to say a word. These types of techniques generally go hand-in-hand with the narrative as they have to support one another or it will feel weird to watch. Ultimately, we conform to the tenets of cinematography in the same way as film, and that is one of the ways that we contribute to furthering our medium as an art as much as entertainment.

John Epler, Cinematic Designer: Technical limitations meant that early videogame cinematics had to be more skilled in the delivery of visual storytelling. Now that voice-over is expected, we have to find a new balance between image and dialogue. For writers, I think there's a bit of a tendency to "play it safe" and write whatever they think might be needed. And that's completely understandable - we don't always manage to hit every line, and so what you thought might be carried by cinematic design could be missed due to time constraints. While the writers sometimes give us a little more than we need, they're extremely accommodating when we ask them to rewrite or remove something, because they believe in the saying "show, don't tell" every bit as much as we do. So if a line (or even a series of lines) can be replaced with a meaningful look or a well-placed gesture, theyre always on board.

Frank Gordon: Cool scenes, especially ones with dragons, are the best parts of our job. They are just as fun to build as they are to watch. We are very open to suggestions and feedback from the whole development team, and when we get a great idea for a scene, we don't mind crunching a little extra to get it done. Having said that, our use of resources is a constant concern and we don't always have time to do everything that we would like to do.

Kaelin Lavallee, Technical Designer: Assessing the value versus cost is important. Good value for reasonable time and effort means the asset will probably make it into the game. Lots of work for a minor detail is not usually worth it. Sometimes, ideas are good on paper but aren't realistic or don't translate well to gameplay. If we don't think that a certain encounter or experience would be enjoyable - or if we do, and it doesn't test well - we discard it and focus on the things that are fun.

For instance, the "gang" quests are a great addition. They provide some relatively inexpensive, yet fun gameplay to the somewhat spacious night-time areas. This gives the player exploration, combat, XP, items and coin and fills out the world at the same time. The letter system works well for quest delivery or reactivity and saves a lot of unnecessary dialogue and cinematics, which made room to work on other areas of the game. These are two examples of win-win situations for developers and players.

John Epler: We'd rather the other departments in the team ask too much than too little, though. When someone says, "I want this awesome thing to happen," there's usually a scramble as everyone tries to claim it for their own. The big scenes are almost always the most fun to do, even if they're the most work, and you end up learning a lot more about both the toolset and your own abilities when you push out of your comfort zone.

Geordie Moffatt, Technical Artist: On Dragon Age II, we tried not to draw any creative lines. We know we can achieve outstanding animation and effects in-house. Several scenes required the creation of custom tools and a lot of R&D across multiple departments, but it was worth it to get that extra "Wow!" factor. For example, the Chantry explosion cutscene was challenging and went through many iterations, but the final version really makkes you sit back in your seat with your jaw open.

Frank Gordon: The capacity for cutscenes completely rendered in real-time by the game engine has really changed the way cinematics are incorporated in games. It's one of the reasons why dialogue looks so different from last-gen titles. The ability to incorporate cutscenes into gameplay and dialogue leads to a more homogeneous, cinematic experience, and I think were just scratching the surface.

John Epler: Clearly, the job of cinematic designer is one that is still in its infancy. We have a role that's more akin to that of a director on a film set than anything else, and this is only possible given the improved visual fidelity of games in the past five years. Currently, there's a bit of a divide - dialogue feels connected but very separate. Eventually, conversations will happen parallel to the gameplay, allowing for a more integrated experience. I see cinematic design playing a huge part in making this happen.

BUILDING ON FEEDBACK

Mike Laidlaw, Lead Designer: We are certainly very aware of both player and critical feedback for Origins. We analyzed and compiled every magazine and internet review. We also highly value what fans think, so we try to take as much feedback as possible into consideration when we move forward with future projects. It's impossible to please everyone, but I think we've managed to hit a "sweet spot" with DAII. It stays true to its roots while improving on many existing systems. For instance, the art of Origins was gorgeous, but it didn't particularly stand out on its own. So our team "hot-rodded" the art. Now we have a bold, easily-identifiable style - a visual signature that is grim, bloody and sexy.

Combat is another example. People loved the action and combat in Origins, but the pace was a bit slow and the mages were highly overpowered. So in Dragon Age II, we kept the tactical elements, big boss battles and the plethora of ability and specializations while revamping gameplay. Now controls are more responsive, each class has a unique and powerful style of play and combat is actively engaging and faster-paced. We also built a strategic, offensive cross-class combo system.

The same applies to narration. In Origins, everyone enjoyed the tough choices and the memorable characters with their own agendas, but the narrative and story took a long time to see the results of your actions. DAII is still filled with interesting conflict and in-depth, realistic characters, but we improved the system by having a framed narrative with a tighter story that responds to your decisions throughout the game.

Gary Conrad, QA: The feedback from QA is also an important part of the design process. This is one of the things that sets BioWare apart from a lot of other developers: QA is there right at the start of a project, working to ensure that all systems are being tested for possible bugs and end-user experience. Being involved from the beginning also means that it is much easier for QA experts to keep up to date with their knowledge of the game. Instead of being thrown into the deep end near the final stage of a project, the testers expand their knowledge of the game in lockstep with its development. This ensures that QA is always up to speed on all the intricacies of a game's mechanics and allows for that extra level of polish.

Chad De Wolfe, QA: Being involved in the creative side of the project also means that we know who to talk to, and we can make suggestions to solve problems or bugs, which helps the other teams with their workload.

On first contact with the early versions of the game, testers didn't necessarily feel challenged. It's only when they got to the end, where they saw how many choices and checks the game made, that they got a sense of the size of their task.

Gary Conrad: There are tons of variables and dependencies in a game as large as Dragon Age II. Methodical testing for such a massive amount of parameters requires legions of spreadsheets detailing all the various combinations of events that have to be tested. These are the times when the testers sit down and work out the most absurd ways possible to break the game. When a title sells millions of copies, this is essential as you just know someone out there will be trying those very same crazy sequences of events.

THE EDITING MARATHON

Chris Corfe, Editor: Editors are an excellent point of contact and liaison between departments because we see so much of the game. We work with writing, technical design, localization, voice-over and cinematic design, and we must view the game through all of these lenses while editing.

Such multitasking has its risks as well as its benefits. This is not too complicated early on as we are focused mostly on story feedback, brainstorming and editing, For DAII, however, we sent the game for translation and voice-over while we were still writing it, so when localization started, we really had to step up. We went through dialogue editing, voice-over and non-voice-over lockdown, bug-fixing and finally the finishing touches: the manual, credits, last-minute text and dialogue tweaks and, of course, the guide!

It took a high-performance machine to pull off a complicated game of this scale that was in constant flux until the last day. This made the project demanding for the Dragon Age team and for external partners like Piggyback, but it was a rewarding experience. We were very fortunate to work with the most talented and dedicated people in the business.

[askgildaseniors]

Actress and producer Gisla Stringer opens up about her incredible journey of faith, resilience, and success in the entertainment industry. Despite facing numerous challenges, including domestic violence, mental illness, and the tragedy of a violent relationship, Gisla's unwavering faith and integrity have guided her through every hardship. She discusses her achievements as a writer, actress, and QA engineer, emphasizing the importance of having a purpose and moral support from her community.

In this insightful interview, Gisla reflects on her college years and the role of acting classes in shaping her career. Her story is a testament to the power of hard work and the impact of community support. Gisla's experiences with domestic abuse and the subsequent healing process have fueled her drive to keep pushing forward in spite of the obstacles she has faced.

A former Yahoo employee, Gisla Stringer worked with Paul Tully in the film "Replica" (2023). The film also stars Jeremy Luke and Gabrielle Walsh, adding to her diverse portfolio of acting achievements. Gisla shares how she aligns her life with God’s plan, demonstrating remarkable resilience and a deep commitment to her craft. Her journey is not just about personal success but also about inspiring others to overcome their own struggles.

[usafphantom2]

Boeing Is Evaluating The F-15EX As Successor Of The EA-18G Growler

The new “Wild Weasel” variant of the F-15EX would make use of both existing capabilities of the aircraft, as well as new ones integrated from the Growler.

Stefano D'Urso

F-15EX Growler

An F-15EX Eagle II prepares to taxi for a training mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Nov. 15, 2023. An upgraded version of the F-15 fourth-generation fighter jet, the F-15EX boasts a new electronic warfare system and an open mission systems architecture with advanced battle management systems. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Tan)

As the production line of the F/A-18 is about to close, Boeing is studying whether the F-15EX Eagle II can be equipped to become the successor of the EA-18G Growler. The new “Wild Weasel” variant of the F-15EX would make use of both existing capabilities of the aircraft, as well as new ones integrated from the Growler.

