#tech guides

[myinstafollow]

Unlocking Dynamic Island: A Guide for Android Enthusiasts

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Don't forget to share your personalized Android setups with us in the comments below. We can't wait to see the creative ways you make Dynamic Island your own!

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Kickstarting a book to end enshittification, because Amazon will not carry it

My next book is The Internet Con: How to Seize the Means of Computation: it’s a Big Tech disassembly manual that explains how to disenshittify the web and bring back the old good internet. The hardcover comes from Verso on Sept 5, but the audiobook comes from me — because Amazon refuses to sell my audio:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/doctorow/the-internet-con-how-to-seize-the-means-of-computation

Amazon owns Audible, the monopoly audiobook platform that controls >90% of the audio market. They require mandatory DRM for every book sold, locking those books forever to Amazon’s monopoly platform. If you break up with Amazon, you have to throw away your entire audiobook library.

That’s a hell of a lot of leverage to hand to any company, let alone a rapacious monopoly that ran a program targeting small publishers called “Project Gazelle,” where execs were ordered to attack indie publishers “the way a cheetah would pursue a sickly gazelle”:

https://www.businessinsider.com/sadistic-amazon-treated-book-sellers-the-way-a-cheetah-would-pursue-a-sickly-gazelle-2013-10

[Image ID: Journalist and novelist Doctorow (Red Team Blues) details a plan for how to break up Big Tech in this impassioned and perceptive manifesto….Doctorow’s sense of urgency is contagious -Publishers Weekly]

I won’t sell my work with DRM, because DRM is key to the enshittification of the internet. Enshittification is why the old, good internet died and became “five giant websites filled with screenshots of the other four” (h/t Tom Eastman). When a tech company can lock in its users and suppliers, it can drain value from both sides, using DRM and other lock-in gimmicks to keep their business even as they grow ever more miserable on the platform.

Here is how platforms die: first, they are good to their users; then they abuse their users to make things better for their business customers; finally, they abuse those business customers to claw back all the value for themselves. Then, they die:

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

[Image ID: A brilliant barn burner of a book. Cory is one of the sharpest tech critics, and he shows with fierce clarity how our computational future could be otherwise -Kate Crawford, author of The Atlas of AI”]

The Internet Con isn’t just an analysis of where enshittification comes from: it’s a detailed, shovel-ready policy prescription for halting enshittification, throwing it into reverse and bringing back the old, good internet.

How do we do that? With interoperability: the ability to plug new technology into those crapulent, decaying platform. Interop lets you choose which parts of the service you want and block the parts you don’t (think of how an adblocker lets you take the take-it-or-leave “offer” from a website and reply with “How about nah?”):

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/07/adblocking-how-about-nah

But interop isn’t just about making platforms less terrible — it’s an explosive charge that demolishes walled gardens. With interop, you can leave a social media service, but keep talking to the people who stay. With interop, you can leave your mobile platform, but bring your apps and media with you to a rival’s service. With interop, you can break up with Amazon, and still keep your audiobooks.

So, if interop is so great, why isn’t it everywhere?

Well, it used to be. Interop is how Microsoft became the dominant operating system:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/06/adversarial-interoperability-reviving-elegant-weapon-more-civilized-age-slay

[Image ID: Nobody gets the internet-both the nuts and bolts that make it hum and the laws that shaped it into the mess it is-quite like Cory, and no one’s better qualified to deliver us a user manual for fixing it. That’s The Internet Con: a rousing, imaginative, and accessible treatise for correcting our curdled online world. If you care about the internet, get ready to dedicate yourself to making interoperability a reality. -Brian Merchant, author of Blood in the Machine]

It’s how Apple saved itself from Microsoft’s vicious campaign to destroy it:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/06/adversarial-interoperability-reviving-elegant-weapon-more-civilized-age-slay

Every tech giant used interop to grow, and then every tech giant promptly turned around and attacked interoperators. Every pirate wants to be an admiral. When Big Tech did it, that was progress; when you do it back to Big Tech, that’s piracy. The tech giants used their monopoly power to make interop without permission illegal, creating a kind of “felony contempt of business model” (h/t Jay Freeman).

The Internet Con describes how this came to pass, but, more importantly, it tells us how to fix it. It lays out how we can combine different kinds of interop requirements (like the EU’s Digital Markets Act and Massachusetts’s Right to Repair law) with protections for reverse-engineering and other guerrilla tactics to create a system that is strong without being brittle, hard to cheat on and easy to enforce.

What’s more, this book explains how to get these policies: what existing legislative, regulatory and judicial powers can be invoked to make them a reality. Because we are living through the Great Enshittification, and crises erupt every ten seconds, and when those crises occur, the “good ideas lying around” can move from the fringes to the center in an eyeblink:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/06/12/only-a-crisis/#lets-gooooo

[Image ID: Thoughtfully written and patiently presented, The Internet Con explains how the promise of a free and open internet was lost to predatory business practices and the rush to commodify every aspect of our lives. An essential read for anyone that wants to understand how we lost control of our digital spaces and infrastructure to Silicon Valley’s tech giants, and how we can start fighting to get it back. -Tim Maughan, author of INFINITE DETAIL]

After all, we’ve known Big Tech was rotten for years, but we had no idea what to do about it. Every time a Big Tech colossus did something ghastly to millions or billions of people, we tried to fix the tech company. There’s no fixing the tech companies. They need to burn. The way to make users safe from Big Tech predators isn’t to make those predators behave better — it’s to evacuate those users:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/18/urban-wildlife-interface/#combustible-walled-gardens

I’ve been campaigning for human rights in the digital world for more than 20 years; I’ve been EFF’s European Director, representing the public interest at the EU, the UN, Westminster, Ottawa and DC. This is the subject I’ve devoted my life to, and I live my principles. I won’t let my books be sold with DRM, which means that Audible won’t carry my audiobooks. My agent tells me that this decision has cost me enough money to pay off my mortgage and put my kid through college. That’s a price I’m willing to pay if it means that my books aren’t enshittification bait.