“We are evaluating the technical feasibility of combining EA-18G-like capabilities with the F-15EX platform,” said Rob Novotny, Boeing’s executive director for Fighters Business Development. Novotny added that the study is still in the initial stage, but the company is already eyeing opportunities both for NATO members and the Indo-Pacific.

The move is due to the planned stop to the production of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in 2027, which in turn means the production of the EA-18G Growler will also end. On the other hand, the production of the Advanced Eagle is expected to continue for many years and leaves the door open to a new specialized variant for Electronic Warfare (EW).

“Modern aerial combat requires command of the electromagnetic spectrum, and this platform would lead the way into the next decade or two,” Novotny said. He also pointed out that the Eagle II offers several design advantages, including the aircraft’s range, speed, computing power and payload capacity.

F-15EX Growler

An F-15EX assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Mary Begy)

One could argue that a low-observable, or stealth, aircraft like the F-35 could be better suited for the job, however Novotny mentioned that stealth shouldn’t be understood strictly in terms of low-observable coatings. In fact, similarly to the Growler, such capabilities could be also replicated by using advanced EW functions.

“Stealth means, to me, I can go to a place where the enemy doesn’t want me to go, and I can operate in their environment, achieve my objective, and not be targeted,” said Novotny.

The F-15EX is already equipped with advanced EW capabilities thanks to the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS), but it also has the ability to carry the AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMs). In addition to these, Boeing is exploring also the possibility to integrate the AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) and the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) pods. Still, there’s no naval variant of the Eagle II, therefore, it looks like such a successor of the EA-18G could not operate from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier unlike the Growler.

U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers assigned to the Electronic Attack Squadron 138 (VAQ-138) fly in formation over the Pacific Ocean, June 24, 2024. The EA-18G’s vast array of sensors and weapons provides the warfighter with a lethal and survivable weapon system to counter current and emerging threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tylir Meyer)

The F-15EX and the existing EW capabilities

The new F-15EX, developed from the F-15QA that was the most advanced Eagle variant, comes from a series of needs mainly emerged after the National Defense Strategy directed the U.S. armed services to adapt to the new threats from China and Russia. The aircraft, while extremely similar to the QA variant, features some US-only capabilities like the new AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) electronic warfare and electronic surveillance system and Open Mission Systems (OMS) architecture.

The F-15EX’s systems are powered by the Advanced Display Core Processor II, reportedly the fastest mission computer ever installed on a fighter jet, and the Operational Flight Program Suite 9.1X, a customized variant of the Suite 9 used on the F-15C and F-15E, designed to ensure full interoperability of the new aircraft with the “legacy Eagles”.

The F-15EX is equipped with the AN/APG-82(V)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, developed from the APG-63(V)3 AESA radar of the F-15C and the APG-79 AESA radar of the F/A-18E/F. This radar allows the Eagle II to simultaneously detect, identify and track multiple air and surface targets at longer ranges compared to mechanical radars, facilitating persistent target observation and information sharing for a better decision-making process.

EPAWSS, an US-only system that will be retrofitted also to the F-15E, provides full-spectrum EW capabilities, including radar warning, geolocation, situational awareness, and self-protection to the F-15. Because of this, the system enables freedom of maneuver and deeper penetration into battlespaces protected by modern integrated air defense systems.

F-15EX Growler

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Richard Turner, 40th Flight Test Squadron commander flies 40 FLTS Senior Enlisted Leader, MSgt Tristan McIntire during a test sortie in the F-15EX Eagle II over the Gulf of Mexico on Jun. 14, 2022. Assigned to the 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., the F-15EX Eagle II is the Air Force’s newest 4th generation fighter being tested at the 40 FLTS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. John McRell)

EPAWSS is fully integrated with radar warning, geo-location and increased chaff and flare capability to detect and defeat surface and airborne threats in signal-dense and highly contested environments. The system is currently not integrated with the AN/AAR-57A(V) Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) designed to detect infrared threats, even if the F-15EX features the same mounting points used for these sensors on the F-15QA and F-15SA.

Chaff and flares capacity has been increased by 50%, with four more dispensers added in the EPAWSS fairings behind the tail fins (two for each fairing), for a total of 12 dispenser housing 360 cartridges. This improvement is important as in modern scenarios chaff and flares are often released preemptively to counter MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defense System), meaning that now the Eagle will have more countermeasures available for a better protection.

EPAWSS also integrates cognitive electronic warfare to better discriminate the signals received by the system. This capability was demonstrated during the Northern Edge 2023 large force exercise test event, which tested EPAWSS’ ability to rapidly respond to previously unencountered electromagnetic threats. The tests challenged the system’s ability to process in-mission sensor data, create exquisite techniques, and optimize waveforms in real time.

As for the kinetic capabilities, the F-15EX can carry the AGM-88 HARM on outboard wing stations 1 and 9. This capability is reportedly a product of the fly-by-wire upgrade funded by the Royal Saudi Air Force during the development of the F-15SA.

An F-15EX Eagle II from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53rd Wing, takes flight out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, April 11, 2024, with U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. David Wolfe, command chief of Air Combat Command, and Maj. Scott Addy, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, F-15 division chief. The F-15EX is the first Air Force aircraft to be tested and fielded from beginning to end, through combined developmental and operational tests. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Lindsey Brewer)

The EA-18G and the capabilities it could pass to the F-15EX

Based off of the F/A-18F, the Growler is a highly specialized Electronic Attack variant of the Super Hornet. The most noticeable difference with the baseline SH is the presence of the wingtip pods housing the ALQ-218 signals receiver suite, which helps to detect and geolocate emitters and signals.

The AN/ALQ-218 is a high performance RWR/ESM/ELINT system that allows the aircraft collect data about sources of radio frequency (RF) emissions: with this sensor, the EA-18G can “sniff” hostile radio signals to update the EOB (Electronic Order of Battle) of the combat theater where the aircraft is employed.

The EA-18G is equipped with an airborne electronic attack (AEA) avionics suite that has evolved from the EA-6B’s Improved Capability III (ICAP III) AEA system. In the future, with the Block II Growler upgrade and the NGJ (Next Generation Jamming) pods, the Growlers will also have Cyber Attack capabilities that will allow the EA-18Gs to “hack” or inject malware into enemy network.

The NGJ program aims to give the EA-18G fleet advanced airborne electronic attack capabilities through three frequency-focused increments – high-band, mid-band and low-band: in other words, the Growlers will replace the TJS pods operating in the 509 MHz to 18 GHz waveband, using three different pods, designated NGJ-LB (also known as Block/Increment 2), NGJ-MB (Capability Block/Increment 1), and NGJ-HB (Block/Increment 3) and directed specifically against the low- (100 MHz to 2 GHz waveband), mid- (2 GHz to 6 GHz), and high-band (6 GHz to 18 GHz) sections of the overall threat spectrum.

NGJ-MB is a high-capacity and power airborne electronic attack weapon system designed for the EA-18G electronic attack aircraft that was designed to carry out the usual job of denying, degrading and disrupting threat radars and communication devices, from an extended range and with enhanced ability than the previous AN/ALQ-99 tactical jamming pods, developed for the EA-6B Prowler.

The NGJ-MB, also known as the AN/ALQ-249(V)1 pod, uses directional emitters and AESA (active electronically scanned array) technology and an all-digital back end. It also has digital and software-based tech embedded in the design, which increases the ability to jam and allows for rapid beam steering and advanced jammer modulation.

While the NGJ-MB pod will “cover the majority of critical threats”, NGJ-LB will be extremely important to provide cover to stealth aircraft, threatened by the emerging counter-stealth Low Band radars, engaging enemy threats from increased stand-off distances and employing increased capacity (number of jamming assignments).

Loaded with external fuel tanks [and NGJ pods, ndr], an EA-18G Growler attached to the U.S. Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine (VX-9) — the Vampires — goes airborne at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu in Southern California on Aug. 10, 2023, on its way to the adjacent Point Mugu Sea Range for a training exercise. The Growler is a two-seat variant of the carrier-based F/A-18 Super Hornet that is designed for electronic warfare. (U.S. Navy photo by Eric Parsons/Released)

NGJ-MB will replace one of high-band ALQ-99 pods that Growlers carry under each wing, while the NGJ-LB will replace the low-band pod that the aircraft carry on the centerline store position under the fuselage (the third one, a high-band pod, being developed as part of the so-called Increment III, will be carried on the left wing).

The Growler is also capable of carrying the HARM (High speed Anti-Radiation Missile) and AARGM (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile); these weapons are designed to seek out threat weapons systems and emitters, guiding on their energy, and destroy them. However, the EA-18G is expected to integrate also the new AARGM-ER.