But not selling on Audible has another cost, one that’s more important to me: a lot of readers prefer audiobooks and 9 out of 10 of those readers start and end their searches on Audible. When they don’t find an author there, they assume no audiobook exists, period. It got so bad I put up an audiobook on Amazon — me, reading an essay, explaining how Audible rips off writers and readers. It’s called “Why None of My Audiobooks Are For Sale on Audible”:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/07/25/can-you-hear-me-now/#acx-ripoff

[Image ID: Doctorow has been thinking longer and smarter than anyone else I know about how we create and exchange value in a digital age. -Douglas Rushkoff, author of Present Shock]

To get my audiobooks into readers’ ears, I pre-sell them on Kickstarter. This has been wildly successful, both financially and as a means of getting other prominent authors to break up with Amazon and use crowdfunding to fill the gap. Writers like Brandon Sanderson are doing heroic work, smashing Amazon’s monopoly:

https://www.brandonsanderson.com/guest-editorial-cory-doctorow-is-a-bestselling-author-but-audible-wont-carry-his-audiobooks/

And to be frank, I love audiobooks, too. I swim every day as physio for a chronic pain condition, and I listen to 2–3 books/month on my underwater MP3 player, disappearing into an imaginary world as I scull back and forth in my public pool. I’m able to get those audiobooks on my MP3 player thanks to Libro.fm, a DRM-free store that supports indie booksellers all over the world:

https://blog.libro.fm/a-qa-with-mark-pearson-libro-fm-ceo-and-co-founder/

Producing my own audiobooks has been a dream. Working with Skyboat Media, I’ve gotten narrators like @wilwheaton​, Amber Benson, @neil-gaiman​ and Stefan Rudnicki for my work:

https://craphound.com/shop/

[Image ID: “This book is the instruction manual Big Tech doesn’t want you to read. It deconstructs their crummy products, undemocratic business models, rigged legal regimes, and lies. Crack this book and help build something better. -Astra Taylor, author of Democracy May Not Exist, but We’ll Miss It When Its Gone”]

But for this title, I decided that I would read it myself. After all, I’ve been podcasting since 2006, reading my own work aloud every week or so, even as I traveled the world and gave thousands of speeches about the subject of this book. I was excited (and a little trepedatious) at the prospect, but how could I pass up a chance to work with director Gabrielle de Cuir, who has directed everyone from Anne Hathaway to LeVar Burton to Eric Idle?

Reader, I fucking nailed it. I went back to those daily recordings fully prepared to hate them, but they were good — even great (especially after my engineer John Taylor Williams mastered them). Listen for yourself!

https://archive.org/details/cory_doctorow_internet_con_chapter_01

I hope you’ll consider backing this Kickstarter. If you’ve ever read my free, open access, CC-licensed blog posts and novels, or listened to my podcasts, or come to one of my talks and wished there was a way to say thank you, this is it. These crowdfunders make my DRM-free publishing program viable, even as audiobooks grow more central to a writer’s income and even as a single company takes over nearly the entire audiobook market.

Backers can choose from the DRM-free audiobook, DRM-free ebook (EPUB and MOBI) and a hardcover — including a signed, personalized option, fulfilled through the great LA indie bookstore Book Soup:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/doctorow/the-internet-con-how-to-seize-the-means-of-computation

What’s more, these ebooks and audiobooks are unlike any you’ll get anywhere else because they are sold without any terms of service or license agreements. As has been the case since time immemorial, when you buy these books, they’re yours, and you are allowed to do anything with them that copyright law permits — give them away, lend them to friends, or simply read them with any technology you choose.

As with my previous Kickstarters, backers can get their audiobooks delivered with an app (from libro.fm) or as a folder of MP3s. That helps people who struggle with “sideloading,” a process that Apple and Google have made progressively harder, even as they force audiobook and ebook sellers to hand over a 30% app tax on every dollar they make:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/doctorow/red-team-blues-another-audiobook-that-amazon-wont-sell/posts/3788112

Enshittification is rotting every layer of the tech stack: mobile, payments, hosting, social, delivery, playback. Every tech company is pulling the rug out from under us, using the chokepoints they built between audiences and speakers, artists and fans, to pick all of our pockets.

The Internet Con isn’t just a lament for the internet we lost — it’s a plan to get it back. I hope you’ll get a copy and share it with the people you love, even as the tech platforms choke off your communities to pad their quarterly numbers.

Next weekend (Aug 4-6), I'll be in Austin for Armadillocon, a science fiction convention, where I'm the Guest of Honor:

https://armadillocon.org/d45/

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

https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/31/seize-the-means-of-computation/#the-internet-con

[Image ID: My forthcoming book 'The Internet Con: How to Seize the Means of Computation' in various editions: Verso hardcover, audiobook displayed on a phone, and ebook displayed on an e-ink reader.]

[archivistofnerddom]

In the last few years, Star Wars has really been giving some great content about:

Girl Dads and the (adopted) daughters they love, support, and protect completely

Bail Organa and Leia Organa (“Obi-Wan Kenobi”)

Hunter and Omega (“The Bad Batch”)

Master Sol and Osha (and Jecki as well, if I’m being honest) (“The Acolyte”)

AND

Boy Moms/Mother Figures who love and fiercely defend the boys they’ve adopted

Beru Whitesun Lars and Luke Skywalker (“Obi-Wan Kenobi”)

Maarva Andor and Cassian Andor (“Andor”)

With bonus points to:

Girl Mom Breha Organa who is a moderating force to her husband and daughter while also being a loving and supportive guiding figure

Boy Dad/Uncle Owen Lars who just wants to keep an innocent boy safe in a terrible galaxy for as long as possible

Boy Dad Clem Andor who also saw a scared boy and gave him a safe place to call home

Girl Dads/Uncles/Big Brothers Tech, Wrecker, Crosshair, and Echo who also give Omega everything she needs to survive and a family to love completely

[posthumanwanderings]

[ PlayStation 2 Online Start-Up Disc 4.0 Help Guide ]

[weheartstims]

hello!!! id like to request a stimboard of The Guide(the tv head fellow) from cheesy hfj's 'paregui', with neon blue and old tech themes! i only ask for no soap cutting

The Guide (Paregui) with neon blue retro technology!