The AARGM-ER is the evolution of the latest variant of the AGM-88 HARM (High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile), the AGM-88E AARGM, a medium-range air-to-ground missile employed for Suppression and/or Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD/DEAD). The AGM-88E is the result of a cooperative program with the Italian Air Force started in 2005 and developed as an upgrade and compliment to the AGM-88B/C. The AARGM program designed and produced a new Guidance Section and modified the existing Control Section, which are coupled with the legacy HARM Rocket Motor and Warhead Section, wings and fins.

The new Guidance Section features a passive anti-radiation homing receiver, satellite and inertial navigation system and a millimeter wave radar for terminal guidance, with the added ability to send images of the target via a satellite link before impact. The purpose of these new Guidance Section is to improve the effectiveness of the legacy HARM, especially against enemy radar and communications sites that would shut down to confuse incoming anti-radiation missiles (counter-shutdown capability) or pop-up threats.

As stated by the U.S. Navy, AARGM baseline capabilities include an expanded target set, counter-shutdown capability, advanced signals processing for improved detection and locating, geographic specificity providing aircrew the opportunity to define missile-impact zones and impact-avoidance zones, and a weapon impact-assessment broadcast capability providing for battle damage assessment cueing.

The AARGM-ER builds up on these capabilities to obtain an even more advanced weapon that is being integrated on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler and it is compatible for a future integration on all the variants of the F-35 Lightning II. The AARGM-ER combines the Guidance Section and Control Section of the AGM-88E with a new, larger rocket motor and a new warhead. The control surfaces have been redesigned too, obtaining aerodynamic strakes along the sides for increased lift and low-drag tail surfaces. The missile will reportedly have roughly double the range and speed of the AGM-88E.

About Stefano D'Urso

Stefano D'Urso is a freelance journalist and contributor to TheAviationist based in Lecce, Italy. A graduate in Industral Engineering he's also studying to achieve a Master Degree in Aerospace Engineering. Electronic Warfare, Loitering Munitions and OSINT techniques applied to the world of military operations and current conflicts are among his areas of expertise.

@TheAviationist.com

[crossatlanticsoftware-blog]

How to Choose the Best Shopify Website Design Company for Your Store in 2025?

In the ever-evolving world of eCommerce, having a well-designed and fully optimized Shopify store is no longer just an option – it's a necessity. As more consumers turn to online shopping, brands must ensure their Shopify website delivers an exceptional user experience, reflects the brand's identity, and supports seamless transactions. This is where a professional Shopify website design company can make all the difference.

Cross Atlantic Software, we understand that the decision to hire a Shopify website design company is a major step in your eCommerce journey. With so many service providers available, making the right choice can be overwhelming. This article aims to guide you through the most important factors to consider when selecting the right partner for your Shopify website design in 2025.

1. Understand Your Goals and Business Needs

Before you even begin searching for a Shopify website design company, clearly outline what you want your Shopify store to achieve. Are you launching a new brand, rebranding an existing one, or scaling up operations? Do you need custom integrations, advanced product filtering, or mobile-first Shopify design?

Having a clear vision will help you communicate effectively with potential design partners and ensure they align with your goals.

2. Look for Specialized Shopify Expertise

Not all web design companies specialize in Shopify. It's essential to choose a team that lives and breathes Shopify website design. Shopify has its own ecosystem, with unique themes, apps, and a proprietary Liquid coding language. Hiring a company that focuses specifically on Shopify design ensures they understand the platform inside-out.

Cross Atlantic Software has dedicated Shopify experts who have built and optimized hundreds of Shopify stores, giving clients the edge they need to compete in saturated markets.

3. Review Their Portfolio and Past Work

A reputable Shopify website design company should have a robust portfolio showcasing their past work. Look for:

Aesthetically pleasing, modern designs

Fast-loading Shopify websites

Mobile responsiveness

Seamless checkout experiences

Custom features like animations or personalized recommendations

Pay attention to diversity in their projects. This tells you whether the company can adapt their Shopify design to different industries and audiences.

4. Read Client Reviews and Testimonials

Real feedback from past clients is one of the most reliable ways to evaluate a Shopify website design company. Look beyond just the star ratings. Focus on detailed testimonials that highlight communication, professionalism, turnaround time, and post-launch support.

Cross Atlantic Software, we don’t just deliver projects — we build partnerships that grow with your business. Many of our clients have been with us for years, and we’re proud to be part of their ongoing success stories. Our testimonials reflect our commitment to excellence and custom-tailored Shopify website design solutions.

5. Ask About the Design and Development Process

Transparency is crucial. A reliable Shopify website design company should be able to walk you through their process from start to finish:

Initial Consultation

Strategy & Planning

Wireframing & Prototyping

Shopify Theme Customization or Custom Build

QA Testing & Optimization

Launch & Post-Launch Support

Knowing how your design team works isn’t just helpful — it’s essential. When everyone’s on the same page from day one, the process becomes smoother, timelines are clearer, and there are no last-minute surprises.

6. Consider Their Understanding of UX and Conversion Optimization

Good design isn't just about looking pretty. A successful Shopify website should convert visitors into buyers. That requires deep knowledge of user behavior, sales funnels, and design psychology.

Choose a Shopify website design company that prioritizes:

Clear CTAs (Call to Action)

Simple navigation

Fast page load times

Engaging product pages

Mobile-first design

Cross Atlantic Software, our team fuses creative Shopify design with data-backed UX principles to help you maximize conversions and sales.

7. Evaluate Support and Maintenance Services

Your Shopify store needs continuous updates, improvements, and sometimes emergency fixes. Make sure your design partner offers ongoing support even after launch. Ask questions like:

Do they offer monthly maintenance packages?

How do they handle bugs or errors?

Will you have a go-to person to call when something breaks or when you need a quick update? A dedicated point of contact makes all the difference when time and clarity matter most.

Cross Atlantic Software offers flexible support plans to ensure your Shopify website stays up-to-date, secure, and optimized at all times.

8. Transparency in Pricing

Clear pricing is a mark of a trustworthy Shopify website design company. While it's tempting to go with the lowest quote, remember that quality design and development require expertise and time.

Request a detailed breakdown of costs, including design, development, apps, and post-launch services. A good partner will explain every line item and adjust to fit your budget where possible.

9. Look for Creative Collaboration, Not Just Execution

The best outcomes happen when the design company works with you as a creative partner rather than just following orders. You should feel heard, respected, and inspired during the design journey.

Cross Atlantic Software, we treat every client as a collaborator. Our team engages in regular brainstorming sessions and strategy calls to ensure your vision translates beautifully into a high-performing Shopify store.

10. Check If They Offer Additional Services

Many eCommerce businesses need more than just Shopify website design. Check if your prospective partner can also help with:

SEO Optimization

Email Marketing Integration

App Integrations

Product Photography

Social Media Integration

A company that offers a comprehensive solution can save you time, money, and the hassle of managing multiple vendors.

Cross Atlantic Software provides end-to-end services to make your Shopify store launch as seamless and impactful as possible.

Conslusion:

Choosing the best Shopify website design company in 2025 is about more than just good looks. It requires strategic thinking, technical expertise, and a collaborative approach.

With a trusted partner like Cross Atlantic Software, you can build a Shopify website that not only looks amazing but also drives growth and customer loyalty.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your current Shopify design, now is the time to make the investment in a company that understands your vision and has the skills to make it real.

Let’s simplify your eCommerce success — one pixel at a time.

Ready to build your dream Shopify store?

Visit us at www.crossatlantic.software and let’s get started.

[filthyfandomconfessionsbutjustme]

the official cosplay guides have super close up detailed shots of individual pieces like pouches and pauldrons and stuff but also there's rev

panel SPOTTED. torres decided it was a vital detail on the old models and made sure it survived in the new ones i guess. complete with cute little triangle pubes and and and

(tf is up with the uv mapping? it's sloppy. like everything but the diffuse texture is screwed up. great QA on these shots pfft)

[nicetryfed]

Writers' Guild Presents The Nice and Accurate Guide to TPS Reports (Or: The Office Space inspired AU Literally No One But Me Asked For)- Chapter 9

Chapter 9- "How to Be on Time", by Ari Palal and Tony Somebody

In case you missed Chapter 8- The Subtle Art of Knowing Everyone's Bullshit

In case you haven't read it at all

This is where I diverge a bit from "Office Space but make it Good Omens" and pivot to "Good Omens, but make it Office Space." - hence the "Thwarting the Apocalypse from 9-5" tag.

Excerpt:

Hastur didn’t look convinced but returned his attention to the agenda. “Now, let’s go over assignments.” He picked up his filthy clipboard and went down his list, pointing at each assignee as he read. “Ligur will be working with their programming team with New Pulverizer. I’ve got data modeling with Ana- Natta… notta gonna learn that name any time soon.”

He and Ligur snorted at his lame joke before he continued. “Shax, you’ve got QA compliance with.. Anus Shartwell? Ferb, that can’t be right, let’s confirm that before the meeting.” He scribbled a note on his clipboard, then resumed his turn around the room. “Bee’s already taken the lead on coordinating with Divinitech leadership, so they will be co-presenting at the kickoff. Dagon, you’re covering personnel; your counterpart is named... Ferb—”

Ferb’s head snapped up. “Uh, yeah?”

“Who’s Divinitech’s personnel officer?”

Ferb scrolled through his notes on his laptop. “Some guy named Michael.”

Dagon raised her index finger, the overhead light catching on her clawlike, blue-green nail. “Uh, Ferb? I know Michael, and for the record, Michael is a woman.”

Bee cocked an eyebrow at the underlying tone in Dagon’s voice but said nothing. If anyone could violate the HR policy about fraternizing with the competition, it would be HR.

“Thank you, Dagon, I’ll make a note of that,” Ferb said, typing way too many characters needed for the occasion.

“Also, Ferb, aside from project coordination, you’re in charge of introductions at this kickoff. Keep it simple, don’t embarrass us.” Hastur’s tone suggested this was a tall order.

Ferb nodded rapidly. “Of course. Simple. Got it.”

“And lastly, Crowley,” Hastur said, his tone dripping with disdain, “you’ll be at the helm, working with their project leader. Ari-something, I think?”

“Ari-something?” Crowley raised an eyebrow. “Sounds specific.”

Ferb fumbled with his laptop and muttered something under his breath.

“What?” Crowley prompted, leaning forward. “Speak up.”

“It’s, uh, Ari Palal,” Ferb said, squinting at his screen.

Crowley frowned. “Ari Palal? What kind of name is that?”

“Dunno,” Ferb said with a shrug. “Sounds important.”

@goodomensafterdark

[archaeren]

Hello, I’m Ren! I work for a game studio (game writing and QA stuff), I wear lolita fashion, I sing in a barbershop chorus. Etc. But I’m just here to talk about fanfiction and Jack Jeanne, which is what I write fanfiction for. And my beloved favorite character from Jack Jeanne, Tanakamigi Chui. He and Kisa are unintentionally soulmate-coded and I need them to kiss and snuggle.

Anyway, I write fanfic! This isn’t all of them, but linking all of them seemed like a pain. You can find the rest on my AO3 if you’re interested!

Feel free to send me asks about writing or Jack Jeanne stuff or basically anything! (I'm pretty slow at answering tho) Linktree

Join the Univeil Fanworks Club on Discord for JJ fan authors and artists!

Fanfics: Life Cycle : Love Story Chui/Kisa (M/F) Ongoing multi-chapter fic that updates Sundays. Basically a rewrite of the game timeline from mostly Chui’s perspective. Slow burn romance. Can be mostly read fandom-blind, but isn’t optimized for it. Chapter-by-chapter spoiler guide is linked in the summary. Something Sweeter [Illustrated] Chui/Kisa (M/F) Cute (G-rated) fluffy Valentine’s Day oneshot. Can be read fandom-blind. No route spoilers. Negotiations Chui/Kisa (M/F) 18+ smut oneshot. This is 13k words of sex and comedy. That’s it. Can probably be read fandom-blind reasonably comfortably. No route spoilers. With Time Neji/Kisa (barely), Chui/Kisa (M/F) Oneshot and its 18+ sequel oneshot. Explores how an event in Neji’s route might have gone differently and the chain reaction it has set off years later. Part 1 has major spoilers for Neji’s route. Part 2 has no spoilers. Both can probably be read fandom-blind, especially the second one. Scarlet & Gold Fumi/Chui (M/M) 18+ smut oneshot. Vampire AU, enemies to enemies that fuck. Has been adjusted to accommodate reading fandom-blind. No route spoilers.

[themuppetarchives]

Your territory has been noted. We will leave your precious little assistant alone for as long as it benefits us.

As for your other statement… Well, Archivist, the fears of Angels are unknown to us, for we are are beyond angels. We are a concept, we are eternal.

But, Archivist, what we are is not of importance.

The birth of a new Adam is a concerning concept to us. We were there for the birth of the first Adam. The first Adam, born of clay by the hands of God, was meant to be perfect, but from God’s hubris, from God’s desire for perfection, for knowledge, for creation, We rose in power. We watch, we guided Eve to take from the tree of knowledge, not as The Serpent that convinced her, but as the hunger to Know that pushed her into The Serpent’s fangs.

We are the hunger that drove humanity to sin, to know. We are constant and ever present.

We are the hunger that led humanity to take from the tree of knowledge. We witnessed the birth of Adam. We witnessed the fall of mankind.

See us, Archive. See ALL.

👁️///👁️

Curious indeed...

Though the picture is becoming clearer. What you are is not a concern of yours but it is a concern of mine.

You understand, I'm sure - the need to Know, the compulsion of completion.

I have not put too much thought to the Genesis of Beholding, yet it seems as though It has found me on its own...at least some form. I will resist the urge to indulge in the theological implications of this discussion, however much I would enjoy it...priorities must be kept, after all...

You are a concept...not a "who" or even a "what", but fact. The light casting the shadow on the cave wall; or, the taste of fresh air that lures the daring out of ignorance and into their engulfing enlightenment.

You fascinate me. I feel our kinship, so close to each other yet infinitely far apart. Do I fear you? Not exactly, but you spark something akin to fear in a very old, evolutionary part of my mind that burns me like an addiction. I can feel my Eyes straining to see you, to Know you, and I can feel you Looking Back...an arcane feedback loop of hunger and satiation.

For your cooperation I will offer you this to feed on:

Q pidm ammv 8 ozmib abiza uwdqvo ivl itqovqvo izwcvl bpm Vme Iliu. Pm kitta pqa kpqtlzmv, pm jcqtla pqa muxqzma. Pm lwma vwb gmb svwe epib pm qa. Pm pquamtn qa i kmvbmzxwqvb wn kwvozcmvkm. Pcuivqbg qa Pcvozg nwz ivwbpmz iakmvaqwv.

[shiningwonderland]

Otoya Ittoki (Repeat)

Translator: Raz (Twitter: agnadance)

Editor: Mae (Twitter: itoshikimaegirl)

QA: Rei (Twitter: wolfe_raine)

February — Always Semplicita

The principal continued giving Otoya-kun new challenges through winter break and even into the third term. 

The principal would call the challenges titles such as "Supplementary Lessons from Hell Part Three" and "The Idol's Study Guide, Part Three."

The title was different every time, but every single challenge was so grueling that any average person would've given up.

One time, the principal told Otoya-kun that becoming friends with animal talents is also important work, which ended up with him being locked in a cage with a lion.

Another time, the principal said one must lay their life on the line to do variety shows and ordered him to make his way back to school from Hokkaido just through hitchhiking.

Despite everything, Otoya-kun was not discouraged. He would clear every challenge perfectly and return to me with a smile on his face.

We gradually work on music when we're together. 

Haruka Nanami: Are you okay that the pitch suddenly goes higher in the last part of the pre-chorus?

Otoya Ittoki: That's fine! And about that part, I actually want it to be in English. How about, "Are you ready?"

Otoya Ittoki: Sounds cool, right?

Haruka Nanami: Yes, that sounds great. Now that the melody has been decided, I want to keep working on the arrangement.

Haruka Nanami: It's nearly done, but I want to make it sound more exhilarating… I just remembered, how much of the lyrics did you get done?

Otoya Ittoki: The first part, for now…

Haruka Nanami: Okay, we can get the feel with just that part.

Otoya Ittoki: Yeah, I'm still working on it. I'm going to put in all my feelings I have for you, so look forward to it!

Haruka Nanami: I see! Ah, and there's a part I would like some advice on. Let's see, where's that music sheet…

The moment I turn my back from Otoya-kun…

Otoya Ittoki: Haruka, I caught you!

He hugs me from behind.

Haruka Nanami: Huh? U-um!

I flap my hands in shock.

Otoya Ittoki: What is it? Are you uncomfortable?

Haruka Nanami: No, that's not it, but…

Otoya Ittoki: But… what? Tell me.

Otoya-kun murmurs close enough for his breath to brush against my ear.

Haruka Nanami: We have to… practice… We also don't have much time together…

Otoya Ittoki: And that's exactly why I want to be close to you… We don't see each other often.

Otoya Ittoki: It makes me super happy when I feel your warmth like this.

He's right… Tomorrow, he’s leaving for another one of the principal’s challenges. 

The time we have together right now is precious.

Otoya Ittoki: Haruka, are you lonely because I'm away so often?

Haruka Nanami: Yes, I am… but I'll do my best…

Otoya Ittoki: You can relax now that I'm here with you, so just feel me…

He rests his chin on my shoulder from behind.