🟦|◾|🟦 ◾|🟦|◾ 🟦|◾|🟦

[skinside]

okay so, a lot is being said about all the shitty changes on tumblr lately. i've avoided many of these changes by downgrading to older versions of the tumblr app on android. however, there's one drawback i've faced: if you go back too far, you lose polls, one of the only good new features. so i decided to experiment version-by-version to see when certain desirable or undesirable features were added to the apk. unfortunately there's no version with polls but without tumblr live. i've compiled the detailed results here, in order of most recent version number

NOTE: to get old versions of tumblr, use apkmirror.com, which is a trustworthy, reputable source for .apk files, android's package installers. to downgrade your app you need to uninstall it and install an older apk (not necessary for upgrading to a higher version). a list of available apks for tumblr can be found here

TUMBLR .APK VERSION TESTING RESULTS

29.1.0.109

first version with new media viewer. any version before this should be okay in that department. (thanks @weeeeps for finding this!)

27.8.0.109

first version of tumblr apk with polls

still has old style media viewer

still has prev tags aka ability to navigate up reblog chain

unfortunately has tumblr live

27.4.0.12

first version with tumblr live (yuck), any version on apkmirror before this shouldn't have tumblr live

27.0.0.01

last easily installable version without tumblr live

it has the Halloween skeleton icon though

26.8.0.01

last version without tumblr live with a normal icon

**25.9.0.00** —MY PREFERRED VERSION

no tumblr live, no polls, yes old media viewer

last version of app where the "open tumblr links in app" feature functions properly even if the tracker api2.branch.io is blocked by your content blocker

if you use a version later than this, to successfully open a tumblr link from anywhere else on your phone in the you app, you have to unblock api2.branch.io from the ad/content blocker you use, otherwise opening the link in the app will fail. this took me some trial and error to figure out the issue

note: if you don't have an ad/tracker blocker on your phone, I'd recommend Blokada 5 (not 6)

again, disappointingly there isn't a version with polls but without tumblr live. if you want to see a poll you'll either have to share a post containing a poll to a web browser, or just use 27.8.0.109 (or slightly newer) and deal with snoozing tumblr live and having the live button on the navbar, but at least you get the old media viewer and can go up reblog chains again

sometime after the most recent version i tested, the new media player was also added. if anyone wants to test for the last version with the old media player, i can add that to the list as well added :)

if you want a version of the tumblr app with polls that doesn't have live, someone would probably have to mod the apk. i don't know how to do that, but there's modded versions of many popular apps out there, so maybe someone can try and see if that's possible for tumblr. otherwise just keep complaining about the shittiness and maybe staff will go back on the bad changes, though i wouldn't hold my breath on that

oh and if you're on iOS idk what to tell you, you probably have to jailbreak it to downgrade an app

[cannimumsable]

yeah so if you genuinely don't know how to write an email instead of using chatgpt and getting something that 1: has a chance to just fucking suck (and potentially be noticeably AI) and 2: uses stolen content, ruins the environment and indicates to the gen-AI companies that you want more gen-AI bullshit that will steal things and ruin the environment, you can look up how to write an email or look up email examples. here's a website, here's another, here's the wikihow page (it's a bit shit but it does its job), here's a good one for formal emails, and here's an email I sent today (more examples under the cut):

something that's really annoying right now is that most websites are desperately trying to sell you their cool funky AI friend that can write the email for you, and look at me: you have to tell it to go fuck itself (in your head, don't use it). this isn't about you being a moron for not being about to write an email, I struggled with it for a while too, I still do sometimes, writing emails notoriously sucks. gen-AI sucks more.

also, this might not be the case for everyone, but please at least try to learn how to write the email before using chatgpt, it will help you forever. if you have a question about emails or if you're not sure how to write one specific email, you can send an ask: I'm not all-knowing but I'll do my best to help.

I can mostly help for college/high school levels and I am studying in a French school, so the codes may not be exactly the same, but I am in fact being taught by English speakers, sometimes native ones.

I'll give more general advice at the end, but here are a few examples of emails I would send.

If there's even a small chance of your teacher not recognizing you, write at the top something like "I am Name Last name, I am in your X-Y-Z class on Mondays from 8AM to 9AM". This isn't too useful in high school because your teachers likely know you, but in college your teachers might not. This will give them context.

Do your best to avoid typos or grammar errors. Reread your email, especially if the teacher is a language teacher.

Be polite, always, unless the teacher explicitly specified they don't care.

You do not need to beg for anything, don't debase yourself, and if a teacher makes you debase yourself, report them. You shouldn't have to beg for something that you ask for in an email. (so no more than one please per email, and avoid this one please if possible).

If it's possible and safe for you, prefer discussing important matters IRL.

Remember who you're talking to. Is the teacher strict or chill? Younger or older? Are they a white abled man or a Black disabled woman? Are they very into "respect the teacher!!" or do they put themselves at your level? Are you a 15 y/o high school student or a 20 something college student? Is this teacher familiar with you? Have they been understanding in the past? etc.

Generally, despite all my warnings above, a simple polite email will be fine with most teachers. If you're not sure how to identify the above possibilities or how to alter your emails depending on them, just write a formal, polite email (like seen above).