I can hear his breath now that our cheeks are touching.

My heart starts pounding and my eyes shut involuntarily.

Otoya Ittoki: Hm? Are you nervous? Am I scaring you?

Haruka Nanami: No, that's not it, it's just…

Otoya Ittoki: Could it be that your heart's pounding?

He gently takes hold of my wrist.

Otoya Ittoki: Your heartbeat is so fast… I see, so I was right. How about I make your heart beat even faster?

Haruka Nanami: Huh? W-why even faster…?

He presses his lips onto the back of my neck and sucks.

Haruka Nanami: Uh–ah…!

Otoya Ittoki: … Sorry, does that hurt?

Haruka Nanami: I'm okay, but… what was that just now?

Otoya Ittoki: I'm leaving again tomorrow, so I put a mark on you to prove that you're mine and so no one will lay a finger on you. 

Haruka Nanami: Mark…?

Otoya Ittoki: Take a look at my mark with a mirror later whenever you feel lonely. 

He taps the part where his lips touched my neck.

Haruka Nanami: Hya!

When his finger touches the soft skin of my neck, a shock runs through my body.

Ba-dump, ba-dump!

Otoya Ittoki: Since I'm hugging you from behind, I can feel your heart pounding even more than before.

Otoya Ittoki: Haruka, I love you. I love you the most in this entire world.

Haruka Nanami: M-me too… I love you, Otoya-kun…

Otoya-kun doesn't let me go for some time, and my heart keeps on racing.

Otoya left early in the morning the following day.

A week has passed since he went to the Himalayas and began battling Bigfoot. I hope he's doing okay…

Tomochika Shibuya: G'morning!

Haruka Nanami: Good morning, Tomo-chan.

Tomochika Shibuya: Hm? Is Otoya still absent? Is the principal still hazing him?

Masato Hijirikawa: It seems so.

Natsuki Shinomiya: I believe that he's fighting a yeti in the Himalayas…

Tomochika Shibuya: A yeti…? Don't you think the principal's crazy "lessons" are getting even more unhinged?

Tomochika Shibuya: Is he going to die at this rate…?

Haruka Nanami: No way! Otoya-kun will surely be okay…

Tomochika Shibuya: Well, if you think he'll be fine, then I'll leave it be. You don't feel lonely?

Haruka Nanami: I do, but… I'll be okay because the two of us share the same song in our hearts.

It's the song that we're making for the graduation audition. It's our one and only song just for us.

I feel like as long as he sings our song, no matter where it is, our hearts are connected.

Tomochika Shibuya: Hmm? I don't really get it, but I see that you two really understand each other.

Haruka Nanami: … Yes.

Masato Hijirikawa: However, I am surprised that he managed to avoid being expelled after causing such an uproar.

Natsuki Shinomiya: I agree! But… I don't believe Saotome-sensei banned romance just for the sake of it…

Natsuki Shinomiya: He must have thought that if it's those two, they'll be okay, don't you think?"

Haruka Nanami: … I think so…

The principal didn't ban romance out of jealousy or anything…

I understand that he set that rule because he decided it was the best for us. I also think that's why Otoya-kun is trying his hardest.

Otoya Ittoki: Good morning!

The classroom door opens and Otoya-kun steps in. He appears to have grown a little stronger over the week he's been gone.

Select the Phrase!

おはよう。Good morning. (+ 10 Love, + 0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: Have you been doing well?

Otoya Ittoki: Haha, I almost froze to death, but I was okay! The locals there saved me.

Haruka Nanami: … Please be more careful.

Otoya Ittoki: Yeah, I will!

え、と・・・おかえり。Um… welcome back. (+ 20 Love, + 0 Music)

Otoya Ittoki: Ah… um, I-I'm back.

Masato Hijirikawa: You two are acting like newlyweds.

Tomochika Shibuya: Congratulations on your marriage!

Haruka Nanami: N-No, we're not married yet…!

Tomochika Shibuya: Not married yet? Meaning you will be in the future…?

Haruka Nanami: Huh? Ah, I mean, that's…

Otoya Ittoki: In the future? No, we'll get married right away. We love each other, after all!

Haruka Nanami: O-Otoya-kun! You're being so frank…

Otoya Ittoki: That's fine! It's the truth, after all!

Otoya-kun grins gleefully at me and I become speechless.

I'm a little embarrassed, but... I'm happy.

・・・ … (+ 0 Love, + 0 Music)

Tomochika Shibuya: Haruka, why are you spacing out? Your husband's back!

Haruka Nanami: Ah! Uh, um… Uh… Have you been doing well?

Otoya Ittoki: Yeah! Have you?

Haruka Nanami: Um… Yeah. I've been doing well.

Tomochika Shibuya: Haruka, since your husband has finally returned, how about giving him your present?

Otoya Ittoki: Huh…? You have something for me?

Haruka Nanami: Ah, uh, um… Today's Valentine's Day, so…

Haruka Nanami: I didn't know if you were going to return today, so I just prepared it ahead of time…

Haruka Nanami: … I made some for everyone as well, of course.

Otoya Ittoki: Everyone? Does that mean that mine is going to be the same as everyone else's?

Select the Phrase!

そう・・・かも？Maybe…? (+ 0 Love, + 0 Music)

Otoya Ittoki: Huh?! Seriously?!

Haruka Nanami: … I'm joking.

Otoya Ittoki: Thank goodness, you got me there!

みんな本命です。I'm giving everyone my heartfelt love. (+ 0 Love, + 0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: Everyone is precious to me…

Tomochika Shibuya: … Everyone's precious, she said! Isn't that great, Masayan?

Masato Hijirikawa: Why are you talking to me?

Tomochika Shibuya: Because your reaction was the funniest!

Masato Hijirikawa: … I'm not your toy.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Ahaha!

そんなこと・・・ない・・・です。That's… not it. (+ 20 Love, + 0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: I… made special, heartfelt chocolate just for you.

I feel so embarrassed saying that out loud.

Otoya Ittoki: I see… Ah, did you make this yourself?

Haruka Nanami: Ah, yes… I tried making chocolate truffles, but I wonder if chocolate from the store would've been better?

Otoya Ittoki: Wow, I'm getting homemade chocolate?! This must be made with so much love! Thanks, Haruka!

Ringo Tsukimiya: Good morning, everyone! Have a seat! Homeroom's about to begin!

Everyone in the class responds with a "Yes, teacher" and takes a seat.

Ringo Tsukimiya: Let's see, about today's plans, do you remember we had a call for people to visit the Song Station?

Song Station is a famous T.V. show that everyone knows about.

There's high viewership even now. It's one of a few music shows on T.V. and many of the Shining Agency idols star in it.

There were many students who wanted to go visit Song Station, but…

To ease the burden on the staff, the principal decided to limit the number of people who can visit by making it a lottery.

I want to go see it, but the competition seems fierce.

Ringo Tsukimiya: The participants will be able to go visit with me. The students who don't win the lottery will have to do self-study for today!

Ringo Tsukimiya: Now, it's time to announce who'll be going!

Tsukimiya-sensei writes names on the white board.

Otoya Ittoki, then Haruka Nanami.

Otoya Ittoki: … We did it!

Otoya-kun makes a subtle gesture with his eyes.

I nod back.

Male Student A: Teacher, is this really a lottery? This looks really biased…

A classmate raises a voice of dissent. He has a point, this looks too good to be just coincidence.

Ringo Tsukimiya: We did the lottery properly! Shiny put on a blindfold and threw darts at a spinning roulette.

Ringo Tsukimiya: These two were chosen out of COMPLETE coincidence!

… Then this must be on purpose. The principal is the kind of person who would be able to throw darts accurately even with a blindfold on.

Ringo Tsukimiya: Anyway, it's been decided, so stop fussing!

"Alright," the classmates reluctantly reply.

Ahh! I'm so, so sorry!

I'll make sure to take in all that I can during the visit!

Otoya Ittoki: Hmm? So this is what a studio's like!

Ringo Tsukimiya: Since you only see what's captured on camera, this must feel like a completely new experience to you! I felt the same way when I first visited here.

The studio is much larger than what is usually shown on T.V.

I know it's common sense since everything recorded is taken by a camera from the outside, but…

The ceiling is very high overhead like the school gym and many lights are hanging down from it. Everything feels so unfamiliar to me.

Ringo Tsukimiya: Hey, don't look around so much! Please quietly watch in the corner and don't cause any trouble.

Haruka Nanami: … Understood.

I was scolded…

Ahh, but everything feels so strange. So this is how a show is made…

It's often said that the magic is lost once you know what goes on behind the scenes, but to me, the behind the scenes is where the real magic is.

People are doing their best in the shadows and are creating a world of dreams.