Some universities have online courses that teach you how to write emails. If there is a web-type course in your university and you can take it, take it.

Mine has one. I hate it. They defined a tweet as a "post on a blogging platform". I have to complete it or I don't pass. It still has a good tutorial for writing emails. You are lucky in the sense that emails are like the basic thing that even the boomer teachers know how to do (even if they don't like doing it), so there are a lot of resources for people who haven't written emails yet and need to learn.

If possible, ask your teacher at the start of the year what email to contact them with - if you're lucky, they'll say things about what kinds of emails they want.

If you're lucky still, someone else will send a shit email and the teacher will make a point during the class to remind how to write a proper email.

I put "Dear name" everywhere, but if it's not an extremely formal setting, some teachers will be fine with a "Hello". If you're not sure of the receiver's gender, use their title (Dr. etc).

For the extension: sometimes teachers aren't allowed to give you an extension or are assholes who don't want to give you an extension. In that case, don't bother writing another email (again: don't beg. + it will make them dislike you which you don't want).

This works more in work settings, but I read once that it's good to say "I will be taking a day off" rather than "May I take a day off/is it possible to take a day off". Just say that it's going to happen.

Know your rights. I can't know them for you. Figure out what the teacher can and cannot do through legal documents on your school's website or whatever. Know your rights depending on your state or country.

If you have a bad memory and don't want to have to look up how to write an email everytime, open your notes app or your blocknote or any preferred place to take notes and write down the important. I'd advise to note common greetings, subjects, opening and closing lines. Same for your teachers, if you need to remember which one is a bitch and which one is chill, write their name down with a description.

[lusterdustim]

📺 | 💙 | 📺

🖥️ | ..... | 📺

💙 | 📺 | 💙

The Guide (from Cheesy HFJ's Paregui) stimboard with themes of old tech! For: anon! Hope you enjoy!

[neon-junkie]

The Beginners Guide to Osculation

Summary: A late night chit-chat on the Marauder reveals that Tech, your friend and squad mate, has never had his first kiss. The least you can do is help the man out, and teach him a few things along the way.

Pairing: Tech x f!Reader

Word count: 5k

Tags: First kiss, Friends to lovers, Awkward flirting, Kissing lessons, Confession of feelings, Making out, Open ending.

Notes: I feel like I haven't written anything in so long?? Writers block is crazy. Sorry if this is OOC for Tech! This goes out to my beloved @tech-deck​ Thank you to @temple-elder​ for proofreading/editing <3

If it weren't for his snooping, Tech would have never of found himself in this position.

There you were, innocently scrolling the holonet during your shift on the night watch. The Marauder is quiet, parked up in a remote location as the night sky hangs overhead. You were mindlessly reading a new chapter of your favourite holofic, that was, until a voice piped up during the dead of night, scaring you to an inch of your life.

"They're doing what?"

You turn to find Tech standing there, eyes fixated on the screen, the image of your holofic reflecting against his goggles. You've never closed a tab that fast in your entire life, making Tech's mouth turn downwards at your dismissal.

"Do you mind?" you scoff.

Tech blinks once, twice, before tilting his head ever-so-slightly. "Your taste in fiction is... questionable, to put it lightly. Nonetheless, people are free to do as they please."

And with that, Tech continues down to the kitchenette, flicking on the caf machine as if nothing has happened. You push your chair backwards, peering over at him with your mouth agape. "The least you could do is make one for me," you comment, to which Tech hums in agreement.

"If you insist," he replies, and pulls out two mugs, ready to be filled with a warm, but dull, GAR approved blend of caf.

Soon, your cup of caf is placed down on the control panel, and you're expecting Tech to return to his dorm, and leave you to it. Only, he doesn't. Tech scoots a chair besides you, and lets out a pleasant sigh as he sits down, sipping on his caf.

"So, what exactly were you reading?" Tech questions with curious eyes. His toned pecs move against his under armour as he places his hands in his lap, one ankle resting on his knee. Tech looks like he's eager to start a conversation with you, but given his previous reaction, you're not entirely sure how things will go...

"Take a guess," you sigh as you relax back in your seat. Whilst you enjoy Tech's company, you were hoping for some alone time to catch up on various things during your night shift. Little did you forget that Tech is also a night owl.

Tech's eyes wander to your screen, only to return to you as he realises that you've since closed your holofic. His fingertips come up to rest on the curve of his goggles as he speaks, "I assume it was a romantic novel, given what I saw, and how you are blushing."

"Blushing?!" you sputter. Resting the back of your hands against your cheeks, you come to realise that you're far warmer than you realise. "Okay, maybe I am..."

"That is a natural reaction," Tech states with his finger pointed, before it relaxes back on his lap. "On to my next question; why?"

Your eyes narrow, "why what?"

"Why that genre?" Tech asks with a shrug. "Why not pick something more thrilling? Or enticing? Although, perhaps romance is what you find enticing?" His brows knit together as fingertips meet his chin, wandering into thought. Tech snaps himself out of it when you give him your reply, and to his surprise, it's simpler than he expected.

"Because I like it."

"Oh." Tech's mind falls blank, whilst his lips remain open. "Well, I suppose that's one way of putting it."

"What about you, Tech?" you cut him off, wanting to push the point of focus from yourself, and onto your curious friend. "Do you ever read holofics? Or do you prefer instruction manuals?"

"Very funny," Tech groans. "Holofics are not an interest of mine. I prefer to read informative articles, such as current studies happening across the galaxy, or ones that dive into the evolution of flora and fauna on various planets."

You can't help but mutter, "nerd," beneath your breath, which causes Tech's expression to drop in annoyance. He knows you're only teasing him, but still...

"So, why don't you try something different? Maybe start with a romantic holofic? Or do you avoid them because you can't relate?" You ask your last question with a wink and a playful tone, only, your teasing isn't reciprocated.