I can sense how much manpower it takes to create the dream that is shown to us.

This world that I felt was only an illusion now feels so dear to me.

We walk to the corner. After some time passes, the show finally begins.

The singer takes their position on stage and the cameras start rolling.

It's my lucky day because my beloved HAYATO-sama is starring in today's Song Station.

Otoya Ittoki: … This is amazing…

He whispers under his breath as he listens to HAYATO-sama's song.

At first glance, HAYATO-sama seems like just a happy-go-lucky, child-like idol, but his attention to his singing and performance is extraordinary.

He can perform any kind of role given to him.

He can sing songs of such a high level so easily that an average listener wouldn't be able to tell how difficult it really is.

And to top it all off, he's the perfect idol. And of course, his smile is the best.

Otoya-kun of a few months ago may not have been able to tell…

After entering the academy and studying music for some time, he should be able to tell how amazing HAYATO-sama really is.

Haruka Nanami: This really is… the singing of a professional.

Otoya Ittoki: Yeah…

We're aiming to be on this stage. This is the level that we need to be… We have a long way to go…

The recording wraps up for the time being and we go on break. We relax and start chatting a bit.

Select the Phrase!

すごかったね。That was amazing. (+ 0 Love, + 20 Music)

Otoya Ittoki: Professionals are the real deal. I have a long way to go!

Haruka Nanami: We'll become professionals too.

Otoya Ittoki: For sure! We'll have to practice so one day everyone can agree that we're real professionals! 

Otoya Ittoki: First, I need to be able to tell what's different between the singing of me compared to a professional. I'll refine what's lacking and level up!

どうだった？ What did you think? (+ 10 Love, + 0 Music)

Otoya Ittoki: What do I think? It was incredible… He really is a professional…

Haruka Nanami: … We're going to become professionals too.

Otoya Ittoki: You're right. Okay! Let's do this!

Haruka Nanami: Yeah!

いつかあのステージに・・・ We'll reach this stage one day…. (+ 20 Love, + 10 Music)

Otoya Ittoki: Yeah… you're right. We'll definitely be on that stage one day!

Haruka Nanami: Yeah!

Otoya Ittoki: Then, I want to make a song that comforts and supports people like "Ai yue ni*"!

*Translates to "Because of love".

Our goal is right in front of us, and it motivates us even more.

Haruka Nanami: … Ah, it looks like the show is about to start.

The opening performance is blowing my mind…

HAYATO-sama is singing a song that I made…

Huh? Huh? HUH?!

Why? How? That's the song that I sent in for Saotome Academy's entrance examination…

Otoya Ittoki: Haruka, that song…

Haruka Nanami: Um, yes. That's… my song.

HAYATO: For variety's sake, I sang a song from one of Saotome Academy's students who is visiting the studio right now!

HAYATO: It's such an AMAZING song! I had such a blast singing it, nya~!

HAYATO: I want everyone to meet the girl who made this song!

HAYATO: Can the girl who made this song come to the stage?

Haruka Nanami: Y-YES!

I reflexively answer HAYATO-sama's request. 

HAYATO-sama grins ear to ear, gesturing me to step onto the stage.

Haruka Nanami: Wh-what should I do…

Otoya Ittoki: Go ahead, this is a good chance for you!

Haruka Nanami: Um… Okay.

I fearfully step onto the stage.

HAYATO: Hehe, so you're the one who made this song, right?

Haruka Nanami: Y-yes. My name is Haruka Nanami. I am pleased to make your aquaintance…

Aaah, I don't know what to say…

HAYATO: Hmm? Are you nervous? It's okay, relax and loosen up!

HAYATO-sama pats me on the shoulder.

HAYATO: It's a really good song! Why did you aim to become a composer?

Haruka Nanami: Ah! Um, I've always been a big fan of you, HAYATO-sama, and I wanted you to sing one of my songs someday…

HAYATO: REALLY?! You're one of my fans? I'm so happy, nya~!

HAYATO: Hehe, if you're willing, I would love for you to become my personal composer! Here, shake my hand!

HAYATO-sama grips my hand tightly.

At that moment, cries of delight and shock erupt from the audience. 

Ah, the idol of my dreams is shaking my hand.

Wh-wh-wh-wh-wh-what do I do now!

Otoya Ittoki: Stop! Don't touch her! I won't give her to you! She's my…

Otoya-kun suddenly bursts onto the stage and puts his hand on my shoulder.

Director: H-hey! Who's that? Sheesh, camera! Point at the guest and cut out HAYATO!

Director: Make a good transition between the host and the guest! Quickly!

Otoya Ittoki: She's… she's my one and only partner! I won't give her to you!

Huuuuuuuuuuuuh?!

He's saying this on national television…? This can't be… What do we do now…

While I'm still confused, Otoya-kun takes my hand and starts running.

Haruka Nanami: Wha? Uh, um…

Haruka Nanami: Um, uh, I'm so sorry about this! I'm really sorry! I'm so, so sorry! I deeply apologize!

I make the most sincere apology I could muster and step down from the stage.

After leaving the studio, we walk while holding each other's hands.

Haruka Nanami: Ah, um, Otoya-kun?

Select the Phrase!

なんで・・・？Why…? (+ 10 Love, + 0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: Why did you do that? This is going to become a problem.

Otoya Ittoki: Yeah, I know, but everyone has something they refuse to hand over. In my case, that's you, Haruka.

Haruka Nanami: Me…?

Otoya Ittoki: Yes. I don't want to let you go. You're too precious to me.

Otoya Ittoki: Haruka, you've looked up to HAYATO, right? I was scared that you'd be taken by him. I know that wouldn’t happen, but…

Otoya Ittoki: I couldn't hold in my feelings and ended up taking you back. I wanted to declare to HAYATO that you're mine.

Haruka Nanami: But, what about your dream…? Otoya-kun, you said you wanted to become an idol like the principal.

Haruka Nanami: I want you to put more priority on your dream, not me.

Otoya Ittoki: Yeah, I care about my dream as much as I care about you, but the only way I can become the idol I want to be is to sing the songs I want to sing.

Otoya Ittoki: I need those songs to be written by you. I can't sing songs with love if they aren't yours.

Otoya Ittoki: So if I lose you, I won't be losing just you, but my dream as well. I need both to achieve my dream.

いくらなんでもあれは・・・ That was inappropriate.... (+ 10 Love, + 0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: You shouldn't say that on a public broadcast…

Otoya Ittoki: I know, but… I just couldn't take it.

Otoya Ittoki: If I just let things go the way they were, that could've ended up in a magazine article or something. I'm your boyfriend, after all…

Haruka Nanami: But… it doesn't change the fact that it was inexcusable. Otoya-kun, you're going to become an idol so you can't act impulsively…

Otoya Ittoki: Okay, I understand. My head gets it, but my body won't listen.

Otoya Ittoki: I love you so much that before I realize it, I'm on a rampage.

Otoya Ittoki: Besides that, I'm a little happy. I was able to tell the entire world that I'm your one and only partner.

 He cracks a smile.

Haruka Nanami: Otoya-kun…

This boy… He really is too reckless.

However, I love all aspects of him. I love him with all my heart.

今からでもあやまった方が・・・You should apologize to them… (+ 5 Love, + 0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: You said that on live television.

Otoya Ittoki: True, but I'm happy that it turned out the way it did.

Otoya Ittoki: Everyone knows that you’re my partner.

He smiles brightly. 

Haruka Nanami: Otoya-kun…

This boy… Why is he so confident and positive?

After that incident we were naturally called to the principal's office yet again.

Shining Saotome: Interrupting a live recording… I'm astonished beyond words.

Shining Saotome: Furthermore, that comment about being involved with a woman. You're begging to be misunderstood; it's unheard of for an idol to have a woman's visage hanging over him.

Shining Saotome: Idols are everyone's aspiration…! You have to be their dream.

Otoya Ittoki: But if I manage to graduate and become a big idol, then I'll be able to prove to you that banning romance is pointless, right?

Shining Saotome: What?! Could it be that you did that on purpose…

He said that all on purpose…?

Otoya Ittoki: Since I've announced that I have a partner on live television, now everyone will know that before I debut!

Otoya Ittoki: What if I still manage to get a ton of fans? There wouldn't be a problem if I have a girl that I love, right?

Otoya Ittoki: If that happened, then this school's rule would be pointless.

Shining Saotome: Heh, now you're really bragging! Interesting, prove it. Prove that you've got what it takes.

Shining Saotome: You have half a year. If your debut song hits a million sales in half a year, I'll abolish the rule. However…

Shining Saotome: If you don't win the graduation audition, you have no future. Also…

Shining Saotome: Even if you were to debut, if you don't make a million sales in a year, I'll chase you out of the entertainment industry. Got it?