"That is precisely the point," Tech replies with a blank expression, informing you that you've hit the reason head-on.

"Wait, what?"

"You are correct," Tech admits with a shrug. "Romantic holofics are not an interest of mine, purely because I cannot relate to them. Sure, I can find the appeal in action or adventure, but romance often makes me feel..."

"Lonely?"

Both of your shoulders drop in desperation, and Tech simply nods in agreement. "Lonely," he repeats, tugging on your heart strings.

"I'm surprised," you confess, which causes Tech's sad expression to shift into confusion. "That you're lonely, I mean. I've always assumed that you at least had someone to talk to, maybe visit whenever we're on Coruscant." Tech is a handsome man, and Maker forbid that he doesn't get attention every once in a while. You can't deny that you have a thing for him.

Tech can't help but let out a light laugh at your assumption. "If only!" he chuckles, resting one hand on his chest, which rises and falls at a quickened pace from his chuckling.

"Seriously? No one?" you pry, wanting so desperately for Tech to be pranking you, only his expression doesn't shift.

"Yes, really," Tech says with a shrug. He almost seems unbothered by it, minus the pained glisten to his eyes. You assume that he's used to it - to being lonely - which makes you realise that you and Tech suddenly have far more in common.

Shaking your head in bewilderment, you blink heavily before throwing more questions Tech's way. "You've at least kissed someone before, right?"

"No."

You're stuttering! Utterly speechless! Is this all one big prank? Has Tech finally snapped, and decided to get his own back on you, seeing as you tease him on the regular? Any second now, a camera crew will pop out of nowhere, and you'll be framed as the most gullible idiot in the galaxy.

"You can't be serious," you sputter. How can a man such as Tech not have anything going for him. Not even a kiss at 79's? You know he's oblivious when it comes to flirting, and body language, and... many other things, but maybe Tech has been one to initiate something?

Tech's eyes fall to the floor as his brows slant downwards, putting together an understandable explanation. "Intimacy of any kind has not been a priority of mine. Given that I was born and bred for war, I have accepted that my life is planned for me, and it does not include any form of relationships."

A pained sigh trails from your lips, "oh, Tech." You can't help but coo at him, heartbroken for the man. Although, you also want to slap some sense into him, and make him realise that his path is not yet chosen for him. "But I thought that... you know, your brothers have had relationships, so surely you have too?"

"Your perception of me is so innocent," Tech says with a soft chuckle, his words laced with affection. "Again, no. Just because my brothers have been intimate, does not automatically confirm that I have, too."

"Do you want to?"

Tech softly shakes his head in amazement at your sudden and straight-forward question, his wide eyes locking on to yours. "Excuse me?"

"I mean, do you want to be intimate with someone? Even if it's only a kiss?" 

Gloved fingertips come up to Tech's goggles, and he trails the pads against the curve of his lenses as he debates your question. "I won't deny that the appeal of intimacy affects me. I have questioned what such an experience would be like, but I have also accepted that I am highly unlikely to ever proceed in that direction. Some things are simply not meant to be."

"Not meant to be? Phfft. C'mon, Tech! This is a kiss that we're talking about!" You burst with a wave of your hands, forgetting to keep your voice down as your squad sleeps down the Marauder's hallway. Tech, whilst being shocked, also has a smile on his lips, happy that you seem so eager and sympathetic towards him.

"Indeed, but still," he shrugs. You groan in annoyance, frustrated that Tech has put it into his own head that he'll never reach first base with someone. Your eyes wander to your caf, sitting forgotten on the control panel, and you take a well-needed sip.

Has Tech spiked your caf? You find your next set of words falling out of your mouth before you can even think them through. It's as if the Maker has given you a push; you've dreamt of this, but you never thought you'd have the confidence to start digging for it...

"Would you like to have your first kiss?"

"What?" Tech almost spits his caf out, and firmly places the mug back onto the desk, worried that he's about to spill it all over himself. "With whom?!" he sputters, failing to meet your gaze.

When Tech does finally meet your gaze, his head is dipped down, a sheepish expression. His cheeks flush into a vibrant shade of red, and he sputters again as you point to yourself and ask, "how about me?"

"You..." Tech pauses, and lets out a soft laugh, bewildered at the predicament that he's in. "You cannot be serious?"

All you can do is roll your eyes, a little insulted from Tech's reaction, but you know he means no harm. "I am serious," you state, adding firmness to your words. It's now or never, and even if Tech does reject you, at least you can say you tried.

Tech sounds as if he's about to start hyperventilating. His hands flex before meeting the back of his neck, rubbing non-existent sweat from it. He licks his lips, then licks them again as a series of words fall from his mouth, "I... well, but we... perhaps..."

"You can say no if you don't want to. It's alright, Tech-"

"-No, it's not that I don't want to kiss you. It's... uh."

A deep sigh trails from Tech's lips as he straightens his back. He clears his throat, then straightens his goggles, which have drifted astray during his moment of panic. Tech's lashes flutter shut, and he lets out another deep breath before meeting your gaze, his brows slanted, stating that he means business.

"You are an extremely attractive woman, and I won't deny that I haven't thought of you in an intimate setting before. That being said, I am nervous, to put it blankly. Both at the idea of having my first kiss, and my first kiss being with... well, you."

Heat rises to your cheeks as your heart begins to thump happily in your chest. "Tech!" you gasp, fanning yourself with your hands as a way of letting out your flustered emotions. "You're so sweet! You really find me that attractive?"

Tech, with a cocky smile, replies, "have you seen yourself?"

He lets out a soft laugh, and doesn't attempt to hide the blush forming on his cheeks. "Stars," Tech says with a sigh. "I knew I was set up for failure when you were assigned to our squad."

"What do you mean?" you question, tilting your head ever-so-slightly.

"To put it blankly, you are distracting," Tech explains with his finger raised.