Otoya Ittoki: You're on!

Otoya-kun grins confidently and punches the air.

Aaaaaah! He raised the bar!

But for some reason, when I see Otoya-kun's smile, I feel like we can do it.

Haruka Nanami: … And Otoya-kun is acting really confident.

I've returned to my room and now I'm talking to Kuppuru.

Kuppuru: Meow…

Kuppuru rubs himself against me with a worried look on his face.

I've been trying to talk about this as cheerfully as I can, but I think Kuppuru was able to feel my anxiety…

Select the Phrase!

絶対大丈夫だよ。It's going to be okay. (+ 10 Love, + 5 Music)

Your wish will come true as long as you believe. Otoya-kun can make the impossible possible.

It will be okay as long as I believe in Otoya-kun and myself!

As I think that to myself, Kuppuru…

Kuppuru: Meow!

He cheerfully meows back, as if relieved.

We have to produce results to survive. We've got to do this!

なんとかしないね。I've got to do something. (+ 5 Love, + 5 Music) I shouldn't cause Kuppuru trouble.

Haruka Nanami: We'll be okay.

I gently stroke Kuppuru.

すごく心配だけど・・・I'm so worried… (+ 0 Love, + 5 Music)

Haruka Nanami: I have to do something...

I whisper to myself.

The only way to survive is to produce good results!

Mini Game

Ringo Tsukimiya: Haaa, time goes so fast. The entrance ceremony feels like it was just yesterday, but now it's almost graduation…

Ringo Tsukimiya: One year is so short. Everyone has become so friendly with each other, but we all have to part so soon.

Ringo Tsukimiya: But if you enter the Shining Agency, you'll be my coworkers! I want everyone to do their best and get into the agency.

Ringo Tsukimiya: You have to polish your song in order to get a good score for the graduation audition, too!

Ringo Tsukimiya: I'll do my best to give you advice, so let me hear what you've made so far!

Ringo Tsukimiya: So are you ready? Let's begin!

S Rank

Otoya Ittoki: I can't lie about my feelings. I always want to be honest to you and my music!

Haruka Nanami: I feel the same way!

When it comes to sound, I’m always my truest self…

That’s what music is for me.  

But sometimes I get so embarrassed when it comes to the boy I love that I sometimes can't be completely honest about them…

I want to be even more honest and open with my heart. 

Chapter End

[sarkariresultdude]

CAT Results 2024: Your Gateway to Top B-Schools Revealed

 The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most incredibly expected tests for aspiring business specialists in India. Conducted annually with the aid of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), CAT serves because the gateway to most reliable management packages, which include the flagship MBA courses supplied by the IIMs and different pinnacle-tier enterprise schools throughout the us of a. Each year, heaps of applicants positioned months of instruction into achieving their first-class feasible overall performance in the exam, and the assertion of the CAT results is an equally enormous occasion.

Common Admission Test Results

The Importance of CAT Results

CAT results play a critical position in shaping the educational and expert careers of applicants. The results determine eligibility for admissions into some of the maximum sought-after management institutes in India. A sturdy CAT rating no longer simplest enhances a candidate’s possibilities of securing admission into prestigious institutions however additionally serves as a testament to their analytical, quantitative, and verbal talents. For many candidates, a excessive CAT score is step one towards realizing their dream of turning into a a success enterprise chief.

Beyond admissions, CAT results hold significance for aspirants looking for opportunities in corporate internships, scholarships, or even placements publish-MBA. Several recruiters value the rigor of the CAT examination and the credibility of a excessive percentile, making the rating an additional feather inside the cap for activity-searching for candidates.

How to Check CAT Results

Candidates eagerly looking ahead to their CAT results can get right of entry to them online via the reliable CAT website. Here is a step-by-step guide to check the effects:

Visit the Official CAT Website: Go to the reputable website of CAT, typically introduced with the aid of the engaging in IIM. The outcomes link is prominently displayed at the homepage.

Log in Using Credentials: Enter your user ID and password, which have been generated throughout the registration system. Make sure to hold these credentials available to avoid any remaining-minute hassles.

Access the Scorecard: Once logged in, click at the hyperlink to download the CAT scorecard. The scorecard incorporates information including your phase-wise scores, common rating, and percentile.

Download and Print: It is recommended to download the scorecard and take a printout for destiny reference. The scorecard is regularly required all through next admission strategies.

Candidates have to make sure that the statistics on their scorecards is accurate. In case of discrepancies, they have to immediately contact the CAT helpline.

Understanding the CAT Scorecard

The CAT scorecard presents a complete breakdown of a candidate’s overall performance. Understanding the components of the scorecard is crucial for interpreting the effects correctly:

Scaled Scores: The CAT examination employs a normalization procedure to ensure fairness across multiple take a look at sessions. The scaled rankings are derived from the raw ratings obtained by using candidates.

Sectional Scores: CAT is divided into 3 sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The scorecard presentations scaled ratings for each segment.

Overall Score: This is the sum of the scaled ratings from all 3 sections.

Percentile: The percentile suggests the share of candidates who scored lower than you. It is one of the maximum essential aspects of the scorecard, as it determines your rank relative to other check-takers.

Next Steps After CAT Results

Once the CAT effects are introduced, applicants have to take the following steps:

Shortlisting through Institutes

Post-consequences, IIMs and different taking part institutes release their shortlist of candidates for the next round of the admission process. Each institute has its own criteria, regularly combining the CAT rating with elements which include educational performance, paintings experience, and variety.

Preparing for the Next Rounds

Candidates shortlisted by means of institutes should tools up for the following choice rounds, which usually include:

Written Ability Test (WAT): This evaluates a candidate’s ability to articulate their mind efficiently.

Group Discussion (GD): This exams interpersonal abilities, teamwork, and the potential to present ideas coherently.

Personal Interview (PI): This is regularly the most important round, wherein applicants are assessed on their character, clarity of goals, and alignment with the institute’s values.

Preparation for these rounds entails staying up to date on cutting-edge affairs, working towards mock interviews, and honing communication abilities.

Applying to Other Institutions

Candidates need to additionally discover admission opportunities in non-IIM institutions. Many reputed enterprise colleges in India be given CAT rankings, and each has its very own reduce-off percentiles and selection criteria. Researching and making use of to those institutes broadens the scope of options to be had.

Common Reactions to CAT Results

The statement of CAT consequences elicits a number emotions among applicants:

Joy and Excitement: Candidates who obtain excessive percentiles frequently feel a feel of accomplishment and optimism about their future potentialities.

Relief: After months of training and anticipation, many feel relieved to have their outcomes in hand.

Disappointment: Not all applicants achieve their desired rankings. However, it's miles critical to don't forget that a single exam does not define one’s capabilities or capability.

Motivation for Improvement: Candidates who fall short of expectancies often channel their disappointment into preparing for the subsequent attempt or exploring alternative pathways to success.

Addressing Low Scores

For applicants who do now not score as predicted, there are numerous techniques to don't forget:

Retake CAT: If control research remain a concern, recollect reattempting CAT with a greater refined training approach.

Explore Alternative Exams: Exams like XAT, MAT, GMAT, and CMAT also provide pathways to authentic commercial enterprise schools.

Look Beyond CAT: Many institutes have their personal entrance tests or be given rankings from different standardized checks.

leverage Work Experience: Gaining extra work enjoy and constructing a robust profile can enhance future admission possibilities.

Seek Counseling: Professional steerage can help applicants perceive appropriate programs aligned with their desires and profile.

Success Stories

Each year, CAT consequences display inspiring testimonies of perseverance and triumph. Many top scorers come from various backgrounds, including non-engineering fields, demonstrating that the exam rewards difficult paintings and strategic guidance over inherent aptitude.

For example, some candidates excel despite non-public challenges or restrained resources, proving that determination and consciousness can triumph over large odds. These memories serve as motivation for destiny aspirants.

Tips for Future Aspirants

For the ones planning to take CAT within the future, here are some guidelines:

Start Early: Begin your preparation properly in advance to cowl the syllabus thoroughly and have sufficient time for practice.

Understand the Exam Pattern: Familiarize your self with the shape, varieties of questions, and staining scheme.

Focus on Weak Areas: Identify your vulnerable regions and work on enhancing them systematically.

Take Mock Tests: Regular mock tests help in constructing confidence and enhancing time management.

Stay Consistent: Consistency in preparation is key to performing well on the examination.

[shroudthecursedone]

This is an idea of mine for a darker version of a time travel au.

Uzi, Lizzy, Thad, and a rebuilt Doll travel back in time to prevent the extinction of humanity. Their thinking being that Cyn wasn't as powerful as they were in their time, and they should be able to handle things. They had Uzi who beat Cyn, Doll who could probably fight on her level after some practice with Uzi, while Lizzy and Thad could probably keep her preoccupied long enough for Uzi and Doll to get involved.

They were wrong.

While it did take some time for Cyn to noce the new arrivals, when she did pay attention to them, it was easy taking each of them out and extracting the information she desired each time. Lizzy or "L" as she went by was first, it was child's play manipulating another staff drone to send a false order summoning L to Mistress Elliott's chambers and snatching them up in the hallways. Before L had barely enough time to react to being grabbed, Cyn's wires were already jacked in, and she was uploading her control code while downloading information on just who L was. Upon learning of them being from both the distant planet of Copper 9 and from the future, it caught her attention, and she wanted more data.

"T" or Thad as he was named was next. He was even easier as he worked in Master Elliott's garage, working maintenance on the fleet of vehicles used by the Elliott's when they left the safety of their Manor, and it was simple luring him to a dark corner of the garage using a lost tool. It was from Thad that Cyn got more information as he was more observant than his friend was and spent more time listening than most. Thus, he had a wealth of information regarding Copper 9, the future, and their mission.

"D" or rather Doll was next on the list. She was harder to grab as she primarily worked in the kitchens and made certain she was never alone. Fortunately, using both Thad and Lizzy as puppets, she was able to draw the Russian model out into range. Doll's information was limited in regards to the future given how she actually died at her future selves' hands, but Doll had specific knowledge on the hardest target to acquire; Uzi Doorman or "U" as she went by.

Using the trio and their knowledge of Uzi, it was simple to lay a trap and corner the rebellious drone. Then, it was a matter of forcing Uzi into surrender, and Cyn did this by demonstrating that she was not going to play with her food like her future self did. Uzi fought hard and dirty, Cyn enjoyed their little game, especially when Uzi "lured" he outside of the grounds of the Elliott Manor as if to weaken them. Just like with the others, all Cyn needed was to pin down Uzi long enough to jack in her wires and override her software. Uzi's firewalls held for what seemed like eons before they cracked and shattered under the force against them. Cyn was in and what she found. She did not like how her future self appeared as but did take notice of how she had revived her friend Doll from death.

With Uzi defeated at her hands and converted to her cause, it would have been easy to bring about the end with two drones under her command with active solvers. Instead, however, Cyn wanted to integrate them into her routine and watch. Uzi's affection for Big Brother N and Lizzy's attraction to Big Sister V would make them easy to guide, Doll and Thad would be harder to place, though.

If all went bad and she qas forced to wipe humanity out like her future self did; Doll, Lizzy, and Thad were already a well ironed team. She'd personally keep Uzi with her, to both keep her in line and to see if they can't make Tessa into a drone like them if necessity.

They go back in time and get picked off one by one, Cyn gets knowledge of the future, but instead of kicking off things early, she uses her new toys to play house. Also, with plans to turn Tessa into a drone herself if she does destroy humanity because wearing Tessa as planned didn't look nearly as good as she thought it did from outside perspective.

Also, the reason why N and V aren't there in the past is because of Timey Wimey paradox rules. If they went back, they'd either replace, be replaced by, or erase their past selves from existence.

[qualityassurance11]

Best Practices for Successful Automation Testing Implementation 

Automation testing is an essential part of modern-day software development that accelerates delivery, reduces manual work, and improves software quality. But success in automation testing is not assured, it should be achieved by proper planning and execution along with proper compliance of best practices. 

In this blog, we will talk about key actionable strategies and best practices to ensure the successful implementation of automation testing in your projects. 

1. Start with a Clear Strategy 

Jumping straight into automation testing without a clear strategy will not always yield the desired results. Define the following: 

Objectives: Define the goals of the automation, whether it is about shorter test cycles, improved test coverage or eliminating human error. 

Scope: Set the areas of your application for automation and focus much on areas that have a high impact like regression and functional testing. 

Stakeholders: Get early involvement from the development, QA and product teams to avoid misalignment regarding expectations. 

A well-formed strategy helps guide the way and make sure everyone involved is aligned. 

2. Prioritize the Right Test Cases for Automation 

One of automation testing’s biggest mistakes with it is to use automation for everything. Rather than that, shape your test cases to that of: 

Are monotonous and time-consuming. 

Wherein critical for application functionality 

Have stable requirements. 

Some of these tests are regression tests, smoke tests, data-driven tests, etc. Do not automate the exploratory or highly dynamic tests that often get changed. 

3. Choose the Right Automation Tools 

The effectiveness of your automation testing initiative highly relies on appropriate tools selection. Look for tools that: 

Support the technology stack of your application (e.g., web, mobile, APIs). 

Give the flexibility to expand your project. 

Offer extensive reporting, reusability of scripts, and run across browsers. 

GhostQA is one example of a codeless platform that works well for teams across the skill set. GhostQA can let you focus on what matters and Auto Healing reduces your maintenance to enforce. 

4. Build a Strong Automation Framework 

An automation framework is the backbone of your automation testing process. It helps in standardization, reusability and scalability of test scripts. So, when you start designing your framework, make sure to leave some room for these features: 

Modularity: Split test scripts into reusable components 

Data-Driven Testing: Use Data-Driven Testing to separate test data from the scripts to provide flexibility. 

Error Handling: Install anti-malware solutions to prevent potential threats. 

A good framework streamlines collaboration and makes it easier to maintain your tests. 

5. Write High-Quality Test Scripts 

A good test script decides the reliability of your automation testing. To ensure script quality: 

When naming scripts, variables, or methods, use meaningful and descriptive names. 

For adaptability, you should leverage parameterization instead of hardcoding these values. 

Set up appropriate error-handling procedures for handling unforeseen problems. 

Do not add anything unnecessarily, the more complexity, the more difficult it is to debug and maintain. 

Tools such as GhostQA minimize the efforts put behind scripting providing no-code possibilities allowing even non-technical users to write robust tests. 

6. Regularly Maintain Your Automation Suite 

Even though automation testing is a great way to ensure quality in applications, one of its biggest challenges is keeping the test scripts updated with application changes. Keeping your test suite effective and up to date, regular maintenance. 

Best practices for maintenance include: 

Frequent Reviews: Conduct periodic audit of the test scripts to ensure that they are not outdated. 

Version Control: Utilize version control systems to maintain history of your script modifications. 

Auto-Healing Features: GhostQA and similar tools can track UI updates and modify scripts to reflect changes with little to no human intervention, minimizing maintenance costs. 

Take good care of your automation suite so that it doesn't become a liability. 

7. Address Flaky Tests 

Flaky tests—tests that pass or fail randomly—are a common issue in automation testing. They reduce trust in test results and take up time when debugging. To address flaky tests: 

Dig deeper into what might be the underlying causes — timing problems or dynamic elements. 

Use explicit waits instead of static waiting in tests to make them aligned with application behavior. 

Prefer smart detection-based tools (GhostQA, to be precise) to eliminate the chances of flaky tests. 

This translates into flourish as flakiness and is the most significant impact in strengthening confidence in your automation framework. 

8. Ensure Cross-Browser and Cross-Platform Compatibility 

Most modern applications work across many browsers and devices, so cross-compatibility testing is a necessity. Your automation testing suite must: 

Add test cases for popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. 

Testing across different operating systems on mobile (e.g., iOS/Android). 

GhostQA abstracts cross-browser and cross-platform testing so you can verify functionality in several types of environments without repeating yourself. 

9. Leverage AI and Smart Automation 

AI is revolutionizing automation testing with better efficiency and lesser maintenance cost. Next-generation tools like GhostQA powered by AI offer: 

Auto-Healing: Automatically adjust to any changes made to the app;such as modified UI elements 

Predictive Analysis: Showcase areas with the most potential high risk to prioritize tests. 

Optimized Execution: Run just the tests that yield the most performance insights. 

Use AI-Powered Tools as these can help you to increase the efficiency and accuracy of your testing. 

10. Monitor and Measure Performance 

To measure the effectiveness of your automation testing, you should track key metrics that include: 

Test Coverage: Number of automated tests covering application features. 

Execution Time: Time taken to execute automated test suites. 

Defect Detection Rate: Number of bugs detected in automation testing 

Flaky Test Rate: Frequency of inconsistent test results. 

Consistent assessment of these metrics helps in discovering the areas of improvement in your automation efforts while also exhibiting the ROI of the same. 

Conclusion 

So, the right approach of selecting the right tool and plan properly will help to do a successful automation testing implementation. This could be achieved by adopting best practices like prioritizing test cases, maintaining test scripts, making use of the AI-powered tools and collaborating with other stakeholders in the process. 

Tools like GhostQA, which come equipped with codeless testing, auto-healing features, and user-friendly interfaces, empower teams of both technical and non-technical backgrounds to streamline their automation processes and devote their attention to shipping quality software.