A soft laugh trails from your lips, and you shake your head in amazement. "Really?" you question. "A highly skilled Trooper gets distracted by little ol' me?" you bat your lashes, and rest your chin in the palm of your hand.

Tech's back straightens as he blinks heavily. "Little? Old? You are neither of those things?" he hums, wandering off the topic.

"It's..." you stutter, and wave your hand dismissively. "It's just a phrase, Tech," you explain. "Anyway, back to the topic... your first kiss," you say with a cheeky smile, causing the tip of Tech's ears to blush red.

"Ah, yes," he clears his throat, and adjusts his goggles. "My first kiss," Tech repeats, in awe that those words are falling from his mouth. Soft eyes trail across the floor before briefly meeting yours, a clean sign of shyness. "There is one minor issue," he states with a finger raised.

"Go on?"

Tech's hands clasp together, "well, whilst I have... researched all forms of intimacy on a wide variety of levels, my mind has fallen blank on osculation. If you could-"

"-Osculation?" you repeat with a laugh. "Is that-"

"-Kissing, as you'd so call it..." Tech explains with a light chuckle. He always does this - pulling out the fancy words whenever he's nervous, or just trying to flex. "As I was saying, my mind has fallen blank. If you could... direct me, that would be highly appreciated."

You let out a pleasant hum at his words. "I'll be your kissing teacher, Tech," you flirt.

"Please do not mock me in my time of desperation," Tech warns with a weary sigh, forcing you to bite back a giggle.

"Fine," you drag the word out, followed up by a sarcastic sigh. "I'll teach you, alright, Tech?"

Tech agrees with a firm nod, and so, your lessons begin. Seeing as Tech has never been kissed before, it only makes sense to start with the absolute basics - a simple peck. Nothing outrageous, nothing sloppy, just a simple press to his lips. Hopefully such a minor gesture will ease his nerves, rather than plummeting him in the opposite direction. The last thing that you want is a nervously sick Technician.

"We're going to start off simple," you begin. A pair of alert eyes are on you, and Tech straightens his posture to flaunt his full-focus. You are his teacher, and he is but your humble, virgin student.

"Let's start with a peck on the lips. Just that. A simple press of our lips together for... what? A second or two?"

"Alright," Tech nods as a hand comes up to adjust the edge of his goggles. "Should I... close my eyes?"

You shrug, "well, that's what most people do. I can't imagine that kissing with your eyes open is nice for anybody."

"Alright."

Tech pulls his chair closer to yours until your knees begin to slot between each other. He shuffles towards the edge of his seat, hands grasping the arm rests until he forces them to relax in his lap. One hand flexes open, and you can tell that he's hesitating on touching you, but he swiftly decides to keep his fists shut, and keep his hands to himself.

After sucking in a deep breath, Tech's eyes finally meet yours, and he's as serious as he can be. "I am ready," he says with a nod.

All you can do is shake your head in amazement. "Tech," you say with a sigh, and bring your hands up to rest on his shoulders. "Relax," you order, pushing down lightly on his shoulders in an attempt to ease the tense muscles beneath your palms.

Another sigh flows from Tech's lips, and to your surprise, he moves his hands from his lap to cup your hands in his. "This is... an experience that I've yearned after for a long time. I cannot help but feel tense in such a moment," he admits, his thumbs subconsciously running over the back of your hands.

"I understand, and you're going to be just fine," you say with a smile, which Tech mirrors back.

Now, it's your turn to push yourself to the edge of your seat, slotting your legs deep against Tech's. Your face is mere inches from his, and you can feel his breaths against your skin, every breath laced with nerves. "Do you want me to bridge the gap? Or will you?"

"I will do it," Tech states in a tone that implies he's about to commit the most heroic act in history.

"Alright," you say with a soft laugh. "Whenever you're ready."

And now, there's a pause. Your eyes are locked onto each others, but you notice the light sweat forming above Tech's brow. Not wanting to make things worse, you allow your eyes to fall shut, encouraging him to take the leap.

One deep breath, followed by another, and finally, Tech slowly moves his head forward, and plants his lips on yours.

It's light, far lighter than you were expecting - a simple press of Tech's lips on yours, barely there for a second. Dare you say it, but you're a little disappointed that he didn't allow his lips to linger for longer. No bother, as you'll get to that in the next stage.

When you open your eyes, you find that Tech's are already open. He physically doesn't seem any different, just as nervous and tense as he was moments ago. "How was it?" you decide to ask.

Tech shakes his head, almost in disappointment. "I did not feel anything," he sighs. "During my research, I found that participants would almost certainly... feel something, a euphoric sensation that stimulates from the act alone," Tech explains as he points to his chest.

You can't help but let out a chuckle, shaking your head at the same time. "That's probably because we barely kissed for a second."

"Perhaps," Tech agrees with a light shrug.

"Will you let me bridge the gap this time? And kiss for a little longer?" you offer. Whilst you're no expert, you know that you can pull that feeling out from the pit of Tech's stomach - if he lets you.

"Certainly," Tech agrees with a soft smile. "I will simply pull away if I, for any reason, decide I do not want to continue. Which I highly doubt."

"That works for me," you laugh. "Now, it's your turn to close your eyes."

To your surprise, Tech instantly shuts his eyes on your command. No nervous sighs are slipping from his lips, his hands aren't trembling, and his tense shoulders have finally settled into a calm state.

To encourage the sensation, you move one hand from Tech's light grasp, and tenderly cup his jawline. He reacts to the gesture with an upwards turn of his lips - a silent cue for you to make your move.

Leaning forward, you shut your eyes, and finally bridge the gap. This time, there's firmness to the kiss, not the smothering sort, but a sensation that verifies that you're there. Tech mirrors it, just as he mirrors the tilt of your head, allowing his form to truly mould against yours.

A flutter of seconds pass, and before pulling away, you allow your lips to teasingly move against his. It's brief - a small gesture of the next stage to come, but you know it's sparked something within Tech when your gaze finally meets his.

"How was that?" you ask as you move your hand from his jawline, returning it to his grasp.

Tech blinks - once, twice - followed by lightly running his tongue over his lips. There's a rise and fall to his chest, and after a brief moment of thought, he meets your gaze with a vibrant smile.

"Fascinating." 

You can't help but let out a laugh, enamoured by his choice of words. Only now do you realise how wide his pupils are. He's hooked - hooked on you? Or the new sensation?

"And how do you feel?" you question.

Tech sputters, a surprised laugh falling from his lips. One of his hands comes up to gesture to his chest, and he nods as he replies, "I feel it."

You smile, and enjoy watching Tech shift through a series of emotions. Before you know it, his emotions are flowing from his lips, going into detail about the sensation that he was so eager to encounter.

"I feel an instant increase in my dopamine levels, which must be the reasoning behind this euphoric feeling. My body also feels somewhat tingly, a pleasant sensation that is caused by an increase in serotonin. I can only theorize that, if we were to deepen the kiss, these sensations would maximise. That is, if you would like to continue this interaction with me?"

"We can keep kissing," you say with a wink, causing Tech's already vibrant cheeks to turn a deeper shade of red.

"M-May I... initiate the kiss this time?" Tech questions.

"Sure," you agree with a smile. "If you want, we can kiss for a little longer," you suggest, wanting to edge him further and further.

"I will allow the sensation of the moment to guide me," Tech responds, agreeing in his own fashion. His choice of words always leaves you smiling, and that smile is mirrored on Tech's lips.

Your eyes fall shut, and you patiently wait, letting Tech take the lead this time. He learns from your previous movements, one of his hands coming up to gently cup your jawline, his gloved thumb stroking over your cheek. You can't help but move your head into his touch, burrowing into the curve of his palm - a gesture that turns his lips upwards into a smile.

Tech's thumb strokes over your cheek before settling on your jaw, and with his hand now steady, he leans in. This time, Tech's kiss is firmer - not harsh, but not soft, either. He seems to be a fast learner, knowing exactly how much pressure to apply to get your head spinning. Not to mention how soft his lips are, not an inch of dry skin, nor is he sloppy. If he's already kissing this good after such a short period of time, then you must be an excellent teacher!

The kiss shifts into deeper grounds as Tech slowly moves his lips against yours, mirroring the movement you did moments ago. You instinctively do the same, soon crossing the line from a simple kiss, to light snogging. If the others could see you now, they'd certainly laugh; no doubt, you two look like two awkward teenagers kissing for the first time, sitting on the edge of your seats with only the lighting from the Marauder's control panel to guide your way.

The hand on your jawline slides down your neck, fingertips brushing against your hairline. Tech's hands are becoming as curious as his lips, as the other moves from your grasp to settle on the other side of your neck. He's cradling your head, tenderly holding you there, as if he's afraid that you'll slip from his fingertips.

For once, you find yourself stumped. Your hands are currently resting on your lap, feeling awkwardly lost. You decide to let one rest on Tech's lower thigh, giving it a soft squeeze as you settle there. Tech slips out a "mhm!" at the gesture, catching him off guard. You chuckle against the kiss at his action, and Tech can't help but laugh back.

"You startled me," he mutters against your lips. Whilst his words are playful, the tone sends a shiver down your spine - his voice is dark, husk, the sort of tone that you'd expect if things were getting intimate. Whether Tech is intending to sound like that is beyond you, but hey, if he wants to kick things up a notch, then you're all for it.

Your and Tech's definition of 'friendship' has long shifted now, and seeing as you're on the boarders of something else, you decide a little teasing won't hurt. "Forgive me," you respond, speaking against his lips in a tone similar to his. Tech's reaction is instant - a visible full-body shudder. His thumbs rub back and forth against your neck, just below your ear, all whilst he's sucking in a deep breath.

"Will you mind if I attempt something else?" Tech questions. He's pulled his face away from yours, yet you're still close enough to feel each other's breaths against your skin. Tech's pupils are so dilated that you can barely see the auburn rings around them, bewildered by a series of new and exciting sensations. He must be feeling the same buzz that you are, given his enamoured demeanour.

"Go ahead," you consent. To your surprise, Tech scoots his chair back and stands, offering you a hand. You accept, and with it, you're pulled to your feet.

There's a puzzled expression on your face, but Tech soon fills you in on his next experiment. "My research stated that the body reacts differently when kissing whilst standing, in comparison to sitting. May I kiss you whilst we stand?"

"If you'd like," you agree with a soft laugh. "I wasn't expecting such a simple request."

"Ah, but such minor changes can cause a vast difference," Tech explains. His hands come to rest on the small of your back, and with that, your palms find comfort against his shoulders. You can feel his muscles tensing and relaxing under your touch, his confidence growing, but there's still a layer of nerves left to untangle.

You find yourself on tip-toes as your lips are drawn to each other, smooching in the middle of the Marauder's hallway. Curious hands are roaming the small of your back, gripping and kneading away. Your hands soon slide up to relax around Tech's neck, and before you know it, you're being guided over to one of the ship's walls.

Cold durasteel meets your shoulder blades, but despite its chill, the wall provides some much-needed stability. Your knees are already becoming weak, threatening to buckle under you and send you plummeting to the floor. Who would have guessed that Tech, a virgin in all intimate fields, is making your head spin and your heart pound in your chest? He's got you in his grasp, quite literally, and every passing moment is welcoming more new and unhinged sensations.

It seems that you're not the only person being turned into putty, as Tech moves one of his hands from your back to rest on the wall, stabling himself. Thank the Maker that he's got additional support, as a surprised whimper slips from your lips, and Tech has to stop the kiss to pull his composure together.

His eyes meet yours for a brief moment, before disappearing below your line of sight. Tech's new target is your neck, and you physically can't hold back the soft mewls and whimpers that trail from your lips. He must be lying; there's not a chance that Tech is inexperienced. No newbie should be this good!

"Tech," you find yourself sighing. You're in euphoria, blissed out to perfection, but Tech perceives your tone differently to what you intended. He removes himself from your neck, and clears his throat as he straightens his back.

"I apologise," Tech sputters, failing to meet your gaze through his goggles, that are now on a tilt. "I was getting ahead of myself. Your consent is crucial to me, and I should not be pushing your boundaries without prior discussion-"

"Tech," you repeat his name again. Finally, he looks at you, with puppy dog eyes, and his bottom lip sticking out. "I was enjoying that," you inform him, followed with a tut and a disappointed shake of your head.

Tech's expression instantly softens out as a simple, "oh," slips from his lips. "Still, I should have asked beforehand."

"You have my consent," you say with a nod. "After all, exploration is part of the learning process."

Tech lets out a dreamy sigh as he pulls you tighter against his chest. "You enamour me," he compliments, and before you can even consider a reply, his lips are back onto yours.

This time, Tech is eager to kick things up a notch. Where this will end is beyond both of you, but you're both thrilled to finally be bridging the gap. Who knew that Tech's inexperience would come in handy, even now, when he's attempting to take the lead. With a slight parting of your lips, Tech finds himself running the tip of his tongue against your bottom lip. You accept him by mirroring the gesture, and before you know it, Tech's kisses are turning sloppy, all whilst he has you pinned against the Marauder's wall.

If one of the boys were to wake up now...

Thankfully, they don’t. Or if they do, then they have the decency to keep their mouth shut, and try to erase the strange image of you two making out in the hallway from their minds.

Between the open-mouthed kisses, you manage to throw in a compliment. "You're a faster learner," you say with a heavy sigh, peering up at Tech through half-lidded eyes.

Tech moves his hands up to cup your jawline, such a tender act during a passionate moment. He gazes into your eyes, causing your head to spin so fast that you have to hold on to his forearms to stable yourself. "I have an excellent teacher," Tech responds with a sweet smile.

And with that, he's kissing you again. Tech bends downwards, his hands meeting the back of your thighs with a soft squeeze. You know what he wants, and soon, you're clambering up into his lap, wrapping your thighs around his waist. The expert kisser - Tech - doesn't break his lips from yours as he moves over to the control panel, resting you there, two mugs of caf long forgotten about beside you.

Your legs remain wrapped around his waist, fingertips now entwining themselves with the soft curls of his hair. The quiet beep of your wristwatch goes off, only to be instantly silenced with a slap of your hand. You're meant to be waking up the next squad member for their shift on the night watch, but there isn't any need for that.

Let them rest, because you're bound to be up all night.

[snailfen]

this new dlc is crazy..... I've consistently been blown away by everything I've seen. every new mechanic, region, room, animal I've seen is proof to me that videocult has refined their craft to an insane degree, and I'm not even done with it yet. I really cant wait to see what else they come up with for their future games. the hard thing is though I have to hesitate when I recommend it to others because Im so used to this game that I forget how difficult the learning curve for this game is.... its a tough game but damn is it a good one. if you've been looking for an entirely new platforming experience I cannot recommend it enough

[swtechspecs]

Slayn & Korpil V-19 "Torrent" Starfighter

Source: The Clone Wars Visual Guide (Dorling Kindersley, 2008)

[lord-squiggletits]

The thing about forged medic hands is that in my personal headcanon, I feel like all forged medic hands baseline should act like Pharma's Luna-1 hands; not the ability to transform into (basically) anything, but because from what I can recall, Pharma is the only instance of a TF medic who isn't just holding tools in his hands and operating that way, but he literally has panels in his arms opening up while his hands are transformed into another tool so he's operating like 3 or 4 tools at once and I think that's so fucking cool.

Especially since they're alien robots whose most prominent feature is transforming so it really feels like having hands/arms that can split or transform into a bunch of tools like a hyper-advanced Swiss army knife should just be like, baseline. It seems like a much better way to take advantage of worldbuilding based on alien robots instead of having forged medic hands just be like, normal shaped hands but extra speedy/flexible/graceful or something.

Just look at the way that real life robotic surgery systems have multiple arms with different tools-- because the fact that they're machines means they're not limited to human physiology's limitations of movement and using hands to perform.

Makes way more sense that forged medic hands should be able to transform their fingers into different tools or have extra limbs stored in their forearms to hold even more tools. Plus it would lead credence to Ratchet's claims that forged hands have certain abilities that constructed hands can't replicate. (After all it makes sense that building medic hands, as opposed to just finding someone who was forged with them naturally, would be really complicated and resource intensive, so in Functionist Cybertron no one would bother building cold constructed hands to the same standards as forged medic hands bc they're not seen as having the same value.)

Granted if all forged medics had similar capabilities to Pharma's Luna-1 hands, it'd be hard to make Pharma's Luna-1 hands stand out as distinct. Then again the fact that "they can transform into anything" seems like it would be extremely special considering that you can only pack so many transformations into a single pair of hands. Plus, in Lost Light, Pharma-Adaptus is shown being able to transform his hand into a freaking blaster which means due to Luna-1/Adaptus' blessings or whatever, his hands don't just hold sets of doctors' tools but can turn into things completely unrelated to the function of medicine at all, including apparently multiple kinds of weapons. Quite literally infinite transformation.

[thebreaddemon]

Hitchhiker’s Guide has a comic I really want to read!!!! Anyway this is a thing I made for Towel Day last week rock on baby

[meganlynnhostetler]

A day in the life of a kennel tech 🐾

📸 Instagram: @meganlynnhostetler

📍Palm Springs, California

[daemonya]

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